346
Thinking that Sovieshu had taken care of her real father, Rashta summoned Viscount and Viscountess Isqua.
It was Duke Elgy who brought the couple. Sovieshu seemed to know that the couple were fake parents, but Rashta wanted to make them leave on their own just in case.
"… this worries me because of the rumors that have arisen lately."
After Rashta told them about the situation and asked them to go away for a while, the couple answered with tears in their eyes.
"Alright. We would never do anything to hurt you."
Although when they asked for money to find their real daughter they were a nuisance, at least they were better than her real father at times like this.
"Thank you. I'll call you to come back when circumstances improve."
"Remember that you can also call us if you need help."
"Of course."
Rashta sobbed and hugged the couple.
"I wish you two were my real parents."
As soon as Rashta said this, Evely came to her mind, so she took a startled step back.
Then, she handed the couple the money she intended to give them along with the money she originally intended to give to her real father.
Unless Evely died or disappeared, she would never call the couple again. This could be the goodbye and the last great present for them.
'Given such generosity, they won't say anything bad about me even if they leave for another country.'
The Viscount sighed, accepted the money and said sadly,
"Thank you, Rashta."
The Viscountess hastened to add.
"We will never forget you."
"If we leave at once, people might find it strange, so it's best to wait for the right time."
Rashta also thought it would be best, so she nodded in agreement.
Later, she went to visit Sovieshu. The guard told her that Sovieshu would only receive her in his bedroom.
Rashta had not wanted to enter his bedroom because of the blue bird, but Sovieshu confirmed in the incident with Viscountess Verdi that the bird was afraid of her, so now it did not matter.
Rashta had no choice but to enter Sovieshu's bedroom. But as soon as she entered, she opened her mouth in surprise, she didn't even have time to remember the days when she had been loved by Sovieshu.
It was because of a large painting hanging on the wall.
The painting had been hung so that it could be better seen from the front as one sat on the bed.
"That's…"
Rashta frowned and hesitantly approached the painting.
Actually, there were two paintings. One showed Princess Glorym, lying comfortably in the cradle with a beautiful smile on her face.
And next to it… was the painting that surprised her, in which an unpleasant face appeared.
The Empress Navier.
Sovieshu appeared lying on Empress Navier's lap as she looked at him with a cold expression.
Rashta felt something pop in her head, she was stunned.
Regardless of what anyone else said, she was now Sovieshu's wife. The High Priest personally approved of Empress Navier's divorce from Emperor Sovieshu, and he also approved Rashta's marriage to Sovieshu.
'How dare Sovieshu hang in his bedroom a painting of a woman who is already the wife of another man!? And next to the painting of the princess!'
Rashta clenched her fists, she felt her blood boil.
Sovieshu came out of the bathroom and looked at Rashta's back with a complex expression.
But Sovieshu's expression became indifferent and dull when Rashta, who noticed his presence, turned around.
Rashta glared at him resentfully, but Sovieshu showed no change in his expression.
The bird let out a strange high-pitched screech as it rattled itself against the cage. The bird's screech broke the tense atmosphere.
"Do you have something to tell me?"
Sovieshu asked as he approached the cage to calm the bird.
Rashta initially planned at first to ask Sovieshu if he had killed her real father. If Sovieshu answered yes, she would thank him with some sadness. She wanted to thank him because now she didn't have to harm her real father with her own hands. She wanted to tell him that he had been the one who had always saved her in the most difficult times, who had always supported her, even though the relationship had recently taken a turn for the worse. She also wanted to tell him that he did not have to worry about the princess affair.
Saying this, she thought that Sovieshu would feel bad about killing his wife's father despite the reason.
However, she lost confidence as soon as she saw the painting of Empress Navier in his bedroom.
She began to wonder if Sovieshu would really feel bad about killing her real father.
When the firm belief that Emperor Sovieshu loved her was shaken, it all seemed to collapse.
Sovieshu, who calmed the blue bird, sat indifferently on the bed, dried his wet hair with a towel and ordered.
"Speak at once."
'He's not worried that others will see the painting of his ex-wife in his bedroom.'
Rashta's face contorted. Her finger, in which she didn't even feel pain when the ring sank into her flesh, began to ache.
"Your Majesty…"
In the end, what came out of her mouth was not what she meant to say,
"Do you love Rashta?"
