《How to Hide the Emperor’s Child》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 It was 10 years. The amount of time Astelle tried to die for him. Astelle von Reston was severely educated to be the Crown Princess of the Empire. Liberal arts sses in politics, history, military studies, as well as all kinds of arts and literature. And even more difficult and esoteric court manners than mathematical forms. I couldn¡¯t y or rest like other kids. I only studied. It was harsh enough, but Astelle endured everything and tried not to die. Everything was for the little boy I first met on my 10th birthday. *** Kaizen, Prince of the Rastiel Empire, a boy with dark hair and red eyes. On her 10th birthday, Kaizen gave Astelle a ne with blue gems as a gift. It was the ¡®blue moonlight¡¯, a treasure of the imperial family received by the Empress of the Rastiel Empire. It was a sign of an engagement to the royal family. On that day, Astelle officially became the prince¡¯s fiancee. How happy I was at that moment. The moment he hung the blue jewel around her neck, Astelle gained her purpose in life. Another 10 years passed like that. Astelle, as the preliminary crown princess, continued to strive to be empress. Since the empress had passed away early, she went to the imperial pce without the empress in her spare time to study. I also fulfilled my responsibilities as an empress.(I¡¯m sorry I know this doesn¡¯t flow well repeating ¡°empress¡± so many times T_T) I visited his Majesty the Emperor and helped with the work of the Imperial Pce. Everything was good until then. As the seasons beyond the study window changed countless times, the rtionship between the two also changed little by little. One day, ominous rumors began to hover around the mansion, as the cold wind swept away the panoramic view of spring. The story of the Crown Prince wanting to break up with Astelle spread slowly around like a damp fog. Astelle¡¯s father, Duke von Reston, hastened their marriage to dispel rumors. At the request of the Duke, who was the emperor¡¯s closest aide and friend, the two finally officially became a married couple. The first night after the wedding. The prince asked for the understanding that he did not want to have children right away. And to Astelle, it felt like a kind consideration. ¡°We¡¯re still young and the Emperor is still here, so we have plenty of time. I want to have a child slowly after you adjust to the Imperial Pce.¡± Astelle was rather grateful to Kaizen. It would have been more difficult to have children as soon as I became the Crown Princess. However, as long as the wedding took ce, the first night had to be held. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Then, for the time being, I will take medicine.¡± If you don¡¯t spend the first night together, people will misunderstand. So Astelle convinced Kaizen that she would take the pill. Kaizen said after agonizing for a while. ¡°No. I don¡¯t want to burden you.¡± Kaizen asked Astelle for consent and took the pill himself. Kaizen treated the nervous Astelle dearly, and courteously from beginning to end. Astelle was happy. Although it was only a political marriage, we will respect each other and live as a couple for a lifetime. Astelle believed so. However, that dream was short-lived. *** ¡°Please divorce me.¡± That afternoon, Kaizen, who became emperor, told Astelle, who became the empress, his demands. ¡°This marriage was what myte father wanted. I didn¡¯t want to marry you for a single moment. So you¡¯d better clean up without further dy.¡±(Oh hell no-) It was an extremely concise and indifferent nce as if he was clearing up the remains of his deceased father. ¡°You never loved me anyway, right?¡± ¡°¡­¡± At that moment, Astelle thought of the ne that was hanging around her neck. After meeting Kaizen for the first time at the age of 10, she never took off the ne he gave her. The formal letters exchanged while waiting for him toe back from war, I remember every word and sentence we exchanged lightly at banquets. It was time to face the sad reality. It was all memorable for her, but not for the man in front of her. Now I can fully understand Kaizen¡¯s intention to have the child slowlyst night, as if he were considerate of her. He had nned to abandon Astelle from the start. It was the moment when everything I had believed in for 10 years broke. Looking at his cold red eyes, which had not a speck of affection, Astelle decided to tell the lie that he wanted. For the man who was the reason for her life until she was 20, but only a husband for a day. ¡°Yes, it is right.¡± I didn¡¯t love you. That¡¯s how the one-day empress life of Astelle, made the record for being the shortest empress in history, ended. *** As soon as the new emperor was crowned, the empress was expelled. It was something that caused a great stir in the empire. Originally, the royal family could not divorce easily. If one side opposes the divorce, they will be taken to court and face a lengthy legal battle. Even so, most divorces do not happen. Once they¡¯ve exchanged their wedding vows, even an emperor cannot break a sacred marriage without the consent of both parties. But Astelle¡¯s divorce ended unexpectedly and simply. This is because Astelle, the party concerned, agreed to divorce without a hitch. ¡°Yes, I want a divorce too.¡± The new emperor wanted a divorce as soon as he ascended to the throne, but the empress agreed, so there was no justification to oppose it. Her father and other great noblemen were stunned, but Astelle took off the empress¡¯ crown without any hesitation. After bing the Empress, everything would¡¯ve been easy. I worked hard, practiced, and prepared for such a long time to be the empress. When she left the empress position, all she had left wasfort and relief. ¡°You¡¯re no longer my daughter,¡± he said, ¡°for throwing away the queen¡¯s seat without even fighting. Get out of my house right now.¡±(@annmatocalled him an a**hole, Ipletely agree) The woman was disowned at the door for allowing such an easy divorce. An attendant from the imperial pce came to send money for living, but Astelle refused. And she left the capital. I bought a small house near a forest by using the money I had collected and selling the jewelry I had since I was young. I was thinking of spending the rest of my life quietly there. I thought that if I could sell embroidery or paintings, I would be able to make enough money for living expenses. Time passed by quietly and peacefully, until a few dayster, I heard shocking words from a nearby pharmacist. ¡°Well¡­ I think you are pregnant?¡± *** The sound of footsteps came downstairs. The ominous sound of stepping on the cold stone floor was approaching quickly. Astelle rushed to the closet and found a wooden closet that was roughly attached to a damp stone wall. Except for the bed, it was the only piece of furniture in the room. She opened the door and ran through the roughly packed parcels to find a small bottle of medicine. It¡¯s been two months since I¡¯ve been on the run. For the past week, Astelle has been on the second floor of this small bakery. During the day, I made bread or helped with chores at the store downstairs, and at night I slept with my child in a small room on the second floor. It was a difficult life, but I couldn¡¯t do anything about it running on a tight budget. Still, this ce wasn¡¯t badpared to other ces. The owner of the store was good, and because it was a small rural vige, there were not many people. Astelle went to bed and shook the child buried under the old quilt to wake him up. ¡°Theor.¡± The dark-haired child lying in the bed slowly got up and opened his eyes. Dark red pupils were revealed in the delicate eyes. ¡®Please, I prayed you didn¡¯t have his eyes.¡¯ However, the child was born to resemble his father¡¯s dark hair and red eyes. Still, Theor was a lovely child. The little face was cute like a doll. After waking up, the child rubbed his eyes with a small hand. Astelle held the child¡¯s soft white cheeks affectionately in both hands and said, looking at his eyes. ¡°Theor, do you remember what mom said?¡± The child tilted his head, and blinked his sleepy eyes. ¡°Ooh¡­ a y?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Fortunately, Astelle¡¯s child Theor, was smart for his age and understood well. Ever since the child learned to speak, and was able to understand the wordy, Astelle has been practicing with the child for things like this. Astelle raised the child¡¯s head and opened the medicine bottle she found in the closet. Then, she dropped each drop into the eyes of the child who she gently lifted the face of. As Theor blinked, his blood-red eyes gradually turned blue as if paint was spreading. ¡°Thank you for your patience.¡± Looking at his blue eyes, Astelle hugged the child and kissed his forehead. The skin that touched her lips smelled like soft milk. Bang bang! At that moment, there was a knock outside as if to break the door. Astelle hurriedly hid the medicine bottle in her arms. The door was ripped off with a bang before she could even go out and open it. Knights dressed in military uniforms of the Imperial Army entered through the ragged door. ¡°Lady Astelle?¡± The man who seemed to have the highest position among the knights approached Astelle. He held the child in his arms and spoke in a concise manner to Astelle, who was standing by the bedside. ¡°Your Majesty the emperor is looking for you.¡± End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Chapter 2 6 years ago, when Astelle found out she was pregnant, her first feeling was intense fear. ¡°Pregnancy?¡± I couldn¡¯t believe it at first. How? I¡¯m sure Kaizen took birth control pills. ¡°There is a chance that such a drug will fail.¡± The pharmacist exined that it was possible. Even if they both take medicine, she still could be pregnant. Astell listened to her exnation in fascination. It was about two months after my divorce. I set up a new home in a quiet ce and lived alone, but I still couldn¡¯t block news from the rest of the world. Astelle learned that with the death of the Emperor, the peace of the Empire had disappeared. The previous virtuous and good Emperor did not try to suppress the power of the great nobility. In fact, he had no ambition or ability to do so. But Kaizen was different. It was only after he became the Emperor that everyone learned this young Emperor was different from the old Emperor. A month after he became Emperor, Kaizen discovered the corruption of Duke Milstad, the weakest of the strongest nobles, and destroyed his family. After that, he continued to purge the powerful nobles one after another. Kaizen wanted to get rid of all the great nobles who threatened the Emperor to gain power. He also proved that he was capable. The high lord of the north caused a revolt but was then suppressed by the Emperor¡¯s army, and his entire family was then annihted. All those who watched while holding their breaths would know. The days of the former Emperor and some powerful houses being bnced in power were over without any major problems. From that time on, imperial politics were divided into two factions. The Emperor¡¯s group, made up of new bureaucrats who supported the Emperor, and the aristocratic group of great nobility. The two fractions fought fiercely. Astelle¡¯s father, Duke Reston, naturally became the head of the great nobles. ¡®If I tell you that I¡¯m pregnant¡­¡¯ What will happen to this child? She was no longer the Empress. However, the child was the Emperor¡¯s child and was the only heir to the present day. Astelle quickly determined the situation. Knowing that she had a child, her father would make this child emperor and be a regent.(In case you didn¡¯t know, it means that the father will try to be a regent. A regent is a person appointed to administer a country because the monarch is a minor.) And if he finds out that the child in her stomach is a threat to him, Kaizen will try to get rid of this child. I couldn¡¯t expect either side to care or protect the child. Astelle couldn¡¯t let her child be used in political battles. She did not desire to leave her child¡¯s life to men crazy about power, and only watch in fear. She was abandoned by both the emperor and her father. The child was all she had left. ¡®It¡¯s not the Emperor¡¯s child, it¡¯s my child. I will protect this child and raise it with my own hands.¡¯ When she found out she was pregnant, she thought about it over and over again and made that decision. I¡¯m going to hide the kid and raise him alone. * * * Astelle walked helplessly, hugging Theor. With each step, dry soil and stone debris were stepped on. The soles of my feet were sore and hurt. It was because she was dragged out from her room wearing thin slippers without changing her shoes. The cold air that permeated my skin cleared my mind each time I took a step. Astelle wrapped Theor with the hem of an old coat over her shoulder. The rose bushes on the stone wall filled the chilly dawn air with the smell of light floral scent. The northeastern part of the continent was a ce where frost fell on the drynd every morning until April. Even though it is now May, thend is still experiencing cold winds from the mountains in the morning and evening. A few steps ahead, an old castle used as a permanent residence stood against the backdrop of the bluish dawn sky. The hat was dragged towards it.(From the wind) The knights guided her to the reception room situated in the center of the castle. In the room, there was a man in front of a firece with firewood burning. When she saw him, Astelle felt like her heart stopped. She made up her mind and went inside. It has been six years since they broke up when she was 20. Kaizen did not change much from that time. ck hair like the night sky and dark red eyes. His appearance, which is more stunning than the torch that decorates the temple, has always been praised by aristocrats. Although his appearance was the same, Kaizen now has an atmosphere that was more confident and strongerpared to when he was 20. Like a man who has lived as an emperor for the past six years, even though he is still young, in histe 20s, his whole body had an air of dignity and honourability. ¡®You¡¯ve be such a wonderful man when I didn¡¯t see you.¡¯ Bitter thoughts filled the depth of my heart. There was a time when I felt a heart-fluttering affection for him. But now all those warm feelings have withered. Love disappeared without a trace, and only a dry and deste emptiness remained like a dry branch. Astelle suppressed her bitter feelings and knelt before him with the child. ¡°I see your Majesty the Emperor, the Lord of the Empire.¡± Now, this man has be the Emperor, best suited for the title ¡®Lord of the Empire¡¯. The political dispute between the Emperor and the nobility ended with the Emperor¡¯s victory. Almost all the great nobles who opposed the emperor for the past six years have disappeared. Kaizen became the most powerful Emperor who fully ruled the Empire. He has be a real leader with power so strong that no one can me him for killing someone he doesn¡¯t like. ¡°It¡¯s been 6 years.¡± His voice was not that different from before. Astelle stood up and faced him. Familiar red eyes nced at Astelle. His gaze shifted to Astelle¡¯s monotonous gray cotton dress, with no patterns or decorations, and the rough pelerineid on top.(FYI, a pelerine is sorta a woman¡¯s cape ofce or silk with pointed ends at the center front.) And finally, when the gaze fell to the old indoor shoes made of weaving of leftover fabric, a wrinkle was briefly formed in the good-looking brows. Kaizen¡¯s face was filled with surprise and displeasure. It seemed that he was shocked by Astelle¡¯s poor appearance. ¡°I guess things weren¡¯t good.¡± What did he expect after dragging me here before it¡¯s even dawn? Well, Astelle always looked her best in front of this man. All we had to do was stand face to face for a few minutes, but I put on make-up and groomed my hair for several hours. Then, she tightened her body with a corset, and she picked out the most beautiful dresses and jewelry. It was tiring, hard, and sometimes even painful. But for a while, I would endure everything to look beautiful to this man. It was a foolish effort. Those days are now over. Now Astelle didn¡¯t care about how this man looked at her. ¡°I didn¡¯t have time to change clothes. It¡¯s too early.¡± Well, there¡¯s nothing better to change into than this. Astelle raised Theor in the old mansion of her maternal grandfather located at the eastern edge. Because it was a poor household without any servants, Astelle nted, cultivated, made, and cooked food from the garden herself. She was not a nobledy now, but amoner. All her beautiful and colorful dresses were disposed of a long time ago. ¡°Why did you keep running away?¡± Kaizen looked at Astel as if he couldn¡¯t understand her. He has been trying to find Astelle for the past two months. If Astelle hadn¡¯t run away so cautiously, she would have been caught long ago. After holding out for two months, I ended up being caught like this. Well, I couldn¡¯t run away forever. Where was I going to go? The entire continent was part of the Empire, all of which belonged to this man. When Astelle couldn¡¯t answer, heughed. ¡°Did you think I would catch you and kill you?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Until two months ago, Astelle didn¡¯t run away. At the house of her maternal grandfather, it was tiring for her body, but her heart was still at ease. One day, she was surprised by the news that the Emperor¡¯s knights were looking for her, so she ran away. I couldn¡¯t figure out what was going on, so I had no choice but to run away first. Just in case. I couldn¡¯t meet this man until I knew for sure whether it was rted to the child or not. Still, after running away for the past two months, I found out that it wasn¡¯t rted to this child. It would¡¯ve been upsetting if they were looking for the hidden prince. Even so, I still couldn¡¯t guess what was going on. ¡®Why are you looking for me now?¡¯ Astelle asked Kaizen, hiding her anxious and trembling heart. ¡°Why did you try to find me?¡± ¡°You made me look for you for two months, but you want an answer so quickly.¡± Kaizen replied irritably. Theor was surprised by the sharp gaze of a strange man he saw for the first time and grabbed Astelle¡¯s skirt with his small hand. At that moment, Kaizen¡¯s gaze turned to the child. ¡°Who is that kid?¡± Astelle gulped nervously. I had imagined and prepared countless times in case this moment woulde. However, simply preparing in the mind did not help much when it came to reality. My heart pounded endlessly. Astelle forced herself to pull herself together and face Kaizen with the calmest expression. I could see a questioning filled in the familiar red eyes. I remember thest time I lied to him and left. Astelle still did not regret that moment. And now I was confident I would never regret this lie either. ¡°This is my nephew.¡± Chapter 3 Chapter 3 ¡°Your nephew?¡± Kaizen frowned as if he doubted it. It was worth it. Fritz, Astelle¡¯s real brother, used to stay beside Kaizen as the Vice Commander of the Knight Guards a few years ago. ¡°Not my brother¡¯s, but Sigmund¡¯s child¡­ So he¡¯s my cousin¡¯s child.¡± Sigmund was the only child of her maternal uncle, who, unfortunately, died during the civil war in the north, precisely six months before Theor was born. Astelle asked her maternal grandfather, Marquis Carlenberg, who had lost his heir, to register Theor as Sigmund¡¯s son. As a child who was born from a maid who was known as Sigmund¡¯s lover. The maid, who had been working in her mother¡¯s house for her entire life, registered as the child¡¯s mother on official documents, and then left on a condition that she will continue receiving Sigmund¡¯s death pension until her death. Astelle heard that she married a rich merchant and was living well now. ¡°I thought Your Majesty knew about it too?¡± Astelle looked at Kaizen with a calm expression and, as if she was surprised, she opened her eyes wide. ¡°My grandfather sent me documents to obtain permission for this child to be approved as a sessor to the Calenberg family¡­ with a birth certificate and blood ties.¡± Of course, it was Astelle who sent those documents. Astelle did everything wlessly to make it seem that Theor was Sigmund¡¯s child. As though her cousin really did have an illegitimate child with a maid, she alsomissioned a temple to conduct a blood test with her grandfather. The result was, of course, matching blood ties. To her grandfather, Sigmund was his real grandson, and Astelle was his granddaughter, both of them were still his grandchildren but only held different titles. Whether he is Sigmund¡¯s son or Astelle¡¯s son, he will still be considered as a great-grandchild to her grandfather. Therefore, there was no problem with the test results. Astelle pretended to hold Theor¡¯s hand, by gently sping the child¡¯s little finger. This was their own prearranged secret code. Theor, who had kept his mouth shut as promised, grabbed Astelle¡¯s hem and looked up. ¡°Aunt Astelle¡­?¡± ¡°Yes, Theor. It¡¯s okay. Everything will be okay.¡± Astelle pretended to soothe Theor, by hugging him and patting his back. Theor was following well, as they had practised several times. The rules of¡¯ the ¡®y¡¯ that Astelle taught were simple enough to suit the child¡¯s level. Instead of calling her mother, he has to call her Aunt Astelle. Don¡¯t talk a lot unless someone asks, and if she holds his little finger, he should say Aunt Astelle. Astelle had practised several times with the child, step-by-step, in a calm manner so that he could understand and adapt to it well. She made sure not to scold him for making mistakes so that it wouldn¡¯t backfire when he was nervous, and she gave him a snack as a prize whenever he did well. When watching them, her grandfather wouldugh bitterly while saying, ¡®It seems like we¡¯re doing some kind of emergency evacuation drill.¡¯ Everyone would be suspicious if a divorced Empress was taking care of a child who had no connection to her, but no one would be suspicious if she stayed with her maternal grandfather and cared for the child of her deceased cousin. Kaizen was also suspicious when he heard the child¡¯s voice. ¡°Oh, yeah. I guess I did hear that he left an infant before he died.But why are you looking after him?¡± ¡°There was no one to take care of him except for my grandfather. And I couldn¡¯t just leave all these responsibilities to my elderly grandfather.¡± When she ran away, she decided to head in a different direction from her grandfather, so as to not be found by Kaizen and his knights. She couldn¡¯t meet her grandfather after she ran away, hence she was worried about his well being. She was eventually going to get caught, so Kaizen told him to stop being stubborn and inform him about her whereabouts, but her grandfather never answered. Kaizen spit out with exmation. ¡°Your grandfather said he would rather die from torture than tell me where you were. Even at that age, he sure still has a great spirit.¡± ¡°Did you find my grandfather? What did you do to him?¡± As Astelle shouted in surprise, Kaizen replied with a puzzled look. ¡°Your grandfather is safe. I just asked for your whereabouts. Did you think I would just torture and kill an old war hero? Just like this?¡± It didn¡¯t seem to be a big problem after all. Astelle was inwardly relieved. ¡°Where is my grandfather now?¡± ¡°He¡¯s in Dents Castle. Don¡¯t worry about it. I asked them to treat him with courtesy.¡± Dents was on the way to the capital from here. ¡°While I was traveling towards the east, I found out about your whereabouts, and since you weren¡¯t that far away from where I was. I thought it would be nice toe to see you in person.¡± After finishing his exnation, Kaizen still looked curiously at Theor. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, can we talk alone?¡± Kaizen nced at the knight standing by the door. As the unfamiliar knight approached, Theor was frightened and hid behind Astelle¡¯s skirt. Astelle took Theor¡¯s hand and said, while looking into the child¡¯s eyes. ¡°It¡¯s all right. Please go to the room next door for a while.¡± Then, she held the child¡¯s little finger. Astel practiced this ¡®y¡¯ like a game so that the child would not be nervous and scared. Thanks to this, Theor had fun every time he practised. Even now, Theorughed with sparkling blue eyes as Astelle wrapped his finger and held it. ¡°Yes, Aunt Astelle.¡± Astelle lightly stroked Theor¡¯s soft ck hair and kissed his forehead. The knight took Theor and afterwards, the door was closed. ¡°Sit down.¡± Kaizen pointed to the tea table by the window. Astel pulled the table to the middle and sat facing him. She didn¡¯t know a day woulde when she would sit face-to-face, with this man again. After divorcing after only one day of marriage and leaving the Imperial Pce, Astelle had thought she would never meet Kazen again. Even if they did meet again, she thought we would only see each other if she were to be a sinner and forced to kneel in front of him, or if she were to be dragged for execution along with her father. Kaizen seemed to share simr sentiments. He looked at Astelle with a serious look in his eyes and brought up the subject. ¡°I found you because of myte grandmother¡¯s will.¡± ¡°The Grand Empress Dowager?¡± Kaizen lost his mother when he was young and was raised by his grandmother, the Empress Dowager. The old Empress Dowager was also kind and friendly to Astelle. When Astelle left the Empress¡¯ position, she was the one who mourned for her the most. ¡°I heard that she passed away. You must be extremely heartbroken.¡± Even if she lived in the eastern countryside, she had still heard the news of the Empress Dowager¡¯s death. Astelle was devastated when she heard about it. ¡®She was a good person.¡¯ Kaizen continued without any sign of sadness. ¡°You know, my grandmother was heir to Duke Mileen, the Southern lord.¡± Kaizen¡¯s grandmother was originally a young heiress who inherited arge southern territory. Kaizen¡¯s grandfather, thete Emperor, wedded her as his queen, and as if he had robbed her, he took the entire southern territories for the imperial family. The southernnds then belonged to the royal family, but as long as the Empress was alive, they were legally owned by the Empress. Upon her death, thend would then be legally owned by the imperial family. Even when Astelle left the pce, the Empress Dowager had to lie in her room for most of the day due to her poor health. ¡°At the urrence of her death, the southern territories were to be given to the royal family. But after my grandmother passed away, her will came out, and there was a strange condition.¡± ¡°Condition?¡± ¡°I cannot disclose her will without your permission. That was the condition my grandmother had set.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Why did she add such a condition? Astelle could not say anything to the unexpected story. ¡°The old minister insisted that it was the Empress¡¯st wish, and he would never reveal it to the public. He said that he would never give it up, even when they forced him so they could take thend. The content in it was even moreughable. It stated that ¡®Nothing can be decided about the southern territory without the consent of the former Empress Astelle von Reston.¡¯¡± ¡°Why me¡­¡± Kaizen gazed carefully at the bewildered Astelle. Complex emotions were revealed in his eyes. ¡°My grandmother must have wanted me to find you and take care of you. She asked me to do that several times before her death. I guess she wanted to use her will to force me because I wouldn¡¯t listen to her otherwise.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Astelle understood what Empress Dowager thought. The Empress probably thought that with such conditions, Kaizen would find Astelle and give her some territory on condition that he will obtain consent to the will. And if that happened, it would help her pitiful grandson and her granddaughter-inw, who she did not know the whereabouts of. If she had written in her will that she was giving away her property directly to Astelle, Kaizen would have ignored it and said that Astelle could not be found, not letting her receive even a single penny. The Empress Dowager came up with such an idea, but this only embarrassed Astelle. These days,nd did not matter to Astelle. As long as the emperor¡¯s child was raised in secret, she just had to avoid encountering this man and any other people within the capital as much as possible. Of course, the Empress waspletely unaware that Astelle hid a child, thus, she wrote such a will for Astelle. ¡°Is that why you were looking for me? Why didn¡¯t you just forcibly get rid of that use?¡± The will was also forcibly opened without Astelle¡¯s permission, because of this he was used of trying to keep the inheritance for himself. Kaizen responded with ridicule after hearing Astelle¡¯s thorny words. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I can¡¯t do. Some bureaucrats and judges may oppose it because it¡¯s against the inheritancew, but I can get rid of it. However, when I think about it, it would be simpler to bring you in and get your consent publicly.¡± He wasn¡¯t wrong. He said it like that, but the Empress Dowager¡¯s estate was a huge territory covering the entire South. He might have wanted to clear up the inheritance issue so that it would not be a problem for future emperors. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 ¡°That¡¯s why I just found you, and you ran away as soon as I sent someone, so I had to search both North and East for two months.¡± It was for that purpose. It wasn¡¯t a particrly big deal. It was a simple task to go to the capital and sign a consent form in front of judges and priests. That¡¯s okay. Theor will meets his grandfather in the middle and returns home first, Astelle only needs to go there alone. Astelle quickly cleared up her thoughts, pretending to be sorry, and bowed her head well. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I thought it was my father¡¯s order and I was scared.¡± ¡°Why would you scared for on your father¡¯s order? Your father, now the only Duke of the Empire, said he didn¡¯t even know if his daughter was alive or dead.¡± Kaizen shed a cold ridicule. Over the past six years, the great noble dukes lost his title. Now the only duke left in the empire was her father, Duke Reston. Astelle thought it would be great for his father to endure without losing his title until the end. Duke Reston was originally a smart man. He was trusted by the previous emperor and enjoyed the greatest power among the great nobles. ¡°I haven¡¯t met my father in 6 years. I tought something happened to my family, so I thought I was punished too.¡± Kaizen was not apassionate emperor. The family stigmatized for treason was confined to a monastery or chopped with their families. Whenever he thought of some of the families that had been so ruined, Astelle got goosebumps. If her father knew of Theor¡¯s existence¡­ if he had raised Theor and caused a rebellion, not only Astelle but also Theor would have died. But Kaizen sighed briefly at Astelle¡¯s words. ¡°I can¡¯t punish you. No matter what your father has done, you¡­¡± Kaizen blurs his words. There seemed to be nothing to say in particr. ¡®What do you have to say? We are no longer a couple.¡¯ After a while Astelle broke the silence. ¡°I will follow Your Majesty¡¯smand.¡± It was something she couldn¡¯t refuse anyway. The emperor came to find her himself. She finished quickly and was forced to get away from this man. ¡°Instead, I have conditions too.¡± Kaizen had predicted that such words woulde out of her mouth. ¡°What is that?¡± ¡°Please return the pension of my maternal grandfather.¡± Her maternal grandfather, Marquis Carlenberg, lost his estate after being enved during the former emperor of Kaizen¡¯s grandfather, and was deprived of his pension after Kaizen became emperor. It was because of the reason that it was between rtives and the great lord of the North who caused the revolt. Thanks to that, her maternal grandfather was living in poverty in retreat in an old mansion on the far eastern edge. Astelle used the money she earned by embroidered or growing herbs to support her maternal grandfather. ¡°That¡¯s nothing. I¡¯ll take care of it right away.¡± ¡°And please send me and my nephew back when the empress dowager¡¯s will is resolved.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t do that, but I¡¯ll give you a ce to live in the capital, and I¡¯ll give you a little estate, so you can live in the capital with the ie¡­¡± ¡°No, we don¡¯t need it, just let us go.¡± If she is given a manor, she may have to keep meeting with this man. In particr, staying in the capital was something she wanted to avoid even in her dreams. So she just said that she didn¡¯t need it, but Kaizen¡¯s handsome face was hardened by Astelle¡¯s refusal. He seems to be angry because his offer to give her a manor was rejected. However, Astelle had no time to consider his mood. ¡°Are you still ming me?¡± Kaizen asked with a frowned look. ¡°You agreed to divorce without saying a word.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Old memories emerged from the opponent¡¯s mouth. Now, in the appearance of an imposing and strong emperor, Astelle was able to find the dark-haired boy who had given the ne a long time ago around her neck, from that handsome face. When with Astelle, Kaizen has always been a sweet and polite fiance. By the time she reached her adulthood, there were rumors that Kaizen met other women several times. But Astelle didn¡¯t think seriously about it. Because Kaizen, he was at least a faithful fiance in front of Astelle. She sometimes prayed that Kaizen was a sincere prince who obeyed his father, the emperor, although he behaved at will. She couldn¡¯t even imagine that he would break the promised marriage from her childhood. ¡®It was all a y.¡¯ He just ying as an ordinary prince. After bing emperor, he purge all of the great nobles, including Astelle¡¯s father, Duke Reston. In all of those ns, Astelle had no existential value to Kaizen. She has lived her whole life as Kaizen¡¯s fiancee, but Astelle was the dust of his life. She is an insignificant existence that will always be easy to shake off. As soon as Kaizen became emperor, Astelle realized that when he wanted the divorce. So she said nothing and agreed to the divorce. No matter what she said, she knew she couldn¡¯t have any effect on Kaizen. As thest consideration for the man she once loved, she wanted to disappear cleanly without taking his time. Astelle said calmly again. ¡°Just promise me, if the work is resolved, Your Majesty will return my grandfather¡¯s pension and send us over¡­¡± There is no precedent for the emperor¡¯s child to grow outside the imperial pce. When her child is found to be a prince, she is forced to send him to the imperial pce. In no time, Kaizen will either have a new empress from the daughters of another noble family, or have a child from her concubine. Right now, he will take the child because he is a prince, but if his another woman gives birthter, Kaizen will not protect Theor and leave him alone. A young prince who is the child of the divorced empress and who has no mother to support him will not survive for a month in the imperial pce. Astelle grabbed her hand out of sight. ¡®You should never know to the identity of my child.¡¯ As his father lost his power, the danger disappeared, but it was the same that she had to hide the child even now. ¡°If you don¡¯t promise that, I won¡¯t go back to the capital.¡± Kaizen didn¡¯t answer easily. Anger at first nced at Astelle¡¯s eyes. ¡°All right. I promise.¡± Only a few minutester Kaizen gave his answer. ¡°Instead, you promise me too. You won¡¯t run away no matter what happens until the work is done.¡± Anyway, she was in a position that she couldn¡¯t escape until this matter was resolved. Astelle spoke calmly, repressing the anxiety that arose on the underside of her chest. ¡°Okay.¡± * * * At the time of departure, the surroundings were immersed in a faint mist of water, but while going on the road, the day brightened on the moist and wet tree leaves. As the rattled wagon crossed the end of the forest, Astelle watched the sunlight shining through the woods. Theor fell asleep on Astelle¡¯s knee. Astelle pulled a warm nket up to the child¡¯s shoulders and covered it. Upon epting that she would go to the capital, Kaizen ordered her to leave immediately. Astelle stopped by the store where she was staying and barely apologized to the owner and brought her luggage. Even if it called luggage, it was all about a couple of clothes and a medicine box. The emperor¡¯s knights were seen from the window of the carriage. Whenever she saw the the knights and the imperial pattern engraved on the g, she felt anxious. However, it is unavoidable. There was only way to solve it and finish it quickly. Astelle pulled out a small vial that she had hidden in her arms. A blue liquid with a sparkling light in a small ss bottle shook back and forth. Kaizen was born with red eyes as the blood of royal family, and Astelle was born with pale green eyes. On the other hand, her cousin, Sigmund had blue eyes. After she divorced, it was unfortunate that she found a small house in the eastern woods. Astelle became friends with the medicine priestess who lived there in the woods. A young medicinal priestess named Gretel marveled at Astelle, who had moved to the uninhabited ce, and was even more amazed when she learned that Astelle was a nobleman. Gretel, who is said to have been a pharmacist from generation to generation, knew a lot of how to prepare a mysterious potion that Astelle had never heard of in the capital. After she gave birth to Theor, Astelle asked Gretel if she could make medicine for her child. ¡°Is there any potion that can change the color of your eyes?¡± ¡°Well, there are some of my mother¡¯s recipes¡­¡± Gretel blurs his words with her unconfident face. ¡°My mother stopped doing research, so I needs time to research and experiment to make it now.¡± Astelle immediately requested that she develop that medicine. She sold her dress and all her remaining jewelry, gave money for research, and became a test subject of the potion. How many times she put Gretel¡¯s potions in her eyes to see if it worked and to see if there were any pain or side effects. ¡°¡­ I guess it¡¯s very important. If the nobledy did this¡­¡± Seeing Astelle testing the potions with her own eyes, Gretel admired it as if she was sorry. Astelle exined her situation to her calmly. ¡°If the child¡¯s father sees Theor¡¯s eyes, he will take him away.¡± When Gretel heard that, she btedly determined the resolution. ¡°Then, you can¡¯t leave our Theor to him!¡± Gretel worked hard to study potion because she couldn¡¯t let a child who was so cute and sweet might be robbed by someone she don¡¯t even know. It was this potion that was made in that way. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 A potion that turns the eyes into blue. Although Astelle has tested it with her own eyes every day for the past few years, the potion has been safe with no pain or side effects. However, if there was a drawback, the duration was too short. In about half a day, the medicinal effect was over. Astelle weighed the amount while shaking the bottle. ¡®I think it will be okay until I go to the capital city.¡¯ After that, she has no choice but to make it herself. Fortunately, she learned how to deal with herbs while helping Gretel, and she learned how to make various potions. This eye color changing potion can be created if it is specially studied to be perfectly formted. If she had the herbs she needed, Astelle could made that. The best way to meet her maternal grandfather in the middle is ask Kaizen¡¯s permission, and send the child home first. Suddenly, the wagon stopped rattled. Astelle put the potion back into her arms. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°We¡¯re going to take a break for a while. You cane out of the wagon.¡± Hearing the sound of the words, Theor opened his eyes and stood up. The eyes full of drowsiness looking up at Astelle were still blue. ¡°Are you hungry? Shall we go outside?¡± ¡°I want to go outside!¡± He was trapped in the carriage and repeated sleeping and waking up, and it looked very boring. Theor tried to get down to the floor to put on his shoes right away. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go out and see what¡¯s around. I¡¯ll give you a snack too.¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Astelle put shoes on the little feet of the child. She picked up a small basket she had prepared in advance and opened the door of the carriage. Knights and soldiers gathered on the side of the road to talk with each other or take a bottle of water and take a break. She doesn¡¯t know how long it came from the town where she stayed. It seemed that the rain had passed around here at dawn. Astelle took the child and walked toward the trail near the forest road. Theor took Astelle¡¯s hand and walked the path where the leaves of grass sprouted. The leaves of grass soaked in rainwater all night shined freshly in the sunlight. On the forest road where small wild flowers bloomed, the fresh morning air after rain and the smell of fragrant grass were circting. A brown-haired knight who found the twote followed and gave advice with serious faces. ¡°Lady, you can¡¯t go too far.¡± The man who followed was wearing the knightmander¡¯s uniform. Compared to his serious expression, it was a knight who still looked like a young man about 30 years old. Even his soft light brown hair felt familiar. Astelle realized who he was. ¡°Sir Lyndon? Are you Sir Lyndon?¡± ¡°Oh¡­ you remember me.¡± Lyndon blinked his eyes in surprise. Astelle smiled calmly. ¡°You have been by His Majesty¡¯s side for a long time. How can I forget.¡± Lyndon admired it in his heart. When the present emperor was the crown prince, Linden was a junior knight without a name. He was proved his skills and joined the Royal Guard of the Crown Prince, but he did not see the light because of his poor background. Only after Kaizen became the emperor was he able to establish his major and be an aide to the emperor. Lyndon didn¡¯t know Astelle would remember him. At the time, she was Astelle von Reston, the prince¡¯s fiancee, and a precious princess. Lyndon hated the Duke of Reston at that time, but he had never felt particrly bad about Astelle. Although he had never spoken in person, it was because he felt that she was a very quiet and politedy from a distance. She was a precious princess, but she had never be rude to junior knights or servants. Astelle walked a little farther from the road, and sheid a nket on the rock next to the birch and sat the child. ¡°I¡¯m trying to give the child a snack, would you like to join in if you like it?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± She put down the basket that she had brought, and took out a small bottle of water and paper-wrapped food. ¡°I made itst night to sell today, but¡­ my master aunt told me to take it and I got some.¡± When Astelle unwrapped the paper, the tarts contained inside came out. What Astelle took out was a normal strawberry tart with strawberries and whipped cream. Astelle unwrapped the paper and put it out to eat. As soon as it was taken out of the basket, the sweet aroma of the crispy baked strawberry tart was full. ¡°You made this yourself¡­?¡± Lyndon asked as if he couldn¡¯t believe it. Astelle replied with a nice smile. ¡°Yes, I worked at that store for a while.¡± There was no maid in the mansion, so she had to make food herself. In fact, for the first few months, making food, cleaning the house and doingundry was extremely difficult. There were times when she nearly broke a bowl and burned the kitchen. But man is an animal of adaptation. Eventually everything became familiar as time passed. Astelle cut a small tart and handed it over. Theor took a bite and ate it. Astelle gave Lyndon a small tart as well. On the golden tart was full of shiny strawberries. ¡°Try it¡­¡± ¡°Yes, yes. Thank you.¡± Lyndon was given a tart from Astelle. In fact, he was hungry because he ran for a long time. Anyway, this tart seemed very delicious on the outside. Lyndon was dubious and took a bite. Fresh strawberries mixed with sweet cream and crunchy tart paper was chewed. ¡°Oh my God, it¡¯s really delicious!¡± ¡°I¡¯m d that it fits your mouth.¡± Astelleughed at the appearance of Lyndon eating up in no time at all. * * * Kaizen looked around and found Astelle far away. Astelle was talking with Lyndon, the head of the knight, on the side of the trail away from the road. ¡®Did you two know?¡¯ Astelle was still wearing a drab dress. It seemed that she just didn¡¯t have clothes to change, whether it was casual or outdoor clothes. ¡®Being like that¡­¡¯ Astelle he remembers wasn¡¯t like that. She wears the most sophisticated and beautiful dress, and she wears elegant jewelry that doesn¡¯t look vulgar though it is shy. She walked around gracefully with her pale gold feet like the morning sun. When he thought of Astelle, he always remembered that way. Astelle was dressed up and sat quietly and replied to his question. No matter how much he think about it, he doesn¡¯t think of any other image. ¡®Probably because I have never observed it hard.¡¯ No one denied that Astelle was a great empress. She is intelligent and elegant, and has many talents in many ways. She has a neat and beautiful appearance, and she has a discreet and modest personality. But the young Kaizen had never liked such Astelle before. From the time he first met her, Astelle has been devoted to Kaizen, but Kaizen hasn¡¯t developed much affection for her. He couldn¡¯t help it. In his view, Astelle was a doll made to be an empress. Duke of Reston raised Astelle into a perfect doll. The Duke taught her to study day and night so that she could be the bestdy, and Astelle always to be absolutely submissive to her father. Her father intended to make Astelle the empress, and giving birth to the future emperor. That unworthy ambition. If the emperor had died a little earlier, Kaizen would have broken the marriage without even getting married, but it did not go as intended. Kaizen still wasn¡¯t in a good mood when he was forced to do his wedding and was forced to spend his first night. He used medicine to avoid having children, but having an unconventional rtionship with Astelle to y his role still remains a bitter memory. Still, he thought it would be better to end the marriage as soon as possible anyway, so as soon as he became emperor, he demanded a divorce. When Astelle epted the divorce in a word, he was a little surprised, but he believe that even if she got divorced, she would live well. In fact, then he had no time to worry about Astelle. Because he had a lot of work to be emperor right now. When he heard that she had been insted from her family, he tried to send some money, but it was rejected. After that, he almost forgot Astelle. When he first looking for Astel, none of the nobles of the capital knew where she was. After he tracked down and investigated anyone involved, he got information that she was staying at the old Marquis¡¯ house, a retreat long ago. He was a man who lost his estate after a long time ago, but he was still a noble with a high position, so Kaizen thought he would maintain a somewhat noble life. In fact, he was a rtive of the traitor, so Kaizen didn¡¯t even know that his name was on the list of those deprived of pensions. So he was shocked when Astelle, whom he met again after six years, appeared in rags-like clothes. There wasn¡¯t amonce ornament on the dull dress, let alone jewels. It was worse than the clothesmoners wear. The maids of the imperial pce were also more gorgeous than the current Astelle. Looking at that form, it seemed that she had lived a miserable life in her maternal grandfather¡¯s house. Kaizen thought Astelle¡¯s maternal grandfather was very impudent. Her maternal grandfather had to give Astelle a little better after she had been poor enough. If she had remarried a man, she wouldn¡¯t have lived as poorly as that. Living with his granddaughter and treat her like a maid without trying to marry her off. The old man had no money to spend to found nanny, he left his family heir, a child, to Astelle. Even when running away, he threw his heir to Astelle and left alone. ¡®I would just torture and kill that old man.¡¯ Kaizen chewed on such regrets, and he looked at Astelle. Astelle, who met again after six years, was very different from what he remembered. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 It was still an impression that looked calm and quiet.. The appearance was strangely irritating to his nerves. Why? It wasn¡¯t that she hated to see. It was miserable enough to look shabby, but Astelle itself did not hate to see it. Even now, it was a face without a make-up, but the delicate light green eyes and light pink lips were beautiful and had a natural dignity. ¡®It was like that.¡¯ She was a fianc¨¦e from a very young age and even married with him. He seemed to have never seen Astelle properly. Astelle slowly smiled as she was telling Lyndon something. As she looked up at Lyndon, the light of the sun lit her eyes with a gentleughter. As her pale red lips drew slightly curved, a pale smile blossomed on her elegant face. Kaizen looking at it quickly walked over there. ¡°Your Majesty¡­ !¡± Suddenly, when the emperor approached, Lyndon was surprised and hurriedly polite. Astelle, who was sitting also stood up. ¡°I have something to talk about for a moment, so take the child.¡± Upon hearing the emperor¡¯s orders, Lyndon carefully hugged the child. Her soothing appearance was very good. How long have you been raising that child? If themoners have money, they hire the nanny to take care of the child, but a woman named a princess is raising a child like that. Neither is it her real nephew, nor the child her cousin has left. Astelle apparently had lived as a maid and nanny under her poor grandfather under an exploitation. * * * Astelle was very surprised when Kaizen suddenly approached. She had something to hide, so when she suddenly faced him like this, her heart was full. Until she gets to the capital, she doesn¡¯t want to mix up as much as possible¡­ She concealed that mind, and she forcibly asked, pretending to be calm. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you marry again?¡± Astelle looked up at Kaizen without a word for a moment. She couldn¡¯t understand why this man suddenly asked her something like this. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be better to remarry than to live so hard?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Are you really curious about that? Astelle knew he was insensitive, but she was a little surprised. He asked why she didn¡¯t remarry? Of course, the first reason she didn¡¯t consider remarriage was because of Theor. But Astelle came up with a more honest answer. ¡°It was enough to go through such a thing once.¡± Kaizen¡¯s red eyes sank dark at the word ¡®such a thing¡¯. It seemed unpleasant for Astelle to be honest. Astelle returned the same question. ¡°Why didn¡¯t Your Majesty remarry?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t need a wife to bother me while acting as my father¡¯s spy.¡± It seemed to be a sarcastic sound to Astelle. Astelle looked down and answered calmly. ¡°Now you don¡¯t have to worry because all of the costs that might threaten Your Majesty are gone. You can choose the new empress with confidence.¡± Astelle said in a calm voice, but the content was a bit of a skepticism about whether he couldn¡¯t invite the empress because he was scared of it. Astelle has never scratched in this way. It was outrageous than being angry. Kaizenughed coldly, staring through Astelle. ¡°You have changed a lot.¡± ¡°Maybe so.¡± It has changed. When Astelle see this man, she doesn¡¯t feel any more feelings. Astelle asked Kaizen for patience because she did not want to continue the conversation. ¡°If it¡¯s okay, can I go back to the carriage?¡± ¡°¡­ Okay.¡± Astelle quietly bowed her head to him and headed for the carriage. Kaizen looked at Astelle¡¯s back for a while and then walked to the ce where she was. The woman he met again in six years was so strange that it was really annoying. * * * The entourage arrived at Maern Castle only in the afternoon. Maern was a castle built in the eastern forest area and was owned by the royal family. Compared to other castles owned by the emperor near the capital, it was very small, but unlike the small and antique appearance, the interior was very colorful and stylishly decorated. Kaizen said he was going to take a break from here for a day or two and leave to the capital. There were knights and attendants waiting in the castle to greet the emperor. As soon as Kaizen got off the horse, a red-haired young man approached and greet him. As Astelle got off her wagon, he quickly approached her. ¡°Nice to meet you Lady Astelle. This is Vellian, Count ude, His Majesty¡¯s secretary.¡± The man who introduced himself as Vellian was gentle-looking appearance, with soft red curly hair and green eyes with slightly drooping ends. He had a handsome face in his own way, but he felt cute rather than handsome. It was Astelle¡¯s first time seeing him. It seemed that he was a new bureaucrat who had been selected by Kaizen and entered the court. ¡°Hello, Count, nice to meet you.¡± At that moment, she heard a clear and soft woman¡¯s voice from the inside of the castle. ¡°Your Majesty! You have finally arrived.¡± An embarrassing expression passed on Vellian¡¯s face who was trying to tell Astelle something. A Lady, a blonde nobleman, wasing out of the castle. The Lady¡¯s gaze looking at Kaizen turned to Astelle with Vellian. ¡°Oh my, who is that?¡± * * * The woman who stepped forward looked very young. Is she at most about twenty-two years old? She was a childish face, but she was a gorgeous and beauty. It was clear that she was still an unmarrieddy from seeing that the fine grained honey blond was fixed simply and the rest was loosened long. The blondedy asked, looking at Astelle with slightly alert eyes. ¡°Who is this person?¡± Astelle made an eye contact with her. She btedly remembered who thisdy was. ¡°Lady Marianne, it¡¯s been a long time.¡± Apparently thisdy was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Croychen. When Astelle was in the social world, she was a cute adolescent girl who was only about 14 and 15 years old. It was already 6 years ago¡­ ¡°Do you know me?¡± As Marianne was confused, Vellian, who was next to her, quickly interrupted. ¡°Lady Marianne, this is the former empress.¡± ¡°Your Majesty the Empress?¡± At the words of the former empress, Marianne observed Astelle with a soft expression. Her slightly vignt eyes passed by Astelle¡¯s casually loosened white blonde and a drab dress without a single pattern. A ridicule stood at Marianne¡¯s mouth. ¡°Oh, God¡­ you was kicked out after that day¡­¡± ¡°La, Lady¡­!¡± A disrespectful remarks by Marianne made Vellian bewildered and tried to stop her. But Astelle didn¡¯t care at all andughed. ¡°Yes, I am the empress who was kicked out after a day. I guess you remember now.¡± Perhaps this little girl was one of the emperor¡¯s lovers. The Croychen family is an emerging family, and it used to be insignificant, but she had heard at first nce that now that the great nobles fell, ofcourse the new noble family receiving the trust of Kaizen. Marianne bit her mouth with her fat face when Astelle scratched her inside, but her opponent didn¡¯t get angry andughed. Then she found the little boy behind Astelle, and she stopped. ¡°Who is this child?¡± ¡°He is the child of my deceased cousin brother. I brought him because I am caring for him now.¡± Marianne quickly lost interest in Theor as well, when she said he was her cousin¡¯s child. On the other hand, Theor couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her Marianne. He seemed to be curious because he had never seen such a gorgeous woman. As he looked up at Marianne, the child bowed and said hello. ¡°Hello¡­ Lady.¡± Her maternal grandfather, who had lived as an old nobleman, used to sometimes teach Theor how to treat thedies. Well, he didn¡¯t teach bad things, so she left it¡­ Marianne was still looking to him, but Vellian admired as he looked at the child. ¡°Wow, the little master is polite.¡± Looking at it, Vellian didn¡¯t wonder who he was even when he saw the child dropping off earlier. Before the entourage arrived here, they seemed to have heard of the former empress and the child she had brought. ¡°If it¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll show you where to stay.¡± Vellian guided Astelle with a very kind and polite attitude. Marianne left behind her, she wondered why the former empress came with the emperor and she looked shabby. Astelle took the child and walked the corridor along with Vellian. As soon as she turned around the corner, Vellian apologized to Astelle. ¡°Forgive me. Marianne doesn¡¯t know the situation yet. I¡¯ll talk slowlyter.¡± ¡°Never mind. I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m rather sorry that I seem to have offended the person who is favored by His Majesty.¡± Vellian pauses and stares at Astelle nkly. ¡°Pardon? No. He¡¯s not like that¡­¡± Vellian tried to say something, but he just shut his mouth. It was taboo for him, the secretary, to say this or that about the emperor¡¯s private life. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 ¡°It¡¯s not like that anyway.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Why? She is such a beautiful woman¡­ is she a little young to be Kaizen¡¯s mate? Vellian smiled brightly and asked for a favor. ¡°I¡­ I have something to say for a moment if you are okay, Lady.¡± ¡°Yes, Theor, stay here for a while.¡± Astelle followed Vellian to the corner of the hallway while Theor looked at the statues adorned in the hallway. ¡°The story of the will of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is kept secret from the public.¡± Vellian smiled friendly and exined the situation to Astelle. ¡°It¡¯s almost three months since the empress dowager died, and the Lords of the South will be shaken if it is known that the inheritance problem has not been resolved. Then, it is a big deal if there is a rebellion like the North. I hope you keep it a secret.¡± Astelle gazed at the cute face of Vellian silently for a moment. Because it was marvelous that a man who is the emperor¡¯s secretary smiled innocent and told a lie that seemed so obvious. There could be no rebellion in the South, that already ruled by the imperial emperor for the third generation. This man seemed to think that Astelle wouldn¡¯t even know that much. ¡°Is that so? You¡¯re not afraid of usations against His Majesty the Emperor?¡± The imperial man does not know well about the former empress, Astelle. As soon as she got married, she was divorced and herst name was hidden, so it was natural. However, if the story of the will of the empress dowager and is rumored, attention will suddenly be focused on the former empress and the image of the emperor will be destroyed. She was sure people would say, ¡®The emperor had kicked out his wife, why the empress dowager have made such a will when she was dying?¡¯ As Astelle struck the ball, Vellian¡¯s gentle face hardened for an instant. He smiled an ambiguous smile as if embarrassed. ¡°Haha, it¡¯s hard to fool a smart person.¡± He doesn¡¯t seem to have tried to cheat much. This guy thought Astelle was so naive that she didn¡¯t know anything about the world. He admitted softly. ¡°Yes, I think if words leak out, there will be a lot of rumors like this or that. I¡¯ll try to be as quiet as possible.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother because I don¡¯t care anyway. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m going to gossip to other people. I¡¯ll be back right after this is over.¡± In fact, Astelle wanted to avoid catching people¡¯s attention as much as possible. Theor¡¯s birth-rted evidence was handled perfectly, but it was still dangerous to get people¡¯s attention. ¡°It¡¯s nice to be a person who canmunicate. ¡° Vellian was satisfied and bowed his head to Astelle. ¡°Thank you for understanding the situation. Please tell me anything you need until you go to the capital city.¡± Vellian called the attendant and ordered that Astelle and Theor be guided to the room. Astelle took Theor and followed the servant. When she arrived at the room she was assigned to, the attendant opened the door. As the door opened, a spacious and splendid room appeared. The room covered with marble with lily patterns on the floor was full of luxurious wooden furniture with gold and silver decorations. Therge bed in the center was draped like a fancy damask cloth under the canopy, and the windows, half-covered with pale rose curtains, showed unprecedentedly borate gold decorations. It was a surprisingly beautiful and luxurious room. It wasn¡¯t a ce to give to an ordinary customer from anywhere. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Theor, who had never seen such a splendid ce, wandered around and looked around as if strange. He even put his finger on the sparkling gold ornaments. There were three maids in the room. The maids who were waiting bowed their heads to Astelle. ¡°I have been ordered to serve the Lady until you go to the capital.¡± Astelle left the luggage to the maids and went out with Theor to the garden connected to the terrace. There was a greenhouse made of ss. The hazy light reflected from the sunlight seeped into the greenhouse. The warm light went into the ss greenhouse. The cornflowers that bloomed in the flowerbed and the leaves of grass with dew gave off a fresh scent. Theor jumped along with the sunlight shining on the flowerbed. ¡®It looks good.¡¯ Although it was a forcible trip and she couldn¡¯t rx at all for a moment, but Theor looks happy toe to a ce he couldn¡¯t see. She has lived only in forest huts and old mansions so far, so it was natural for Theor to be excited in some way. Her grandfather¡¯s mansion was turning into ruins, so there was nown to y with, let alone such a beautiful garden. It has been a long time since Astelle plowed all the usablend into a vegetable or herb field. ¡°Theor, you can¡¯t touch it.¡± When Theor tried to touch the small grass in the corner of the flowerbed, Astelle hurriedly caught him. ¡°It¡¯sgenin.¡± It was not a life-threatening grass, but when the juice of this grass touches your hand, a red rash urs. Although it was the castle of the emperor, it seemed that it was not well managed as it was a ce to visit once every few years. There is a revolving grass like this that can only be seen in the forest. Theor suddenly looked up at Astelle and asked. ¡°Mom. Is that uncle the emperor?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°That annoyed uncle.¡± Kaizen was the only one that came to her mind in Theor¡¯s exnation. Astelleughed bitterly. And she looked carefully at Theor¡¯s face seen under the sunlight. Theor resembles Kaizen of his childhood. It¡¯s a good thing that no one has noticed it yet¡­ Of course, people like Marianne and Vellian she met here couldn¡¯t recognize it because they didn¡¯t see Kaizen in their childhood. But when she go to the capital and meet people who have seen Kaizen since childhood¡­ Astelle pushed away the ominousness that sprang up in her heart. She just have to meet her grandfather before going to the capital and send Theor back. She must have done so. ¡°Yes, he¡¯s His Majesty the Emperor, the Lord of the Empire.¡± ¡°Like that¡­¡± Astelle¡¯s heart was bitter at the innocent look of the child who could easily understand. Theor suddenly asked a strange question. ¡°Is the emperor a bad person?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Astelle frowned in amazement, but Theor had asked innocently. ¡°The emperor took grandfather¡¯snd.¡± ¡°Who said that?¡± ¡°The count grandfather.¡± ¡®Ah.¡¯ Count Melford, an old friend of her maternal grandfather, was almost the only guest to visit her maternal grandfather¡¯s mansion. There was a simr downfall noble new century. Astelle doesn¡¯t know why he is talking useless to a child. ¡°No, it¡¯s another emperor, and you should never talk about that in front of other people. Because the emperor is the highest man, you must not say anything bad about His Majesty, and you have to obey His Majesty in any way. Okay?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Theor listened earnestly to Astelle¡¯s words and nodded seriously. ¡°And Theor, you can¡¯t call me mother yet.¡± ¡°Still?¡± ¡°Yes, not until we get back to our house. We keep ying. Can you do it well?¡± Theor smiled with an expression of confidence. ¡°Yes, I can do it well!¡± Astelle stroked Theor¡¯s head. In fact, it is okay if Theor is sometimes mistaken her as a mother. When the Count Melford, a friend of her maternal grandfather, visited the mansion for the first time, Theor had identally called Astelle his mother. Astelle showed a sad expression to the Count Melford who surprised without any embarrassment. ¡°Because Theor has never seen his mother, he sometimes calls me his mother like that.¡± ¡°That¡­ poor child.¡± Count Melford sighed long, looking at the child with a sad nce. ¡°Because I¡¯m always a person who takes care of him by my side, it¡¯s like a real mother to him.¡¯ Count Melford, without any doubt, stayed in her maternal grandfather¡¯s mansion for a week before returning. ¡°She¡¯s my granddaughter, but she¡¯s amazing.¡± The maternal-grandfather looked at Astelle and made a voice not knowing whether it was apliment or sarcasm. Theor was still 5 years old. So sometimes he made mistakes like that. In the first ce, few people could doubt that Theor was the child of Kaizen. They only stayed as a couple for one night, and they divorced the next day. Most people thought they wouldn¡¯t have spebt the first night either. ¡°So where is the father of the child?¡± When Astelle went to visit her maternal grandfather with a pregnant body, he wondered about the child¡¯s father. But he never tought thait it was the emperor¡¯s child. Astelle had the confidence to go over without suspicion even if Theor yelled at her as his mother. Unless you can only see the color of his eyes. Astelle touched the vial hidden in her arms. She had to put this medicine twice a day at the right time. Once at dawn, then at night. It was the most important thing in this sudden trip. * * * Before evening, Astelle looked around the garden and came back to the room. It was the moment when she arrived in front of the door and held the doorknob and opened the door. There was a loud voice inside. ¡°Is she really the former empress?¡± ¡°Yes. She is the Duke¡¯s daughter. ¡± ¡°But why is she so shabby? Did you see when she brought her luggage? It was the voices of the maids who were assigned during the day. ¡°Why did she reappear? Is she try to seduce His Majesty¡­?¡± ¡°No way. Is shee to seduce His Majesty with such an shabby appearance?¡± A loudughter leaked out of the door. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Astelle paused for a moment and opened the door by turning the handle as it is. -Creak- When the door opened, the maids who were talking in the room turned around in a hurry. ¡°La, Lady.¡± The maids bent their knees with faces full of frustration and lowered their heads deeply. Theor didn¡¯t know what he had just heard but he seemed to feel something was wrong. Astelle ordered the whitedies with a calm expression. ¡°When you¡¯re done talking, will you prepare to wash the child?¡± The maids exchanged their eyes with each other and disappeared hastily. As they moved busily, the bathroom was prepared with hot water with warm steam in full bloom. Astelle washed Theor in warm water and changed his clothes. ¡°Why?¡± As Theor sensed her anxiety and looked at Astelle¡¯s eyes, Astelleughed casually and spoke to the child. Theor tilted his head, he asked. ¡°Aunt Astelle, are you mad?¡± ¡°No.¡± Astelle smiled at Theor, thinking that he was a very ambiguous age at 5 years old. He wasn¡¯t so naive enough to know anything, but he was too young to know all the bad things about the world. Astelle tapped Theor¡¯s little nose and turned his attention. ¡°After washing, I¡¯ll take out Levin.¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Levin was Theor¡¯s favorite teddy bear. Astellemade it herself from the old brown velvet curtain. It¡¯s been too old and tatter, but Theor still liked Levin the most. Theor was innocently delighted at the words of giving Levin. The maids were also relieved by that appearance. Astelle took Theor to the bedroom and took out a teddy bear from the pack. She then returned from the bedroom to the connected parlor, leaving Theor in bed where he yed with his doll. She looked at the maids standing side by side, Astelle was calm, but she ordered firmly. ¡°Go to the butler, say exactly what you said and ask him to send a new maid.¡± The maids who had listened with a stupid face started to stutter. ¡°La, Lady¡­ well, we have that¡­¡± The maids btedly trembled because they were frightened. It seemed like it was okay just before, so they thought she¡¯d just let it go over it. ¡°I didn¡¯t punish you right away because I couldn¡¯t show that way in front of a little child.¡± Astelle said calmly in a careless tone. Of course, she couldn¡¯t get angry at the maids or beat them in front of the child. It was not good to exin the contents of the gossip one by one to a child who is only 5 years old. Actually, it¡¯s about the gossip of maids. If she had heard it alone, she could just pretend she didn¡¯t hear it. But this time there was a reason that she could not go over. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you¡¯re talking about, but I can¡¯t keep the maids gossiping me where the child can hear it.¡± The maids fled and went outside. Reports of these things could result in at least a reduction in sry and relegation, and severe punishment. In the bedroom, Theor kept ying with a fluffy teddy bear. ¡°Theor, it¡¯s time to put the medicine.¡± Theor gently raised his face. Astelle took out the potion she had in her inner pocket and put it in the Theor¡¯s eyes. ¡°Well done, I¡¯ll give you a prize.¡± From the small box in the luggage bag, she pulled out a cookie full of sweet buttery scents. The round cookie has a light butter color and a slightly orange color at the end. Likewise, she made it before, but she brought it to give it to Theor. Theor ran with a doll. ¡°Cookies!¡± ¡°It¡¯s before dinner, so just eat two.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Theor picked up the cookie with his little hand and cut it little by little and ate it. Astelle also picked up a cookie for Theor to eat. She felt the sweet taste of the material with a bite. The sweetness relieved the tension a little. While doing that, suddenly she heard a knocking sound from outside. Astelle quickly went to the drawing room. ¡°Come in.¡± She wondered if new maids had alreadye. But the person who came inside was a middle-aged servant. ¡°You are Lady Astelle, are you?¡± ¡°Yes. What¡¯s going on¡­¡± ¡°Oh, bring it this way.¡± At the hand of the attendant, other attendants broughtrge boxes in a row. Large boxes were ced on the floor and the lids opened one by one. Several dresses came out inside. The first thing that came out was a gorgeous blue evening dress with a luxurious gloss. These almonds-like decorated on the chest, were dazzling. There was also an outing clothes made of ash green velvet. It wasn¡¯t just dark green, it was a pale ash green mixed with gray like a forest covered in autumn fog. The most gorgeous thing was the sky blue silk dress. It was light and soft silk, and it was a bright blue color reminiscent of a clear sky. The bodice of the chest part was embroidered with a floral pattern with a purple thread, and the rich skirt was split in half in the middle, and there was a soft white tuck that flowed naturally like a wave on the inside. All of them were luxurious enough to wear them out in the capital¡¯s social world. There was a jewel in the box that opened afterwards. A ne of small diamonds and a wavy sapphire earring. Earrings lined with light pink rose crystals like petals and nes with cut emeralds and small diamonds. There was also a headdress made of light green crystal. It was full of brilliant jewels, but Astelle frowned instead of being moved. ¡®I thought they were new maids.¡¯ This was an unexpected situation again. The attendant, who brought the dress and jewelry, smiled and bowed his head to Astelle. ¡°This is a gift from His Majesty the Emperor to Lady Astelle.¡± Of course, there will be no one except the emperor to send something like this. It wasn¡¯t surprising at all. ¡°I don¡¯t need it. Take it back.¡± ¡°¡­¡­?¡± Astelle repeated her refusal once again to the embarrassing attendant. ¡°Thank you, but please tell His Majesty that I can¡¯t get anything like this.¡± ¡°His¡­ His Majesty invited Lady Astelle to dinner, and it is His Majesty¡¯smand to change into one of these clothes and attend the dinner.¡± ¡®This is the invitation I hate to go.¡¯ Astelle politely bent her knees and bowed her head. ¡°It¡¯s an honor, but I can¡¯t leave my seat because I need to take care of the child.