376
Usually, the nanny was chosen from among the ladies-in-waiting. However, I had fewer ladies-in-waiting than when I was in the Eastern Empire, and the only married woman among my ladies-in-waiting was Countess Jubel.
However, Countess Jubel was not suitable to be the nanny of the first child of the Western Imperial Family, as her family, her husband and herself were from the Eastern Empire. Besides, she played the role of head lady-in-waiting.
My child would most likely become the successor. The people of the Western Empire might worry that the successor would be too influenced by the culture of the Eastern Empire, with both a mother and nanny from the Eastern Empire.
On the other hand, since a nanny could have as much influence as the parents, I was reluctant to place my child under the care of someone I didn't know well.
In the end, after I consulted with Heinley, I decided to invite several noblewomen who raised their own children to discuss the choice of nanny.
So, under the pretext of tea and conversation, I called six noblewomen who lived nearby. The noblewomen have been friendly to me lately, so naturally we began to talk about various topics.
We talked about the weather, the controversies in the Eastern Empire and the latest events in high society. As a result, the topic of the Zemensia Family casually came up.
"Your Majesty, did you know that Duke Zemensia, his wife, and his children were kicked out of the family mansion?"
As I thought about how to introduce the nanny issue, I shook my head a little in surprise at the unexpected news. The noblewomen began to speak all at once, since it's fun to share gossip with someone who still doesn't know anything.
"Your Majesty. It is said that Old Duke Zemensia kicked out his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren empty-handed. I was able to corroborate it because the sister of one of my maids works in that mansion."
"Really? He kicked them out empty-handed?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Duke Zemensia only inherited his father's title, not his wealth. All his wealth belongs to Chri…"
The lady paused and looked me in the eye.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty."
When I indicated that there was no problem, the lady was relieved and continued,
"All of his wealth belongs to Christa. So Duke Zemensia had to leave empty-handed."
"Why did Old Duke Zemensia go so far?"
The noblewomen looked at each other with awkward expressions. It seemed they were wondering who brought this uncomfortable topic up, and wanted to scold the culprit.
When I indicated again that there was no problem, one of them reluctantly explained.
"When the Emperor invited the noble children to the Imperial Palace, he left out the two children of the Zemensia Family."
'So Heinley really did it to irritate Old Duke Zemensia.'
"It seems that Duke Zemensia complained about it to the Old Duke, and during the argument he spoke very badly about Christa."
"I also heard that his words about Christa were very harsh."
"Of course, he must think that his future, and his children, are more important than his dead sister."
This time, all the noblewomen spoke sadly.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. But Christa was too good to her family."
"They had always been very close siblings, and Christa took good care of her family even after she became Queen."
Suddenly my brother came to mind. Now, he took good care of me and put me first, but if he married Princess Charlotte, or even if he married someone else and had his own family, would he change his priorities like Duke Zemensia?
If Koshar's family and I had a conflict, would my brother also choose his wife and children?
What about me? Who should I choose if my brother and Heinley were to have a conflict?
"Duke Zemensia intends to get it all back, even if he has to file a lawsuit. I think there will be many problems among that family in the future."
It was interesting to hear about the rise and fall of other people, but at the same time it was unpleasant. Especially since I knew that my marriage to Heinley had caused that family's downfall.
Of course, it would be even more unpleasant if that family lived happily after what they did to me.
In any case, I didn't want to talk about it anymore, so I cautiously brought up the reason for the invitation. Since I only invited married noblewomen who had children, they probably all had an inkling already.
It was an honor to become the prince's or princess's nanny, but it was a great responsibility and required a lot of time. Naturally, many would not want to do it. It was not good to impose unwanted responsibilities, so I had to ask carefully.
When I brought up the topic, the noblewomen were ready to answer.
Some of them recommended someone else, some expressed their opinion on parenting methods, and some were interested in the position.
