‘Crazy wench!’
Empress Salvatrice was stunned. She listened, wanting to say something.
‘What, beating your husband, just because you’re prone to speculating?’
She closely examined Elodie’s expression, wondering if she was mocking her, but Elodie only had an innocent look on her face.
She couldn’t determine if the girl’s mind was just a flower garden or if she was incredibly clever.
She had initially thought of Elodie as someone who didn’t say a word and simply smiled obediently before starting their conversation. But this behavior, this wouldn’t do.
‘I’ll have to break that habit.’
Since she had no intention of relinquishing the power of Perdia; it would be better to trample over Elodie Perdia.
No matter how innocent she seemed, she must understand that some of what she said was offensive.
Salvatrice put down her teacup, wiping away any trace of a smile from her face.
“I know I said there was nothing to be nervous about, but it would be better to choose a more appropriate place for such jarring conversation, wouldn’t it? It’s difficult to listen to.”
If she had said that much, Elodie would have to be scared out of her wits. That’s what Salvatrice thought, but when she looked at Elodie’s expression, she paused, surprised.
Instead of being frightened, Elodie just stared at her as if asking what she meant by such words.
Then, with a quizzical look, Elodie even asked a question.
“Your Majesty Salvatrice, did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
“That’s-“
“Well then! Please teach me what I did wrong, Your Majesty!”
What was this? It seemed like she deliberately cut her off.
Salvatrice became confused.
No, it wasn’t intentional……? Even though she couldn’t make a judgment due to Elodie’s friendly attitude towards her, it didn’t seem intentional.
If she didn’t understand, she had to explain it again. Salvatrice expressed the same sentiment in a slightly different way and said it again.
“I’m just saying, Miss Elodie, that you shouldn’t say things like that, no matter how comfortably I treat you.”
“What kind of words are those?”
“For example, hitting your husband…”
“Oops, I’ll be careful. I’ll refrain from saying such things. I must have been lacking.”
She said she would be careful, but it didn’t satisfy Salvatrice. Elodie had said she would refrain from talking about it, but she didn’t say she wouldn’t take the actions.
“Does that mean you’re planning to hit your husband?”
It was none of her business, but if it was her son Beltran, it was a different story.
Even if he was an inadequate child, he was still her son. She couldn’t stand to see him treated like that.
“I’m worried about what others will say when they hear what Miss Elodie said.”
“Yes, yes. I will never tell anyone else!”
“Raising your hand against someone is not a good deed, Miss Elodie.”
“That’s right. That’s why my parents are so concerned. I really am hopeless.”
Salvatrice felt a sudden headache coming on.
‘What kind of person doesn’t understand these words…….’
Even though they were clearly having a conversation, it felt like talking to a wall. It seemed like she understood the words, but nothing went as intended.
After a few more attempts to break her spirit, Empress Salvatrice finally gave up.
“……Fine. I’m glad you understood.”
When she looked into those clear, innocent eyes that didn’t seem to harbor any ill will, her determination wavered.
What is she thinking?
Having given up on thinking about it, Salvatrice changed the topic of conversation.
“To be honest, there’s a separate reason why I called you, Miss Elodie.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about the supervising of the Ishtar Shrine during the founding festival.”
Although she was the empress, as the de facto ruler who held the real power of Wallentian, Salvatrice had maintained a close relationship with the Ishtar Shrine.
“The Shrine of Ishtar has expressed a desire to have Miss Elodie preside over the ceremony. Would you be willing to accept the honor?”
Salvatrice thought that Elodie would eagerly accept the position without hesitation.
Although Elodie’s reputation had been restored after the First Prince’s declaration that she was the one who broke off the engagement, it still hadn’t completely recovered.
In such a situation, there was no better opportunity than taking charge of the Ishtar Shrine and proudly revealing herself as the recognized savior of the shrine.
‘After all, if Elodie Perdia is to be Beltran’s partner, she must be worthy and flawless, and her current reputation has blemishes.’
However, Elodie’s response was quite unexpected.
“Well…”
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for you, Miss Elodie. Being in charge of the shrine is an honorable position that anyone would desire, isn’t it?”
“Hmm…”
Elodie pretended to ponder carefully but didn’t give a clear answer.
Tired of waiting, Empress Salvatrice broke the silence.
“If Elodie doesn’t take it, the opportunity will go to Dorothea Angellus, a direct descendant of one of the other four major families.”
‘After all this, you’re not going to take it?’
But this was Elodie Perdia.
“Perhaps I should discuss this with my father first, Your Majesty, as it is a serious matter.”
Even though it meant that the opportunity would go to someone else, she calmly and steadfastly responded without batting an eye.
She had been asked by one of Ishtar’s priests to persuade Elodie herself, as they were being dismissed from the Duke of Perdia’s household, so she could not let her consult the Duke.
“We must decide today, Elodie.”
“Today?”
“Yes, right now.”
Setting a time limit would make her feel rushed and inadvertently lead to a positive response.
…But Elodie was different.
“Then I won’t do it.”
“……?!”
“Miss Dorothea can do it!”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, of course.”
