366
"Your Majesty, Duke Liberty is here to see you."
"Why does he want to see me?"
When I asked, bewildered, Countess Jubel shook her head.
I heard recently that Duke Liberty had surrendered, like Marquis Ketron. But unlike the Marquis, who had hung upside down like a bat, Duke Liberty only bowed slightly so as not to lose his dignity completely.
I also didn't expect anyone other than Heinley to come to see me all of a sudden. Since becoming pregnant, I did no more work than necessary, and I had to put it off whenever I felt a little tired or unwell.
Due to all that, his visit was most unexpected. There was no reason for Duke Liberty to visit me, personal or work-related.
However, thinking about it carefully… Although Duke Liberty had been a close aide to Christa, they didn't share blood ties, and he never directly confronted me or Heinley. He maintained a position such that he could back down at any time.
So, did he come because he wanted to take my side? Did it also have to do with William?
[TL/N: William is the youngest son of Duke Liberty. He was adopted by Mullaney's father. ]
"Let him in."
Rather than treat him coldly, I greeted him with a polite smile. Although we had differences, there was no need to be open enemies.
After exchanging pleasantries, he began to talk like any other nobleman as we discussed High Society, the Western Empire, and Whitemond.
Suddenly, Duke Liberty stared at me in silence for a moment, and carefully broached the subject he had come for.
"Your Majesty, I don't know how you will take what I am about to tell you…"
"All right. Say it."
"Did you have a bad relationship with Rashta in the Eastern Empire?"
What? Why is he talking about Rashta now? I didn't think he really wanted to know about how we got along.
Although it was suspicious, I tried to maintain a calm expression. He sighed, took out an envelope, and handed it to me.
"Your Majesty, take a look at this."
I accepted the envelope, opened it, and took out the letter,
"… My infertility was the reason for the divorce?"
The content of the letter was unpleasant.
Judging by the content and wording, it seemed that Rashta had written the letter… I forced myself to smile.
Even now that we were far away, she would not leave me alone. I didn't know why she was trying to attack me by sending such a letter to a nobleman from my country who happened to oppose me in principle.
Isn't she Empress of the Eastern Empire? Did she think that she should be the only Empress in the world? Or is her happiness based on seeing others unhappy?
As I looked at the letter, Duke Liberty said, cautiously,
"I don't know for certain why the Empress of the Eastern Empire sent me this letter, but I can guess."
Although I could also guess why, I asked,
"Really?"
"She thought that she could distance the nobles from Your Majesty with this letter."
"You think so?"
"Isn't that the only possibility? Why else would she send me a letter like this out of the blue?"
Duke Liberty sighed and shook his head as if Rashta was a terrible person.
His attitude amused me. The letter could become a weakness for Rashta if it became known that she wrote it. She wouldn't send it to Duke Liberty out of the blue like he claimed. She must have realized that he disliked me.
However, Duke Liberty must have come here even though he knew I would think that.
"I see."
The fact that Duke Liberty handed me this letter from Rashta was a sign that he would lower his tail.
It was quite clever. Since I was pregnant, the letter wouldn't be useful anyway. He seemed to want to gain my trust by offering me a useless weapon.
Although there was some hostility, as long as he did his part, it would be possible to forget the differences of the past. Rather than remain adamant, I smiled and drank the tea.
Duke Liberty smiled awkwardly and drank his tea as if he had realized my intentions.
"Such a letter is a clear offense to the Western Empire. I don't know how she could write this."
"Yes. I can't believe that Empress Rashta won't leave you alone now that you are here. Your Majesty must have had a hard time in the Eastern Empire."
We had a nice conversation for a while. But suddenly, Duke Liberty asked, worriedly,
"Since Your Majesty is from the Eastern Empire, you must know Lady Nian well, right?"
It was an unexpected question. Why does he mention Nian?
When I looked at him puzzled, he coughed and covered his mouth with his fist.
"Actually, Your Majesty. Umm… I'm embarrassed to say this, but… if I don't, I think there will be misunderstandings."
Misunderstandings? What is he going to say?
"If my son is still pursuing Lady Nian, can you tell her to coldly reject him?"
"Duke Liberty said that?"
That night, in our shared bedroom, I told Heinley about the conversation with Duke Liberty. Heinley tilted his head as if confused by my words.