I also asked for their opinions about other noblewomen I planned to meet with tomorrow.
However, when I mentioned the fifth noblewoman, everyone's expressions turned strange. They seemed to be surprised that I had invited her.
What's wrong?
When I stopped talking in confusion, one of them smiled awkwardly and said,
"Your Majesty… that noblewoman was the concubine of the former king."
377
After the tea party was over, I went out for a walk in the garden alone. Due to the unexpected information, I needed to reorganize my thoughts.
The concubine of the former king was one of the noblewomen I had invited to tomorrow's tea party.
Rashta came to mind at the mention of 'the king's concubine', so I was reluctant to meet that noblewoman.
I wasn't worried that Heinley might fall in love with another woman. I just didn't want to meet someone who had been a concubine as a candidate for my child's nanny.
But I hesitated just as I was about to decide to cancel the invitation. It wouldn't be right to outcast a person with whom I had no relationship. I had even talked face to face with Sovieshu several times, and he was the person who hurt me the most.
I may not be a popular socialite but I held a powerful position. If I were to openly show even slight dislike for someone, it would cause other nobles to avoid that person as well.
Wouldn't she be ostracized by high society if I suddenly canceled the invitation? Since my every action can affect others, shouldn't I be more even-handed in my treatment of people?
At that moment, I saw some servants unloading boxes from a carriage, and one of them caught my eye. I wondered why a servant caught my eye, and I realized that I had never seen him before. I knew the faces of all the people who worked here in the imperial palace well.
'Is he new?'
Except for the official business that I had to attend to, lately I paid no attention to anything else. It was likely that new people had been hired during this time.
When our gazes met, he bowed to me as if he recognized me and continued unloading the boxes.
After I looked over there for a while, I turned around and went back the way I came.
I walked through the garden deep in thought, but just before I entered the corridor I caught a glimpse of the unknown servant reflected in a gleaming pillar. He was following me with silent steps.
My heart began to pound in fear.
It could be a coincidence, but since he was a complete stranger I was worried that he might have bad intentions.
Although most of the forces that had opposed Heinley had quietly surrendered, there were still roots that had not been cut.
After some thought, I decided to cause the stranger to slip by using my magic to freeze the floor beneath his feet. I quickly determined his position through the pillar and used my magic. However, I had no experience in mana control, so it was difficult to accurately calculate the necessary mana power.
I heard a hiss followed by a loud thud, and I turned around and saw that the servant had fallen to the floor. The floor beneath his feet was frozen, but so were his legs.
Although I was surprised by the result, I tried to pretend it hadn't been me, "Are you alright?"
A group of guards who had heard the noises hurriedly approached. They shouted in alarm at the scene before their eyes.
"It's an intruder!"
"An intruder attacked someone!"
"Catch him!"
As soon as they saw me, their faces turned deathly pale.
"Your Majesty, get away at once!"
"No, it's just that…"
Shortly after the guards pinned down the unknown servant, the commotion escalated when Viscount Langdel arrived with his men.
The servant struggled against the knights, as if he feared he would be stabbed. His fear increased when Viscount Langdel held his sword to his neck without hesitation.
After the commotion subsided, I went to my room because I suddenly felt dizzy. I lay down on the bed and was examined by the concerned palace doctor. My heart was still beating fast.
"Oh, it looks like you've had quite a shock. You must rest, Your Majesty."
At that moment, I heard a faint laugh. When I looked towards the sound, I saw Heinley leaning against the door trying to hold back laughter.
"My Queen, I heard there's an intruder who uses ice magic."
Rashta had not been formally charged for her crimes yet, so she could remain in the Western Palace. She retained the title of Empress and dressed as such.
However, she could only move freely within the Western Palace. Knights sent by Emperor Sovieshu prevented her from leaving.
Viscount Roteschu had once told her, 'It is a shame that a slave is pregnant with my grandchild. It would be a disgrace for others to know.' For that reason, he locked her in a small room for many months.