¡± She talked so far, then stood up again, looking straight at the servant, and ended her words. ¡°Please tell His Majesty like this. ¡° The servant was enchanted and stood nkly. Surely he never thought he would be rejected in this way. He stuttered and asked. ¡°Oh, to say that you take care of a child¡­¡± ¡°I have to watch the child eat because he is still young.¡± ¡°If you just leave it to the maids¡­¡± ¡°It hasn¡¯t been a day since I¡¯ve been here, and I just asked for the maids to change, and the new maids haven¡¯te yet. I don¡¯t have time to exin the child¡¯s diet or habits.¡± Hearing the reasons that Astelle listed again and again, the servant lost his words. In front of the adolescent who couldn¡¯t speak properly because he was so embarrassed, Astelle refused firmly. ¡°Thank you for inviting me, but I can¡¯t dare to attend His Majesty¡¯s dinner table because the child is still young.¡± * * * ¡°That¡¯s good news.¡± Kaizen looked at the documents in Velian¡¯s voice and raised his head. ¡°The Duke of Reston is finally doing something suspicious. He can¡¯t sit quietly and die.¡± After the great nobles lost the political battle and most of them disappeared, Duke Reston has lived while being careful to breathe. No matter how careful he was, he couldn¡¯t find anything to catch. The other Dukes somehow seized the opportunity and ruined it, but the Duke of Reston has not yet been eliminated. Even though he was an enemy, the carefulness was admirable. Well, it didn¡¯t matter though. The Duke lost his power anyway. In the end, he seems to have changed his mind to reverse the situation by doing something like this slowly declining. In the report Vellian received, several details of the Duke¡¯s suspicious movement were detailed. Kaizen replied without taking his eyes off the document. ¡°I have to buy some time.¡± ¡°Yes that¡¯s right. The longer Your Majesty empties the capital, the harder he will dig his grave.¡± Kaizen was thinking of getting rid of thest Duke that was left at this time, but he heard a knock outside. The servant, who had been ordered by the emperor, returned and delivered the results to Vellian. Vellian, who received the report from the beginning, returned to the office again with aplex and subtle expression. ¡°This is bad news.¡± Kaizen was still reading the papers at his desk. Vellian looked at his master with a slightly strange feeling. Chapter 9 Chapter 9 In fact, Vellian never cared about the former empress until then. Well, it was not so urgent. Nobody knew that the southern provinces were owned by the imperial family anyway. That¡¯s why he slowly found the former empress, whose whereabouts were unknown for two months, so as not to be rumored. Had it been urgent, he would have ordered all over the country. As Vellian knew, Kaizen had no feelings toward the former empress. ¡®His Majesty sent her dresses and jewelry¡­¡¯ It was a shocking story for Vellian, who has watched Kaizen for years. For the past six years, Kaizen hasn¡¯t had any special lovers. There was neither women. There were many women who tried to get the emperor¡¯s attention, but he did not pay attention to anyone. He never sent anything like a gift. Of course, during that time, he was so busy with work that he didn¡¯t have time to do that. Why did His Majesty send a present to the former empress and invited her to the dinner? Is it because of the guilt for the divorce? Vellian stood in his thoughts and didn¡¯t say anything, but Kaizen, who looked into the papers quietly, said a word without even looking at him. ¡°Is it bad news that you can¡¯t speak?¡± ¡°No, not that much¡­¡± Vellian coughed quietly and reported. ¡°Lady Astelle sent the servant back because she couldn¡¯t received a gift. And she said that she couldn¡¯t evene to dinner because she had to take care of the child.¡± Kaizen¡¯s hand as it turned over the papers stopped. When she arrived at Maern Castle, he saw Astelle talk something to Marianne. At first, Astelle¡¯s appearance was astounding, but when she confronted Marianne, it looked more serious. Thedy of the social world had a dress for everyday use, a dress for a prom, a dress for going out, a dress for travel, and a dress for hunting separately, and the fashion waspletely different for each type. For Kaizen, who has lived by looking only at such nobledies, Astelle¡¯s clothes were the color of a beggar. He thought she would need the right clothes to go to the capital, so he told to send the clothes thay could get right away. He didn¡¯t know it woulde back with this result. ¡°Bring the servant who took the present.¡± A middle-aged servant with a present came into the room and told him what Astelle had to say. ¡°Yes,Lady Astelle said she had to watch the child eat because he was young. She told that she can leave it to the maids, but¡­ she can¡¯t leave such a difficult task to the maids she met for the first time. She doesn¡¯t have time to exin the child¡¯s habits¡­¡± It¡¯s not very wrong. Vellian, who observed the situation with curious eyes from one side, agreed to the words of the former empress. The child seemed to be about five or six years old, but leaving such a child in the room alone was a bit like that. It would be okay if there was a nanny or a handmaid who had been caring for the child for a long time. Even ordinary aristocrats do not go out leaving the child to a maid for less than an hour. It was verymon sense, but unfortunately, there were some people who could not understand it frommon sense. ¡°That is why Lady Astelle asked Your Majesty for your patience, she said, ¡®I¡¯m sorry for not being able to attend¡­¡¯¡° As far as it was said, the servant could see the real anger in the emperor¡¯s red eyes. In front of the emperor who stared at the documents silently with his fiery eyes, the servant bite his lower lip in a moody mood. Only after a few seconds pass in vain in the heavy silence, Kaizen barely repressed his anger and spit out. ¡°Then ask her to bring the child.¡± * * * Maern Castle was not very big, but the dinner hall was gorgeous in its own way. Elegant carpets wereid on the floor, and silver tableware, candlesticks, and vases decorated with beautiful flowers were ced on the table covered with colorful tablecloths. Theor, sitting in a seat next to Astelle, fluttered and looked around. Theor was originally a quiet and listening child, but he was never old enough to attend such events. Large noble children also appear in front of the guests when they are over 7 or 8 years old. She even provided a high chair for him, but Astelle was still ufortable. ¡®I can¡¯t understand why this happened¡­¡¯ * * * She was surprised when Kaizen sent clothes and jewelry as a gift, but the order toe back was even more spectacles. ¡°This is the His Majesty¡¯smand to be present.¡± No, why the hell? She just wanted to eat dinner with Theor in the room, but she couldn¡¯t figure out why she was forced toe to dinner. Is that also bringing the child to now? But this time, she couldn¡¯t say no. Sir Lyndon, the head of the knight, has picked her up with an embarrassed expression, saying there was an order to force him toe if she refused. ¡°But why did His Majesty send Sir Lyndon to something like this?¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Lyndon shed his words with a nk face. ¡°I¡¯m not sure either.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± She wondered if people thought they were friendly because they talked a little bit together on the street. In this case, it¡¯s good to send a close person to persuade, but there can be no close person here with Astelle. Are you revenge me for refusing the gift? Astelle was forced to go to dinner wearing the most neat dress she had. So it was a in green cotton dress. She dressed Theor as neat as possible, but it wasn¡¯t likewise a formal robe to bring to such a ce. Of course, it is unlikely that there will be formal robes for young children. Theor hugged the fluffy teddy bear and looked up at Astelle. ¡°Can I take Levin?¡± ¡°Yes, you should put it next to you when you eat instead.¡± Theor seemed to be nervous and scared, so he brought a teddy bear. A doll made of old cloth was quietly ced on an empty chair next to the child. The emperor didn¡¯t really say anything special. The four adults who sat down, Kaizen and Astelle, Vellian and Marianne, ate only the food that came out in order. There was a conversation about a few words of clothes on the table, but Astelle didn¡¯t participate. ¡°It is very delicious.¡± Marianne sitting on the other side admired the taste of the food. The venison served as the main dish was very light. It was soft even though there was no grease at all. The savory raspberry sauce sprinkled on the grilled meat added vor. The light taste of meat was mixed with a sweet sauce with a rich taste. With every bite, delicious venison was wrapped around the tip of the tongue with savory juice. Astelle helped Theor get his food. Fortunately, Theor sat quietly and ate his own food quietly. ¡°I rememberst year¡¯s huntingpetition. It was the best huntingpetition ever. I¡¯ve got a tribute more than a hundred deer. At that time, I was chosen as the queen of autumn.¡± In the hunting contest every fall, the queen of autumn is selected from the unmarrieddy as thest event. It could be said that it is the biggest social event in autumn. Marianne, who was proud of her, nced at Astelle. ¡°You don¡¯t know because you¡¯re not in the capital. You was in the eastern countryside, you said?¡± ¡°Yes, it was at the east end.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry for you who not seeing the huntingpetitions. Such a great festival would be hard to see, but I always liked the huntingpetitions. It¡¯s really fun.¡± Astelle held a host of huntingpetitions every year until she reached adulthood. She remember she had been out when she was almost seven or eight. When she was eight she was sitting in the guest seat in a fancy dress wearing a corset, and she was so choked and frustrated that she crying and praying for the end of the event. And she waster beaten, saying that she went back to the Duke and whined in the public ce. Astelle doesn¡¯t have very good memories there, but that girl only has pleasant memories. ¡®People¡¯s tastes are really different.¡¯ Astelle was curious and stared at Marianne for a moment. At that time, Kaizen, sitting at the top of the seat, said indifferently. ¡°When we were 17 years old, the huntingpetitions were more magnificent.¡± In an instant, everyone stopped moving. As she paused where she had eaten without much thought, she looked at the emperor. Kaizen asked Astelle calmly, facing the gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t you remember?¡± ¡°I do not know.¡± Of course she remembered it. That year¡¯s huntingpetition was really magnificent. Kaizen showed off his excellent hunting skills as a great prince. Astelle sat in the guest¡¯s seat and waited for Kaizen all day long. Until he returns and crowns Astelle with the crown symbolizing the Queen of Autumn. At that time Astelle was no longer an 8-year-old child. She was able to hold it all with a graceful smile even though her body aches because of the corset breathing and sitting still. She chatted with the nobles who greet her in the form of a happy fiancee. Kaizen didn¡¯te back until sunset. But Kaizen had to decide the owner of the coro because he was going back to the imperial pce right away. He picked up the coro and handed it to Astelle, who sat right next to him. Then he went down the tform saying he was tired and went back to the imperial pce. Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Astelle thought it was because he was tired of hunting. Sheughed happily and wore a gand on her head to mend the embarrassing atmosphere. As a happy queen of autumn, she endured the pain and tiredness, and kept her ce until the end, and at night she hosted the ball alone. The next day, Kaizen said yesterday that he was too tired, and he asked Astelle for her forgiveness. Astelle dly forgave him. She was rather deeply regretted that he felt her sadness, although she was for a while. Now it was the memories that couldn¡¯t be even dusty. Astelle muttered carelessly. ¡°I was bored and struggling to sit all day and wait for the contest to end. It was so long ago that I can¡¯t remember anything else.¡± In response to Astelle¡¯s grim response, Kaizen bit his mouth firmly again. There was a heavy silence over the table. In a short silence, Marianne spit out in a blunt voice as if tortured. ¡°I can¡¯t remember anything at that time.¡± Astell said casually. ¡°Of course you can¡¯t remember, because Lady Marianne was still an 11-year-old girl back then.¡± It wasn¡¯t really dismissive, but Marianne bit her lips with her face full of contempt. The atmosphere quickly ruined. Kaizen, sitting in the upper seat, was also unpleasant, and Marianne stared at Astelle with her resentful nces. Vellian turned the topic to rectify the disastrous atmosphere. ¡°Come to think of it, there were a lot of bears around here. Hunting is forbidden because it is dangerous, but if you go into the forest further, there is a hunting lodge. Sometimes Your Majesty¡­¡± ¡°Do you have a bear?¡± Theor, who only listened to the adults talking, shouted unknowingly at the sound of the bear. Before Astelle, Vellian gave him an interesting nce, he replied. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s pretty much around here.¡± ¡°I want to see them.¡± ¡°Theor.¡± Astelle quietly grabbed the child¡¯s shoulder. As the child was cute, a smile spread over her. ¡°It would be nice if you could show it, but it¡¯s too dangerous for you to see it in person.¡± At that time, one of the servants came to the dinner table and whispered something to Kaizen. Kaizen listened to the words of the servant and he stood up from the seat. ¡°Excuse me first.¡± He asked for patience and went out. What urgent thing has happened. She wishes to go back in the bedroom after eating, but as soon as the emperor disappears, Marianne aims an arrow at Astelle. ¡°The children is so cute but they can¡¯t learn proper manners. It¡¯s unavoidable to do that. Originally, if parents don¡¯t strictly discipline them, all children grow up spoiled. There are limits to what rtives can do.¡± At Marianne¡¯s thorny words, Vellian hurriedly sipd a sip of water and interrupted. ¡°Did you learn very well at that age at that level? ording to my nanny¡¯s testimony, I just grabbed the food with my hand at that age¡­¡± ¡°This children don¡¯t have both parents, so I can¡¯t help it. If they don¡¯t have parents, the children will act as they please.¡± Marianne continued her ridicule by cutting off Vellian words. She was attacking Astelle, not Theor. Astelle lost her mother as soon as she was born and grew up under her single father. Astelle wasn¡¯t angry. She rather gave a soft smile satisfactorily. ¡°Lady Marianne¡¯s parents must have been very rare and generous people. I am envious of having such kind parents.¡± -Cough! Cough!- Vellian, who was drinking water across from Astelle¡¯s words, hurriedly covered his mouth and pretend to be coughed. Astelle said that the parents didn¡¯t punish their children too much and if their children were so spoiled, it was a very tant. Vellian covered his mouth and held back hisughter as it burst out. Marianne¡¯s white cheeks burned red when she realized she had been ridiculed. ¡°Are you saying I¡¯m spoiled now?¡± ¡°No way, I praised the Marquis¡¯ inside and outside.¡± It was still very polite speech, but it contained a certain thorn no matter who heard it. Astelle said with a gentle smile, picking up a ss of wine. ¡°And did you forget? His Majesty also lost his mother in childhood.¡± Kaizen also lost her mother as a child. The empress, Kaizen¡¯s mother has been lying in the sick for several years before she dies. This little girl seems to have forgotten about it for a while. Like Kaizen, young Astelle, who grew up without a mother, felt sorry for him. She sympathized with his sadness. Marianne stuttered her words with a stunned face she couldn¡¯t even think of. ¡°Ah¡­ I, I¡¯m not like that¡­¡± Vellian intervened and corrected the situation. ¡°His Majesty seems to bete, but should I just ask you to eat dessert? How about the little master? Do you want to eat dessert?¡± ¡°Yes! I want to eat!¡± Soon came the melon sorbet prepared as a dessert. Astelle watched Theor scoop up the sorbet and lifted a spoon lightly. After tasting it several times to see if it wasn¡¯t her favorite dessert, Astelle put the spoon down and drank a little jerry juice. Vellian, sitting on the other side of her, looked at Astelle with admiration. From Astelle¡¯s posture to every gesture, there was a calm and elegant elegance. Her clothes weren¡¯t even fancy, but she was like an empress enough even in such a in dress. Is it thanks to the Duke¡¯s education? Vellian heard that she had been educated very strictly, but it seemed that it wasn¡¯t just because of it. Astelle had some natural dignity. In Vellian¡¯s eyes, the emperor cared about the former empress a lot. He thought that things were going strangely. Even at this very moment, it was even more curious given that her father was plotting the rebellion, and the emperor was trying to kill him. ¡°Now, it¡¯s better to stop and go back to the bedroom. I don¡¯t think His Majesty can return.¡± When the emperor did not return after waiting a long time, Vellian finished the dinner and sent the two back. Marianne went away without saying goodbye, and Astelle took Theor, who began to doze off, and she returned to the bedroom. With his eyes half closed, Theor, who was held by Astelle, hurriedly grabbed the hem of her clothes. ¡°Oh¡­ I left Levin.¡± ¡°Oh my god.¡± She forgot to bring it. Astelle puts Theor on the bed and she returns to the dinner table. She took the doll from the servant who was arranging the seats and went out into the hallway. The hallway of the castle, which had been turned off, exudes a strange atmosphere. Gold ornaments and statues shining brilliantly during the day were quietly immersed in the dark. A ss window that upied one wall sprinkled a mysterious silver light in the corridor. Astelle walked toward the bedroom, stepping on the stone statue¡¯s shadow. As she turned around the corner, a servant with a candlestick appeared from the other side. Astelle found the man behind him and stopped. Kaizen was walking with the head in front. ¡°Are you going back to the bedroom?¡± ¡°Yes, the child left the toy and I came back to bring it.¡± The emperor who looks in the dark was different from what she saw in the daytime. He had the same face and the same clothes, but the atmosphere of the whole body waspletely different. If the emperor met in the daytime was a dignified monarch, in the middle of the night he was like a beast who hid himself in the shade. He felt confident, overbearing, and dangerous. Kaizen was looking at Astelle¡¯s uncharacteristic green dress. Even in the dark, it was clearly seen that wrinkles were formed for a while in the good shape of the eye. He asked bluntly. ¡°Do you not want to receive anything I give you?¡± Astelle flickered quietly. She doesn¡¯t know why the thoughts are connected in that way. ¡°I can¡¯t do that. I ate the food that Your Majesty gave me just before.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not talking about ying with words.¡± In the deep darkness, red eyes were constantly shing. He seemed to get angry, but unexpectedly, a self-supportive voice came out. ¡°Yes, you must be resentful.¡± After divorce, for the first 1 or 2 years, there was such a feeling. The heart that resents this man. But what kind of feelings would she has for a man who had a wedding ceremony and spent until the first night? But as time went by, that kind of mind also faded. It just felt like her feelings for this man had dried up. Now love or hate all withered and turned into dust. Astelle said, watching him straight. ¡°No, I don¡¯t me Your Majesty anymore, and now I have no feelings about Your Majesty, so you don¡¯t need to pay attention to me either.¡± Now this man wasn¡¯t even resentful. It was just a mind that she didn¡¯t want to get entangled any more closely. She didn¡¯t need anything. After finishing this sudden thing, she wanted to get out of this man¡¯s sight as soon as possible. ¡°Thank you for the gift, but I don¡¯t need such fancy clothes anymore. All I asked for was to return my grandfather¡¯s pension and to send us back.¡± Astelle bowed her head in ellegant. ¡°It¡¯s toote, so I¡¯m going back.¡± Kaizen stood looking at Astelle¡¯s back walking without shaking. After a while, Vellian came out of the hall to find the emperor and approached him. ¡°Your Majesty? Why do you do that?¡± ¡°It is nothing.¡± Kaizen turned to the servant with a hand gesture and said to Vellian. ¡°The Duke of Reston has approached Count Siete. He let me know by the Count himself.¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s real.¡± Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Count Siete, who had fertilend in the west, was known as the Great Noble, but in fact had passed to the emperor. ¡®Things are going well.¡¯ Vellian, who thought it was easygoing, did not miss Kaizen¡¯splex emotions grazed by his red eyes. It disappeared in a moment, but he bet it was an emotion that had never been found in this young emperor. Vellian blinked his eyes vaguely. ¡®Oh, things are really weird.¡¯ * * * Marianne, sitting in front of a dressing table decorated with gold and silver, sent out her maid,bing her hair. ¡°I don¡¯t need it, get out.¡± Noting the displeasure of the owner, the maid went out quickly. Her honey-colored hair had been grooming spilled long over her shoulders. Marianne looked into the mirror, biting her nice nails. Deep blue eyes that sparkle like jewels, red lips, skin that is clearer than pearls. The honey-colored blonde shone like gold even in the dark room. Marianne was beautiful. She was one of the best beauty in the capital city. However, the emperor was not interested in Marianne. He didn¡¯t care whether she came or not, and he didn¡¯t even talk to her first. Still, Marianne was satisfied in her own way. Because the emperor was bothered by the other noble at all. At least it was a week long for Marianne to talk to him. Coming along the way was something that she couldn¡¯t even dream of if she was another nobledy. ¡®But why is he so interested in her?¡¯ The emperor showed strange interest to the ex-empress, who was expelled. Doesn¡¯t he invite himself to dinner? Doesn¡¯t he send a dress and jewelry to her? It is said that he even forced her to dinner that she refused. Her father, Marquis Croychen, sent Marianne win over the emperor¡¯s heart during the little tour. That was her father¡¯s request. However, it was not an unfamiliar rural woman who caught the emperor¡¯s attention, but the former empress, whose whereabouts were unknown. At first she was relieved when it was exined that she was due to the will of the empress dowager. For that reason, she deserved to be brought by the emperor himself. But it wasn¡¯t like the emperor, no matter how much she thought of sending a bunch of gifts and forcibly pulling her out to the dinner table. The emperor wasn¡¯t a person that send something to a woman, even though he needed to get the woman¡¯s favour because of the empress dowager¡¯s will. Besides, the emperor¡¯s gaze looking at the woman at dinner is¡­ it was really amazing. Marianne has seen countless nces between lovers in the social world since before she grew up. After worrying about that for a while, Marianne pulled the string and called the maid. ¡°Brings the maid chief here.¡± * * * As the afternoon enters, the blue sky turns pale gray as if covered by water fog. The cool wind ran through the green leaves of the garden. Astelle stopped working for a moment and looked at the sky through the window. Behind the stone wall thickened with ivy, the hazy sky touched the top of the mountain in the distance. It was an atmosphere where the rain would pour out right now. Astelle sat in front of the dressing table and pulled out the box she had put in the drawer. It was a small box decorated with golden flower bushes. When she opened the lid, inside was full of big and small medicine bottles. At first nce, nothing seems to have changed, but there was the only part that changed. One side of the thread she had attached to the hinge fell off. ¡°¡­¡­¡± As soon as Astelle arrived here, she glued a thread that was thin enough to appear transparent to the hinge of the medicine box. It was a ssic method of monitoring if anyone else is opening it in case. ¡®Someone has opened it.¡¯ Who is it? It must be one of the new maids. As Astelle wanted, yesterday morning, new maids came. They were the maids who seemed calmer than before, maybe the chief of the maid took care of thest thing. ¡®But it looks like a spy came with it this time.¡¯ Well, it didn¡¯t matter much. Because she always carried medicine to change the color of the eyes on her body. In the medicine box, there were only a few simple medicines and dried medicinal herbs. No matter how far you look, there will be no suspicious drugs. The worst thing is not to steal something inside, but to put something inside it all. ¡°Well¡­¡± This box had been held since Astelle lived as a crown princess, and although it was not a very expensive item, the sp at the opening of the lid was very borately made in the shape of a butterfly. The rings on the wings of the butterfly were so small and detailed that they could not be opened easily without opening them with bare hands. Astelle nced at the wire-like loop, closed the box and pushed it back into the drawer. And she left the drawer a little open. * * * ¡°Because the weather is not good.¡± Vellian exined to Astelle why they have stayed here for a few more days. ¡°As you can see, it looks like it¡¯s going to rain. Local residents say that when the weather is like this, a stormes soon after. Maybe it¡¯s better to wait for a while to be safe. And¡­ Lady Marianne also has a severe headache so she can¡¯t start even though the weather is good.¡± Vellian paused for a moment with a very agitated expression and continue again. ¡°So we are going to stay here until the day is clear and Lady Marianne is healed. Even if you feel frustrated, please be patient.¡± Originally, she was going to stay here for about a day and start right away. Yesterday morning, Vellian told her to wait without saying anything, and now he exins why. Astelle smiled as if she understood everything. ¡°I am okay. Never mind.¡± In fact, none of them are okay. She was so annoyed about why the time was dyed so that her head hurt. She wanted to go to the castle where her grandfather is as soon as possible. That way, she can drop Theor over to her grandfather and send him back home. She couldn¡¯t leave the child to someone she doesn¡¯t know and send him back home, and she couldn¡¯t even call her grandfather here. Her grandfather is only a few days away from here. Astelle thought a lot in her head with a calm smile. After a short thought, Astelle, who organized her thoughts, asked Vellian. ¡°I¡­ can I write a letter to my maternal grandfather in Dentsu Castle? I think he is worried a lot about us.¡± ¡°Oh, of course, just send me the letter first and I¡¯ll send it to him right away.¡± * * * It was this morning that she get permission to write a letter. Astelle came to the greenhouse and made Theor y near the flowerbed and wrote a letter. Rain was pouring out outside. The sound of the rain hit the ss in the greenhouse. Over the ss wall, a water chamber sat down on soft purple petals resembling the wings of a kingfisher. The grass in the garden was moistened with rainwater. Theor was ying while she was watching the rainwater run down the ss wall. After a while, Vellian came to see Astelle. ¡°Have you finished writing the letter?¡± ¡°Yes, I just finished it.¡± Vellian asked carefully with a very sorry expression when he saw Astelle folded the used letter and put it in the envelope. ¡°Excuse me, can I read it?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s not like I don¡¯t believe in Lady Astelle, it¡¯s just because His Majesty is here, so¡­¡± Seeing Astelle startled, Vellian apologized in regret. ¡®What is this?. You¡¯re probably trying to make sure I made a strange action.¡¯ She ran away and got caught, and it¡¯s not a position that would feel good to the emperor. Astelle concealed her heart and handed a letter as if she understood everything. ¡°It¡¯s okay, you can read it.¡± It doesn¡¯t matter who reads it. No one knows the true motive of that letter anyway. ¡°Thank you so much for understanding.¡± Vellian took the letter politely with his hands and read it carefully. There was only one letter. The short text contained the contents that she met the emperor and heard the circumstances, and that she is going to the capital city but it¡¯s dyed because the weather is not good. After that, she said that the child was fine and was worried about him. [You were having a lot of trouble with a headache a while ago, but I am worried that your illness may have gotten worse because you were in an unfamiliar ce. We are doing well, so please rx your mind and take care of your health.] ¡°Oh my, is Lady¡¯s grandfather sick?¡± ¡°Sometimes he not feeling well. Maybe he is old enough.¡± Vellian once again apologized after reading the letter to the end. ¡°Nothing special, I¡¯m really sorry, I¡¯ll send it to him right away.¡± ¡°Yes, thank you.¡± Astelle believed that her grandfather would understand what was written in the letter. Exin the situation here and he will understand what Astelle is concerned about. Theor wandered around the flowerbed and ran to find Vellian. He said hello to Vellian, while held the teddy bear. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°You are a little master. Do you like to y here?¡± Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Theor became quite close after a day or two with Vellian. It seemed to be because of the white and innocent appearance of the young count. Vellian asked Astelle again, watching Theor running with the doll. ¡°The child is young, but he is polite. Has Lady Astelle continued to take care of him by yourself?¡± ¡°Since the mansion disappeared 5 years ago, I took care of him. My grandfather helped me a lot.¡± ¡°You two have a good child. He will grow up wonderfully.¡± Vellian truly admired. It was said that the old man who had lived as a high-ranking noble for a lifetime and youngdy, a 20-year-old nobleman who was the empress, raised the newborn baby without a penny. It was a miracle that she did not starve the child and raised him as much. In the meantime, it was amazing to see that she even taught the child at home on her own. ¡°Excuse me, but the mother of the child¡­¡± ¡°She gave birth and left. She lives elsewhere.¡± Vellian convinced. Originally, when a child born by a lowly woman in a noble family is taken as a sessor, the mother is separated. In that case, most of the birth mother was a maid or a prostitute. He is the child who will be the sessor, but if he keeps such a woman by his side, it will have a bad effect on him, giving money and sending his birth mother away was the best choice. It was heartbreaking, but in this case, any family member treated the birth mother in that way. Perhaps the old marquis was very stubborn in that part. Older nobles are originally followed the conservativews. Thanks to that, only this poor granddaughter seems to be suffering tremendously. Like Kaizen, Vellian condemned Astelle¡¯s maternal grandfather, Marquis Carlenberg, and kicked his tongue. ¡°Oh, yes, His Majesty has ordered the return of the Marquis¡¯ pension, so I contacted the capital, and it will be paid normally from this month.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ thank you very much.¡± Astelle was really happy. When she first went to her maternal grandfather¡¯s mansion, her maternal grandfather was also wealthy in his own way. Her maternal grandfather had already lost his estate when Astelle was very young, but had not lost his pension. But he was good enough to livefortably with a servant in a small mansion located in a scenic spot in the east. However, as the rebellion in the north was suppressed and the pension of her maternal grandfather was cut off, his life quickly became impoverished. He hid and looked after the pregnant Astelle, and he fell even further into the hell. By the time Theor was born, they eventually had to move to an old house on the edge of the east. ¡°It was wrong that the Marquis¡¯ pension was deprived. His grandson died while fighting for His Majesty in that civil war. There must have been an error in the administration.¡± In fact, it is more likely that the old man was disadvantaged by the emperor¡¯s administrative officials for being the rted of Duke Reston. Vellian can¡¯t be honest, he just identally dismissed it. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m d he got it back even now.¡± The manor is unreasonable, but her life will be much better if her maternal grandfather get his pension back. Astelle nced at Theor near the flowerbed and said, ¡®Of course if we can all go back safely.¡¯ * * * The rain continued to fall until the afternoon. Astelle left Theor in the greenhouse for a while and went back to the room to check the dressing table. Then she went to find Sir Lyndon. ¡°Sir Lyndon, could you please help me for a moment?¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on, Lady? ¡° Astelle exined the situation to him and came to the room with him. Then she summoned three new maids. ¡°Could everyonee this way for a while?¡± The maids stood side by side with a strange face. Astelle pulled out the medicine box from the vanity table. ¡°Has anyone ever opened this box today?¡± The maids looked at each other and shook their heads. One of them said as a representative. ¡°No, Lady. We are not allowed to open the items our owner¡¯s belonging.¡± ¡°Okay. Originally it is.¡± The maid must not open the items the owner put in the drawer unless the order to clean it has been given. It was a natural rule. Astelle said calmly, tying the gold ornaments on the medicine box. ¡°But it looks like someone has opened this.¡± The maids who looked at it with confused faces were amazed at the words. The maids nced at Lyndon standing on one side. It seemed that only now they felt the problem was serious. ¡°Actually, someone has opened this since yesterday, but I can¡¯t figure out who the culprit is, so I opened a little drawer today. I wanted the culprit to know that I had seen this out. Then I wondered what was different so I thought the culprit might try to open it again.¡± As she thought, while she was in the greenhouse, someone opened the box. The stitches was the same as before, but again this time, the thread attached to the hinge of the box was separated. The maids were hardened. Astelle asked, watching their expressions. ¡°Who ever visited this room when I wasn¡¯t here?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°So who of your guesses?¡± ¡°Lady¡­ we all entered this room today.¡± This room was splendid, and several rooms were connected to the bedroom, the living room, and the bathroom. Each of the maids went here and there to clean and organize, so it was difficult to specify what they were doing. Astelle looked down with the box¡¯s butterfly sp. The sps with small hooks hanging on either side were so thin and sophisticated that they couldn¡¯t be opened quite a bit with gloves on. And the maid cannot wear the gloves. ¡°I just wondering¡­¡± Astelle pulled out the handkerchief and cleaned the sp. The polished metal came out with powder that was indistinguishable from the color of the butterfly. ¡°I applied the juice ofgenin here.¡± The moment Astelle realized that someone was opening the box, she picked up thegenin she had found in the corner of the greenhouse, squeezed out the juice, and applied it to the sp. ¡°Lagenin is just a rare weed in the forest, but when its juice touches the skin, it causes a red rash. Particrly sensitive areas like fingers have a rash quickly. It¡¯s not great, it¡¯s not curable, but it doesn¡¯t go away easily. It will also itch.¡± Astelle ordered the maids, who stood side by side with hardened faces. ¡°Show your hands.¡± At Astelle¡¯smand, there was a heavy silence in the room for a moment. There was tension in Lyndon¡¯s face standing on one side as well. The maids who were slowly extended their hands forward. The first maid¡¯s hand was fine. The second maid¡¯s hand was also white and neat in every corner. However, while the two showed their hands without hesitation, thest remaining maid couldn¡¯t easily show her hands. The third maid trembled as she looked into her own palms. ¡°Ah¡­ I, I¡­¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes were concentrated in the hand of the maid. The middle part of her little white palm had no problem. However, there was a bright red rash sprouted on her forefinger and the connecting part as if sprinkled with red powder. The tip of the upper index finger and the inside of her thumb werepletely red. She would have used her thumb and index finger to open the fastener. And before washing her hands, her fists were clenched, and a rash would have appeared in the area where her fingertips touched. The maid who looked into her hand, stared at Astelle with her desperate and fruitful expression. ¡°La, Lady, I¡­¡± ¡°Tell me who ordered it.¡± The maid was surprised and stiffened with Astelle¡¯s coldly subdued voice. The maid¡¯s eyes trembled anxiously, but she didn¡¯t open her mouth easily. Well, to get her to do something like this, she would have been threatened and convicted. Astelle looked straight at the maid and dered her calm. ¡°If you don¡¯t tell me who ordered it, I have to say that you were trying to steal, or in severe cases, poison me.¡± ¡°Oh, no¡­ I never did that¡­!¡± Astelle intimidating her, the maid became trembled on her whole body. She doesn¡¯t know if this has changed these days, but in the past, the maid was caught stealing at the imperial pce, her wrist will be cut. This is not the imperial pce, but since it is where the emperor stays, simr punishment could be applied. Any attempted poisoning was of course the death penalty. Astelle looked at the maid, trembling in a deep blue, and asked Lyndon to give a brief request. ¡°Sir Lyndon, please bring out this maid.¡± As Lyndon opened the door, the maid fell down on the floor and begged. ¡°Oh, no¡­ let me tell you, let me tell you¡­!¡± The maid who begged on her knees btedly raised her head and confessed. Astelle had already guessed the name that came out of the maid¡¯s mouth. ¡°¡­Lady Marianne ordered it.¡± All that Astelle had to do was there. Lyndon summoned other knight and dragged the maid. They will find out the details of the situation on their own. Astelle took Theor, which she had left in the greenhouse, thet washed him and changed his clothes. Before entering the warm water, Theor came with a teddy bear. ¡°Can Levin take a bath too?¡± She tried to say no, but Astelle just nodded at seeing the kinky brown bear doll. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s wash it¡­ for this time.¡± Theor, who knows nothing about what happened, yed with the old teddy bear in the bathtub. After the bath was finished, she took the child to the bedroom and put the potion in his eyes. The emperor¡¯s servant came to pick up Astelle. ¡°Lady Astelle, His Majesty is looking for you.¡± Astelle left Theor to the rest of the maids and went outside. As she closed the warm visit and exited the hallway, the chilly chill of thete afternoon touched her. This castle was old-fashioned, but it was antique and beautiful. In the corridor, a wall made of gray bricks continued for a long time, and tapestry woven with gold thread was hung in several ces. Astelle walked the hallway of the castle leading to the emperor¡¯s office. Chapter 13 Chapter 13 There was still a light rain striking the window. When will this rain be over? When Astelle arrived at the emperor¡¯s office with a dark feeling, the knight who was guarding the door opened the door. As soon as she entered inside, a screaming burst out. ¡°This is a ridiculous sham!¡± Marianne, who was standing in the center of the office, shouted out loud as soon as she saw Astelle. ¡°She has ordered her own maid, and she is framed me! ¡± Astelle, bending her knees in front of Kaizen and bowing politely to him. Kaizen was sitting over his desk and Vellian was standing next to him. Vellian was very excited to see if this situation was interesting. Kaizen gave Lyndon an eye. Lyndon reported what he had found out to him. ¡°There is evidence that the maid who was caught as the culprit received money from Lady Marianne. She confessed that Lady Marianne¡¯s maid also brought the money. ¡± If it turns out to there, it should be said that it is over. At this point, Marianne couldn¡¯t get past it. Even if she has a way to get over the crisis, this little girl doesn¡¯t seem to have the wisdom to get out of this situation. While Astelle looked silently, Kaizen asked Marianne firmly. ¡°Are you still going to deny it?¡± ¡°Well, I¡­ that¡­ ugh¡­¡± Marianne began to cry with a terrified expression. Her delicate eyes moistened. Marianne, with her tears up, was beautiful and lovely as a fairy. But she had no one in this ce to express the sympathy for her appearance. When no one didn¡¯t take care of her, the weeping Marianne red at Astelle again, as if to kill. Her eyes burst with anger. ¡°She brought a suspicious vial and medicines in a box! Who carries so many medicines? How do you know what¡¯s in it? It could be poison!¡± When it became undeniable that she had searched the box, Marianne, on the contrary, seemed to have decided to turn the responsibility on Astelle. However, when Kaizen heard the words, he rebuked her as if he was stunned. ¡°So is it you who searched other people¡¯s luggage? Since when did you be the safety officer of this castle?¡± ¡°Your Majesty, I was just worried¡­¡± When that excuse didn¡¯t work, Marianne effortlessly blurred her words. She shouted again, pointing at Astelle, with the tears hanging around her eyes. ¡°The person who came to see Your Majesty has so many medicines. It¡¯s suspicious in all respects! We have to check it right away.¡± Astelle never came to see the emperor. It was only three or four days ago that she was pulled out with her child to attended dinner. Marianne really didn¡¯t know, so she said that. At Marianne¡¯s words, other people¡¯s eyes turned to Astelle. They were expressions asking her to exin why there are so many medicines. ¡°Lady Marianne.¡± Astelle looked at Marianne with a cool look. ¡°I think Lady Marianne had a younger siblings, am I right?¡± ¡°¡­.Huh?¡± Marianne made a puzzled look at an unexpected question. ¡°What are you talking about suddenly?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t the nanny hired by the mansion always stocking medicines in the chest of drawers for Lady Marianne and your younger siblings? There must have been a simple cold medicine, stomach upset medicine, various ointments to apply depending on the type of wound, and a stabilizer to feed the child when the child is very surprised.¡± Of course, the nanny taking care of the child works with the medicines ready. Because children always get sick all the time. Day and night always needed medicines. Marianne couldn¡¯t answer. When she thinks about it, it seems to be. The nanny always had a lot of medicine. ¡°Theor is only 5 years old now. He often catch a cold, so I need a cold medicine, antipyretic, cough medicine, headache medicine, and stomach upset medicine. If the child gets hurt, I also need a kind of ointment to apply to the wound.¡± Astelle said calmly. ¡°Theor had a severe flu not long ago. The pharmacist said that the child¡¯s physical strength was weakened due to the aftereffect of the flu. The nutritional supplement alone is three bottles.¡± Well, it wasn¡¯t quite a lie. Theor was very healthy, but he sometimes suffered colds and body aches. In the first week of her fleeing life, Theor suffered a severe cold because he couldn¡¯t adjust to an unfamiliar environment. Astelle made nutritional supplements for the child she had learned from Gretel and sometimes fed it to Theor. It was because she was worried that Theor would get tired while moving from ce to ce. ¡®Well, it¡¯s not just that there are medicines like that.¡¯ In the medicine box Astelle carries, there wasn¡¯t just such a regr medicine. Even though they looked like ordinary medicines or medicinal herbs, they were also mixed with ingredients that changed the color of the eyes. Of course, one by one, there was nothing special. Because the medicine to change the eye color wasn¡¯t a poisonous medicine. Still, she had to carry the essential ingredients and there was no choice but to have a lot of medicine bottles in the box. But Astelle¡¯s im that children need all sorts of medicines sounded usible enough. ¡°I think my nanny did the same. Children are often sick.¡± Vellian, who only listened quietly, sided with Astelle. ¡°By the way¡­¡± Astelle, who stopped talking for a moment, made a cool expression. Marianne was amazed momentarily by her cold light green eyes. ¡°Lady Marianne had already looked at my medicine box, so why did you keep asking me to checked the medicine box?¡± At the word Astelle threw, the inside of the office was quickly struck by silence. Marianne stuttered with the pale face. ¡°Well, what are you talking about?¡± Astelle watched Marianne carefully. There was no desire to be enemies of this youngdy and turn the new power of the Croychen family into an enemy. But now it was unavoidable. She can¡¯t keep a person who keeps opening this and that and looking behind it like this. In the situation of hiding secrets that should never be caught, humans who try to monitor people were the most dangerous. ¡°If you had opened the medicine box, you would have checked all my other luggage. You must have known enough that none of the items I brought were suspicious. Why did you keep the medicine box open? And why did you keep asking me to checked the medicine box?¡± ¡°That, that¡¯s¡­¡± Marianne stuttered at Astelle¡¯s question, and she bit her lips for an excuse. Marianne proved for herself that she had nothing suspicious of Astelle. She didn¡¯t seem to be able to think of it so far. ¡°Lady Marianne wasn¡¯t trying to check it if there was anything suspicious in my medicine box, but weren¡¯t you¡¯re trying to mix the suspicious medicine into it by taking a chance?¡± Astelle said calmly. ¡°That¡¯s why you would have asked the maid to carefully observe which medicines I use the most and the least.¡± It was amon technique. Putting poison or a fake secret letter in the least used item among the opponent¡¯s items. If you put it in an item you use often, the opponent will catch it quickly, so you use the belongings or drawers that the opponent does not touch. You put a suspicious object that might be a problem in it, and use the other person of it, and it¡¯s done. Astelle was the empress who was abandoned by the emperor after a day. It is difficult to avoid suspicion if poisones out of the medicine box that she brought with the emperor. Then, no one here would side with Astelle. It seems that thisdy didn¡¯t know howmon it was. In the imperial pce, to prevent such tricks, when keeping sensitive objects such as medicine boxes, she attach their own markers to monitor who does secretly open them. ¡°I, I¡­ no! It wasn¡¯t like that!¡± Marianne, who had beenpletely stabbed, stuttered and screamed in white face. She dropped the tears and tried to cling to Kaizen. ¡°Your, Your Majesty¡­! Please trust me¡­¡± Kaizen ignored Marianne and asked Vellian, who was next to him. ¡°Was there a prison on the west side of this castle?¡± ¡°Yes that¡¯s right¡­ it¡¯s an old ce.¡± Since this castle itself was managed only by a few people from the beginning unless the emperor came, there was not much to be used in ces like prisons. It will be old and dirty because it has been left for a long time. But people can live. Kaizen ordered coldly, seeing Marianne standing in her desperation room. ¡°Until disposition is decided, Lady Marianne is imprisoned in a western prison.¡± ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Marianne tried to beg with a fainting face, but Lynden approached her. ¡°Lady, excuse me.¡± Contrary to the polite apology, when he beckoned, the knights grabbed Marianne¡¯s arms and pulled out without reason. Marianne was panic and screaming. As the door closed, she heard Marianne¡¯s yelling and screaming, but it slowly moved away. As the room became quiet, Kaizen spoke to Astelle for the first time. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for letting you go through this, I apologize.¡± Kaizen was very guilty, but Astelle didn¡¯t feel special about this event. She had a lot of these things in the past when she lived on the royal court. There were countless nobles who were jealous of the Crown Princess. It was nothing like the jealousy of the youngdies, but the great aristocrats who seriously fought to take Astelle into a trap and take over the ce of the Crown Princess. Compared to that, this simple jealousy was rather cute. Chapter 14 Chapter 14 . Most of the time, the Duke, his father, took care of it, but sometimes Astelle escaped the trap by herself. After such a few bad experiences, she lived anytime, anywhere, being careful about her actions and always looking around. Looking back, it was a breathtaking life that really seemed to walk on a thin ice te. ¡°Fine. It¡¯s not a big deal.¡± Astelle thought it was fortunate to get out of such a life even now. If this is done well, she will be able to return to a quiet and peaceful life with Theor in the mansion of her maternal grandfather. It must have been. Kaizen sighed with a sad face. ¡°It won¡¯t happen anymore. Let¡¯s get a knights to protect you.¡± ¡°No, Your Majesty. It¡¯s okay. I¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be stubborn. There was something dangerous.¡± Kaizen cut Astelle¡¯s words resolutely. ¡®Who is the person who¡¯s stubborn.¡¯ Astelle repressed her irritation and bowed her head calmly and politely. ¡°People will think strangely if Your Majesty¡¯s knights escort me, the former empress. Rather, I think there will be a greater risk if people¡¯s attention focused to me for nothing.¡± Astelle hoped this man would do nothing. Now, the most dangerous person to Astelle was Kaizen. In fact, this happened also because Kaizen sent something like a dress for nothing and called her to dinner. If he didn¡¯t do that, Marianne couldn¡¯t have taken this seriously. ¡®So why did you do something useless¡­¡¯ Astelle was pointing out that fact to Kaizen now. ¡®This happened because of you, what kind of protection is that?¡¯ Kaizen wasn¡¯t stupid enough to not understand it either. But even if he understood what Astelle meant, getting angry was a separate matter. ¡°Yes, do whatever you want.¡± His crimson eyes and gaze looking straight at her. It was a mixed look of ridicule and irritation. Astelle smiled satisfactorily, ignoring Kaizen¡¯s displeasure. She bent her knees slightly and said her greetings. ¡°Thank you for understanding, Your Majesty.¡± * * * ¡°You better be careful.¡± Astelle closed the door and tried to go out the hall, but Vellian in the office came out. She didn¡¯t care much and tried to go back to the bedroom. Then he came up with an unquestioned story. ¡°The Marquis of Croychen has three daughters. The first daughter¡­ As you can see, it looks like that, but the second daughter isn¡¯t like that.¡± ¡°If she is the second daughter¡­¡± Who was that? Astelle didn¡¯t remember well. The Croychen family was not a great family in the past, so it did note to the ce where influential nobles gathered often. So Astelle didn¡¯t have a chance to look at the daughters in the family. She remember Croychen family having several young daughters, but she couldn¡¯t memorize the names. Seeing Astelle couldn¡¯t remember, Vellian said her name. ¡°This is Lady Florin. She has celebrated hering of age a while ago. She is currently the most promising empress candidate.¡± Even after hearing her name, Astelle still couldn¡¯t remember her face. It seems like there was a quiet youngdy with that kind of name. Velian continued his exnation, looking closely at Astelle. ¡°The Croychen family waited a little long for the second daughter be an adult. It said that Marquis Croychen worked hard from the past to make his second daughter as an empress.¡± It was a familiar story. Astelle muttered bitterly. ¡°It¡¯s the same everywhere.¡± For the power of the family, he raises his daughter into a custom doll and throws her into the imperial pce like throwing a gambling hand. The whole family rejoices if they gains a profit if she going so, but if she fails, the obsolete daughter is ruthlessly abandoned. It is the same in any family. Even if the game of the imperial power changed, nothing changed. Just the name of the family with power has changed. ¡°Anyway, I just want you to be careful, because Lady Florin is the girl who never going to do it like her older sister, Lady Marianne.¡± ¡®Well, I don¡¯t think Lady Astelle is the one to be smitten.¡¯ Vellian muttered only the back words inside. He doesn¡¯t know well, but the former empress was a smart of many ways. He expected to that the former empress have a timid and passive personality when he heard that she packed up and went out a day after she became the empress. It was apletely wrong idea. But why did she retire from the empress¡¯ seat so easily? ¡®Did this person have any feelings toward His Majesty the Emperor?¡¯ Even though she had feelings, it would have disappeared now. She just paid only for the first night and was kicked out the next day. But it was scheduled. As far as Vellian knows, Kaizen had long thought of purging Duke Reston as soon as he became emperor. Astelle, who was standing silently while chewing on such thoughts, said with a slight smile. ¡°The second daughter of the Croychen family seems to love His Majesty very much.¡± ¡°Pardon¡­?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t it mean that Lady Florin will have reproach over her sister¡¯s work, because her sister had been making a fuss around His Majesty? Otherwise, why should I be careful?¡± Astelle understood what Vellian¡¯s meant, but Astelleughed with a different voice as if she had not understood anything. And she spoke firmly to Vellian, who was looking at her face, in a confused tone. ¡°I will leave the capital as soon as the issue of the will of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is resolved. She will be the new empress, and she has nothing to do with me. I don¡¯t want to be involved.¡± * * * Astelle sat by the window and looked at the drizzled garden. Lc leaves quietly shaded the side of the window right next to the window. The light purple petals shook gently in the rain and wind. The ss window looked like a gray watercolor painted against the background of the misty sky. Astelle looked at the calm and beautiful scene and thought extremely realistically. How long will this damn rain fall? The gray sky in the distance was so dark that even a joke couldn¡¯t say it was clear. She came to this castle and thought that too much seems to be happening in a few days. When can I leave this ce? Did my grandfather receive my letter? While thinking about that, Theor who was ying in the room was crying and carrying a teddy bear. ¡°Levin is hurt¡­¡± The bear¡¯s shoulder part was bursting. Pure white cotton sprung out and tattered through the torn fabric. It looked like this again when he dipped it in water for washing. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll fix it soon.¡± Astelle obtained brown threads and needles from the maids and repaired the doll. Theor did not go to the greenhouse while watching Astelle fix the doll closely. It was good up there- ¡°Oops, the doll is broken.¡± In other words, Vellian, the emperor¡¯s aide, came to meet with them. Astelle sat face to face with him at the tea table and ce a cup of tea in front of him. Vellian, who was drinking tea, opened his mouth while observing Astelle, who was sewing hard. ¡°Why not leave it to the maids?¡± ¡°This doll is so old that no one can fix it except me.¡± The doll itself is not very old, but in the first ce the doll was made from an old curtain cloth, so it kept tattering like this. If she knew Theor would like it this way, she would make more species of cloth. Astelle put a needle at the doll¡¯s belly. Normally, it doesn¡¯t matter whether this man is here, but today Theor doesn¡¯t go to the greenhouse and is in the room with him, so she felt anxious. ¡®People who are quick to notice are made me anxious.¡¯ This man was the emperor¡¯s closest aide. For some reason, this man kept watching Astelle. He visited often, talked to her, and observed Astelle. This man is gentle among the people after talked a few times. But she knew he was never as naive as it seemed. This person serves the emperor in close proximity, so he know well about Kaizen. Could this man even notice that Theor looks like him? Theor was still concentrating on the appearance of his doll being healed little by little. Until Astelle fixed the doll, he was in the mood for not going out even if he was told to go to the greenhouse. Astelle said with an apologetic expression as soon as Vellian put the teacup. ¡°You must be busy, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m holding the Count for too long.¡± But Vellian onlyughed while listening to Astelle. ¡°No, I¡¯m fine, His Majesty says he is going on a hunt, because he can¡¯t hear all of Lady Marianne¡¯sints.¡± ¡°Does His Majesty go hunting?¡± ¡°Yes. It must have prepared and started now. It rains a little today. He must be frustrated.¡± Astelle herself was confined to this castle and was convinced that she was warned abot the rain, but it was absurd that a man named emperor went out to hunt. But she had a good idea. Astelle turned to Theor and asked. ¡°Theor, would you like to go to see the castle while I¡¯m repairing Levin?¡± ¡°Really? Can I see the castle?¡± Theor liked to go ahead. In the meantime, she only allowed him to y mainly in the garden or greenhouse, and prevented him from going around the castle a lot. Theor could not be left in the castle where the emperor wandered around. And Astelle wanted to prevent Kaizen from meeting Theor as much as possible. Chapter 15 Chapter 15 ¡°Yes. Instead, you have to go with the maid.¡± But today it will be fine that Kaizen goes outside. There was also a different purpose now. Astelle wanted to separate Theor from Vellian, who was sitting in the room observing the two. Astelle yed a new role while entrusting Theor to a maid. ¡°Look around once and make sure to bring the child before it¡¯s time to wash him.¡± The medicine to change the color of the eyes had to be taken every morning and before dinner. It was easy to put medicine in the early morning because she was sleeping with Theor in one bed, but the problem was in the evening. At that time, the maids were always in the room. So Astelle washed the child just before that every day. She said that the child would change his clothes after washing, and took him into the bedroom by herself and put the medicine in his eyes. ¡°Be sure toe back before that time.¡± Astelle received a pledge from the maid and sent the child out. * * * Theor took the hand of the maid and looked around. He also went to the castle¡¯s inner room and library. Compared to the imperial pce or otherrge separate pces, this old-fashioned castle was small in size. But in the eyes of young Theor, it looked enormously big. A wall made of gray bricks for each floor crawled endlessly. The railing of the window was also fixed with beautifully crafted stone columns. Through the arched window, the central garden of the wet castle was seen. It was raining slowly. As he reached near the corridor leading to the castle gate, he saw many people gathering at the end of the corridor. While watching the people, he found Kaizen going out with the knights. Theor ran to him before the maid caught him up. Theor quickly entered the corridor, and the knights who guarded the emperor nced at him. However, Kaizen, who is ahead, did not pay attention to Theor and passed by taking a quick step. Theor greeted while chasing him. ¡°Hello, Your Majesty.¡± The emperor stopped there. The gaze of the party turned to the young child at once. Kaizen also slowly turned to Theor. ¡®Ah, that¡¯s a kid with Astelle.¡¯ He has never seen this child since dinner. He had never been particrly interested. He heard that Astelle really cares about this kid through Vellian. ¡°Why is the child here?¡± The maid replied, bowing her back. ¡°Lady Astelle told me to show him the castle.¡± Theor had dinner together and felt intimacy with Kaizen in his own way. In fact, Theor lived without meeting many other people, so he was amazed to see all the people who he saw for the first time. He was also fascinated by the pretty blondedy he had seen before. Ah, he has never seen her again since dinner. Astelle said that His Majesty was a very, very high man, so he was particrly curious. Theor hesitated for a moment and asked. ¡°Your Majesty, where are you going?¡± ¡°I am going to the forest to hunt.¡± Theor was startled by the word ¡®forest¡¯. Theor remembered what Vellian said at the dinner table. There is a real bear in the forest. ¡°In the forest¡­ can you see the bear?¡± Kaizen, who was frowning, remembered this kid once shouted at the word ¡®bear¡¯ at the dinner table. ¡°Do you want to see a bear?¡± ¡°Do you have a real bear?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Kaizen replied indifferently. ¡°It¡¯s in the hunting lodge.¡± The forest area around here was so vast that it was hard to guess the end. After entering the forest for a long time, there was a separate hunting lodge where you can take a rest while hunting. Sessive emperors enjoyed hunting in this forest all day long and then returned to sleep at their vis when the time waste. Kaizen twinkled his eyes, and he stared at the little child looking up at himself. ording to Vellian, the child lost his father before birth, and when he was a baby, he was even abandoned by his mother. Kaizen remembered the appearance of Astelle holding this kid. Astelle took care of this child like her own child. If it was someone else, he thought that maybe she really was this child¡¯s real mother. He lost his mother when he was a baby. ¡®So are you so pampered?¡¯ Astelle also lost her mother when she was young. He wasn¡¯t interested in Astelle, but he knew it for sure. Kaizen suddenly remembered a very long time ago. That day in his memory was the funeral day of his mother, the Empress. * * * The Empress, Kaizen¡¯s mother, was weak from the beginning. She died after gave birth to her only son and after she had been sick for a long time. Throughout the funeral, young Kaizen showed no tears, stiff and tense. As the prince, he vowed not to cry like the other child in front of the nobles. However, after the funeral ended and he returned to the royal pce with a tired body, unbearable sadness came as he faced an empty garden. He was sorrowful that his memories of his mother remained in every corner. Kaizen cried alone sitting on a bench in the corner of the garden. Above his head was a lc tree growing high in the sky, hanging purple flowers like a roof. It was at that moment when he heard a rustling sound in a corner of the garden. ¡°What?¡± He shouted in surprise, and a little girl came out of the grass. It was Astelle with a pale white blonde. ¡°¡­Sorry. Majesty.¡± When he think about it, it was a while since he was engaged. Today, Astelle wore mourning clothes, but they were luxurious and had many embroidery decorations. Only the color was different, but it was the same as the colorful and heavy dresses that she usually wear and look stuffy. Kaizen quickly wiped away his tears. Most likely, he was pissed off that he was caught by this kid. ¡°Don¡¯t talk to other people.¡± Astelle bites her lips and lifts her head. ¡°I won¡¯t tell anyone. I never say it.¡± Astelle hesitated for a moment and then approached the bench on which Kaizen was sitting. And she carefully sat down next to him. Before Kaizen could say anything, Astelle ced her hand on Kaizen¡¯s hand carefully. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Majesty, I¡¯ll never tell anyone.¡± He was annoyed why she suddenly put her hand, but he couldn¡¯t throw his fiancee¡¯s hand, so he let it go. He turned around inadvertently, and he looked straight into Astelle¡¯s light green eyes. The light green eyes like sprouts were wet with tears. Kaizen of those days did not understand why Astelle was crying. But Astelle¡¯s little hand was warm. His grief subsided at the feeble warmth of her little hand. He slowly stopped weeping. Young Kaizen, holding Astelle¡¯s little fragile hand. He doesn¡¯t hate Astelle at this moment. * * * Kaizen, who recalled the memories of that time, looked down on the child and asked unintentionally. ¡°Shall I show you the bear?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Theor was very happy to think that he could see a real bear. Then he paused. ¡°Uh¡­ I have to tell Aunt Astel¡­¡± He liked her so much that he almost inadvertently said she was his mother, but Theor said that she was ¡®Aunt Astel¡¯. Right. It was still ying. The maid, standing behind the child, bowed her head in embarrassment. ¡°Lady Astelle told me to bring the master before dinner time.¡± Kaizen turned his gaze. The gray sky has not yet gotten dark. ¡°You cane before that.¡± He turned to the attendants and ordered. ¡°Prepare a carriage for the child.¡± The maid could not help it, because it was ordered by the emperor. She took the hand of Theor and followed the emperor. * * * ¡°Why aren¡¯t youing?¡± Astelle wandered around the room anxiously. She drove out Vellian and fixed the doll, but Theor didn¡¯te back. The sun was already falling outside the window. Astelle was nervously rethinking the time when the medicine would not work. ¡®I still have some time, but¡­¡¯ Still, she had to take plenty of time to put the medicine. Astelle thinks of the medicine she always carries in her arms, and she goes outside. Astelle ran down the hallway, forcing to calm her chest, trembling with the anxiety. As she went downstairs, the maid left in the room was sent to the upstairs. ¡°Go to the other side and find the child.¡± She went downstairs and searched here and there, but there were neither child nor maids. As the emperor went hunting, the castle was quiet because many knights were also vacated. As she went out into the castle¡¯s corridor, Astelle met a middle-aged servant who had previously brought her a dress. ¡°Lady Astelle, where are you going in a hurry?¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you seen Theor?¡± At Astelle¡¯s question, the servant nodded, insisting not to worry. ¡°Ah¡­ it was ordered by His Majesty. I was just about to tell Lady.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± She was surprised when an unexpected person appeared in this situation. Why did the emperor give such an order¡­? What had to do with Theor? The middle-aged servant said with a smile, not noticing Astelle¡¯s feelings. ¡°His Majesty took Young Master to the hunting lodge.¡± She felt like she stopped breathing for an instant. Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Vellian came down the stairs and found Astelle standing at the end of the corridor. Astelle was having a conversation with the emperor¡¯s servant. Since it was far away, he could only see the side view, but her calm and elegant face was creepy and pale. Vellian approached in surprise. ¡°Lady Astelle?¡± As he approached and called to see what had happened, Astelle turned around one breathte. Astelle smiled calmly at Vellian. ¡°Oh, Count. Nice to meet you again.¡± The face looking back slowly wasn¡¯t different from usual. It wasn¡¯t pale and it wasn¡¯t solid white. ¡®Did I see it wrong?¡¯ As he turned to the servant, the middle-aged servant quickly exined the situation. ¡°His Majesty took Young Master Theor to the hunting lodge, and I was talking about it to Lady Astelle now.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡®The child? Why?¡¯ The hunting lodge was a remote ce in the middle of the forest. The forest was so wide that it was the vi that was built in case the emperor couldn¡¯t return to the castle while hunting. Even if he thought about it roughly, it wasn¡¯t a good ce to go with a child. Besides, Kaizen wasn¡¯t particrly fond of children. ¡®Why did you do such a weird thing all of a sudden?¡¯ Vellian, feeling the doubt, looked at Astelle standing quietly and found the answer. ¡®No way, is it because of this person?¡¯ Astelle, standing silent, asked Vellian in a in tone. ¡°Count, how long does the hunting lodge take from here?¡± ¡°If you go on horseback as soon as possible, you will get there in an hour.¡± One hour. If I leave right now, can I be on time? Even if she went as quickly as possible, the medicinal effect will drop immeadiately. The tip of her finger trembled. Astelle hid her trembling fingers under the hem of her long cuffs and turned back to Vellian. You should never show embarrassment in front of this man. Astelle did not show a tense appearance and tried hard to maintain a calm expression. Don¡¯t panic. I¡¯m not sure what will happen yet. ¡°As I said before, the child got sick of the flu some time ago¡­¡± Astelle spoke calmly with an unshakable smile. ¡°He should taking medicine on time. So I brought a box of pills.¡± ¡°Oh yeah, you said it before.¡± When young children are ill, they sometimes continue to take physical supplements or nutritional supplements for a month to two months. It was a spontaneous excuse to remember that there was a nutritional supplement made for the child in the medicine box. It was a hard excuse, but other than that, there was no other reason toin that she would suddenly go to find the child. ¡°I¡¯m not in a hurry, but can I follow along and give him some medicines?¡± Vellian looked at Astelle with a little surprise. Outside, it was an atmosphere of rain at any moment. In this situation, she is going to go to the hunting lodge and give the child a medicine. It wasn¡¯t really a lot of devotion. Vellian thought that even his real mother wouldn¡¯t be able to take care of her child like this. Or is it because she can¡¯t believe His Majesty? Are you afraid to lose the child? Although Kaizen was apetent emperor who ruled the country well, of course he was not a man who could take care of a child. He didn¡¯t even like children. Still, there must be knights and attendants in the hunting lodge, but it was a bit unusual. ¡®Well, I don¡¯t have to refuse.¡¯ Vellian wanted to maintain a good rtionship with this dignified former empress. To him, the young emperor seemed to be interested in her. ¡°Sure. Because the rain has just stopped. Let¡¯s go to the hunting lodge at this time. Prepare a wagon right now¡­¡± ¡°No, I would like to ride a horse after a long time rather than a carriage.¡± Astelle intercepted Vellian, who was trying to order the servant, and asked with a smile. It wasn¡¯t a particrly strange request, but Vellian felt a little weird. He didn¡¯t known the former empress for a long time, but as far as he observed, Astelle wasn¡¯t a person who wanted to go horseback riding in this situation. Why are you doing this all of a sudden? Do you have to go to the child so urgently? He looked closely at Astelle. But Astelle¡¯s smiling face did not reveal any suspicious signs. There was no urgency or an impatient quiver. Vellian nodded after a brief silence. ¡°Yes, Lady.¡± * * * The cold rain struck the window without fail. It was good until he arrived at the vi, but as soon as he went inside, heavy rain poured out as if the sky had been opened. Kaizen and the entourage had to be lodged inside the vi upon his arrival. ¡°It¡¯s raining again¡­¡± Theor hung from the window and muttered without energy. The little child¡¯s small hand left a dry handprint on the white frosted ss. Kaizen, sitting in the study room of the vi and looking out the window,ughed as he looked at the drooping descent without energy. ¡°Shall I show you the bear here?¡± ¡°Is the bear here?¡± As soon as he said that, he approached with twinkling eyes. Kaizen smiled and woke up from his seat. ¡°Sure, there is one.¡± With a feeling of hoping, Theor followed Kaizen to the hall used as a dinner table. The banquet hall in the middle of the vi was full of various ornaments. Kaizen took the child in front of arge ornament standing on one wall. Under the wall decorated with crossbows and hunting guns, there was a bear tall enough to reach the ceiling. To be precise, a stuffed bear over 2m with thick brown fur and sharp ws. ¡°Is this a bear¡­?¡± Theor stared at the bear nkly. The bear stood with it palm asrge as a te. In itsrge mouth, he saw sharp fangs. The bear that Theor thought was not like this. A little more fluffy, dongle, and cute smile¡­ he thought it was like a bear doll. Far from being fluffy, it was like a terrifying and threatening beast. Theor turned to Kaizen with a suspicious face. ¡°Is this¡­ a bear?¡± ¡°Yes, is this your first time to see a real bear?