Chapter 39 (2/2)

It was clear she loved her adopted mother and sister like her real family. That explained her extreme fury.

That was why I chose her. She could be the best weapon against our common enemy.

I didn’t let the emperor know of my real reason.

“I chose her because she can be trusted. The more trustworthy people I have, the better.”

He looked like he didn’t believe my explanation. He studied me for a few seconds and sighed deeply.

“You are getting better at hiding your feelings. Well, why not. I’m sure you have a good reason for it.”

He put down his empty glass. I didn’t reply to him.

Lucretius was about to stand up when he suddenly remembered something.

“Duke of Aeal is very persistent. Apparently, he still hasn’t left yet. He is insisting on seeing you before he leaves. Do you want to kick him out yourself?”

This was a surprise. I laughed loudly and clapped.

“Really? That’s perfect. I thought he already left and was planning on getting him back.”

The emperor frowned.

“What?”

He obviously wanted to know my reason, but I pretended not to notice him. When I refused to explain, he questioned me.

“Why don’t you want them gone immediately? I don’t understand.”

“Well…”

I smiled at him mysteriously. I loved this situation. Finally, I was, for once, taking control of our conversation. I paused on purpose and waited for his reaction.

Lucretius started to tap the table with his finger impatiently. He looked cross.

“So you aren’t going to kick them out. You are saying you would have called for him anyway. I don’t understand.”

“…”

“You don’t mean to forgive them and keep them here, right?”

I drank my wine slowly and answered. It was very strong.

“Of course not.”

Unless I had gone crazy, I would never do something like that. He knew it well.

Lucretius looked at me curiously. I thought I probably made him wait long enough.

I paused a little while longer until it looked like he was about to ask again. Before he could say anything, I interrupted him.

“It’s nothing special. It’s just I think they can be useful in fighting against the dowager empress.”

“You are going to use them against the dowager empress?”

Lucretius didn’t sound convinced and I understood why.

He continued, “Duke Aeal has no power at all in this kingdom. He won’t be any help for you against the dowager empress. On top of that, I’m sure they hate you, so…”

Suddenly, his eyes widened. He seemed like he realized something. He smiled slowly.

“Aha! Could it be…?”

I didn’t even say anything, but it appeared that he understood what I meant to do. He was definitely an evil genius.

Lucretius murmured to himself loudly, “I can definitely see them doing something stupid to fulfill their greed. I only met them once, but it was pretty obvious.”

“Exactly. Lisbeth will be especially useful. If I keep her near me, she won’t be able to stop herself from doing whatever it takes to get what she wants. She will grab the dowager empress’s attention for sure.”

I looked at my husband.

Beautiful golden hair and clear green eyes. Any girl would fall in love with such a gorgeous man.

Lisbeth would have been sent here if I wasn’t available. However, because she was a naïve, fragile young girl, I doubted she would have survived. She would have been murdered along with the former emperor on their wedding night.

I basically saved Lisbeth’s life and this meant I repaid my debt to the Bonafit family for taking care of me for a year.

We were even. If they gave up their impossible dream and left this castle, I would let them go and they would live. However, will they be able to let their greed go?

I didn’t think so. Just the fact that they were still here meant they wouldn’t give up on their ambition. I knew if I ignored them or kick them out, they would try to harm me in any way possible.

They weren’t grateful to me for saving Lisbeth. In fact, they saw me as the thief who stole Lisbeth’s chance at becoming the emperor’s first wife herself.

It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t angry. I was honest enough to admit I would love to cause them serious harm as an act of revenge for tricking me. However, the decision to keep Lisbeth close was based on pure logic.