Back then, she had nothing, so her confinement in the lavish Western Palace should not be difficult for her. But it was the confinement itself that tormented her.
The noblemen who used to come to visit her rarely came these days. Even after noblewomen began to criticize the Empress because she invited only men to her tea parties, some of the men continued to visit. But not anymore.
The maids, whom Rashta had deliberately selected due to their harsh backgrounds despite their lack of formal education as maids, did not help her in the least. They disowned Rashta as soon as she lost her dignity as Empress.
Even in the face of ostracism by the maids, noblemen, and knights, Rashta was determined to find a way out.
Duke Elgy, the person she trusted the most, betrayed her. Viscountess Verdi took her daughter from her.
'Would it have been better if I had remained close to Baron Lant?'
She had distanced herself from Baron Lant because he would not allow her to handle her money, because he disapproved of her relationship with Duke Elgy, and because Navier advised her to trust Sovieshu's secretaries. Rashta belatedly regretted that decision.
Nevertheless, she shook her head.
'No, deciding not to trust Baron Lant was not a mistake. The mistake was to trust someone else after Alan betrayed me. I shouldn't have trusted anyone but myself! Still, I can't give up. I have to find a way to overcome this adversity.'
While deep in thought, she saw a man at the entrance of the West Palace garden.
Since she hadn't received any visitors these days, Rashta approached the man with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
It was Baron Lant.
"Baron Lant…"
Rashta whispered his name. Sovieshu must have been terribly angry, so she didn't expect any of his men to visit her.
Baron Lant greeted Rashta with a complicated expression.
"How have you been, Your Majesty?"
"Um, Rashta…"
Baron Lant looked around and shook his head as Rashta tried to answer.
"We'd better talk in the drawing room."
"Yes, come on in."
Rashta nodded. He seemed to have something to say in secret.
Baron Lant was right to request privacy. There was no one Rashta could trust in this palace. If any of the servants who wandered about were to overhear the conversation, undesirable rumors would undoubtedly spread.
She walked ahead of him. In the drawing room, a maid served them tea and snacks, looking at them curiously. Rashta ordered the maid to leave.
Rashta sat down after she made sure that no one could eavesdrop on the conversation.
Baron Lant watched her with mixed feelings. He knew that Duke Elgy, whom Rashta blindly trusted, had betrayed her, so he somewhat understood the way she acted.
"What brings you here, Baron Lant?"
"Viscount Roteschu and Alan will be tried for the attempt to deceive the Emperor with a fake princess."
"Viscount Roteschu too?"
"Yes. They're both in prison. I thought you should know…"
Baron Lant felt sorry to break this news to Rashta.
However, Rashta blinked a few times before she flashed a bright smile. She then put her hands around the teacup and smiled even more angelically.
"That makes me happy."
Baron Lant looked at Rashta in astonishment for a moment, 'Does she think it won't hurt her?' He was confused by her reaction.
Rashta smiled slightly at the look of Baron Lant. It was obvious to her what he was thinking.
Contrary to Baron Lant's assumption, Rashta knew that it was not in her best interest for Viscount Roteschu to stand trial. Roteschu was a malicious, selfish and ruthless person to anyone who was not of his family. He would not hesitate to make false accusations to evade his crimes. He didn't mind pushing others when he was in danger.
Despite the risk, she was pleased that Viscount Roteschu would be destroyed.
"He always intimidated Rashta."
Rashta pretended not to understand what Roteschu's trial implied for her own future.
Ignorance would be an excellent shield against what lay ahead. It would also be a sword that would protect her, by arousing compassion in people like Baron Lant.
Although ignorance in an Empress implied that she was not competent, it could be a weapon to mitigate her crimes. The world was full of people who felt compassion for those they considered inferior to them.
As Rashta expected, Baron Lant's expression turned sad when she implied that punishing the man who intimidated her was more important to her than whatever might come out during his trial.