"What do you think it means?"
"Well, it could mean literally what he said, or maybe not…"
"You're not sure?"
"… No."
It was no wonder Duke Liberty's son had fallen in love with Nian, or that Duke Liberty was worried.
Nian was unmarried, but she had a love affair with Viscount Langdel, the Commander of the 5th Division of the feared Supranational Knights.
Duke Liberty wouldn't want to get in trouble with Viscount Langdel or with me, so this must be a headache for him.
However, Heinley was right.
"I'll have to ask Nian first."
"Are you going to ask her?"
"There's something that makes me a little uneasy."
Viscount Langdel himself had told me about the situation with Marquis Liberty already.
Whether it had been calculated by Duke Liberty, or whether Marquis Liberty had really fallen in love with Nian, this matter needed to be cleared up. Nian would know if Marquis Liberty was approaching her with evil intentions, or if he was truly blinded by love.
"My Queen."
"What is it?"
"What will you do with the letter? The letter sent by that woman."
"I'll send it back."
"Isn't it a secret letter?"
"Just because it's a secret letter doesn't mean it's necessary to send it back secretly, right?"
Rashta used to be in an inferior position, but she had power when she wrote and sent the letter. As it was sent to attack the Empress of the Western Empire, there was no need to hide it anymore.
I was going to make a formal complaint.
"That's right."
Heinley immediately agreed. His face was full of happiness, pleased with my answer.
Why did he like it so much?
I was curious, but I soon found out by myself.
Heinley also held a grudge against Rashta. First, she had ordered a maid to pose as Heinley's letter friend, then she herself posed as his friend, and in the end, she branded Heinley a liar when he revealed the truth.
As I thought about it, I remembered how supportive Heinley had been to me ever since then, so I laid my head on his chest and fell asleep.
367
When I suddenly woke up, I heard some murmurs.
How long has it been since I fell asleep?
The voice was low and pleasant, but the things it said were a little strange.
Was I in the middle of some kind of sleep paralysis?
I don't think so, since I could move my hands pretty well. I opened my eyes, weakly, and saw Heinley lying on my belly with a book in his hands.
Is he reading from the book out loud?
It was the first time that I had seen him do this. Was it a newly acquired habit?
As I gradually woke up, Heinley's voice became clearer.
"King Oldrao took his spear and lunged at his enemy. He pierced his enemy with his spear, making a large hole in his chest, from which a lot of blood spurted out. Then, he withdrew the bloody spear and cut off his enemy's head. He displayed it as if it were a trophy and exclaimed, 'From now on, for every drop of our blood that is spilled, we will make them pay in kind; we will not tolerate any more persecution of our people…"
What's that?
I couldn't help but frown. Why is he reading that near my belly?
"Baby. You must have muscles and strong bones. It is better to have long arms to fight well…"
"Heinley?"
Finally, I couldn't stand it and called out to him. Heinley was startled and stammered,
"Queen? My, my Queen!"
"What are you doing?"
When I asked him about his suspicious behavior, Heinley flinched and hugged the book against his chest tightly.
However, I could see the title of the book between his arms.
"The King of War? Oldrao's War Memoirs?"
Duke Elgy left after making the shocking statement.
Sovieshu sat in a daze, deep in thought. The desk was littered with the papers left behind by Duke Elgy. He had said they were copies.
"It can't be…"
Sovieshu let out a heavy sigh.
The sum of money Rashta had borrowed was so large that it made him curse, but he could still afford to pay using his personal wealth. There would be no need to touch the country's funds.
However, the port was completely different.
It would be absurd to simply hand it over, but it would not be easy to refuse.
If Sovieshu did not want to hand over the port, he would have to prove that Rashta had never been fit to be empress, which would invalidate the document. He could also resort to other grounds to refuse, such as the fact that Rashta held the position due to special circumstances, her poor intellect, Duke Elgy's infamous reputation, and so on.
Duke Elgy wouldn't sit idly by. He would probably request arbitration from the Wol Continental Alliance.
The problem was that once arbitration was initiated, all the countries would find out.
What would happen next was obvious. The dignity of the Imperial Family of the Eastern Empire would fall to the ground, and everyone would mock him because he left the Empress Navier for a concubine who gave away a port.
The more he thought about it all, the more his anger grew.
