Villainous Husband, the One You’re Obsessed With Is Over There - Chapter 184

Chapter 92.2

A few days before Angelica’s return, she had invited the Countess of Fallon to her residence to share a cup of tea.

“We must conduct ourselves properly.”

Countess Fallon nodded with a nervous look.

They both thought that life was truly strange. They never expected the two families to ever come together like this.

Originally, Count Fallon wanted to keep the Duke of Nerma in check, and the Duchess was well aware of that. But now was the time to put those old battles to rest. The two people put their heads together and talked for a very long time, and it wasn’t until late at night that the Countess Fallon left the residence of the Duchess of Nerma and returned home.

Not long after, Raniero returned with Angelica.

The return of the Empress occurred very quietly. Angelica, sitting in a modest carriage, kept her face hidden throughout the journey. There was no feast to welcome them into the palace, and Angelica went straight to the Empress’s palace.

Despite Duchess Nerma having warned them not to show signs of waver, the young maids were visibly surprised the moment they saw Angelica. Even though her health hadn’t seemed promising since she left for her recuperation, it was difficult to guess what kind of winter she had endured. Her once lovely, soft cheeks had become slender, and shadows appeared in her round eyes, making her look very different from before.

The Empress of the summer, who had shown a quick wit yet somehow vulnerable, disappeared like a mirage.

As Duchess Nerma and Countess Fallon bowed deeply toward her, Angelica cast a brief glance at them before she ordered with a weary expression.

“Step back. I’ll handle my affairs myself.”

The two maids standing in front of Angelica recalled the conversation they’d had at the meeting a few days earlier.

One of the things the two agreed upon was that they should never go against the Empress’s wishes. So, the two decided to omit all the necessary protocols as Angelica had instructed. Even if the Emperor were to request a visit, they must decline if her condition wasn’t favorable. Seeing that Angelica was brought in so gracefully, it became even more clear that it was Raniero who was fretting.

“I’ve prepared the bathwater for you. Countess Fallon and I will be staying in the guest quarters, so if you need any assistance, please ring the bell.”

As Duchess Nerma delivered her message crisply and left without even a polite greeting, the young maids exchanged glances. Normally, it would be appropriate to bid farewell to the Empress one by one when leaving the palace, but it didn’t seem like the right time for that now.

The Duchess glared at them in the silence.

‘Get out now.’

Only then did the young maids promptly file out of the room.

Without looking back at them, Angelica stepped out onto the terrace of her familiar room and looked outside.

Duchess Nerma glanced slightly over her shoulder at her retreating figure before leaving the room together with the Countess of Fallon. When she was confident they were far enough from where Angelica was, she whispered to the Countess in a lowered voice.

“It’s not quite the worst, is it?”

Countess Fallon nodded.

They had considered possibilities ranging from Angelica harming herself, leaving her body in a mess, or that she had lost her mind and was unable to reason clearly. However, things were much better than they had expected.

That was the problem.

“It would have been better if she was in a slightly more subdued state.”

The Countess shook her head and uttered.

Even though Duchess Nerma didn’t explicitly agree with the statement, inwardly, she shared the same sentiment. At their last meeting, the two concluded that Angelica wasn’t suited for the position of the Empress of the Empire. In fact, it didn’t matter who the Empress was as long as the Emperor continued to perform his duties competently.

Angelica’s problem was that she diverted Raniero’s attention from the war. It wasn’t desirable for Raniero to be so engrossed with Angelica, neglecting state affairs and leaving his position vacant for over a month as he did this time.

Among the successors of the God of War, Raniero Actilus was the most blessed.

Furthermore, he was still very young. So, at the most brilliant time to conquer the world and shake off Actilla’s will, Angelica’s presence was an obstacle.

‘She must be removed.’

If Angelica were to die, it would be a significant blow to Raniero’s spirit, and there would be a bloodbath. Nevertheless, they just had to endure and hold on when that time came. And as time passed, it might be possible for them to convince him to relieve the pain of losing her through war.

What could be done?

Actilla was the god of war and destruction, not the god of resurrection.

Once he realized that Angelica wouldn’t return, he would have no choice but to fulfill his duties as the God of War’s successor. In that case, as he expanded his power, Actilus would become even stronger and enjoy an unparalleled golden age.

Let Raniero suffer from Angelica’s absence like catching a lingering cold*. If, thereafter, no one could take her place in his heart, wouldn’t it be a cause for celebration as nobles of Actilus?
[ T/N: It’s a figurative expression suggesting that Raniero should experience the pain or discomfort of Angelica’s absence in a manner similar to catching a cold. It’s a metaphorical way of conveying the idea that he should feel the impact of her absence deeply. ]

The two maids exchanged glances and parted ways.

They thought that things would be easier without Cisen.

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