Rashta thanked Baron Lant and deliberately showed more joy as soon as she realized this.
"Thank you for the news, Baron Lant."
Baron Lant's heart shrank as the unfortunate Empress thanked him without knowing the bleak future that awaited her.
He had known her since she arrived at the imperial palace, during her brilliant days as a concubine. Back then, she didn't know anything, not even how to write. He felt that to send her to the gallows was like pushing a child off a cliff.
What made him pity Rashta even more was that he had also been blamed by Sovieshu for this situation, which would close the door to any future promotion. But this was nothing compared to what could happen to Rashta, whose life was in danger.
After a while, Baron Lant finally spoke with difficulty,
"Viscount Roteschu is an unscrupulous person. He will blame the Empress for everything to cover up his own crimes. So, Your Majesty…"
"What?"
"Why don't you escape before the trial is held? If you want, I can help Your Majesty."
378
At Baron Lant's suggestion, Rashta asked for time to think.
"I'd like to think about it more calmly."
Baron Lant answered with concern,
"There isn't much time left, Your Majesty."
Once Viscount Roteschu's trial was over, Rashta could be charged as an accomplice. At that point there would be more eyes on her, so it would not be easy to run away.
"I'll end up in an even worse situation if I get caught, so I want to be very careful."
"When life is at stake, quick decisions need to be made."
"Still, I can't afford to make mistakes due to rash decisions."
After Baron Lant left, Rashta continued to reflect anxiously.
'I'm in this terrible situation because I trusted other people. Can I really trust Baron Lant now?'
She kicked the chair Duke Elgy used to sit on, sending it crashing to the floor.
Rashta snorted and sat in front of her vanity table, and ran her hand over the scar on her forehead.
Even if she trusted Baron Lant despite her doubts and managed to flee, her troubles would not end.
The Eastern Empire was a vast and powerful country. If she fled, Sovieshu's men would soon find her. Her only option would be to flee abroad, but to receive help as an immigrant, she needed a document that clearly certified her identity and birthplace.
Without a document, it would be difficult for her to get a well-paying job. It would still be better than living like a slave, but she would have difficulty making ends meet. Settling in a new country would be expensive.
She could buy a false identity later once she could save money, but how would she be able to save in a low-paying job? Besides, if her status as the fugitive empress was discovered, the punishment she would receive would be even greater.
'Queen Christa.'
Rashta's hopeless eyes fell on a newspaper that was sticking out of a drawer. She took the newspaper and unfolded it. It contained the news that Queen Christa, who had moved to Compshire, committed suicide because she resented her family.
Rashta read the article, then put the paper back in the drawer and closed it.
If Queen Christa had quietly retired to Compshire, she would have lost power and influence, but she would have lived comfortably with the affection and sympathy of the people. But rather than choose that path, she chose to risk her future. The result was a wretched death.
Rashta bit her nails nervously.
'If I accept Baron Lant's suggestion to escape from the Imperial Palace… it's possible that I'll end up like Queen Christa. Since I hold the position of empress, it's impossible that I will be sentenced to death. If I throw it all away to escape and get caught, won't the punishment be even worse?'
Besides, she still believed that she could come to an agreement with Sovieshu.
'I'll have to visit His Majesty first.'
Meanwhile, Sovieshu was thinking about how to deal with Rashta.
He paced the room back and forth with his hands behind his back, hunched over, unable to sit up due to the sharp pain in his heart.
Marquis Karl stood in a dignified posture off to the side and followed Sovieshu with his eyes.
Sovieshu stopped after a while and muttered in an exhausted voice,
"While we can settle the promissory note issue without scandal, we can't give up the port…"
"Are you thinking about what punishment Rashta could receive for her immunity?"
Due to the honor and importance of the Imperial Family, its members were punished less severely for their crimes than anyone else. However, immunity didn't completely exempt members of the Imperial Family from punishment.