She was serious. But Sovieshu answered with a frown,
"What does that matter now?"
"Please tell me. It's very important!"
"Rashta. I don't have time for your tantrums."
"If instead of Rashta it had been someone else who fell into the trap, would Your Majesty have saved that person?"
"Rashta, I have no bizarre taste for collecting injured humans. Of course, if it had been someone else, I would have saved and treated that person as well."
"If it had been another a woman…. would Your Majesty also have taken her as your concubine?"
Sovieshu looked at Rashta with a complicated expression, but did not answer.
Rashta didn't know whether Sovieshu's silence meant 'yes' or 'no', so she eventually mumbled reluctantly,
"I came here to tell you that I will take a paternity test…"
When Rashta agreed to participate in the paternity test, the suspicions that had spread like wildfire slowly began to fade.
"It seems to be a false rumor that the princess is another man's daughter because of how sure she is."
"Even so, isn't it true that she concealed the existence of her first child in order to become the Empress?"
"That is true, but it is too serious to doubt the princess' father ."
"If the princess is proven to be the emperor's daughter after the paternity test, all those who have spread absurd rumors will be in trouble."
"Hmm. The answer will be revealed in the temple."
People believed that Rashta had a reason to be so confident.
Of course, even if the princess was proven to be the emperor's daughter, Rashta's innocent image would be completely destroyed because she had hidden her past. But the rumor that 'the princess was not a princess' was so scandalous that it caused this to be relatively buried.
Both nobles and commoners paid attention to the paternity test. However, contrary to everyone's expectations, the paternity test was somewhat delayed.
Soon it would be Emperor Heinley's birthday. Regardless of the paternity test result, there would be chaos for a while.
If the imperial family went to a place full of high-status nobles from other countries all in a mess, they would become a laughing stock, so it would be better to end this dishonorable matter after the foreign event was over.
It was a great relief to Viscount and Viscountess Isqua. Now the couple did not need to leave as if running away because they would have enough time.
They would stay for a few more days, and then leave for a reasonable reason before the day of the paternity test arrived.
This time was also valuable and useful for Rashta.
She visited Duke Elgy even though she knew the absurd comments that would arise again.
347
She had something very important to ask him. Except for Duke Elgy, she had no one else to entrust this task to.
"Miss Rashta?"
Duke Elgy raised an eyebrow, as if surprised by Rashta's visit.
"I thought you wouldn't visit me for a while."
"I've come to ask you a favor."
Hearing this, Duke Elgy asked with a smile without any hint of annoyance,
"What is it about? Since it is a request from Rashta, I will do whatever it takes to fulfill it."
Rashta looked at the duke with trembling eyes and opened her mouth with difficulty.
"Please… kidnap Alan's son."
"You mean your first child?"
"He is not Rashta's child!"
"…"
"Rashta's first child is dead. But his spirit clings to the princess and Rashta. If that child is still here, we will be lost."
Duke Elgy looked at Rashta expressionless for a moment, then smiled and asked,
"What do you want me to do after I kidnap him? Do you want me to kill him?"
Rashta hastily shook her head.
"No, not that."
"What then?"
"Leave him in a home… a home that longs for a baby. Not in the Eastern Empire. In a distant country…"
"Do I have to go to a distant country?"
Duke Elgy frowned slightly,
"This time it's a complicated request."
"I'll give you anything in return…"
"Rashta, you have not even given me the port you promised me. I won't pressure you to repay me for all the money I lent you or the many other favors, since I did it out of friendship. But I was a little disappointed that you wouldn't keep your word with the port."
Rashta bit her lower lip nervously.
"I will definitely, definitely give it to you. But as the Duke knows, Rashta isn't in a position to give something so valuable at the moment."
"I know. However, I'm a little worried that Rashta will just use me, and then discard me as soon as I'm no longer useful."
"That will never happen!"
"I want to believe it too, but there are always people who deceive."
Duke Elgy nodded, approached Rashta with a devilish grin and asked.
So, could you assure me in writing that you will give me the port in the future?"
I left the matter of Sovieshu's gift in Heinley's hands, and the fear that he would start a war with my country also disappeared.
But as soon as these two worries vanished, a new one arose.
Of course, unlike the previous ones, this worry was not so heavy as to oppress my heart.