Rashta could not conduct the duties of an empress, because she had grown up in a different environment. Sovieshu could understand that. But, couldn't she avoid causing trouble?
All she had to do was to eat and sleep quietly for one year, and she could live surrounded by luxuries for the rest of her life. Was that so difficult to do? Was it so hard to loaf around for one year?
How could an Empress be so crazy that she would commit to cede a territory to the royal family of another country? Not even a fool would do it.
"It's crazy."
Sovieshu's anger continued to grow.
Now, all he could do was to choose between losing the port and losing honor.
Of course, if it turned out that Duke Elgy tried to seduce the Empress to take advantage of her, then his reputation would suffer. However, his reputation had always been bad.
In contrast, the Imperial Family of the Eastern Empire had always been admired. Sovieshu stood to lose more in the end.
After a while, Sovieshu stood up and rang the little bell on the desk. When Marquis Karl entered, Sovieshu coldly ordered,
"Find Viscount Roteschu."
As the sun's rays broke through the clouds, the sky was tinged with a red light that slowly turned blue.
Viscount Roteschu wandered with a gloomy face through the streets as the traces of dawn faded.
'A girl suddenly ran out as if she was being chased, and those walking around her stopped to look at her like ghosts. It was strange. It looked like a horror scene.'
Viscount Roteschu recalled the story a little boy had told him.
The little boy was so frightened that he went home immediately, so he didn't know who the people were, nor what had happened next.
But the Viscount learned from a drunk that, on that same day, someone had offered everyone on the street free drink and food at a nearby bar. Supposedly, that person wanted to celebrate, so people ran to the bar and became intoxicated by the festive atmosphere.
Even little children who usually played in the alleys went to the bar with their parents and received sweets.
'The streets were intentionally cleared of passerby that day. So how come there was a crowd staring at the running girl?'
Viscount Roteschu clenched his teeth. He was convinced that someone ordered an attack on Rivetti.
But he couldn't guess who had done it. He didn't know who would want to get rid of Rivetti at such a high cost. Although Rivetti was immature, she wasn't the kind of person who would arouse such deep hatred.
However, he had to pause the investigation due to articles that appeared in that day's newspaper.
The princess, the daughter to whom Rashta gave birth, was not the Emperor's daughter. She was the daughter of the same man who fathered Rashta's first child.
Upon hearing the news, most people would say, 'Oh, my gosh! That's crazy!' But this was not the case for Viscount Roteschu, because Empress Rashta's first child was his grandson!
That day, Viscount Roteschu saw multiple articles in the newspapers and felt like his head would explode. When he first went out to look for Rivetti, he feared that Alan would get into trouble. Now, his fears had become true.
People talked about it with excitement, but he felt overwhelmed and aged. He found it hard to even think.
As long as the father's identity was unknown, only Rashta would be blamed for cheating the emperor with a fake daughter.
However, Viscount Roteschu could not believe that in this case his son had been identified as the father.
The fact that Rashta had a first child with Alan could be overlooked by the emperor, but he could not ignore that the princess also had Alan's blood.
'I never talked about Alan, not even when that damned asshole Koshar cut off my ear. Why did this come out now?'
Although Viscount Roteschu wanted to repeat the paternity test, he knew he did not have the power to do so, which made his headache worse.
He had built up many connections with the money he received from Rashta, but would these friends still be on his side in such a delicate situation? He was only the lord of a small territory with no influence. He wasn't sure anyone would listen to him.
His fear only increased when he learned that the Emperor was looking for him.
368
When Viscount Roteschu arrived at the Imperial Palace, two Imperial Knights stationed at the back entrance approached him.
"What can I do for you?"
Viscount Roteschu asked, scared, and one of the knights answered sternly,
"Follow us."
Viscount Roteschu flinched, but didn't resist.
As much as he wanted to turn and run, the thought of what might happen to Rivetti and Alan if he fled brought him back to his senses. So he followed them, even though taking each step was difficult.
Before long, they arrived in front of the emperor's office.
"He's here, Your Majesty."
A small bell rang inside. The knight opened the door and motioned to Viscount Roteschu. He swallowed hard before entering.
"I heard you were looking for me, Your Majesty."
Viscount Roteschu bowed deeply.