¡± This is a real bear. It was very different from what he imagined, but Theor approached the bear with caution. How big the bear was, even if Theor reached out his hand, his fingertips were barely struck by the bear¡¯s waist. Theor grabbed the bear¡¯s leg with both hands. Stiff brown hair touched his hand. Carefully pushed the bear¡¯s leg, but the leg caught between the fur did not move. He whine again and pushed with both hands, but the leg still didn¡¯t move. The bear stood still like a stone statue with its arms out and its mouth open. Theor removed his hand from the bear and asked Kaizen again. ¡°Why the bear doesn¡¯t move?¡± ¡°Of course it doesn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Theor blinked his blue eyes with an innocent face. Kaizen did not know how his words would affect this child. So he replied without thinking. ¡°Because its was dead.¡± Theor was astonished and could not breathe and looked up at Kaizen. With his eyes wide open and his mouth open a little, he solidified like a stone statue. The child¡¯s blue eyes shook greatly. His little lips trembling. At this point, Kaizen was also a little embarrassed. Theor asked as he looked up at Kaizen with a look as if the world had copsed. The child¡¯s voice was trembling with shock. ¡°¡­ Bear¡­ why did its die?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Kaizen was a sobering monarch who led the war at the age of 20, and led to victory. He was also a powerful emperor with dignity that would never be dazzled even in front of several great nobles. But when he faced a young child who was shocked and trembling with his tearful face, Kaizen couldn¡¯t have the courage to tell him,¡®I caught the bear¡¯. ¡°Oh¡­ oh, yeah, here¡¯s the hunting gun that my grandfather used.¡± Embarrassed, Kaizen pointed to a long hunting gun hung behind the bear to distract the subject. ¡°It¡¯s an old fashioned firearms gun. It broke down a long time ago, so I removed the detonator inside and left only the outer shape.¡± He never dealt with a child, but maybe this young boy would like a weapon or something. He exined as hard as he could to get the child to turn his attention. ¡°I¡¯ll drop it off, so can you touch it? I can¡¯t put a bullet inside anyway, so you can y with it.¡± There was nothing to be dangerous even if the child yed with it, which is only used as decoration. ¡°¡­¡­¡± But the answer didn¡¯te back. Even though he pointed at the gun on the wall and exined this and that, Theor vaguely opened his mouth and looked at Kaizen. Kaizen realized it btedly. This little kid does not understand what it means, whether it is a hunting gun or a bullet or anything, and has no desire to know. That means that. The child was still in shock, chewing over only one fact. That this surprisinglyrge bear is dead. Thanks to this, even if Kaizen said he would show him a rare hunting gun, he didn¡¯t show any interest, far from being happy. He just looked up at him. The blue eyes that were shaking began to get faintly wet. Now, the child seemed to cry. Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Fortunately, the savior appeared before the child cried. Lyndon, who was watching the two men, stepped in to save the embarrassing situation. ¡°Your Majesty, this vi has a hounds.¡± Kaizen understood the meaning and quickly suggested to the child. ¡°Okay. Shall I show you the hound?¡± ¡°Puppy¡­? Is there a puppy here too?¡± Fortunately, the child responded to the words. Kaizen quickly took the child to the library to get him off the stuffed bear. And ordered the attendant to bring a hunting dog. The attendant picked a gentle looking dog with soft light brown fur. ¡°It is the most gentle guy.¡± Although it may look gentle, it is a hunting dog, and it isrger than the dogs raised in the room, but the child approached the dog without any fear. When Theor reached out his hand, the dog approached him and put its nose in his hand. As the dog scented and approached, it licked Theor¡¯s fingers and waved his fluffy tail. Without avoiding, Theor patted the dog and burst intoughter. ¡°Oh¡­ it tickles.¡± Theor became very friendly with the dog. ¡°Would it be safe for chlidren?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty, that hound is well trained and will be fine.¡± Theor stroked the dog¡¯s head and reached out one hand. The dog ced its paws on the palm of Theor. He grabbed the fluffy forefoot about the same size as his own hand and gently stroked the back of the dog¡¯s neck with the other hand. ¡°The puppy is kind.¡± Even though he was a child, it seemed very natural to deal with dogs. Theor became very friendly with the dog and was happy. ¡°Have you ever had a dog?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t have a puppy.¡± Sad that there was no dog, Theor shook his head with a slightly fuzzy face. Then he looked up at Kaizen again and talked a little bit. ¡°The Count Grandfather brought a puppy to my house. It¡¯s a big gray puppy. Uh¡­ Aunt Astelle told me how to y with the puppy.¡± It seemed that someone the child knew had brought the dog. Kaizen doesn¡¯t know who it is. There are children who like animals since birth, while others are afraid of animals from birth. ¡®I also liked my father¡¯s hounds when I was young.¡¯ He himself liked dogs and cats very much. He would chase after his father¡¯s hounds and y with his grandmother, the empress dowager¡¯s cat. Kaizen recalled his own childhood and suggested to Theor. ¡°Would you like to have this dog as a gift?¡± ¡°Really, can I take him to my house?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± The child said he liked it, and he hugged the dog. Lyndon, who was watching, wondered if he should get permission from Astelle, but he noticed that the young child liked that and His Majesty the Emperor liked that too, so he just silently bite his mouth. Theor rejoiced infinitely and greeted Kaizen politely. ¡°Your Majesty, thank you.¡± Kaizen saw the child standing in front of him who seriously bowing his head, and heughed a little. Theor ran around the room with the dog. ¡°Young Master. You shouldn¡¯t run around.¡± Watching Theor run around after the dog, the attendant cautioned. Theor was surprised and stopped in an instant. Kaizen, sitting in the chair and watching him, frowned. Astelle seemed to educate the child strictly. It¡¯s good to listen to the words well. Although it was all ruined family, he is the sessor of the family anyway. ¡°If you want to y, you can go out to the hall and y.¡± When Kaizen gave the permission, Theor took the dog to the outside. Kaizen looked at the back of Theor running and ordered the attendant. ¡°Let the child do what he wants to do.¡± * * * The hunting lodge was a small mansion, but it was gorgeous as the emperor¡¯s lodge. In particr, the main building and the annex at the back are connected by long corridors at both ends, and between these corridors there was a corridor garden with an open ceiling. Theor ran around the corridor and threw a small ball. The golden dog ran past Theor, bit the ball and came back. He was a little scared to see the bear, but the emperor gave him a puppy. It was a big and cute puppy with golden fur. He was a little tired, but he didn¡¯t want to rest because he enjoyed ying with the dog ??so much. Knights and attendants wereing and going at both ends of the corridor, but no one paid attention to Theor or prevented him from ying. Theor, who was petting a dog by the pirs of the corridor, thoughtlessly looked up at the hazy sky and thought of Astelle¡¯s request. ¡°Aunt Astelle told me toe back before dinner¡­¡± Would it be okay to stay here? On the one hand, His Majesty the Emperor is a very high man. She said that he had to do whatever His Majesty told him to do. ¡®Well¡­ so I must do what His Majesty tells me to do¡­?¡¯ While Theor tilted his head and was immersed in thought, the ball in front of him was blown by the wind and rolled toward the garden. The dog followed the ball and ran to the garden. ¡°Oh¡­ let¡¯s go together!¡± Theor followed to catch the dog. There was no roof in the corridor in the middle. Rain poured over his head before taking a few steps. The clothes got wet in an instant. ¡°It¡¯s cold¡­¡± Theor muttered, tying the wet clothes. The attendant who was watching from over there ran to see the rain-soaked Theor. Then, Theor went back into the vi with the attendant. * * * As the child went outside, the library quickly became quiet. It was raining so he couldn¡¯t go hunting, and he didn¡¯t have anything to do. Kaizen sat by the window and enjoyed the leisurely time. There was still a clear sound of rain outside the window. Cold rain flowed down through the window. The forest was immersed in a quiet darkness. A white birch tree stood in the rain without shaking in a forest with water fog. A simrly quiet person came to mind in the quiet and tranquilndscape. Astelle always stays quietly on one side but doesn¡¯t bend her will. ¡®I didn¡¯t know you were so stubborn in the past.¡¯ Still, he didn¡¯t hate Astelle like that. Just as the scenery in the rain-wet forest feels refreshing, the honest and neat Astelle has a charm that calms the mind. After meeting again, Kaizen continued to look at Astelle and his heart was touched. Even though he is bothered, he keep thinking of Astelle. Looking out the window for a while and thinking about it, Theor who took the dog out came back without energy. As he watched, the child¡¯s hair and clothes were half wet in the rain. ¡°Why did that happen?¡± Theor replied, bowing his head well. ¡°I ran with the puppy¡­ there was no roof.¡± There is a ssic colonnade in the area connecting the main building and the annex here. The colonnade had no roof in the middle. It seems that he went there. ¡°Oh no, do you have any clothes to change here?¡± ¡°I apologize, Your Majesty. There are no young masters¡¯ clothes here.¡± The servant replied, embarrassed. It will be. Even the predecessor emperors never brought the child here. ¡°I guess I have no choice but to dry my clothes.¡± Theor went and sat down in front of the firece. Simrly, a wet dog followed him. The servant took a towel and wiped the child¡¯s body. Theor raised his hand and quietly lit the firece. Kaizen smiled when he saw the child sitting with his small hand on the fire. He had never liked children in his whole life and this little boy was pretty cute. What he did was cute. He wasn¡¯t manly, he was quiet and listened well, but it wasn¡¯t just because of that. Kaizen was familiar with the way the child was talking orughing. Kaizen looked closely at Theor¡¯s face and realized the familiar feeling of deception. ¡®Looks simr to Astelle.¡¯ He¡¯s a rtive, so he has no choice but to resemble her. Astelle¡¯s cousin, Sigmund was like this too. He was polite and quiet. In particr, the child was raised by Astelle. So it looks like he has learned Astelle¡¯s habits and behavior. Is Astelle simr to her mother? Kaizen never thought of such a thing before. He felt like he had seen more of Astelle in this child than in 10 years as his fiancee. A bitter thought filled the bottom of his heart. ¡®I haven¡¯t regretted anything irreversible, but¡­¡¯ The attendant looked at the emperor¡¯s eyes and tried to take the child. ¡°Young Master. I will guide you to the room.¡± Kaizen stopped the attendant trying to take the child. ¡°Just let him be here.¡± Theor put a towel over his head and sat in front of the firece to watch the firewood burning in the mes. The dog who was ying with him took a seat next to him andy down. Theor wiped the drenched dog with a towel over his head. ¡°Is it cold? I¡¯ll wipe it off.¡± Chapter 18 Chapter 18 From the time of departure, thin rains began to wet the des of grass, and within a few minutes, thick rains poured out like a waterfall. Astelle ran through heavy rain on a horse borrowed from the castle. The rainwater poured out constantly, and even the front was invisible. The muddy water followed on the muddy road. Astelle was running along a small by-way. Dark forests were seen on both sides of the road. In the cool shade, water fog was blooming in the middle of the cold. ¡°Lady Astelle? Isn¡¯t it raining too much?¡± Vellian, who was following her, shouted. Astelle ignored his words. As if she couldn¡¯t hear a word because of the sound of the rain, she kept running forward. She ran for a long time, but she didn¡¯t see a building, let alone a vi. The muddy road caught her ankle like a bog. No matter how fast she run, there was a limit to speeding up because it rained too much. It was difficult to secure a view due to the pouring rain so that the front could not be seen. How long did it run? The whole body was soaked in the rain as if it was covered with water. Astelle was running fast and pulled the reins without knowing it. The dark blue sky was dyed ck through the constantly pouring rain. Gradually darkness fell over the rain-soaked birch trees. Astelle stared in vain at the sky where she was running in the cold rain. A reality colder than raindrops fell into her head. ¡®Time has passed.¡¯ ¡°¡­¡­¡± The medicinal effect has disappeared when the time passed. By now, Theor¡¯s eyes will have returned to their original color. Astelle was vacant and she stopped on the road. Vellian, who had run past her, turned his horse and came to her side. ¡°Lady Astelle? Why did you do that?¡± Astelle managed toe to her senses. ¡°¡­No. I¡¯m dizzy for a while.¡± ¡°Are you okay? Would you like to rest under that tree?¡± Vellian pointed to the leafy tree and suggested, but Astelle shook her head. ¡°No, it would be better to go to the hunting lodge and take a rest.¡± After running for a few more minutes along the by-way, a small mansion located in the center of the forest appeared. The two went inside after passing a door surrounded by a high stone wall. The knights who were guarding the door let the two people in with surprised faces. Astelle got off the horse and went into the mansion. The whole body was wet as if entering and leaving the water. With every step she took, water dripped from the wet hem. The amazed attendant quickly brought a towel to the two. Astelle roughly wiped the water with a towel, grabbed all the shaking minds and slowly walked inside. She felt like walking into the execution site. In some ways, she even thought it would be better to go to the execution site. If she could only turn back 30 minutes of time¡­ Please if I can only get back 30 minutes¡­ Astelle followed Vellian and went into a room that looked like a den. A cozy warmth circted in the room, thanks to the me burning from the firece. Kaizen, who was sitting in an armchair and looking at a book, raised his head. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Vellian? What¡¯s going on?¡± Vellian bowed to him, but Astelle forgot to be polite and looked at the firece. To be precise, the child who lying in front of the firece. In front of a firece burning with a cozy me, arge dogy on his belly. And Theor closed his eyes and fell asleep quietly. * * * Astelle stood in front of the door and looked at Theor. The child was asleep with his eyes closed. He was crouching down on the floor covered with fluffy rugs and sleeping under a soft nket. Next to it was a dog that she never seen, lying quietly as if to guard the child. Kaizen followed Astelle¡¯s gaze and found Theor sleeping in front of the firece. ¡°He got wet in the rain while ying with a hound. Looks like he fell asleep while drying himself in front of the firece.¡± The moment Astelle heard that, Astelle was relieved and approached Theor. She wrapped the child¡¯s body with a nket that had been covered and carefully hugged him so as not to open his eyes. ¡°Your Majesty, can I take the child to the room and sleep?¡± ¡°¡­ Okay.¡± Kaizen gave permission while looking at Astelle with a little surprised eyes. He tried to help her, but Astelle wrapped Theor herself and quickly went outside. Fortunately, Theor fell asleep and did not wake up. Astelle headed to the nearest bedroom. It was a small roompared to the castle. As soon as Astelle went inside, she closed the door and put the child down on the bed. And she exhaled the breath she held back. ¡®Sigh¡­¡¯ As her whole body was relieved, she felt like she was running out of power. She thought she was stuck. Astelle slightly lifted Theor¡¯s eyelids. Crimson eyes emerged between his eyelids. ¡®If the child hadn¡¯t fallen asleep, he would have been caught.¡¯ It was really bad luck. Astelle quickly took out the medicine bottle she had hidden in her bosom and spilled it into the child¡¯s sleeping eyes. Theor, who had been sleeping quietly, frowned in his forehead and slowly opened his eyes. Clear blue eyes looked up at Astelle and mumbled. ¡°Oh¡­ Mom¡­¡± ¡°Yes, yes, it¡¯s alright, everything is alright.¡± Astelle hugged Theor and sootheed him. Anyway, she was lucky enough to get past the hurdle. She thought. At that moment, a knock was heard outside the door and the door opened. The maid who has been entrusted to keep Theor, bowed her head and went inside. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lady.¡± The maid apologized to Astelle, and she told the story that she was forced to be brought here. She said the exnation was detailed, but to conclude, it was just that the emperor suddenly took the child, and there was nothing to do about it. Astelle sighed. ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s not your fault.¡± Even if the child cried that he didn¡¯t want to go, as a maid, she must have had to take the child away as ordered ny the emperor. Why did Kaizen suddenly bring the child to this ce? Of course, the child would have wanted toe here, but Kaizen¡¯s behavior didn¡¯t make sense. He didn¡¯t like children from the beginning. It wasn¡¯t even a lively personality to children. It was even more so because he had no younger brothers and no younger rtives. ¡®No way, you haven¡¯t noticed something, right?¡¯ Astelle looked at Theor lying on the bed. Theor was asleep. He muttered with his eyes closed. ¡°Bear¡­ dead¡­ puppy¡­ good¡­¡± He came far and was tired. He even yed with a dog. Anyway, now that she put the medicine, she can rest assured until the dawn of tomorrow. ¡°Let the child sleep a little longer.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady.¡± The maid noticed that Astelle wasn¡¯t angry, she was grateful. She bowed her head to Astelle, and she said politely. ¡°I will prepare a bath and a change of clothes.¡± ¡°So, she came all the way to see the child?¡± Kaizen asked back as if absurd. The rain that had been falling faded again when Astelle and Vellian arrived at the vi. The timing wasn¡¯t good for her. Thanks to this, Vellian had to wash his body and change clothes with the water the servant prepared for him. He chose the clothes that the attendant brought here, but the size of the clothes was a little big, and the small Vellian wore them, so it was loosely stretched. It felt like a foolish younger brother who took over his brother¡¯s clothes. ¡°Yes, Lady Astelle asked me to give the child some medicine. The child is weak and needs to be fed nutritional supplements.¡± While answering that way, Vellian felt that Astelle was hiding something. Kaizen couldn¡¯t know what he noticed. Kaizen also felt something strange. ¡°Where does the child hurt so much?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡± Does the child really have any serious illness? He wondered if the child had a chronic illness that Astelle couldn¡¯t say. If not, can you run in the rain to feed the nutritional supplements to the child? Vellian clearly saw that Astelle stopped in surprise on her way to this ce. Obviously, too much time passed. Are there any diseases that shouldn¡¯t be done if he doesn¡¯t take medicine on time? The child looked very healthy on the outside. However, a sick person was originally unknown only by looking at the appearance. Even people who seem intact sometimes suffer from high diseases inside. No, but what disease are you hiding from? Vellian had a feeling of steaming for some reason. ¡®No way, is it a disease that spreads¡­?¡¯ Marianne said she looked at Astelle¡¯s medicine box, but the simple cure would not have looked suspicious. ¡®I don¡¯t know if it would be nice to look at the medicine box once I get the chance. But don¡¯t try to open it with my hand.¡¯ Vellian thought so deeply when he remembered that Astelle had put medicinal juice in a medicine box. ¡®When you touches her stuff, make sure to get someone else to do it.¡¯ Chapter 19 Chapter 19 ¡°Lady Astelle is here.¡± Vellian was thinking about that, but the attendant came in and announced Astelle¡¯s arrival. The door opened and Astelle entered the study room. Kaizen, who stepped into the room, inadvertently turned his gaze toward the door and looking at Astelle. There was Astelle in front of the opened door. Kaizen almost didn¡¯t recognize Astelle at first. Astelle was wearing a green silk dress instead of a cotton dress that looked like a giant bag she usually wore. It was an old-fashioned dress that was different from the current fashion, but the neat design peculiar to the old-fashioned matched Astelles¡¯s neat appearance. The light blonde was also loosened or tied in one, unlike usual, it was simply lifted up in a bundle and fixed with a butterfly-shapedb pin. The pale green butterfly which sat down on the slightly watery tinum colored hair looked elegant. It was like a beautiful woman painted in an old portrait. It was a graceful and beautiful. Of course, Astelle originally had a nice appearance. The line was thin and the features were neat. However, it has never been seen as such an overwhelming beauty. In the past, Astelle was often dressed much more beautifully than this. However, Kaizen of those days never looked at Astelle. ¡®Was it like this¡­¡¯ Vellian was also surprised and stared nkly, then came to his senses btedly and greeted Astelle. ¡°Lady Astelle.¡± Astelle went inside while calmly receiving the gaze that was focused on her. It was good for her to wash her body wet in rain with the bath water provided by the maid, but the problem was that she had no clothes to change. She can¡¯t wear wet clothes again. She couldn¡¯t even send someone to the castle to tell them to bring clothes. Besides, since this is a hunting lodge, there were many extra clothes for knights and nobles, but there were few women¡¯s clothes. It is said that it is a very remote ce and did not even hire a maid. All the working people were servants or attendants. ¡®These are all existingdies¡¯ clothes.¡¯ With that said, the clothes the servant brought were three dresses. Astelle took the clothes. One was a red velvet evening dress, which was deep enough to reveal the chest and embroidered with gold thread on the bodice. It was literally a fancy dress that would be worn only at a ball. The other one was worse than that. It was a light pearl colored muslin dress, but the fabric was thin enough to see the inside. Seeing that they were all popr designs a few decades ago, they seemed to be the clothes of a woman brought by the former emperor when he came here. Kaizen¡¯s father, His Majesty, was a gentle man and did not have a woman or a lover, but Kaizen¡¯s grandfather, His Majesty Emperor Gilbert, was the one who really revealed his feelings. ¡®It must be the clothes that his woman came to and left behind.¡¯ Still, the third dress was a little wearable. It was the most ordinary. The fabric of the dress was all light and soft silk giving a luxurious gloss. It was a neat style dress with dark green and gold color at the end of the hem and cuffs. It was okay when she tried it on. The dimensions fit simrly too. She didn¡¯t think it would suit her to wear such clothes and loosen her hair, so she simply fixed her hair with a pin on the vanity table. Suddenly she appeared wearing something like this, Vellian openly observed Astelle with a surprised expression. Astelle bent her knees slightly at Kaizen and sat down. Kaizen apologized to her first. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for bringing the child here without a word. I was thinking of sending him back soon, but it rained so much that it was dyed.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Your Majesty. The child was also bored at the castle.¡± ¡°You said you came to give him a medicine. Where is the child sick?¡± Astelle noticed what Kaizen was misunderstanding. He thinks Theor has some big problems. She was giving medicine to the child and suddenly followed up here, so it was worth misunderstanding. Astelle responded without denying it. ¡°He doesn¡¯t have a special disease, but¡­ ording to my maternal grandfather, the Carlenberg family, our mother¡¯s family, sometimes has a weak child. Like my mother.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Astelle¡¯s mother was originally a weak person. She eventually gave birth to Astelle and died. When she brought out the story, Kaizen was convinced of her. ¡°He¡¯s a good boy, but I¡¯m sorry to hear that he is so weak.¡± Astelle looked at Kaizen¡¯s attention. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t seem to doubt something. ¡®Thank God.¡¯ It would be nice if she could keep Theor away from this man for a while. It was when Astelle was thinking so with her desperate heart. Someone knocked on the door. It was a attendant from the castle. The attendant came inside and delivered the news. ¡°Your Majesty, I got a call from Denz Castle.¡± ¡®Finally.¡¯ Astelle was relieved. She was fully guessing what the news was, so she felt relieved at the word. Astelle looked back slowly, pretending to have a questionable expression. Vellian got up quickly. ¡°Excuse me for a moment.¡± He took the attendant and went out the door. Vellian guessed it might be news rted to the capital¡¯s work. It must be the Duke of Reston. Or it will be an urgent matter about the state administration. Whatever the news, it wasn¡¯t something that would be said in front of Astelle. He went out into the hallway and closed the door. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± However, the story that came out of the attendant¡¯s mouth waspletely different from what he predicted. ¡°I got a call from the Castle of Denz, but the Marquis of Carlenberg says he was feeling sick.¡± ¡°What?¡± The exnation was simple. It was said that Astelle¡¯s maternal grandfather, Marquis of Carlenberg, who is staying in Denz Castle, feeling sick and was lying in a bed for several days. After that old man was caught ten days earlier than Astelle, he was always there all the time after being briefly interrogated. Later, he continued to be uncooperative from the beginning, saying that he would not tell the whereabouts of his little granddaughter. That doesn¡¯t mean that old man was imprisoned or tortured. Vellian would have done it if necessary, but he did¡¯nt Kaizen ordered that the nobleman, who had dedicated his loyalty to his grandfather, be treated as a guest, not to treat him carelessly. By the way, the marquis are said to have been lying down for several daysining of headache and dizziness. ording to the doctor, it doesn¡¯t seem like there¡¯s a big illness, but it¡¯s just because of weakness. ¡®Looking at it, it seems that the reason why he is weak is because of the history of the Carlenberg family as Lady Astelle exined.¡¯ Well, people who are far more than sixty years old were caught in an unfamiliar ce and were forced to stay in a fleeing life. No matter how much he was treated as a guest, it seemed like he was trapped there anyway. When he was young, he went to war and made achievements, but now he is old and weak. Vellian, who had been listening to the words of the beginning, asked with absurdity after listening to them all. ¡°Did youe all the way here to tell that?¡± The attendant came to deliver the news through this rain, so he thought it was a great thing. Of course it would be important for marquis¡¯ families, but it wasn¡¯t great enough to run to tell the emperor. However, the attendant answered silently with an emotionless gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve been ordered to report as quickly as possible if anything happens to the marquis.¡± ¡°Me? When did I give that order?¡± No matter how much he thought about it, he didn¡¯t remember saying that. When Vellian asked with a quizzical expression, the attendant said again with a calm expression. ¡°His Majesty has ordered.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Vellian thought that Kaizen had fallen in love with the former empress over there. Even a little while ago, Kaizen looked at Astelle who appeared in a proper dress, as if he was possessed. Vellian turned around. It was difficult to deliver this news. ¡®I think you¡¯ll be shocked, Lady Astelle.¡¯ Vellian was worried and slowly opened the door and went into the study room. As soon as he entered the room, Astelle asked with an anxious nce. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Ah¡­ that¡­ that¡­¡± Vellian looked at Astelle¡¯s face and couldn¡¯t answer, but Kaizen on one side nodded a little and urged him to speak quickly. Vellian sighed and spoke to her. Well, it¡¯s something that can¡¯t be hidden anyway. ¡°Marquis of Carlenberg is said to be a little sick.¡± ¡°My grandfather?¡± Astelle asked back with her shocked eyes. Vellian nodded his head with a confused expression. ¡°Yes, it is said that he was lying in the room with a terrible headache for several days.¡± ¡°Oh my gosh¡­¡± As expected, the news seemed to shock Astelle. In an instant, the light green eyes drenched like a rain-wet forest. Astelle bowed her head with a tearful eyes. ¡®It worked.¡¯ Even with a tears, Astelle was deeply relieved in her heart. She had written a letter to her maternal grandfather in the past for this. Her maternal grandfather was very healthy even at that age, so at some point he did not get sick. As a war hero, he was healthier than the young Astelle. Chapter 20 Chapter 20 In thest letter to her maternal grandfather, Astelle wrote about her worries about her grandfather¡¯s head. Her maternal grandfather knew what Astelle was most concerned about when she wrote ¡®I¡¯m worried because you had a headache in the letter. He went as expected. Astelle was relieved deeply and shed fake tears. However, the two people who saw her appearance had no choice but to feel embarrassed. As Vellian nced at his own lord, he was surprised again. Kaizen was watching Astelle with his very upset face. Astelle pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the tears from her eyes. ¡°Grandfather has been away from home for so long¡­ you weren¡¯t feeling well even at the usual time¡­¡± ¡°That¡­ don¡¯t worry too much, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s too bad.¡± Vellian tried tofort her in his own way, but Astelle held a handkerchief back to her eyes with a sad face. The tip of her hand holding a handkerchief trembled. ¡°You have a lot of age, too¡­ because of me¡­ only after suffering in a remote ce¡­¡± Kaizen looked at Astelle embarrassedly and bit his mouth. Heter became a little regretful for his own actions. ¡®I would just send someone to tell the situation and ask for a favor.¡¯ If so, Astelle wouldn¡¯t have run away. He thought it would have been easy if he just sent the attendant to exin the situation and asked Astelle toe. But he sent knights and soldiers without notice, causing Astelle and the old marquis to misunderstand and run away. Thanks to this, Astelle had to run away for two months with a five-year-old child. The old marquis even got a little sick from the aftereffects. He thought he had done something wrong. He was confused when he saw Astelle, who was crying and mourning like that unlike usual. Kaizen was umonly chewing on his regrets. And Astelle also noticed that he was regretting his actions. ¡°Your Majesty, can I ask you a favor?¡± Astelle asked, looking up at the emperor with tearful eyes. She was really lucky this time, but she didn¡¯t think she would have this kind of luck again next time. She had to hide the child out of sight of this man as soon as possible. Astelle nned to go to Denz Castle, where her maternal grandfather is, to get out of Kaizen¡¯s sight. And then she has to send her grandfather and Theor back to home first. He will not refuse if she begged and pleaded that her grandfather¡¯s illness should not be severe. Because Astelle is the only one Kaizen has to take to the capital. He wouldn¡¯t need to take Theor, who is only five years old, and her grandfather who said he wasn¡¯t feeling well. He wouldn¡¯t even have to. ¡°If you allow me, can I take Theor and go to Denz Castle, where my grandfather is?¡± Astelle wiped her tears and looked up at Kaizen earnestly and said her words. ¡°I want to take care of my grandfather myself. Even if my grandfather sees Theor, he will be a little bit energized.¡± Vellian listened to Astelle¡¯s request and turned to Kaizen. He thought, of course, the emperor would allow it. Denz is the road to the capital anyway. After a while, the emperor and his party will also go through there on the way to the capital. And this former empress wasn¡¯t even held here as a prisoner, rather help His Majesty the Emperor. Even though the emperor was sorry, he had to ept all her requests. The old marquis was not in good shape, so it was not difficult to send his granddaughter there first. ¡®Anyway, Lady Astelle has no way to run away now.¡¯ Even if he sends her first, she wouldn¡¯t escape because Astelle will not be alone, but would go with the knights. In any way, there was no need to refuse. Vellian thought of course Kaizen would do Astelle¡¯s request. So when Kaizen¡¯s answer came out, he was as surprised as Astelle. ¡°No, I can¡¯t.¡± Kaizen rejected her firmly. And he made apletely unexpected offer to the two who looked at him in amazement. ¡°We all move together, as you say, as soon as possible, we¡¯ll be able to get there within 3 or 4 days.¡± ¡®What is this¡­¡¯ [Read the trantion only at rebelliouslc.wordpress] It was a kind suggestion, but in Astelle¡¯s point of view, it was like she had been struck by lightning. Astelle quickly wiped away her tears and quietly refused. ¡°You¡¯ve finally hunting after a long time, but I can¡¯t bother you. If you just give me the carriage, I¡¯ll take the child first¡­¡± ¡°I can¡¯t do that. I was going to go there anyway, so I like to go together.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t bother Your Majesty. If I go quickly, it will take only 3 or 4 days from here, so I will take a carriage and leave first.¡± ¡°No, go with me. I can¡¯t just let you and a child alone.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± At Kaizen¡¯s unexpected reaction, Astelle groaned inside. ¡®Didn¡¯t you mean to stay here for a few more days? Why are you suddenly want to go together?¡¯ Astelle guessed that Kaizen was extending his stay here for some reason. Although making excuses for the rain, Kaizen, whom Astel knows, couldn¡¯t stay in such a remote castle for a few days for that reason. She doesn¡¯t know for what reason, but she thought there was more to be here¡­ However, she couldn¡¯t even insist that Kaizen would move with her and that she would continue to go alone. She will look suspicious if she keeps insisting on going alone. After making such calctions in her mind, Astelle was forced to calmly thank Kaizen. ¡°¡­Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.¡± Contrary to what she thought, she went with the emperor¡¯s party. But the important thing was that she went to her grandfather¡¯s castle. Anyway, if she goes to her grandfather¡¯s ce, she¡¯ll be able to send Theor back. She should be more careful during the 3 or 4 days going together with the emperor and his party. * * * As he rode in the carriage, Kaizen looked out the window. The rain, which had been falling before departure, faded before dawn. The sky from which the rain clouds disappeared was dyed with a light silver-gray color. It certainly didn¡¯t look like it would rain anymore. All of the party was in a hurry to move toward Denz Castle. Originally, he was going to leave after staying a little longer, but the situation has changed. It was because of the marquis, Astelle¡¯s maternal grandfather. When Astelle heard the news that her grandfather was suddenly ill, Astelle wanted to go quickly, so he left earlier than expected. Kaizen stared out the window and frowned on his eyebrows. The more he thought about Astelle who was crying, the more he was annoyed with the marquis. ¡®She lived next to that old man as a nanny and a maid, and now she looks like a caregiver.¡¯ The anger got worse when he imagined Astelle taking care of that old man. He was so angry that he could not understand why he was so angry. Still unable to get angry with Astelle, Kaizen turned his arrow of anger to the cause. ¡°If that old man lived that long¡­¡± Kaizen inadvertently muttered to himself, then biting his mouth. Vellian, sitting face to face with him, could understand who he was talking about. ¡®You must be cursing the marquis.¡¯ He didn¡¯t think there would be anything else about it. Now, this situation is because of the marquis too. Vellian could easily understand the words that followed. ¨CIf that old man lived that long, he would be alive enough and he should be prepared to die. Well, it sounds like that¡­ ¡°¡­But he started getting pensions from now on, so he shouldn¡¯t die.¡± When the marquis die, the pension is cut off again. Then Astelle and the child who will be the new marquis will be in need again. ¡°You can inherit the pension. Let the child inherit the pension.¡± Kaizen muttered annoyingly, fixing his gaze outside the window. ¡°¡­¡­¡± It was very unusual to inherit a pension for a major to a sessor. Even more so if the sessor is five years old. Surely there will be people whoin about excessive favoritism. But Vellian didn¡¯t refute it and just shut his mouth. The emperor¡¯s mood seemed too bad to say something more. Vellian knew why too. Just before departure, Astelle coldly rejected Kaizen¡¯s offer to ride this carriage. ¡®It¡¯s an honor, but I have to take care of the child so I can¡¯t get on Your Majesty¡¯s carriage.¡¯ ¡®You can ride with the child¡­¡¯ Astelle politely bent her back and cut off Kaizen¡¯s words. ¡®The child is too young and he can¡¯t learn the manners properly, so I can¡¯t keep him with Your Majesty for such a long time. I apologize, Your Majesty. Please understand.¡¯ ¡®¡­¡­¡¯ As Kaizen stared with an annoying nce, Astelle grabbed the child¡¯s hand and went to another carriage. Kaizen has been in a bad mood since he was so cruelly rejected. Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Vellian thought he was loyal in his own way. He always had the heart to advise His Majesty the Emperor whenever necessary. ¡®But if you inherit the pension like that, it would be against the equity¡­ It¡¯s better to think again.¡¯ But in this situation, he prefers to be silent. ¡®Well, I can¡¯t help it. Anyway, no one can object to His Majesty. However, if there is a problem¡­ is that Lady Astelle, the person concerned, will never ept it.¡¯ And there was another problem. The appearance of Astelle running through the rain kepting to his mind. The expression in the cold rain kept on his mind. ¡®No matter how much I think about it, there seems to be something wrong with the child. Is he really sick?¡¯ It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s simply a chronic disease that can¡¯t be spoken, but if it is a contagious disease, there is a problem. He continues to go with His Majesty the Emperor, but what if there ia a suspiciously ill child near the emperor? ¡®I don¡¯t know what it is, but I suspect she¡¯s hiding something.¡¯ Vellian thought as he watched the fast passingndscape. It seems like it would be good to take a chance and find out properly. * * * The scene of a peaceful forest quickly passed through the window. The party was running along the forest road. It was a littlete than expected, but now it is said that it will arrive at the destination in three more days. Astelle sighed, leaning against the back of the chair. After being nervous for several days, she was tired and her head was heavy. ¡®But it¡¯s all done now.¡¯ A lot has happened in a short time, but this hardship is over in just a few days. Even in the midst of tiredness, a sense of relief came. The dog lying on the floor raised its head when it heard Astelle move. The bead-like clear eyes stared at her. Astelle smiled bitterly at that cute appearance. It was good to use her grandfather to get the emperor¡¯s permission. It was a little off the n that Kaizen and everyone else went together, but it was better than spending time together in the rain and stuck in the Maern Castle. Anyway, she¡¯ll be able to send Theor back as long as she gets to Denz Castle. But as soon as she started preparing for the departure, a small obstacle arose. Just before the departure, Astelle cautiously soothed Theor, who was holding his cry. ¡°We have to go a long way, but wouldn¡¯t it be hard for a dog? And this dog¡¯s hometown is here.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Tears filled in Theor¡¯s blue eyes. ¡°His Majesty said it was a gift¡­¡± Theor was not a stubborn child. He usually quiet and listened well. He was always convinced if she exined carefully why he shouldn¡¯t even be stubborn. But this time he didn¡¯t give up so easily. Theor cried and hugged the dog¡¯s neck with his arms. He felt a strong will to never fall. The dog was sitting far, and Theor dragged it, so it waved its tail. The appearance of a small child holding a dog was quite cute. Both were like dolls. The attendants who were preparing for departure nced past this side. There were some people who noticed what was happening and shed bitter smiles. ¡®How is this¡­¡¯ It was when Astelle was thinking so much. Kaizen who came out of the castle found two people and stopped. It seemed that he easily grasped the situation by looking at Theor hanging the dog with a teary face. Kaizen came to the ce where the two were without hesitation. ¡°Why? I gave this dog as a gift.¡± Astelle was stunned by the appearance of Kaizen asking what was the problem. She exined to Kaizen the difficulty of raising a dog. ¡°Because the child is young, I am worried that he will treat the dog by mistake. Then both could be dangerous¡­¡± However, Kaizen did not listen to everything and steadfastly stopped her speech. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine because it¡¯s a well-trained dog. Take it and let it grow. When you are five years old, it is okay to have a dog or so.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle realized that she couldn¡¯t convince Kaizen. He is the one who gives a hunting dog as a gift to a five-year-old child. When she tried to exin to this person why she couldn¡¯t have a small child and a big dog alone, she couldn¡¯t convince him. Still, Astelle tried to refute more. As Astelle continued to object, Kaizen said, with bitter ridicule. ¡°Are you going to refuse the gift I gave to the child too?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle, who had endlessly refused the gift he gave, missed the chance to refute it momentarily. Kaizen turned and stroked Theor¡¯s well-arranged hair. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You can take it and raise it.¡± ¡°Your Majesty, thank you!¡± Theorughed with joy and then looked back at Astelle. Astelle also nodded without much help. ¡°¡­ Okay. Instead, you must be nice and good. You must never treat badly or harass the dog.¡± ¡°Yes, I will take good care of it!¡± Theor hugged the dog with joy. The dog, who became friendly then, shook its fluffy tail. ¡®Yeah, well, now there will be a pension, so I can raise one dog.¡¯ If she doesn¡¯t take her eyes off and teach Theor well, it will be fine. As it became irreversible anyway, Astelle decided to think as positively as possible. ¡®Now there is a more important problem than that.¡¯ Astelle took the medicine bottle out of her arms. There was about half full of blue potion in a small ss bottle. When she saw the remaining potion as much as her nails, she sighed. When she first followed Kaizen, it was full. ¡®I stayed too long at the castle I stopped by before.¡¯ She was nning to get some herbs in the forest, but from the first day, she didn¡¯t have time to say that she had to go to the forest. After that, it rained. So she couldn¡¯t go outside. ¡®And Kaizen suddenly took Theor to the hunting lodge¡­¡¯ Astelle sighs and counts her finger to figure out how many more times to put the medicine in until she reaches the destination. ¡®Somehow¡­ it seems to be insufficient.¡¯ The remaining time is three days. It means that she has to put the medicine at least six or seven times, but this amount will be close or a little short. ¡®It is easy to make medicine if I have the ingredients.¡¯ The problem was the material. Materials that are difficult to obtain are all contained in the medicine. But on the contrary, there is no material that is easy to obtain. The scarce ingredients were herbs that could easily be obtained anywhere in the forest, but now Astelle was moving with the emperor¡¯s party. At this point, there was no way to say that she would go to the medicinal store to get medicinal herbs. Even if she get herbs, she won¡¯t be able to make medicine in the carriage. Astelle went through the medicine box to check the ingredients and then threw her gaze through the window. A t forest road was seen through the clear ss. With a t road in the middle, there were dark green trees on each side. ¡®When will I arrive at the next destination¡­¡¯ At that time, she has no choice but to go out to the forest for a while and thene to see the opportunity. Fortunately, the ce to stay this evening was a castle in the woods. She heard that a small town is also attached to it. The lodging she stopped byst night was a narrow city, and as soon as the sun rose, there was no time to leave. However, if it is a castle in a vige, it will be possible to go out for a while. ¡®I have to tell Theor to see the vige and go outside.¡¯ Theor fell asleep on Astelle¡¯s knee. Astelle looked at the window and pulled up a nket that had spilled over Theor¡¯s shoulder. Three days were still left until arriving at Denz Castle, where her maternal grandfather was. * * * The party arrived at the destination vige until sunset. A castle built of gray stone stood tall with the setting sky and dark forest in the background. It was an old and shabby castle that reveals the passage of time. The old man who seemed to be the manager of the castle was so embarrassed that he greeted the emperor with sweat-like rain. The waiting servants came out and helped the party to arrive. The narrow front yard was busy with attendants and servants carrying luggage. Astelle got out of the carriage and took the child¡¯s hand and went into the castle. Vellian, who confirmed it, grabbed the old man and asked. ¡°Is there a pharmacist around here¡­? Is there anyone who knows medicinal herbs well?¡± * * * Astelle took Theor¡¯s hand and climbed the winding stairs. After going up the stairs for a long time, a narrow corridor came out, and at the end, there was a way to the bedroom. ¡°This way, Lady.¡± The attendant who guided the room opened the wooden door. Arge room with a high ceiling came out. There were walls made of dark gray stones on all sides, and old tapestries were hung on one side. Arge bed in the center, a small wooden table, chairs, and a mirror on the wall are all of the furniture. It was neatly trimmed, but it was something that might have been popr about a hundred years ago. It was a little shabby for the room to be handed over to the customer. ¡®It was the castle where the lords live, but it is a small vige in the corner of the country, so it looks like it¡¯s not in good condition.¡¯ Chapter 22 Chapter 22 While Astelle put down her luggage, Theor ran to an arrowhead-shaped window on one wall. ¡°Aunt Astelle, look over there! I can see the vige.¡± Theor grabbed the window sill and shouted. ¡°Theor, you have to be careful not to fall off.¡± Through the window, she could see a small country town at a nce. Along with the square vegetable garden, small houses were gathered. It was peaceful scenery. Through the white clouds in the distance, the gray mountain ranges were also seen. The sunset was sitting quietly through the fog on the hillside. Astelle looked out the window unintentionally and found an unusual sight. ¡®That¡­?¡¯ On top of the dried branches, she could see the ck and dried petals. It was a silver plum blossom. It is a flower that blooms white like a dove¡¯s wings, but somehow, the fluffy petals were all withered. ¡®You¡¯re sick.¡¯ Looking out the window, Astelle looked at the silver plum tree standing in the garden and thought so vaguely. The death of that white flower was a harbinger of illness. At this time, when silver plum blossoms withered for no reason, a terrible contagious disease urred in the vige each time. ¡®Innes fever.¡¯ It was an endemic diseasemon in the northeast of the continent. In the past six years of living in the East, Astelle has witnessed that flower withers like that several times. And at that time, new tombs covered with white flowers in the vige remained lonely here and there. ¡®If you take medicine within the time limit when you get sick, you¡¯ll be better.¡¯ Innes fever is a disease that can be easily cured with only medicine. However, poor farmers were often victims of sickness because they could not take medicine. This is because there was no way to make medicines in the old countryside where there were no pharmacists even though herbs were scattered around them. ¡®Fortunately, there seems to be no big deal yet.¡¯ If a contagious disease circtes in the vige, there is no way to be decided as an amodation on the emperor¡¯s journey. -Knock knock- Someone knocked on the door. ¡°Lady, I brought refreshments.¡± The old maid brought the teacup and cookies to the tray. Theor, hanging from the window sill, quickly ran toward it. On the tray was hot cocoa with a sweet chocte scent. ¡°Can I eat it?¡± ¡°Sure, Young Master.¡± The maid handed Theor a small cup of cocoa. ¡°Thank you.¡± A smile even stood around the maid¡¯s wrinkled eyes as Theor took the cocoa cup,ughed, and said thanks. She also handed a teacup to Astelle. ¡°It is the one to warms the body.¡± It was a fragrant medicine tea with steam. ¡°Thank you.¡± The moment she took the teacup from the maid, the wrinkled fingers grasping the teacup touched Astelle¡¯s hand slightly. It was an instant moment, but Astelle looked closely at the finger. The maid put the tray down and said she was sorry. ¡°Well, Lady. Due to theck ofbor in the castle, I will serve Lady myself today.¡± ¡°Yes, please. I¡¯ll take care of the child myself. You just need to do a simple service.¡± The emperor¡¯s party was enormous, including knights and soldiers. In such a small town, thebor was insufficient. ¡°Well, and this floor doesn¡¯t have a bathroom in every room. You have to use the baths downstairs.¡± ¡°I see.¡± These days mansions have small bathrooms in each bedroom, but there weren¡¯t many private bathrooms in this old-fashioned castle. Only the family and valuable guests could use the bedroom with the bathroom, and others took a bath in the public bath. ¡°The manager has asked for your understanding that he was sorry for making you ufortable.¡± The maid was very sorry and bowed her head. ¡°I¡¯m fine so don¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°Thank you for your understanding, Lady. Instead, the only people staying on this floor are Lady and the Young Master, so you can use the bath anytime you want.¡± ¡°Is that so? Then I should go to the bath before the water cools down.¡± Astelle opened the luggage bag and took out a change of clothes. ¡°Theor, you have to take a bath with aunt today.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Astelle pulled out the clothes from the depths of the bag. She turned over the piled clothes to get the clothes at the bottom, and the teddy bear she had put in the bag fell to the floor. ¡°Levin!¡± Theor quickly picked up the teddy bear that had fallen from the luggage bag and hugged it. Astelle took a change of clothes and headed for the bath with Theor. The maid who guided her to the bath opened a small door and pointed to the inside. ¡°There is a bathrobe over there. If you take off the dress, we will wash it cleanly.¡± The ce the maid pointed to was a small room with a basket for clothes and towels. ¡®Is it a changing room attached to the bathroom?¡¯ She was unfamiliar and never used a public bath like this. The Duke¡¯s mansion of the capital where Astelle grew up had a private bathroom in the room of the attendants. She now lives in her grandfather¡¯s old vi, although it turned into ruins, there was no bedroom without a bathroom. ¡°Now, let¡¯s take off our clothes and get ready for a bath together.¡± She removed Theor¡¯s clothes and put on a little bathrobe. Astelle herself took off her clothes and wore a thin bathrobe on one side. It was a white gown covering the knees made of thin cotton wool. The curvature of the body was reflected as it is. Astel changes her clothes and sat down with her knees bent and asked Theor. ¡°Theor, could you lend me Levin for a while?¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± Astelle smiled as she looked straight into Theor¡¯s curious eyes. ¡°I will do a new y.¡± * * * After a while, she put all her clothes in a basket and went outside. When the two came out, the maid quickly picked up the basket, as if she had waited. The moment she took the basket, the maid¡¯s gaze quickly nced over Astelle¡¯s body. Wearing only a thin gown, Astelle showed her slender body. She had no ce to hide something. The maid, who was about to go out with a basket, found a doll in Theor¡¯s hand. Theor noticed the maid¡¯s gaze and hugged Levin tightly. ¡°I wanna take Levin too, I want to take a bath together.¡± ¡°Theor, you have to leave the doll.¡° ¡°No!¡± Theor wrapped the doll in his arms and stepped back. The maid nced at the doll held in Theor¡¯s hand. It was an old teddy bear made of brown cloth. There are several decorations on the body like a rag, and a small ribbon was attached to the back of the neck. It was just a children¡¯s doll made of cotton. She didn¡¯t seem to have any ce to hide something, but¡­ Her gaze instantly turned to the doll¡¯s body filled with cotton. The maid said with augh as if to be a kind. ¡°If you take the doll in the bath, it will get all wet. As you know, it¡¯s a public ce¡­ we apologize for making you ufortable.¡± ¡°No.¡± Astelle smiled a little and asked Theor again. ¡°Because Levin took a bath before, he wouldn¡¯t want to get into the water. Let¡¯s call Blin and wait here with him. Huh?¡± Theor came forward with the doll in his arms, wriggling. ¡°Then will you give me a cookie?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go to the room after taking a bath and give it to you.¡± Slowly, Astelle put the teddy bear he was handed over on a small side table in the bath. The maid did not show much interest and picked up only a basket with clothes. ¡°I¡¯ll keep the clothes clean while Lady is bathing.¡± Astelle replied with a smile. ¡°Yes, please.¡± ¡°Blin,e here.¡± Theor stroked Blin¡¯s head next to him. Wearing her bathrobe, Astelle grabbed Theor¡¯s hand and pulled him into the bathroom. Blin, the dog, wagging its tail, crouched down in front of the bath door. After a while, the sound of water began to leak from the inside. As soon as the maid heard the sound of water, she put down the basket and picked up the teddy bear on the side table. She pressed the doll¡¯s body here and there and touched its plump limbs without exception. However, she only touched the fluffy cotton, and there was nothing inside. She put the doll down and she went through Astelle¡¯s dress. Even the usual dresses and underwear, and even the child¡¯s clothes were scrutinized, but still, nothing came out. The maid put the basket down and she went to the room Astelle used. When she entered the room, she opened the luggage bag ced by the bed, and she opened the boxes in it one by one. She checked the medicine box as well as instructed in advance. She carefully touched the herbs in the box, and she opened all the vials to smell and taste. Then she walks around the room and she looks here and there. With little furniture, Astelle had no ce to hide. She put her hand under the bed and even behind the dressing table and touched it, but it didn¡¯te out too much. The old maid eventually rearranged the luggage, picked up the basket, and walked out into the hallway. There was a knight guarding the door in the corridor. The maid went to the knight and said quietly. ¡°I looked over everything as ordered, but there were no special drugs. There are no medicines for dangerous illnesses or chronic diseases, they are allmon cold medicines and headache medicines. There are some herbs, but¡­¡± The maid frowned on her wrinkled eye for a moment. She said the medicines in the bottle were nothing special, but the herbs were a little peculiar. It wasn¡¯t amon herb used in ordinary remedies, and it was a medicinal herb that was hard to find. But she couldn¡¯t figure out what Astelle was trying to use just by looking at the herbs. Chapter 23 Chapter 23 ¡®Well, it¡¯s not poisonous anyway.¡¯ The old pharmacist disguised as a maid thought so simply. ¡°There are no poisonous or dangerous kinds of medicinal herbs that hurt people either.¡± Suddenly she was ordered to look at the medicines that belonged to someone in the emperor¡¯s party, so she was nervous about what a huge conspiracy was hiding. She wondered if there was even a traitor who was trying to poison the emperor, but the opponent was a calm-looking youngdy caring for a child. She was calm, graceful, and seemed to have a very noble status. She looked kind and friendly, even caring for a child. No matter how much she looked at, she didn¡¯t seem to be able to hide the suspicious drugs. ¡°I¡¯ve done my job, so I¡¯ll stop and go back.¡± The old pharmacist finished reporting and went down the stairs. * * * White steam rose from the inside of the wooden bathtub. The bathroom filled with moisture was warm. A bath made of grayish-white stone was prepared with hot water where warm steam rises. In the warm water, there was a faint scent of medicinal herbs. It was hot water with herbal decoction to rx the mind. As soon as Theor unwrapped the towel and poured water on it, he went into the bathtub and yed with water. ¡°Do you like taking a bath?¡± ¡°Yes. It¡¯s warm.¡± Astelle approached Theor, who was ying in the bathtub. ¡°So it¡¯s time to put the medicine, let¡¯s take the medicine and take a bath.¡± Astelle lifted her hand and put her finger behind the hairpin. A smooth ss bottle was caught in the hair that had been firmly fixed with a butterfly hairpin. As she slowly grabbed it out, a small ss bottle of blue potion appeared between the pale tinum-colored hair. Astelle touched the ss bottle in her hand. ¡®If I didn¡¯t notice it quickly, I might have been caught.¡¯ When the maid was handed the teacup, Astelle was fortunate to be able to see the maid¡¯s fingertips. It was a fleeting moment, but Astelle clearly saw the maid¡¯s wrinkled fingers. There was a speck of dark blue dirt on the tip of her fingernail. Astelle had seen something like that several times. Gretel, a pharmacist who helped Astelle, always had glue on the tip of her nails. ¡®Since I dig and trim medicinal herbs every day, the juice of medicinal herbs seeps into my nails and does not get erased well.¡¯ An old servant who worked in the castle could not touch the dangerous grass and applied glue to protect her fingers. Even though the vigers were hired on a temporary basis due to ack ofbor, it was impossible for a farmer who worked and touched vegetables to be brought to the castle where the emperor was as a maid. ¡®There is another hint.¡¯ The silver plum blossoms. When she looked at the silver plum blossoms in the dried-up garden, it was clear that fever was growing around this area. Nevertheless, there are no fever patients in this vige yet. There is only one reason if the patient does not appear in such an underdeveloped rural vige during the period of illness. ¡®It means there is a pharmacist in this town.¡¯ Maybe that woman was a pharmacist in this town. She came in disguised as a maid, and she would be ordered to look at Astelle¡¯s luggage bag and her medicine box. For the same reason, she was given a bedroom with a separate bathroom and was sent only by one old maid. If it is a private bathroom, she can ask the maid to take a bath at any time or wash the child first and Astelle herself can batheter. Even in the castle where she stayed before, she always washed Theor first and then bathed. However, if the maid said it was difficult to prepare water because it was a public bath, she would have no choice but to bathe together with Theor. She couldn¡¯t ask the old maid to prepare the bath water twice. Astelle kicked her tongue. ¡®She did her best.¡¯ It would be easier to check her luggage if the two of them went to the bathroom together. Because she had to take off all her clothes to get into the bathroom. While taking a bath, the maid can check both her luggage and their clothes in detail. ¡®In that part, it¡¯s finer than a youngdy before. Much more unpleasant in some ways, but¡­¡¯ Her eyebrows were spontaneously wrinkled. She didn¡¯t even have to worry about who it was. Marianne, who had searched Astelle¡¯s medicine box before, was still imprisoned in the Maern Castle¡¯s prison. Now, the only person in the emperor¡¯s party to order this kind of thing was Vellian, the emperor¡¯s secretary. ¡®Doing something obvious like this¡­¡¯ Well, that person has been like that since the first time she met him. He tried to trick Astelle with an obvious lie saying that there could be a revolt in the South. How simple. ¡®Anyway, I don¡¯t like him.¡¯ It¡¯s understandable why he did this kind of thing. He must have noticed something suspicious when he saw Astelle rushing to the hunting lodge on a rainy day. That¡¯s why Astelle feels ufortable with people who are quick to notice and have lots of doubts. Astelle noticed the identity of the maid before and deliberately made here out with a teddy bear. It¡¯s easy to hide things inside the fluffy cotton doll. It was because she thought that if the maid took the doll, her eyes would be drawn to that direction. As expected, the old maid was interested in the teddy bear, so she did not pay attention to Astelle¡¯s hair. ¡®I need to be more careful in the future.¡¯ Astelle grabbed the vial in her hand. In the cool ss bottle, the blue medicine shakes slowly like waves. ¡®If the pharmacist caught this medicine¡­¡¯ She may not be able to figure out what exactly it is, but an experienced pharmacist may notice that it contains color-changing ingredients. It makes a headache just thinking about it. ¡®I was lucky this time.¡¯ But there is now that you will be so lucky next time. Astelle got all of her minds. ¡®There are only a few days left now. I have to keep my mind upright and spend the rest of the time well.¡¯ After making that pledge, she called Theor. ¡°Theor, let¡¯s take the medicine first and take a bath.¡± Theor approached Astelle quietly. Astelle put medicine in Theor¡¯s eyes. After putting the eye medicine, the ss bottle was put on the shelf so as not to be broken. Theor, who was raising his head quietly asked, looking closely at the medicine bottle Astelle was carrying. ¡°Will my eyes turn red if I don¡¯t put in medicine?¡± ¡°Yes, but you can¡¯t tell anyone, you know?¡± Theor, who only listened quietly, asked suddenly. ¡°Why can¡¯t I tell anyone? Is it bad if it is red?¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± Astelle looked at Theor with amazement. Theor was hanging from the rim of the bathtub and looked up at Astelle quietly. Blue eyes like jewels were innocently twinkling. With that innocent look, Astelle missed the moment to answer. Theor asked again in an innocent voice toward Astelle, who stood silently. ¡°His Majesty¡¯s eyes are red too. Why can¡¯t I have red eyes?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle was speechless. It felt like her heart froze in an instant Theor didn¡¯t know the details, but he understood that he had to change the color of his eyes in front of others. He always did that, so he thought it was natural, and he followed it. It was the first time he asked the reason. ¡®He¡¯s grown.¡¯ As the child grows up, he naturally feels doubts about his surroundings. Astelle thought that he wouldn¡¯t listen quietly forever. Astelle was expecting that the day woulde someday when Theor was older and asked why he had to hide his eyes. ¡®I knew that someday like this woulde.¡¯ In preparation for such a situation, she practiced what she would say to the child many times in her mind, but nevertheless, when it came to reality, she couldn¡¯t hide her bitter and cluttered mood. This is because she cannot answer honestly yet. When Astelle just looked at him without an answer, Theor dropped his head and stirred the water in the bathtub. ¡°Am I not supposed to know?¡± It was even more heartbreaking to see him say that. ¡°Theor.¡± Astelle concealed her cluttered mood and smiled friendly. Theor looked up at Astelle with wless blue eyes. Astelle tenderly wrapped Theor¡¯s soft cheeks with her hands. ¡°Have you ever read fairy tales with magic beads? The farmer got the bead, but it was so precious that he made it a secret. Do you remember?¡± It was an old fairy tale stuck in the corner of her grandfather¡¯s vi. It was an ordinary fairy tale book featuring a prince, a princess, and a witch. It was a story about a farmer getting magic beads and an adventure unfolding following the secret entangled in the beads. Theor liked the book. As expected, as the story of the fairy tale came out, Theor came with joy. ¡°Yes, it disappeared when other people knew it.¡± ¡°Okay. It was very special and precious, so you have to hide it secretly. Your red eyes like that.¡± There was pure curiosity in the blue eyes looking up at her. Astelle stared at Theor¡¯s cute face tenderly and gave an exnation. ¡°Red eyes are also very special. So you can¡¯t show or tell other people.¡± ¡°Then, is His Majesty will be okay?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s okay because His Majesty is the emperor, but we must keep it a secret.¡± Theor seemed to some extent convinced when she gave an example with a fairy tale. Teor re-energized and nodded his head. ¡°That¡¯s why it¡¯s a secret.¡± Astelle used this opportunity. The same thing could happen again like in the hunting lodge. It seemed like it would be better to tell him clearly at this point. Chapter 24 Chapter 24 ¡°So you can¡¯t tell anyone about your eyes as well as His Majesty the Emperor, okay?¡± ¡°Yes, I will never tell anyone.¡± The appearance of seriously nodding was pretty cute. Astelleughed and put her mouth on Theor¡¯s cheek. The soft milky cheeks were colored red with the heat of the hot water. ¡®If you grow up more, I¡¯ll have to tell you the details someday.¡¯ But it is still too early. I can tell you when you are big enought to understand all the circumstances. When that timees, I will sit down and exin everything so that you can understand everything calmly. ¡°When you meet my grandfather, you can go home together with him. When you go home, you don¡¯t have to hide anything and don¡¯t even y.¡± This was the same thing as amitment to herself. So she just had to endure a little. If she endures a little, will everything be alright? Theor replied with excitement. ¡°Yes. I want to go quickly. Can I sleep with Blin in my bed when I go home?¡± Astelle replied with a smile to Theor¡¯s innocent question. ¡°Okay. Instead, you have to bathe cleanly.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Theor regained his energy and yed in the bathtub again. There was a slight heat in the white and soft skin of Theor. His hair was soaked in the steam rising like mist. Astelle brought thevender-scented soap and called Theor. ¡°Now, I¡¯ll wash your hair now. Come out.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Theor, ying with the water, reached out his hand to Astelle. Astelle reached out her hand to get Theor out of the bathtub safely. At that moment, as the sleeves were pulled, a reddish trace on the inside of the wrist caught her eye. ¡°Ah¡­¡± There was a strange red spot on the wrist covered by a bathrobe. Astelle hurriedly rolled the sleeves of her gown. ¡®This¡­¡¯ On the inside of Astelle¡¯s wrist, on the clean skin, ominous red spots were growing. Astelle looked closely at the spot on her wrist. Three or four spots the size of a fingernail were smeared on the inside of her right arm. At first nce, it was invisible because it was pale red. ¡®I just didn¡¯t have it before.¡¯ It certainly wasn¡¯t there when she changed clothes. It looks like it was created while entering a warm bath. Probably because of the heat in the bath. Eastern fever was originally like this. As the heater heats up the body, the spots appear faster. The symptoms of fever were obvious from the shape of the spot. Fortunately, it was amon fever. It wasn¡¯t a fatal Innes fever. Innes fever has ck red spots from the beginning. The spot on Astelle¡¯s arm was pale red. ¡®I¡¯m d it wasn¡¯t a serious illness.¡¯ Somehow, from yesterday she had been feeling heavy and her head is sore. ¡®Is it because of the rain¡­¡¯ Two days ago, she ran to the hunting lodge in the rain that was pouring like a storm. Even though she was tired from the escape life, she was affirmed for a few days. It was even hit by the rain, so she was sick. She touched her forehead with her hand, but fortunately, there was no fever. There is no heat sensation even on the spots on the wrist. There were only light scarlet spots smeared on her slender wrist. It¡¯s okay if there is no heat. It¡¯s not contagious until the fever starts. When fever symptoms appear, these spots spread to the body, but when the symptoms get more severe, the patient may have a high fever. It was from then on that it was also contagious to other people. ¡®It is important to make medicine and eat it quickly.¡¯ She had to make some medicines to cure the fever. The ingredients weren¡¯t very special either. Some of the ingredients were also in Astelle¡¯s medicine box. What iscking will be avable in the forest. ¡®Some of the herbs I need could be obtained from the pharmacist.¡¯ ¡°Mom?¡± Astelle, who looked at the spots with anxious eyes, turned to Theor¡¯s surprised voice. Theor held the rim of the bathtub and looked up at Astelle. Theor looked closely at the spot on Astelle¡¯s wrist, and he looked up at Astelle and asked. ¡°Is Mom hurt or sick?¡± ¡°What?¡± Seeing Astelle surprised, a small face filled with worries. Tears formed in Theor¡¯s clear eyes. ¡°Mom, don¡¯t get sick¡­¡± ¡®Oh my god.¡¯ Seeing the spot, he thought it was a serious illness. Astelle quickly erased her serious expression. ¡°You do not have to worry. It is not a serious illness. I found it quickly, so if I take medicine and cure it, I¡¯ll get better soon.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ Really?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m okay.¡± Astelle lightly stroked Theor¡¯s white, soft cheeks and wiped the tears from his eyes with her fingers. It won¡¯t be contagious yet, so it¡¯s okay to touch him. ¡°Does Theor feel sick or is it ufortable somewhere?¡± ¡°No. I don¡¯t hurt.¡± There was no sign of pain on his small face looking up with anxious eyes. ¡®I¡¯m d.¡¯ Perhaps because he resembles Kaizen, he is born with strong immunity. Still, it would be better to stay a little apart for a while. If she starts to had a fever, she can spread the disease to Theor. She put in the eye drops a little while ago, so she doesn¡¯t have to put the medicine until dawn tomorrow. Astelle reassured Theor. ¡°It will be okay because it is not too bad. I just have to take medicine and not go outside and take a good rest. In the meantime, Theor has to listen carefully to the adults and y quietly with Blin. Can you do it?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Theor nodded quite seriously and asked. ¡°Are you sick because it rained before?¡± Theor knew that Astelle was riding a horse in the rain because of him. Astelle didn¡¯t want to tell him, but when she had dinner at the hunting lodge, Vellian spoke about it. ¡®Why are you talking useless to a child.¡¯ Astelle quickly soothed Theor that might feel guilty for nothing. ¡°It may be, but it wasn¡¯t Theor¡¯s fault because I was weakened and I got sick.¡± It was said that it was rained while Theor ying with a dog at the hunting lodge that day. When Astelle arrived there, Theor wore his wet clothes and fell asleep in front of the firece. If he had no clothes to change, it would have been nice if he had changed adult shirts or pajamas and let him dry. It is a hunting lodge where only the emperors and knights stayed for generations, so it seems that there was no attendant who knew how to take care of children. It would have been different if the emperor had ordered the child to be washed and taken care of, but Kaizen couldn¡¯t have such a meticulous aspect. Fortunately, Theor is healthy. ¡°Would Blin be okay? He yed in the rain with me.¡± Theor worried about his dog with a worried face. Astelle held back herughter. ¡°Because it is not a disease for dogs. It will be fine.¡± Astelle washed Theor and left the bathroom. ¡°I have to call a doctor first.