It was a lighter worry, but one that I wanted to address properly.
It was about Heinley's birthday gift.
"Just take my advice."
"Don't you think it's insincere?"
"Whether it's made by a chef or made by yourself, the ingredients and time don't change. Besides, you have to pay a little more for the chef. Why is it insincere?"
"…"
What gift to give Heinley, that was the question.
My mother was still inclined to, 'If you want to give him a cake, hire a good chef and pretend you made it yourself.'
That way, I wouldn't force Heinley to eat a cake that wasn't delicious.
"I'll think about it some more."
In the end, I decided to seek advice from people other than my mother.
But the others weren't much help either.
"A birthday gift for your husband? There was never anything like that between my husband and me."
Countess Jubel assured, and Laura added in bewilderment,
"I've never had a relationship… what I can tell you is what the gift my friends gave me was like. Over a year ago, I was surprised with a cake that came out of a stand that could rise.."
Mastas said, "The gift could be a sword or a spear. I've also heard of vases that have become popular recently."
Later, my father's next words made my mother wince,
"Hmm, a birthday gift. I really like the special cake your mother makes for my birthday. Every year I eat it, it's just as delicious."
"It brings me to tears, I don't know what to say, father."
"Huh? Are you mocking me, Navier? I'm sorry. I still can't understand your jokes."
"… No."
When I asked my brother, he said it would be better to give him clothes, hats and shoes…
Rose preferred that we spend time together and Nian opted for sexy underwear.
"You don't think His Majesty would like you to give him sexy underwear."
"Isn't it more of a gift to me that Heinley wears sexy underwear?"
Nian sat cross-legged and chuckled softly.
"It's kind of a domino effect."
"Domino effect?"
"I once gave my lover sexy underwear as a gift. I'll keep it a secret who I gave it to. In any case, I was happy to see him with the sexy underwear on. Seeing me happy, made him feel happy too."
"You don't have to be so explicit, Lady Nian."
"Didn't I leave out a lot of details?"
It's a problem, now I won't be able to look Viscount Langdel in the eye for a while.
First, I pretended not to care at all as I sipped my tea with an expressionless face.
However, among the many recommendations, Nian's recommendation was the one I liked the most.
Of course, I wouldn't give Heinley such a gift.
Although Heinley would look great in sexy underwear, I had to take care of my image as empress.
After I returned to my room, I thought about going to ask McKenna's opinion.
Luckily, McKenna came to see me first.
"What? A birthday gift for His Majesty Heinley? There is a dance that His Majesty does when he is very happy. I think he'll like it very much if you dance it with him."
Naturally, he wasn't much help either.
"…"
"It's not a joke, I'm serious. His Majesty Heinley once told me, 'a woman who can master this dance is my ideal type'."
"… Really?"
"Yes, he told me when he was six years old. He's a smart man, he must still remember it."
I know what dance McKenna was talking about.
When my pregnancy was confirmed by the palace doctor, he danced that way and turned into 'Queen'.
He looked cute, but I didn't want to dance that way with him.
It was cute because he danced and turned into a bird…
Once I sighed, McKenna said, "I'd forgotten" he smacked his head and spoke earnestly,
"I came because of the carriage incident. All the members of the Western Empire delegation were investigated."
"What was the result?"
"As Your Majesty said, the person seated farthest from the wrecked side of the carriage was the culprit."
348
Just what I thought. What I didn't understand is why someone would order that.
"Who ordered it? For what reason? To ruin the gifts sent by Emperor Sovieshu? Or what else…"
Maybe it's Rashta's order. I don't think she had a reason, but most of the hostility Rashta had shown toward me lacked precisely that.
However, what McKenna revealed was unexpected,
"It was ordered by the Viscount and Viscountess Isqua."
"Really?"
I remembered the couple who used to act like good people. Although we never had a proper conversation, I remembered them clearly because they were indirectly related to my brother's banishment.
"Yes. The culprit confessed that he received a huge sum of money to cause an 'accident'."
"Why did they give that order…?"
Do they hold a grudge against me? Or is it against Sovieshu? It was my understanding that Rashta and Sovieshu currently did not have a good relationship. Since they had taken Rashta as their daughter, were they angry with Sovieshu?
"It was because of Miss Evely."
McKenna's words were again unexpected.