"Yes."
Sovieshu sighed.
"If we have the marriage annulled, it would be possible to impose a severe punishment on her because it would mean that she was never the empress, but if we go in the direction of divorce and deposition, the greatest possible punishment would be to lock her up in a castle, an island or in a remote tower."
"Your Majesty, we must have the marriage completely annulled. Only then will we be able to take a favorable position in the port case when it is brought before the Wol Continent Alliance. If the marriage is rendered void, the documents in which Rashta promised the port to Duke Elgy will become a mere piece of paper. To do this, it is necessary to emphasize that you were tricked into marriage."
"I know, I know. But the court process to annul the marriage is long and complicated…"
Moreover, Sovieshu would not be able to marry another woman while the marriage annulment lawsuit was ongoing, which would not be beneficial to Sovieshu as he wished to have a successor.
Even if the marriage was legally annulled by the courts, it still required approval by the High Priest, who didn't usually accept such requests from the Imperial Family, as they were in a position to abuse the system.
There was only one time in history when an imperial marriage was annulled by the temple.
"That's true. We should also consider that Rashta might decide to drag you down with her, revealing that Your Majesty accepted her even though you knew she was a runaway slave."
"She might, if she didn't have a shred of love for Glorym."
"The princess… Oh, I'm sorry."
Marquis Karl, who hadn't thought about Glorym, realized that Sovieshu still cared about the princess.
But he was right. Glorym was still a baby, so even if Rashta was punished, Glorym wouldn't suffer too much.
However, if Rashta tried to drag Sovieshu down by revealing that she was a runaway slave, Glorym would suffer, as she would become a slave.. Since she was not responsible for her mother's crimes, this outcome would be very cruel.
"Well, Rashta threw Glorym to the floor once… she's capable of anything."
Sovieshu muttered regretfully and ordered Marquis Karl to leave.
As soon as Marquis Karl left the room, Sovieshu went to his office and immediately began to work.
He looked for the most troublesome case, requiring his full focus, and dove into the case. Although it was not a relief, as there was a problem related to the increase in loan sharks in different corners of the capital.
He had finally managed to forget the problems related to Rashta when Count Pirnu rushed into his office.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Count Pirnu barged in so suddenly, and seemed so surprised, that it was obvious that he hadn't come on ordinary business.
Sovieshu asked anxiously.
"What happened? What happened this time?"
"It's the Western Empire, Your Majesty! It's the Western Empire!"
"What happened to the Western Empire?"
"Empress Rashta sent a letter to a noble there, in which she stated that the reason for Your Majesty's divorce from Navier was her infertility!"
"What?! When was that?"
Sovieshu was astonished. He had a severe headache. Rashta seemed intent on causing one problem after another.
"The Western Empire is outraged and demands a public apology for Rashta's offense!"
379
"My Queen! There's an intruder who uses ice magic! The intruder froze a servant's legs! Aaah! It's scary! It's really so scary!"
"…"
"Aren't you scared, My Queen?"
Heinley was acting so dramatically, speaking with so much feigned fear and alarm, that it was becoming tiresome.
I glared at him, but Heinley didn't mind because he seemed to enjoy making fun of me.
"Queen, My Queen. What will we do if the fearsome ice mage shows up? My Queen, My Queen. Will you protect Heinley from the ice mage? I'm scared."
'He even pretends to speak like Rashta?'
"My baby, my baby, your mother is warm and cold at the same time."
Then he leaned close to my belly and whispered sweetly to our baby,
"My baby, your mother reads fairy tales full of dreams, hopes and love for you, but she is also able to freeze people alive if she doesn't like them."
I turned around to look at the clock on the wall. It had been half an hour since the palace doctor left.
'Enough is enough… I think I've been pretty patient with him.'
I got out of bed slowly and grabbed the pillow I was leaning on. Holding the pillow like a weapon, strengthening my grip on it, the desire to fight began to burn inside of me.