Sitting at his desk, Emperor Sovieshu glared at Viscount Roteschu. He had a very cold expression, and, had the Viscount been able to read his mind, he would have known that inside, his feelings were even worse.
Sovieshu was enraged at the thought that the princess had Viscount Roteschu's blood. The very sight of his face was infuriating. Rashta had been this man's daughter-in-law, and his family seemed determined to ruin the Imperial Family.
"Raise your head."
However, the voice that came out of Sovieshu's mouth was calm.
Viscount Roteschu hadn't made eye contact with Sovieshu yet, as he was bowing so deeply.
When their eyes met, Roteschu shivered at the Emperor's cold expression. No matter what he intended to say, it would certainly not be good.
"I'll tell you where your daughter is."
Unexpectedly, Sovieshu mentioned Rivetti.
"What?"
While Viscount Roteschu looked at him puzzled, Sovieshu coldly explained,
"Rashta kidnapped her and sold her into slavery. I was able to rescue her and protect her from Rashta, as she might try to harm her again if she knew your daughter was safe."
Viscount Roteschu blinked in a daze several times. He hadn't expected to find out about Rivetti's whereabouts while meeting the Emperor.
Besides… it was Rashta who spent a huge amount of money to harm my daughter?
Viscount Roteschu recalled that the two of them were on bad terms ever since they were at his estate. Of course, Rashta back then was in no condition to confront Rivetti, so her hatred was one-sided.
Rashta must have held a grudge against Rivetti. And since she was being blackmailed by Viscount Roteschu, perhaps she unleashed all that resentment against Rivetti.
Viscount Roteschu frowned.
'I thought that filthy slave would obediently cooperate, but she even dared to attack my daughter.'
He was horrified and angry that she had gone to such lengths to hurt someone she hated.
Amid his indignation, Viscount Roteschu was quick to notice a strange point.
"Your Majesty… why are you telling me this?"
He didn't understand, since Sovieshu was angry because of Alan.
"You and your son will die anyway for deceiving the Imperial Family."
Viscount Roteschu's eyes widened. A merciless smile spread across Sovieshu's lips.
"Do you want to save the other two?"
Viscount Roteschu was anxiously walking down a corridor of the imperial palace.
No doubt when Emperor Sovieshu had asked him if he wanted to save the 'other two', Rivetti must have been one of them since he told him where she was.
But he did not know who the other was.
He hoped that Rivetti and his wife were the 'two people' the Emperor would allow him to save.
He also wanted to save Alan, even if he had to give his life in return, but Alan was too embroiled in this matter. There was nothing he could do for Alan. He at least wanted Rivetti and his wife to live.
Neither the princess nor Ahn were important to Roteschu.
Viscount Roteschu was so terrified of death that his legs became weak, and he squatted down in the corridor.
"Oh, it's funny that we meet here."
At that moment, he heard a voice that seemed kind above his head. However, it hid traces of mockery.
When he looked up, he saw Marquis Farang looking down at him.
Roteschu knew that Marquis Farang was a friend of Empress Navier and her brother. Since Rashta and Empress Navier were enemies, Empress Navier's brother attacked Viscount Roteschu, who supported Rashta from the outside.
So, although they had never really interacted with one another, their relationship was not good.
Viscount Roteschu forced himself to stand up and asked sullenly,
"What do you want?"
Marquis Farang answered with a chuckle.
"Nothing. It's just that life seems fun to me."
"Fun…?"
Viscount Roteschu's voice distorted for a moment. He and his son were about to die. It infuriated him that this man called it 'fun'.
As Viscount Roteschu glared at him, Marquis Farang spoke calmly,
"Don't be so angry. You were smart enough to help Rashta take down Empress Navier, so you'll overcome this obstacle as well."
It was clear from Marquis Farang's words that he knew Viscount Roteschu's situation well, which made the latter even more angry.
"How could I have taken Navier down?! What did I do?!"
"You and I are not close, so, of course, I don't know exactly what you did."
"!"
"But I look forward to seeing what you'll do."
A mysterious smile appeared on Marquis Farang's lips.
Viscount Roteschu swallowed hard.
"What are you talking about?"
369
"Did you not understand my question?"
When I looked at him with my head cocked, an awkward smile appeared on his stiff face.