¡± Although not a pharmacist, one of the emperor¡¯s doctors apanied the emperor¡¯s party. Anyway, it is a contagious disease, so first of all she had to show it to that person. She will have to report to the emperor too. Astelle¡¯s eyebrows got wrinkled. ¡®I didn¡¯t want to meet him until I arrived at Denz¡­¡¯ * * * ¡°Is it an epidemic?¡± Kaizen, receiving a report from the castle¡¯s office, frowns his eyebrows. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Lyndon replied with an anxious expression, pointing to a map unfolding on his desk. ¡°I¡¯ve seen an epidemic circting in this town, the next destination. I guess it¡¯s impossible to go this way.¡± The party was going to spend the night here and then go on the road again. The next destination was a castle that goes straight west. There was a castle-like this ce and there was a vige around it. By the way, when Lyndon checked in advance, there was an epidemic in the vige. ¡°It is called Innes fever. It is a disease that can be dangerous if not treated quickly because it is highly contagious¡­¡± ¡°Yes, I know. It is an epidemic in the East.¡± Fever wasmon in the east. Innes fever is the most dangerous epidemic among them and is endemic to the eastern part of the capital and other regions. It is not a fatal infectious disease, but t the mortality rate is high if the medicine is not taken early. Anyway, a person could have died. Inevitably, he had to find another route. ¡°Which way is the other way?¡± Asked Kaizen looking at the map on his desk. ¡°It¡¯s a way to go south. It will take three more days.¡± Even if it waste for about three days, he couldn¡¯t help it. He can¡¯t take his party to a ce where people are sick. ¡°I have to go there. Find out where to choose the amodation.¡± When Kaizen nced, Vellian went out to contact the manager there and find out the situation. Kaizen looked back at Lyndon. ¡°Are patients with infectious diseases being properly treated?¡± ¡°Because there is not much medicine¡­ it seems that it has not been treated yet. The town is said to have been temporarily closed.¡± It meant that the vige was locked up without treatment. It was a cruel thing, but it made sense. There aren¡¯t many ces selling remedies in such a country, but it would be a big deal if the epidemic spreads to other viges before being cleared up. Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Kaizen ordered after a brief sigh. ¡°Send soldiers and subsidies to that castle to manage the vige and to heal the patients, and to contact other neighboring provinces to send doctors and pharmacists.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Lyndon bowed his head and went outside. Kaizen was immersed in his thoughts as he looked at the map unfolded on his desk. ¡®Except for the capital and a few big cities, this vige is too underdeveloped. There are no medicines to treat patients in such a country.¡¯ It was because no one had properly ruled the country over the past decades. His grandfather was eager to expand his power and territory throughout his life, and his father, the former emperor, was only wielded by the great nobles, including the Duke of Reston. After Kaizen himself became emperor, he spent six years quitting the rebellion and purging the great lords. But he was different from now on. Kaizen perfectly captured the entire empire. Since there is no more distance, he was going to focus on his internal affairs from now on. That is why he went on the tour as soon as the situation in the capital was stabilized. It was the emperor¡¯s personal tour of the imperialnd and inspecting each area. In order for him to properly rule and prosper the empire, he needed to look around the territory himself. ¡°Where is Astelle now?¡± Kaizen, looking at the map, asked the attendant with a teacup. ¡°Lady Astelle is in the western annex.¡± He had to exin the situation to Astelle. The reason he moved to Denz earlier than nned was because of Astelle, but the schedule suddenly became dyed, so he must tell her himself and ask for patience. Kaizen got up from his seat and headed to the western annex, guided by the attendant. This ce was very old-fashioned, and it was very inconvenient because it was small in size. In the corridor, the sunlight was not good, so it was dark. Leaving the main building and exiting the corridor leading to the west, an annex that looked shabby and ufortable than the main building came out. ¡°You say this is where Astelle is staying?¡± ¡°Yes, Majesty.¡± Kaizen looked around the cramped corridor with a ridiculous nce. The wrinkles deepened in his eyebrows. No matter how limited the bedroom is, how someone could live in a ce like this? ¡®I have to change the room right away.¡¯ With that thought, he went through the narrow corridor and walked to the door at the end. Before the attendant opened the door, he tried to knock, but as soon as he knocked on the door, the door opened. ¡°Your Majesty¡­!¡± The person who opened the door was Astelle. Kaizen, who tried to speak out, stopped looking at Astelle¡¯s outfit. Astelle was wearing a white chemise gown. It was an indoor gown with pure white cloth hanging down to the floor, so the body was not revealed. Still, there was no choice for Kaizen but to be surprised at the moment. The blonde who looked like the gold thread was moist and wet as if it had juste out after taking a bath. ¡°Sorry. Because I¡¯m a little nervous now.¡± Astelle saw Kaizen¡¯s surprised face and quickly came to her senses. She pulled more of the cor to cover her bare nape. ¡°Still, I tried to meet and tell you.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Astelle¡¯s pale green eyes were anxious. ¡°I think I have a fever.¡± * * * Astelle was surprised. As soon as she found the spots on her wrist, she quickly ended the bath and returned to her room. She dries Theor, puts on his clothes, and Astelle herself was about to change her clothes. Suddenly she heard a knock, so she opened the door and Kaizen stood in front of the door. ¡®I thought it was a maid.¡¯ She thought it was a maid and forgot that she was wearing an indoor gown and opened the door. Kaizen was a little surprised, and she looked across Astelle¡¯s body. The white gown wasn¡¯t as thin as the bathrobe, but it wasn¡¯t thick enough topletely cover her body. Astelle quickly tightened her gown and pulled out a coat and put it on. She talked about the most important thing first. ¡°I think I have a fever.¡± ¡°What?¡± Kaizen surprised at the word of fever. His eyes trembled with shock. ¡°You have a fever¡­ no, how bad is it?¡± Because Kaizen was so astonished, Astelle was also amazed. Is this so surprising? ¡®I only said it was a fever, so I guess he thought it was a very contagious and fatal Innes fever.¡¯ Astelle quickly added an exnation. ¡°It is not a severe fever. It¡¯s an ordinary fever. It is still in the early stages, so there is no fever and only spots have urred.¡± Astelle showed her wrist to Kaizen. ¡°I have a spots here.¡± Kaizen closed his mouth and looked at the red spots on Astelle¡¯s arm. Astelle tried to exin to him step by step. ¡°Eastern fever is initially spotted like this. At this time, if you can¡¯t treat it, you gradually get a fever¡­¡± ¡°I know how the eastern fever progresses.¡± As if Kaizen was frustrated, he ended Astelle¡¯s exnation. Kaizen looked a little upset. Even after hearing the exnation that it was not a highly contagious disease, he did not feel relieved. ¡®Why do you have an expression as if you feel guilty? Is it because you thought I got sick from the rain?¡¯ Or is he ming himself because he took Theor to the hunting lodge on a rainy day? ¡®He is not the one who cares about that.¡¯ Astelle replied vaguely. ¡°I¡¯m d you know.¡± Suddenly, Kaizen approached Astelle. Astelle was surprised at the moment, and it was a tough momentum enough to take a step back. ¡°You, what the¡­¡± It was when he came closer to Astelle, a clear voice stopped his foot. ¡°Hello, Your Majesty.¡± There was a bed in the center of a t room with little furniture. Theor who was ying with a doll on the bed found Kaizen and ran to him. Theor greeted him, looking up at Kaizen with clear blue eyes. ¡°Your Majesty, Aunt Astelle is sick.¡± Theor took turns looking at the two people standing silently and said, hanging on to Kaizen. ¡°Your aunt will be fine.¡± Looking down at Theor, Kaizen stroked Theor¡¯s moist hair. He looked back at Astelle with a dazzling nce. ¡°You got sick and what were you doing with a child here? You should have called the doctor right away.¡± ¡°I was about to change my clothes and go to the doctor.¡± She just returned from the bath. Kaizen turned to the attendant and ordered. ¡°Call the doctor.¡± After a while, the doctor who apanied the party arrived. It was Vellian who brought the doctor. Even Lyndon came to the emperor to report something there. All three people gathered in Astelle¡¯s room. * * * Vellian seemed to be very surprised by the news that Astelle was sick. When Astelle looked closely at him, Vellian quietly avoided her nce. ¡°It¡¯s an unsuspecting eastern fever.¡± The doctor who examined Astelle reported. ¡°Fortunately, it¡¯s not very contagious and it¡¯s not a serious illness. I found it quickly, so if you take the medicine and get enough rest, you¡¯ll recover quickly.¡± It was the expected result of the diagnosis. Adtelle nodded her head without much effort, but Kaizen was deeply relieved after hearing the doctor¡¯s confirmation. He turned to Vellian and ordered. ¡°Inform the manager here and tell him to send more maids and servants. First, let¡¯s move her bedroom to the main building¡­¡± ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Astelle stood up and called Kaizen. At the moment, everyone¡¯s gaze in the room turned to Astelle. ¡°If you allow me, I would like to stay here and heal my illness. And I want to make a remedy with my own hands so that rumors do not leak out.¡± ¡°What?¡± Kaizen gave Astelle an absurd look. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t there an epidemic spread around here? It must be Innes fever.¡± Vellian and Lyndon, who were standing and looking at the distance this time, also looked surprised. Kaizen asked a question with suspicious eyes. ¡°Where did you hear it?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t hear from anyone.¡± ¡®I just guessed.¡¯ If the plum blossoms wither and die, Innes fever is spreading a lot around this area. Fortunately, this vige did not seem to have any patients thanks to the pharmacist who came in disguised as a maid, but the other viges around it did not seem so lucky. There must be a vige engulfed by a gue somewhere in this area. Just a while ago, Kaizen¡¯s reaction, who was particrly surprised by the word fever, brought conviction to Astelle¡¯s guess. If he hasn¡¯t heard of Innes fever, there¡¯s no way a careless person like Kaizen would be so overreacted. Astelle exined step by step, why she came to guess that an infectious disease was spreading. Of course, she only mentioned the silver plum blossoms, not about Kaizen¡¯s overreaction. Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Astelle again calmly exined why. ¡°In this situation, if rumors spread that the Emperor¡¯s party also has a fever patient, the people who live around will panic.¡± No matter how exined that it is not a fatal Innes fever, but an ordinary fever, farmers whock knowledge about the disease will focus only on the part that says, ¡°There is a fever patient in the emperor¡¯s party.¡± Rather, people might suspect that Astelle had amon fever to hide Innes¡¯ fever. ¡°If that happens, this vige will bebeled as the ce where the infectious disease patient stayed.¡± The damage will remain entirely for this vige. Rural viges in such a forest area raise vegetables and livestock and live by relying on barter with other viges. Istion from the outside could make it difficult for farmers to make a living. ¡°So I want to recover quietly here. People will be suspicious when they see Your Majesty¡¯s doctoring and going here, so I¡¯ll make up the medicine myself. I just need the ingredients.¡± Fever ismon in the East, so I learned it hard from Gretel. It wasn¡¯t even medicine that needed rare ingredients. Most of them were avable in the forests. ¡®And¡­ I also have to make a medicine to change the eye color.¡¯ In fact, the most important purpose was this. Originally, I was thinking of going out for a while to see the vige and the forest with Theor tomorrow morning. However, the opportunity toe and go out so naturally disappeared because I got sick. The remaining medicine¡¯s effect is about 3 days. If not now, I may not have a chance to get herbs and make medicines. Astelle finished the exnation calmly and waited for Kaizen¡¯s permission. However, the eyes of the people gathered in the room were a little strange. Everyone just looked at Astelle nkly without a word. ¡®Why are you doing that?¡¯ When Astelle felt the doubt, Lyndon slowly opened his mouth with a nk face. ¡°You really have a deep thought, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°¡­ Pardon?¡± Lyndon bowed his head slightly to Astelle. ¡°I was deeply impressed by the heart of considering the circumstances of the farmers here and taking care of our circumstances.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Actually, I just wanted to make a medicine that changes the eye color, not more. Looking back, the middle-aged doctor I met for the first time was looking at me with admiration mixed eyes. Even Vellian looked a little surprised. However, there were people who were not very impressed. Kaizen, who was listening silently, suddenly asked. ¡°So you¡¯re going to stay here?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What about the child?¡± Astelle turned to the doctor and asked. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be okay to put Theor in the room across the corridor?¡± ¡°I think you can do that much because it¡¯s not contagious unless you get a fever because your symptoms get worse.¡± I thought so, but I was more relieved when I got confirmation from the doctor. ¡°Theor, did you hear it? You have to sleep in the next room today, can you?¡± ¡°Yeah, then I¡¯ll sleep with Blin in a new room!¡± I wondered if he would be scared, but Theor agreed surprisingly easily. Well, even when Theor was at home, sometimes he went to my grandfather¡¯s room and listened to old stories and fell asleep. At this point, there was no way Kaizen would not allow it. He stared at Astelle for a long time with an unpleasant face and was forced to ept it. ¡°Okay. Do what you want.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Astelle quickly turned her gaze. Vellian was listening to Astelle interestingly from one side. Astelle looked back at him and came up with a question as if she had thought it waste. ¡°Oh, it turns out that a pharmacist came here a little while ago. Can I go to her and get some herbs?¡± For an instant, the face of Vellian became pale of that word. ¡°The pharmacist hade here?¡± Kaizen, who did not know the situation at all, turned to Astelle with a strange nce. ¡°Yes, that old pharmacist.¡± Astelle smiled as she watched the gentle-looking face of the Vellian get white. As the eyes met, Vellian shook his head hastily. ¡®Are you saying don¡¯t tell Kaizen?¡¯ Seeing that he was embarrassed a lot, he must have done it alone without the permission of the emperor. If Kaizen knew, he would be angry that he did something useless without permission in his ce. ¡®But I¡¯m not very sympathetic.¡¯ Vellian used to observe Astelle interestingly. When Astelle fought Marianne, Vellian watched as if he was watching an interesting y. He likes treating people like puppets in a puppet show. He always looked with curious eyes, and he was now pale. He is like a poor audience who suddenly rolled over to the theater stage while he was watching an interesting stage. Astelle said calmly to Kaizen. ¡°Ah, the pharmacist put good herbs in the bathwater before. She is growing medicinal herbs, so I want to get some medicinal herbs from her.¡± ¡°Yes, do whatever you want.¡± Kaizen allowed it without much doubt. Instead, he had one condition. ¡°But you can¡¯t go alone. Take the knight as a guide and escort.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty. Then¡­¡± Astelle turned to Kaizen after expressing her gratitude. She stared at Vellian who had a tense face. ¡°If it¡¯s okay, I¡¯d like to ask Sir Vellian for guidance.¡± Kaizen looked at Vellian with a puzzled look. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I have something I want to share with him.¡± ¡°What do you have to say to him?¡± ¡°It¡¯s personal matter. Sir Vellian, are you okay?¡± ¡°Oh yeah. Yes.¡± Astelle smiled casually. ¡°Then, please prepare quickly.¡± * * * After a while, Astelle was walking on the road to the back door of the castle with a small basket. Astelle checked the tools in her basket. Inside the basket were tiny pruning shears for cutting small seedlings of hemp and branches. Vellian was following her with an anxious look from the street one step away. ¡°¡­ May I ask why you wanted to be guided by me?¡± Astelle said she was natural as she went through the basket. ¡°You¡¯ve got the pharmacist disguised as a maid and looked at my luggage and medicine box. She even sent me to a public bath and checked my clothes.¡± ¡°That¡­¡± ¡°Once you have satisfied your curiosity, isn¡¯t it your turn to help me?¡± Vellian was overwhelmed and bit his lip. He tried to make an excuse that he wasn¡¯t, but he seemed to give up. ¡°May I ask how you knew?¡± ¡°Whoever sees the maid will know that she is a pharmacist.¡± Astelle didn¡¯t need to exin anymore. Vellian asked doubtfully. ¡°¡­ Well¡­ before, when Lady Marianne opened the medicine box, you noticed that the location of the medicine bottle was slightly different. I felt it back then, but Lady Astelle is really good at keeping an eye on it. A little, scary enough.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take it as apliment.¡± Astelle still hasn¡¯t lost her smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I was worried about what happened before. That¡­ I ordered the pharmacist to check if there was any disease in the child. It didn¡¯t mean anything bad.¡± He didn¡¯t do it with bad intentions. He just wanted to take this opportunity to take a look at Astelle¡¯s medicines and resolve his suspicions. It was roughly like that. Astelle answered coldly with a smile. ¡°As I said before, the child is weak and needs to be fed nutrition on time. His Majesty the Emperor took him to the hunting lodge in the heavy rain without saying anything, so I have no choice but to follow him. I don¡¯t understand that it looked weird.¡± ¡°¡­ Yes, now I see clearly. It was a misunderstanding.¡± Vellian apologized with his head down. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s very sorry, but I felt like he was out of energy. ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°Well, why didn¡¯t you tell His Majesty?¡± ¡°I think Sir Vellian will be in trouble if His Majesty knows.¡± ¡°¡­ It is.¡± Vellian honestly agreed. The emperor was very concerned with Astelle. He¡¯ll be very angry when he finds out that his closest aide has done this useless trick. Still, Vellian wanted to see if there was anything wrong with Theor. Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Half was for the Emperor¡¯s safety, and the other half was to relieve his curiosity and unpleasant feelings. ¡°I didn¡¯t know I would be caught¡­¡± Vellian sighed as he walked slowly along Astelle¡¯s side. Astelle smiled calmly as she faced such a Vellian. ¡°I wanted to help Sir Vellian not be in trouble, andter I also wanted to get help from Sir Vellian.¡± In short, it meant that I would use itter if necessary things happen. ¡°I think it would be better to just talk to His Majesty.¡± ¡°Then can I tell him now?¡± ¡°¡­ No! I can help you, Lady.¡± Vellian looked really frustrated. He sighed and turned his body. ¡°Come this way.¡± The two went together to the back door of the castle. When I went to the back of the castle along the winding little road, a forest surrounded by a barny stone wall came out. This forest was said to be a hunting ground owned by the inn Manager. ¡°There is a field in which herbs are grown if we godeeper.¡± The two passed the entrance to the forest and steppedinside. From the entrance of the forest, medicinal herbs were seen every step of the way. All kinds of medicinal herbs were filled among the big trees. Along the small forest path, colorful flowers and versatile leaves of grass grow densely. Seeing that herbs are grown in Manager¡¯s forest, the old pharmacist seems to have been hired by the Manager. There are also herbs that cannot be grown in ordinary fields. It would be better to cultivate it after setting a separate area in the forest. ¡°The pharmacist said that the ones that are not here are kept separately. Write down the name of the herb you need and I¡¯ll bring it to you.¡± ¡°I think this is enough.¡± Even if I looked at it, it seemed that there were all the herbs I needed. Astelle took a basket and went across the herbs. ¡°There are nine medicinal herbs that I am looking for, and the easiest one to find is a small white flower that blooms on a short stem the size of two fingers. There are small stripes on the end of the petals and the ends are split. The next easiest thing to find is¡­¡± As I walked down the street, I slowly exined the characteristics of the herb to Vellian who follows me. I didn¡¯t think he could find it if I told him the difficult herbs, so I told him only what was easy as possible, but Vellian asked back in a shocked voice. ¡°Do I have to find it too?¡± Astelle stopped and turned to him. ¡°Then are you going to be just watching?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± At Astelle¡¯s question, Vellian stopped with a stupid expression. His gaze turned to the grass that sprouted on the dirt floor. His clean face was wrinkled. It looks like he really hates touching the grass in the soil. Who would like to touch the dirt? Still, it would be a gentleman¡¯s virtue toe out to help ady in this situation. Vellian muttered pathetically looking at Astelle. ¡°I¡­ I have never touched such a grass¡­ no, medicinal herbs.¡± When they were young, the masters ofrge noble families used to y grass in the garden. Although this Count is not from a prestigious family, he seems to have grown up very precious. ¡®It seemed like that.¡¯ Among the rtives, there was a rtive younger brother who was the only child of a prestigious family and grew up with the love of adults in the family. He couldn¡¯t even wear clothes alone unless someone helped him. It was cute that he was still alive. Anyway, I thought such a reaction woulde out. So I deliberately pointed out Vellian as a guide. If it were Lyndon or any other knight, Astelle had not needed to find medicinal herbs herself. While Astelle is looking for herbs to make a cure for fever, she has to find herbs that can be used in eye drops. Astelle replied vaguely. ¡°Then it¡¯s good to have this opportunity to experience it because it will be an unusual experience.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°Here is the Gurren grass. It is easy to collect because you just need to take it out of the roots. Try it out.¡± Vellian stood up with an ¡®unfair¡¯ expression, then sighed and approached it. ¡°Yes, I see. If this makes Lady Astelle feel relieved, then¡­¡± It seems that Astelle has a grudge and harassing him. ¡®I¡¯m not trying to bother you on purpose.¡¯ To avoid vain suspicion, it was necessary to divert Vellian¡¯s gaze. Astelle looked at Vellian, pretending to go the other way. Vellian barely pulled out the herbs with one hand, but when the moist soil got on her fingertips, he was shocked and wiped it off with a handkerchief. He didn¡¯t even care which way Astelle was going because he was concentrating on brushing the dirtoff. Astelle went through the grass and looked for medicinal herbs. She picked only the herbs she needed and carefully ced them in a basket. It was about sunset somehow. On the forest road at sunset, there was a cool evening air. The cool breeze passing through my neck cools my skin from the heat. Whenever I breathed, there was a smell of moist grass and sour soil. I passed near therge birch tree and was amazed. I heard a stepping sound from the entrance side. It seemed that someone was approaching this way. A few steps away, Vellian, who had squatted and searched the grass, stood up in a hurry. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± As I turned in surprise, I saw a familiar person in the distance. ¡°Astelle.¡± It was Kaizen. He looked at Astelle¡¯s surprised face and asked a little displeased. ¡°Why are you so surprised? Did I get in the way?¡± ¡°¡­ No, Your Majesty.¡± Of course, it was very disturbing, but I couldn¡¯t be honest with it. At the moment, all my nerves were focused on the herb basket holding in one hand. In addition to the medicinal herbs to put in the cure for fever, there were also medicinal herbs to change the color of theeyes. Astelle suppressed the risinganxiety. ¡®It will be fine. Anyway, Kaizen is also a stranger to medicinal herbs.¡¯ Astelle grabbed the herb basket and asked with a natural expression as much as possible. ¡°Your Majesty, what are you doing here?¡± I thought he would have gone back to the main building. She reported the illness to him and decided how to deal with it. There was no more talk with Kaizen. The business is over, but why did you follow this far? ¡°I came to help you. The forest is dangerous.¡± ¡°This is a nice ce, just a few minutes walk from the castle.¡± This ce doesn¡¯t seem close to the castle, but the emperor¡¯s soldiers will take turns looking around and monitoring from the border of the vige to the forest. There could be no dangerous thing to happen. But Kaizen disagreed. ¡°Still, it¡¯s dangerous to be alone.¡± ¡°Vellian is with me.¡± ¡°Do you think he will help if there is an emergency?¡± Vellian looked at this side with a sad expression at his lord¡¯s relentless evaluation, but Kaizen did not pay attention to him. Well¡­ assuming that if I met a robber or a wild beast, Velian is unlikely to be of great help. But for Astelle, that wasn¡¯t a big risk. The most dangerous thing was to discover Theor¡¯s identity to Kaizen. ¡®It is most dangerous to be with the Emperor now.¡¯ She wanted to say so. Without knowing such a feeling, Kaizen continued to say. ¡°I told you to arrange your room and prepare Theor¡¯s room as well. I waited because I thought you would be back soon, but no matter how much I waited, you didn¡¯te.¡± ¡°Thank you for caring for me.¡± Kaizen said while looking at Astelle¡¯s basket of herbs. ¡°I can help too.¡± What else does this mean? ¡°Thank you, but Your Majesty, it is enough because Sir Vellian is also helping¡­¡± ¡°If there was even one more person helping, wouldn¡¯t you find the herbs faster?¡± Kaizen looked around and asked. ¡°What are you looking for? I¡¯ll find it.¡± Astelle tried to refuse that she was okay and swallowed the dry saliva. It was a good way to think about it. If there are three people who are looking for the herbs, then it will be faster. When I found all the herbs, I could go back to the castle and fall apart from Kaizen. After Astelle checked the basket, she exined to Kaizen some herbs to look for. ¡°There are four herbs left. The easiest to find is the white flower¡­¡± I repeated the same exnation as I gave to Vellian. Vellian was still looking for the Gurren grass that Astelle had picked up already. She was thinking of letting Kaizen find a white flower. Kaizen listened carefully to Astelle¡¯s exnation, and he looked around quite seriously and found the herb. ¡®It will be fine.¡¯ Astelle went around the forest at a certain distance from Kaizen and looked for medicinal herbs. She nned to find everything she needed and return as soon as possible. The sunset soaked through the branches of the tree soaring high in the sky. When I raised my head for a moment, I saw dark blue leaves that were half-covering the scarlet sky. ¡°Astelle.¡± Kaizen, looking down at the weeds from a few steps away, called Astelle. ¡°Is this the flower you mentioned?¡± ¡°Did you find it?¡± Chapter 28 Chapter 28 While looking for medicinal herbs for a while, Kaizen called Astelle again. ¡°I think I found it here.¡± Astelle ran to Kaizen again, trying to pick herbs. What Kaizen was holding was a small white flower. It was simr to the flower Astelle was looking for, but the spout was a little longer and the petals were too small. Kaizen lowered his hand when seeing Astelle¡¯s pale green eyes feeling disappointed. ¡°¡­ Is it not? Again?¡± ¡°It is not.¡± Disappointment and embarrassment struck Kaizen¡¯s face. Astelleforted such Kaizen. ¡°It is because there are many simr flowers.¡± Vellian came with both hands full of Gurren grass and approached, watching Kaizen standing silently. ¡°Well, Your Majesty, I can help¡­¡± ¡°Not needed.¡± It was a cold voice that seemed to be frosty. Velian finds the herb Astelle had asked for, and Kaizen looked angry that he kept looking for the wrong herbs. ¡®Well, I¡¯ve been into the forest a lot, but it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve ever looked for medicinal herbs.¡¯ As he failed one after another, Kaizen wasn¡¯t happy with his mood. He seemed to have a ck shadow only around him. Vellian handed the herbs he brought to Astelle¡¯s basket, and he quickly ran away. Kaizen, who had been searching through the grass for a long time, asked with a low sigh andining. ¡°When did you learn this?¡± ¡°There is a pharmacist living near my grandfather¡¯s mansion. Somehow I got to know and learned to make medicine.¡± ¡°Why did you learn that?¡± Astelle replied with a nce asking why he asked for such a natural thing. ¡°Well, of course, we have a young child and an elderly grandfather in our mansion.¡± Even a simple cold can be fatal to young children and the elderly. Of course, the most vulnerable to disease are the elderly. Theor and her grandfather are both very healthy, but Astelle hoped they would never get sick. In her spare time, she learned to make herbs and potions from Gretel. Apart from eye medicines, she had to make other medicines in case anyone gets sick while Gretel was away. Gretel praised Astelle for being talented when she making medicines. ¡®Because of your meticulous personality, you learn quickly. You certainly seem to have talents too.¡¯ Gretel praised her and said she could ept her as a student if she wanted, but Astelle politely refused. There was not enough time. Instead, she learned to grow medicinal herbs, and nted medicinalherbs in the garden. She earned a living by selling it every year. Astelle replied without much meaning, but Kaizen became confused again when he heard her words. ¡®Was it so difficult to make a living?¡¯ Kaizen walked on the grasses. Even though he had been to the forest, it was the first time he had passed through the bush like this. Everywhere he went, there was a smell of moist dirt and crispy grass. He now looked up at the silver sky. It was embroidered in a light purple sky over the setting sun over a reddish sunset. There was Astelle three or four steps ahead. Dressed in a in dress, Astelle was holding a basket and picking up an unknown herb. Suddenly I thought of the old days. ¡®It turns out that I was in the forest with Astelle like this before.¡¯ The memory of Astelle was always a beautifully decorated doll-like figure. The background was a ce like an imperial pce or a banquet hall of a gorgeous mansion. However, he had only entered the forest with Astelle once. It was an old memory, like a page in a dusty book. Kaizen shakes off the umted dust in his memories that he had forgotten. ¡°I remember the old days.¡± Astelle turned to his calm voice. Kaizen looked at her and talked to her. ¡°We went hunting together on my birthday in the forest. Do you remember?¡± Astelle clearly remembered it. ¡°Are you referring to the time I went into theke trying to save Your Majesty?¡± It was a cool tone, but it was right. ¡°¡­ Yes, about that.¡± ¡°Yes, there was a time.¡± Astelle said nothing more. There was no emotion in her dry voice. ¡®Well, it wasn¡¯t a good memory.¡¯ Kaizen silently recalled the memories of that day. * * * It was winter at that time. It was when he went hunting in the forest a little far from the capital on Kaizen¡¯s 18th birthday. Usually, women were not taken to the hunting grounds, but on that day the Crown Prince¡¯s fiancee, Astelle, attended the hunt on the orders of the emperor. His birthday hunt, which should be enjoyable, was ufortable from the start because of Astelle. ¡®That¡¯s annoying.¡¯ However, his father, the emperor, sent her with him, so he could not even drive her away. At the time, Kaizen was indifferent but was pretending to be a polite fiance. Even without the emperor¡¯s request, she would not have been able to ignore Astelle. He was more annoyed at the thought that he couldn¡¯t do it himself. He was forced to stay in the nearby castle for about a day and try to hunt, but that night a second misfortune struck. It started to snow in the evening. Snowkes that were falling one by one before dawn came and the whole area turned white. As soon as the day dawned, Kaizen put on his coat and walked out. The castle¡¯s backyard was connected with a wide forest. He rode the horse with the party and went out through the door. Against the backdrop of the bluish dawn sky, a darkly shaded forest spread over the snowy field. In the middle, someone told a legend about theke in this forest. There is ake in this forest, and it is a legend that if you go there and ask for love toe true, the spirit of the forest will grant you your wish. ¡°That¡¯s bullshit.¡± The man who was exining the forest legend stopped speaking at Kaizen¡¯s voice. Kaizen looked around the snow-covered forest road and wasughing at him. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous to say that ake makes your wishe true.¡± Kaizenughed at someone who seriously spoke of such a ridiculous legend. On the other hand, Astelle, who listened to his exnation, seemed to like the story. ¡°Still, it¡¯s a beautiful story.¡± She wore a luxurious indigo hunting suit and a fur coat, and Astelle on a horse was as beautiful as the goddess of the forest. However, no matter how beautiful Astelle was, she was like a stone passing by to Kaizen at that time. Kaizen replied bluntly. ¡°I didn¡¯t know my fiancee liked this superstition.¡± Astelle risked her embarrassment and spoke her words to Kaizen again. ¡°Still, this forest is very beautiful. It¡¯s morning, so the air is refreshing. It would be nice if there was a forest like this near the waterway.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s okay. It¡¯s probably because there isn¡¯t a lot of people in and out. If people go here and there, the scenery is ruined.¡± Kaizen turned his horsehead to her side and spit out. ¡°Especially if people who don¡¯t even know how to hunte in and out, the hunting ground will be ruined.¡± Kaizen said he didn¡¯t want to talk to Astelle anymore, so he went into the forest leaving Astelle. Kaizen loved hunting very much. But he preferred to go out of the imperial pce and run through the forest rather than hunting itself. Because he was able to take off his pretense and act as he pleased at thattime. Kaizen had been walking in the forest for a long time, and he chased hisprey. He never met Astelle during the hours he had passed. He didn¡¯t even care where she was. He didn¡¯t know if Astelle liked this hunt or if she had ever hunted. How long has he been gone around? It was the first time when he came to the center of the forest. There was a snow-covered board among the dense trees. Kaizen turned the direction towards it. But the moment he stepped on the snowfield, he suddenly had an unexpected situation. As soon as he stepped, the floor copsed. As the ice broke, cold water sprang up. The ck water swallowed him like a deep bog. ¡°Waah¡­¡± The cry of a surprising word resounded like a sharp scream. Drowned in the water, Kaizen quickly sank to the bottom of the water. Frozen water stabbed him all over his body. Kaizen desperately reached out to hold on to the ice. However, his thick coat of fur clung heavily to his whole body, and his body slowly sinking. The broken ice was in front of him, but his hand was out of reach. At that time, an urgent voice was heard from above. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Someone reached out to him. Kaizen managed to hold the hand. The master of the voice grabbed him and pulled him away. It was when Kaizen grabbed the ice and barely climbed to the surface. The ice next to it cracked and this time the person who caught Kaizen fell into the water. ¡°¡­ Astelle?¡± Kaizen, who barely climbed up the ice, realized that it was Astelle who pulled him up. This time, on the contrary, he reached out to Astelle. Astelle, who had been struggling for a long time, took Kaizen¡¯s hand. Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Kaizen pulled Astelle up onto the water at once. -Cough cough- Astelle coughs and spits water out. White ice was seen as the snow piled up on the floor scattered. From a distance, it looked like a snowy field, but this was not a field but ake. Snow was piled up on the frozenke. Astelle, soaked in water, was looking at him, shivering. Kaizen reached out his hand. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ Your Majesty, thank you.¡± Astelle grabbed his hand. The watered dress was drooping. Kaizen grabbed her with his hands and pulled her to help her stand up. ¡°It would have been a big deal if you didn¡¯te. Thanks.¡± Astelle just smiled. Unlike Kaizen who soaked in water, Astelle¡¯s condition was a little more serious. The dress was torn in several ces, and the hair that had been twisted up tightly was scattered. The knees seen through the torn dress were hurt and bleeding out. ¡°You¡¯ve been hurt a lot.¡± Two horses wandering along theke came to Kaizen. One was the white horse that Astelle was riding on, and the other was Kaizen¡¯s horse. Kaizen captured the horse he was riding on. The mane was cold and wet because of drowning together. He patted the horseback and apologized. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Next to it was a white horse that Astelle was riding on. He grabbed the reins and reached out his hand to Astelle. In that state, it seemed to be difficult to get on the horse. So he carried Astelle. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Kaizen picked up Astelle and sat it on his horse. And he dragged two horses and went out to thekeside. Kaizen suddenly asked. ¡°But what were you doing here?¡± Astelle justughed slightly. ¡°I was just¡­ I was looking at the scenery.¡± This was the center of the forest. It was too far toe to see the scenery alone. It seemed like a lie, but Kaizen didn¡¯t dig deeper anymore and went on to his words. While returning to the castle the two trembled in the cold. They had fallen in icy water and crossed the forest wet. It was cold enough to shake Astelle¡¯s fingertips. Kaizen had a very healthy constitution, but Astelle looked pitiful enough. Her pale blue lips trembled. Would you like me to hold your hand? Kaizen thought about it, but he stopped because he seemed to bother the sick person for nothing. After wearing wet clothes and crossing the forest in the wind blowing, Astelle got a fever andy on the bed. The next morning Astelle apologized to Kaizen who visited her. With a faint smile on her pale tired face from high fever. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty. Don¡¯t mind me and enjoy the hunting with other people.¡± Astelle looked as pale and slender as her white eyes. A long loose white blonde and a white face without aplexion. Her arms and wrists protruding over her nket are as fine as branches. Astelle was lying in a bed in a pure white pajamas. There was a bandage on her slender finger without any skin. It was because her skin had been scratched while saving Kaizen. ¡®¡­¡­¡¯ At that moment, he thought about staying with Astelle. It wasn¡¯t because he really liked or felt sorry for Astelle, but because he was worried that he would look bad if he still went on a hunt with his sick fiancee. She also got hurt while saving himself and got sick. But the time to worry was short. ¡°Yes, then take care of yourself.¡± Kaizen walked out of her door. And he didn¡¯t go to Astelle until the day was over. * * * Kaizen, recalling his old memories, stopped his steps. The cool breeze from far away gently shakes the tranquil forest. The setting sun sprinkled thest remaining light on the green forest. He raised his head and turned to Astelle. The sunset shined on Astelle¡¯s head sitting on the grass with her knees bent. A white nape is visible under the lifted head. Her shoulders and back had graceful lines as before, but she looked much thinner and weaker than at that time. Astelle was prying the herbs without hesitation with her hands as delicate as willow branches. She was the fiancee of the former Crown Prince, and she was the highest aristocratic¡¯s daughter in the empire. Far from plowing and growing medicinal herbs, she did not even take care of the flowers in the garden. Even the flowers put in the vase were not cut directly. It was surprising that Astelle touched the soil casually and picked out herbs, and it was so pathetic. He knew she had lived a hard life, but it was a moment to see with his own eyes how miserable Astelle¡¯s environment was. Kaizen regretted that after the divorce, he was indifferent to Astelle. He had only sent money, estates, and her grandfather¡¯s pensions. He would have given a new mansion to her grandfather, the Marquis, if Astelle didn¡¯t insist that she wouldn¡¯t take it. If so, she would have lived with fewer troubles. Looking back on his old memories, Astelle gave herself all her devotion to him as his fiancee. She always tried to right by his side and even saved himself and hurting her finger. Even if it was a loveless engagement, Astelle has put a lot of effort into it. But when he regretted he couldn¡¯t look back. Sitting with her knees bent and digging for herbs, Astelle turned her head to the sound of the heavy steps behind her. Kaizen, who had been a few steps away, came close to her. Astelle was surprised and raised her body. ¡°Your Majesty¡­?¡± It was Kaizen¡¯s red eyes that caught Astelle¡¯s first gaze. The eyes with a dark red color like blood. His red eyes, always filled with his arrogant self-confidence. Without her words, Kaizen took off his coat and put it over Astelle¡¯s shoulder. His long ck coat covered her skinny shoulders and stretched to her ankles. ¡°Your Majesty?¡± ¡®What is this?¡¯ ¡°Wear it, you¡¯re not in good shape.¡± Astelle was wearing a thin dress. She wasn¡¯t very cold, but she was a little chilly as the sun was setting. Still, it wasn¡¯t cold enough to get the coat on. ¡®Why are you doing this all of a sudden?¡¯ The muddy Vellian also looked over here in amazement. Perhaps because of the emperor¡¯s clothes, she was very warm even though it was a light and luxurious fabric. Astelle rolled up the coat with her calm hand and held it back to Kaizen. ¡°Thank you for your consideration, but I¡¯m okay.¡± ¡°I take off my coat, but do you need to throw it away?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t throw it away.¡± Rather than throwing it away, Astelle politely arranged the coat and brought it back to Kaizen. Kaizen clenched his teeth and epted the coat. ¡°Huh¡­ yeah, do whatever you want.¡± Whatever he thought, Astelle didn¡¯t want to go along with Kaizen¡¯s whims. Astelle walked slowly and found a small white flower that had bloomed a step away. She grabbed and pulled a small flower stuck between the des of grass. ¡°Your Majesty, I found the flower.¡± Astelle called Kaizen. ¡°I have found all the herbs I need. We have to go back to the castle now.¡± Kaizen, who had walked a few steps forward, turned and approached. Kaizen¡¯s red eyes carefully looked at the flowers in Astelle¡¯s hand. And he looked at Astelle with a cool gaze. ¡°Isn¡¯t it better to find a little more?¡± ¡°This is enough.¡± She looked for medicinal herbs to make a cure for fever. The eye¡¯s medicinal herbs that were secretly found were put in the basket. If you look for more, it will be difficult to keep. ¡°Theor will be waiting, so now I want to go back to the castle.¡± ¡°You¡¯re really very devoted to him.¡± Suddenly an old memory came to mind. The memories in the forest that Kaizen talked about. Snowy forest. Frozen water was as cold as a de. The aftereffect of falling into ice water caused Astelle to suffer from a fever overnight. It was a fever that made her whole body tremble. Astelle suffered from a high fever and waited for Kaizen all day long. May Kaizen, who returned from the hunt,e to see herself at least once. However, although she waited until the sun went down, she looked out the window, but Kaizen did note to see Astelle in the end. Astelle shed off her useless memories of the old days and replied honestly. ¡°That¡¯s obvious, it is because Theor needs me.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°Can I go back to the castle now?¡± After a breath passed, the answer came back. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s go back to the castle.¡± * * * After returning to the castle, Kaizen returned to the main building with Vellian, saying that he would wash and change clothes. Astelle returned to the castle tower alone. There was a young maid in the castle tower. ¡°I have been ordered to wait for you, Lady.¡± She decided to use the room separately from Theor, so she will need a maid to take care of him. She won¡¯t worry too much anyway. Because she only sleeps in the next room with the corridor in between. Chapter 30 Chapter 30 Said the maid, bowing her head. ¡°Yes, please take care of me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve prepared the new bathwater in the bath for Lady.¡± That¡¯s great. Only Theor was washed roughly before, and Astelle herself could not wash properly. She had a lot of dirt on her dress, so she wanted to change clothes and take a bath. ¡°Then let Theor y with the dog in the room for a while.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady.¡± Astelle opened the door after giving the maid a few simple instructions. ¡®Huh?¡¯ Astelle, who inadvertently opened the door, stopped in surprise holding the doorknob. She wondered if she hade to the wrong room. It was originally a sleek bedroom with only a few simple pieces of furniture on a wide hardwood floor. It becamepletely different in a moment. Warm fur carpets wereid on the t and empty hardwood floors, and tapestry woven with colorful patterns was hung on cracked walls like spider webs in several ces. A set of tables and chairs decorated with luxurious shades were ced by the window, and there was a soft-looking armchair next to the bed. A table decorated with embroidery wasid on the round table, and bright daffodils were ced in a small ss bottle. On top of the chair were fluffy cushions. The bed has also changed. It was a monotonous bed with only four stiff posts left, but now it has been transformed into a luxurious bed with a canopy hung on four posts. The old nkets that had been covering the bed were also gone, and a clean, fluffy silk nket took its ce. ¡®It has be apletely different room.¡¯ The inside of the room was changed so beautifully that she could not recognize it in a moment. The inside of the room was filled with warm air thanks to the fire that was lit by firewood in the firece. ¡°Why did it change like this?¡± The maid who was standing still on one side of the room approached with a tense face. ¡°I have ordered by His Majesty to renovate the bedroom.¡± This is not a new look, it feels like a whole room has been changed. Theor who was ying in front of the closet grabbed Astelle¡¯s sleeve and dragged it. ¡°Aunt Astelle, my room has changed too!¡± Astelle was dragged by Theor and went out the door. Theor¡¯s room, where she just walked a few steps along the corridor was also simr to Astelle¡¯s room. It was a cozy bedroom full of fluffy cushions and carpets and tapestries. It was brighter than Astelle¡¯s room and had a baby¡¯s atmosphere. The curtains and bedding were yellow, and there were small stuffed animals on the tables and shelves. ¡°There¡¯s Blin¡¯s bed too!¡± Theor pointed to the round cushion ced next to the bed. It was a wide cushion surrounded by a fluffy border. ¡®It looks like it¡¯s really for dogs.¡¯ Blin sniffed the cushion to see if he liked it, and thenid a stomach on it. ¡°Do you like the new bedroom?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Okay. I wille after washing. You can y with Blin in the room for a while.¡± Astelle left Theor, went to the bath, washed her body, and changed her clothes. As soon as she changed her clothes, she made a fever remedy. Asetell ordered the maid to picked the herbs and went into the kitchen. She took out the ingredients she had prepared and trimmed simple herbs from the forest. She washed the stems and petals clean and boiled them in arge pot. The red liquid boiled in a small pot. On the other side, the medicinal herbs that had been removed were trimmed and put in a small pot, and boiled. She cut and added a few herbs in regr proportions. The simmering herbs turned from transparent to opaque green to clear blue again. Meanwhile, a reddish-orange liquid was made in arge pot. There was not much smell. The taste wasn¡¯t that strong either. It was a cure for fever. After making it all, the two medicines were taken out of the pot. Astelle puts the medicine for fever in the medicine bowl, and she puts the blue medicine in the three ss bottles she had prepared beforehand. This is enough to use for a month. ¡®I won¡¯t have to worry about it for a while.¡¯ Astelle was relieved and drank the medicine she had in the bowl. A bitter potion ran over her throat. There were still faint red spots on the wrist, but there was no fever. ¡®I¡¯ll be okay now that I have taken the medicine.¡¯ It was early anyway, so it seemed that the red spots would disappear within tomorrow. It waspletely dark inside the kitchen. Astelle lit an old candlestick in the kitchen. She hid the eye-changing medicine under her clothes and returned to the bedroom. ¡°Blin!¡± ¡®Huh?¡¯ As soon as she entered the hallway of the bedroom floor, she heard Theor¡¯s lively voice. ¡°Now, throw it this way.¡± And the familiar bass-like voice followed. When she opened the door of the bedroom, it was surprising that Kaizen was there. ¡°Greeting Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Is your body okay?¡± ¡°Yes, I got better after taking the medicine.¡± Kaizen also changed his clothes. ¡®But why did youe here again?¡¯ Isn¡¯t it time to have dinner with the inn manager in the main building? In order to serve the emperor sincerely, the manager here must have worked hard day and night and prepared the most splendid dinner. Theor said, holding Astelle¡¯s hand. ¡°Aunt Astelle! I decided to eat something delicious with your majesty!¡± ¡®What¡­?¡¯ When she looked back at Kaizen because she wanted to say what this was, he smiled and stroked Theor¡¯s head. ¡°Theor hasn¡¯t even had dinner yet. He said he wanted to eat together, so he told me to bring dinner here.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± She bet Theor couldn¡¯t have asked the emperor to have dinner together first. When Theor gets tired of ying, he always forgets it¡¯s time for dinner. ¡°Your Majesty, I apologize.¡± I can¡¯t tell you to go because I don¡¯t have a fever. I couldn¡¯t refuse it because I had already taken the medicine and said that I was getting better. Astelle contemted for a moment what reason to let Kaizen out. But she didn¡¯t have time to think long. Immediately the attendant knocked on the door. ¡°Your Majesty, the meal is ready.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Yes, bring it this way.¡± As soon as the door opened, the servants brought the tableware and walked into the room, starting with the attendant who entered the room. The servantsid down dishes and utensils on the table by the window and began to prepare meals. In the blink of an eye, a delicious dinner was prepared on the table. Bread and soup with a savory buttery scent. Beef meat sprinkled with fragrant herbs. Grilled asparagus and all kinds of vegetables. The chicken that was sprinkled with honey was looked delicious. There was also grilled sea bass with fresh and tender lemon garlic sauce. It was expected, but it seems that the manager here made every effort to serve the emperor. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Theor watched the various foods to go to. ¡°Can I try this too?¡± Theor asked, pointing to the sweet-scented chicken meat. Kaizen replied with a smile. ¡°You can eat whatever you want to eat.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Theor sat down quietly while hugging a teddy bear. ¡°You sit too.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle sat down in the seat without saying much. Then she cut the chicken to Theor sitting next to her. Theor quietly put chicken meat cut by Astelle in his mouth and ate it with filth. It was covered with the same sweet sauce and the inside had a salty taste because it was seasoned. ¡°Is it delicious?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s delicious.¡± Astelle didn¡¯t have much appetite, so she ate only soup. It was a hot potato soup with a soft creamy scent. The crunchy croutons in the soup added a savory taste. Kaizen, who was holding a ss, asked, looking at the doll next to Theor. ¡°What is that teddy bear?¡± ¡°This is Levin!¡± Theor grabbed the bear¡¯s arms with his small hands and shook them. ¡°This is my friend.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Kaizen¡¯s gaze turned to Astelle. ¡°If you are a little bigger, don¡¯t you have to make friends your age?¡± He added, speaking as if giving advice. ¡°There are a lot of young kids in this age group in the capital city.¡± Do you mean to invite him to live in the capital? Astelle, who was eating the soup, replied firmly with the spoon down. ¡°There are children of the same age in a nearby town too. He just has to y with them.¡± Kaizen did not bring out the topic anymore, perhaps because Astelle talked so coldly. The three ate dessert after eating. The servants brought out a mug of fragrant tea and a mug of warm cocoa. Theor was petting a dog lying on his side, leaning against the armrest of the armchair. ¡°Theor, you should sleep in the bedroom if you¡¯re sleepy.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ I hate it¡­¡± Theor grumbled, rubbing his eyes with his little hand. Kaizenughed low and said to Theor. ¡°If you are sleepy, you just have to sleep a little and get up again.¡± Those words worked. ¡°Then I¡¯ll sleep a little bit, please wake me up.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Theory in an armchair and put his face on a soft cushion. His eyelids slowly closed. Theor whispered with his eyes closed. ¡°Levin¡­¡± ¡°Shall I give you Levin?¡± Astelle woke up to pick up a teddy bear that fell near the chair. At that moment, Theor, who fell asleeppletely, put his face on the cushion and mumbled with his eyes closed. ¡°Yeah¡­ Mom¡­¡± Astelle¡¯s hand picking up the doll stopped in the air. Kaizen, who tried to get up after drinking the remaining wine, turned to the sound of Theor muttering. ¡°Huh?¡± Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Theor was asleep with his eyes closed all of a sudden. The sleeping face lookedfortable. ¡°The child is looking for his mother.¡± Kaizen turned to Astelle who spoke to him. Astelle picked up an old teddy bear that was rolling near the chair. ¡°Well, no matter how young you are, you will miss your mother.¡± Astelle said in a vague voice. Kaizen turned his gaze to Theor, who was sleeping quietly. He heard that this child¡¯s mother was a maid. She was Sigmund¡¯s lover who only gave birth to Theor. Because of her low status, she left the child, and the news was cut off. It was all the information he heard from Vellian. ¡®Poorly¡­¡¯ Kaizen was born with the noblest blood in the empire, but he hated such customs of nobles who only received noble blood. Such an inhumane behavior of separating a young child from his birth mother because of her low status. He raised his hand and carefully stroked Theor¡¯s hair when he was asleep. Fine ck hair is wrapped between his fingers. He was a poor child. A young child has no choice but to miss his parents. Even if Astelle sticks to him every day and takes care of him like his own mother, there¡¯s probably not enough. Kaizen stroked Theor¡¯s head and asked as if he was sorry. ¡°Does the child miss his parents a lot?¡± At that moment, Kaizen felt as if Astelle was looking at him. But when he turned his head, Astelle was putting the old teddy bear down on the chair. ¡°¡­ Sometimes I wonder too because Theor never met his parents.¡± Astelle replied in a modest voice. In the room, there was silence for a while. The mes of a zing firece drew a shadow over the dark wall. Somehow, there was a lonely atmosphere in the expressionless Astelle¡¯s face like a stone statue. ¡®Why do you look like that?¡¯ Kaizen couldn¡¯t understand what Astelle was thinking. When he thinks about it, Astelle was in a simr situation to this child. Without parents, brothers, or friends, she was living in a remote countryside dreary. It may be that Astelle devotes her heart to this child because there is no one to cherish and love. Astelle standing in the darkroom looked exceptionally lonely. Kaizen¡¯s heart aches when Astelle looks lonely. He carefully hugged Theor so that he did not wake up. ¡°I take him to the bedroom, you rest here.¡± Kaizen hugged Theor and went outside. Astelle nced at the back of him holding Theor. * * * Around dawn, Astelle opened her eyes. She lit a candle and looked for red spots on her wrist. There was no trace on her white wrist. Astelle pulled out a bottle of the medicine that had been hidden by the bedside. She took the bottle and went out into the hallway. There was no one in the dark hallway. She opened the door and entered Theor¡¯s room. Blin, asleep on such a cushion, found Astelle and shook its tail. ¡°Shh.¡± Astelle quieted the dog and approached Theor, who was sleeping on the bed. Theor was asleep buried under a nket. Astelle took the medicine bottle out of her arms and spilled it into Theor¡¯s sleeping eyes. Theor murmured. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± ¡°Theor, it¡¯s okay.¡± Theor, who was sleeping quietly, frowned in his forehead and slowly opened his eyes, then checked Astelle¡¯s face and fell asleep again. The eyes, which were briefly exposed through the lids, were clear blue. * * * Astelle recovered and the spots disappeared cleanly. Kaizen stayed in the castle for two more days after the spots disappeared from Astelle¡¯s body. He couldn¡¯t leave until he became certain. ¡°The Ladypletely healed now, Your Majesty. There is no possibility of recurrence.¡± It was until the doctor made such a definite answer several times, then the emperor¡¯s party start to head back to the destination, Denz Castle. After another three days of a long journey, Denz Castle finally appeared in front of Astelle. The castles that had stayed before were literally old-fashioned castles built of stone, rising in the sky. There was a gorgeous garden and several separate pces around the main pce in the middle. This was the second imperial pce where the emperor stayed in the east for a long time ago. The carriage carrying the emperor and his party went through the main gate and entered the main building of the castle. The carriage carrying Astelle passed through the luxuriously constructed garden and headed to the east side of the castle. ¡°Lady, this way.¡± The ce where Astelle was guided was a beautiful vi on the west side of the pce. It was a single-story building with arge garden, and it was beautifully and tastefully decorated to match this ancient pce. Walking down the corridor with Theor, the young servant who was going ahead looked at Astelle and bowed his head with a difficult face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lady.¡± ¡°What are you sorry for?¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t seem to have been serving the Marquis well.¡± The young servant apologized to Astelle. He said that the Marquis kept telling him to go back. He wanted to take care of his illness, but he said he wanted to stay alone, so he couldn¡¯t take care of him properly, and he rarely entered the room except when cleaning and bringing medicine. He apologized with a clumsy face. ¡°It seems to be my fault that the Marquis has not recovered so far. All of it is my fault. I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle remained silent for a moment. It was self-evident why her grandfather kept expelling this servant. He wasn¡¯t sick, but he must have been in trouble because he needed to be provided by nursing care. Theor who followed holding Astelle¡¯s hand asked in amazement when he heard the conversation between the two. ¡°Aunt Astelle, is grandfather sick?¡± ¡°No, grandfather is fine now.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes, he said he was healed.¡± Astelle quickly soothes Theor and then to the young servant. ¡°It is not your fault. My grandfather doesn¡¯t like to have people he doesn¡¯t know by his side. It seems that he was ufortable with people waiting beside him.¡± Her grandfather must have a hard time acting as a patient with a healthy body for the past few days. Astelle said with a smile to the servant. ¡°From now on, I¡¯ll be caring for my grandfather so you don¡¯t have to worry about it.¡± ¡°Yes¡­ thank you, Lady.¡± The servant was really grateful that Astelle was not angry and said she would help him with his work. After the conversation, they arrived in front of the door. The servant knocked and opened the door. After entering the room, the Marquis lying on the bed woke up. ¡°Grandpa!¡± Theor ran to his grandfather¡¯s arms. Astelle waited and walked up to her grandfather. She is a Carlenberg, but her thin lines and neat appearance were inherited by her maternal family. Her cousin, Sigmund, was also a nice-looking little boy when he was young. Looking at her grandfather¡¯s appearance, he was like an intelligent and friendly old gentleman. Even though she felt the dignified and overbearing atmosphere like a soldier aristocrat. Astelle has been fond of her grandfather since childhood. Avoiding her father¡¯s eyes, she would secretly send the letters to her mother¡¯s family. As he rubbed his face in the arms of his grandfather, Theor raised his head and asked anxiously. ¡°Grandpa, are you sick?¡± ¡°No, my baby, this grandpa is fine.¡± The Marquis smiled and stroked Theor¡¯s hair. Astelle walked over to the bedside. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for beingte¡­ wasn¡¯t it very difficult?¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t very ufortable because the hospitality was good.¡± ¡°You have a hard time just lying down, but you weren¡¯t sick, but you pretend to be sick¡­ I don¡¯t know how grandfather did this.¡± Her paternal grandfather, who was the former Duke of Reston at the reign of the Empire during the days of Kaizen¡¯s grandfather, Emperor Gilbert, was a capable man, but¡­ his conduct was a bit cowardly. He didn¡¯te out of the house, pretending to be sick whenever he had political instability. ¡®I wonder if my father inherited such a personality.¡¯ The Marquis said with frowning his eyes. ¡°I had a hard time chasing away the young servant because he kept giving me medicines.¡± ¡°What did you do with the medicines?¡± ¡°I poured it into the bathroom and sometimes threw it in that flower bed.¡± The Marquis pointed to the window on one wall. Chapter 32 Chapter 32 The stylish and neatly decorated bedroom had arge ss window on one wall. Through the clear window, Astelle saw andscape of a garden full of flowers. ¡°But why are you sote? What happened?¡± ¡°That¡­¡± Astelle looked at her grandfather¡¯s anxious face and exined the circumstances. The Marquis was surprised to hear Astelle said. ¡°Were you sick?¡± Theor replied quickly to those words. ¡°Aunt Astelle doesn¡¯t hurt anymore, Grandpa.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It healed quickly in the early stages and it was all healed.¡± Astelle tells the story of her work at the hunting lodge and her recovery from illness. After hearing Astelle¡¯s exnation, the Marquis wrapped around Astelle¡¯s hand with a sad expression. ¡°Poorly¡­ it must have been difficult in an unfamiliar ce with the little one.¡± Astelle smiled at the familiar warmth. Theor said, lifting his head in the arms of his grandfather. ¡°Grandpa, I have a puppy!¡± ¡°A puppy? Where did you bring it from?¡± ¡°It is a gift from His Majesty.¡± The Marquis turned his dismayed nce to Astelle. Astelle quickly exined. ¡°Theor went to the hunting lodge and His Majesty gave him one as a gift.¡± First of all, she said so briefly. I didn¡¯t have enough time to exin the long backstage of the hunting lodge, and I wasn¡¯t even talking about it in front of Theor. Astelle thought. The Marquis had understood what Astelle¡¯s meant and patted Theor again. ¡°If you got it from that vi, it would be a hunting dog. Our Theor is too young to learn to hunt.¡± ¡°I hate hunting, the bear is dead.¡± Astelle smiled slightly and looked at the two. When she met her grandfather, a feeling of relief came. It was a feeling that her whole body was relieved of tension. It wasn¡¯t safe yet, but just getting here was half of it. She was relieved. ¡°I heard about the former empress¡¯ will, and that man cares for you two.¡± The Marquis gave Theor a slightlyplicated look. Kaizen¡¯s grandmother, the former empress dowager lost her parents at a young age and was taken to the imperial pce and became an empress. She was the heiress of the wide southern manor. She was in order to legally bind the southern estates to the imperial family. Kaizen¡¯s grandfather, Emperor Gilbert locked up the young empress in the imperial pce in order to prevent his wife to reim her estate at ater date, preventing her from learning properly. The empress was naive without knowing her world status because she had lived that way all her life. She also had difficulty managing the imperial pce, so Astelle frequently visited the empress and helped her. She really loved Astelle, who helped her with the imperial pce work instead of her deceased daughter-inw. ¡®When Astelle got divorced, she cried so much.¡¯ Even though Astelle was in ousting position, she said goodbye to her and felt sorry for leaving. ¡°But it¡¯s all over now. I¡¯ll take a few days here and ask His Majesty for permission to send grandfather and Theor back home first.¡± ¡°Yes, if you do that, you won¡¯t have to worry about it.¡± ¡®I need his permission.¡¯ Whether she likes it or not, she has to get Kaizen¡¯s permission so that she can return Theor. She thought that from now on, she had to soothe Kaizen. When the opportunityes, she can ask to send Theor back. Fortunately, Kaizen was a friendly enemy to Theor, and he was trying to do his own good to Astelle. She thinks of Kaizen, who had been good to Theor. ¡®Everything will be fine.¡¯ Astelle was convinced that everything would be fine. Even her maternal grandfather, who was only listening to her, nodded his head. ¡°Come to think of it, there is another person here waiting for you.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Did anyone wait? Who? At that moment, the door opened with a click. As she turned her head, a brte woman in a maid uniform was entering the room. She was a calm-looking young maid with dark brown hair and maroon eyes. She was crying and approached Astelle. ¡°Miss¡­¡± Astelle was surprised and woke up from her seat. And she approached her own maid, whom she met again after six years. ¡°Hannah?¡± * * * Hannah was Astelle¡¯s maid. Daughters of aristocratic families have a maid of simr age since childhood. The maid who grew up together befriended thedy she served, andter be a maid who supports herdy by her side. Later, after thedy gets married, she goes to thedy¡¯s husband¡¯s mansion and works as the hostess¡¯ chief maid. She was Hannah to Astelle. ¡°Hannah, how are you¡­?¡± Hannah cried and she replied. ¡°When I heard the news that the youngdy wasing here, I asked the butler to be allowed to work here.¡± When Astelle became empress and entered the imperial pce, Hannah also received the qualifications as a maid of the imperial pce, and she entered the imperial pce together. However, Astelle was forced to leave the imperial pce and broke her ties with everything in the capital. But Hannah still wanted to serve Astelle. ¡®I don¡¯t need a maid anymore. I¡¯m sorry Hannah.¡¯ To be honest, she didn¡¯t think she could afford to give Hannah a sry. Hannah said she didn¡¯t need money or anything like that, but Astelle didn¡¯t want to trouble her young and prosperous maid. At that time she didn¡¯t even know that she was pregnant. She went into the forest alone and thought to live alone. She couldn¡¯t even attract Hannah to such a life. ¡®You are qualified to work in the imperial pce. Don¡¯t throw that opportunity away and live for yourself.¡¯ Hannah is the daughter of a poor rural aristocrat, she lost her parents when childhood. When she returns to the duke¡¯s mansion, she will be doing chores because she now has nody to served. If she worked as a maid of the imperial pce, she could have earned a higher sry than from the duke¡¯s mansion and could have a good marriage. Astelle soothed her and sent her into the imperial pce. She did not see her after that. Hannah, lifting her dark brown hair neatly and wearing the headdresses of a maid, hasn¡¯t changed much from six years ago. Hannah wiped her tears away. ¡°After Lady Astelle leaving, I worked as a maid in the Emperor¡¯s pce.¡± Astelle nodded her head as looked at a senior maid¡¯s clothes on her. It seems that the Emperor looked closely at Astelle¡¯s maid, Hannah. Hannah looked back at marquis and spoke to him. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you were with the Marquis, because Master Fritz sent a letter to the Marquis asking where you were. But, the Marquis gave him the answer that he didn¡¯t know where Lady Astelle was.¡± ¡°I asked him that way.¡± Her brother, Fritz, wrote several letters to the Marquis¡¯ mansion looking for Astelle. Astelle didn¡¯t want to contact her brother, so she asked her grandfather to answer that she wasn¡¯t there. ¡°His Majesty has found thedy and wasing to this castle together, so I ran as quickly as possible.¡± Astelle took Hannah¡¯s hand. She¡¯s not Astelle¡¯s maid anymore, so she doesn¡¯t have toe here. But she was grateful for her feelings foring here. Looking interestingly at the two, Theor who still attached to his grandfather approached this way. Astelle took Theor¡¯s shoulder and introduced him to Hannah. ¡°Hannah, this is Theor.¡± ¡°I heard from the Marquis. Master Sigmund¡¯s¡­¡± As long as Hannah has been with Astelle since she was young, she was also familiar with Sigmund. Sigmund had a quiet and sincere character and was kind to the maids and attendants. Hannah looked at Theor with a sad sympathy gaze. Fortunately, Hannah didn¡¯t even suspect the birth of Theor at all. She only thinks that he is Sigmund¡¯s descendant and feels sorry for him. Sigmund¡¯s death, who was young and sincere, left a great shock to those close to him. At the death of her cousin, whom she had been close to, Astelle felt great sadness and loss. She had no choice but to think of her cousin¡¯s face because she borrowed her cousin¡¯s name for Theor. Hannah bent her knees to aligned with Theor¡¯s eye level and greeted him. ¡°Good morning, Young Master Theor. This is Hannah.¡± Theor observed Hannah with a curious eye. Astelle stroked Theor¡¯s head. ¡°Theor, you have to say hello to Hannah.¡± ¡°Hello, Hannah.¡± Theor carefully greeted her. ¡°You are very cute, Young Master. I¡¯ll bring you some delicious cookies.¡± ¡°Huh!¡± Theor nodded his head saying he liked it. Astelle looked at them and smiled a little. ¡°Lady Astelle, aren¡¯t you tired ofing a long way? I will prepare a hot tea.¡± ¡°Thanks, Hannah.¡± * * * Upon arriving at Denz Castle, Kaizen headed to his office without any time to take his break. Since it is a very gorgeous castle, the rooms of the castle were decorated as well as the imperial pce. Compared to the emperor¡¯s office in the imperial pce, it was not inferior. As soon as he arrived at the castle, Kaizen took care of the overdue work. Thanks to him, Vellian couldn¡¯t even rest, and he followed him into the office. Chapter 33 Chapter 33 ¡°Is there anything wrong in the capital?¡± ¡°No, there is nothing to worry about.¡± Vellian replied, handing over the report from the capital. Everything in the capital was going well. After a brief silence, Kaizen asked. ¡°How about that?¡± At Kaizen¡¯s meaningful question, Vellian lowered his voice a little. He didn¡¯t even have to ask who he was referring to. ¡°The Duke of Reston secretly sent money to the West.¡± Duke Reston in the capital was still walking into the trap. Seeing that he even sent money, it was obvious that he was preparing for a rebellion. The problem was that his allied partner was a spy on the Kaizen side. Thanks to this, all of the Duke¡¯s actions were being reported to this side. Vellian looked at Kaizen with a slightlyplicated gaze. He can finally get rid of the Duke of Reston just when he first told this thing. At that time, Kaizen was also trying to buy time so that the Duke could walk into the trap while taking time to go along. The Duke will do more work if Kaizen stays away for a long time. But now the situation is a little¡­ it becameplicated. ¡®His Majesty is being drawn to Lady Astelle now.