"Huh? Why do you hold the pillow like that, My Queen?"
Heinley, who had been distracted in making fun of me, stopped and asked in confusion.
'Is his naughty mind unable to guess what's in store for him?'
"My Queen?"
I swung the pillow to hit him.
"My Queen!"
Heinley was surprised, but he quickly stepped back to avoid the pillow, opened the door and ran out.
When I tried to chase after him with dignity, he was careful enough to turn back to close the door and flee just before my pillow caught up with him. As a result, the pillow crashed into the door with a loud thud.
I looked at the closed door angrily.
Since I was concerned about my reputation and honor as empress, I would never walk down the corridors swinging a pillow. Heinley knew my personality well. It was evident that he left my room so I couldn't chase after him.
"Your Majesty? What happened?"
"Are you all right?"
"Did you fall?"
As I took a deep breath to calm my anger, my ladies-in-waiting soon came to ask me from outside in an alarmed voice.
"I'm fine."
Once I opened the door, my ladies-in-waiting sighed with relief and looked at the pillow in my hand with curiosity.
"Your Majesty, why are you holding a pillow…?"
Rather than tell a lie, I shook my head and put the pillow back on the bed.
I didn't want the baby in my belly to misinterpret Heinley's words, so I would take some time later to explain what happened.
'What did I just see?'
Heinley wandered down the corridors deep in thought, unable to hide his surprise.
What he had just experienced didn't seem real to him, so much so that he couldn't remember it well.
'My Queen… my graceful, elegant Queen used a pillow as a weapon.'
Heinley only stopped when he ran into Koshar. He looked around and realized that he was on the first floor. He seemed to have walked faster than he expected.
"Good to see you, Your Majesty."
Heinley smiled in response and took the opportunity to ask him,
"Brother, you are just the person I wanted to see. Is it normal for your sister to use a pillow as a weapon when she gets angry on certain occasions?"
He believed that Koshar was the right person to answer this question. Since it was about Navier's honor, he couldn't tell anyone else about this incident. Koshar loved his sister very much, so he could clarify things for Heinley while protecting Navier's privacy and honor.
Heinley's assumption was correct, Koshar nodded awkwardly as if several memories had come to his mind.
"So she's always been like that…"
"I'm sorry. Most of the time she doesn't express her emotions and keeps it all to herself, but on the occasions when she uses a pillow as a weapon is when she shows her true anger."
"I was surprised to see My Queen act with so much intensity, brother."
Koshar knew that Navier uses pillows as a weapon because they are stuffed with bird feathers. No matter how hard the hit, the other person would not be hurt.
Navier and Sovieshu had been close since childhood, but often quarreled over various trivial matters. Because Sovieshu was the Crown Prince, Navier could not hurt him. So, after much thought, she decided to use pillows to settle quarrels. Koshar, who was more immature back then, taught his younger sister to use pillows to fight so that she would not be defeated by the crown prince in a pillow fight.
But Sovieshu meant so much in Navier's past that Koshar couldn't even tell this trivial story without talking about him.
For that reason, Koshar just said awkwardly,
"Navier doesn't get angry out of nowhere."
Heinley misunderstood Koshar's words, thinking that Koshar was indirectly blaming him for Navier's anger. He felt embarrassed, so he quickly changed the subject.
"Now that I remember, brother. Do you want to marry Princess Charlotte of Whitemond?"
"I wouldn't mind marrying her, but… I don't know if Princess Charlotte feels the same way."
"You make an adequate spouse as you're very handsome."
The answer to Koshar's words came from Princess Charlotte herself, who was calmly approaching them.
"If one has no choice but to accept a political marriage, then one must do one's best."
Princess Charlotte greeted Emperor Heinley and then she turned to Koshar and spoke with a confident smile,
"I chose you, the most handsome of all the choices I had available to me. Are there any women of higher status than me among your choices?"