"Evely?"
Why Evely?
"It was Viscount and Viscountess Isqua who ordered the carriage 'accident'. They intended to harm you."
Evely muttered sullenly in response to my words,
"They must have done it because of what they misunderstood. The Viscount and Viscountess Isqua think…. think… I am."
But unlike me, Evely wasn't surprised that the couple tried to hurt her. Maybe they didn't get along.
However, there were so many gaps in Evely's words that it was hard to understand. What did Viscount and Viscountess Isqua think of Evely?
"Hmm…"
"Evely?"
"Don't misunderstand me, Your Majesty. Absolutely not, absolutely not."
What was she talking about?
Evely clasped her hands together, looked carefully into my eyes and shyly confessed.
"The couple thinks that I am Emperor Sovieshu's second concubine. That's why they hate me so much."
"His concubine?"
"Never, Your Majesty!"
As if afraid that I might misunderstand, Evely jumped to her feet and waved her hands hurriedly,
"I became an assistant to the court mage, and I live in the Southern Palace. His Majesty Sovieshu has given me many comforts, hence the misunderstanding."
Sovieshu was taking care of Evely? That was a surprise.
But now that I think about it, it made sense for Evely to run this errand for Sovieshu if he was taking care of her. It would be really strange if he called Evely from the magical academy to run an errand.
Money aside, perhaps it was because of that misunderstanding that the person responsible for loosening the carriage wheel agreed to the couple's request.
"You don't feel uncomfortable living there?"
"No. The court mage and the seniors are all good people. I don't have to see His Majesty Sovieshu, so I don't feel uncomfortable."
Despite that, her complexion was still dark.
"Only Viscount and Viscountess Isqua messed with you?"
"… Rashta also thinks that I am His Majesty Sovieshu's concubine, but I deliberately did not try to clear up the misunderstanding. I wanted to make her angry."
Evely blushed and lowered her head. She looked so cute that I couldn't help but laugh.
"Did you manage to make that woman angry?"
Evely looked at me with wide eyes at my question. Then she smiled and nodded quickly.
"You did well. Thank you."
As soon as I thanked her, Evely blushed even more and turned a little.
"By the way, Evely. Are you sure to stay there?"
"Huh?"
"Viscount and Viscountess Isqua still mess with you. They were even able to cause an accident in the delegation's carriage to hurt you… and it could be worse later on."
"Yes. That's likely."
I felt that Rashta might be behind this, but I chose not to mention it for now.
Instead, I carefully suggested to Evely.
"Why don't you stay in the Western Empire?"
I had little hope that Evely would agree to stay in the Western Empire. Now that she has recovered her mana, she must want to learn many things. It would be hard for her to leave the position as the court mage's assistant. She would rather return to the magical academy than stay in the Western Empire.
As I expected, Evely weakly refused.
"If I stay here now, I will just be an ordinary girl who has received Your Majesty's grace. I will be of no use to the Empress. I will only receive Your Majesty's help as in the past… But if I learn a lot from the court mage, I will become a useful person for the Empress. At that time, I will definitely stay by Your Majesty's side."
I nodded with a smile of understanding. However, perhaps because Evely felt bad about rejecting my suggestion, she clenched her fist and added after a moment's thought,
"If Your Majesty needs me, I will come immediately even if I am in the middle of another matter. You don't have to worry about me either, I'll be fine. Viscount and Viscountess Isqua acted that way because I am far away. In fact, they only spoke ill of me when I was at the South Palace. Sometimes behind my back and sometimes to my face."
Although the banquet was over by the time Evely arrived, the delegation left after a few days.
Unlike when they arrived, they departed back in two carriages. In one carriage was carried separately the criminal who loosened the wheel of the carriage by order of the Viscount and Viscountess Isqua.
The criminal will probably be punished for trying to ruin the gifts sent by the Emperor Sovieshu once he returns to the Eastern Empire.
He could have been punished in the Western Empire, but that would mean that the punishment would have been less severe because it could cause conflicts between countries.
I also wrote a separate letter to Sovieshu, in which I informed him that Viscount and Viscountess Isqua used to mess with Evely.
I don't know if he will believe me. If the regret he showed in front of me wasn't a lie, then he will pay attention to it.
After the departure of the last guests, the Western Empire entered fully into the preparations for Heinley's birthday.