¡¯ In the capital, the Duke of Reston prepares for treason and walks into a trap, and the Emperor was taken away by Astelle, the daughter of the Duke of Reston. Even Vellian was confused about what to do. ¡®What will happen to Lady Astelle if the Duke of Reston is executed as a traitor?¡¯ The Emperor did not show mercy to the traitor family. The northern family that caused the rebellion was executed along with the women and children. If the rebellion is still not done, only men were executed and women were sent to a convent. ¡®But for Lady Astelle¡­¡¯ The Emperor had his affection for Astelle. Even if the Duke of Reston dies, Astelle will be able to spend afortable day in the eastern countryside. But when she bes the daughter of a traitor, it¡¯ll be hard for her to get into the capital¡¯s socialite. ¡®It would be impossible to stay with the Emperor¡¯s side. It is not allowed to take the daughter of a traitor to the imperial pce.¡¯ Then it bespletely impossible for Astelle to be empress again. Vellian thought about it for a moment and looked at the Emperor with aplicated gaze. Kaizen, who was sitting still, ordered in a calm voice. ¡°Send themander of the Lanberg Knight to the North.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°Send some of the knights to maintain the security of the north.¡± Vellian realized what Kaizen was thinking. The Lanberg Knights were the capital¡¯s most useful force. If some of the knights and the knightmander get out of the capital, the Duke will think of this as an opportunity. ¡®You¡¯re trying to get the Duke to take a chance and speed up the rebellion.¡¯ ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± And Vellian also grasped the meaning behind Kaizen¡¯s words. ¡°I¡¯ll just pretend to go and stay nearby.¡± Kaizen did not answer. Vellian delivered other news to arouse the atmosphere. ¡°Sir Laudrick, who manages the castle, has prepared a banquet and a ball.¡± ¡°A banquet?¡± ¡°Since Your Majesty hase, it seems that he is nning a celebration and a ball.¡± Unlike Maern Castle, which was so far away in the forest, this is a bustling city, so there are aristocrats and some nobles who live in the surroundings as well. Since the emperor has visited, he has prepared a wee event in his own way. The nobles living in local cities rarely had a chance to meet the emperor unless it was this time. But Kaizen firmly refused. ¡°I don¡¯t need useless events.¡± There is no need for such a thing. He didn¡¯te out because he was out to y. Kaizen stopped handing over the documents in a small way. ¡°I guess the ball will be okay.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Vellian asked in embarrassment. ¡®Why did you change your answer? Aren¡¯t you the person who hates this kind of thing?¡¯ ¡°Yes, I understand. Then, only the ball will proceed as nned, and the banquet and other wee events will be canceled¡­¡± Kaizen thought of Astelle with his gaze fixed on a document full of intricate letters. He hasn¡¯t had a good conversation with Astelle since the day he found herbs together in the forest. Upon arriving here, Astelle went to the outbuilding with Theor. When he thinks about it, Astelle liked the ball. When he was the prince, Astelle, as the prince¡¯s fiancee, hosted a ball at the imperial pce. Even in her own mansion, the ball was often held by her on behalf of the deceased duchess. He remembers Astelle, who wore a fancy dress andughed happily among the noisy nobles. The memory of the bright and mindless ballroom vaguely appeared and then disappeared. Even Astelle in it didn¡¯t look as clear as a hazy afterimage. ¡®¡­¡­¡¯ It was difficult to bring back the memories he had forgotten for a long time. Kaizen has often regretted why he can¡¯t remember those moments properly these days. He wished that Astelle¡¯s happy smile had been more clearly inscribed in his memory. He was more upset because he thought he would never see such a figure again. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± The voice of the attendant disturbed Kaizen¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Lady Florin has been asking to see Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Florin is here?¡± Kaizen, locked in thoughts, frowned. ¡°Why?¡± As he lifted his head, Vellian was staring at him nkly. His eyes were wondering why he really didn¡¯t know why she came. ¡°That¡­ probably because of Lady Marianne.¡± ¡°Oh, it was.¡± Marianne, discovered trying to harm Astelle, was still trapped in Maern Castle. Kaizen had forgotten about Marianne since leaving there. ¡°Her mother, the Marchioness, has alsoe with her. Now the Marchioness is resting in the restroom because he is not feeling well.¡± Vellian said that, and he thought it was a great option to leave the Marchioness in the restroom. The Marchioness was simr in character to Marianne. She had no discernment and had short thoughts. When shees before the emperor, she will not be helpful, but she will only interfere. ¡°Tell her toe in.¡± Kaizen replied as if he was annoying. After a while, a smalldy in an open pink dress stepped inside the office. Florin was a girl with dark hair, purple round eyes, and milky cheeks. She had just reached adulthood. She is only one or two years apart from Marianne, but it was apletely different personality from her older sister. ¡°Greeting Your Majesty the Emperor, the Lord of the Empire.¡± Florin wore a dress embroidered with a purple peony in a mixture of light pink and white, and she naturally loosened and drooped her dark, wavy ck hair. She looked like a cute porcin doll. She wasn¡¯t formally engaged, but most nobles were guessing that Florin would be Kaizen¡¯s new empress. Her father, the Marquis of Croychen, has gained the emperor¡¯s trust in lieu of state affairs. And the great aristocracy has almost all fallen, so there were no deservingdies to be an empress. Florin raised her head calmly. ¡°Please forgive the rudeness of my sudden visit, Your Majesty. I am here to apologize to Your Majesty on behalf of my father.¡± ¡°What did your father say?¡± Florin hesitated for a moment at Kaizen¡¯s cold question, then she hurriedly lowered her head again. ¡°My father apologized for not properly educating his daughter, and he said that he wished Your Majesty to punish his daughter severely.¡± ¡°Ha.¡± It meant that he would abandon his daughter. Kaizen outrightughed at her. Unlike Croychen, the Duke of Reston and otherrge nobles lost their power and were newly added to the ranks. The Duke of Croychen had been trusted because he was loyal andpetent, but on this side, he was no different from the Duke of Reston. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Florin suddenly knelt on the floor. ¡°My father said so, but I want to ask forgiveness on behalf of my sister.¡± As Florin cried, she put her hands on the floor and bow down her head. The tears flowed down her white cheeks. ¡°My sister is still young and immature, so she must have made that mistake. She is unforgivable but I dare to ask you to generously show mercy.¡± Like a doll, her cute face was stained with tears. She looked sad, but Kaizen wasn¡¯t very impressed. She was just annoying. ¡°Just because she is young doesn¡¯t mean that she can plot against others.¡± ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll think about Marianne¡¯s matterter, so stop your actions.¡± Vellian nced at the attendant. Florin stood up and went outside, supported by the attendant. ¡°I¡¯ll finish it in the evening, so keep it organized.¡± After a while, Kaizen put the papers down and he stood up. * * * While Hannah looked after Theor, Astelle went to a room and unpacked her luggage. The room given to Astelle was in the center of the annex. When she opened the door with a beautiful wooden pattern, bright light poured in. After a while, the spacious room revealed its appearance. The magnificent reception room where lightes in through arge arched window appeared first. Next to it was a restroom and a bedroom. It was a gorgeous and dazzling room. Chapter 34 Chapter 34 The floor was beautiful pale green marble and the walls were white and cream-colored stone with delicate embossing. The luxurious furniture in the room was also of the highest quality. It wasn¡¯t evenpared to the old castle that Astelle went through whileing here. It was a more splendid dwelling ce than Maern Castle where she stayed before. ¡®It deserves to be called the Imperial Pce in the East¡¯ Astelle simply unpacks her luggage and tries to leave, but Hannah knocks on the door. ¡°Lady Astelle, we have prepared a dessert. Young Master Theor is also waiting for you.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll go now.¡± Astelle headed to the gorgeous rxation room overlooking the garden. Outside the window, she saw a garden with bright sunlight. The leaves of grass in the garden shone bright gold in the afternoon sun. A tea set was set on a round table by the window. ¡°I brought some cookies and Mille Feuille that you might like.¡± ¡°Thanks, Hannah.¡± Astelle sat face to face with Theor at the table. On the table, there was a fragrant Mille Feuille on a beautiful white te. Astelle pushed to Theor a te and a fork. ¡°Theor, now, try one.¡± Theor was looking back and forth over the shape of the Mille Feuille. ¡°This looks amazing.¡± ¡°Cut it out and eat it. It is very delicious.¡± Theor listened to Hannah and took a fork. He cut one piece carefully not to lose the shape and put it in his mouth. ¡°Wow! Delicious!¡± ¡°Do you like it?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s sweet and delicious.¡± Astelle also took a fork and ate a bite of Mille Feuille. As soon as she ate a bite, the sweet vani scent spread in her mouth. The savory and crispy pastries blended with the soft custard cream with plenty of vani scent. ¡®Eating this food after a long time reminds me of the old days.¡¯ In those days, she ate these things every day while going to the imperial pce. She drank a sip of milk tea in a pure white mug. It was a taste that naturally harmonized with fragrant tea and soft milk. The bitter taste and scent matched well with Mille Feuille. The fatigue umted whileing here was relieved by sweet Mille Feuille and warm milk tea. Hannahughed as she filled Astelle¡¯s empty teacup with tea. ¡°Lady Astelle loves this dessert too.¡± Astelle smiled slightly and picked up another piece with a fork. It was when she had finished eating thest piece and put the teacup down. Hannah asked a question. ¡°Are you going back to the Marquis¡¯ mansion? ¡° ¡°Yeah. I have to go back with my grandfather. How about you Hannah? Can you be ordered back to the capital¡¯s imperial pce?¡± Astelle met her long-awaited, but she was disappointed because she wondered if she would be separated again. She was also worried about whether Hannah could go back to the imperial pce. Even though she is a maid belonging to the imperial pce equally, she is much better at the imperial pce of the capital city than in this separate pce in the east. There will be a difference in the sry. Could she evere here and return to the capital? If that¡¯s the case, she should ask Kaizen to let her go back. Hanna replied in a bright voice as she put the teapot down. ¡°No, I want to follow Lady Astelle now.¡± ¡°What?¡± Hannah faced Astelle with a calm gaze full of her old feelings. ¡°You sent me to the capital¡¯s imperial pce alone 6 years ago and I really regretted it a lot. I swore that if I could find your whereabouts, I would surely go and served you.¡± It was a calm tone, but it was a voice that was filled with sincerity. Hannah looked at Astelle with tearful and desperate eyes. ¡°Lady, please don¡¯t leave me this time.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle felt the touch in her chest, and she thought about real things. Now she¡¯s going to be able to give Hannah a sry. Since she received her grandfather¡¯s pension again, she was nning to hire a servant or a maid. Theor will get bigger and bigger, and her grandfather will gradually get older, so she needed an employee to help with chores. But she can¡¯t hire anyone. She had to choose someone who was trustworthy and loyal. ¡®If it is Hannah¡­ she can be trusted.¡¯ Hannah was a maid who grew up with Astelle from childhood. She was the most trusted person for Astelle. ¡®Originally, I was thinking of bringing in back the servants who worked at my grandfather¡¯s mansion.¡¯ However, the servants in the mansion of her grandfather had already left out a few years ago. She couldn¡¯t guarantee that she could bring them back. In the meantime, there will be people who have been looking for jobs in other mansions. There will be people who have started other things. ¡®That is why I was worried about it though.¡¯ If it¡¯s Hannah, I can trust it. In any case, I might be able to tell you about Theor¡¯s birth. If I think about it, Hannah might be in trouble at the imperial pce now. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager also died after the former emperor. After a while, when the new empresses in, she may be in trouble because she was a maid of the former empress. ¡®Moreover, if the new empress is Marianne¡¯s sister, she might be harassing Hannah because she was my maid.¡¯ Astelle didn¡¯t want Hannah to be harmed because of herself. In that case, it might be better to hire Hannah and put her by her side again. Astelle asked carefully after thinking about it. ¡°Hannah, would you not really mind though?¡± ¡°Yes, I already made up my mind beforeing here. I will follow you this time.¡± Hannah asked again with a desperate expression. ¡°Lady, please allow me this time.¡± Astelle nodded to Hanna¡¯s desperate beg. ¡°Yes, Hannah, then from now on, help me by my side again like before.¡± Hannah was moved and her tears filled. ¡°Yes, Lady. Thank you very much.¡± Astelle took Hannah¡¯s hand. Whileing here, all sorts of things happened, but it was good to have someone she could trust. Theor, who was watching quietly, asked while eating thest piece of Mille-Feuille left over. ¡°Then does Hannah live with us?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Hannah quickly wiped her tears andughed, and she bowed her head to Theor. ¡°Thank you very much, Young Master. ¡± ¡°Yes, please take care of me too, Hannah.¡± Astelle looked at it and smiled. However, the time of emotion did notst long. -knock knock Suddenly a short knock was heard outside the door. The door opened and the attendant came in with an urgent expression. ¡°Lady¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The attendant replied with confused eyes. ¡°The Marchioness of Croychen visited.¡± Before Astelle could say anything, a middle-aged woman who looked dry and nervous came in. She could know who the person was without being introduced. She was the wife of the Marquis of Croychen, the Minister of State, and Marianne¡¯s mother. Even before Astelle said hello, the Marchioness of Croychen asked. ¡°Are you Lady Astelle?¡± Astelle replied with a slight smile. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been a long time, Marchioness.¡± The other person doesn¡¯t seem to remember, but Astelle met the Marchioness a few times. At that time, the Croychen was a minor family, so there was no close conversation. ¡®Even then, it wasn¡¯t a very good impression.¡¯ The Marchioness was arrogant and short of thoughts. At that time, she was not an important person, so she was not popr. ¡°Aunt Astelle?¡± The Marchioness was trying to say something more, but Theor at the table came to Astelle. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Asked Theor, running on the hem of Astelle¡¯s dress. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, it¡¯s just a guest.¡± ¡°Who is he?¡± The Marchioness carefully looked at Theor with a curious look. ¡°You look like Lady Astelle, are you rtives?¡± The words of her resemnce filled a corner of her heart. Astelle replied with a smile without expressing any surprise. ¡°Yes, this is my nephew.¡± ¡°Hello, Madam.¡± Theor bowed and said hello to the Marchioness. Astelle quickly nced at Hannah. ¡°Hannah, would you take Theor to his room and get the toy out?¡± Hannah quickly noticed and lowered her head. ¡°Yes, Lady Astelle. Young Master,e over here.¡± Hannah took Theor¡¯s hand and went outside. Astelle is left alone with the Marchioness in the room. ¡°Lady Astelle, you must know why I meet you suddenly like this.¡± The Marchioness, who had watched Theor go out, couldn¡¯t stand it anymore and opened her mouth. ¡°It¡¯s because of Marianne.¡± ¡°Lady Marianne?¡± ¡°Yes, it is. She is my eldest child.¡± She was a little too casual about what she was saying. ¡°Your Majesty has been imprisoned her in a Maern Castle¡¯s prison.¡± Come to think of it, Marianne is still there. Astelle remembers the whereabouts of Marianne which she had forgotten for a while. She hadn¡¯t seen her since then, so she forgot for a while. The Marchioness burst into anger. ¡°Marianne has been trapped there for over 2 weeks. The poor child¡­! I wonder how much she suffers in such a ce¡­¡± She asked Astelle. ¡°Lady Astelle, please ask His Majesty to release my poor daughter.¡± She was a bit outright. She only asks for words, but it is no different from forcing Astelle. Her own daughter is trapped in such a ce, and the feelings of her parents will be miserable. No matter how miserable she felt as a parent, this was a bit severe. Chapter 35 Chapter 35 ¡°Excuse me, Marchioness, I am not in a position to meddle in His Majesty¡¯s decisions.¡± Astelle, who had been listening quietly, answered calmly. ¡°I was only invited to participate in His Majesty¡¯s party to the capital. I do not have the authority to advise or meddle in how His Majesty punishes criminals.¡± ¡°Did you just say my daughter is a criminal?¡± The Marchioness asked with a sharp voice. Doesn¡¯t this Marchioness know that Marianne got caught while rummaging through someone else¡¯s medicine box and trying to secretly put a suspicious drug inside? Or did she ignore it because she didn¡¯t think it was a crime? Either way, she wasn¡¯t the kind of person Astelle wanted to deal with. Astelle said with an innocent expression. ¡°Isn¡¯t that what most people in prison are called?¡± ¡°Hey, Lady Astelle!¡± The Marchioness did not try to hide the hostility towards Astelle. ¡°As you know, my husband, the Marquis of Croychen is the Minister of State. My daughter, Florin is His Majesty¡¯s fianc¨¦e, and she will soon be the Empress. You don¡¯t seem to know anything about what happened in the capital.¡± ¡®This is the first time I¡¯ve heard of the emperor¡¯s engagement here.¡¯ ¡°You must be proud of having a wonderful husband and daughter.¡± Although her daughter, Florin wasn¡¯t engaged yet, the behavior of the Marchioness was absurd. Come to think of it, Marianne¡¯s behavior looked like this woman. At Astelle¡¯s sarcastic remarks, the Marchioness raised her voice even more. ¡°My daughter is getting engaged soon¡­!¡± ¡°Marchioness.¡± Astelle cut off her words in a cold tone. ¡°Lady Marianne was trying to put poison in my medicine box and she was caught. I¡¯m not sure why I have to save Lady Marianne. In mymon sense, shouldn¡¯t I be asking that Lady Marianne be punished more severely?¡± If Marianne¡¯s evil n seeded, Astelle would have been in a much more difficult position than the present Marianne. The fact that the deposed empress hid poison and came to meet the emperor would seem like an attempt to poison him. If things went wrong, not only Astelle, but Theor and her grandfather, and maybe even her father and brother in the capital, were involved. Rather, if Marianne was caught stealing Astelle¡¯s belongings or trying to physically harm her, she might have been tempted to understand a little bit under the premise that she would regret it. But this was hardly forgivable. At that, the Marchioness kept her mouth shut. She just stared at Astelle with a grudge-filled gaze. She seemed to be angry because Astelle did notply with her request, but it was useless anger. Kaizen will handle whatever Astelle says. ¡°His Majesty was not very angry, so there is nothing to worry about. He was just offended that something like that happened during the tour.¡± Kaizen was not angry with Marianne. He was just upset. He must have thought it was annoying because he had a needless problem. Kaizen that Astelle knew was such a person. A man who thinks that all problems between women are useless emotional battles. ¡°Lady Marianne is still a youngdy, and her father, Marquis Croychen, is trusted by His Majesty, so I don¡¯t think he will punish her too much. I don¡¯t think you need any help.¡± After all, Astelle was the only one who suffered damage. It was not likely that Kaizen would execute or punish a young noble girl for the suffering Astelle had endured. The emperor not going to kill the minister¡¯s daughter in exchange for being loyal to him. ¡°If you don¡¯t have any more business, I want you to go back now.¡± Astelle turned to get out. Then the Marchioness from behind tried to catch Astelle. ¡°Hey there. Lady Astelle!¡± ¡°Marchioness.¡± Astelle spoke coldly, cutting off the Marchioness¡¯ words. ¡°You came into the room without permission, and now you are speaking informally to me? You are very rude.¡± The Marchioness red at Astelle and trembled at her humiliation. A hateful voice leaked out of her mouth. ¡°Ha! You were kicked out of the empress seat¡­!¡± It seems that she wanted to say something on the subject of the expelled empress. But the Marchioness did not finish her words. At that moment, the door next to her suddenly swung open. ¡°What is this?¡± It was Kaizen. The Marchioness was startled, and she hurriedly bowed her head. He surprised Astelle as well. ¡®When did youe?¡¯ Since when has he been eavesdropping on the conversation? While Astelle looked at him with bewilderment, Kaizen looked straight at the Marchioness with burning red eyes. ¡°Since when has a Marchioness been able to talk loudly in my pce?¡± tant ridicule was evident on his handsome face. The Marchioness hurriedly bowed her head with a bewildered expression. ¡°Y-Your Majesty. I¡¯m sorry, sorry. I was just talking to Lady Astelle¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± Kaizen gave such a cold stare to the Marchioness. ¡°Astelle is my guest, and you came without permission and threatened her.¡± ¡°Y-Your Majesty¡­ it¡¯s not¡­¡± The Marchioness turned white and stuttered. Kaizen ordered coldly. ¡°Go away now. And nevere here again without my permission.¡± ¡°Y-Yes, Your Majesty. I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± The Marchioness bowed her back deeply and saluted Astelle as well. ¡°Then, excuse me.¡± As the Marchioness hurriedly greeted her and ran away, Kaizen approached Astelle. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I made you deal with something unnecessary.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Your Majesty.¡± As this happened, the Marchioness seemed to hate Astelle even more, but she had no choice. ¡°But what did youe here for?¡± She wondered if something had happened, so she got a little worried. But Kaizen answered her bluntly. ¡°I came to visit your maternal grandfather, the Marquis.¡± ¡°¡­ pardon?¡± For a moment, she wondered what this meant. Kaizen frowned. ¡°Why? Is there any problem?¡± ¡°Ah¡­ no.¡± It¡¯s a sudden visit¡­ Her maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Carlenberg, and Kaizen never even talked to each other in private, let alone close friends. But why did you suddenlye to visit him? Does he care because he thinks he¡¯s ill? Although there is no way Kaizen has such a concerned side. Astelle hid her thoughts and thanked him. ¡°Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. My grandfather will be grateful.¡± ¡°Are you okay with your body? You¡¯re a patient too, but I heard you visited him often. Shouldn¡¯t you be getting some rest?¡± ¡°As you can see, I am very well. I¡¯m worried about my grandfather who is sicker than me.¡± ¡®Actually, my grandfather is fine, though.¡¯ Still, it¡¯s not been too long since we arrived, and I can¡¯t say that he has already gotten better. After a few days, maybe her grandfather can say that he is slowly recovering. Astelle, pretending to be worried, answered calmly. ¡°Still, my grandfather recovered a lot after seeing Theor. All thanks to Your Majesty. Thank you very much.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Kaizen looked like he wanted to say something more, but he bit his mouth. The conversation ended there. The two walked down the hallway without a word. * * * Astelle led Kaizen into her grandfather¡¯s bedroom. Kaizen walked down the brightly lit hallway. Denz Castle was a luxurious pce. Even the annex to the west was full of delicate decorations down to the corner of the hallway. As Kaizen followed Astelle, he recalled a story he had just heard from the servants. The servant said that Astelle had sent out a servant to the Marquis. ¡°She sent out the servant? Why?¡± ¡°Lady Astelle said that she would takecare of the Marquis herself.¡± ¡°Why would she do such a thing?¡± The servant¡¯s exnation followed. ¡°It is said that the Marquis doesn¡¯t like having strangersby his side.¡± The more he listened to the exnation, the more he was surprised. Why is that old man so picky when he doesn¡¯t even have the money to pay his own servants? He hates strangers, so he treats Astelle like a maid¡­ Kaizen nced at Astelle¡¯s back in front of him and clicked his tongue. Astelle stopped at the door to the Marquis¡¯ bedroom. ¡°Grandpa, I will go in.¡± Astelle opened the door with a light knock. As soon as they entered the room, the Marquis lying on the bed found Kaizen and got up. ¡°It¡¯s okay, lie down.¡± Kaizen refused his greeting. After those words, he sat back leaning on the back of the bed. ¡°I see you, the lord of the empire.¡± Astelle¡¯s maternal grandfather had the impression of a decent old gentleman. Perhaps because of his neat appearance, this old man was more like a schr than a soldier, Kaizen thought. Hisplexion is calm and his eyes are clear on the subject of an old man. He didn¡¯t look like a patient no matter how much I looked at him. ¡®Because of that old man, I moved here quickly from the previous schedule.¡¯ Seeing that he looked much better than expected, Kaizen even felt a sense of disappointment. Astelle closed the window that was open. There was an empty medicine bowl on the table by the window. Seeing this, Kaizen realized that Astelle was in charge of the Marquis¡¯ medicine in person. Chapter 36 Chapter 36 Kaizen just stood there without saying a word, and then the Marquis asked a little embarrassed. ¡°Your Majesty, why did you suddenlye¡­¡± ¡°I came to visit you¡­¡± The Marquis nced at Astelle with surprised eyes. Astelle said reassuringly. ¡°Grandpa. His Majesty hase to check on your condition.¡± The Marquis who sat on the bed and stared nkly at himter showed a gentle smile to express his gratitude. ¡°It is a great honor for me to have Your Majestye in person.¡± ¡°How is your body?¡± ¡°Thanks for your concern, I have improved a lot.¡± Now he said thank you with a polite, and dignified attitude. When Kaizen had met him before, he was stubborn and arrogant. Until recently, Kaizen did not know Astelle¡¯s maternal grandfather very well. He had seen him at the Imperial Pce about 20 years ago, but he was too young to remember. He had been rated as an easygoing and decent person. He didn¡¯t really care, so he thought it was just that. But when he met him in person, he was a very arrogant and shameless old man. ¡®You didn¡¯t feel very sick, but you annoyed everyone by being rude for nothing.¡¯ Astelle even shed tears when she heard that her maternal grandfather was ill. When Kaizen recalled the memories of that time, he couldn¡¯te up with any good words. Kaizen, who had been silent, looked at Astelle and asked. ¡°Where is Theor?¡± ¡°He is ying with the dog ??in his room.¡± Kaizen found the topic of discussion and spoke to the Marquis first. ¡°Theor was really nice and polite. I¡¯ve never seen such a gentle kid.¡± After saying that, the Marquis kept silent, and then looked closely at Kaizen. In thest six years, he had no interest in the emperor even once. This young emperor was no less than an enemy to him. The Marquis, who was calmly maintaining his manners, exploded as Theor¡¯s name came out from the emperor¡¯s mouth. ¡®I know it¡¯s not okay to say it, but there was a moment when everyone lost the reason for a while.¡¯ For the Marquis of Carlenberg, this was the moment. After the conflict, the Marquis could not stand it and spoke calmly. The words he had always wanted to say from the time he met the emperor again after six years. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Theor resembles my grandson, so he is really gentle and polite. If he hadn¡¯t been like my grandson, he would have been ignorant of manners and rude.¡± He emphasized the phrase ¡®like my grandson¡¯ once more. ¡°I think I¡¯m really lucky. Because he looks like my grandson.¡± Astelle was startled by her grandfather¡¯s meaningful words and raised one eyebrow. But the Marquis secretly avoided the gaze of his granddaughter. Fortunately, Kaizen did not see Astelle¡¯s side. ¡°¡­ is it.¡± Even after being cursed without knowing it, Kaizen nodded calmly. The words of the Marquis were candid swear words, ¡®I¡¯m d he doesn¡¯t resemble someone like you who is not polite, and that he resembles Astelle¡¯. However, the person who was insulted did not even know what it meant, so he did not get angry. Instead of getting angry, Kaizen cursed the old marquis. ¡®What a trash old man.¡¯ This old man took his grandson¡¯s newborn baby after expelling the mother because she is a maid. Then he didn¡¯t even have the money to hire a nanny, so he threw the baby at his granddaughter, Astelle, which left her struggling with childcare for five years. After causing trouble to everyone in that way! He was an arrogant old man who bragged about Theor not resembling his birth mother, a maid, but resembling Carlenberg¡¯s precious blood. At this point, the curse of trash seemed insufficient. ¡®Indeed, you are the father-inw of the Duke of Reston.¡¯ Was Astelle really going to take care of this old man herself? It was not very difficult to call the servant and feed him with medicine. It must have been like this at home. Do you think Astelle is your maid? This old man! ¡®I could not see this any longer.¡¯ Kaizen promised that he would make Astelle live properly no matter what. He will find a decent mansion, give it to her, and make her live in abundance and wealth. * * * Kaizen went out after visiting the Marquis¡¯ room. Astelle came out along with him and thanked him. ¡°Thank you for visiting, Your Majesty. My grandfather will consider it an honor.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Kaizen had no ill feelings toward Astelle¡¯s maternal grandfather, the Marquis. When he met him while looking for Astelle, he stubbornly replied that he would rather die than tell the whereabouts of his granddaughter. At that time, there was a certain respect for the old marquis, thinking that he cared for his granddaughter. But now Kaizen sees that it wasn¡¯t for his granddaughter, but because of his heavenly pride that he couldn¡¯t give in. ¡®After all, I should have killed that old man.¡¯ ¡°I think it would be unreasonable to raise a child since the Marquis is getting older now.¡± Kaizen suppressed his annoyance at the old marquis and quietly offered to Astelle. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be better for you and Theor to live in the capital? You have to be in the capital to educate him and send him to the social world.¡± However, Astelle refused with a cold and calm tone without any emotion. ¡°As I said before, I have no intention of living in the capital. As Theor is the heir to the Carlenberg family, he must grow up with his grandfather.¡± Frankly, if Astelle had been alone, she would have been at a loss as to how she would raise Theor. The Marquis provided shelter for Astelle while she was pregnant and took care of her by his side. When she was struggling with childcare and raising a newborn baby, the Marquis was a huge help. When Theor was about three months old, there was a time when he cried all night without sleeping. He wasn¡¯t sick, and no matter how much she tried tofort him, he didn¡¯t sleep all night. It was the Marquis who calmed Theor down, as Astelle ran out of energy. The sight she saw when she woke up with her eyes closed for a moment was still vivid in her memory. The figure of her grandfather sleeping through the night holding Theor with pillows and cushions piled up all over the ce to avoid dropping the baby while sleeping. However, Kaizen did not understand the situation because he did not know about it. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Unsurprisingly, he was calmly rejected this time as well. Kaizen changed his mind as he endured the irritability welling up. ¡®If you like that old man so much, there¡¯s nothing I can do. Better use that old man to take you to the capital.¡¯ Astelle rejected all his offers of the mansion and estate. But the Marquis is different. No matter how many times he refused because of his pride, he had a young heir, there was no way he would want to live a poor life relying solely on his pension. If the Marquis decides to live in the capital with Theor, Astelle will be forced to stay in the capital too. ¡°The Marquis is not feeling well. It would be good to go to the capital and see a good doctor at this time. Let the child see the capital too.¡± ¡°I wonder if my grandfather can go to the capital with me because he¡¯s not feeling well¡­¡± ¡°I will stay here for a while, so he will have plenty of time to recover. Your grandfather can livefortably here unlike in his previous castle. If necessary, I will call more doctors from the capital.¡± Kaizen quickly changed the topic before Astelle could refuse again. ¡°Oh, there will be a ball here soon.¡± ¡°A ball?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Kaizen continued speaking with an interval of about one breath. ¡°If it¡¯s okay with you, I would like you to attend too.¡± Kaizen thought Astelle would naturally reject it. Astelle never did what he told her to do. She did what he always told her six years ago, but after reuniting, she never listened to what he said. Even though he knew it, he felt like, ¡®Yeah, let¡¯s talk even if I get rejected¡¯. ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± ¡°Please answer that you would do it, even just once¡­¡± Kaizen btedly noticed Astelle¡¯s answer, and looked at her. ¡°What?¡± Astelle looked at him with a puzzled look and answered again. ¡°I will attend the ball as Your Majesty ordered.¡± ¡°Are you going to the ball?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Kaizen frowned and looked carefully at Astelle. It was a gaze full of suspicion. ¡°Are you really going to the ball?¡± He repeated the same question over and over as if he couldn¡¯t believe what he had heard. At this point, Astelle was also stunned. ¡®If anyone sees it, it will look like I¡¯m insisting to go when he tells me not to.¡¯ I just said that I would go because he asked me toe. I don¡¯t know what kind of reaction it was. ¡°Why are you doing this, Your Majesty? You just told me to attend, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Ah¡­ yes, I did.¡± Kaizen turned his gaze away, blurring his words. He seemed to be very confused. We grew up together since we were about 10 years old, but it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen this man make such a bewildered expression, Astelle thought. ¡®Was he so surprised that I was going to the ball?¡¯ Chapter 37 Chapter 37 It was Kaizen who invited Astelle first. Astelle silently looked up at Kaizen who was bewildered. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty. If you invited me just out of courtesy, I won¡¯t attend the ball if that¡¯s what you want.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that.¡± At that moment, the embarrassment disappears from his sculptural face. Instead, familiar irritation and anger were revealed. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m going to do such a pretense to you? If you don¡¯t want toe, tell me not toe. Why are you talking in vain¡­¡± The angry voice gradually lost its strength and was cut off. A feeling of embarrassment fluttered like waves in his red eyes like fresh blood. Astelle said nothing. For more than a decade of being engaged, Astelle has attended every ball, dinner, and soiree as Kaizen¡¯s partner. She stood by his side countless times in countless banquet halls and ballrooms. Kaizen has always followed social customs. On the day of the prom, he reached out his hand and asked Astelle to be his partner. Astelle, drunk with a friendly smile and courteous request, held his hand with a happy heart every time. Was there sincerity even just once? Astelle knew without even asking. All that affection was just smoke that will soon go away. Every time he smiled and held out his hand, he probably hid his displeasure, hoping Astelle would reject his hand. Kaizen seemed to recall the memories of that time now. Bitter remorse was revealed on his handsome face. The lips that looked like they were drawn with a brush, opened several times as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out. A heavy silence descended on the hallway. The memories of the old days that came like an uninvited guest separated the two of them in silence. It was Astelle who broke the silence first. ¡°I¡¯ll go to the ball if it¡¯s okay with you.¡± Kaizen¡¯s startled eyes turned to Astelle. She had no desire to participate in an event like a ball. But she realized that an opportunity she hadn¡¯t thought of had arrived. ¡®The ball can be a great opportunity.¡¯ If it is a ball, there will be a lot of people around. Lots of people mean lots of eyes. Astelle, as the world sees her, was the poor former empress, whom the emperor threw away in one day. ¡®It¡¯s because I want to send Grandpa and Theor back home first.¡¯ So she picked a ballroom with as many people as possible to make sure she got permission from the Emperor. Kaizen, unaware of her intentions, seemed to be surprised again by her promise to attend. He looked straight at Astelle for a moment, then averted his eyes. ¡°¡­ yes, thank you for attending.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± It was the greeting from thendlord after seeing the guests at the ball. Having said that, she felt as if this ce was a ballroom. Astelle bowed her knee slightly in return. ¡°It is an honor, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make fun of me.¡± It was then that she came to her senses and an unpleasant reply came back. ¡°It¡¯s just weird that you say no every time and then suddenly ept.¡± It was an openly sarcastic tone. ¡®That¡¯s because you always asked for useless things.¡¯ Astelle wanted to refute that, but instead, she answered quietly. ¡°I haven¡¯t always wanted to say no. If it was an eptable offer, I would have epted it.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying there was a problem with my offer?¡± She almost asked ¡®Are you asking because you did¡¯t know that?¡¯. But Astelle¡¯s answer was interrupted by Theor¡¯s bright voice. ¡°Aunt Astelle!¡± From the other side of the hallway, Theor, embracing the teddy bear, found the two and ran to them. Blin, arge hound, was following Theor. ¡°Theor, you must not run in the hallway. It¡¯s dangerous.¡± Theor clung to the hem of Astelle¡¯s skirt and heaving as he answered. ¡°I won¡¯t do that anymore.¡± ¡°You may fall, so be careful.¡± Blin, who arrived next, looked back at Kaizen and Astelle and waved its tail. Theor, who was holding Astelle¡¯s skirt, greeted Kaizen as well. ¡°Hello, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Hello.¡± Kaizen stroked Theor¡¯s hair like a puppy, then ruffled his hair. Theor closed his eyes and grinned. As Kaizen finished stroking, Theor raised his head and asked innocently. ¡°Your Majesty, why are you here?¡± Kaizen looked around this ce once. ¡°I was begging your aunt toe to the ball.¡± ¡®Beg? I don¡¯t think it was an earnest request enough to say that.¡¯ Theor was interested in the sound of a ball. ¡°Aunt, are you going to the ball?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Theor smiled cutely. A dimple was pierced on the white cheeks. ¡°Can Ie with you?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I want to go to the ball too.¡± Kaizen asked with a smile instead. ¡°Do you know what a ball is?¡± ¡°Yes. I saw it in a children¡¯s book. It¡¯s dancing in pretty clothes.¡± ¡°You know it well.¡± Well, there are a lot of prom stories in children¡¯s books. Young Theor might be interested. Because Theor had never seen a ball before. Astelle quickly appeased Theor before Kaizen uttered nonsense. ¡°You can¡¯t, Theor. I¡¯ll take youter when you get older.¡± At those words, Theor quickly lowered his head. Theor waved the teddy bear¡¯s arm and made a muffled voice. ¡°I also wanted to go to the ball.¡± After thinking for a while about how to appease the child, Kaizen sat down with one knee on his back, made eye level with Theor, and smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t take you to the ball. Would you like to take a tour of this garden instead?¡± ¡°Really? Um¡­ can I go outside the garden fence?¡± ¡°The fence? Who said you couldn¡¯t go out?¡± Kaizen asked curiously, and then he turned his gaze in another direction. Astelle avoided his gaze. Sinceing here, Astelle has allowed Theor to y in this annex only. It was because she was worried that the same thing that happened in thest hunting lodge would be repeated. Astelle didn¡¯t say anything, but Kaizen clicked his tongue briefly as if it was understandable. ¡°The garden here isrge and gorgeous. Let¡¯s go out together, I will guide you.¡± Theor looked back at Astelle with bright eyes. ¡°Can I go out?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± If it¡¯s near the attachment, there¡¯s no danger. So it¡¯s okay to take him out for a while. Of course, there was no intention of letting Theor go alone with Kaizen. Astelle smiled and took Theor¡¯s hand. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go take a look together.¡± For a moment, a sign of satisfaction seemed to pass over Kaizen¡¯s lips. Astelle looked back at him. But she must have misunderstood, no emotion was revealed on his indifferent face. * * * There were two ways from the west annex to the center of the pce. One was a path connected by a t corridor, and the other was a path that passed through the garden. Astelle walked along the garden path with Theor. Blin, the hound also walked alongside Theor. Kaizen was next to him a step away. The bright sunny garden was very beautiful. There were several small side paths in the middle of the garden path, and if you go into the side paths, you will find a flower garden or a greenhouse. After walking for a while, they went into the side road in the middle. There was a small tea room. ¡°What ce is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a tea room. It¡¯s a ce to drink tea.¡± It was an octagonal tea room with eight light blue columns supporting the roof. The light green jasper floors glisten in the sunlight of the garden. Next to the tea room was arge acacia. Branches reaching high into the sky cast pure white petals on the blue roof of the tea room. Every time the wind blew, the fresh scent of acacia permeated the warm sunlight. ¡°Wow¡­ it¡¯s beautiful.¡± Theor lifted his heels and stretched his hands high to the sky to catch the drooping acacia blossoms. The white flowers swaying in the sky barely reached Theor¡¯s hand. Theor raised both his hands and jumped to catch the flower. It was cute and funny. Kaizen who was beside him, smiled slightly. Astelle lifted Theor up so that he could touch the acacia flower. ¡°There are thorns, so be careful.¡± After looking at the tea room, they went out again to the central garden path and walked for a while. As he passed the small pond, Theor pointed a finger at the green building by the pond. ¡°There¡¯s a strange house over there.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a house, it¡¯s a pavilion.¡± ¡°What is the pavilion for?¡± There was arge pavilion in the garden. Most of it was used as a restroom or tea room, but it was made like an exhibition room with ss windows. ¡°Hmm. It¡¯s an exhibition room made for a resting ce after visiting the pond. I heard that there is a person from beyond the eastern mountain range in there. Shall we go there?¡± ¡°Yes. I want to go.¡± Since it is used as an exhibition room, she thought the door would be locked, but it was surprisingly easy to open. Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Upon closer inspection, it looked like it was being cleaned. There was a broom and a mop, but the cleaningdy was nowhere to be seen. The exhibition room was full of pottery. From porcin embossed with flowers on a pure white background, a light green vase with a white bird, to long blue porcin wrapped in colorful floral patterns. Among them, the most splendid was the blue porcin ced on the backside table in the center. Gorgeous flowers are painted with gold on a deep blue background like sapphire. Even the coveted blossoms and the leaves that sprouted from the flowers were all gold. These ceramics were imported from a distant country beyond the mountains. This luxurious hobby was the taste of Kaizen¡¯s grandfather, Emperor Gilbert. Astelle admired the borate patterns painted on the pottery. ¡°It¡¯s really gorgeous.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a useless luxury.¡± Kaizen didn¡¯t seem to be very impressed. ¡°A lot of these things remain in the capital¡¯s imperial pce. I was nning on selling it all, but the servants just left it.¡± Kaizen, with a practical personality, has never liked such luxury in the past. The imperial pce also had numerous treasures that his grandfather had collected and a number of splendid and stylish buildings that kept them. Since the new owner doesn¡¯t pay attention, the precious ornaments will only umte dust and be forgotten. ¡°Theor, don¡¯t touch it.¡± After seeing the luxurious pottery, Theor fell in love with the blue pottery in the center, but when Astelle stopped him, he quickly withdrew his hand.¡± Theor asked with a curious expression. ¡°What is this bowl for?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just decoration. You can decorate it beautifully and show it to people. If you drop it incorrectly, it will break, so don¡¯t touch it carelessly.¡± ¡°It¡¯s really pretty.¡± The three of them left the pavilion and continued to explore the garden. After walking around for a while, they arrived near the main pce. ¡°Can¡¯t we go see what¡¯s over there?¡± Near the main pce, Theor found a small byway leading from the main road and pointed at it with his finger. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go.¡± Astelle went in without much thought, but a beautiful scenery appeared that she would regret if she had left it out. There was a flower garden. Numerous flowers filled several flower beds. There were so many kinds of flowers that she couldn¡¯t even name them all. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Theor couldn¡¯t keep his mouth shut as he looked at the flower bed. Blin also walked around the flower bed and sniffed the smell of flowers. Astelleughed because it was cute. ¡°When we get home, I will make a flower bed like this in our garden. Let¡¯s make a shallow pond and catch fish.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah. I will make it for you.¡± ¡®Now that Grandpa had pension money, if I save a few months, I will be able to pay enough to make a small flower bed and pond.¡¯ She will repair the ruined mansion and make a beautiful garden. Theor will grow up ying with the dog in the little garden. It was a happy future just by imagining it. ¡®To do that, I must send Theor and Grandpa back home first.¡¯ Kaizen asked absurdly. ¡°Isn¡¯t there a flower bed in that house?¡± ¡°There was a garden, but I didn¡¯t have time to nt a flower bed.¡± nting and caring for flowers also required time, dedication, and money. Unfortunately, Astelle couldn¡¯t use all three freely while raising young Theor. Kaizen just looked at Astelle without saying a word. He looked a bit dissatisfied but didn¡¯t say anything more. Astelle nced back at Kaizen. ¡®I have to get the emperor¡¯s permission at the ball.¡¯ If she begs in front of a lot of people, Kaizen will have no choice but to listen to her. She thought. When she returns home, she can livefortably with her grandfather¡¯s monthly pension. It was when Astelle was looking around the flower bed while making such calctions. She was walking around the opposite side of the flower bed, but she couldn¡¯t see Theor. ¡°Theor?¡± Astelle called Theor and looked around. But there was no one around. Thousands of flowers blooming high in the sky were embroidered on the flower bed. Not only Theor, but also Blin who came with him was nowhere to be seen. Astelle eximed in surprise. ¡°Theor? Where are you?¡± Kaizen also looked around for Theor. ¡°Theor!¡± Astelle walked around the flower bed and called Theor. She heard a rustling sound next to her. The tall yellow flowers swayed like waves in the gentle breeze. Astelle ran towards it. The closely attached flower stalks rustled and moved, and a tiny head suddenly popped out from among the swaying petals. It was Theor. ¡°Theor!¡± Theor jumped over the small flower bed and came out. He was covered in yellow pollen all over. From head to toe, yellow pollen was all over his body. His hair, which was covered with yellow pollen, looked like a blonde in some ces. ¡°Didn¡¯t I say you can¡¯t go into the flower bed?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t help it because Blin went inside.¡± Where Theor pointed, golden hair spurted out. It was Blin. Like Theor, Blin was covered in yellow pollen all over. There is yellow powder like a stain on the ck nose. ¡°Blin suddenly entered the flower bed and I followed him to catch him.¡± Even aftering out of the flower bed, Blin continued to sniff the petals with its nose and smell the flowers. When Astelle saw it, something came to mind. ¡°Oh, yes, that¡¯s right. The dogs loved Tokar flower.¡± Therefore, this flower was not nted in the imperial pce where dogs and hunting dogs were kept. Even if you took good care of this flower, dogs came and trampled it. ¡°From now on, we must not y in this area.¡± Theor sneeze because of the pollen on the tip of his nose. ¡°Etchu!¡± Blin, who was next to him, also brushed off its body covered in pollen. Yellow pollen was scattered everywhere. Astelle wiped Theor¡¯s face with a handkerchief. A smile appeared on his yellowed face. ¡°Oh my gosh¡­ I have to go and wash both of you.¡± Astelle took Theor back to the annex. Kaizen, who was next to her, spoke first. ¡°I¡¯ll be on my way, so if you need anything, just tell me.¡± Astelle bowed her head. ¡°Yes, thank you, Your Majesty. I¡¯ll see you at the ball then.¡± Kaizen looked at Astelle and turned his body. The slightly regretful gaze stayed for a while and then disappeared. * * * The vase on the table hit the floor and shattered. The maid hurriedly knelt down on the floor. The Marchioness kicked the maid with her feet. ¡°Ahh!¡± The maid screamed and fell over the fragments of the vase. ¡°Get out now!¡± The maid went out quickly as her skirt was soaked and dripped with water. ¡°¡­ Mother?¡± Florin found her screaming mother in the mansion¡¯s drawing room and approached her. The Marchioness shouted, poking at her daughter. ¡°What the hell have you done? You went to see His Majesty alone, so why couldn¡¯t you save your sister?¡± ¡°What can I do?¡± Florin responded as quietly as calm water. In fact, Florin didn¡¯t really want to save Marianne. It¡¯s because she¡¯s stupid and didn¡¯t help in any way. The emperor will not forgive her anyway. ¡°You should have begged His Majesty to release Marianne!¡± The Marchioness was furious to the end of her head. She still trembled at the thought of the humiliation from Astelle. ¡®How could I being insulted by her?!¡¯ When she saw Astelle living in a luxurious vi in Denz Castle, she was even more upset. Poor Marianne is still suffering in prison. That stupid former empress isvishing herself with luxuries. ¡°He gave that bitch such a nice abode!¡± Florin wanted to protest more, but she gave up when she realized that it was useless. Her mother lost her sense of sensibility. At this rate, she could have been beaten. The short-minded and impatient Marchioness was never a kind mother to Florin. ¡°Ahhh!¡± Pottery with colorful ornament fell to the floor and shattered. The drawing room quickly became a mess. Vases and pottery were broken, carpets were all wet, and furniture was smashed. Florin said while watching her mother throwing things around for a while. ¡°Mother. Don¡¯t do it or you will hurt yourself. Take a walk in the garden for some fresh air.¡± Chapter 39 Chapter 39 ¡®I wasn¡¯t worried at all, but it was difficult if my mother kept getting angry and even copsed,¡¯ Florin thought. ¡°Yes. I think so.¡± The Marchioness, weary of her anger, agreed with her daughter. * * * The Marchioness walked the path of the garden. She was upset because of Astelle, and wanted to cool her head a bit in the fresh air. The garden was quiet in the afternoon. The clear sunlight warmly enveloped the garden. The white lily of the valley bloomed in the flower bed, fading in the sunlight, and exuding a fresh scent. The Marchioness, who was looking around the garden, noticed a child hiding among the yellow flowers in the distance, and she stopped. The boy she had met at Astelle¡¯s annex a while ago was ying in the flower bed. ¡®Why did hee all the way here?¡¯ The child ran through the yellow flowers that filled the flower bed. ¡®It seems rude.¡¯ The child, who had been wandering through the flower bed for a while, bent down on his knees and stroked arge bundle of golden fur. The Marchioness couldn¡¯t see it from afar, but it was probably arge dog with golden fur. There was Astelle from a distance. And next to her stood His Majesty the Emperor. Even from a distance, it was a friendly atmosphere. ¡®You are fooling His Majesty, that cunning¡­!¡¯ The Marchioness watched what the two of them were doing for a moment. Astelle, who came with the emperor, called the child in the flower bed. When the child came out of the flowerbed, she gently stroked his head. ¡®¡­ did she say nephew?¡¯ She¡¯s not sure, but she heard that the child was Astelle¡¯s maternal rtive. It is said that Astelle raised him on her own since he was a baby. Maybe that¡¯s why Astelle seemed to care for him like her own child. A young child running on the grass and Astelle looking at the child lovingly. As the Marchioness was looking at it, a clever idea came to her mind. It was a clever enough idea for the short-minded Marchioness to think of. ¡°You there!¡± The Marchioness called the maid. She was a maid she had known for a long time. With the tip of her fan, she pointed to Theor ying near the flower bed in the distance. ¡°Get that kid secretly.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± The maid raised her head in surprise. ¡°But he was invited by His Majesty¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll only use him for a while.¡± The Marchioness decided to retaliate against Astelle by using the young child. ¡®A cheeky thing!¡¯ I will definitely pay you back. I will watch you weep and cry. The emperor with great power could not be touched, so she was trying to vent her wrath against Astelle. * * * Astelle washed Theor and took him to his bedroom, then returned to her grandfather¡¯s bedroom. ¡°Why did you say strange things to His Majesty?¡± Astelle asked slightly annoyed. ¡°He will misunderstand, Grandpa.¡± The Marquis was sitting by the window and drinking tea. ¡°Just let him misunderstand. After all, he already thought I was an arrogant old man.¡± Ignoring the rebukes of his little granddaughter, he drank the tea leisurely. Then he saw Astelle¡¯s angry face and made excuses again. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be better to misunderstand like that? That way, it would be more natural for him to think I kicked the child¡¯s mother out because of her status.¡± It wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. If the Marquis gives the impression that he is a kind and open-minded person without being bound by his status, then he will be able to tell the story of Theor¡¯s birth. It¡¯s going to be hard to exin, starting with letting the mother go as soon as the baby is born. Astelle sighed and sat across from her grandfather. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Because of me, you received such a misunderstanding.¡± Astelle had always felt sorry for her grandfather. From the moment she found out she was pregnant for the first time, she continued to receive help from him, and now he is suffering so much because of Astelle. She couldn¡¯t help but be sorry. Besides, her grandfather became an aplice in this and was taking risks with Astelle. ¡°If it is to protect you and Theor, I don¡¯t mind being misunderstood.¡± Afternoon sunlight filled the garden seen through the window. The petals that adorned the flower bed showed off their colorful colors in the sunlight. The Marquis said quietly while looking out at the peacefulndscape. ¡°I had only two children, but all of them are dead. My grandson Sigmund is also dead, so now it is only you and Theor.¡± Astelle, who was listening quietly, replied. ¡°How about my brother, Fritz?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not even contacting me. What a brat¡­¡± When the Marquis was framed and expelled, Duke of Reston quickly drew a line with him, saying that his wife had died and the rtionship with him had been cut off as well. As a result, the two became enemies, and Astelle and her brother could not see their maternal grandfather very often. Still, Astelle would avoid her father¡¯s eyes and write letters to her grandfather. However, her older brother, Fritz, cut off contact with his grandfather at the behest of his father. ¡®Come to think of it, we haven¡¯t seen each other since I left.¡¯ The two got along very well. Since they were the only siblings, they had no choice but to be close. Fritz was a sincere and capable man. When he was young, he devoted himself to studying day and night, and as he grew up, he worked tirelessly. Six years ago, when she was divorced and left the capital, Fritz chased her to the mansion¡¯s front door and stopped Astelle. ¡°Where are you going? Don¡¯t do anything wrong and ask father for forgiveness.¡± At that moment Astelle gave up her expectations of her only brother. Love also ceased. She didn¡¯t need to have her affection for her reproaching brother without a word of constion to his sister, who returned to her home after a day of marriage. After that, they did not see each other for six years. She heard that Fritz was also quit the Knights of Temr when his father fell, but she hasn¡¯t been told how he¡¯s been doing since. She doesn¡¯t even want to know how he¡¯s doing. ¡®We will never meet again anyway.¡¯ Even if she went to the capital, she had no desire to visit her family. She wanted to avoid idental encounters if possible. The Marquis looking out the window put down the teacup and asked. ¡°Then, why did the emperor suddenlye to visit? He didn¡¯t seem to have such a polite personality.¡± ¡°That¡­¡± Astelle passed on Kaizen¡¯s words to her grandfather. ¡°Did he tell you to attend the ball?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal.¡± Anyway, the ball was a good opportunity. ¡®If you want to get permission quickly, it is better to speak up when you are in a hurry.¡¯ It¡¯s good to make a quick decision without giving you time for long conversations by asking questions. So this time, Astelle deliberately chose the ballroom to get the Emperor¡¯s permission. Astelle made thatmitment. ¡°Are you all right¡­?¡± Asked her grandfather with a worried look. Astelle knew what her grandfather was worried about. She was a former Empress who was deposed. Besides, her family lost its power. Standing in front of people, she will hear ufortable gossip. The Marquis was worried about it. ¡°Of course.¡± As long as she could send her grandfather and Theor back home safely, it wouldn¡¯t matter. After watching his granddaughter carefully, the Marquis sighed. ¡°¡­ they look alike.¡± Astelle looked up at her grandfather¡¯splicated voice. A bitter feeling permeated her grandfather¡¯s blue eyes. ¡°Aftering here and seeing the emperor, I can understand it. They certainly look alike. It¡¯s surprising that other people don¡¯t recognize it.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± That was it. Astelle just wished that Theor did not resemble Kaizen. It is said that children in the womb are born against the wishes of their parents. Astelle smiled, hiding her bitter thoughts. ¡°Your father may recognize him.¡± The Marquis¡¯ voice as he said that was filled with anxiety. ¡°Your father is one of the most cunning and clever people I know. He also has good eyes. He could immediately recognize Theor when he saw him.¡± Astelle had the same thought. Her father, the Duke of Reston, had been watching Kaizen grow since he was a newborn. ¡®What would happen if my father saw Theor?¡¯ Theor resembles Kaizen¡¯s childhood. And next to Theor is Astelle. Her quick-witted father may notice everything as soon as he sees him. Things are even worse if her father notices. It was far more sinister than being caught by Kaizen. Chapter 40 Chapter 40 Astelle brushed aside the ominous imagination and exhorted herself. ¡®I will never take him to the capital.¡¯ She would never do it herself. ¡°Do not worry, Grandpa.¡± Astelle said in a confident tone. ¡°I will never take Theor to the capital.¡± On the day of the ball, she must get permission to send Theor and her grandfather back. -Knock knock Then she heard a short knock, and the servant opened the door and came in. ¡°La-Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°His Majesty has sent you a gift.¡± At that moment, the room became as quiet as cold water was poured on it. * * * Astelle hurriedly headed to the drawing-room of the annex. ¡°Be careful!¡± A loud noise was heard from the front of the door. The scenery that followed was the same as before. The servants and attendants sent by the emperor broughtrge boxes into the vi. Countless boxes were moved inside. The procession of dazzlingly beautiful dresses continued endlessly. There were also countless jewels and ornaments. They looked more luxurious than the ones they had been sent to wear to a dinner party back then. Astelle grabbed one of the servants and asked. ¡°What is all this?¡± The servant politely bowed to Astelle. ¡°This is a gift from His Majesty to Lady Astelle.¡± ¡®I heard that before.¡¯ Why the hell did you send me so much again? She was just about to ask the servant. Before Astelle asked, the servant gave an answer first. ¡°When Lady Astelle is attending the ball, you will need dress and essories. So His Majesty sent you this gift.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± It had not been a day since she said she was going to the ball. It¡¯s been a really fast process. ¡®Well, I need a dress that I could wear to go to the ball.¡¯ It wasn¡¯t a good thing to make Kaizen feel bad now. Until the day of the ball, I had to adjust Kaizen¡¯s mood. Astelle thought. Only then she will be able to get permission for sending Theor and her grandfather. Astelle calmly bowed her head. ¡°Let me say thank you to His Majesty.¡± It wasn¡¯t just the stuff that Kaizen sent. There were also four maids. The four maids bowed their heads politely to Astelle. ¡°Lady, I have been ordered to serve you.¡± ¡°Yes. Please take care of me.¡± ¡®I need some maids though.¡¯ It¡¯s terrifying to think about putting all this away by yourself. ¡°First of all, put these things in order.¡± Astelle pointed to the boxes in a row. On the other side, Theor ran to the ce where Astelle was. ¡°Aunt Astelle!¡± Theor asked Astelle as he wandered among the boxes. ¡°Aunt Astelle, what is this?¡± ¡°It is a gift from His Majesty.¡± Astelle answered in a dry voice. And she asked Hannah, who followed her. ¡°Hannah, choose a dress for the ball and prepare it for me.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady Astelle.¡± All the dresses received as gifts weremon-sized dresses. It didn¡¯t fit Astelle¡¯s body, so if she wanted to wear it to the ball, she had to try it on, measure it, and then mend it again. Theor ran through the boxes, looking around, and ran to Astelle. ¡°Does His Majesty likes you, Aunt?¡± ¡°What?¡± Astelle was surprised as she watched the maids arrange the gift boxes. ¡°Theor, what do you mean?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you sending a present to thedy you like?¡± Where else did you hear this? ¡®I don¡¯t think it¡¯s from a children¡¯s book. Is it from my grandfather¡¯s etiquette training?¡¯ Astelleughed bitterly at Theory¡¯s naive question. ¡°It¡¯s not like that. I have to attend the ball, but I don¡¯t have a dress, so His Majesty sent it to me.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Yes. And you shouldn¡¯t say things like who likes whom. That makes other people in trouble, do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Astelle said stroking Theor¡¯s soft cheek. ¡°Now, if you are bored, you can go out and y in the front yard here.¡± Theor went out to the garden attached to the annex. His eyes met Hannah¡¯s as she took the dress from the box. Unlike Theor, Hannah¡¯s eyes were a littleplicated. It was the same for Astelle. Both of them were unfamiliar with the emperor¡¯s favor. Kaizen, why does he keep doing this? His favor for Astelle may be due to his feelings of guilt over the past few years. Even Astelle understood that much. What was iprehensible was that Kaizen was putting Astelle in trouble to relieve his guilt. ¡®Last time I had a bit of a fight because of something like this.¡¯ Even then, Kaizen sent a gift and forcibly invited her to the dinner, so she had to face Marianne who seemed to have a grudge against her. Now, Marianne¡¯s mother is here. And Astelle received Kaizen¡¯s gift. Sooner orter, the Marchioness will find out. ¡®I can¡¯t just send it all back¡­¡¯ If she sends the gift back to avoid trouble, Kaizen will get angry on the other hand. Kaizen may force her to ept his offer rather than just getting angry. Just like he had sent Lyndon to force her toe to the dinner. It was only important for him to get rid of his guilt. He does not care about the damage the other person inflicts because of his own actions. Astelle sighed silently, pulled out the dress from the box, and organized it. The gas embedded in the dress shone dazzlingly enough to catch the sunlight. ¡®I can¡¯t help it.¡¯ She can only hope that the work here will bepleted as soon as possible. * * * For the next few days, Astelle continued to be busy. She managed the annex, looked after the Marquis and Theor, and prepared for the ball in her spare time. Hannah was also busy choosing a dress for the ball and fixing it to fit Astelle¡¯s body. Today, Theor clings to Astelle and asks. ¡°Aunt Astelle, can I go out and y with Blin in the garden?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Astelle ordered the maid to take care of Theor. ¡°Take care of Theor. Let him y around here.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady.¡± Theor took the maid¡¯s hand and went outside. Hannah, who was putting clothespins on the dress, looked back at Theor and smiled. ¡°Young Master Theor is very active, in contrast to Master Sigmund who was really calm.¡± Astelle who was lifting the skirt hem paused for a moment. It was as Hannah had said. Hannah, who misunderstood the reaction, apologized promptly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lady Astelle¡­ I said something¡ª¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine.¡± Hannah firmly believed that Theor was Sigmund¡¯s son. ¡®Someday I¡¯ll have to tell you the truth.¡¯ Astelle couldn¡¯t keep hiding the color of Theor¡¯s eyes from Hannah, who would soon be living together. * * * Theor was ying near the annex. Astelle made a little ball as a toy for him to y with Blin. It was a game where Theor threw a ball and Blin went and picked it up. After ying like that for a while, Blin felt exhausted andy down near the flower bed. Theor walked around the flower bed lit by the warm sunlight, kicking the ball alone. ¡°Huh?¡± After a while, Theor looked around. He was obviously with the maid, but suddenly the maid was gone. ¡°Blin, where¡¯s the maid?¡± Blin, who was lying down, raised and tilted its head. Seeing Blin wagging its tail without answering, Theor looked around again. Footsteps were heard from the other side. A red-haired maid was approaching this way. ¡°Young master, what are you doing here?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°I was sent by Lady Astelle. There¡¯s a delicious snack over there. Shall we go eat together?¡± The maid walked over to Theor with a smile. Theor was happy to hear that there was a snack and tried to follow her. ¡°grrrr¡­.¡± Blin, who was lying on the flower bed, raised its head and growled. Theor stopped on the spot. ¡°Young Master?¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ someone I don¡¯t know¡­ No!¡± His mother always told him not to follow strangers. Except for Hannah, there were four maids in the annex. Theor knew all four faces. Had his mother sent someone, she would have been one of those four. ¡°Young Master¡­ it¡¯s okay.¡± As the maid took a step forward, Blin, who was lying down, got up and barked. The maid saw the hound¡¯s sharp teeth and she stopped. ¡®Blin doesn¡¯t like her either.¡¯ Theor took a step back from her. When she saw Theor trying to run away, the maid rushed forward. ¡°Young Master,e over here.¡± ¡°No!¡± It was when the maid reached out to grab Theor. ¡°¡­¡­!¡± Chapter 41 Chapter 41 woof! woof! ¡°Ahhhh!¡± Blin jumped up and biting the maid¡¯s arm with its sharp teeth. ¡°Blin!¡± Blin put the sleeve of the maid and ran after Theor. Theor ran away. Behind him, he heard the maid screaming, but he ran without looking back. He ran frantically along the winding stone path of the garden. He didn¡¯t even know where he was going. All he had to do was run away and hide. Theor ran for a long time. At first, he was in front and Blin followed, but at some point, Blin ran ahead, and Theor himself was following Blin. After running for a while, Blin stopped. Theor who ran out of breath also paused for a moment. ¡°Blin¡­ huff¡­ huff¡­ are you looking for flowers?¡± The ce where Blin stopped was a flower bed where yellow flowers grew tall. A ce where tall yellow petals line up like waves. It was a flower bed of Tokar. Blin tried to enter the flower bed. ¡°Blin, don¡¯t!¡± Theor grabbed Blin¡¯s neck with both arms and prevented it from entering the flower bed. ¡°Theor?¡± A familiar voice came from behind. Kaizen was standing at the entrance of the road leading to the flower bed. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Theor ran and hung on Kaizen¡¯s legs. ¡°Theor?¡± Kaizen was on the way to the annex to meet Astelle. He hasn¡¯t seen Astelle for a few days since hest visited. While he was contemting whether he should visit her, he got an answer from Astelle. She said thank you for sending the dresses and jewelry. Astelle apologized that she waste to thank him because she was too busy organizing the gift he had sent. Kaizen received the letter and plucked up his courage, so he headed to the annex to meet Astelle. When he walking towards the annex, he saw a child running around. Theor was the only child to run around here like that. Theor, who had been running for a while, broke the road toward the flower bed. So Kaizen also came to the flower bed. Kaizen looked down at Theor¡¯s frightened face, then asked. ¡°Why are you here alone?¡± Astelle never left Theor alone. She always had a maid by his side to keep an eye on him. Although she was asking the maid to keep an eye on Theor in case something went wrong or an ident, in Kaizen¡¯s point of view, she protected Theor so thoroughly. But now, Theor hugged Kaizen¡¯s legs. His little face was wet with sweat and tears. ¡°I was in the garden, and the maid tried to catch me.¡± ¡°Catch what?¡± ¡°She tried to get me!¡± Theor exined to Kaizen what had just happened. The words of a five-year-old child were a bit confusing, but Theor did a good job of exining it for his age. He went into detail without omitting key points. Kaizen quickly grasped the situation. He was ying in the garden, and the maid who cared for him had disappeared, and then a strange maid appeared to catch him, then he had run away. ¡°Have you really never seen that maid before?¡± Kaizen asked if it was possible that she was the maid whom Astelle had sent to bring Theor, but he wondered if Theor had misunderstood and he had run away, so he asked to confirm. Theor answered with all his heart. ¡°Really! It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen her.