Heinley shifted backwards on the bed unsteadily, with the book still in his arms. The moment he reached the edge of the bed, he slowly stood up and backed toward the door.
Anyone could tell he wanted to run away.
"What are you doing?" I asked coldly.
"What do you mean?"
Although he answered with a pleasant voice, he still moved towards the door.
"Come back here. Take five steps forward."
Hearing the determination in my voice, Heinley sighed. However, he approached with big steps.
I didn't expect him to do that. By the fourth step he was on the bed and by the fifth he was inches from my face. He was cute, but I could tell he was trying to use his handsome looks to soften me up, so I frowned and said.
"Step back. Take a step back."
Unlike the big steps he took to approach me, this time Heinley only took a small step back.
"I'm not kidding."
I spoke coldly and Heinley finally stepped back properly and lowered his head. The book in question was still in his arms.
"Give it to me."
Once I reached out with my hand, Heinley hesitated before finally handing me the book he had been reading on my belly.
I knew it. I assumed it from the first moment. Glancing at the contents, I could see that it was a war novel. A novel that recounted many bloody events.
He was reading this on my belly?
As I stared at him with my arms crossed, Heinley excused himself and forced a smile.
"My Queen… it's believed that one can influence a baby's future by speaking to it in its mother's womb."
"So you expect our child to become a king of war?"
"That would be nice…"
"I read children's books to the baby to keep its mind clean. Do you poison our baby's mind while I sleep?"
"It's just that… I want a brave child to be born."
Looking into my eyes, Heinley added, stuttering,
"The little bird I saw in my dreams was very naughty… it needs to be educated early on."
What? Naughty? Isn't he talking about himself?
"The little bird I saw in my dreams was very cute and obedient, Heinley."
"Really? No, that can't be."
"It's fine if you want a brave child. But you have to omit some parts when you read a war novel. Why did you read that part where a lot of blood came out of the enemy's chest when he was pierced by the spear?"
"It's that… the baby must know exactly what war means. Otherwise, many people will suffer… the baby must learn that war itself is cruel…"
"Wouldn't it be better to teach our child about war as it grows up?"
Heinley didn't seem to agree with me, but I had already made up my mind.
I pointed at the door with the book.
"My Queen?"
"Get out!"
"My Queen…"
"Didn't you say you want to educate our baby in my womb? This is also education. The baby must learn that if one does bad things, one will be punished. Even its father."
Heinley's eyes were opened wide.
"His Majesty looks so depressed that I suppose his last meal did not digest well."
McKenna spoke cheerfully when he saw Heinley approach him dejectedly. McKenna was working overtime sitting on some steps near the office, with a plain oil lamp beside him, a wooden board on his lap and papers on it,
"That's very pleasant!"
Although Heinley glared at him, McKenna, whose eyes were tired from working late at night, held his ground with a certain drowsiness.
"No matter how scary you look at me, that's what I feel."
"Sometimes I really hate you."
"I often hate Your Majesty."
Heinley sighed and sat down next to McKenna.
"What happened?"
"The war memoirs book I told you about earlier for prenatal education."
"You didn't, right?"
"I did. My Queen caught me and kicked me out of the bedroom."
"Geez."
When McKenna clicked his tongue, Heinley muttered about the recent injustice,
"The baby should know. If one stabs someone, blood comes out, right?"
"It's a delicate subject. At this rate, you'll give your child a knife to stab someone."
"Is that bad?"
"… I wish I could kick Your Majesty out of here, too."
Heinley glared at McKenna again because he wasn't taking his side.
"I've been playing with swords since I was five years old, McKenna."
"So you remember the time you ran away after the Queen, Your Majesty's mother, slapped your rear?"
"I don't remember."
"You erase what doesn't suit you from your memory."
"Hey!"
"You turned into a bird and ran away from home. The King turned into a bird, chased you, caught you by the neck, and brought you back. The palace employees didn't know it was His Highness Heinley and His Majesty the King, so they joked that even the birds kept by the Royal Family tried to educate their children with proper etiquette. Do you really not remember?"
Heinley's gaze remained cold, but McKenna smiled broadly,
"Now you remembered?"
Although it might have seemed like they were fighting, Heinley wasn't really angry. In fact, the two were very close.