Koshar seemed surprised and embarrassed, and Heinley left quietly.
When he entered his office, he saw McKenna writing seriously at his desk and said cheerfully,
"I saw something very interesting."
"Yes? What?"
"A new love story… By the way, why do you look so serious?"
"Of course it's because of the intruder."
"The intruder who used ice magic…"
"No."
'Was there another intruder?'
When Heinley stared at him, puzzled, McKenna explained a little annoyed.
"I mean the servant whose legs were frozen."
Heinley's expression stiffened.
"Oh, I had forgotten. Why was that servant there? I know his identity has been confirmed."
When Heinley heard about the supposed intruder who used ice magic, he thought it was a misunderstanding, but once he found out what had happened and confirmed that Navier was safe, he also inquired about the injured servant.
The servant had been working at the Imperial Palace for five years. He typically worked in the warehouse, but today he had come all the way here because there were many boxes to carry.
However, since the servant was caught alone in a secluded spot and turned deathly pale when he saw the knights, Viscount Langdel thought the situation was suspicious and offered to investigate.
Heinley wanted to know about this.
"The servant never intended to harm the Empress. However, he was asked to approach the Empress to see what would happen."
380
There was a bit of a stir due to the intruder yesterday, but the atmosphere soon calmed down as the alleged intruder turned out to be a servant of the imperial palace, and the person who used ice magic… we were able to cover this up.
Of course, I couldn't walk around unescorted for a while, and the knights would probably be busy trying to figure out who asked to approach me.
In any case, I decided to meet with the noblewomen as planned. The former king's concubine was also invited, although I had hesitated to meet with her until the very end. But it wasn't a bad decision.
"Honestly, I was really worried that Your Majesty would meet with everyone but me."
The former king's concubine smiled broadly as soon as we sat down at the table, revealed her concerns, and laughed.
"I thought that Your Majesty would be reluctant to invite me after what happened in the Eastern Empire."
The other noblewomen were taken aback by her candor. I was also surprised. The former king's concubine smiled so brightly that her eyes narrowed.
She had a very different personality compared to Christa's. Well… Rashta and I also had very different personalities.
That night, I told Heinley about it. However, I noticed as I spoke that his expression was not good.
"Heinley?"
Why does Heinley have such a gloomy expression today? Usually he doesn't keep quiet. I leaned close to him and put my hand on his cheek.
"What's the matter?"
I was worried to see Heinley sad after he had enjoyed making fun of me only yesterday. What happened to him?
Heinley answered immediately.
"There is something important I must tell you, My Queen."
"All right, tell me."
"A trial will be held against 'that woman' in the Eastern Empire."
Rashta is the person whom Heinley calls 'that woman'. Will there be a trial against Rashta?
"Really?"
"Yes."
Well, it is a huge problem that the princess is not actually the emperor's daughter… It was reasonable for Rashta to be punished for it.
"I don't care what happens in the Eastern Empire anymore."
I stood up as I deliberately spoke firmly and coldly. I found it rather odd that Heinley had such a serious expression. Given his personality, shouldn't he be happy about the news?
"Yes, I know."
After Heinley said this, he sighed heavily,
"But the Eastern Empire asked if My Queen could attend the trial."
"Me? At the trial?"
"Since you were a victim, the Eastern Empire asked if My Queen would attend as a witness… What do you want to do?"
Rashta went out into the corridor and made a request to a knight on watch.
"I would like to see His Majesty."
The knight could have ignored her, but he told her to wait a moment and headed to the Eastern Palace.
Rashta wandered down the corridor, then returned to her room and sat in an armchair as she waited nervously.
After a while, the knight returned with the answer.
"His Majesty ordered me to lead Empress Rashta to him."
Rashta looked at herself in the mirror and quickly combed her hair. Then, she followed the knight.
"Shameless."
"She committed serious crimes without even flinching."