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± If this was real, it was serious. How dare you try to kidnap a child from the pce where the emperor is staying? ¡®Why are you trying to take this little boy?¡¯ Kaizen looked down at Theor. Theor was trembling with fear. ¡°Theor.¡± Kaizen gently held the shuddering little child. ¡°It¡¯s fine now. Do not worry.¡± Theor looked up at Kaizen, crying, and buried his face in his arms. The child¡¯s body was small and fragile. Kaizen patted Theor¡¯s back with his clumsy hand as he walked slowly. A small sniff could be heard in his arms. Kaizen patted Theor on the back,forting him tenderly. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Nothing to be afraid of. With me, no one can catch you.¡± His body, which had been trembling, gradually found stability. Kaizen brought up another topic to distract him ¡°When I go to the capital, I will go to the zoo and show you a real live bear.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Theor raised his face at the word bear. ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s go to the park in the square and buy some toys in the shopping mall.¡± Although he had never raised children, he worked hard toe up with things that children would love. He¡¯ll have to get his attention on anything so he¡¯ll break free from his fears. ¡°Go to a ce that sells sweets, buy candy canes, and see a y at the theater¡­¡± Theor asked in surprise. ¡°A y? Does anyone in the capital do ys?¡± ¡°Yeah, there are several theaters. Do you like a y?¡± Theor recalled a y he had seen with Astelle a few months ago. When a traveling troupe came to the vige where they lived, Astelle took Theor to see a y every day. Theor fell in love with the first y he had ever seen. After the y, Astelle asked the head of the troupe to take Theor backstage. When he entered the preparation room made by pitching a tent, the actors were dressing up and changing clothes. Theor was a little shocked to learn that the prince and princess he saw on stage were actually fakes made by actors. But after hearing his mother¡¯s exnation, Theor quickly understood what a y was. The two went to the theater a few more times after that. Theor became very fond of theater. ¡°Yes! I like ys. It¡¯s fun.¡± ¡°If you want, I will show you a performance in the Grand Theater.¡± ¡°What is a grand theater?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a big theater in the capital.¡± Theor listened to Kaizen and nodded his head. After seeing an actual y, he yed a y with his mother at home. He initially did simple fairy tales andter began practicing other ys. It was a y in which his mother bes Aunt Astelle. Theor was realizing that he shouldn¡¯t call his mother in front of others. His mother said it was all just a y, but it was clear to him that she had some other reason for doing this y. ¡°Our Theor is so clever.¡± With that thought, his grandfather just smiled sadly and stroked Theor¡¯s head. ¡°Okay. This is very important. So you should listen carefully to what your mother has to say.¡± ¡°Yes, Grandpa.¡± Theor no longer had any doubts and practiced the y diligently. As his mother told him, he called her Aunt Astelle. ¡°I think we¡¯ve arrived.¡± They¡¯ve arrived at the annex. Kaizen took Theor down. ¡°Don¡¯t tell your aunt what you said to me.¡± Astelle didn¡¯t want to stay long in the capital. Even when Kaizen advised that this child be raised in the capital, she tly refused. She would be more worried if she knew what happened to Theor. ¡°Then it¡¯s a secret?¡± ¡°Do you know what the secret is?¡± ¡°Yes. I know.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Theor answered in a witty voice. ¡°Mhm. The secret is that you shouldn¡¯t tell anyone.¡± Theor recalled a memory his grandfather once told him of the secret. ¡°A secret should never be told to other people. If someone tells you it¡¯s a secret, no matter what, you shouldn¡¯t tell anyone else, got it?¡± ¡°Yes, Grandpa.¡± Since then, Theor has not told anyone that Astelle is his mother. Because a secret is something that must to be hidden. Just like he has to hide his eye color in front of others. A satisfied smile appeared on Kaizen¡¯s lips. He ruffled Theor¡¯s fine hair with his hands. ¡°Cute boy.¡± *** Hannah was cleaning the room after helping Astelle with the dress she was going to wear to the ball. Theor hasn¡¯te back yet, even though she had put all the clothes boxes in order and finished cleaning them. ¡°Theor iste.¡± Astelle murmured anxiously. Hannah got up. ¡°I will send the maid to bring Young Master.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Then one of the maids rushed to her. She was the maid who apanied Theor to look after him. ¡°Lady!¡± The maid came inside and she begged Astelle for her forgiveness. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, the Young Master has disappeared.¡± It felt like her heart was sinking at that single word. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I heard a voice calling me, so I went there for a while¡­ in the meantime, the Young Master suddenly disappeared. Forgive me, Lady.¡± ¡°Who called you?¡± The maid replied with her face turned white. ¡°That¡­ I don¡¯t know. I chased after him and there was no one there¡­¡± The maid, who was taking care of Theor, heard a strange voice and left him, and then Theor disappeared. There was something wrong. Astelle turned to Hannah. Chapter 42 Chapter 42 Hannah also noticed that something was strange. She stood aside and kept silent, then looked into Astelle¡¯s eyes. ¡°Lady Astelle, I will look for Young Master Theor.¡± ¡°I will go with you.¡± Astelle ordered the rest of the maids. ¡°You also scatter and look for Theor.¡± Astelle ran down the garden path with Hannah. ¡°Theor! Where are you?¡± ¡°Young Master Theor!¡± The two followed the garden path looking for Theor. However, Theor was nowhere to be seen. After walking in the garden for a while, Astelle saw people in the distance. The maids were gathered on the road where the pavilion was located. ¡°What happens?¡± ¡°I do not know¡­¡± Hannah also had a puzzled face. As the two approached, the startled maids turned and bowed their backs. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The maids exchanged nces with each other. One of them stepped forward and reported what was going on. ¡°The decorative pottery in the pavilion was broken.¡± ¡°What?¡± Normally, she would have ignored that such a thing had happened, but now she can¡¯t get over it. Apparently, the pottery was broken when Theor disappeared. ¡®Maybe something happened in the exhibition room?¡¯ She had an ominous feeling. Astelle entered the pavilion. Hannah followed. The other pottery had not changed from what she had seen before, except for the luxurious pottery with gold flowers painted on a blue background like a sea, which was proudly ced in the center. Astelle found the blue fragments on the floor and stopped. ¡®This¡­ totally shattered.¡¯ Pieces of pottery were scattered here and there. But there was no trace of Theor. ¡°Has anyone seen Theor? A little boy about five years old.¡± All the maids who had gathered answered that they had not seen him. It was at the moment when Astelle was about to go back to the garden with a confused mind. ¡°Aunt Astelle!¡± Then Theor found Astelle and entered the pavilion. ¡°Theor? Where have you been?¡± Surprised, Astelle hugged Theor. Then a familiar maid came in. It was one of the maids in the annex. ¡°After Lady Astelle went out of the annex, the Young Master came back.¡± Theor calmly embraced her and replied cheerfully. ¡°Aunt Astelle were not in the annex, so I came to find you.¡± Astelle took Theor in her arms and asked. ¡°Theor, I¡¯ve been looking for you. Where have you been?¡± ¡°I was in the garden.¡± ¡°Um, Lady¡­¡± The maid who was looking at the two looked up to Astelle. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°T-That¡¯s¡­¡± The maid hesitated for a moment, and then she confessed. ¡°I clearly saw with my own eyes that the Young Master pushed the pottery and knocked it over.¡± The maid¡¯s finger was pointing at Theor. *** ¡°Theor, is that real?¡± ¡°No!¡± Theor shook his head with a sad expression on his face. Astelle took Theor by the shoulder and spoke in a sweet but clear tone. ¡°If it was a mistake, I wouldn¡¯t be angry. So, be honest.¡± ¡®When we came here back then, I said clearly that you shouldn¡¯t touch it, but¡­¡¯ Theor was still a child. It may have been broken and dropped while he touching it out of curiosity. If it were like that, she hoped Theor would be honest, but he insisted it was absolutely not. ¡°It¡¯s true. I am not lying. I have never been here today.¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes turned to the maid. ¡°While I was away, the Young Master came in with a dog and broke the pottery while touching it.¡± The maid looked straight at Theor and repeated her argument again. ¡°I clearly saw it.¡± ¡°This is where the collections of the previous emperor are located. Why didn¡¯t you lock the door?¡± When Astelle asked quietly, the maid bowed her head and trembled. ¡°T-That¡­ today is cleaning day¡­¡± The other maid left it open for a while for her to clean. ¡°But apparently the Young Master broke the pottery.¡± Astelle exchanged nces with Hannah. The maid, who was taking care of Theor, heard a strange voice and left him, but in the meantime, the pottery in the exhibition room was broken. The maid who was cleaning said she saw that Theor broke it. She felt something out of the ordinary. ¡®It¡¯s probably a trap.¡¯ It was very crude for a trap. ¡®What would you get if you framed a young child into a trap?¡¯ There was one thing to be gained. If you framed Theor, it was Astelle who got into trouble. She could be punished for ruining the collections of the previous emperor. Even if she is not punished, she will have to pay at least the price of the pottery. She felt that there was only one person who coulde up with such a thing. ¡®It must have been the work of the Marchioness.¡¯ Astelle asked Theor. ¡°Theor, can you tell me what really happened?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Theor bit his lip involuntarily. ¡®His Majesty the Emperor told me to keep it a secret¡­¡¯ Should I keep it a secret where we met? It was difficult to distinguish from where it was a secret and from where it was not. ¡®He told me to keep only what he said, but¡­¡¯ If he said he had met, Astelle would ask what he was talking about. As Theor was so arguing inside, Astelle found yellow powder on Theor¡¯s wrist and Blin¡¯s hair. Upon closer inspection, it was clearly pollen. It is pollen with a very familiar scent. Tokar flower. It must have been the pollen of the Tokar flower. A smile appeared on Astelle¡¯s lips when she saw it. ¡°You went to Tokar flowerbed, right?¡± ¡°Oh, how did you know?¡± ¡°There¡¯s pollen here.¡± Theor¡¯s sleeves were turned upside down so that everyone could see them. ¡°It looks like he went to the flower garden. There is pollen here.¡± To get to the flower garden from the pavilion, you had to go around the road leading to the main pce. ¡°A child broke pottery alone, ran such a long way, then turned around and came here?¡± ¡°T-That¡­¡± The maid grunted and did not answer. ¡°Astelle.¡± She turned to the familiar voice and saw Kaizen walking in. Not only the maids in the pavilion but also the maids who were watching this scene near the door all bent their knees and bowed their heads deeply. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Astelle exined the situation to him politely. ¡°The pottery was broken, and this maid said that she saw Theor breaking it.¡± Kaizen¡¯s eyes were on the broken pottery shards on the floor. Then he reached Astelle and Theor. ¡°Theor has been with me in the garden.¡± ¡°Did you?¡± ¡°Yes. I met Theor at the flower garden and I took him to the tea room.¡± She wondered what the person who was supposed to be in the main pce had to do in the flower garden, but she was not in a situation to ask that now. Astelle asked Theor again. ¡°Theor, is that real?¡± Theor replied as if he had waited. ¡°Yes. Your Majesty saved me.¡± ¡°Saved you?¡± She wondered what this was again. Kaizen answered in ce of Theor. ¡°Theor said a strange maid in the garden was trying to catch him.¡± ¡°What? Who¡­ what kind of maid?¡± ¡°I¡¯m on my way to find out who the maid is.¡± Kaizen said the knights would be arriving soon. Astelle hugged Theor and asked him. ¡°Theor. Please tell me in detail what happened.¡± ¡°Huh!¡± Theor said it all with ease. After hearing the story, Astelle hugged Theor tightly. ¡°Okay. It¡¯s all right now. Nothing will happen.¡± Loud footsteps were heard outside the door. The knights could be seen through the window. And walk behind the knights one after another, the maids were also seen. ¡°Everyone get out.¡± The maids stood side by side on thewn in front of the pavilion¡¯s gate. It looked like there were 30 people in total. Kaizen also made the maids in the pavilion stand with them. ¡°Your Majesty, this is¡­¡± ¡°I called all the maids that were seen around the garden at that time.¡± Kaizen gave a brief exnation as he approached Theor. ¡°Can you tell who the maid who was trying to catch you is?¡± All the maids stood still with their eyes fixed on the floor. Theor pointed to one of the many maids standing there wearing the same clothes. ¡°It¡¯s her.¡± The little maid with red hair. ¡°Are you really sure?¡± Astelle asked Theor again. ¡°Huh! That red-haired maid.¡± Theor nodded his head confidently. Everyone looked at the maid. Chapter 43 Chapter 43 The pointed maid was perplexed. ¡°I-I don¡¯t understand.¡± Astelle walked closer to the maid. The maid pretended to be inposure, but there was a tense look in her eyes. Astelle, who looked at the maid for a moment, asked in a clear voice that everyone could hear. ¡°Can you show me the back of your skirt?¡± ¡°The back of my skirt?¡± The maids working in the court wear dresses with skirts that slightly drag on the floor. Virtually, all courtiers wore such clothes. The maid turned around with an anxious look and rolled up her skirt. A white petticoat was exposed. The rolled-up skirt was very clean. ¡°You have changed your clothes.¡± Long skirts were elegant and beautiful, but when you look around, the skirts that drag on the floor quickly get dirty. This clean skirt meant new clothes that had been changed recently. All the clothes worn by the maids are provided by the court. Since each person was paid only what they needed, there were not enough extra clothes. As long as the clothes are not particrly dirty, there is no need to change the clothes you wear in the morning while you are working. Astelle turned to Kaizen. ¡°Your Majesty, Theor said that Blin bit the sleeve of the maid¡¯s clothes when she tried to catch him.¡± ¡°No, I haven¡¯t changed my clothes.¡± The red-haired maid came to her senseste, and she protested that she had not changed her clothes. Astelle tilted her head. ¡°Unless it¡¯s a new change of clothes, why is the skirt so clean?¡± ¡°Th-that¡­¡± The maid¡¯s face turned pale. She couldn¡¯t give a reason why she had changed her clothes. Hearing Astelle¡¯s words, Kaizen gave orders. ¡°Go to this maid¡¯s room and examine her clothes. Look for any broken sleeves or missing clothes.¡± The maid¡¯s clothes are provided at the pce. Each year, a seamstress is hired and made clothes to fit their body. Of course, how many suits you have will be listed in the ledger. ¡°I-I was wrong¡­ I was wrong. Your Majesty¡­¡± The maid realized that she couldn¡¯t get out. She fell to the floor and started begging the emperor for forgiveness. ¡°I-I did this to hide my sins for breaking the pottery.¡± The maid who said she saw the pottery shattered by Theor also asked for forgiveness. ¡°How dare you try to abduct the heir of the Marquis family whom I invited and put the me on him!¡± Kaizen ordered the knights. ¡°Take them both to jail.¡± The knights dragged the maids crying and begging for forgiveness. Astelle called her own maid and ordered again. ¡°Take Theor to the annex and let him stay with the Marquis until I return.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Theor, it¡¯s fine, so please go to the annex first. I¡¯ll be there soon.¡± Astelle reassured Theor and sent him out first. Kaizen and Astelle were the only two left on the garden path. ¡°Astelle.¡± Kaizen stared at Astelle who was standing there without a word. There was no expression on Astelle¡¯s face. She had an indifferent face without a single flinch. Like a stone statue, she just stared at the air. Kaizen was anxious and nervous. From one day on, his heart was fluctuating because of Astelle. Astelle¡¯s expression and every little action moved up and down from time to time. Astelle slowly turned towards Kaizen. ¡°I heard you saved Theor. Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Astelle was still polite and courteous but did not show any emotion. Astelle suppressed her heart that was boiling with anger and thanked Kaizen. ¡®If Kaizen hadn¡¯t appeared¡­¡¯ Theor must have been kidnapped by that maid and dragged somewhere, and then returned a long timeter. In the meantime, there is no way to prove your innocence if you break the pottery and im that it was Theor¡¯s doing. No one would believe what a little boy said that he didn¡¯t break the pottery and returned from being kidnapped. ¡®It was really fortunate that Kaizen was passing by.¡¯ Had it been someone else, things would not have been so easy. Astelle said thank you frankly. Kaizen gave Astelle aplicated gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, I¡¯ll interrogate the maids and investigate further.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°I think Thoer is very surprised. Go take good care of him.¡± ¡°Yes, thank you for your concern.¡± Astelle bent her knees and bowed her head. Kaizen didn¡¯t respond until she got her body up again. ¡°Then I will go back to the annex first.¡± Astelle saluted him and turned around. *** There was a tense atmosphere in the annex. Astelle exined the circumstances to her grandfather and entered the room with Theor. Theory on the bed in his room, hugging Blin. Astelle sat on the edge of the bed and patted Theor on the back. ¡°Theor, were you surprised?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­ but it¡¯s okay now. Blin helped me and I ran away.¡± Astelle patted Blin, who was lying still next to Theor. ¡°Thank you, Blin.¡± Blin licked Astelle¡¯s hand. Theor turned towards Astelle. ¡°Ah right! And His Majesty saved me.¡± ¡°Did he?¡± ¡°Yes. I like His Majesty!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± The child¡¯s innocent smile broke her heart. Astelle quietly kissed Theor¡¯s forehead. ¡°Let¡¯s take a break, wash up, and eat dinner. If there is anything you want to eat, let me know. You can eat whatever you want today. I¡¯ll ask the chef here to make it for you.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Astelle nodded her head. Theor must have been very surprised, so she thought he would ask her to bring dinner to his bedroom. -knock knock The door opened with a knock. The emperor¡¯s attendant entered the room. ¡°Lady Astelle, His Majesty the Emperor has sent a present.¡± ¡°¡­ present?¡± ¡°A gift?¡± Theor got up and sat down at the word ¡®gift¡¯. As the attendant beckoned, the servants with gift boxes entered the room. ¡°His Majesty said to give it to the Young Master.¡± Inside the box were various toys. There were also dolls that were borately lifelike, dollhouses made of cotton, and carriages made of carved wood. Another box came with snacks. A ss jar full of various candies and cookies. Sweet caramel and colorful pickles. The boxes were filled with sweets that made you feel sweet just by looking at them. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Theor opened his mouth in amazement at the pile of toys and sweetsing out one after another. ¡®Is he trying tofort Theor?¡¯ It was a meticulous act that was not like Kaizen. Still, the gift worked well. Theor was refreshed by an unexpected gift. He looked at the toys with curious eyes. ¡°Theor, you should say thank you to His Majesty.¡± ¡°Your Majesty, thank you.¡± Astelle turned to the attendant and said, ¡°Thank you for your efforts. Say thank you to His Majesty.¡± After the attendant left, Theor looked into the light blue candy in the ss bottle and asked Astelle. ¡°Can I eat this before dinner?¡± At home, he was not allowed to eat snacks before meals to avoid unbnced habits. Theor looked up at Astelle with eager eyes. Well, It¡¯ll be fine for a day or so. ¡°Okay. Instead, you should only eat one. Let¡¯s eat the rest after dinner.¡± Astelle put away the sweets Theor hadn¡¯t eaten and went out to call the maid. ¡°Lady Astelle.¡± As she came out of the hallway, Hannah called Astelle with a worried look. ¡°About what happened today¡­¡± ¡°It must have been her.¡± No one knew that Theor was the emperor¡¯s son. Currently, Theor is merely the sessor of the fallen family. The only person who dared to harm a defenseless child must be the Marchioness, who had a grudge against Astelle. ¡®You¡¯re trying to frame Theor.¡¯ Although Astelle had endured everything else, she couldn¡¯t stand this alone. She couldn¡¯t keep a person like that around. ¡°What are you going to do?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡®I will somehow make her disappear from here.¡¯ Astelle walked down the dark hallway and turned to Hannah. ¡°Hannah, you have to help me.¡± *** ¡°Where do youe from?¡± Themander of the Guards Army who guards the gates asked the maid a question. ¡°I¡¯m on my way back from the city¡¯s general store on the orders of Lady Astelle.¡± The maid pointed to the maid next to her with her eyes. Hanging a coat over a in dress, Hannah opened the basket and showed him what was inside. ¡°Lady Astelle asked me to buy a new teddy bear from the city.¡± Inside the basket were three little teddy bears the size of a palm. They were red-brown, brown, and light-brown teddy bears respectively. Chapter 44 Chapter 44 There are three teddy bears with ribbons that look cute as if they were carefully made in their own way. ¡°If it¡¯s Lady Astelle¡­¡± ¡°Yes, the daughter of the Duke of Reston.¡± The deposed empress was in this castle was a fact known to everyone who lived in the castle. The guards also heard that the deposed empress was looking after her grandfather and nephew. It said that the deposed empress had a special fondness for her little nephew. Themander of the Guards Army listened to Hannah¡¯s exnation and nodded silently. ¡°All right, this way please.¡± Hannah and the maid went through the gates to the outbuildings to the east. It was time for her to pass through the garden corridor leading to the annex. As Hannah was walking on the t gstones that covered the corridor¡¯s path, she stumbled and identally dropped the basket. ¡°Ahh¡­¡± As the basket fell to the floor, a small ss bottle popped out and rolled. It was a ss bottle with purple petals. Hannah, startled, quickly picked up the ss bottle, packed the basket, and left. *** ¡°Please hold a tea party.¡± The next day, Astelle went to see Vellian and asked for it. ¡°¡­ I beg your pardon?¡± Vellian wondered what he had heard now. ¡®Tea party?¡¯ Astelle, who was sitting opposite him, asked a question in a very natural manner. ¡°Have you been to the tea room in the garden?¡± ¡°No, I haven¡¯t.¡± ¡°It was very beautiful in the middle of the acacia flower garden. I want to have a tea party in that tea room.¡± Vellian smiled after a brief pause and said, ¡°That¡¯s right. Then you can have a tea party if you want¡­¡± ¡°But I can¡¯t send out invitations because there aren¡¯t anydies I know here. So the Count will host a tea party for me.¡± ¡°Pardon? No! I mean¡­ why me, Lady Astelle?¡± Vellian looked at Astelle with a puzzled look. The tea party was a social gathering for noblewomen. No nobleman ever hosted a tea party. Well, it¡¯s not legally prohibited, but it was customary anyway. If a man were to host a tea party, the nobles of the capital would see him as a strange person. Astelle said in a calm voice. ¡°Have you forgotten what happenedst time at the inn? You disguised the pharmacist as a maid to steal my luggage and medicine box. She sent me to the public bath and looked through my clothes.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle smiled as she watched Vellian¡¯s gentle-looking face harden. ¡°I told you back then. I¡¯ll get help from youter. Don¡¯t you remember that too?¡± ¡°That¡­¡± Vellian stuttered nkly, then lowered his head and sighed. ¡°Excuse me, Lady Astelle.¡± He put one hand on his forehead and let out a pained sound. ¡°You will leave afterpleting the will of thete empress dowager, but I have to live in the capital for the rest of my life and work in the Imperial Pce.¡± There was no way Astelle would go out and do something like a tea party for no reason. Vellian knew what had just happened. Theor was almost kidnapped by a maid. On the day of the incident, he was told in detail the circumstances surrounding it. Even if Vellian wasn¡¯t told anything, he could guess who the culprit was. ¡°Have you ever thought about how difficult it would be for the rest of my life if I had a hostile rtionship with the mother of the future empress?¡± ¡°Is this something I should think about?¡± At Astelle¡¯s brazen question, Vellian was at a loss for words. Astelle said with a friendly smile in front of Vellian¡¯s dazed face. ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re getting a strange misunderstanding. I¡¯m not going to harm the Marchioness. It¡¯s just a tea party. I want to invite the Marchioness to be friends.¡± ¡°Friends?¡± Vellian stared suspiciously as if he would not believe such nonsense. Astelle did not give up and spoke in a serious manner. ¡°I want to openly and frankly tell her about what happened with Lady Marianne, and clear up any misunderstandings. I don¡¯t want to be an enemy of the Croychen family.¡± Astelle confessed frankly. ¡°But if I were the one holding the tea party, the Marchioness and her daughter would not be attending. That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking you.¡± Vellian looked at Astelle with his suspicious eyes. There was not a single lie on her well-groomed face. But he was Vellian and he was not easily fooled. ¡°Then can you swear to me, Lady Astelle? You will never do anything to the Marchioness.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Astelle ced a hand on her chest with an innocent expression, as if she had never lied. And she swore seriously. ¡°I swear on my father.¡± ¡°Hey¡­ I know that you had a bow to your father, the Duke of Reston.¡± Vellian red at her with a suspicious look. ¡°Then, can¡¯t I take someone else?¡± ¡°Who are you going to swear on?¡± ¡°I do not know¡­ how about my grandfather, the Marquis of Carlenberg?¡± Vellian pondered over who Astelle valued the most, and chose her maternal grandfather, the Marquis. He thought about Theor, but he couldn¡¯t bet the five-year-old child. Astelle swore obediently. ¡°I swear on my father and grandfather. I won¡¯t touch the Marchioness until the tea party is over.¡± Velian still had a grumpy face with no doubts, but when he heard Astelle¡¯s oath, he couldn¡¯t argue anymore. ¡°I see. I believe you because you say that far.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Astelle smiled contentedly. Because Astelle will never use her hand anyway. ¡®I don¡¯t have to touch it myself.¡¯ The Marchioness was quick-tempered and violent. Such a person was the type to self-destruct without having to attack. She only needs to create an opportunity to self-destruct. She didn¡¯t care if she couldn¡¯t keep her oath. Her father, the Duke of Reston had cut ties with her. And it wasn¡¯t just her maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Carlenberg, whom she called ¡®grandfather¡¯. The deceased former Duke of Reston was equally a grandfather to Astelle. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t do anything.¡± Astelle swore calmly and concealed her inner feelings. ¡°And if this goes well, I will not ask Sir Vellian such a difficult request in the future. I willpletely forget about your work at the inn back then.¡± ¡°¡­ I wish I could believe those words.¡± Vellian muttered helplessly. ¡°Thank you for listening to my request. I was interrupting a busy person. I will leave now.¡± It was when Astelle got up to say thank you. Vellian asked with a puzzled expression. ¡°Are you going to invite His Majesty as well?¡± Astelle looked back at him as if asking what this was. It seems that he really hated doing Astelle¡¯s request. Seeing that he deliberately mentions his name, knowing that she doesn¡¯t like meeting Kaizen. Astelle tly refused. ¡°This is a tea party held to relieve old feelings, so there¡¯s no need to bring the Emperor. Don¡¯t tell His Majesty.¡± *** The Marchioness looked at the luxurious envelope and asked nervously. ¡°A tea party invitation?¡± In the afternoon, an invitation to a tea party was delivered in the name of Vellian. It was a polite request to attend because there will be a tea party in the tea room in the garden. ¡°Did you say that the woman had been to the main pce?¡± ¡°Yes. It is said that the Count and Lady Astelle talked to each other alone.¡± The maid who brought the invitation answered the question of the Marchioness. ¡®What had she nned?¡¯ She wasn¡¯t stupid either. There was no reason for Vellian, the emperor¡¯s aide, to suddenly hold a tea party here. Why did a nobleman host a tea party in the first ce? ¡®It must have been her.¡¯ It was clear that she had ordered Vellian to hold a tea party. The Marchioness was watching what Astelle was doing in the annex. One of her maids that she ced as a spy reported that Astelle had met Vellian. And today, the invitation to the tea party came. As anyone can see, it was Astelle¡¯s work. But why? The Marchioness was unsure of her intentions. She asked the maid again as she tapped the tabletop with an anxious hand. ¡°Did you say you saw the purple petals?¡± ¡°Yes, Madam. I saw it with my own two eyes.¡± The maid said once again what she had seen. Astelle¡¯s maid, who came out of the castle, dropped something from the basket, and it was a flower petal in a ss bottle. ¡®Purple petals in a ss bottle.¡¯ That ominous purple was the color of death. The small purple petals, often called the monk¡¯s hood, were famous for their powerful poison. Even the Marchioness, who was ignorant of herbal medicine, knew how poisonous the flower was. Astelle¡¯s maid has bought purple petals in a ss bottle. The only evidence she had was the maid¡¯s eyewitness report, but the Marchioness couldn¡¯t think of any other purpose there. ¡®This is obviously¡­ she¡¯s a bad girl trying to get revenge on me.¡¯ She was told that Astelle knew medicinal herbs and that she carried a bunch of medicine bottles. Poor Marianne tried to inspect that woman¡¯s suspicious drug, but she was framed and suffering. What kind of hobbies does that woman have? She¡¯s like a pharmacist, that¡¯s what low-level women do. ¡®In the North where I grew up, such sassy women were ughtered as witches, and Astelle had good reason to seek revenge.¡¯ Yeah right, that must be revenge. She must have known that the Marchioness was the mastermind behind the kidnapping of her nephew that happened a few days ago. Chapter 45 Chapter 45 The Marchioness tried to frame Theor as if he had broken pottery, but the emperor suddenly intervened, and all in vain. The potteries in the pavilion were cherished by the previous emperor. No matter how young a child breaks it, he cannot escape punishment. Astelle seemed to love her nephew very much, so she tried to avenge her daughter, Marianne. Astelle wasn¡¯t stupid either. There¡¯s no way she wouldn¡¯t know it was the work of the Marchioness. ¡®Maybe¡­¡­are you trying to poison me?¡¯ The frightened Marchioness realized another possibility. ¡®If not¡­¡­maybe my daughter Florin¡­¡­¡¯ There was no one who didn¡¯t know how devoted she was to the current emperor when she was still the crown princess. The Marchioness had witnessed Astelle several times with Kaizen, the then Crown Prince. Astelle¡¯s eyes looking at Kaizen were the eyes of a girl in love. There is no way that her feelings would have disappeared as the years passed. Poor Marianne might have realized that she was up to something. ¡®She was dethroned as empress and banished, and must have been jealous to see the young and pretty Marianne by His Majesty¡¯s side.¡¯ Now, I don¡¯t know if she wants to get revenge on me by getting rid of Florin. ¡®I wish I could look through her room. If I search it, I will surely find the poison.¡¯ However, Astelle was now a guest invited by the Emperor. The Marchioness wouldn¡¯t be able to search Astelle¡¯s room unless there was a clear reason. The testimony of the maid is still not enough. She said to the maid, ¡°Tell him I¡¯ll attend.¡± ¡®It¡¯s better for me to go to the tea party and watch what she¡¯s doing.¡¯ *** ¡°It¡¯s done, Lady Astelle,¡± Hannah said as she put down theb. Astelle was sitting in front of the dressing table. In the mirror, the figure of herself with her white-blonde hair loosely was reflected. Astelle wore a blue dress embroidered with white lilies and had a simple hairstyle. A peony hairpin made by a round pearl was inserted. ¡°Thank you, Hannah. Good job.¡± Faint memories of the past shed across Hannah¡¯s brown eyes. Helping Astelle dress up like this, it seemed that her old memories came to mind. Astelle felt a simr sentiment. As she sat in front of the dressing table and helped by Hannah, it felt as if she had gone back six years ago. Back in the days when she lived as the prince¡¯s fiancee in the capital¡¯s social circle. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Astelle went with Hannah to the tea room in the garden. As they approached the tea room, a refreshing scent of white acacia blossoms wafted up. Against the clear sky, the flower clusters with their petals drooping were dazzlingly white. There were people who arrived first in the tea room. Astelle walked in with a wee smile. ¡°Marchioness, long time no see.¡± The Marchioness of Croychen turned her gaze. ¡°Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°So you were invited too. I¡¯m d there are otherdies besides me. I was worried that only gentlemen woulde to the tea party hosted by the Count,¡± Astelle smiled casually and spoke softly. The Marchioness was about to say something more, but a dark-haired girl rushed to speak. ¡°Nice to meet you Lady Astelle. This is Florin, the second daughter of the Croychen family.¡± ¡®Oh, thisdy is Florin.¡¯ Florin is Marianne¡¯s sister and the strongest candidate for the new empress. Astelle thought she would be beautiful because she was Marianne¡¯s younger sister, but she looked a little different from Marianne. Unlike Marianne who has blonde hair and a bright appearance, Florin has a doll-like appearance with flowing soft ck hair. She looks younger than expected. The amethyst-purple eyes looking at Astelle gleamed with curiosity. She was very cute when she made a girlish expression. ¡°It is an honor to meet you, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Nice to meet you too, Lady Florin.¡± This was her really first meeting with her. Astelle had seen Marchioness and Marianne several times when she had previously lived in the capital but had never met the second daughter, Florin. As if acknowledging Astelle¡¯s thoughts, Florin smiled and spoke, ¡°I was not feeling well when I was young and was recuperating on the Croychen¡¯s estate. So, I never had the chance to see Lady Astelle, but it¡¯s an honor to meet you now.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡­ were you not feeling well?¡± ¡°I was very ill when I was young. I am a lot better now.¡± Now that Astelle saw her, there was a slight pale tinge on her pearly white skin. ¡°By the way, the Count¡­¡­¡± Why is Vellian, as the host of the tea party, not present yet? Astelle looked around and was about to ask. But a new attendee entered the tea room. Florin, who was examining the table, and the Marchioness, who stood with a grin on her face, hurriedly bent her knees and bowed her head. ¡°Greetings, the Lord of the Empire.¡± The person who came in was Kaizen. Astelle, who was confused, also hurried to greet him. ¡°Astelle.¡± ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Vellian followed behind him and came in. ¡°Oh, everyone is here.¡± Astelle gave him a look that asked how this happened. Vellian tantly ignored Astelle¡¯s gaze. ¡®How rude.¡¯ Satisfied with Astelle¡¯s hardened expression, Vellian politely thanked Kaizen. ¡°It is an infinite honor for Your Majesty to attend my first tea party.¡± Participants sit around the center table. The Marchioness and Florin sat next to each other, and Astelle sat next to Vellian. Of course, Kaizen took the top seat. Handmaidens poured fragrant tea into white teacups on the table. The inside of the tea room was beautiful in its own way. The whole wall was light green jade, and the floor was blue marble. The windows were beautifully draped in mint-colored silk curtains. The tea party was a casual social gathering. All the inviteddies sat down, drank tea, and chatted for a while. When the weather is nice, there are asions where you can take a walk in the garden or listen to music to refresh the atmosphere. It was a short event thatsted about an hour or two. Most of them invite close people, so they chat in a simple and friendly atmosphere. However, instead of a friendly atmosphere, there was only an ufortable silence at this table. Kaizen and Astelle were divorced, and Florin was the young girl mentioned as Kaizen¡¯s future wife. Florin¡¯s mother, the Marchioness, saw Astelle as an enemy. Even Vellian didn¡¯t seem to intend to set the mood as he was trying to figure out Astelle¡¯s true intentions and keep her from doing anything stupid. In this situation, the atmosphere was not good. After a moment of silence, a lively voice lifted the heavy stillness. ¡°I brought tea and dessert for today¡¯s tea party. It¡¯s a dessert made with ingredients brought from the capital. Very tasty.¡± Florin was still cute. She also smiled kindly at Astelle. ¡°I am looking forward to what it will be like,¡± Astelle said. ¡°If it¡¯s okay with you, I¡¯ll bring the dessert I brought.¡± At Florin¡¯s orders, the maids brought the tes from the tray to the table. The dessert Florin brought was a tart made from regenerated fruits. Astelle saw the fruit in the tart and stopped her hand. On top of the tart, white fruits were wrapped in smooth syrup. It was Lintail. Lintail was a fruit that only grew near the capital. Since it is a special fruit that can only be tasted in the capital, there was no opportunity to see it in the east. It was the first time Astelle had seen it since she left the capital six years ago. The juicy flesh gave off a sweet and fragrant smell. It looked delicious, but Astelle drank only tea without touching the dessert te. ¡°Do you not like the dessert?¡± at Florin¡¯s careful question, Astelle responded with a smile. ¡°I don¡¯t like this fruit very much.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡­sorry. I should have asked beforehand.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± In fact, it wasn¡¯t just that she didn¡¯t like it, it was that she couldn¡¯t eat it. Astelle had a peculiar constitution in which she had a fever when she ate Lintail fruit. ¡®Without knowing it, I ate this when I was young and got very sick.¡¯ And after eating the whole te, she had to lie in bed for several days. Hannah came to Astelle with a teapot. Then her hand slipped and she dropped the teapot. ¡°Ouch¡­¡­!¡± Vellian, who was sitting next to Astelle, put down his teacup and shouted. Tea water poured on the table, in an instant, ran down the table. The white ceramic teapot fell to the floor and shattered. Hot tea sshed all over the ce. ¡°Sorry, Count. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Hannah knelt on the floor and begged for forgiveness. Astelle also stood up. ¡°Count, I¡¯m sorry. How could my maid make such a mistake¡­¡­¡± Fortunately, Vellian was not seriously injured and only his clothes were wet. Astelle couldn¡¯t drink hot tea, so she always prepared the tea a little lukewarm. Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Vellian, epting Astelle¡¯s apology, pulled out his handkerchief and wiped the damp clothes off. ¡°¡­¡­no, it¡¯s fine.¡± He said so, but Vellian looked at Astelle with suspicious eyes. Astelle avoided his gaze. ¡°I have to go back to the main pce and change clothes. Excuse me for a moment,¡± Vellian said so and went out of the room. Hannah was busy picking up pieces of broken teapots and wiping away the spilled tea from the chair and floor. Outside the window, the sun was still shining warmly. Astelle suggested taking a look at the garden. ¡°The weather is really nice today. Shall we go out for a while until Sir Vellianes back? There is an exhibition room in the nearby garden, if it¡¯s okay, I would like to go see it.¡± The word ¡®exhibition room¡¯ seemed to surprise the Marchioness. Florin naively agreed. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea. I saw it on the way here.¡± The two looked back at Kaizen and waited for permission. Kaizen, who was sitting there with a nk expression, also agreed to go to the exhibition room. ¡°Yeah, fine.¡± To get from the tea room to the exhibition room, you had to walk along the garden path. In the afternoon, the garden was full of warm sunlight. A view of the garden was seen in the warm sunlight. Among the colorful flowers, the leaves of grass added a fresh scent of grass. The exhibition room was clean and neatly organized. ¡°It¡¯s a wonderful ce. I didn¡¯t know this ce existed.¡± Astelle came out to the terrace next to the pavilion. It was a small but beautiful terrace. White marble columns supported the roof and in front was a small staircase leading to the garden. As if waiting, Florin followed Astelle to the terrace. ¡°Lady Astelle, uhm¡­¡­my mother wanted to apologize for thest time.¡± Florin blinked at her mother. The Marchioness rubbed her mouth and reluctantly apologized, ¡°Well, I was too excited back then.¡± The Marchioness still did not hide her dislike for Astelle. ¡®She¡¯s a person who can¡¯t hide her feelings,¡¯ Astelle thought. Or did she think there was nothing to hide? Astelle nodded her head slightly as if she understood everything. ¡°Fine. It¡¯s about your daughter, so you can get excited and lose your mind sometimes.¡± The Marchioness was about to be furious at the ridicule mixed with words. But Florin stopped her mother from moving forward and set her mood right. ¡°Thank you for your understanding, Lady Astelle. You are very generous.¡± Astelle nced towards the exhibition room. Kaizen, who remained in the exhibition hall, was still listening and ready to immediately follow the conversation. ¡®You can¡¯t do that.¡¯ It was a moment that could not be disturbed. Astelle quietly closed the ss door on the terrace. ¡°Lady Florin did not resemble her mother.¡± ¡°Yes, everyone says I look like my father.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t Marquis of Croychen is the Minister of State?¡± At that, the Marchioness who was standing there answered with a confident smile, ¡°My husband is very proud to be the first of the Croychens to step out as a minister. He has repeatedly said that a noble should be forever loyal to His Majesty the Emperor who entrusted him with a heavy-duty.¡± It was an innocent voice full of pride, but the meaning contained in it was never naive. The Reston family became ministers and prime ministers for generations. But now Astelle¡¯s father, the Duke of Reston, was overthrown while fighting the emperor. With a triumphant countenance, The Marchioness scoffed at the Reston, who was disloyal to the emperor. Astelle picked up the teacup as she listened to the Marchioness¡¯s words. And she epted her words with a gentle smile. As if she really admired it. ¡°The Croychen family is a new family, but I have heard that they are a loyal and noble family. After a long time devoted to territorial affairs, they suddenly took on such an important task, so you should be proud of it.¡± It sounds like apliment from beginning to end, but the truth is, the Croychen family is a low-ranking noble who lived only in the countryside. It was sarcasm to say that she suddenly rose to a high position and became arrogant. ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± The Marchioness shouted sharply. ¡°Why? I was just praising the Croychen family who is loyal to His Majesty the Emperor.¡± Astelle¡¯s gentle smile distorted the face of the Marchioness. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend to be interested in His Majesty. How much do you think that interest will go to his ex-wife, whom he has divorced? If you gossip about the fact that you are in a favorable situation now, you will be seriously injured.¡± ¡°Mother!¡± ¡°That¡¯s a good thing. I will engrave those words in my heart. I think the Marchioness will always have such a humble attitude.¡± Isn¡¯t it the same for you that you¡¯re proud of your family now? It was such a sarcastic joke. ¡°This¡­¡­!¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle observed Florin quietly. She really looked like a doll made of sugar candy. She was a girl who looked sweet, fragile, and soft from her head to toes. But Astelle was feeling that this little girl wasn¡¯t as cute and naive as she seemed. ¡°If it¡¯s all right, shall we all go back to the room now?¡± Right. That¡¯s the point. This cute little girl smiles softly even though her mother has just been insulted and left out in anger, and now she asked to go back to the tea room as if nothing happened. Even though Astelle just insulted her family outright. She could tell just by looking at her. That thisdy was by no means an ordinary girl. ¡°Lady Florin, are you okay?¡± ¡°Sorry?¡± Florin blinked. ck eyshes fluttered over the pale purple shimmering purple eyes. They are like marbled eyes embedded in a ceramic doll. ¡®I had a doll like her when I was young.¡¯ It was a pretty doll wearing a pink dress withyers ofce. The eyes of the beaded dolls wererge and moving. Each time the doll moved, the long eyshes attached to her eyelids fluttered. Astelle recalled the doll and said, ¡°Because of me, Lady Florin¡¯s older sister, Lady Marianne is in prison.¡± ¡°That was my sister¡¯s own fault,¡± Florin answered with a gentle smile like a cute porcin doll. ¡°It seemed that my older sister didn¡¯t like the fact that His Majesty showed his concern for you. It was because she had always liked His Majesty, so please understand, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡®I thought it was Florin rather than Marianne who should feel ufortable with Kaizen¡¯s favor to me.¡¯ She¡¯s not yet officially engaged to Kaizen, but she¡¯s the most likely candidate for the empress. Florin rolled her eyes. ¡°Do you think that you will be the empress again, Lady Astelle?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± It was so ridiculous that it made Astelle bewildered. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be the empress. Neither can I.¡± It has already been 6 years since she divorced. Now the Restons were not as powerful as they used to be. You never know when your power will be destroyed, let alone disappear. It was impossible for Astelle to be the empress again. ¡°I see.¡± Florin smiled and agreed. ¡°If Lady Astelle has no intention of bing the empress, and you cannot be the Empress, then there is absolutely no need for you to be hostile to me. Isn¡¯t it?¡± Florin innocently continued, ¡°I rather like it that way. Unlike other young girls who could be my rivals, Lady Astelle was different.¡± ¡°In short, you are saying that you arefortable because I have no chance of bing the empress.¡± ¡°Of course. There is no other person I am morefortable with than you. Lady Astelle has also experienced it, so you will understand, right?¡± Astelle said with a slight smile, ¡°Certainly, you are different from your older sister, Lady Florin. Somehow, Sir Vellian praised you a lot. You are a really nicedy.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± ¡°Lady Florin doesn¡¯t have to be this vignt anymore if you were really thankful.¡± As Astelle pointed it out quietly, the smile disappeared from her doll-like face for a moment. ¡®This must be what this girl is like.¡¯ Astelle guessed that this girl¡¯s original personality would be very cold and cruel. Florin¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Lady Astelle doesn¡¯t want to be the Empress, and you can¡¯t be, but¡­¡­there are always unforeseen circumstances in the world.¡± Florin spoke to her in a low voice, ¡°If it was six years ago, who would have guessed that I could be the future empress? It was something I couldn¡¯t even imagine.¡± ¡®I can see why every time I see thisdy, I always think of a pretty doll.¡¯ There was no emotion in Florin¡¯s pretty purple eyes. She has doll eyes that show no emotion or sincerity. Chapter 47 Chapter 47 The Croychens, though wealthy, were not great noble with great territories. There was no long history to put forward. It was a family that would not be called a prestigious family even if they built up awork in the capital for the next 100 years or so. No one could have guessed that the second daughter of such a family would be a candidate for the empress. No one could have imagined if the situation of the empire did not change after Kaizen became emperor and then expelled all the great nobles. Florin confessed frankly, ¡°From then on, I decided to be more careful. So after hearing about Lady Astelle, I wanted to see you with my own eyes.¡± ¡°You are thorough.¡± How could a young woman who had just reached adulthood think like that? Astelle agreed with Vellian. As Florin gains more of her experience over time, she will be a really good empress. Florin smiled as she looked at Astelle. ¡°Actually, I have heard many stories of Lady Astelle since I was very young. At that time, Lady Astelle was the noblest woman in the capital. Not just your status, but in your every way.¡± For the first time, a human vitality appeared for a moment and then disappeared in her numb purple eyes. ¡°When I was young, I wanted to be a gooddy like you, Lady Astelle. This is not a lie.¡± ¡°¡­¡­you are exaggerating.¡± Astelle was embarrassed for the first time. ¡°But you can rest assured that His Majesty has no affection for me.¡± Florin asked with bright eyes, ¡°Lady Astelle, do you know His Majesty well?¡± ¡°Yes, I know how he feels. It wasn¡¯t love, just curiosity and guilt.¡± It seems that people misinterpret Kaizen¡¯s concern for Astelle as love. That can¡¯t be. Kaizen has never been in love with her. ¡®He doesn¡¯t know what love is,¡¯ Astelle thought. Like a rich merchant who bought grapes thinking it was Lintail fruit. It was a story from a fairy tale Astelle read to Theor. It is said that the rich merchant, who had never seen or eaten Lintail fruit, happily ate the grapes, thinking they were Lintail all his life. If Astelle was a fool, maybe she would have lived her whole life thinking that Kaizen¡¯s feeling was love. But even if it was true love and not an illusion, she hated it now. ¡°Then I will believe Lady Astelle¡¯s words.¡± Hearing Astelle¡¯s exnation, Florinughed like a satisfied cat. Astelle felt anxiety welling up from the depths of her heart. Anxiety that this little girl would be a very concerned enemy if she found out about Theor¡¯s existence. *** The Marchioness was furious to the very end. She wanted to go back to the pavilion where she stayed right away. But the tea party wasn¡¯t over yet and she couldn¡¯t leave first. Even this was a tea party attended by the emperor. The host, Vellian, hadn¡¯te back yet, so she couldn¡¯t even ask to leave the tea party. ¡®I have no choice but to go back to the tea room.¡¯ Still, it¡¯s better to go to the tea room than to be in the same room with that disgusting woman. The Marchioness walked through the garden and returned to the tea room. It was just when she was about to enter the tea room. She saw someone already inside. She was a young maid. The brown-haired maid was touching the Marchioness¡¯ teacup. She was Astelle¡¯s maid who had spilled tea a while ago. There were two more maids in the tea room, but one did not pay attention to the side of the table because she was arranging the three-tiered tray near the wall. And the other was rearranging the vases by the window. Neither of them could see what Astelle¡¯s maid was doing. The Marchioness carefully approached. The brown-haired maid was putting something in the teacup with her back turned away from the other maids. The Marchioness hid her body behind the door and watched. The maid slightly turned the ring she was wearing on her middle finger. Then, powder came out of it. It was a light purple powder. The Marchioness shouted, ¡°What are you doing now?¡± *** Astelle was in the exhibition room. The maid who came in with an urgent expression informed themotion in the tea room. ¡°The Marchioness has asked Your Majesty toe back to the tea room.¡± The maid was talking to Kaizen. Kaizen asked with a tone that he didn¡¯t care what the Marchioness did, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± But the words that came out of the maid¡¯s mouth were shocking. ¡°Lady Astelle¡¯s maid was caught trying to put poison in Marchioness¡¯ teacup.¡± Kaizen and Florin looked back at Astelle with surprised eyes. Astelle also looked surprised. ¡°Let¡¯s go back now.¡± *** When Astelle returned to the tea room, it was a mess. The Marchioness called out to the soldiers, and Hannah stood quietly in the center of the tea room waiting for Astelle. The other maids had gathered to one side, looking terrified and not knowing what to do. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± As soon as Kaizen stepped inside, the Marchioness quickly lowered her head and screamed. ¡°That maid poisoned my teacup!¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes turned to Hannah. Kaizen asked Hannah, ¡°Did you?¡± Hannah stood with a bewildered look, then bent her knees and bowed her back. ¡°Your Majesty, Lord of the Empire¡­¡­¡± Hannah raised her head and answered calmly, ¡°I did not, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°She has lied. I¡¯ve clearly seen¡ª!¡± ¡°Stop.¡± When the Marchioness tried to scream again, Kaizen cut her off in an annoyed tone. But she did not give up and repeated her argument again. ¡°Your Majesty, when I returned to the tea room, this maid was poisoning my teacup. I saw with my own eyes that the purple powder out of her ring.¡± Then Vellian, who had gone to change his clothes, returned to the tea room. Vellian was surprised to see the situation in the tea room, but as he listened to the Marchioness¡¯ words, he looked back at Astelle as if he had grasped the situation. Astelle silently ignored his gaze. Hannah pulled out the ring from her own finger. ¡°This is an ordinary ring. Nothing can be hidden here.¡± Kaizen nced at the other maid, ordered her to check it out. Hannah¡¯s ring was a simple ring with a small ruby ??embedded in a thin ring. The maid took her ring and examined it carefully. After that, the maid handed the ring to Vellian. But no matter how he looked, the result was the same. ¡°Your Majesty, this is just an ordinary ring.¡± ¡°Nonsense!¡± The Marchioness snatched the ring from Vellian, and she took a closer look at it herself. But she couldn¡¯t reveal a secret space in the ring as she hoped. ¡°That maid tried to poison me! She put the purple powder in my teacup.¡± Hannah, who was standing idly,ter defended her own actions. ¡°I was just trying to pick up a petal that fell off into the teacup. But suddenly the Marchioness got angry and¡­¡­¡± ¡°Do not lie!¡± ¡°Have you checked the teacup?¡± Astelle, who was watching quietly, asked in a calm voice. For a moment, everyone¡¯s eyes turned to Astelle. ¡°Call the doctor and see if the tea really poisonous.¡± The Emperor thought that Astelle had a point and ordered another maid. ¡°Call the doctor!¡± After a while, a middle-aged doctor was called into the tea room. He was the doctor Astelle had met once when she was ill with a fever at the inn in the country town. ¡°Check the teacup for poison.¡± The doctor listened to the situation and carefully examined the teacup. In the imperial pce, there was always a gem used to test for toxic substances. The doctor ced the thin needle of the jewel into the teacup and observed the reaction. He checked twice more, but nothing came up. ¡°Your Majesty, there is no poison in the teacup.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be!¡± The Marchioness did not give up and continued to argue. If it was not poison, it must be a suspicious drug. ¡°Whatever it was, she was trying to hurt me.¡± ¡°Why are you so sure, Marchioness? Maybe you got it wrong? Does my maid have any reason to hurt you?¡± Astelle¡¯s calm rebuttal left the Marchioness speechless. If Astelle¡¯s handmaiden tried to harm her, of course, it was because of Theor. ¡®That sly woman must want revenge on me.¡¯ But she couldn¡¯t say it with her own mouth. She had solid reasons, but she couldn¡¯t speak, so she was frustrated. Astelle demanded of her with her light sneer. ¡°Since you framed my maid with unfounded words, please apologize properly.¡± The Marchioness cried out in anger. ¡°I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s unfounded. I saw that maid sneak out of the castle ande back. Then she apparently dropped a ss bottle of poison¡ª¡± ¡°Mother!¡± Florin shouted low to her mother to shut her mouth. The Marchioness btedly realized her own mistake and bit her lip. She had now spit it out with her own mouth that she was watching Astelle¡¯s handmaiden. Kaizen looked back at Hannah and asked, ¡°Is that true?¡± Chapter 48 Chapter 48 Hannah answered calmly, ¡°I just went out to buy the Young Master¡¯s toys at Lady Astelle¡¯s order. I went with the attendant of the annex.¡± Kaizen sent someone to the annex to call the attendant Hannah was talking about. The maid, who had gone under his orders, returned with the attendant. ¡°We¡¯ve never been to anywhere other than the general store. The shopkeeper will testify,¡± the attendant said clearly. ¡°The ring is not poisonous, the teacup is not poisonous, and the maid hasn¡¯t been to a suspicious ce.¡± Kaizen turned to the Marchioness with annoyed eyes. ¡°Why the hell did you make this fuss?¡± ¡°Y-Your Majesty¡­¡­¡± ¡°How did you know that the maid had been out and about?¡± The Marchioness realized her own mistake and fell to her knees on the floor. ¡°Your Majesty. It¡¯s all my fault¡­¡­ I only believed the words of my maid and made this mistake¡­¡­¡± The Marchioness dripped tears as shementedly begged for forgiveness. As she wept, she med her maid for giving her the wrong information. Kaizen did not fall for such an obvious trick. He pointed towards Astelle and ordered, ¡°Apologize to her if you know it was a mistake.¡± The Marchioness bit her lower lip as she turned her body towards Astelle. She then bowed her head deeply and she apologized. ¡°I made this mistake because I misunderstood the situation. I¡¯m really sorry.¡± Astelle silently epted her apology without saying anything. Kaizen gave Florin a coldmand, ¡°Go back to the capital with the Marchioness immediately.¡± Astelle looked at Florin, who stood silently, for a moment. Florin¡¯s cute face was terrifyingly expressionless. She was as expressionless as a statue, but when Kaizen and her eyes met, she instantly changed to a bewildered expression as if she were wearing a mask. Kaizen¡¯s added, ¡°And tell the Marchioness to stay in the mansion for the time being. Until the disposition is decided.¡± It meant that the Marchioness was under house arrest. Florin realized that the emperor was no longer in the mood to say anything. She silently bowed her head and walked away. *** ¡°Lady Astelle. It¡¯s not what you promised, is it?¡± After a brief storm passed and the tea party was over, Vellian came up to Astelle and asked. Astelle widened her eyes as if confused by what he was talking about. ¡°I kept my promise. I didn¡¯t touch the Marchioness, did I?¡± ¡°What the hell¡­¡­¡± Vellian covered his eyes with his hand and let out a long sigh. He looked very distressed, but unfortunately, Astelle had no sympathy. He sighed and said, ¡°Well, from the beginning, I didn¡¯t think this tea party would end normally.¡± ¡°So, was it the reason you brought His Majesty here?¡± Did you think that if you bring the emperor, nothing will happen? Vellian did not answer. Instead, he questioned Astelle, ¡°Are you satisfied now that you made a big deal out of tricking that foolish Marchioness?¡± ¡°I am,¡± Astelle answered frankly. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m d that dangerous woman has disappeared from Theor¡¯s side.¡± Astelle wanted to get rid of the Marchioness. So she had Hannah show a vial in advance of the Marchioness¡¯ spy and put some powder in the Marchioness¡¯s teacup. The powder on her teacup was ine berry powder. The fruit of the ine tree had no taste or smell when ground into a powder. It was a necessary ingredient for making nutritional supplements. Dried ine berries have been in Astelle¡¯s medicine box since she first left the Carlenberg mansion. Grind the blue ine fruit well, add the burned pigment, andbine to form a deep purple powder. After kneading it and spreading it thinly, tear it up a little bit by hand, and put it in a ss bottle to make it look like purple petals. Of course, if you look closely, you will quickly notice that it is strange. It¡¯s hard to tell them apart from a nce. The Marchioness was terrified, thinking Astelle would retaliate against her. So she was easily caught up in such a simple thing. ¡°I am very d that Lady Astelle is satisfied.¡± ¡°Thank you for your help, Count.¡± Astelle bowed her head slightly and expressed her gratitude. Vellian looked at her in shock and spit out curse-like words. ¡°If you go to the capital, you will meet the people of the Croychen again. What are you going to do then?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll go to the capital and go back right away. No matter how much the Croychens resent me, they wouldn¡¯t bother trying to harm me in such a sensitive situation.¡± Florin was being chosen as the future empress. There is no reason for Croychens to do dangerous things to harm the former empress. ¡®I don¡¯t know about the other Croychens, but Marquis Croychen or Florin wouldn¡¯t make such a choice.¡¯ *** ¡°Hey, sweetheart¡­¡­ that¡­¡­¡± As she stood in front of the dressing table, the Marchioness of Croychen wept as she looked back at her daughter sitting by the window. ¡°His Majesty was so angry¡­¡­¡± Florin sat by the window and didn¡¯t even move. A view of the garden could be seen through the window. Many red roses were in full bloom in the garden. The strong scent of roses permeated the warm wind. But in Florin¡¯s eyes, the whole thing was just annoying. ¡°Hey Florin, are you listening to me?¡± The Marchioness got mad at Florin as she walked towards the window. Florin then turned her gaze to her mother. ¡°Hey! Heeeey! Are you listening to me?!¡± ¡°It happened because my mother made up such a stupid thing, so what should I do now?¡± Florin looked at her mother coldly and said, ¡°What on earth were you thinking of doing that? What benefit would you have from doing something like that?¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°My mother was trying to torment her nephew but it failed, so she devised all of this.¡± ¡°That¡­¡­that because she was so arrogant¡­¡­!¡± We can¡¯t choose who our parents are, but wouldn¡¯t it be better not to have such stupid parents? Florin had such a ruthless thought for a moment. ¡°So, did you make me and my father in trouble just because you were in a bad mood? Just because of your pride?¡± It was the same today. Her mother fell into the trap so obvious. The Marchioness did not answer. Florin shook and turned her head. ¡°I have nothing to say, so please leave. My head hurts and I need to rest.¡± It was too rude to say to her biological mother, but the Marchioness was not angry with Florin. Because her husband, Marquis Croychen loved Florin the most in the family. He said that only this shrewd second daughter resembled himself, and he devoted to Florin who was weak since childhood. Florin closed her eyes as she sat back on the chair. As the room became quiet, a voluminous woman approached Florin. Florin asked, ¡°Nanny, did you know that I want to know about Astelle?¡± ¡°Yes, Lady.¡± The nanny answered, putting a warm nket over Florin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I have done everything I can find out about the former empress.¡± ¡°I want to hold onto her weakness just in case. How about that? Anything special?¡± ¡°There was nothing special about her. She lived in the countryside all six years. The female pharmacist used toe and go a long time, but it was probably because of the child, her nephew.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Florin also took medicine every day when she was young. She was so weak that she couldn¡¯t evene to the capital. At that time, the Croychen family was not very wealthy. If Florin wasn¡¯t clever, her father wouldn¡¯t have paid for her medicine properly. However, after proving that Florin was clever and useful enough, her father suddenly began to pay attention to her. Thanks to this, she was able to recover her health and joined the social circle in the capital as well. As she closed her eyes and recalled the past, she heard the nanny¡¯s voice, ¡°But the maid who was working in the Castle of Maern said something strange.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Florin woke up to the nanny¡¯s words. The nanny spoke with a meaningful expression, ¡°She heard it when she went to the hunting lodge. The child called Lady Astelle ¡®mom¡¯.¡± ¡°¡­¡­what?¡± Florin blinked at the unexpected word. But she soonughed. ¡°What¡¯s weird about that? I used to call my nanny ¡®mother¡¯ when I was a child.¡± ¡°It was.¡± Florin smiled and spoke again after a moment¡¯s thought, ¡°I should also find out about the child¡¯s birth.¡± *** The next few days passed quietly. Astelle didn¡¯t even step out of the annex because she had to take care of her grandfather. A few days passed in a sh, and the day of the ball finally arrived. ¡®Finally.¡¯ As soon as she opened her eyes in the morning, the tension rose. It was the day of the ball she had been waiting for several days. Astelle saw the light of dawn reflected through the window and made up her mind early. ¡®I have to do really well today.¡¯ If her ns for today went well, she wouldn¡¯t have to worry about anything anymore. Chapter 49 Chapter 49 TL: Lc | PR: Faith Astelle waited eagerly for today to get permission from Kaizen. It was the first time in her life that she has waited so eagerly for a ball. When she lived as crown princess in the capital, balls were just a cumbersome event. The Marquis shared breakfast with her and reassured her because she was still nervous. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. There¡¯s no reason for the emperor not to allow it.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± ¡®There is no reason for Kaizen to refuse.¡¯ Only Astelle herself was needed for the will. There was no reason for him to insist on taking Theor to the capital. ¡°If he refuses, I will try asking him myself.¡± Even her grandfather said he¡¯de forward and ask, so he would surely listen. Astelle entrusted the vial she carried in her arms to her grandfather. She cannot be with Theor this evening. She won¡¯t even have time to give him the potion. ¡°Please, take care of Theor.¡± ¡°Sure. Don¡¯t worry and go ahead.¡± By the time it was afternoon, Astelle became very busy. She has made tons of preparations for the ball since early in the morning. When she lived as a crown princess, she usually took care of her skin and hair. She had all the dresses, shoes, gloves, and handkerchiefs that she could easily wear at any time. But for the past six years, Astelle has lived a life that is inferior to that of a maid. Taking care of her skin and hair was unthinkable. As a result, her skin was a little rough and her hair was as stiff as dry grass. Her nails were also cut short. ¡°Just wash my hair with lotion, put on some simple makeup, and apply a little bit of rouge.¡± At Astelle¡¯s words, the maids¡¯ eyes widened. ¡°Lady, you can¡¯t go to the ball if you¡¯re not wearing makeup properly.¡± The Empire had strict andplicated rules for social events such as prom and tea parties. The woman attending the prom had to put on make-up and lift her hair so that she could look splendid. Astelle didn¡¯t want to dance anyway, and she didn¡¯t want to hang out with the people there, so she did not need to dress up perfectly enough to be admired. ¡®It may seem strange to others, but it¡¯s okay.¡¯ She turned to the maids and asked again. ¡°Then just make sure I don¡¯t attract too much attention.¡± However, it was more difficult than she thought. Buttermilk was applied to her limbs all day until sunset, and a thick cream was applied to her face to brighten the skin. ¡°Lady, this will help repair your hair.¡± In order to revive her hair which became stiff, the maid brought an unidentified mixture of egg yolks. She washed her hair with it and applied a balm. The maids admired Astelle. ¡°Oh my God, your skin is really smooth.¡± ¡°Your hair is also silky.¡± Before putting on a dress, Astelle sat in front of the dressing table and applied her makeup. She chose avender silk dress as her evening gown to wear to the ball. It was one of the dresses that Kaizen sent as a gift. The dress was a light purple that was as soft and elegant as lc petals. The skirt, flowing gracefully, was embroidered with small pale pink flowers at the bottom. The light pink flowers on the pale purple fabric looked subdued and elegant. ¡®It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve worn an evening gown.¡¯ Her hair was lifted loosely behind the crown of her head, decorated with a lily hairpin made of pearls, gold, and silver. She wore a pearl ne with a small amethyst around her neck, and finally, thest touch was earrings with roses and diamonds. In the mirror, there was ady with her blonde hair loosely curled up. Theor went into the room and was amazed at Astelle. ¡°Beautiful. You look like a princess, Aunt!¡± Theor regained his energy in a matter of days. In order not to leave any after-effects of his shock, Hannah continued to bring him delicious snacks, and the Marquis yed with him all day. Under the care of the two of them, Theor was more energetic than before. ¡°I¡¯ll be back. Listen to grandfather and go to bed early .¡± ¡°Yes!¡± After stroking Theor¡¯s hair, Astelle set off for the ball. *** The ball was held in the banquet hall in the main pce of the castle. An attendant came to the annex to escort Astelle. Under the guidance of the attendant, Astelle went to the banquet hall which was at the center of the castle. It was quite the long way from the west annex; where Astelle was staying, to the banquet. After walking for a while, they arrived at arge hall. Before entering, bright lights and soft music could be heard through the marble door. ¡®Am I toote?¡¯ It seemed that all the guests had already arrived. Astelle went inside quickly. The attendant announced her arrival. ¡°Lady Astelle has arrived.¡± The banquet hall here was asrge as the one in the imperial pce. There were many people present. As Astelle entered, therge banquet hall suddenly became silent. People looked at her in unison with surprise and curiosity. As Astelle walked inside she could hear people gossiping. ¡°That person is¡­¡­¡± ¡°Apparently, she is the former Empress¡­¡­¡± In an instant, Astelle became the center of attention. It was like being the host of a birthday or engagement party. ¡®It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve received the attention of so many people.¡¯ She left the capital as soon as she got divorced and hid in the countryside. Because of this, she never caught people¡¯s eyes in the past six years, and then she appeared and joined the emperor¡¯s tour. ¡®Well, it deserves to be a topic of discussion.¡¯ People¡¯s eyes were on her, but Astelle didn¡¯t really care. ¡®What does it matter?¡¯ I¡¯ll leave soon anyway, and I¡¯ll never see them again in my lifetime. Astelle passed the center of the venue and walked to the window, receiving a lot of attention. Curious eyes followed one after another, but since there was no one she knew, no one spoke to her first. ¡®It is better not to talk to anyone. I didn¡¯te here to dance or make friends in the first ce.¡¯ Astelle spotted Kaizen¡¯s ce. She looked around, but Kaizen was nowhere to be seen. ¡®Where are you?¡¯ She felt anxious. She used this opportunity to meet Kaizen and try to get his permission in front of a lot of people. If Kaizen does not show up, all of this would be meaningless. Astelle looked around some more but there was no one to ask. Upon closer inspection, she could see a few people she knew. On the other side of the hall, Vellian was surrounded by several nobles. Seeing that, she wondered if Kaizen had note. If Kaizen hade, the nobles would have been trying to say hello to him. Seeing that everyone is attached to the emperor¡¯s aide, Vellian, she wondered if Kaizen was not present. As Astelle was thinking about it, someone next to her called her. ¡°Are you Princess Reston?