Heinley also knew that even though Navier kicked him out of the bedroom, she wasn't that angry. He grumbled as if he was sad, but inside he was happy. When Navier was in the Eastern Empire, she repressed her emotions as much as possible.
'Isn't she expressing her emotions more freely now?'
Heinley couldn't help but smile at the thought.
McKenna noticed and muttered,
"Oh… you're bawdy…"
McKenna knew Heinley would be upset now, so he grabbed his things and ran out.
Old Duke Zemensia had entered the Imperial Palace to find clues to his daughter's death. As he walked around, he saw Heinley and McKenna chatting happily, which made his heart ache.
"My daughter lies dead while these bastards…"
Duke Zemensia cursed as he clenched his teeth. Even if he died, he would not let those who caused his daughter's death be happy.
After he left the Imperial Palace, Viscount Roteschu hurried on horseback to a location indicated by Emperor Sovieshu.
Whenever his horse got tired, he stopped at the nearest town and bought the best horse to continue his journey as fast as possible. He wanted to hurry to save his daughter before Emperor Sovieshu changed his mind. His destination was on the outskirts of the Empire.
After riding for several days, he arrived at a small but beautiful mansion. It was the kind of villa that nobles of simple tastes might use, so he felt a little relieved.
'He didn't lock my daughter in an unpleasant place.'
Three men who appeared to be guards stood in front of the mansion. As soon as Viscount Roteschu approached, they pointed their spears at him. Roteschu raised his hands to show that he had no weapons and spoke to the guards,
"My daughter. I have come to find my daughter."
Since the guards had not received any new orders, they didn't lower their spears.
At that moment, a cheerful voice was heard.
"Father!"
When Viscount Roteschu looked up, he saw his daughter running towards him.
"Rivetti!"
Viscount Roteschu opened his arms and embraced his daughter. As she snuggled into his arms, he hugged her tightly. He had looked for her for so long. Seeing her safe caused tears to well up in his eyes.
"Father! How did you get here?" Rivetti asked, excited.
Viscount Roteschu opened his mouth to say, 'Emperor Sovieshu told me.'
But there was a lump in his throat and he couldn't speak. Tears kept falling down his cheeks, so he just hugged his daughter.
"Father?"
Only then did Rivetti realize that his behavior was strange, so she stepped back in surprise.
"Father, what's going on?"
Since Rivetti had been missing for a long time, his tears might be from the joy of seeing her again. However, his expression was too sorrowful to be mistaken for tears of joy.
"Father, do you know about Rashta?"
"Do you know too?"
"Yes! It was Rashta who tried to kill me!"
Rivetti exclaimed with her fists clenched in anger.
"If His Majesty hadn't discovered Rashta's plan in time and saved me, I don't know what would have become of me…"
Rivetti's face turned pale, scared just by saying those words. Her fingers trembled. Time had passed, but it was clear that she still hadn't fully recovered from the shock of the attack.
Viscount Roteschu was very angry to learn that Rashta had attacked Rivetti. He had heard it from Emperor Sovieshu, but he couldn't believe it.
He was also angry with himself. If he hadn't constantly blackmailed Rashta, perhaps she wouldn't have attacked Rivetti.
'No, nothing would have changed…'
"She doesn't want it to be known that she's a slave, so she attacked you to keep your mouth shut."
"Really?"
"Yes. I'm sure."
"Then we'll sink her first! Just reveal that she's a slave!"
Rivetti shouted angrily. She didn't know about the situation outside the mansion, so she thought that Rashta, who had attacked her and tried to kill her, was still living happily.
When Viscount Roteschu shook his head, Rivetti was surprised and reproached him.
"Will we turn a blind eye? She tried to kill me, how can we turn a blind eye?"
"I have something to tell you, Rivetti."
"I don't want to argue about this! I don't want to!"
"It's about us."
Rivetti was furious, but reluctantly managed to calm down when Viscount Roteschu took a firm hold on her shoulders.
"About us?"
"Your father is an evil man."
"What?"
Viscount Roteschu's words were completely unexpected. Rivetti asked, bewildered,
"Why do you say that?"
Rivetti knew that her father was not a good person, but she didn't consider him evil, either. It seemed strange that he would suddenly make such a confession.
"The princess that Rashta gave birth to has become your brother's daughter."
"What?"
Rivetti was very confused.
