Chapter 80
Everyone except Marquis Blanche was left speechless by Charlotte’s shocking declaration. In the grand conference hall where the joint council was held, a young lady, neither married nor of marriageable age, had dared to request to adopt a child from the Emperor himself. It wasn’t just an ordinary request—it was a plea so bold that she refused even the honorary brooch made of refined silver, which made everyone wonder what kind of reward she expected. But this wasn’t even about rewards.
High-ranking nobles and Clagens didn’t know where to fix their gaze—on Charlotte, who had audaciously spoken of adoption, or on Marquis Blanche, who had suddenly become a great-grandfather? Or should they look at the Emperor and Empress, stunned by the unexpected request? Perhaps the High Priest, who seemed to be desperately suppressing a smile?
Duke Linda let out a dry laugh, disbelief clear in his expression.
“What on earth is this? An unmarried woman, without the blessing of marriage, speaks of adoption! Marquis Blanche, did you anticipate this would happen?”
“Shut your mouth and be quiet.”
Marquis Blanche warned Duke Linda in a cold voice, just loud enough for him to hear. Though he had not spoken harshly this time, the deadly glare from the Marquis, combined with his own realization that he had not expected this, made him wisely decide to remain silent.
‘I wonder how the Emperor views Charlotte.’
If Charlotte had at least hinted that she would request Aria’s adoption during the joint conference, they could have predicted the Emperor’s reaction and prepared accordingly. Perhaps they could have supported her argument or tried to persuade her. But Charlotte acted independently, without saying a single word.
She probably wanted to secure Aria’s adoption on her own, without relying on anyone. It was understandable, but reckless. Marquis Blanche began to quickly calculate the situation while keeping an eye on the Emperor.
Emperor Dillon was known among past emperors for his rational, calm, and objective outlook, yet he also possessed flexibility. Even if Charlotte had made a request that bent the rules, there was a good chance he wouldn’t scold her harshly.
Above all, Charlotte had used her wits wisely. She had not demanded adoption recklessly; she requested it at a moment when her achievements were being recognized and rewarded. Moreover, she refused both the honorary brooch and any other rewards. Looking solely at the present situation, nothing seemed to threaten Charlotte.
‘The real question is how Charlotte will persuade the Emperor…’
Marquis Blanche prepared to intervene if things went awry and began watching Charlotte closely.
Fortunately, Emperor Dillon’s lips were not tight, nor did his face show displeasure. The smile he wore seemed rooted in curiosity. His attention was drawn to Charlotte holding Aria, rather than to wealth or rewards, and he began to assess her intentions.
“Miss Blanche, in the Agent Empire, unmarried men and women cannot adopt children. I do not believe you are unaware of this. Then why bring such a request to me?”
“To take responsibility.”
“Responsibility, you say. There are responsible ways to ensure a child finds a good home. Why insist on adoption?”
Charlotte knew appealing emotionally, as she had when persuading her grandfather, would not work here. Explaining the bond she had formed with Aria in Nostri would not suffice. This was a place of logic. She had to provide a solid, understandable reason for wanting to adopt Aria—one that everyone could accept.
The Emperor was listening. If she missed this chance, she would also lose the opportunity to become Aria’s mother forever.
“Your Majesty, I thought the Kenniths were faithful people. I believed they could care for Aria properly and provide her with love, so I sent her with them. Even though Aria herself did not wish to go. However, contrary to my expectations, they used her purely to facilitate her escape and even intended to sell her to a slaver.”
Charlotte’s heart had plummeted when Marc revealed that the Kenniths had pretended to adopt Aria but were really plotting to abduct her. If Baroness Verbel had not quickly come to warn her, or if Baroness Rossi had not hurriedly driven the carriage to reveal the truth… and if the monsters had not attacked the Kenniths’ carriage—she shuddered at the thought of what might have happened.
Thinking that Aria could have been sold to such vile people still made her heart tremble.
“Since then, Aria has been terrified whenever strangers approach. Even when the Marquis’s maids tried to treat her wounds, she ran away. If I had sent Aria to a different family or double-checked before sending her, she might not have developed such fear of people.”