¡± When she turned around, a chubby middle-aged woman greeted her with a kind smile. ¡°I am. That¡¯s right, but who¡­¡­?¡± ¡°It is an honor to meet you. I am Mrs. Schumann, who lives nearby.¡± The introduction of Mrs. Schumann suggested that she was the wife of a knight who lived in the area. Among the nobles, there were people who had the title of Count or Baron, but most of them were the lowest ss nobles that only held the title of knighthood. ¡°In the past, when I went to the capital at the invitation of a rtive, I met the princess¡¯ mother.¡± ¡°My mother?¡± Astelle had never seen her mother. Astelle¡¯s mother, Jecklin, gave birth to her and died a few dayster. Mrs. Schumann said as if recalling her happy past. ¡°What a beautiful and kind person she was. Princess looks a lot like her mother.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± She didn¡¯t expect to meet someone who knew her mother in a ce like this. Astelle was a little surprised, but she was delighted. Mrs. Schumann was recounting her memories of meeting Astelle¡¯s mother when she was called by the otherdies and went to join them. Astelle moved to the window. Where the hell is Kaizen? ¡®Will youe before the ball is over?¡¯ ¡°I¡­¡­¡± But she suddenly was approached by someone. ¡°Excuse me, are you Lady Astelle?¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± He was a young man with light silver hair and light blue eyes. He appeared to be in his mid ¨C 20s, he had a white and neat face and a good-looking impression. He politely bowed his back. ¡°This is Seibel von Ecklen, themander of the Lanberg Knights. It is an honor to meet you, Lady.¡± Astelle was a little surprised to hear the identity of the man. ¡°You are the knightmander.¡± Chapter 50 Chapter 50 TL: Lc | PR: Luna Astelle was a little surprised. The Lanberg Knights are inferior to the Guard Knights in their ranks, but in wartime, they were more important than the Guard Knights. ¡®He looks young, but is already a knightmander. Does he have good skills?¡¯ A few young girls from the other side were blushing as they nced over this side. ¡°What did the knightmandere here for?¡± ¡°Before going to the North, I havee to meet and report to His Majesty.¡± ¡°You¡¯re heading north? What¡¯s going on?¡± At Astelle¡¯s worried question, Seibel answered quickly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing to worry about. It¡¯s been a while since we suppressed the rebellion, so we are only going out on patrol.¡± ¡°I see.¡± There¡¯s no sign of a war going on anywhere else, so it seems like the Knights are being sent away. ¡®But why did this person talk to me?¡¯ Looking at him with a puzzled look, Seibel spoke to Astelle in a cautious tone. ¡°My father asked me to send regards to the Marquis of Carlenberg.¡± ¡°If it were your father¡­¡­¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, my father is Count Gerald von Ecklen, the minister of the military.¡± It was a name she had never heard of before. Astelle had no idea who it was. The situation in the capital has changed a lot. In the past, unless you were from a prestigious noble, you could not rise to a high position no matter how much you made. Instead, all of the seats were monopolized by the great aristocrats from generation to generation. Astelle¡¯s paternal grandfather was the Prime Minister, and her father also served as the Minister of State in the past and ascended to the position of Prime Minister. Her maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Carlenberg, was also once minister of military affairs. Her older brother, Fritz, was also scheduled to follow her father and grandfather¡¯s steps. However, Kaizen had driven out the great nobles and reced them with new people. Now, among the great nobles, the Reston was the only family that maintained the title. ¡°Oh, Lady Astelle, you are here.¡± ¡°Sir Lyndon.¡± Finally, someone she knew approached. He was Lord Lyndon,mander of the Guard Knights. ¡°So you¡¯ve met Seibel.¡± Seibel also bowed his head lightly at him. The two seemed to get along well. Lyndon said to Seibel, ¡°But is it okay for you to stay here? We¡¯re going to start the ball soon. Your partner, the Lady, has been looking for you.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right. Excuse me, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. Go quickly.¡± As soon as Seibel disappeared, the dance began with the sound of music. Since it was a ball, someone had to do the first dance. Of course, that glory should go to the Emperor and his partner. Florin, the candidate for Empress, has already returned with her mother, but there was still no emperor here. ¡®Did Kaizen really note?¡¯ ¡°Sir Lyndon. Where is His Majesty?¡± ¡°He is over there.¡± Lyndon¡¯s gaze turned to the second floor above the stairs. Kaizen was on the second floor, overlooking the banquet hall. He was wearing a robe worn only by the emperor. In that figure, the dignity of the emperor of the empire could be felt. ¡®That suit always looked good.¡¯ As soon as Astelle raised her head, their eyes met. ¡®Were you looking this way?¡¯ For some reason, there was no one around him. ¡®Why are you doing this?¡¯ Anyway, Astelle was relieved when she confirmed that Kaizen was present. She naturally turned her body to avoid his gaze. She felt a stinging gaze on the back of her head, but she ignored it. *** Kaizen was upstairs in the banquet hall. It¡¯s because the nobles here followed him carefully to keep an eye on him, trying to speak to him. So Kaizen went upstairs to the banquet hall to avoid the nuisance. He was looking down at the people gathered downstairs. The other people in the banquet hall didn¡¯t even catch his eye. His gaze was always on Astelle. Even though she was among a lot of people, the first thing that caught his eyes was Astelle. Astelle was standing on one wall of the banquet hall. Kaizen couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Astelle, who was adorned in a bright purple silk dress. She has a delicate yet elegant face, loosely curled white-blonde hair, and a dress that depicts elegant lines. Astelle was more beautiful and graceful than any nobledy he had ever seen. Kaizen admitted that he was attracted to Astelle. From the moment he saw Astelle wearing that green dress at the rainy hunting lodge¡ªno, from the time he met her again after six years, Astelle attracted his heart. Kaizen knew how absurd this was. ¡®You¡¯re crazy!¡¯ Being drawn to your ex-wife, whom you divorced six years ago. The two have been engaged since the age of ten. Feelings that hadn¡¯t arisen even after 10 years of being engaged to each other came into existence six more years after the divorce. At that time, someone approached Astelle, who was standing on one side. It was Seibel, themander of the Lanberg Knights. Seibel said something to Astelle. A faint smile crept across Astelle¡¯s lips. Kaizen went downstairs immediately. In an instant, the music stopped. Kaizen crossed the center of the hall and approached Astelle. Everyone looked at him, holding their breath. Surprised, Astelle turned around. Kaizen politely held out his hand. ¡°Lady Astelle, will you honor me to be your first dance partner?¡± Chapter 51 Chapter 51 TL: Lc | PR: Faith ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty.¡± Astelle politely bowed and begged for forgiveness. ¡°It¡¯s been too long since I have been to a ball, so I¡¯m not good at dancing. I dare not obey His Majesty¡¯s orders, because I think dancing at this rate would be rude. Please forgive me.¡± Astelle was very polite from her expression to her tone of voice, but it was a clear rejection. The banquet hall became so quiet it felt like cold water was poured on it. No one was able to speak out loud, but it was a shocking situation. It is shocking to hear that the emperor, who had prevented people from even approaching him, asked the former empress who he had divorced out of nowhere to dance, and the former empress even coldly refused the emperor¡¯s request. In fact, Astelle was surprised as well. Why are you doing this all of a sudden? She came to the ball to ask permission in front of people but she had no intention of even dancing with Kaizen. ¡®¡­¡­I really hate situations like these.¡¯ However, Kaizen, the causative, stared straight at Astelle and said: ¡°I don¡¯t care about skills.¡± ¡°Again, I may make a mistake. Please understand.¡± ¡°Do you dare refuse my hand?¡± Astelle gracefully bent her knees and bowed her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty.¡± It was a firm refusal. In fact, Astelle was a little worried. She was supposed to ask for permission to send Theor back home first, but things have gone awry. ¡®What if Kaizen gets mad and leaves?¡¯ Fortunately, Kaizen did not leave his spot. He did not give up and reached out to Astelle again. ¡°Even if I ask you so earnestly?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle was a little startled to see the serious emotion in his red eyes. She thought he would get mad and walk away. Kaizen made it feel like he would not give up all night unless Astelle epted it. She began to hear gossips around her. Astelle bit her lip in embarrassment. When the emperor spoke like that in front of so many people, she couldn¡¯t just keep refusing him forever. More than anything else, she needed to get permission. ¡®¡­¡­I can¡¯t help it.¡¯ ¡°I may step on Your Majesty¡¯s feet.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you step on me.¡± ¡®I really want to step on you.¡¯ Astelle slowly ced her hand on Kaizen¡¯s extended hand. ¡°Thank you.¡± Kaizen¡¯s sarcasm was heard. Astelle took his hand without saying a word and went out into the middle of the ballroom. A sweet melody slowly leaked out in the light silence. It was waltz music. ¡®In the end¡­¡­¡¯ Astelle didn¡¯t like the music. Unlike other dances, the waltz brings two people too close together. The first dance started while many people watched. As soon as the music started, Kaizen¡¯s hand led Astelle strongly. Astelle also stepped calmly and leisurely. Each movement evoked an elegant yet restrained dignity. ¡°You¡¯re really good at dancing,¡± Kaizen whispered in a low voice as if admiringly. Astelle did not answer. From a very young age, Astelle practiced dancing every day under the guidance of dance teachers. To look elegant and beautiful in every movement. There was only one reason for practicing so hard. ¡®It was because of this man.¡¯ She could feel the warmth of his sped hands. It was a familiar warmth that had been forgotten for a long time. ¡®Can this man guess how hard I tried just to hear those words?¡¯ Throughout the dance, Kaizen didn¡¯t take his eyes off Astelle. But Astelle did not look at him. The onlookers watched her and eximed in admiration. ¡°That Lady, she really dances with dignity.¡± ¡°After all, the person who was the empress is different¡­¡­¡± A murmur was briefly heard. The music ended with thest step. Astelle bowed deeply to Kaizen and turned around. And she left without looking back. * Astelle headed towards the balcony to cool off for a moment. As she approached the balcony, the mood of the nobles around her changed slightly. ¡°Hello, Lady.¡± The nobles, who had not spoken a word to her until now, approached her. ¡°I saw you dancing, you are very talented.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to participate in other dances?¡± They were talking nonsense and gossiping when the Emperor was trying to please Astelle and begging for a dance. ¡°Thank you, but I¡¯m dizzy, so I¡¯m going to take a break.¡± Astelle leisurely ignored their greeting and turned around. In the ballroom, it was time for the next dance again. A sweet melody resounded sweetly in the banquet hall. In the wide center of the hall, a pair of chandeliers were spinning dazzlingly as people danced in pairs. Kaizen was holding the ss that the servant had brought. People were also gathered around him. ¡®Now is my chance.¡¯ Astelle couldn¡¯t waste any more time. It would be difficult for her if Kaizen goes somewhere else after this. Astelle walked across the banquet hall toward Kaizen. The nobles that were gathered next to the emperor stood aside in amazement. Kaizen, who had been drinking, btedly turned to Astelle. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Astelle? What¡¯s going on?¡± She bowed deeply before Kaizen in front of everyone. And she began to beg. ¡°I beg Your Majesty, the Lord of the Empire, to have mercy on me.¡± Now everyone in the banquet hall was looking at this side. There was a look of embarrassment on Kaizen¡¯s handsome face. It surprised him. As soon as the dance was over, Astelle turned around coldly then suddenly came to him with a request. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Originally, Astelle was going to ask at the end of the ball. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Kaizen asked for a dance, and everyone¡¯s attention was focused. ¡®If I stay here any longer, something strange may happen.¡¯ So Astelle just decided to get Kaizen¡¯s permission and go back right away. Astelle slowly knelt in front of Kaizen and brought out the words she had prepared. ¡°Your Majesty, my maternal grandfather, Marquis Carlenberg is exhausted from traveling long distances.¡± All the eyes of the people around were focused on this side. Astelle continued with tears in her eyes. ¡°He is very ill and is bedridden. It hurts my heart to think that it is all because of me.¡± With a pathetic expression on her face, she lowered her gaze and wept. A tear ran down her cheek. The former empress, who was expelled, is crying in front of the emperor because her old maternal grandfather is not feeling well. It was a scene that looked pitiful enough. The nobles who were watching began to add one word after the other. ¡°Is the Marquis very ill?¡± ¡°Oh my, he must be very old¡­¡­¡± Although the Marquis did not live in the capital city, most of the nobles were people who had heard of his name. Some even offered to send him medicine or something. Kaizen, who had been looking withplicated eyes, approached Astelle. He grabbed Astelle¡¯s shoulders with both of his hands andforted her kindly. ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself. Why would it be your fault?¡± It was much friendlier than Astelle had expected. The problem is, it was way too sweet. When the two got too close, there was a strange atmosphere again. Astelle pulled her body back slightly to get away from Kaizen, she didn¡¯t miss the chance and spoke quickly. ¡°Fortunately, thanks to Your Majesty¡¯s care, my grandfather has recovered a lot. I beg of you, Your Majesty. Can¡¯t you send my grandfather and my little nephew back to the mansion first?¡± Surprised by what the former empress was trying to say, the people watching lost interest when they saw that she was making an insignificant request. It was an understandable request. Everyone thought the emperor would surely allow it. The reason why Astelle came along with the emperor was already known to the people living here. Although they do not know the details, it is known that it is rted to the will of the Empress Dowager. It is okay to send back the elderly and the child who does not need to be taken along. In fact, from the emperor¡¯s point of view, it was better not to take the two of them. If he takes them, they will only get in the way. Everyone thought so and assumed that the Emperor would grant Astelle¡¯s request. So did Astelle. So when Kaizen answered firmly, everyone couldn¡¯t help but be surprised. Chapter 52 Chapter 52 TL: Lc | PR: Faith ¡°No.¡± ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± Astelle raised her head in surprise and asked. Kaizen, who had been kindlyforting her until recently, was as cold as stone. Anger gleamed in his red eyes staring at her. ¡®No¡­¡­why are you angry?¡¯ ¡°Your Majesty, my grandfather, as well as young Theor, they recently fell ill with a fever¡­¡­¡± ¡°I know, both of them are not feeling well, so why do they have to go back such a long way?¡± Kaizen refuted Astelle¡¯s words in an irritated tone. ¡°As I said before, it would be better to go to the capital to see a proper doctor and get treatment. At this point, I think it would be better to find a doctor and a tutor for the child.¡± ¡°Your Majesty, but¡­¡­¡± ¡°Stop.¡± Kaizen interrupted Astelle¡¯s words as harshly as before. He looked at Astelle with bitter eyes. ¡°This is an order.¡± Kaizen had a determined expression on his face, he would not allow a single rebuttal. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle shut her mouth with a bewildered look on her face. Even the people watching were perplexed. She couldn¡¯t understand why he wasn¡¯t giving her permission. Even Vellian, who was listening right next to Kaizen, wanted to ask him why he didn¡¯t allow it. But the emperor seemed so unhappy that no one dared to intervene. Everyone kept their mouths shut and just watched the situation. Kaizen red at Astelle, then turned around and left the banquet hall. She had no choice but to watch his back in disbelief. After the emperor disappeared, people began to offer condolences to Astelle, who was standing there nkly. ¡°Lady, don¡¯t be so heartbroken.¡± ¡°The Marquis will be well.¡± ¡°Thank you for your consideration.¡± Astelle got somefort from the guests and then left the banquet. The attendant offered to lead her to the annex, but she refused. * Astelle walked along the garden, stepping on a dew-covered path. There was a chill in the dark garden. As she breathed in the cold air, she could feel her mind bing a little clearer. However, her heart was still boiling with confusion. ¡®Why?¡¯ Why did he get so angry and reject her request? She couldn¡¯t understand what exactly she told him that made him so angry In order to arrange the will of the Empress Dowager, only Astelle would have to go to the capital. Why is he trying to take Grandpa and Theor with him? Astelle had expected that if they talked about it when they were alone, she would definitely get a bad reaction and that¡¯s why she chose the ballroom. She had no idea that Kaizen would reject her in front of so many people. She thought he would act like an emperor if there were so many eyes. It was ridiculous. She was so stunned that she didn¡¯t even have the energy to think about what to do now. After walking for a while, she arrived at the tea room. The light blue roof was visible under the moonlight. Astelle took a deep breath to calm her mind. After leaving the banquet hall and breathing in the cool air, she felt alive again. She sat by the tea room for a while until the feeling of stuffiness in her heart was relieved. The stuffy clothes she was wearing, the smell of food, and the smell of alcohol gave her a headache. Meanwhile, the smell of grass and trees in the garden made her feel refreshed. It was still too early to fall asleep so Theor might be waiting. Astelle took in a slow breath and looked at the sky. The first thing that caught her eyes was the white shining moon. Then she saw the white petals covering the ck night sky. It was an acacia. Each time the gentle wind shook the branches, the flower clusters that hung inyers swayed around. The scent of pure white acacia quietly permeated the wind. Astelle looked at the pure white flowers and quenched her anger. At that moment, a familiar voice was heard. ¡°Astelle.¡± When she turned in surprise, there was a familiar person in the dark shade. It was Kaizen. He stood under the acacia tree. ¡°Let¡¯s talk for a moment.¡± Under the moonlight, his red eyes were a dark mahogany color. There was still burning anger in them. ¡°What do you want to say?¡± Astelle was also angry. Kaizen smirked as he approached Astelle with an absurd tone. ¡°Did you tell me that you were going to the ball because you wanted to get that permission?¡± Of course, it was. ¡®Otherwise, why should I attend a ball here?¡¯ Astelle realized for a moment what was causing Kaizen¡¯s anger. It seemed that Kaizen didn¡¯t like that she attended the ball with hidden intentions. That¡¯s why he refused to send Theor and her grandfather back. Even though Astelle knew the answer, she still couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Kaizen, who lost his smile, asked. ¡°Why is it so important to send Theor back with your grandfather?¡± ¡°Your Majesty, why are you taking them to the capital? Why do you want the two of them toe along?¡± Astelle asked him a question. ¡°If I don¡¯t take them, you will be left as soon as the work in the capital is done.¡± ¡°Is it strange that I want to go back to my house?¡± ¡°Your house? You live in that marquis¡¯s house?¡± Kaizen was just as frustrated and angry as Astelle but unlike Astelle, Kaizen was not aware of why he was angry. ¡°How long are you going to live in that house taking care of a child?¡± Now, Kaizen referred to Theor. ¡°How about when Theor gets older? What if heter gets married and bes a new marquis? Will you still live in that house?¡± Astelle was so stunned that she could not even speak for a moment. ¡®Are you mad at me because you are worried about my future now?¡¯ ¡°Thank you for being so concerned about my future, Your Majesty. Are you angry because you don¡¯t like me living at my grandfather¡¯s house?¡± ¡°Yeah, I think you could¡­¡­!¡± Kaizen, who had been screaming, btedly realized his mistake then blurred out the end of his words. He wanted Astelle to live in the capital. He wanted to keep her within his reach. When this journey is over, Astelle will leave again. To the far eastern edge, she will be out of his sight. They may never see each other again in their lifetime. Every time Kaizen thought of that, he felt angry and crazy. ¡°You want me to live in the capital? Why?¡± Kaizen himself wanted to know why he was doing this. Whenever it was rted to Astelle, Kaizen couldn¡¯t understand her thoughts. However, the moment Astelle asked such a question, Kaizen finally realized the reason. Why did he care so much about her? Why was he so happy to see her at the ball and why was he so distressed every time he thought of Astelle leaving him? He frankly confessed his feelings, ¡°I wish you were by my side.¡± Astelle did not understand the situation for a moment. ¡®What did I just hear?¡¯ The cold moonlight was shining on the white acacia petals. The flowers¡¯ refreshing scent lingered around the dark tea room. The two stood side by side in the picturesque night scene. However, there was a heavy silence between the two of them. ¡°Do you want me to stay with you again, Your Majesty?¡± Kaizen stared at Astelle with trembling eyes. Astelle didn¡¯t expect he would say something like this. She didn¡¯t think he¡¯d be able to make a sincere confession, but still¡­¡­ ¡°I do.¡± The moment Kaizen uttered those words, Astelle felt a tension in her chest. ¡°I want you to be by my side.¡± It was a sincere confession to her. However, there was no time for Kaizen to anxiously wait for the response. Immediately, Astelle replied coldly, ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡± Astelle¡¯s face, exposed under the moonlight, was as pale and cold as a corpse. ¡°I do not want to go back to the capital, especially with Your Majesty, I will never go back.¡± Ha! That¡¯s amazing. Perhaps six years ago, hearing such a confession would have made Astelle happy. She would have been so happy that her heart would have overflowed. Yes, there were moments when she didn¡¯t want to leave this man even if she died. At that time, she would rather have died than be abandoned by him. Because she really loved him stupidly. ¡°Your Majesty told me to leave six years ago.¡± She was kicked out by the man she loved her whole life. Astelle¡¯s world copsed that day. Chapter 53 Chapter 53 TL: Lc | PR: Faith When Astelle heard that they were getting a divorce, she wanted to die. But Kaizen didn¡¯t want her to die. If Astelle dies, Kaizen will be the heartless emperor who killed his wife on the first day of their honeymoon. He hoped Astelle would just go away, enduring the humiliation. ¡°Because Your Majesty wanted it, I epted the divorce and left without any regrets.¡± Astelle followed Kaizen¡¯s wishes. She gave up on him, endured the humiliation, and left forever. It was ironic. The moment Astelle wanted to stay with Kaizen at any cost, Kaizen abandoned her. And now that she abandoned all her feelings and became indifferent to him, he asked her to return to the capital with him. Isn¡¯t that amazing? Astelle faltered and spoke coldly, ¡°Your Majesty may think that you can do whatever you want, but there are some things in the world that can never be undone.¡± Kaizen seems to have genuinely believed that if hees and makes it up to Astelle, the mistakes he had made in the past will disappear. It was surprising that he could be so selfish. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Kaizen said nothing. Astelle looked at him, then bent her knees and bowed her head in a strict manner. ¡°If you don¡¯t have anything else to say, I¡¯ll be on my way.¡± Astelle turned back without any regrets. Kaizen couldn¡¯t take his eyes off her until she disappeared from view. *** There were many great mansions in the capital, but the most splendid and magnificent was the residence of the Duke of Reston. A sharp wind shook the windows as the mes of firewood swayed in the dark. Duke Reston, sitting in his study room, looked at the reflection in the dark shadows and asked, ¡°The Emperor?¡± The man standing next to him came out quietly and answered: ¡°It is said that he arrived at Dentsu Castle.¡± ¡°It¡¯s sooner than expected.¡± The duke thought that if he leaked information stating that this ce was preparing for a rebellion, the emperor would be wasting time in the country castle. The duke already knew that the man he had recruited was the emperor¡¯s spy. He acted as if he was preparing for a revolt through him, letting the emperor get the wrong information. That way Kaizen won¡¯te back to the capital, turning his way around to trap the Duke. ¡®Let¡¯s see which of the two is the real trap.¡¯ The Duke gave orders to the subordinate who was beside him. ¡°While waiting at Dentsu Castle, if the opportunity arises, raid the emperor.¡± The duke had no intention of starting a rebellion from the beginning, he was aiming for an assassination. When the emperor is in the capital¡¯s imperial pce, the chance of assassination seldom arises. However, while on the journey, the guards can not protect the emperor as much as in the imperial pce. There will always be gaps. ¡°I, by the way, Princess¡­¡­¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Princess is with the emperor.¡± The Duke did not answer for a moment. It took him a while to figure out who the princess he was talking about was. ¡°I don¡¯t care about Astelle.¡± An ungrateful little girl who dared disobey her father¡¯s orders and left. The duke looked at the mes and thought of his only daughter. His eyes were sunken colder than the cold of the night. Astelle was a useful tool. It was definitely the case six years ago. The duke had the ambition to be regent by raising his daughter to be the empress from a very young age, making his grandson emperor. He took the daughter of a venerable marquis family and married her to give birth to a daughter of impable descent. When he got a beautiful daughter from his wife and betrothed her to the Crown Prince as nned, everything was running perfectly. However, his ns were quickly guttered. Because the emperor died suddenly, and Kaizen who became emperor ousted Astelle. ¡®I should have married Astelle off earlier and had a child with the obedient Kaizen back then.¡¯ The duke regretted it, but it was already toote. The gentle and foolish previous emperor died, and the cold and clever Kaizen took his ce. Even if he regretted it, he could not turn back time. Astelle left the house after getting a divorce, she was kicked out and cut off contact with him. The duke did not even know whether Astelle was dead or alive until Kaizen found her because of the will of Empress Dowager. It turns out that Astelle had been living in the house of her maternal grandfather for six years. ¡°Yeah, that old man was there.¡± Is there any other ce out there for her to go? In fact, when Kaizen asked about Astelle¡¯s whereabouts, that was the first ce that came to the duke¡¯s mind, but he didn¡¯t want to help Kaizen, so he said he didn¡¯t know. ¡®If you need her, you should find her yourself .¡¯ The duke heard that one of the daughters of the Croychen family fought with Astelle and was put in prison. It was worth seeing Marquis Croychen punished for his work. He is trying to push his second daughter into the empress¡¯s seat, but Kaizen doesn¡¯t seem to be very interested in the daughters of Croychen. Well, although Kaizen used to be kind to women. The fact that he is on Astelle¡¯s side this time was probably to please her because of Empress Dowager¡¯s will. Croychen¡¯s daughter didn¡¯t even know that and made a fuss. When the Duke thought of Astelle, his head throbbed. It was because Fritz, his eldest son and Astelle¡¯s older brother, regretted letting Astelle leave. He cries every day and regrets not having taken care of his younger sister, and now he turned his arrow to his father, the duke. Still, the past six years have been pretty good, but when Astelle reappeared, their family became the worst of the rich these days. Fritz criticized the Duke by talking about Astelle whenever he had time. ¡®It¡¯s no use giving birth to a child and raising them.¡¯ Although he did not express it, the Duke regretted the incident as much as his son. He didn¡¯t mean to abandon Astell like that Girls are always useful. Astelle was a princess who inherited the most precious blood in this country. ¡®I should have sold her to a worthy aristocrat, because even if she was divorced, there would have been some who wanted her bloodline.¡¯ In the past, it would have been better to put Astelle in a convent rather than to disgrace Reston¡¯s name by kicking her out. However, Astelle broke all ties with her father, the Duke, and left. Even if he asks her toe back to the mansion now, she would not ept him, let alone remarry. ¡®I have something to convince her.¡¯ The will was not the only thing left from the Dowager Empress Unbeknownst to the emperor, she also left some belongings to Astelle. Since she couldn¡¯t give it to her directly, she secretly sent it to the Duke and asked him to deliver it when he found Astelleter. Most of the items were pictures and books, but there were also some jewels. The Duke once wanted to sell the items as soon as Empress Dowager died but decided to save them forter. Astelle would want to have them. The Duke might be able to use it to bait her. ¡®Still, she wouldn¡¯t ept remarrying another man just for a keepsake. Because that stupid bitch likes Kaizen.¡¯ The Duke stroked his throbbing temple with his hand and said to his subordinate, ¡°Astelle has already cut ties with me, so don¡¯t worry about her. In case of emergency, I don¡¯t mind killing her as well as the Emperor.¡± *** Astelle spent several days in the annex being gloomy. ¡°Honey, eat something.¡± Astelle, Theor, and the marquis sat around a table for breakfast. A sumptuous breakfast was prepared, including eggs benedict and sweet crepes, pancakes topped with whipped cream, and creamy soup with marjoram. Astelle shook her head at her grandfather¡¯s words. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I have no appetite.¡± Sitting next to her, Theor was eating his own crepes little by little. Astelle, on the other hand, hasn¡¯t eaten anything. After eating the crepes, Theor asked her worriedly, ¡°Aunt Astelle, aren¡¯t you hungry?¡± ¡°I am not. Come on Theor, you should eat more.¡± Astelle puts more pancakes on Theor¡¯s te. The Marquis who sat across from him, looked at the little figure with concern. Since the day of the ball, Astelle had been troubled because her request to return Theor was rejected by Kaizen. Astelle was worried about what to do now. She did not want to take Theor to the capital. That was too risky. Even if she keeps Theor in a room all day, she never knows what might happen. ¡®Considering what Kaizen said, even if I go to the capital, I may not be able to send Theor off easily.¡¯ Kaizen said he wanted Astelle to stay with him. If he forces her, there will be no way she could escape. So it was better not to take Theor to the capital if possible. Even if caught, it would be better for Astelle to be caught alone. ¡®But Kaizen wasn¡¯t even allowing me to send Theor back¡­¡­¡¯ The day after Astelle¡¯s failure, her grandfather directly requested an audience with the emperor. Chapter 54 Chapter 54 TL: Lc | PR: Faith The Marquis of Carlenberg requested a formal audience with the Emperor. When he meets him he is going to plead with Kaizen to let him and Theor go home first. Astelle had a little hope that if an elderly requested it, the Emperor would probably grant it. Wouldn¡¯t it be nice if Grandpa met and asked the Emperor for one favor? On the day of the ball, Kaizen was angry with Astelle, so he spontaneously refused. But now that he hase to his senses, he might allow it, Astelle thought. However, even that small hope was crushed horribly. Kaizen had rejected her grandfather¡¯s request for an audience. The reason for the refusal was that private meetings were not allowed as there was a lot of official work pending. ¡®It¡¯s really too much.¡¯ Astelle stayed in the annex and forcibly suppressed her rising anger. Theor, bored from staying in the room, asked while ying with his teddy bear. ¡°When are we going to the capital?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t we going to the capital?¡± Blue eyes were full of anticipation. A few days ago, Theor kept saying that he wanted to go to the capital. Perhaps it was after the kidnapping incident. When he met Kaizen in the garden, he must have told Theor about it. Astelle let out a sigh and walked over to Theor¡¯s bed. She knelt down, eye level with Theor, and said in a calm voice,¡°Theor, you are not going to the capital. You have to go home with Grandpa.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because it is too far away and not good for children.¡± Theor waved the teddy bear¡¯s arm and made a slightly hoarse voice. ¡°I also wanted to go to the capital.¡± Astelle stroked Theor¡¯s head gently. ¡°If you listen to Grandpa and y with Blynn at home, I will buy you a lot of gifts from the capital city.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± The word ¡®gift¡¯ seemed to make him feel better again. Theor sat the teddy bear on hisp and asked,¡°Can¡¯t you bring a bear from the capital?¡± ¡°That¡­¡­ I¡¯ll buy you a teddy bear instead.¡± Astelle looked through the window. It was a clear day. Fluffy clouds floated in the bright and sunny sky, and the warm sunlight added warmth to the vivid green of the garden. The trees adorned with green leaves glistened in the sunlight. Astelle looked at the clear, shining sky, and made a suggestion to cheer Theor up. ¡°Then shall we go on a pic today?¡± There is a forest used as a hunting ground near this pce. It was a forest dedicated to the emperor, so no one could enter without permission. Kaizen has not gone out hunting since he came here. Even so, Astelle still needed his permission to enter the forest. Theor was refreshed by the word pic. ¡°Really? Are we going to the forest to y?¡± ¡°Mhm! Go and tell Grandpa, too. I¡¯m going to the kitchen to prepare some snacks.¡± Theor got excited and ran out. Astelle looked at him with affectionate eyes. The forest is not visited by many people, so there will be many wild herbs and wildflowers. ¡®I have to make more potions before sending Theor home.¡¯ The potion that changes eye color has already been prepared in sufficient quantities. But the Marquis¡¯s house was a long way from here, ten more days away. ¡®I don¡¯t know what might happen in the meantime, so it would be better to make as many bottles as possible before sending them away.¡¯ It is a long journey, she was entrusting Theor to her elderly grandfather so Astelle wanted to prepare thoroughly to avoid any kind of mistakes. Astelle was nning to go to the forest to get more herbs. However, she needed to get the emperor¡¯s permission. She left the room and headed to the kitchen. Although this annex was small, the kitchen wasrge in its own way. Everything was there. Astelle took out the toasted bread, cheese, and ham, cut the lettuce, and made a sandwich. It was a simple sandwich made with salty cheese, savory ham, and fresh and crunchy lettuce, sandwiched between soft white bread and drizzled with sweetened sauce. She also took the leftover apple pie from breakfast. Golden syrup filled the slices of golden apples. She took out the pic basket, put the tools for gathering herbs in it, and covered it with a handkerchief. Then the food was wrapped in paper and ced inside. She then put the milk and lemonade bottles in the empty space left and it looked like a decent pic basket. ¡®I think this should be enough.¡¯ Astelle put the basket on the kitchen table and went outside to call the attendant. ¡°Please tell His Majesty that I want to take Theor to the nearby forest, and I am asking for permission.¡± ¡®He would definitely allow me this much right?¡¯ Astelle thought so and went to find Theor. *** ¡°Where is she going?¡± Kaizen looked at the documents and asked curiously. The attendant repeated Astelle¡¯s request again. ¡°Lady Astelle wanted to take a walk in the north forest and is asking Your Majesty for permission¡­..¡± Kaizen didn¡¯t listen at all, but raised his hand and cut off the attendant¡¯s words. He put down the papers and muttered angrily. ¡°She¡¯s going to the forest alone with a young child and an old man¡­¡­ Even after going through something like that just a while ago.¡± Kaizen continued to mutter in annoyance, wondering what Astelle was thinking. Vellian, who was looking through the documents, raised his head slightly and looked into Kaizen¡¯s eyes. The northern forest was a hunting ground connected to this pce, so no one could enter without the permission of the emperor. There was a boundary line around the forest and soldiers were guarding it. ¡®I thought it was safe enough, but¡­¡­¡¯ Vellian wasn¡¯t stupid enough to not know what the Emperor thought. ¡°The Marquis said that his health has recovered a lot so Lady Astelle wanted to go on an outing with him and her nephew after a long time.¡± The Emperor¡¯s mood has been very low since the night of the ball, but Astelle seemed light enough to go on a pic with the child. The root of all this was the child, Theor. On the day of the prom, Astelle publicly asked for permission to send her nephew and maternal grandfather back home. However, Kaizen tly refused Astelle¡¯s request in front of everyone. Everyone who watched was bewildered. ¡®It was a rejection that an ordinary mind could not understand.¡¯ But Vellian understood Kaizen¡¯s heart. The Emperor intended to use the child and the Marquis to get Astelle to stay in the capital. Astelle, whose request was rejected, stood in the middle of the banquet hall like a cold stone statue. The expression on the Emperor¡¯s face was so terrifying that Vellian couldn¡¯t even get close and hand him over the ceremonial robe. Due to this incident, the rtionship between the two, that had been built up little by little, was shattered. Now, even if her young nephew and grandfather were to apany them to the capital, Astelle will be returning to the eastern countryside as soon as the will was finished, without even looking back. Vellian looked at Kaizen with sympathetic eyes, then slowly turned his head and gazed at the sky through the window. The blue sky is clear without a single cloud. It was a bright day that made his eyes ache. At this point, Vellian decided to help His Majesty the Emperor. It was a brilliant idea out of pure loyalty to the Emperor. ¡°The weather is nice, how about going out hunting for a refreshment?¡± ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡± Kaizen looked at Vellian as if he saw an idiot. ¡°Lady Astelle is going on a pic in the forest, so how about Your Majesty goes hunting instead?¡± If someone is going on a pic in the forest, you can¡¯t go hunting. It wasmon sense. There would be people roaming around, and it would be a big deal if someone gets shot while hunting. ¡®If you refuse, it means that you allowed her to go on a pic.¡¯ Vellian looked at Kaizen and suggested again. ¡°Then, let¡¯s go on a pic with Lady Astelle. Since Your Majesty came here, you haven¡¯t had a single break, are you only going to do government affairs?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Kaizen didn¡¯t answer, he just stared at the papers with displeasure written in his face. He hasn¡¯t seen Astelle since the day of the ball. The Marquis asked for an audience, but he ignored it. Thinking of the ball, his heart was still stuffy. Astelle¡¯s voice that he heard in the garden that night was engraved in his memory. ¡®Your Majesty may think that you can do whatever Your Majesty wants to do, but there are things in the world that are absolutely irreversible.¡¯ These were Astelle¡¯s true feelings. They were the feelings that she had buried in her chest and brought out honestly for the first time. At that time, Astelle was angry and uttered sarcasm, but as time passed and Kaizen thought about it, she was right. ¡®How dare I said that.¡¯ Kaizen once again regretted his actions in the past. He himself asked Astelle for a divorce 6 years ago. Before the wedding venue was even cleared, he dumped the woman he had been with for over 10 years without paying a penny. Astelle also agreed to divorce, so he forgot about her for six years, thinking that he was not at fault. He knew he couldn¡¯t turn back the past. Now, he wanted to apologize to Astelle for what happened that night. But he didn¡¯t have a chance. Chapter 55 Chapter 55 TL: Lc | PR: Luna, Joe Only the old Marquis requested for an audience. Astelle did not take a single step out of the annex after the ball. However, Kaizen was reluctant to go there for no good reason. He was just spending a few days idling. ¡®Shall I use this opportunity to visit her?¡¯ Kaizen looked at the documents and struggled. After waiting for his answer for a long time, Vellian gave up and opened the papers again to just work. Then Kaizen muttered. ¡°Okay. I can¡¯t just leave her alone with an old man and a child in the forest.¡± ¡°Yes. For the safety, Your Majesty should go with Lady Astelle.¡± Vellian quickly agreed with the Emperor¡¯s words. Kaizen put down the papers and stood up. ¡°I¡¯m going on a pic, so tell the servants to prepare.¡± Astelle took Theor¡¯s hand and came out. In one hand she was holding a pic basket. ¡°Aunt Astelle, are we going by walk?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s too far away, so we have to go by carriage.¡± Astelle came out of the annex and stopped when she saw the carriage in front of the garden. The servants were loading unknown luggage bags on the carriage. ¡®What are those things?¡¯ Then a familiar voice called out to Astelle. ¡°Lady Astelle! long time no see.¡± It was Vellian. ¡°Count. What is this?¡± An ominous feeling slowly rose. ¡®I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever had a good rtionship with this person.¡¯ ¡°This is His Majes¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m ready to go on a pic with you.¡± Before Vellian answered, a calm low tone took over the answer. I turned around in surprise and saw Kaizen walking this way. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Theor released Astelle¡¯s hand and ran to Kaizen. Kaizen stroked Theor¡¯s hair. ¡°You havepletely recovered your energy.¡± Thest kidnapping has made Theor even closer to Kaizen. Astelle stopped on the spot and watched Kaizen silently. It was her first meeting since the day of the ball. ¡®I thought it would be very ufortable if we met again, but now I am so embarrassed that I have no time to feel ufortable.¡¯ ¡°Your Majesty, where¡­ are you going? A pic?¡± She must have misunderstood, but Kaizen answered without hesitation. ¡°Yeah. Pic.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± No, why? Who invited you? The Marquis who came out of the annex btedly found the emperor. With a bewildered look, he set himself up. ¡°I see Your Majesty the Emperor, the lord of the empire.¡± ¡°Oh, yes. You seem much better.¡± ¡°Yes, I ampletely healed after being here for a long time.¡± The Marquis expressed his gratitude very politely. But in that tone of voice, there was anger at the constant rejection of audience requests for the past few days. Kaizen also felt it, so he had a slight wrinkle on his forehead. Astelle stepped forward to prevent a bad mood between the two of them. ¡°Are you really going to go with me?¡± As if she had asked too directly, there was an unpleasant look in Kaizen¡¯s red eyes. ¡°Why? Should I not go?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡®Yes??, I wish you hadn¡¯te.¡¯ I wanted to say frankly as happened at the ball not long ago. You refused my grandfather¡¯s request for an audience, and I don¡¯t know why you want to go with me. Astelle let out a short sigh, holding back what she wanted to say. ¡°It is an infinite honor for Your Majesty to attend.¡± Instead, she bowed her head with a polite smile. ¡°But I am afraid because Theor is too young and if he will be disrespectful to Your Majesty. If you allow me, I will stay with Theor in the annex.¡± If you want to go on a pic, go alone. That¡¯s what Astelle meant. Kaizen¡¯s eyes became harsh. Astelle could see the anger, irritation, and resentment that passed through his red eyes. ¡®I understand if you getting angry, but why are you so disappointed?¡¯ Vellian, who was not able to see, intervened while looking at the two of them. ¡°Hey Lady Astelle, don¡¯t do that¡­¡± Astelle tried to ignore him. But at that moment Theor hung on the hem of Astelle¡¯s skirt with a passionate gaze. ¡°Aunt, why are we not going? Can¡¯t we go together with His Majesty?¡± ¡®Oh.¡¯ Theor grabbed the hem of her skirt with a small hand and looked up at her. Without missing this opportunity, Vellian spoke again. ¡°Even the young master wants to go like this, so let¡¯s go together. It¡¯s not good to stay indoors when the weather is so nice.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle doesn¡¯t want to go out with Kaizen no matter what the weather is. But¡­ Seeing Theor, she sighed. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go together.¡± Kaizen, who was watching her, let out a small smirk. ¡°Thank you.¡± Astelle walked over to the carriage ignoring him. In the end, the simple pic that the three of them, Astelle, Theor, and grandfather were going to go to, became arge-scale outing including Kaizen Vellian and the knights protecting the emperor. Theor rushed to Kaizen and took him by the hand. ¡°Then, Your Majesty will go with me?¡± ¡°Yes. We are all going together.¡± Astelle watched the two of them, then she took Theor and got on the carriage first. The party went to the forest with the knights apanying them as escorts. *** The forest on the north side of Denz Castle was really beautiful. The clear water flowing from the east formed a stream and crossed the forest. Green leaves and soft grass were full among the trees that soared high into the sky. Having a pic at a ce like this would be very enjoyable. Sandwiches and sweet fruit pies under the sunny sun. Brunch with fragrant wine. Children run and y in the forest. Adults sit on the grass and chat while eating snacks¡­ A picture of a happy pic shed in everyone¡¯s mind. * rain pouring [sfx] The cold sound of rain pouring the forest. Vellian looked up at the gray sky and muttered in vain. ¡°It¡¯s raining¡­¡­it keepsing.¡± Obviously, it was sunny and clear when they left. As soon as they entered the center of the forest, as if they had been cursed, it started to rain. The party hurriedly took out the tent from the luggage to manage to avoid the rain. It was provided by servants to be used as a shade awning. Vellian looked up at the wide curtain above his head. The poorly erected tent wobbled precariously in the wind. ¡°Still¡­¡­the servants brought this, and it¡¯s worth ten million.¡± Without this tent, everyone would have been hit by the rain. The carriage has been parked outside the entrance to the forest. The knights were also guarding the entrance. Outside, the rain that fell on the forest was so strong that anyone couldn¡¯t see an inch ahead. Heavy rain fell constantly on the tent. It seemed that it would be difficult to get out of the forest at this rate. Bored Theor was watching a little tree frog at the end of the tent. The poorly erected tent swayed greatly in the wind and rain. The rainwater that had been stagnating on the tent fell down like a waterfall. ¡°It¡¯s raining¡­¡­¡± Astelle called Theor inside. ¡°Theor, pleasee inside so you don¡¯t get wet.¡± Kaizen, who was sitting in the tent, was annoyed. ¡°In any case, it rained as soon as we arrived¡­¡­¡± ¡®I came to this forest by a carriage to have a pic or something, but suddenly it rained.¡¯ It was an odd situation. Kaizen looked at Astelle, who was sitting a little further away. ¡®I was trying to have a good conversation with Astelle.¡¯ Taking a walk in the refreshing forest and chatting¡­¡­ He saw the opportunity and wanted to tell what happened that night. If he starts a conversation in a sunny forest, maybe her heart would open up a bit. For that purpose, he was semi-forced to follow a pic, but all in vain. Cold rain and wind blew through the gray clouds. The rain that was pouring down like a pole was blown away by the wind, reaching the ce where Vellian was. ¡°Ugh¡­¡­¡± Vellian also hated it and ran away inside. The five of them sat together in a cramped tent to pass the time mercilessly. Theor was scribbling on the floor alone. Astelle asked Theor, ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry? Do you want a snack?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m hungry.¡± Astelle asked the three men who were dazed. ¡°Can I take out a snack and eat it?¡± ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m hungry too. Let¡¯s eat something.¡± Vellian also took a well-packaged meat pie and a bottle of wine from the basket. There were also sandwiches with savory chicken and colorful fruit tarts. It was a snack provided by the servants because the emperor was going on a pic. Vellian took out a few and handed it to Kaizen. ¡°Your Majesty, please have some snacks.¡± But Kaizen didn¡¯t even touch it and looked at Astelle. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s have a sandwich.¡± Astelle took a sandwich from the basket and handed it to Theor. It was just an ordinary sandwich with ham and cheese. ¡°It¡¯s delicious!¡± Theor took the sandwich Astelle had given him and ate it little by little. Astelle brought out another sandwich¡­¡­ ¡­¡­and Kaizen unconsciously stretched out his hand. Chapter 56 Chapter 56 TL: Lc | PR: Faith But Astelle, without looking at him, handed the sandwich to her grandfather who was sitting on the other side. ¡°Have something to eat, Grandpa.¡± ¡°Okay. Thank you.¡± Kaizen slowly lowered his hand. ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡®Tch.¡¯ It was a very sad and embarrassing scene. Vellian, who watched his master¡¯s pitiful appearance, truly sympathized with him. He carefully offered the meat pie to Kaizen. ¡°¡­¡­Your Majesty, please eat this.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Kaizen didn¡¯t even touch the food and drank only the wine that Vellian poured in. The four adults gathered at the pic and silently ate their food. They just felt ufortable around each other. Kaizen and Vellian were still awkward with the Marquis of Carlenberg, Astelle and Kaizen were a divorced couple, and Vellian and Astelle were¡­¡­ Astelle didn¡¯t want to deal with Vellian for as long as she could after he threw her into the public bath and looked through her clothes and belongings. They were ufortable with each other, and there was nomon topic of discussion. Naturally, there was only an ufortable and heavy silence in the tent. ¡°This is really delicious. Can I have another one?¡± Amidst the silence, only Theor was eating happily. ¡°Yes. You can eat as much as you like.¡± Theor ate the whole sandwich and the meat pie that Vellian gave to him. A sweet pie filled with savory juices melted in his mouth. ¡°Oh right. Have you met Sir Seibel at the ball, Lady Astelle?¡± It was Vellian who broke the ufortable silence. ¡°Do you mean themander of the Lanberg Knights?¡± ¡°Yes, he is a friend of mine. We have been best friends since childhood.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± A young man with silver hair and light blue eyes came to mind. He was polite and had a good impression, but when Astelle heard that he and Vellian were friends, her liking was reduced to half. The Marquis, who had been listening quietly, intervened in curiosity. ¡°If he is the same age as you, then he must be young. Is he already a knightmander?¡± ¡°Yes, he is very talented.¡± Vellian said proudly and added a small addition at the end. ¡°Well¡­¡­it does make sense since his father is the minister of the military, Count Ecklen.¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Count Gerald von Ecklen. He is Sir Seibel¡¯s adoptive father.¡± When Astelle heard the name, something came to mind. ¡°Oh, yes. Sir Seibel¡¯s father asked him to send regards to Grandpa. I¡¯m sorry, I forgot to tell you.¡± There were so many things that happened after the ball that Astelle hadpletely forgotten about it. Astelle was a little startled to see her grandfather sitting there with a bemused look. ¡°Grandpa?¡± ¡°Gerald Ecklen became the minister of the military?¡± ¡°Yes, do you know him?¡± After hearing Vellian¡¯s question, he regained his senses with a little startling. ¡°Ah, well¡­ we used to know each other. He used to be my lieutenant.¡± ¡°Is that true? That¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve heard of it.¡± The Marquis still seemed to be thinking of something. Astelle was struck by her grandfather¡¯s strange reaction. ¡®What happened?¡¯ She decided to ask him about itter. ¡°The rain has subsided.¡± Astelle, who was organizing the baskets, said while looking at the dimly bright sky. Vellian, sitting next to Theor and watching him draw on the floor, raised his head. It really stopped raining little by little, and the sky was gradually clearing. Theor asked as he looked out of the tent. ¡°Can I go out and y?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Excited, Theor ran outside. The grass-covered with rainwater was moist and wet. ¡°I¡¯m going to go get some herbs. Please take care of Theor.¡± ¡°Okay. Be careful.¡± Astelle listened to her grandfather¡¯s worrisome remarks, grabbed a basket, and went outside. Perhaps because the rain had stopped, a cool breeze was pleasantly blowing. Astelle took the basket and disappeared deep into the forest. As soon as she left, Kaizen also stood up. ¡°Your Majesty? Where are you going?¡± Vellian asked, but Kaizen did not answer and walked towards Astelle¡¯s direction. Theor asked as he looked into the forest where the two had disappeared. ¡°Where did His Majesty go?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡­ His Majesty seems to have something to say to Lady Astelle.¡± Vellian let out a low sigh as if he was a little sad. After watching them, he felt a little ominous. As well as the fact that they had been together up to this day, the emperor paid so much attention to Astelle that it felt a little strange. Astelle said that the Emperor was only feeling guilty, but it wasn¡¯t like him to do something simply out of remorse. Because of the emperor¡¯s useless interest, Astelle has already suffered several bad experiences. Last time, even Theor was put in danger. After thinking about all that happened, Vellian lost more weight. ¡®What kind of enemies did the Emperor and Lady Astelle have¡­¡¯ Vellian let out a deep sigh. *** As Astelle was walking through the forest looking for herbs, she heard footsteps behind her. ¡°Astelle.¡± The person who was following her was Kaizen. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±, Astelle asked. Complex emotions shed in Kaizen¡¯s red eyes. As he approached her, he confessed calmly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry aboutst time.¡± Astelle seemed surprised by the sudden apology. ¡°I wanted to apologize about what happened at the ball. I¡¯m sorry I tried to hold Theor down for my greed. You¡¯re right, I was selfish.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± He was worried that she would get angry, but Astelle listened quietly until Kaizen finished. ¡°You have nothing to apologize for.¡± After hearing him out, Astelle answered dryly. ¡°Your Majesty is the lord of the empire, so you must always do what Your Majesty wants to do.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to listen to your ttery.¡± Kaizen suppressed the rising anger. Talking to Astelle always made him angry. How can so many emotions soar with a single word? Astelle looked at him with an expressionless face. ¡°Then will you allow Theor and grandfather to return home?¡± Kaizen could not say no in this situation. ¡°Okay. They can go back home.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Joy spread across Astelle¡¯s pale face. Seeing Astelle¡¯s happy face gave Kaizen a bitter feeling. He forced his gaze away. ¡°I should have given you permission earlier, but I needlessly insisted .¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, I do not resent Your Majesty. I¡¯m going to go home with Theor and my grandfather anyway.¡± Astelle¡¯s voice was extremely soft. It sounded like she had nothing to worry about anymore, as Kaizen had granted her wish. ¡®Are you going to return after your work in the capital is over?¡¯ Kaizen wanted to ask that question. However, it was such a stupid question that he could not speak out. ¡®Of course, you will return.¡¯ Without Theor and the Marquis, Astelle had no reason to stay in the capital. As soon as the work of the Empress Dowager¡¯s will is finished, she will return without hesitation. Kaizen had no reason to be with Astelle. He felt sadness at that bitter reality. She turned around again, ignoring him, and started looking for herbs. Kaizen, who was watching her, slowly approached. ¡°I¡¯ll help you find the herbs too.¡± It was then that he heard a strange noise. There was a very faint rustling of footsteps. The sound wasing from behind Astelle. Over her shoulders, birch trees were towering high in the sky. It was dark because the leaves blocked the light. No one can see who was hiding a few steps behind. No one was allowed to enter this forest without permission in the first ce. The knights who came with them were waiting outside the entrance to the forest. ¡®Is it Vellian or the Marquis?¡¯ Kaizen listened attentively to the quiet footsteps. The rustling was getting closer and closer. ¡®It¡¯s not just one or two people. It can¡¯t be Vellian or the Marquis.¡¯ Kaizen walked forward without hesitation as if approaching Astelle. Behind her, who was looking at herbs, there were thick bushes. Kaizen took one or two steps closer and said quietly, ¡°Astelle, bow your head.¡± Astelle, who was about to find the medicinal herbs, read the danger and tension hidden in Kaizen¡¯s voice. She instinctively bent over quickly. As soon as Astelle bent over, Kaizen quickly pulled out a dagger and flew it towards the bush. ¡°Ugh¡­¡­!¡± A desperate scream erupted from among the shady des of grass. With that sound, assassins who covered their faces with masks ran out from their hiding ces. They all drew their swords. *** ¡®Is this an assassination attempt?¡¯ No raids of this kind had been seen since the end of the war in the North. Kaizen drew his sword. Six opponents. The odds were good enough. Except for one important variable. ¡°Astelle.¡± Kaizen held up a sword and turned to Astelle. He should protect her, she was defenseless. ¡°Stick close behind me.¡± Chapter 57 Chapter 57 TL: Lc | PR: Faith Astelle understood the situation and nodded. ng! [sfx] As the assassins began to attack, Kaizen came back to his senses and avoided the flying sword. He deviated from the weapon and passed through the gap. His sword pierced the opponent¡¯s body. ¡°Ugh!¡± There were several assassins, but Kaizen¡¯s sword was much faster and more skilled than them. He easily defeated the enemies one by one. Thest remaining assassin crept in, but Kaizen¡¯s sword cut through his chest in an instant. The opponent screamed and copsed. At that moment, another assassin appeared from behind Astelle. A masked man was holding his sword and running towards her. Kaizen froze for a moment. ¡°Astelle!¡± Surprised, Astelle leaned over to avoid the attack. Kaizen¡¯s sword blocked the one heading towards Astelle, but his posture was disturbed for a moment, and he lost his bnce. At that moment, the assassin pierced his shoulder. ¡°Ugh!¡± In an instant, the de of the sword was pierced deep into his left shoulder and his blood gushed out. Kaizen¡¯s sword pierced the opponent¡¯s neck. After a short struggle, the bodies of seven people were scattered on the floor. Astelle noticed that Kaizen was bleeding and approached him. ¡°Your Majesty! Are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± As Astelle was walking towards Kaizen, the body of one of the assassins touched her feet. Astelle, who unintentionally lowered her gaze, was terribly surprised. ¡®This person¡­¡¯ Even earlier when Astelle saw the assassin, she felt strangely familiar with him. She knew this man. He was someone she encountered asionally in the mansion since childhood. Astelle had seen this man several times, enough to be able to recognize his identity just by looking at his half-masked face. She doesn¡¯t know his name, but she knows what he came to do. He was one of the minions her father kept secretly by his side. ¡®Why is this person here¡­¡¯ ¡°¡­¡­¡± Seeing Astelle¡¯s pale face, Kaizen sat down, clutching his stabbed shoulder. ¡°Ugh¡­!¡± ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Astelle suddenly came to her senses and approached Kaizen who was sitting with his back against a tree. ¡°Ugh!¡± He frowned in pain and groaned. His wounded shoulder was drenched in blood. Astelle knelt down next to him. ¡°Your Majesty, I will examine the wounds.¡± She carefully unfolded the torn hem. The wounds from the sword were deeply embedded in his hard shoulder, which was wrapped in muscles . Blood gushed from the sharp cleavage. ¡®It¡¯s not wide, but it¡¯s pierced deeply.¡¯ Fortunately, there was no bone damage. Still, Astelle had to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. If left as it is, he may bleed out and it could be very dangerous. ¡°The wound is deep. It must be stopped immediately. I will use the herbs I brought with me.¡± She took the herbs used to treat wounds just in case she needed them. She was really relieved even though she never imagined the herbs would be used for this. Astelle wiped the wound with a dry handkerchief and applied hemostasis. She then took out the herbs from the basket, wiped them with her handkerchief, and crushed them with her hands. When she pressed Kaizen¡¯s wound with her hand, he cried out as he endured the stinging pain. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t fought to protect me, you wouldn¡¯t have been hurt.¡± Astelle stared intently at him. It wasn¡¯t wrong. If Astelle wasn¡¯t behind him, Kaizen wouldn¡¯t have been hurt. He had the ability to block seven or more assassins alone. Without her, he would have easily escaped the crisis. ¡®I knew he was good at swordsmanship, but I didn¡¯t know he was this good.¡¯ Astelle thought When he was the Crown Prince, he liked to hunt, but his swordsmanship skills were known to be slightly above average. Even when he asionally battled with knights, he didn¡¯t seem like a very powerful person. It was just that he was good enough among the sons of high-ranking nobles. It must have been that he wasn¡¯t showing his real skills properly. It meant that he did not trust anyone from the beginning. It wasprehensible. From Kaizen¡¯s point of view, of course, he had to hide his ws and act cautiously. Even with Astelle who was his fiancee of ten years. Although they had grown up together since the age of ten, he did not trust her at all. It was a bittersweet feeling since they had a rtionship with no trust. ¡®It must be unavoidable.¡¯ Considering Astelle¡¯s father and her family, it was understandable that Kaizen didn¡¯t trust her and kept his distance. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty. I will never forget this grace.¡± Kaizen protected Astelle until he got hurt. It was something she should be grateful for. As Astelle calmly expressed her gratitude, Kaizen mumbled dissatisfied. ¡°Is that all?¡± ¡°Then what do you want me to do?¡± Astelle didn¡¯t want to joke around in this situation, so she asked a bit coldly. In fact, when Kaizen was hit by the sword, Astelle was very surprised. She was so startled that she couldn¡¯t even scream and was nailed to the spot. She sounded so cold but Kaizen smirked at her. ¡°Why, why did you just stand still instead of leaving?¡± Astelle didn¡¯t know why this person was sneering even when she was doing good things. She pressed harder on the cloth that was holding his wound. Kaizen frowned in pain. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m done.¡± Kaizen gave her a pained gaze, but she ignored it. She applied the crushed herbs to his wounds with her hands. When the extract of the dark blue leaves was applied, the blood from the wound gradually subsided. After the bleeding stopped, the wound became more visible. The sharp cut was so deep that it almost touched the bone. Kaizen saw that his blood had stopped and he pushed the hem of his robe as if nothing had happened. ¡°I¡¯m fine now.¡± When Astelle saw that, she felt bad. It struck her heart that such a strong man had been badly hurt while protecting her. ¡®Isn¡¯t there any aftereffects?¡¯ Astelle is not a doctor, so she doesn¡¯t know. She was worried about what would happen to him if he mistreats his shoulder by any chance. It was then. Footsteps were heard from the other side. The two were nervous because they thought more assassins wereing, but familiar people appeared among the trees. They were the knights of the emperor. ¡°Your Majesty! Are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Kaizen noticed Lyndon running, startled, he got up on his feet. ¡°Lady Astelle, are you okay?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m not hurt.¡± Kaizen looked at the knights Lyndon had brought and asked, ¡°How did you know there was an attack?¡± ¡°I spotted smoke rising in the forest, and I rushed in because I thought something had happened. ¡± ¡°smoke?¡± ¡°Yeah, over there¡­¡± Lyndon pointed towards the smoke. Astelle realized where he was pointing. It was where Theor and her grandfather were. She was startled and rushed to the ce frantically. She heard Lyndon shouting from behind, but she ran along the forest path without looking back. ¡°Theor!¡± As she ran to the ce where the tent was she noticed the smoke rising next to the fallen tent. There were Vellian and the Marquis standing on either side of a pile of firewood producing smoke. Theor was in Vellian¡¯s arms. ¡°Theor, are you okay?¡± Astelle took Theor and hugged him. The little boy wept and buried his face in Astelle¡¯s arms. ¡°Sob, sob¡­ bad people havee¡­¡± Theor¡¯s tiny body trembled faintly. Astelle grabbed him and patted him on the back. ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s okay Theor.¡± Astelle calmed him with a soft voice to give him peace of mind. ¡®Assassins have alsoe here.¡¯ It seems that they were trying to get rid of Vellian and her grandfather, who would probably be witnesses. ¡®If I did something wrong, I could endanger Theor and Grandpa.¡¯ Just imagining it was terrifying. Astelle hugged Theor¡¯s tiny body tighter. Her grandfather who was standing by the fire, approached her and asked anxiously, ¡°Astelle, are you okay?¡± ¡°Is Grandpa hurt anywhere?¡± There was blood on her grandfather¡¯s wrist. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal.¡± Kaizen, who followed Astelle, showed upter. Lyndon and the other knights followed shortly after. Vellian walked over to him. ¡°Your Majesty. Are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. Have the assassins been here too?¡± ¡°Yes, there were only three people.¡± Vellian pointed to the broken tent. There was a human body covered in white cloth. ¡®It was a corpse.¡¯ It seemed that they were keeping Theor from seeing it. ¡°I built a fire to make smoke and call out the knights.¡± Astelle held Theor in her arms and handed the herbs to her grandfather. It was the herbs that she had applied to Kaizen¡¯s wound earlier. ¡°Grandpa, please treat this first.¡± Vellian, who was standing next to him, grumbled as he saw the Marquis taking the herbs. ¡°I¡¯m hurt too.¡± Upon closer inspection, there was a red bruise on his forehead. ¡®Oh, did you get hit while fighting? I don¡¯t have any herbs for bruises right now.¡¯ The Marquis who was handed the medicinal herbs looked at him pitifully. ¡°How could you say that it hurts!?¡± Chapter 58 Chapter 58 TL: Lc | PR: Faith Vellianined to Astelle. ¡°The Marquis suddenly threw a sword at me!¡± ¡°¡­¡­sorry?¡± ording to him, the assassins suddenly appeared, so the Marquis threw the dagger he was holding and hit one assassin, then took the sword and threw it at Vellian. The bruise on his forehead was caused by being hit with the handle of the sword. The Marquis, who was listening quietly, looked at Vellian with a stern face. ¡°I meant to give you a sword to fight together with me.¡± ¡°If you throw a sword at me without notice, I would inevitably get hit.¡± The Marquis said he was injured while dealing with the remaining two by himself. Thinking about it again, the Marquis got angry with Vellian. ¡°Howe the Count can¡¯t even use a sword?¡± ¡°¡­¡­I am a civil servant.¡± Vellian murmured while avoiding the marquis¡¯ gaze. Imperial male nobles were expected to at least learn the basics of swordsmanship. At the very least, they learn how to protect themselves. It seems that Vellian never learned anything. ¡°Aunt Astelle¡­¡­¡± Theor, who was burying his face in Astelle¡¯s arms, slowly raised his head. ¡°Theor, it¡¯s fine now. Let¡¯s go back to the annex, Blynn is waiting.¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡­¡± Astelle wiped the tears from Theor¡¯s eyes. ¡°Fortunately, Theor did not see anything, since the young Count was holding him.¡± The Marquis said that Vellian hid behind him, hugging Theor tightly so that he could not see anything. ¡°Thank you for protecting Theor, Count.¡± Astelle hated Vellian for a while, but she was grateful that he still protected Theor. Vellian smirked as he received Astelle¡¯s thanks. ¡°Not at all. I would not have been able to do anything without the Marquis.¡± Kaizen, who was watching the knights clear up the situation, approached the group. A long wound could be seen through the torn clothes. ¡°Is everyone okay?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± His gaze fell on Theor who was being carried by Astelle. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Theor, who was burying his face in Astelle¡¯s arm, lifted his head carefully upon hearing Kaizen¡¯s voice. His clear blue eyes were wet with tears. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Your Majesty.¡± Kaizen wiped the tears from Theor¡¯s eyes with his hand. ¡°It¡¯s all right now. Don¡¯t be afraid.¡± Theor nodded at his words. Astelle watched the two of them and realized that Theor followed Kaizen well and relied on him a lot. It seemed that they loved each other deeply. Kaizen nced at Astelle and then turned around. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the castle.¡± *** ¡°I¡¯m sorry Lady Astelle.¡± Vellian begged Astelle¡¯s forgiveness with a serious face like never before ¡°There has been an attempt to assassinate His Majesty the Emperor, so no one can leave the castle for the time being.¡± Astelle had just returned to the annex escorted by knights. She didn¡¯t even have the time to take off her clothes. She washed Theor first and put him to sleep after giving him the eye color-changing potion. The terrified Theor gradually regainedposure and fell asleep. As soon as Astelle left the room after making sure Theor was sleeping, Vellian came to her and apologized. It was said that no one could leave the castle because of the assassination attempt. ¡°I¡¯m sorry because the situation is like this, the Marquis and Theor will have to go to the capital.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle nodded her head with a puzzled look. ¡°I see. There is nothing I can do about this situation.¡± ¡°Thank you for your understanding.¡± Astelle pretended to remain calm until Vellian left, but the moment she was left alone, she fell into a chair. The fatigue she had endured came flooding in. Her head was dizzy. The Marquis opened the door and entered the parlor where Astelle was. She looked at her grandfather and stood up from her seat. ¡°Grandpa.