349
The day before Heinley's birthday I changed my mind about the gift. I opted to select different types of gifts and leave the final choice up to Heinley. I would separate each gift into a box and have Heinley choose one at random.
Of course, I'll tell Heinley in advance that, 'each gift was prepared with the opinion of people close to me in mind.'
In this way, Heinley will find it as much fun as a game. Even if he chooses the sexy underwear, it won't look like I put that gift in for an ulterior motive.
Once I made up my mind, I really enjoyed doing it all. I looked forward to tomorrow.
However, Heinley told me at night,
"Queen, there's something special I want as a gift."
To be honest, I was disappointed. I had prepared everything carefully, but now there was something special he wanted. I tried to hide my disappointment as I asked him,
"What is it? Do I have time to get it?"
"Of course."
"Tell me."
What exactly did he want? When I asked him to tell me, Heinley was silent with hesitation.
"Heinley? What do you want?"
Did he notice my disappointment? Is that why Heinley is like this? I was worried, so I put on my best face again and asked in a soft voice.
"You can ask me whatever you want. It's your birthday."
Heinley stared at me as he said,
"Are you sure it doesn't matter what I ask for?"
I don't think he would suddenly come out with, 'I want to take over the Eastern Empire'.
"Of course."
I nodded with a smile and caressed his face. Heinley finally confessed in relief,
"The jewel that Emperor Sovieshu sent you. Can I keep it?"
I didn't expect him to want that at all.
I couldn't say anything for about fifteen seconds. I was really puzzled. Why that?
"… You mean the fairy tear?"
Shortly after, I asked him because I thought I had misheard. But that wasn't the case.
"Yes. It's a jewel I've always wanted."
It may be because it's a well-recognized jewel…
When I looked at him curiously, Heinley smiled awkwardly,
"The jewel is not to blame, Queen."
I knew he liked jewels, but not to this extent.
For a moment, I didn't know what to say. I was confused as to whether it was right to give the precious gift my ex-husband sent me to my current husband.
But on second thought, it wasn't inappropriate. Sovieshu had wanted to give my ring to Rashta, though in the end he couldn't.
"Okay. You can keep it."
Thinking about it brought back bad memories, so I didn't object.
However, I had no idea what Heinley wanted it for.
The day of his birthday was hectic from dawn.
Carriages of various sizes entered the imperial palace one after another. At the place where the carriages were parked, the coachmen conversed happily while the servants took out the loads.
The boisterous atmosphere reached its peak at nightfall, when the party began.
However, not everyone was laughing and chatting merrily. At first glance, some people had a particularly stiff face.
Among them, the most obvious were the Whitemond delegation, the son of Old Duke Zemensia together with his daughter-in-law, and Count Pirnu, Sovieshu's secretary.
Why did he suddenly invite the Zemensia Family, with the exception of Old Duke Zemensia? Why did he suddenly invite Whitemond, despite the strained relationship between the two countries?
Heinley really couldn't be stopped.
Also, why did he wear the 'fairy tear' that Sovieshu sent me as a necklace?
If his intention was to have one of the members of the Eastern Empire delegation recognize the 'fairy tear', he had succeeded. Count Pirnu had a very grim and unpleasant expression.
Heinley smiled more than usual every time his eyes met mine as he ignored the fierce stares. Still, there must have been dark clouds behind that radiant face.
After a while, the special ambassador of the Whitemond delegation approached me.
"Ambassador Klein."
As soon as I pretended to know him, he greeted me politely.
I looked up discreetly at Heinley. The Whitemond matter had to be handled carefully, so I preferred Heinley to be at my side to talk to the special ambassador.
But Heinley approached Grand Duke Lilteang, perhaps he didn't notice that the Whitemond Ambassador approached me.
Unfortunately, it would be impolite to call Heinley over to my side, who was in the middle of a conversation with someone else.
In the end, I decided to deal with Whitemond's special ambassador in my own way, I greeted him in a calm voice and showed the splendid smile of an empress.
"Earlier, I could not express my thanks properly. I appreciate your coming here for His Majesty Heinley. Whitemond's gifts were also really thoughtful and nice."
"It is an honor to know that our gifts were liked by the Imperial Family, Your Majesty."
"How about the party? Are you having fun?"