Even last night, Aria had woken in tears, claiming someone was chasing her. Anyone with dark brown hair made her startle and hide in skirts, because the Kenniths had dark brown hair. She now refused long sleeves that reached her wrists, which she previously would have enjoyed, and even hair touched gently would now make her jump in fright.
The Kenniths’ betrayal had become a nightmare for Aria.
“Your Majesty, you may say I could have sent her to a better home, but I do not know if Aria would thrive there. Childhood experiences leave lasting marks into adulthood, and the worst memories never fade. I know this better than anyone.”
Charlotte’s last words silenced the room momentarily. Everyone present understood, without needing to witness it, how Charlotte had been treated as a child, how much she had suffered—how she had been regarded as a cursed, ominous young lady, destined to become a cruel villainess.
Charlotte could never forget the priests who had looked upon her with disdain, seeing her as impure. Though her father’s furious complaints had stripped them of their positions, she could not erase the memory of those scornful eyes.
She feared the same fate for Aria. She knew how difficult it was to grow up carrying fear and trauma.
“Because of my choices, Aria has endured such horrors. I wish to take responsibility for her. I am aware this request bends the law, but I ask your grace to permit her adoption.”
Charlotte had not grown up trapped by past memories thanks to Ronan’s unconditional love. Some experiences had become stepping stones for growth; others had taught her to handle similar situations with composure. She believed that Aria, too, could thrive with love.
The question remained whether Aria’s future parents could provide that endless love.
‘Could anyone love Aria more than I do?’
Charlotte’s answer was no.
Trembling, she looked up at the Emperor. Both he and the Empress wore expressions of feigned surprise, leaving her uncertain whether it was positive or negative. If her sincerity did not reach them, would she never be able to become Aria’s mother? She gripped Aria tighter.
Emperor Dillon remained silent for a while, quietly observing Charlotte and Aria. Then, without warning, he rose and descended from the dais, drawing everyone’s attention. His steps led directly to Charlotte.
“Your Majesty?”
Dillon extended his arms toward Charlotte.
“May I hold Aria for a moment?”
“Huh?”
Charlotte, utterly bewildered that the Emperor himself was asking to hold Aria, froze.
Meanwhile, Empress Catleya’s face twisted in displeasure. Charlotte hesitated, but as their eyes met, the Empress’s expression softened into a faint smile, though she still seemed uneasy. It was not a reaction to Dillon holding Aria—it seemed directed at Dillon himself.
‘Are the Emperor and Empress not on good terms?’
But that was irrelevant now. Charlotte’s mind raced as she considered whether it was safe to let Dillon hold Aria.
She decided based on the warmth in Dillon’s green eyes. Even seeing Aria for the first time, he looked at her kindly.
Charlotte gently placed Aria into Dillon’s arms. Thankfully, Aria did not flinch or cry despite the unfamiliarity. She looked up at Dillon quietly.
“Aria, what do you want? Do you want to continue living with Miss Blanche?”
Dillon spoke softly.
“You experienced terrible things at such a young age, and it isn’t solely Miss Blanche’s fault. The temple failed to notice the priest’s misdeeds, and as Emperor, I also failed to protect the people. Therefore, I intend to find you good parents—wealthy, kind, and capable of loving you for life.”
Charlotte and Dillon waited for Aria’s answer. Charlotte instinctively knew that Aria’s response would determine the outcome of the adoption.
Even if Aria chose to live elsewhere with better parents, Charlotte would understand. She had once failed to respect Aria’s choice and was prepared to endure it this time.
Aria glanced at Charlotte, then Dillon, and began to mumble.
“They tied me up with rope.”
“What?”
“When riding in the carriage, they suddenly tried to pull me out, tied me with rope, and put me under the seat. I cried because I was scared, but they covered my mouth. When I resisted, they grabbed my hair and yelled. It hurt so much…”
Aria’s small eyes drooped.
“Your Majesty, what if the parents you find for me do the same?”