"Who would have thought that with that innocent face she would be so despicable."
On the way to the Eastern Palace, the murmurs she heard in the corridors made her heart tear, but she tried hard to ignore them.
When she finally met Sovieshu, she was welcomed by his icy gaze. His eyes, once filled with warm affection, were cold as if winter had come. His demeanor seemed to suggest that Rashta should not waste his time, so she opened her mouth with difficulty.
"What will you do to me?"
"It will depend on the crimes you have committed."
"I have committed no crime, Your Majesty."
"You still think to deny it after all that has been revealed."
"You knew… I was a runaway slave, but you didn't care."
"I knew you were a runaway slave. But I didn't know you were this kind of person."
"Your Majesty, the Rashta you met back then and the Rashta in front of your eyes is the same person."
"The man you loved and the man you betrayed is also the same person, Rashta."
There was no warmth in his words, only sharp thorns and painful wounds.
"Your Majesty, let me explain it all. If there is any misunderstanding, I will explain it to you."
Rashta spoke with a pained expression, but Sovieshu didn't want to listen to her absurd excuses.
"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? That the princess turned out not to be my daughter is a misunderstanding? Or is there some misunderstanding in the promissory notes presented by Duke Elgy? Or is the misunderstanding with the document promising a port to Duke Elgy? Or…"
After a momentary pause, he looked at Rashta with a fierce expression.
"Or is it a misunderstanding that a rumor was spread in the Western Empire? A rumor that the cause for my divorce with Navier was her infertility?"
'What does he mean?'
At the unexpected attack, Rashta exclaimed in surprise,
"Rashta never did that!"
Sovieshu asked with an angry snort.
"You never did, or you wish you never did?"
"Your Majesty!"
"The Western Empire made an official complaint. They want you to publicly apologize for that."
"I'm still… I'm still the Empress of the Eastern Empire, Your Majesty. You won't ask me to apologize publicly? That would be a disgrace to the Eastern Empire!"
"No. Don't worry, there is no need for you to apologize. Soon, you will not represent the Eastern Empire."
Rashta looked at Sovieshu in astonishment and burst into tears.
"Your Majesty… Does Your Majesty no longer believe in Rashta? I remember the time you said you felt sorry for Rashta. I remember the time you said you would protect Rashta. However, now you falsely accuse Rashta?"
Sovieshu stared at Rashta for a moment, speechless.
"Am I falsely accusing you? Of all that I said, what did you not do?"
"I did nothing!"
Sovieshu's mouth opened wide. He really was surprised by her words.
"I… I don't know anymore. I don't know what the hell you are thinking."
"Rashta didn't say that Navier was infertile! Rashta only said that there was a rumor that the reason for her divorce was her infertility! Your Majesty was the one who told me that Navier might be infertile!"
When the other side uses absurd arguments, the shock is so great that it is difficult to think of what to say in rebuttal.
This was the case for Sovieshu. He was shocked and couldn't understand Rashta.
Even if such a rumor existed, didn't Rashta know that the fact that the Empress spread the rumor to a foreign noble via letter was in itself a problem?
"That's enough. Get out. It was crazy to think that I could talk to you."
He waved his hand, completely exhausted. He felt foolish for trying to have one last conversation with Rashta, not to mention that talking about Navier reminded him of all his regrets.
"What will you do to me?"
"You'll have the answer at the trial. You'll be able to ask the judge directly."
At that moment, Rashta pleaded as tears streamed down her cheeks,
"… Please save me."
Sovieshu, who had an intense headache, looked at her in bewilderment. Rashta looked like a soaked cat alone in the rain, her expression sad and forlorn.
"Your Majesty, don't let Rashta be severely punished. Rashta didn't commit any serious crime. If Rashta's crime was to sit on the Empress's throne, then it is our crime, not just Rashta's. Other than that, Rashta did nothing wrong."
Sovieshu kept his lips tightly closed.