Elodie smiled innocently and nodded energetically.
“Hah. There’s no hope.”
Salvatrice, who saw a glimmer of madness in those clear eyes, gave up on persuading her further.
***
We continued to make small talk, but the Empress, who seemed to have been drained of her energy by me, was distracted and gave only perfunctory answers.
‘Now is the time.’
I brought up the opening line of the conversation that I had prepared in advance.
“Listen, Your Majesty, I have something important to discuss with you. It concerns the First Prince.”
I thought Salvatrice, who kept Adenmir in check, would be naturally interested, and I was right.
“What is it?”
“In reality, the First Prince didn’t break off the engagement for my sake. It’s not true.”
It wasn’t a lie.
“I see……. The First Prince took advantage of Miss Elodie.”
Without saying a word, Salvatrice smiled sadly, confirming her suspicions.
“And that’s how my first love came to a painful end…….”
This is not a lie. It was my first love.
Up until now, it was just a setup. As I watched Salvatrice smile lightly as if to comfort me, I subtly asked the question.
“This may sound impertinent, but may I ask if Your Majesty has also experienced first love? I think hearing about Your Majesty’s experience would soothe my troubled heart.”
“Yes, I had a first love.”
“Who was it? I’m curious.”
As a result of questioning other servants besides Martha, I came to hear the opinion of many that Empress Salvatrice’s first love was the Duke of Severes, my biological father.
The empress paused for a moment, as if lost in thought.
“He was a kind person.”
“And?”
“He was kind, but also cruel.”
Kind but cruel? What does that mean?
Before I could ponder over those words, Salvatrice gathered her voluminous dress and stood up from her seat.
“I forgot I had an appointment later, so we’ll have to talk another time, Miss Elodie.”
Avoiding eye contact, Salvatrice hurriedly left the teatime gathering.
[Seems like she’s hiding something.]
I agreed with Greed’s opinion.
’There must be something. Why else would she leave in such a rush?’
[Maybe it’s because you were tormenting her?]
“Rather than tormenting her, I’ll say I cornered her with a smiling face.”
That’s the most suitable strategy against someone who tries to manipulate others like that.
Now, she won’t dare to bring up Beltran to me again.
She wouldn’t want to leave an uncontrollable madwoman by her son’s side, after all.
However, the disappointing part was that I couldn’t obtain any significant information about my father.
‘Should I go straight to the Marquis of Baresh, the empress’s father?’
Even though he wasn’t from one of the Four Great Families, Marquis Baresh wielded power comparable to them. With his influence, especially now that the emperor was bedridden, Duke Baresh’s influence was strong.
‘But I never expected Salvatrice to go as far as pursuing Perdia, even at the expense of abandoning Angellus.’
Perdia must be truly remarkable for Salvatrice to give up on Angellus, with whom she had maintained a friendly relationship.
‘It wouldn’t be a bad idea to observe while walking the tightrope in between,’ I thought to myself as I made my way out of the Third Palace grounds.
I was alone now, as the mercenary escorts were not allowed inside the palace and were waiting outside.
Still, there were guards stationed everywhere, so there was no danger of being attacked inside the castle.
I quickened my pace, trying to get out of the castle as quickly as possible, just in case I ran into Beltran.
‘Heuk.’
I froze as I saw someone walking towards me from the opposite direction.
‘Adenmir……!’
What is this feeling, like I’ve been caught red-handed cheating on my husband?
The Third Palace was the empress’s palace, so it was obvious that I had come to see her.
‘What should I say? If I say it’s a misunderstanding, wouldn’t it only lead to more misunderstandings?’
In the midst of my confusion, Adenmir quickly approached me with his long legs and stood in front of me.
“Lady.”
Indeed, there was no doubt that he misunderstood. And I couldn’t deny it either.
“Your Highness, it’s–”
“Did the empress put pressure on you?”
“Huh?”
I blinked at the unexpected question.
“Tell me. Are you okay?”
Wait, could it be that he’s worried about me?
I couldn’t deny it, as Adenmir’s actions clearly showed concern.
“I’m fine.”
“Good, then. Next time the empress calls for you, have someone accompany you. It’s not safe for you to be traveling alone.”
He’s worried again. His unfamiliar and affectionate concern somehow made my heart ache and resonate with pain.
‘It’s unfair to be so caring.’
I know it’s just a formality, a way of treating his former fiancée, but if I wasn’t careful, it could make me start to expect something.
As I gazed at Adenmir quietly, he narrowed his eyes and took a step closer.
“Why are you like that? You don’t look happy-“
“Of course, I suspected you would doubt me.”
“What?”
“Seeing me coming out of a meeting with the empress, it would be normal for you to be suspicious of me.”
As I spoke, Adenmir’s eyes gradually widened, and he let out a sigh.
Ah.
“…… I didn’t even think about that,” he admitted.
“…….”
“Yeah. I suppose that would be normal, but this is…….”
Muttering like that, Adenmir stared at me with a smile. Then, he calmly spoke.
“I guess I want to believe in you.”
With those words ringing in my ears, I watched Adenmir’s back as he turned around.