"Although high society birthday parties are similar in Whitemond, I am always surprised by the cultural differences. Especially this hall, it is decorated with so many jewels that it blinds my eyes. It's very glamorous."
This extravagant decoration was not part of the culture of the Western Empire, but of Heinley's taste… I still nodded with a smile.
After we exchanged a few words, the Ambassador of Whitemond finally brought up the real issue.
"Your Majesty, as you know, our two countries that have always boasted of a solid alliance now have serious differences."
"Yes, I did not expect the sudden arrest of the trade team by Whitemond."
When I pointed out that Whitemond had initiated the conflict, while the special ambassador tried to blame both sides, his expression became stiff.
"Of course… it's our fault."
But he soon let out a deep sigh and confessed.
"As you may also know, the King of Whitemond personally visited His Majesty Heinley to seek reconciliation between the two countries after that incident. However, His Majesty Heinley has still not responded to the reconciliation and continues to send troops near the border, so the whole country is afraid."
I didn't know Heinley was sending troops near the Whitemond border. Is that some kind of threat?
The special ambassador helplessly confessed with folded hands,
"Whitemond definitely does not wish for war, Your Majesty. It only hopes that the Western Empire, which will only become more powerful in the future, does not look down on Whitemond."
"In that case, why did you arrest the trade team?"
"Your Majesty has never lived in a small country, so you may not understand our position. Any movement of a powerful country scares us, that's why we react that way."
"…"
"Your Majesty, please mediate between Emperor Heinley and Whitemond. Your Majesty Navier's reputation is well known. We are sure that you will be able to convince Emperor Heinley. Please, I hope you have mercy on the people of Whitemond, if a war breaks out there will be countless dead and wounded."
After the special ambassador finished, he extended an envelope to me.
"And this is a gift."
"Didn't Whitemond send the gifts already?"
"These were gifts for His Majesty Heinley. This is a gift for not being able to attend the banquet for her pregnancy. It is a gift for the unborn baby."
When I checked the contents, there were two drawings. One of a warship and the other of a merchant ship. As well as two documents in which the right over these ships was indicated.
Once I looked at him in surprise, the special ambassador said hurriedly,
"We have prepared a warship and a merchant ship that look exactly like the ones in the paintings. I'm sure the baby will like them."
They prepared the gift in all seriousness. Do they think I can exert that much influence over Heinley?
350
If he had given it to me privately, I would have rejected it immediately because it was a bribe. But since it was a gift given at an official event for an official reason, it was difficult to refuse. It would be impolite to do so in a place like this.
… maybe that's why he gave me the gift now.
Besides, that the gift to the Western Empire were ships, which had no ports, made their intention clear. This gift itself could only be used if the relationship between the two countries was restored.
"Thank you."
I accepted the gift with a smile.
But it seemed impolite to leave at once, so I thought about it for a moment and gave him some advice,
"I know why you want us to sign a non-invasion pact, but that would be a unilateral pact that would tie us hand and foot."
"How could that be possible? The Western Empire is a powerful country that can speak with dignity even if it breaks the pact, but Whitemond is a small country that wouldn't dare to invade the Western Empire even if a pact is not signed."
"But didn't Whitemond arrest our trade team?"
"That was…"
"Of course it wasn't an invasion. However, we appreciate our people as much as Whitemond does."
"I don't understand what Your Majesty means."
"If we sign a non-invasion pact, Whitemond should also sign a similar pact. That way you can't attack our people who use the port like you did at that time."
After the special ambassador went somewhere else deep in thought. I went to find Heinley to tell him about this. But Heinley was nowhere to be found. Wasn't he talking to Grand Duke Lilteang near the musicians?
In the end, I asked the servants passing by so I could find him, "Have you seen His Majesty Heinley?"
Although there were many people to talk to, I wanted to tell Heinley about the conversation I had had with the special ambassador as soon as possible.
But before I could find Heinley, I heard a commotion.
What is going on?
The commotion came from the garden on the veranda. I saw that people gathered there to see what was going on.
When I approached the commotion, I saw a little boy drowning in the pond as a maid desperately tried to pull the boy out.
"Middelen!"
A man and a woman, who appeared to be the little boy's parents, cried out in tears… The Duke and Duchess Zemensia? So Old Duke Zemensia's grandson was the one who fell into the pond?