"Do you mean Ahn?"
"I mean Glorym."
"How is this possible? How can the princess be my brother's daughter?"
Viscount Roteschu's words were so shocking that she couldn't immediately accept them.
"That's what happened."
"I don't understand."
"Your brother has deceived His Majesty."
"Father…"
Rivetti finally realized the seriousness of the situation and her face paled.
"Then what will happen?… What will happen to my brother?…"
Viscount Roteschu pondered for a moment before replying.
Rivetti, who was still young, would believe him unconditionally. If he said Alan had been framed, she would believe him; if he said Alan was guilty, she would believe him, too.
He would have liked to be honest and say, 'both your brother and I have been unjustly framed.' But he didn't know how Rivetti would react if he did.
No matter what Rivetti did, he and Alan had already become the target of Emperor Sovieshu, who could wipe out the Viscount and his entire family.
However, Emperor Sovieshu made a request. His request was for Viscount Roteschu to drag down Rashta with him, probably because he wanted to get rid of her quickly and, in return, he offered to pardon two of his family members.
Rivetti would not accept this. Viscount Roteschu didn't know how she would react when he told her that only she and her mother would live.
After much thought, Viscount Roteschu finally lied.
"Your father is an evil man, Rivetti."
"Father…"
"Your father always knew. Now it's all over."
"What?"
"Your father knew that your brother got Rashta pregnant."
"No, that's absurd! Father, that can't be true! It's impossible! My brother is stupid and cowardly!"
"Rivetti!"
Rivetti didn't accept it and entered a state of panic, came to her senses when Viscount Roteschu shouted her name.
Roteschu held Rivetti's arms tightly and said,
"His Majesty has shown enormous mercy. He has said that only those involved will be punished. You and your mother knew nothing about it."
"Father…"
"Go back to the estate. Go back to the estate before the situation gets worse. When your brother and I die, you will become the successor."
"Father! I hate this! I'm the only one who will live!"
"Do you want your mother to die too?!"
"!"
"Daughter, my precious daughter. You are intelligent, but young and immature…"
"Father… Father…"
"Your father ventured out for our family and failed in the attempt. I'll take responsibility for that, so don't blame anyone. Go back to the estate, take care of your mother and take care of the estate. It's all yours and your mother's. Go back immediately. I'll get rid of the mansion here as soon as possible and send you the money, so pack your things and don't waste a second. Do you understand?"
Rivetti shook her head in tears.
370
'I've been waiting for a chance to get revenge on Rashta. How could this happen?'
Rivetti was happy to be reunited with her father. But she could not enjoy the moment because now she had to flee, while her father and brother would be executed.
She was convinced that it couldn't be true. Although her father was greedy, she didn't believe him capable of plotting such madness. On the other hand, her brother, who was foolish and driven by his emotions, was definitely not someone who could be involved in this plot.
However, Viscount Roteschu's expression was very serious, so he did not seem to be joking.
Viscount Roteschu's eyes filled with tears again at the sight of his devastated daughter.
No parent would want to admit to their children that they were evil. Viscount Roteschu was no different, so he never told his children that he had blackmailed Rashta for months.
Yet now he had to take the blame for a crime he had not committed.
"When someone asks you about your father and brother, say that you had a terrible father and brother, that you didn't get along with us, even communication with us wasn't good. Do you understand?"
"Father, I don't like this. It's unfair. I want to see His Majesty. I'll tell His Majesty that my father had nothing to do with it!"
"No! His Majesty has already been merciful enough to allow you and your mother to be saved, so you mustn't make him angry!"
"Father…"
Rivetti shook her head as she wept, but Viscount Roteschu suddenly stopped comforting her. He became cold as his sadness turned into anger at Rashta.
How could Alan be the princess' father? Viscount Roteschu couldn't believe it. However, there was no reason for the emperor, eager to have a descendant, to deliberately make a fuss that the princess was not his real daughter.
So it was clear that Rashta had a hand in it. Roteschu assumed that Rashta became pregnant through an affair and pretended that the emperor was the father, but when she found herself with no escape, she deliberately decided to drag Alan into her deceit.
'All to take revenge on the past! Besides, she dared to try to kill my daughter.'
Viscount Roteschu clenched his jaw and fists. Even if Emperor Sovieshu hadn't made the request, Roteschu would have taken Rashta to hell with him.
