Chapter 163: Dual Powers
This was his house now. And he would let no one—not Anna, not even his father—take it from him. For the first time in days, he let out all his grief... He did not know how long he cried, but he huddled up in the bed, hugging one of her dresses.
He wishes it was all a dream but every time his eyes opened, the reality hit him. He was alone in this world.
The death of the Northern Duchess was a closely guarded secret within the Northern Duchy. Letters meant to announce her passing had been delayed by orders from the Duke himself.
The capital remained unaware, and so did Adeline, who continued her plans without the knowledge of her close friend’s loss. For now, her attention was focused on the pressing matter of her audience with the Emperor.
Adeline stood once more in the grand halls of the imperial palace. The towering marble columns and golden chandeliers that adorned the throne room never failed to remind her of the power the Emperor wielded.
At her side, her father, the Marquess, looked stoic, but she could sense his unease. The Emperor was not a man to be trusted lightly.
Adeline had spent the journey to the palace carefully planning her words. She needed the Emperor’s approval to carry out her plan to expose the Holy Temple.
When the Marquess had told her that the Emperor would listen, she doubted it. Yet, here she was, standing before the most powerful man in the Empire.
"Your Majesty," Adeline began, bowing gracefully. "Thank you for granting us this audience."