Eventually, the maid managed to pull the boy out of the pond. The maid was so exhausted that she collapsed.
"Get the palace doctor! Quick!"
Duke Zemensia shouted loudly, while the Duchess approached her son to check on him. Some servants rushed out to call the palace doctor.
Then Duke Zemensia pointed to one person and exclaimed in an angry voice,
"He pushed my son!"
The person he pointed to was Grand Duke Lilteang.
What is going on…?
Grand Duke Lilteang was not in the crowd, but he shouted indignantly as he was pointed out.
"What did I do?!"
"I saw it with my own eyes! You pushed my son when you walked past him!"
"That is a false accusation!"
"It isn't! Emperor Heinley saw it too!"
Wasn't Heinley with Grand Duke Lilteang? How was he with Duke Zemensia when the incident occurred?
People's gaze that was on Grand Duke Lilteang and Duke Zemensia now wandered in search of Heinley.
Curiously, Heinley was not far from Duke Zemensia.
When the crowd's gaze settled on Heinley, he nodded with an expression of deep regret.
"I saw it too, Grand Duke Lilteang."
After Christa's suicide, the Zemensia Family had been shunned by high society, but remained a part of the Western Empire.
However, most of the Western Empire always sided with their own high-status nobles in conflicts with other countries.
For that reason, upon hearing that Grand Duke Lilteang of the Eastern Empire had pushed a child of the Western Empire into the pond, people's eyes turned cold and fierce.
"That's not true!"
Grand Duke Lilteang shouted. The atmosphere around him became so gloomy that he flinched and hurriedly fled in fear.
"Catch the Grand Duke Lilteang."
Fortunately, this place was located in the imperial palace, so there were knights stationed around to act in situations like this.
At Heinley's words, Grand Duke Lilteang could not even take five steps before he was caught.
Although he was not forcibly held by the arms or forced to kneel out of consideration for his status, the Grand Duke had no choice but to stop because he was surrounded by burly knights.
Duchess Zemensia's cry resounded everywhere like lightning. Heinley ordered without hesitation to take Grand Duke Lilteang to the Moon Hall.
Once the palace doctor arrived to attend to Old Duke Zemensia's grandson, I also went to the Moon Hall.
Concerned about the chaotic situation, Mastas, Viscount Langdel, and Countess Jubel were quick to follow me.
"How could he push a child into the pond?! What a wicked man."
Mastas looked indignant as we walked through the corridors. Although she also detested the Zemensia Family, she put the honor of the Western Empire above all else, so she was very angry with Grand Duke Lilteang.
In contrast, Viscount Langdel did not express his anger with vehemence, but maintained a serious expression.
Countess Jubel was annoyed by the Grand Duke's reckless behavior, rather than the danger to Duke Zemensia's son.
"He caused another problem again. He used to cause problems with his words, but this time he did it with his own hands."
Since the Imperial Family had few members, there was often no choice but to send Grand Duke Lilteang as the 'representative of the Imperial Family of the Eastern Empire'.
Generally, there were no problems. Grand Duke Lilteang desires power, so he is more careful with his actions.
However, the Grand Duke couldn't hide his hostility once he disliked someone, so he tries to unleash it by any means.
Like he did when I was the Empress of the Eastern Empire. He changed his plan as soon as Rashta appeared, he stopped trying to bribe me and went directly against me.
Perhaps that was why Countess Jubel was not at all surprised that Grand Duke Lilteang had caused a serious problem.
In the past, Grand Duke Lilteang had been publicly shamed by Old Duke Zemensia for talking nonsense.
Before I knew it, we arrived in front of the Moon Hall. However, the door was tightly closed and four knights guarded it.
Among the knights was Rose's brother, Sir Yunim, who asked me carefully when he saw me,
"Would you like me to tell the Emperor that Your Majesty is here?"
His attitude was very kind compared to the rude way he used to treat me.
Countess Jubel, Mastas, and Viscount Langdel looked at me at the same time. They seemed to wait for my answer.
"Your Majesty…!"
When all was quiet, faint cries of despair could be heard on the other side of the door. It was the voice of Grand Duke Lilteang.
After a moment's consideration, I changed my mind.
"Don't worry. When he is done with his business, tell him I'll wait for him in my room."