"Surprise!"
Nian had gone on holiday to a beautiful place with Viscount Langdel for a few days. She returned with her hands full of gifts and a bright glow illuminating her face.
"Wow! How can a person glow so bright?"
Laura was amazed when she saw Nian, who laughed and handed out gifts to each of my ladies-in-waiting.
As she did so, Rose, who had been out for a while, came in.
"Your Majesty, Viscount Langdel is outside. He is already back from vacation, but his face looks emaciated… Oh my, Nian!"
Rose screamed as soon as she belatedly became aware of Nian's presence. Nian smiled and hugged her lightly.
"Miss Rose, how are you?"
Nian didn't come to the imperial palace every day, and it had been a while since we last saw each other. My ladies-in-waiting acted as if they hadn't seen Nian for years.
After much laughter and chatter, I asked my ladies-in-waiting to leave because I wanted to talk to Nian alone.
"Nian, I actually have something to ask you."
"What is it, Your Majesty?"
Nian seemed to notice that this was a delicate matter, so she sat across from me with a straight back and a serious expression.
"It's not too serious."
"No? So can I relax again?"
"Listen to me first."
"All right."
"It's about Marquis Liberty."
"Ahhh."
When I mentioned Marquis Liberty, Nian immediately widened her eyes. She didn't seem to find it strange.
She smiled as I told her about Duke Liberty's request.
She replied awkwardly, tucking her loose hair behind her ear.
"Well. I didn't feel that he approached with bad intentions, unless my senses betrayed me. You don't have to worry too much."
"Really?"
"If you are worried due to the request to reject him firmly, I already did that without being impolite."
She smiled before adding,
"But if Your Majesty wishes, I could be more terrifying."
"No. I just thought Duke Liberty and his son might want to use you. If that's not what's happening, I can't interfere."
"I think Duke Liberty made the request to Your Majesty as an excuse to have a conversation with you alone. Marquis Liberty doesn't seem like someone who would talk about these things with his father."
I was relieved to know that she would not be used by Duke Liberty. As I told Nian, the rest was her private life, so I couldn't interfere.
After that, Nian went back to spend some more time with my ladies-in-waiting. I sat alone in my armchair, thinking about various things.
Old Duke Zemensia has been very quiet since Heinley's birthday. Was he calm because Heinley had protected his grandson?
In fact, these days have been very peaceful.
Although Lady Mullaney and William tried not to run into each other when they visited me, they almost always coincided so they had a few fights, but they didn't seem to get along so badly that they wanted to kill each other.
Contrary to their claims, they both acted like ordinary siblings who couldn't stand each other. Evidently, I wouldn't tell Mullaney.
In any case, recently the Ketron Family, the Liberty Family and the Zemensia Family… have been quiet.
It was good news. This entire year has been turbulent.
Thanks to that, I really appreciated this hard-won peace. The pain in my back increased as the days went by and my belly grew, but I was eating better than before… Ah, I was worried that Mastas seemed gloomy these days.
At that moment, Countess Jubel entered, looking at me with a worried expression.
"Your Majesty, wouldn't it be better if you took a nap? You took a walk earlier and just met with Lady Nian. You must be very tired."
"I'm not tired, I just walked and talked a little."
"Still, there's nothing wrong with being careful."
"Alright."
I nodded and went to bed. But about ten minutes later, I heard a knock at the door. My consciousness slowly faded as my dreams blended with reality.
"Come in."
I answered half asleep. My eyelids had become heavy, so I wanted to sleep a little longer. No matter who came in, I didn't think I would come out of my dreams.
But all my ladies-in-waiting came in. Normally, only one of them came in, even when it was an urgent matter.
They all had very strange expressions, a mix of happiness, anxiety, and confusion.
"What's going on?"
I couldn't help but wake up completely, since it was unusual for my ladies-in-waiting to come in together.
"Your Majesty, take a look at this."
Rather than provide a long explanation, Countess Jubel handed me a newspaper. It was from the Eastern Empire, and I noticed that it was dated from a few days ago.
"What is this all about?"
I was puzzled, but as soon as I took the newspaper my attention was drawn to the large text on the front page.
The headline read, 'Princess Glorym is not Emperor Sovieshu's daughter'.