¡± ¡°Are you okay? Your face is pale.¡± The Marquis sped Astelle¡¯s hand and patted her as if to reassure his granddaughter. The familiar warmth calmed her heart a little. She checked the doors and windows. Everything was tightly closed. ¡°That assassin¡­¡­¡± And she told her grandfather what she had seen. ¡°His face was familiar. He was definitely someone I knew.¡± ¡°Could your father¡­¡­¡± Astelle nodded. The Marquis¡¯ eyes trembled in shock. What happened in the forest was obviously Astelle¡¯s father¡¯s work. The Marquis lowered his voice and became angry. ¡°Were the assassins sent by your father trying to kill us as well?¡± ¡°My father doesn¡¯t care about that.¡± ¡®Because he is always only thinking of himself.¡¯ Knowing Astelle was there, he didn¡¯t even care. Her existence was rather annoying, so he might have told his men to kill them together. Astelle suppressed her annoyance and looked at reality. Her father tried to kill Kaizen. What will happen when that fact is revealed? Astelle herself was the daughter of the Reston family, even if she had been expelled. If her family is branded as traitors, she may not be able to survive. Actually, she herself wasn¡¯t afraid to die. But Theor¡­¡­ ¡°Hey.¡± The Marquis held Astelle¡¯s little hand firmly. Astelle, who was wrapped in anxiety, raised her head and turned to her grandfather. There was no blood on her pale face. ¡°I am relieved that Theor is a child of the Carlenberg family.¡± Astelle had thought that this day mighte sooner orter. She knew that one day her father would be executed for treason and Astelle herself could die too. Astelle was relieved inwardly by making Theor her maternal sessor. Her mother was already dead, so even if the Reston family were to be destroyed, the Carlenberg family would not be affected. The Carlenbergs could also lose their pensions or even titles, in the worst case. But at least their lives would be preserved. ¡°Grandpa, in case anything happens¡­¡­¡± Astelle was very sorry to ask this kind of favor to her elderly grandfather, but now she had no one else to ask. ¡°I buried the recipe for Theor¡¯s eye color-changing potion under the tree in the mansion, in case there is a situation where both Gretel and I are not able to make it.¡± If anything happens to Astelle, someone else has to make the potion. In case such a situation arises, Astelle wrote down the recipe in advance and buried it in the ground. ¡°I need your help, Grandpa¡­¡­ I¡¯m sorry to keep asking you for favors.¡± From the beginning to the end, she only burdened her grandfather. Afterward, the Marquis hugged his poor granddaughter who was sitting there with her little wretched eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. Everything will be fine.¡± There was a sense of uneasiness in the voice of the Marquis as he said that, but Astelle stayed in his arms for a long time. She felt a littleforted in his warmth. ¡°This must not have been the first time.¡± Her grandfather¡¯s low voice could be heard in her ear. Astelle raised her head. The Marquis lowered his voice and spoke,¡°This must not have been the first time your father tried to assassinate the emperor. There must have been such attempts in the past.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle also agreed with her grandfather. Her father may have been looking for a chance to kill Kaizen for years. There must have been several unknown assassination attempts. ¡°But if your father is still unharmed, doesn¡¯t that mean that he hasn¡¯t been caught yet?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Astelle¡¯s father, the Duke of Reston was a careful and meticulous character. ¡°Your father is a caring human being, so he must have handled it well so that no evidence was left behind even if the work failed.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Of course. The man you saw must have been prepared in advance so that he wouldn¡¯t be associated with your father.¡± Astelle also agreed with her grandfather. If it were her father, he would have made room for an escape in case he failed. They must have prepared something to keep the assassins¡¯ bodies from being associated with the duke. ¡®I hope you don¡¯t get caught.¡¯ Astelle, who was having such a thought,ughed at herself. For her own safety, she hoped that the culprit would not be revealed. ¡®Kaizen was stabbed with a sword while trying to save me.¡¯ The image of Kaizen, wounded and bleeding, came to mind vividly. Feelings of guilt and fear for him wereplicatedly entangled in her mind. But if it turns out that it was her father¡¯s fault, Astelle would not be safe. Even if she reports her father for what he had done and asks for forgiveness. Knock knock [sfx] Suddenly there was a knock on the door from outside. Hannah¡¯s urgent voice followed. ¡°Lady Astelle!¡± ¡°What is it?¡± The moment Astelle was about to get up from her seat, both she and the marquis stiffened on the spot at Hannah¡¯s word. ¡°His Majesty the Emperor hase. *** Astelle quickly wiped her face with her hand. The corners of her eyes, where tears had stood still, were still red. Fortunately, her eyes did not swell. If you didn¡¯t look closely at her, you wouldn¡¯t know that she was crying. Astelle regained herposure and headed to where the emperor was waiting. Kaizen was waiting for Astelle in the drawing-room of the annex. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± As Astelle entered, Kaizen who was standing by the window, turned around. Fortunately, he looked fine. He was stabbed deeply in the shoulder and bled a lot, but he looked the same as usual. ¡°Astelle.¡± Kaizen, who was walking towards her slowly, stopped when he saw Astelle¡¯s face. ¡°You cried.¡± Chapter 59 Chapter 59 TL: Lc | PR: Ansoo ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡®I definitely washed my face.¡¯ Astelle touched her cheek with her hand, wondering if there were any tears left behind. Kaizen said, as if trying to reassure Astelle. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything will be fine.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± It may not be all right if the truth about the assassination is revealed. But Astelle couldn¡¯t tell Kaizen that. If the true culprit behind the assassination is revealed, Astelle will not be able to escape. Astelle felt terribly towards herself for thinking about that even at this moment. She looked away from Kaizen and asked, ¡°Are your wounds okay?¡± ¡°As you can see, I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°What did the doctor say?¡± ¡°The doctor said it would be fine.¡± It looked like a pretty deep cut, but he was so healthy. Still, it was fortunate that there were no aftereffects. Astelle bowed her head to him. ¡°I couldn¡¯t thank you properly. Thank you for protecting me.¡± ¡°You have nothing to thank me for. It is only natural that I protect you.¡± Kaizen said so in a calm tone. Astelle suddenly remembered the scene she had seen in the forest. Kaizen¡¯s wounds while protecting Astelle. In his moment of crisis, Kaizen fought desperately to protect Astelle without thinking about his own safety. Astelle, feeling a littleplicated, answered quietly, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m d that Your Majesty was not seriously hurt either.¡± At those words, Kaizen turned to Astelle with his shocked eyes. He looked astonished. Astelle thought for a moment as to where she had said something so surprising to him. ¡°You¡­ Did you worry about me?¡± Well, how can she not worry? He is the emperor. ¡°I was worried that the wound would be severe. It would be a big deal if there were any aftereffects.¡± Astelle said as calmly as possible. But Kaizen still looked surprised. ¡°Your Majesty? Why are you so surprised?¡± ¡°It¡¯s amazing that you really cared about me because I didn¡¯t think it was possible in real life.¡± Astelle did not know whether he was joking or serious. She just sighed as tried to refute Kaizen¡¯s words. ¡°You saved me, so of course I have to worry.¡± A sense of guilt was mixed with gratitude. It was Astelle¡¯s father, the Duke of Reston, who tried to kill Kaizen. Knowing this, Astelle could not tell Kaizen the truth. Even though his help had saved her life that day, she couldn¡¯t be honest with him. ¡°Astelle.¡± Kaizen, who had been watching Astelle¡¯splicated expression, approached her. In an instant, the distance between the two of them narrowed. ¡°Your Majesty?¡± Kaizen was close enough to reach her if he stretched out his hand. There was a warmth in his numb red eyes. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re safe.¡± His sincere affection in those eyes made her speechless. Kaizen drew closer and closer. Astelle stood dazed, then tried to step back. But before she could take a step, Kaizen grabbed Astelle¡¯s shoulder and held her in his arms. ¡°Y-Your Majesty?¡± As Astelle was panicking and trying to get out, a shaky voice reached her ear. ¡°When the assassin ran at you, I thought I couldn¡¯t breathe.¡± His always strong and cold voice was currently trembling. ¡°I was afraid I wouldn¡¯t be able to protect you.¡± Kaizen¡¯s fearful voice was unfamiliar enough that it felt strange. Astelle was held in his arms and quietly listening to his voice. She obviously had to get out, but her whole body was exhausted. ¡°Your Majesty, I¡­¡± Kaizen looked at her. His face was close enough for Astelle to feel his breath. Sharp and delicate eyes with red eyes. A nose that creates a sharp line. He had an incredibly handsome face. He was a dangerously seductive man. Astelle almost came to her senses toote. If she had stayed like this, she felt like she would be swept away by the atmosphere and cross the line. She pushed Kaizen away and escaped from his arms. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Astelle turned her body. ¡°Please stop and go back.¡± This way, she couldn¡¯t break the boundaries with Kaizen. Astelle came to her senses and took control of her mind. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Kaizen looked at her without saying a word and then went outside. *** Vellian, who was standing around in the corridor waiting for the emperor, found Kaizening out of the annex and ran to him. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Kaizen passed him without looking back and walked towards the main pce. Vellian hurriedly followed him. ¡°That¡­ all of the bodies of the assassins have been recovered.¡± He followed up and reported, but no answer came back. The Emperor seems to be in a bad mood. Vellian deeply regretted having advised him to go on a pic. If he hadn¡¯te up with that suggestion, none of this would have happened. But he couldn¡¯t undo what had already happened. He thought the northern forest would be safe as the knights kept guard of it. Even if dangerous things happen, Kaizen was one of the best swordsmen in the empire. ¡®I shouldn¡¯t have taken it so easy.¡¯ Because of that, the Emperor¡¯s mood was bottoming out. When they reached the middle of the corridor, Kaizen said firmly. ¡°I will take Astelle to the Imperial Pce.¡± ¡°Sorry¡­?¡± ¡®No, what do you mean¡­¡¯ Vellian stopped in surprise, but Kaizen did not wait for him and continued walking. ¡°Y-Your Majesty.¡± Vellian followed Kaizen and quietly said something he couldn¡¯t say out loud. ¡°Your Majesty, if the Duke of Reston dies as a traitor, Lady Astelle will not be able to return to the Imperial Pce.¡± The Duke of Reston must be behind this incident. Even if this was not the case, Kaizen nned to kill the Duke of Reston as a traitor one day and destroy his family. No matter how wonderful Astelle was, she could not be the empress if she became the daughter of a traitor. It wasmon sense. Kaizen responded coldly as he walked without hesitation. ¡°If the Duke dies before bing a traitor, Astelle won¡¯t be a traitor¡¯s daughter.¡± Vellian, who was following him, stopped in surprise when he realized the meaning contained in it. He meant to kill the Duke of Reston without revealing his guilt. It also meant that he would bring Astelle back to the Imperial Pce as soon as possible. *** The emperor¡¯s party set off for the capital the next day. The atmosphere was stricter than ever. Everyone was on the lookout because there was an assassination attempt. Even when they stayed in the dormitory for a while, neither Astelle nor anyone could leave the dorm. It took ten days to reach the capital by the fastest route possible. Meanwhile, Astelle was confined to only the carriage with a harsh atmosphere, like a prisoner being transferred to prison. ¡®I¡¯m really d that I made a lot of potions for Theor¡¯s eyes.¡¯ Otherwise, she would have had to run away from the knights to get the herbs. She didn¡¯t even have the confidence to go into the forest for medicinal nts without being caught. The knights protecting the emperor were stricter than ever. ¡®¡­¡­¡¯ Astelle remembered meeting Kaizen that night as if it had just happened. Astelle deeply regretted that her heart had been relieved for a moment in those pathetic eyes. ¡®I shouldn¡¯t have broken the boundaries like that.¡¯ There were plenty of reasons why Astelle couldn¡¯t get closer to Kaizen. Just thinking about Theor¡¯s birth and her father¡¯s work. Even so, she did not understand why she was relieved by Kaizen at that moment. ¡®Why¡­¡¯ Meanwhile Theor, who was sleeping on Astelle¡¯sp, turned his body. Astelle looked at Theor who was sleeping soundly and calmed her confused mind. Anyways, the past is irreversible. All that is left now is to finish the work of the Empress Dowager¡¯s will as quickly as possible and go home. Astelle looked out the window of the carriage and made up her mind. As soon as she goes to the capital, she promises to finish the will and leave. *** The morning of the tenth day after departing from Dentsu Castle. A rattling carriage passed through the eastern gate of the capital. Finally, the Emperor¡¯s party has arrived in the capital. Astelle looked out at the familiar road scenery and swallowed a bitter thought. ¡®I¡¯m back.¡¯ When she left this ce six years ago, she swore she would nevere back. The affairs of the world were really unpredictable. ¡®Toe back to the capital with the emperor like this¡­¡¯ The Emperor¡¯s party went into the Imperial Pce, but Astelle, Theor, and the Marquis¡¯ carriage went to the mansion near the Imperial Pce. It was the mansion that Kaizen ordered to prepare in advance when Astelle said she would not stay in the Imperial Pce. The carriage entered therge gate. Astelle shook Theor to wake him up. ¡°Theor, we have arrived. Get up.¡± ¡°Hm¡­¡± Theor, who was sleeping on Astelle¡¯sp, opened his eyes. ¡°Have we arrived?¡± ¡°Yes. Now we are in the capital.¡± When Astelle got off the carriage, they were in the front yard of arge mansion. Dozens of windows adorned with gold and silver hung on the pure white wall carved with holy water. It was an incredibly gorgeous mansion. It was as splendid and grand as the residence of the Reston family where Astelle lived. Come to think of it, this was the mansion of a fallen duke. The Marquis, who got off the carriage with her, frowned as if realizing it. Chapter 60 Chapter 60 TL: Lc | PR: Faith ¡°I think it¡¯s too much.¡± ¡°I¡¯m only going to stay for a day or two.¡± As soon as the will waspleted, Astelle wanted to return immediately. Kaizen also allowed her. Because of the assassination, Theor was forced toe all the way to the capital. Astelle wished to leave as soon as possible. So it didn¡¯t matter where she stayed. After entering the mansion, she couldn¡¯t help but be surprised. Inside, the mansion was much more splendid. Clean marble floors and chandeliers. Luxurious statues and ornaments. It was more morous and luxurious than the Dentsu Castle where she stayed until recently. It was more luxurious than the standard nobleman¡¯s mansion. Astelle whispered while looking at the statues lined up in the hallway. ¡°It looks new.¡± As Astelle murmured while looking at the gold-decorated wall, the servant who opened the mansion¡¯s door quickly answered, ¡°His Majesty has sent a letter in advance, ordering this mansion to be renovated.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡®This¡­¡­is really too much.¡¯ It¡¯s just a ce to stay for two days, but to do it like this¡­¡­ Astelle was speechless. The bedroom was more morous. Full of luxurious furnishings and bedding. Everything was new. It was a luxury that was not inferior to the empress¡¯ bedroom, where Astelle had stayed for a day or so in the past. When she entered the bedroom where she was staying with Theor, gift boxes were piled up like a mountain on the table. ¡°What is that?¡± ¡°These are gifts from His Majesty to the Young Master.¡± ¡®For Theor?¡¯ Theor grabbed a gift box with both hands and asked Astelle,. ¡°Can I open it?¡± ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s rip it off.¡± The box was full of silver finger-sized soldier dolls. There was also a small cannon for the little soldiers. It was a small, borately crafted, lifelike weapon with a set of artillery soldiers the size of a finger. In another box, there was a sailing boat the size of a melon, made just like a real ship, and in arge box, there was an borate three-tiered castle. ¡°Wow¡­¡­¡± Theor looked at the toys and admired them. Kaizen has been strangely good to him for a while now. ¡°You should say thank you when you see His Majestyter.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Astelle smiled, hiding her anxiety. ¡®It doesn¡¯t matter. I will only stay for two days. Two days only.¡¯ As Astelle unpacked her luggage in the room, Hannah came in and helped her. Hannah formally resigned from the Imperial Pce and she returned to the capital with Astelle. When she was done here, she decided to go to the eastern countryside with Astelle. ¡°Hannah. I will organize my luggage myself. Go to your room and rest. You must be very tired.¡± ¡°No, Lady Astelle. I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Okay. Then you don¡¯t have to unpack everything.¡± She would be leaving again in just two days, so there was no need to unpack everything. Astelle only organized what she needed to use for the next two days and put the rest in the closet. She spotted Theor ying in the garden outside the window. He went out with the Marquis and Blynn. When Astelle saw Theor¡¯s bright face, she suddenly thought of Kaizen. She hasn¡¯t had a proper conversation with him since thest day at Dentsu Castle. Even if she had a chance to meet him, he always seemed to be busy. ¡®I¡¯m d. If we had met often, it would have been ufortable for both of us .¡¯ Astelle decided to go to the temple the next day. There, she would meet Kaizen and finish the Empress Dowager¡¯s will, and there would be no more meetings. ¡®Should I go back to the mansion or find a ce to escape?¡¯ Going to the mansion would prevent Theor¡¯s identity from being revealed. What would happen to the assassination case? You¡¯d never know what was going to happen. If the truth about the assassination was revealed, Astelle wouldn¡¯t be safe. ¡®Shall I find a ce to escape? However, if I were to suddenly hide myself, I might end up hurting my grandfather and Theor.¡¯ Astelle put the luggage together while thinking aboutplicated things. After packing up, she went downstairs to join Theor and her grandfather. As she passed the living room, a maid approached her. ¡°Lady, a guest has arrived.¡± ¡°A guest?¡± Astelle, who had unintentionally turned to the drawing-room, noticed the man standing by the door and instantly stiffened. ¡°Ah¡­¡­¡± Facing the man, she was speechless for a moment. Tall stature and a neat and handsome face. She saw the familiar white blonde hair and light green eyes. His pale green eyes filled with shock and joy. His heart was pounding and his eyes were wet with tears. On the contrary, Astelle¡¯s eyes grew cold. Her face, which looked surprised for a moment, rapidly became colder. The man who came into the room, and after noticing Astelle¡¯s cold expression, quickly stopped walking. Astelle called out his name. The name she¡¯s almost forgotten for the past 6 years. ¡°Brother Fritz.¡± It was Fritz, Astelle¡¯s older brother. Two-year older brother, he was her only sibling and the only person she considered to be family. At the cold voice of his sister calling out to him, Fritz¡¯s sculptural, well-groomed face was distorted with regret and remorse. ¡°Astelle¡­¡­¡± Fritz begged for forgiveness with a face that seemed like it would shed tears at any moment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Astelle. I made a mistake.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± To young Astelle, Fritz was a being that was too high to reach. They had the same parents, but her brother who was the heir to the family from birth was the difference between heaven and earth from Astelle who was born as a daughter. Besides, Fritz was a perfect son, smart enough to be acknowledged as a gifted child from an early age. He was so great that she couldn¡¯t even dare to be jealous. Fritz, who resembled his father, was a cold and proud nobleman, but he was still a kind brother to her. He would teach her to study, and if Astelle wanted to go out, he would take her with him. Aside from Kaizen, the person Astelle loved most was her older brother, Fritz. He was the only person she could rely on instead of her hard-hearted and greedy father. Even when she got divorced and returned to the mansion, Astelle believed that her brother would understand. But Fritz did not understand her. ¡®Why did you get a divorce without our father¡¯s permission?¡¯ It was Fritz¡¯s first words to Astelle, who returned with a tired face. When she left the house feeling exhausted and about to copse, Fritz grabbed her and got angry at her. ¡®Don¡¯t be stubborn and ask father for forgiveness.¡¯ Her feelings at that time were so devastating that words could not describe them. She felt as if thest rope she had managed to hold on to, had broken. After that, Astelle abandoned all her hopes and left the capital. ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologize to me. Go back.¡± ¡°Astelle¡­¡­¡± Fritz¡¯s expression as he faced Astelle¡¯s cold eyes was filled with sadness. ¡°Can¡¯t we start over? Can¡¯t you just give me one more chance¡­¡­?¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t spoken to each other in six years, so what opportunity do we need now?¡± Astelle turned down Fritz¡¯s request. It was a calm voice that did not contain any emotion, but when Fritz heard those words, his expression became even more sorrowful. He called out to her in a sad voice. ¡°Astelle¡­¡­ I am¡­¡­¡± At that moment, the door opened with a crackling sound. Both siblings looked toward it at the same time. Theor was grabbing the half-open door and sticking out his face. ¡°Aunt Astelle¡­¡­?¡± Astelle looked at the child and was startled. Her chest plummeted. ¡®Will my brother find out Theor¡¯s identity?¡¯ Fritz has yed with Kaizen since childhood. Kaizen didn¡¯t really like him, who was two years older than him, but he still couldn¡¯t ignore him as the heir of the duke. And since his younger sister, Astelle, was Kaizen¡¯s fiancee, Fritz also visited the Imperial Pce from a very young age, and he was like a ymate with Kaizen. If you look closely at Theor, you can tell that he resembles the young Kaizen. Fritz seemed a little surprised. ¡°That kid is¡­¡­¡± Astelle responded quickly before Fritz finished his question. ¡°He is Theor. He is Sigmund¡¯s son. Have you not heard of it? That Sigmund has a son.¡± Fritz turned to Astelle. For a moment,plex emotions appeared in his pale green eyes and then disappeared. ¡®What? Maybe¡­¡­ did you notice it?¡¯ Before Astelle could say anything, Fritz approached Theor. ¡°Are you Sigmund¡¯s son?¡± Fritz smiled pleasantly and knelt down in front of Theor, at eye level with him. ¡°Nice to meet you. Your father was my cousin.¡± *** ¡®Did you not notice it?¡¯ Fritz and Kaizen were two years apart. When Kaizen was a child, Fritz was also young. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t seem to remember young Kaizen very well. ¡®Phew.¡¯ Astelle, who was watching the two of them, was secretly relieved. Dear Wattpad ount @snowie-san, stop reposting my trantions. Chapter 61 Chapter 61 TL: Lc | PR: Faith Fritz approached Theor, he made eye contact with him, and said, ¡°So you are Sigmund¡¯s son, I really wanted to meet you.¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°Theor, this is Uncle Fritz. He is my brother.¡± At Astelle¡¯s exnation, Theor looked at Fritz carefully and smiled brightly. ¡°Hello, Uncle Fritz.¡± ¡°What a cute little boy.¡± Theor was very cute. His soft ck hair and blue eyes were the beautiful color of a deep, clearke. His curious eyes looked bright and there was not a single speck on his marble-white skin. ¡°You look cuter when you smile.¡± Fritz admired and stroked Theor¡¯s hair. ¡°If you have nothing to do, please go back. I just arrived and I want to rest.¡± Astelle, who was watching from the side, said with an indifferent look on her face. ¡°Astelle¡­¡­¡± Fritz, who was about to beg again, turned to Theor and bit his lips. He sighed then exined the reason for his visit. ¡°I came to see you because of the belongings left behind by the Empress Dowager.¡± ¡®What does this mean again?¡¯ ¡°There were not only wills but also keepsakes?¡± ¡°Yes. She didn¡¯t tell the Emperor, but the Empress Dowager also left you a few keepsakes.¡± It was the first time Astelle heard it. ¡°Theor, go to your room. If you wait patiently, I will give you a delicious cookie.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Before leaving, Theor looked at Fritz and bowed his head. ¡°Goodbye, Uncle Fritz.¡± Fritz couldn¡¯t take his eyes off Theor until he disappeared. ¡°He is so cute. He grew up well.¡± Astelle diverted his attention. ¡°Tell me about the keepsakes.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± His exnation continued. ¡°They¡¯re not great things. If things that were too precious had been lost, the Emperor would have noticed. So the Empress Dowager only chose what she really wanted to give to you. Paintings and jewels¡­ well stuff like that.¡± Empress Dowager loved Astelle a lot. Leaving such a provision in her will was also her own consideration for Astelle. It was no surprise that she had secretly left behind keepsakes. ¡°The Empress Dowager secretly sent them to our mansion before she died, in case the Emperor realized it.¡± ¡°Where are they now?¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ father¡­¡± Fritz let out a sigh before answering. ¡°Father has them, and even if I ask for them, he won¡¯t give them to me.¡± Astelle frowned. Is Duke Reston even greedy for the keepsakes from the Empress Dowager now? ¡®It wasn¡¯t because he wanted them .¡¯ The Duke cannot be interested in the misceneous belongings left by the Empress Dowager. It was most likely that he was stubborn because of his anger toward Astelle, not because of his greed. Astelle spoke to her brother with a firm voice. ¡°Please go back and tell father. If he doesn¡¯t bring the keepsakes right now, I will tell His Majesty about the items and press charges against him.¡± Fritz asked with surprised eyes. ¡°T-Then His Majesty will confiscate them.¡± ¡°I think that¡¯s what father thought, that¡¯s why he hasn¡¯t given them to me.¡± Those are the items Astelle should have received, but her father must have thought that it did not matter whether he gave them to her or not as they were secretly hidden from the Emperor¡¯s eyes. He must have thought that even if Astelle wanted to have them, she wouldn¡¯t go as far as to sue him. Because the emperor hated Astelle and if this story was leaked, he would take them back. Astelle wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything even if she lost the keepsakes. It was obvious that the Duke was calcting like that. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s better to give them to the Emperor, the grandson of the Empress Dowager than to give them to father.¡± Fritz smirked slightly at Astelle¡¯s callous remark. ¡°It is true.¡± He was about to go find his grandfather and say hello to him. He paused for a moment before leaving the room, and then addressed Astelle, ¡°How long do you n to stay in the capital?¡± ¡°I will leave soon.¡± ¡°¡­¡­can¡¯t you stay a few more days? Mother¡¯s charity ball is just around the corner.¡± Until her death, Astelle¡¯s mother held a regr charity ball at this time of year at the mansion. It was an event that invited guests to collect donations to help the poor. However, after her mother¡¯s death, the charity ball was not held for many years. After her socialite debut, Astelle resumed her mother¡¯s charity ball to honor her. She organized one at the mansion every year until she married Kaizen and then left the capital. After leaving, the mansion remained empty of guests since there was no hostess. Astelle asked the question while counting the date. ¡°Did you keep holding the charity ball while I was away? ¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡­ I organized it myself.¡± Astelle was a little surprised. The ball was supposed to be prepared by the hostess, Fritz had never done that before. In the past, he didn¡¯t even pay attention to such events. ¡®Are you really sorry?¡¯, Astelle thought. It was hard to believe that Fritz, who had a stubborn personality, was regretting the past so much. ¡®Yeah??, it is all in the past.¡¯ Whatever Fritz did now, it was none of Astelle¡¯s business. She didn¡¯t even n to stay here long enough to go to the charity ball. She was not in a situation where she could attend leisurely. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I have to leave in two days, so I cannot attend.¡± Fritz sighed sadly at Astelle¡¯s resolute answer. ¡°Okay¡­¡­then there is nothing I can do.¡± ¡®I think we¡¯re done talking now.¡¯ Astelle was afraid that she might say unnecessary things while arguing. She calmly but coldly asked him to return. ¡°Then, please go back now. I have to wash Theor and feed him.¡± At those cold words, Fritz¡¯s pale green eyes filled with sadness again. However, he meekly obeyed Astelle¡¯s will. ¡°Yes. If it is okay, I will go to see Grandpa. I want to ask for forgiveness since I haven¡¯t seen him in such a long time.¡± Astelle couldn¡¯t stop him from meeting his grandfather. ¡°I think Grandpa is in the garden.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Fritz looked at Astelle for a moment and said, ¡°If you need anything, feel free to contact me.¡± ¡°Okay, I will do that .¡± Astelle didn¡¯t really want to get Fritz¡¯s help, but there¡¯s something called ¡®if¡¯. She could use his help if by any chance she needed it, he was the heir to the family after all. She said that she would contact him if there was anything she needed, and would not contact him otherwise, but Fritz was satisfied just to hear Astelle¡¯s reply. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± After Fritz said those words, he turned around and headed towards the garden. Astelle looked at his back then closed the door. *** ¡°His Majesty the lord of the empire hase.¡± The door opened at the attendant¡¯s polite words, and the men who were sitting around the round table got up from their seats. The emperor¡¯s office in the capital¡¯s imperial pce wasrge and splendid. It can¡¯t even bepared with the offices of the castles visited during the tour. Gorgeous paintings were drawn symmetrically on the high ceiling withrge chandeliers that twinkled ording to the angle of light. It was a painting depicting the history of the imperial family and the achievements of the founding emperor. Kaizen sat down on the top seat. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± He turned his head and looked at the Marquis of Croychen. Suddenly, the marquis got up and knelt on the floor. For an instant, all eyes were focused on him. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Your Majesty, I apologize for causing trouble through my wife and my daughter.¡± They were expected words. Kaizen frowned. There were two useless disturbances during the tour because of the women of that family. Marianne was trying to frame Astelle, but she was caught and was still imprisoned in the Maern Castle. Marianne¡¯s mother, the Marchioness, was house arrested. Kaizen gave a coldmand in a voice that showed no sympathy. ¡°Lady Marianne dared to frame the guest I had invited, so she will be sent off to the ind as a nun to reflect on her sins. And the Marchioness¡­¡± He thought of the Marchioness for a moment. He hated her way more than Marianne. That woman even tried to kidnap Theor. ¡®But she can¡¯t be punished forck of evidence.¡¯ The maid, who was caught as the kidnapper, was tortured by him, but she died without mentioning the name of the Marchioness. Kaizen looked at Marquis Croychen with annoyance. If the wife is severely punished, the husband, Marquis Croychen, must be punished as well. It is not a pity to kill such a woman, but Kaizen could not lose such a loyal subject just because of his wife and daughter. ¡°The Marchioness has a problem with her conduct, so tell her to stay in the mansion, she will be on house arrest.¡± Chapter 62 Chapter 62 TL: Lc | PR: Faith ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous disposition.¡± ¡°And I hope that in the future your daughter will note to see me again without my permission.¡± At Kaizen¡¯s cold voice, anxious gazes moved over him. Everyone here knew that Florin of the Croychen family was the most likely candidate for the Empress seat. But the emperor was saying that he would not see the daughter of the Croychen family anymore. Marquis Croychen¡¯s purple eyes fluttered anxiously. But he obeyed the orders without hesitation. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. In the future, my daughter will not cause any concern to you.¡± Beyond those terrified eyes, he was thinking of a new strategy to use. Kaizen trusted and kept this clever and loyal man by his side, but he was too greedy for his own good. He was trying to make Florin the Empress. At the time, Kaizen did not pay much attention to who others elected as new empress. He was too busy dealing with the civil war and running state affairs, so he did not have time to worry about such things. ¡®Florin. She is only a little girl who has just reached adulthood.¡¯ Greed would continue to grow without end. Kaizen was nning to cut off the bud before it causes any bigger problems. If the Marchioness and Marianne were clearly punished, the Marquis would not be able to push Florin in. The meeting ended in an unsettling atmosphere. *** ¡°Your Majesty.¡± After the meeting was over, Vellian cautiously approached Kaizen who was returning to the office to work. ¡°Your Majesty, are you really going to keep the assassination a secret without investigating it?¡± Kaizen ordered that the assassination at Dentsu Castle remains uninvestigated, he wanted to keep it a secret. That incident has not been passed on to the ministers of the capital for the time being. Kaizen answered without taking his eyes off the paperwork, ¡°Yes. Never let it leak out.¡± If the truth of the assassination was revealed, those involved should be punished. In the past, the culprit would have been identified and executed. Uncovering the person who instigated the assassination would¡¯ve been a must. But right now it could not be publicly investigated. Because if it was, it would be discovered that Astelle was the daughter of a traitor. If that were to happen, even the emperor¡¯s power would not be able to fully protect her status and honor. Vellian looked at him with a puzzled expression, but Kaizen gave a firmmand. ¡°The assassination case must never be known to the outside. Keep the work there in moderation and confidentiality.¡± *** The next day, Astelle went to the temple early in the morning. It was a temple not far from the Imperial Pce. Astelle¡¯s residence was also close by. Against the background of the dawn sky that was bright, there was a gray temple. It was still early, so there were not many visitors. Astelle got out of the carriage and entered the building holding a small bouquet carefully so as not to break it. ¡°Lady Astelle!¡± ¡°Nice to see you after a long time, High priest.¡± The elderly high priest weed her with a happy face. He was close to the deceased empress dowager and had known Astelle well from an early age. ¡°You came early.¡± ¡°Yes, I wanted toe in advance and make a dedication to the altar of the Empress Dowager.¡± Astelle showed him the bouquet she had cherished and said so. It was a bouquet made of new white acacia flowers that she had prepared in advancest night. ¡°How much trouble have you been through? The Empress Dowager was very worried about you.¡± The high priest brought tears to his eyes. Astelle walked with him down the garden path to the sanctuary. While walking on the white tiled road, the high priest delivered the words of the Empress Dowager. ¡°Her Majesty the Empress Dowager entrusted me with the will and left a message; ¡®The southern estate was originally mine, but I have never managed it with my own hands in my life, so I want to hand it down to Astelle.¡¯ That¡¯s it.¡± ¡°¡­ she said so.¡± Hearing her will in person, her heart ached with regret. The Empress Dowager was a pitiful person. She was born as an heiress to a southern estate, but when she was young she was forced to marry into the imperial family and she never once had her own estate. ¡°Lady Astelle is a smart woman, and she said that you would use the conditions written in the will wisely.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± The will of the Empress Dowager made here here and many things happened. But Astelle was still grateful to her. How much did she care for her and how much did she even think about her? When she thought about it, she couldn¡¯t help but be grateful. Astelle passed through the small shrine and entered the votive room where the remains of sessive emperors and empresses were located. She also found the ashes of the deceased Empress Dowager in this ce. The high priest, who guided her, withdrew from the entrance in consideration of Astelle. ¡°I will first return to the temple now. Lady Astelle, when His Majesty arrives, you can sign the will in the temple.¡± ¡°Yes, thank you for your guidance .¡± Astelle went inside and noticed a chiseled statue. Beneath it was an altar for offering sacrifices. She ced the bouquet of acacia on an altar intricately carved with sacred flowers. ¡°It¡¯s an acacia flower.¡± She was startled by the sudden voice and turned around to see Kaizen standing behind her. *** Kaizen approached Astelle. She spoke to him politely and in a calm voice. ¡°Yes, the Empress Dowager liked it.¡± The garden of this temple was also full of pure white acacia. Empress Dowager used toe here to pray and watch the garden that was covered with pure white flowers. But after her health deteriorated, she could note here. Astelle made a painting of the acacia that filled the garden of the temple to appease the grieving empress dowager because she could note to the temple, and she presented it to her. She can still clearly remember the empress dowager¡¯s childish delight when she received the painting. ¡°Yeah. She liked the flowers.¡± It wasn¡¯t just because she liked the picture. Because it was a gift from Astelle, she was overjoyed. Kaizen¡¯s grandmother, Empress Dowager, was very fond of Astelle. ¡®Pay more attention to Astelle.¡¯ Empress Dowager nagged whenever she saw Kaizen. She once said this as if she felt sorry for her. She said, ¡®Astelle is so smart but she doesn¡¯t look happy.¡¯ At the time, Kaizen responded with, ¡®What does it have to do with me whether Astelle is happy or unhappy?.¡¯ When Empress Dowager heard that, she was upset and shed tears. Even after the two divorced and Astelle left the capital, Empress Dowager continued to annoy Kaizen to find out Astelle¡¯s whereabouts. Kaizen didn¡¯t care. The useless tenderness of his old grandmother only bothered him. He was so busy back then that he did not have time to care. But now, Kaizen deeply regretted his actions at that time. Each time he recalled the past when he ignored his grandmother¡¯s words and disrespected Astelle, bitter regrets came to him. ¡°You should stop now. Everyone is waiting.¡± ¡°Already? Isn¡¯t it too early?¡± ¡°You said you will arrive early, so I advanced the schedule.¡± The two went to the former main building instead. Some nobles and ministers hade in advance and were waiting. Half of them must havee to see the expelled empress, not to see them sign the will. None of them was familiar to Astelle. The situation has changed a lot in the past six years. Astelle stood before the altar in front of everyone. The priestid out the papers in front of her. ¡°Then sign this power of attorney.¡± Saying so, the priest handed Astelle the pen. It took her such a long time to get here, but all she had to do was sign the documents. It was a document that transferred the rights of the will to the emperor. It will be over when Astelle signs it. She took the pen and wrote her signature in a cursive style that looked like it would appear in a textbook. The priest who confirmed the signature asked Astelle, ¡°Do you really agree to delegate all authority to the Emperor without any conditions, Lady?¡± ¡°Yes, I do.¡± The terms of the transaction had already been received. Astelle got her grandfather¡¯s pension back, and she was given permission to leave the capital right away. The priest presented the papers to the emperor. ¡°It¡¯s done. Your Majesty is now the legal lord of all southern estates.¡± Finally, the paperwork for the will was finished. The me of the candles has filled the temple with a subtle golden light. Kaizen stood under it. Astelle suddenly remembered vividly the night after the assassination. She did not know why she felt so ufortable with just one hug from Kaizen. They were once married and have been through the first night. From now on, they would never see each other again. Astelle expected that it would not be difficult, but she is satisfied because she found the work easier than she thought. She hurriedly escaped from the temple before anyone caught her. It was a time when the sun was warm. The garden road without people was quiet and secluded. ¡°Astelle.¡± Kaizen, who followed, called for her. ¡°Are you going back now?¡± ¡°Yes. If your majesty allows me, I will leave tomorrow.¡± Kaizen stared at Astelle withplicated eyes. ¡°Can¡¯t you stay here?¡± Chapter 63 Chapter 63 ¡°I already gave my answer.¡± Kaizen¡¯s handsome face is distorted. ¡°I¡­..¡± Kaizen¡¯s eyes were terribly sunken. ¡°Even if I regret what I did to you?¡± There is even mourning in his low voice. Astelle was a little surprised. ¡°¡­¡­Why are you saying that?¡± Kaizen smiled slightly instead of getting angry. ¡°I don¡¯t know either¡­¡­¡± Growing up as a future emperor from a young age, Kaizen had never been swayed by emotions like this. He grew up thinking, watching, and hearing only politics and power. It was also for political reasons that he ousted Astelle as soon as he became emperor. However, at this moment, Kaizen truly regretted what happened at that time. ¡°I never imagined I would ever feel this way towards someone. Because I have never felt this.¡± It wasplicated, confused, and his pride was thrown to the floor. In the meantime, he did not want to admit it or believe it, but now he can say one thing for sure. ¡°I want you. Give me a chance to make up for the past.¡± Astelle stood nkly as she listened to his candid confession. How could this man make such an expression¡­¡­ It was shocking rather than surprising. Astelle knew roughly the night of the assassination that he wanted her, but she never thought he would confide in her with such a desperate expression on his face. This man also had this side. Astelle felt like she was seeing something strange. It would not be a lie. Because Kaizen now has no reason to lie and whisper love to her. But Astelle doesn¡¯t believe his feelings wouldst. Right, at any rate, it¡¯s just a momentary interest. I don¡¯t want to cling to such light interest with hope. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty.¡± Astell looked straight at Kaizen who was staring at her with earnest eyes and calmly gave an answer. ¡°This is not where I should be.¡± hah. Astelle heard a sigh that she couldn¡¯t tell whether it wasughter or regret. Kaizen stared intently at Astelle. He seemed to want to say something more. But in the end, he said nothing. He turned around and spoke calmly. ¡°¡­¡­I¡¯ll send you a carriage and an escort tomorrow morning. If you need more, tell the servant.¡± Astelle turned around and gave a final thanks to Kaizen. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± *** ¡°Princess Astelle.¡± After parting ways with Kaizen, as Astelle was about to leave the temple, someone called her. A middle-aged nobleman with long dark brown hair was approaching this way. He was one of the ministers watching when the will was signed at the temple a while ago. Although he was old, he had a neat face. There was a slightly innocent impression on his gentle face. He bowed politely in front of Astelle. ¡°It is an honor to meet you, Lady.¡± ¡°Excuse me, who¡­¡­¡± ¡°Ah, sorry. I¡¯mte to introduce myself. I am Count Ecklen, the minister of the military.¡± ¡®Oh, Count Ecklen the minister of the military? He is said to be Sir Seibel¡¯s adoptive father¡­¡­¡¯ Astelle also bent her knees slightly and said hello. ¡°It is an honor to meet you. I have heard many things about you.¡± ¡®Grandpa said he used to be his lieutenant.¡¯ However, there was something unclear about her grandfather¡¯s attitude towards this person. Coming to the capital, Astelle asked her grandfather why he had such a reaction when he heard the name of Count Ecklen. ¡®He was just my lieutenant, but it didn¡¯t end well and I sent him out.¡¯ Her grandfather exined it as nothing special, but Astelle intuitively noticed that there was something more hidden in the story. But it was a long time ago and it seemed like her grandfather wanted to hide it, so she didn¡¯t ask anymore. Count Ecklen asked about Astelle¡¯s grandfather with a worried look. ¡°How about the Marquis? I heard that he is not feeling well.¡± ¡°He is now fully healed.¡± In fact, he never felt sick. ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that. Anyway, I wanted to meet him and say hello. Is it okay if Ie to the mansion and see him?¡± Astelle asked for forgiveness with a very sorry expression. ¡°Thank you for your kind words, but we have an early departure tomorrow morning. I have to pack my luggage today, so I will not be able to entertain guests. I¡¯m really sorry.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡­in that case, I can¡¯t help it. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Count Ecklen reassured Astelle that he was fine. His impression and actions were simple and good-natured. ¡®You seem like a good person.¡¯ In fact, her grandfather also gave a good evaluation of this person. He had a good personality and was excellent at swordsmanship, but he was not from a prestigious family, so when he was young, he went to the battlefield every time. But for some reason, Astelle¡¯s grandfather seemed to be extremely ufortable with this person. She didn¡¯t know what was going on, but he didn¡¯t seem to want to meet him. ¡®It would be better not toe.¡¯ ¡°I heard about the marquis¡¯ pension matter. Even though I was in this position, I waspletely unaware of it¡­¡­ If I had known, I would have told His Majesty earlier and returned his pension.¡± Count Ecklen looked sincerely sorry. ¡°No. The pension matter is up to the administrators anyway. There is no way the minister of the military can take care of such a task.¡± Seeing that her grandfather didn¡¯t ask this person, it seemed that he wasn¡¯t close enough to ask that. While having a conversation, they arrived at the entrance of the temple, but the carriage from the mansion was nowhere to be seen. The servant who found Astelle ran to her. ¡°The carriage has a problem and is being repaired. If you wait a moment, I will contact the mansion and send you another carriage.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll just walk.¡± After hearing it, Count Ecklen kindly offered to Astelle as they walked together. ¡°I¡¯ll drive you in my carriage.¡± ¡°Thank you, but it¡¯s okay to just walk. The mansion I¡¯m staying in is close to here¡­¡­¡± Astelle¡¯s residence was nearby. Even if she does not take a carriage, she can get there by walking a little. But the count asked her to go in his carriage. ¡°I can¡¯t send you away alone. For your own safety, go in my carriage.¡± Having said that, he instructed the servant to bring the carriage. When the carriage came, he opened the carriage door by himself before the servant could even move. Astelle was forced to get into the carriage. ¡°Thank you.¡± Astelle got into his carriage and returned to the mansion. *** It waste afternoon when Astelle returned to the mansion. Although she was exhausted from getting up early and going to the temple, she was relieved when she finished the will and got permission to leave tomorrow morning. ¡°Lady Astelle, have you been well?¡± ¡°Yes, Hannah. Where is my grandfather?¡± ¡°The marquis is in the study with the young master.¡± Astelle took off her coat and went into the study. She had to tell her grandfather that things worked out. The marquis was looking for something in the study. ¡°Grandpa, what are you looking for?¡± ¡°Astelle, you are back.¡± The marquis looked behind the small curtain before he found Astelle and turned around. ¡°Did the temple work go well?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯spletely over. I have also received His Majesty¡¯s permission to leave tomorrow morning.¡± Although I was asked to stay. But I refused, so he gave up and went back. Kaizen¡¯s permission has been granted, so we will be able to leave tomorrow no matter what. Finally, it¡¯s all over. We can go home now. A sense of relief came to me from the depths of my heart. ¡°But what were you doing here?¡± ¡°I was ying with Theor.¡± Then with a small smile, he looked under the desk. It was also empty. ¡°I was supposed to find Theor if he hides, but this mansion is so spacious that I can¡¯t find him.¡± Astelleughed. Even in the country mansion, Theor used to y this often. Her maternal grandfather¡¯s country mansion was small, and all unused rooms were blocked off, so it was easy to find Theor wherever he was hiding. This ce was too wide. ¡°I¡¯ll look for him.¡± Astelle started searching the rooms on the first floor one by one, starting with the next room. She wandered around and found Theor under the table. A colorful tablecloth made of light green silk was spread over the round table. As Astelle picked up the tablecloth, there was Blynn who barked and wags its tail. ¡°Aunt Astelle?¡± ¡°Theor, you were hiding here.¡± Theor was sitting with Blynn under the table. Books and inkwells are stacked around the two of them, and toy soldiers are lined up side by side. Blynn sniffed each one of the toy soldiers in a row. Theor, who was sitting in the middle and hugging the teddy bear, said excitedly, ¡°This is my castle.¡± ¡°Your castle?¡± ¡°Yes. This is the wall.¡± Theor pointed to the books surrounding him. It seems that he made the walls of the fortress in his own way. The toy soldiers around were soldiers guarding the castle. Astelle smiled and went under the table and let the tablecloth cover them again. The table was sorge that even if Astelle came in and sat down, there was enough room left. Once inside, she felt asfortable as if she was in a tent. ¡®Castle¡­¡­¡¯ Chapter 64 Chapter 64 He seems to have gotten used to the castle as he continued to stop by the castle all the way to the capital to sleep and eat. Until then, Theor had never been to a castle or pce. Astelle looked at Theor and asked, ¡°Did you like staying in the castle?¡± ¡°Yes. It was nice to have arge garden. There was a lot of delicious food.¡± Theor, one by one, said what he liked. ¡°And His Majesty was kind too.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°Do you know, Aunt Astelle? All the castles we used to be in are said to belong to His Majesty.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± At those words, Astelle looked at Theor nkly. The sun shone through the pale green tablecloth. Like the cover of a clothmp soaked in sunlight, the inside of the table was lit up with a light blue light. Theor¡¯s blue eyes also had a reddish glow. Theor asked, ¡°Grandpa said we had to leave tomorrow. Are we going back to the castle?¡± ¡°No. Now we have to go home.¡± Seeing Theor¡¯s eyes glowing red, I remembered Kaizen, who had asked me to stay here. ¡®I want you. Give me a chance to make up for the past.¡¯ If I leave the capital, will we never meet again? Or will we meet again? For the sake of Theor¡¯s safety, I don¡¯t want to see you again. ¡®When the truth of the assassination is revealed, even if we do not want to see each other, we may meet again.¡¯ The only hope was that more than ten days had passed since the incident and the identities of the assassins had not yet been identified. It was fortunate that all the assassins were killed on the spot. Because of that, it has not been revealed yet who instigated the assassination. ¡®As my grandfather said, this is probably not the first time my father tried to kill Kaizen.¡¯ Theor saw Astelle¡¯s expression darkened and spoke as if reassuring her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mom. I like the castle, but I like my house more.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± He was a lovely kid. Now Astelle valued Theor the most. I wish I could livefortably in the eastern countryside like before. But I felt anxious that I would never be able to go back to those peaceful days again. Astelle suppressed her anxiety and approached Theor, holding her cute son tightly in her arms. ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry? Do you want me to bring some cake?¡± ¡°Yes! I want to eat cake!¡± ¡°Then wait here.¡± Astelle went out, leaving Theor under the table. She went out into the hallway to get the cake, but a passing maid found Astelle and ran to her. ¡°Lady, a guest hase to visit.¡± ¡°Guest? Who?¡± Could it be that Count Ecklen, whom I met at the temple earlier, came? I refused him to visit¡­¡­ But from the maid¡¯s mouth, an unexpected name came out. ¡°The Duke of Reston has visited.¡± ¡°Who?¡± Astelle frowned unconsciously. ¡°Duke Esteban von Reston has visited.¡± Astelle was so annoyed at her father¡¯s full name that she had not heard in a long time. It was obvious why her father hade. It must be because of the belongings of thete Empress Dowager. In that case, she expected that she would meet him at least once anyway. Astelle never wanted to see her father again for the rest of her life. But he came to meet her in person and she had to meet him. ¡°Where is he now? Guide me.¡± *** The Duke of Reston sat in a chair in the study and waited for Astelle. Astelle came in and stopped when she saw a blonde middle-aged man sitting arrogantly. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time.¡± Reunited with her father after six years, not much has changed. Although he looked a little older than before, he had neat features and refined elegance that spreads all over his body. It was the same as six years ago, especially that arrogant gaze. As if to prove that he was one of the most handsome men in the capital when he was young, he still had an attractive appearance even in his middle age. Suddenly, Astelle remembered Count Ecklen, whom she met at the temple. He seems to be about the same age as her father. Unlike her father who has the dignity of a great aristocrat, the Count gave off an impression of simplicity and sincerity. The Duke of Reston nced Astelle up and down, then pulled the corner of his mouth into a smirk. ¡°You look like a countrywoman. If you are that old, you should cover up the traces of time with makeup.¡± ¡®¡­..Count Ecklen is much better.¡¯ It was sad that she felt better with the person she had seen for the first time than her biological father. Astelle asked bluntly, ¡°What do youe here for?¡± ¡°Because you live in the countryside, have you forgotten your manners?¡± ¡°I try to keep courtesy only to those who deserve it.¡± The Duke was stunned for a moment and just stared at Astelle. ¡°You are arrogant.¡± Astelle looked at her father sternly. As a child, Astelle meekly obeyed her father¡¯s will. After all, it was the parents¡¯ authority to decide the marriage of their children in a noble family. In particr, it was customary for young children of great noble families such as Astelle to decide their marriage partners ording to their parents¡¯ wishes from the time they were born. Still, Astelle thought she was lucky. She herself truly loved her fiance, Kaizen. She felt grateful to her father for setting her up with Kaizen. ¡®Now that I think about it, it was so stupid.¡¯ The duke sneered coldly at his daughter who stood silently. ¡°Did you sign the will as the emperor ordered? Do you have no pride? If it were me, I would rathermit suicide.¡± ¡°Unlike my father, my life is too precious tomit suicide because I only signed it once.¡± Astelle smiled a little bitterly and said, ¡± I have to leave tomorrow, so I don¡¯t have time for useless conversations. I wish you could just tell me your business quickly and then go back. ¡± ¡°What business?¡± ¡°I heard that you have the belongings of thete Empress Dowager. You must have thought of asking me for something with those as an excuse.¡± Had it not been for that purpose, her father would not have kept it. He must have sold it all. Astelle knew her father well. Her father was a person who spared anything for the future that could be someone else¡¯s weakness. Thete Empress Dowager¡¯s belongings must have been kept because he thought it would be Astelle¡¯s weakness. However, Astelle had no desire to do whatever he wanted as a condition for her father to hand over the belongings. ¡°I¡¯m not going to give you anything you want. Return the belongings of thete Empress Dowager and go back to the mansion.¡± The duke¡¯s light green eyes shed. Anger filled those eyes that looked just like Astelle. ¡°How dare you say such a thing to your father!¡± ¡°As you may not know, anyone who has someone else¡¯s belongings and does not return them is used of thieves.¡± Astelle replied calmly. ¡°You don¡¯t want to be humiliated by being used by your daughter after you lost your position as prime minister and was overthrown, right? I don¡¯t think there is any noble family for taking my father¡¯s side right now.¡± At that moment, the duke¡¯s well-groomed face was distorted with anger. Losing power must have been his greatest weakness. The enraged duke red at Astelle who insulted him. A hateful voice leaked from his mouth, ¡°How dare you! Just an empress who was expelled after one night¡­¡­!¡± As Astelle was about to respond to her father¡¯s insults, someone opened the door and came in. He was Astelle¡¯s maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Carlenberg. ¡°Grandpa.¡± The duke smiled mischievously and said, ¡°Gee, long time no see.¡± Then the marquis looked at the duke with contempt and replied, ¡°Did you not learn manners at that age?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand. A person who has had someone else¡¯s daughter for six years and hasn¡¯t contacted her father is speaking of manners.¡± The duke responded without losing. After hearing those words, the marquis asked, as if he was stunned. ¡°Why do I have to tell you that I have Astelle with me? You cut off the rtionship and drove her out of the mansion.¡± Hearing the marquis¡¯ sarcasm, the Duke of Reston shed his eyes and approached him. ¡°Now that I think about it, you need Astelle more than me, her father. Even though I lost my position as prime minister, it can not bepared to a man who had few days left to live and even lost hisnd and grandson.¡± The duke mocked the marquis with a hateful smile. ¡°Oh, even your grandson Sigmund left an illegitimate child of low blood. If you want to raise that child, of course, you must take Astelle with you,¡± the duke continued. It was too harsh to say. The marquis took a step closer to the duke without saying a word. Although he grew old, the dignity ofmanding the army remained in the old marquis. The Duke of Reston stepped back with a frown on his face. After he got closer to him, the marquis said with a grudge in his eyes, ¡°If you weren¡¯t the father of my only granddaughter, I would have killed you when my daughter died. As you said, I don¡¯t have much time to live, so I have no regrets if I kill you now.¡± Chapter 65 Chapter 65 Astelle knew why her grandfather had said this. Astelle¡¯s mother gave birth to Fritz and her body weakened, so she could no longer have children. But her father, the duke, ignored the doctor¡¯s warning not to have children and had her mother give birth to Astelle. He said, ¡°Do your duty because I need a daughter to be the empress.¡± It is said that after tormenting her mother every day, Astelle was born. The marquis had advised her not to give birth, but she wanted to give birth to the baby in her womb. However, she eventually gave birth to Astelle and died not long after from the aftereffects. The duke always told Astelle that her mother died because of her, so in order not to let her mother¡¯s death be in vain, she must work hard to be an empress. Astelle followed her father¡¯s instructions, feeling guilty about her mother¡¯s death. The maternal grandfather who lost his daughter did not hate Astelle at all. Astelle, who was watching from the side, stopped her grandfather btedly. ¡°Grandpa, don¡¯t deal with him and go to Theor. Theor is waiting for me alone under the parlor table.¡± Astelle was worried that Theor mighte here while waiting for her. The marquis understood the meaning of Astelle¡¯s words and turned around quickly. ¡°Yeah. There¡¯s no point in dealing with him.¡± As the Marquis went out, the Duke of Reston frowned and he turned to Astelle. ¡°Who is Theor?¡± ¡°Did you just say this and that but you don¡¯t even know his name? Sigmund¡¯s son¡¯s name is Theor.¡± The Duke of Reston clicked his tongue offended. ¡°Why do I have to know the name of that lowly blooded child?¡± ¡°After you have said all you have to say, return the belongings of thete Empress Dowager and go back to the mansion. Before I call the attendants to take you out.¡± It wasn¡¯t a threat, Astelle was actually nning to chase him away. The duke finally gave up and raised his hands, perhaps reading the seriousness on Astelle¡¯s face. ¡°I brought the belongings here. What¡¯s more, there¡¯s nothing but trifles. I¡¯ll leave them behind, so take them to the countryside or do as you please.¡± Then he called the servants he brought. Two servants went inside and broughtrge boxes. ¡°Are these all?¡± ¡°Do you think I¡¯ve hidden a few?¡± ¡°But you¡¯re such a person.¡± The duke was stunned. ¡°You have changed a lot.¡± Kaizen also said something like that. After six years, did he think she would still be the same? How can she go through such things and not change? Astelle was about to open the box, but this time a maid working in this mansion came in. ¡°The gift has arrived for Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Gift? Who sent it?¡± Maybe Kaizen sent something again. Astelle left all the dresses and jewelry that Kaizen gave her as they were in Dentsu Castle. But the maid said apletely different name. ¡°It is a gift from Count Ecklen to Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Ecklen? Count of Ecklen? Why is he sending you a gift?¡± At the name of Ecklen, the duke suddenly became angry and asked. ¡®Do you have a bad rtionship with him?¡¯ Indeed, Count Ecklen was trusted by Kaizen and became the minister of the military. There¡¯s no way he¡¯ll be on good terms with her father, who lost his power while fighting against Kaizen. Even apart from that background, it didn¡¯t seem like the two of them would get along well because they werepletely different types. Astelle frowned at her father¡¯s sharp reaction. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I met him at the temple this morning, and I said I will leave tomorrow, so I guess he just sent me something as a favor.¡± The Duke of Reston thought for a moment, then asked again, ¡°Did he not say anything else?¡± ¡°What else can he say?¡± ¡®I refused him toe and he must have sent me a gift.¡¯ He was a very kind person. Even while Astelle was in Dentsu, she met his adopted son, Sir Seibel. He also treated Astelle kindly and politely. But the Duke of Reston did not think so simply. His pale green eyes¡ªjust like Astelle¡¯s, shone with a distinctive look. Astelle looked at her father and warned him. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re thinking, but I¡¯m leaving here tomorrow. I have nothing to do with the Count of Ecklen or anyone else.¡± ¡°If you need money, I¡¯ll give you more, so why not stay here for a while?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t need it. Father too, just stop and go home. I¡¯m busy packing my things from now on.¡± The anger in the eyes of the Duke of Reston rose because he was told to go away openly. But Astelle didn¡¯t care. ¡°Yes, go somewhere in the countryside and have a good life with that dying old man!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Because I am much happier than living here with my father.¡± The duke stared at Astelle, then spurred his seat and walked away. ¡®I don¡¯t want to see you again.¡¯ Astelle, who was left alone, opened the box containing the belongings of thete Empress Dowager. The first thing she saw was a picture frame. It was a picture of a pure white acacia flower that Astelle drew and gave as a gift. ¡®You still keep it.¡¯ I drew it when I was about 17 years old. It¡¯s not that great. The girls of noble families only studied art as a condition of being epted into society. They did not acquire professional skills like a court painter. The same goes for Astelle. But Empress Dowager liked this painting so much that she always hung it in her room. Astelle¡¯s paintings are delicate and beautiful, which she always praised. Astelle didn¡¯t know she still had it even after she left the capital. Astelle took out the painting and put it on the table. knock knock. When she turned her head to the sound of a knock from behind, a young man with silver hair was standing by the door. Astelle stood up in surprise. ¡°Sir Seibel?¡± It was Seibel whom she met at Dentsu¡¯s ball. He is the leader of the Lanberg Knights. And he is the son of Count Ecklen, whom she met this morning. Seibel greeted her politely. ¡°It is an honor to see you again, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°What did youe here for?¡± ¡°I came to deliver a gift at the order of my father.¡± ¡®Ah. It was Sir Seibel who brought the gift.¡¯ ¡°I thought you went north.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡­yes, I did.¡± Seibel smiled shyly as he touched the tip of his chin. ¡°The order suddenly changed in the middle and I came back to the capital again.¡± ¡°I see.¡± It seems that something happened. The gift Seibel brought was a book. It was a book of Eastern history, with a soft leather cover covered with gold leaf and small jewels embedded between the back and the cover. ¡°My father said he wanted to deliver this book to you as you returned to the East.¡± Astelle thought it was a pretty thoughtful gift. ¡®It seems that he knew the situation was difficult and wanted to help.¡¯ If the Count of Ecklen had sent money or jewels openly, she would have returned it without receiving it. You can¡¯t get jewels or gold from a nobleman you met for the first time today. However, if he sends a book like this, it will be ruder not to receive it. It¡¯s good to take it on a trip. The jewels on the cover of the book were small in size, but they were quite valuable. Astelle thought she could keep it as an emergency fund and sell it if needed. ¡°My adoptive father asked to deliver this gift to Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Please convey my thanks.¡± ¡°I¡¯m happy to have done my job.¡± Seibel smiled pleasantly. ¡®You¡¯re handsome.¡¯ Astelle admired inwardly. Evenpared to her brother, Fritz, he is more handsome. Seibel, who was about to go back with his head bowed, stopped when he saw the picture on the table. ¡°This is¡­¡­¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡­this is a picture I drew a long time ago.¡± ¡°Yeah, I knew that.¡± ¡°Did you know?¡± ¡®Did you know that I drew the temple¡¯s acacia and gave it to thete Empress Dowager?¡¯ Was it that famous? It was no secret that Astelle painted this picture for thete Empress Dowager, but it was also not a widely spread story that everyone knew. It wasn¡¯t even a great story to spread like that. Seibelughed and talked about what happened. ¡°About seven years ago, I was in charge of protecting the temple as a cadet for the Knights Temr.¡± He was a cadet candidate. Children of prestigious families do not go through such a process and are simply appointed as knights. ¡®It¡¯s because he doesn¡¯te from a prestigious family.¡¯ Count Ecklen is from a foreign country, so it must have been difficult for this adopted son to get into a good position. Seibel said in a calm voice as if recalling old memories, ¡°At that time, I saw Lady Astelle painting this picture in the temple.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡­is that so?¡± ¡®It is a strange rtionship.¡¯ At the time, Astelle was so focused on her paintings that she didn¡¯t even know who was watching her. The people of the Holy Knights roam the temple, so they might have seen her. She was going to say it was a strange rtionship, but the sound of footsteps approached through the door. ¡°Astelle.¡± Through the open door, the owner of the voice appeared. It was Kaizen. For a moment, Astelle almost did not recognize him. He has been wearing in clothes since the trip. But now, Kaizen wore a splendid court robe with gold thread embroidery on the cor and sleeves on a ck background. Chapter 66 Chapter 66 It was only natural for the Emperor to wear such clothes in the Imperial Pce. During the tour, he was wearing casual clothes like ordinary nobles. ¡°Greetings to the Emperor, the Lord of the Empire.¡± Kaizen strode towards the two of them, and looked at Seibel. ¡°Sir Seibel, what are you doing here?¡± ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Seibel answered politely, ¡°I havee to deliver a gift to Lady Astelle at the order of my father.¡± Kaizen seemed ufortable for some reason. His sharp eyes turned to Astelle. ¡°What is the gift?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a book.¡± She showed him the history book that was on the table. Kaizen frowned and chased Seibel away. ¡°Go back when your business is over.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Seibel came to Astelle. ¡°I hope to see you again next time, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Yes, see you.¡± After saying that, Seibel went out. There was a heavy silence in the room. Kaizen just looked at Astelle with displeased eyes as if he wasn¡¯t feeling well. ¡®Why didn¡¯t you say anything when you came looking for me?¡¯ ¡°Your Majesty, what have youe here for?¡± ¡°I did note to see you.¡± Kaizen said in an annoyed tone. ¡°I came to see Theor.¡± ¡°Theor?¡± What does Kaizen have to do with Theor? ¡°Where is he?¡± ¡°He is with my grandfather.¡± ¡°Call him.¡± He asked the maid to bring Theor. After a while, Theor ran to the library. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± As soon as Theor found Kaizen, he was delighted and ran to him. Kaizen lifted Theor and held him in his arms. ¡°How have you been?¡± ¡°I like the gift. There are silver soldiers.¡± It felt strange to see the two of them be so close. I feel anxious. ¡®It¡¯ll be fine.¡¯ Now, if I leave tomorrow, Theor and Kaizen will never meet again. ¡°I promised to take Theor to the theater beforehand but I couldn¡¯t because I didn¡¯t have time and he would be leaving tomorrow.¡± Astelle was surprised to hear what Kaizen said. When did you make that promise? As Theor looked disappointed, Kaizen pinched Theor¡¯s soft cheek. ¡°The fair is open today. Shall we go take a look there?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Wait, a fair?¡± Astelle shouted in surprise, and the two of them turned around just then. ¡°Well, since I promised to him, so I¡¯ll take him.¡± ¡°Your Majesty and Theor are going alone?¡± ¡°The escorts will follow us.¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not it¡­¡­¡± Well, when the emperor goes undercover in a fair, the guards guarding the emperor secretly follow him. However, it was like Kaizen and Theor were alone. Letting Theor to the fair alone with Kaizen¡­¡­no way. Astelle was forced to step forward. ¡°I¡¯m going too.¡± A smirk appeared on Kaizen¡¯s handsome face. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± How can I entrust my child to you? Kaizen was a capable emperor. But he never takes care of a child. He wasn¡¯t the kind of person who can take care of a five-year-old. She¡¯d rather leave Theor with Vellian than with Kaizen. Kaizen found it interesting that Astelle asked him to take her too. He said with a low smile, like a big benevolent, ¡°Well, if you want to follow us, do whatever you want.¡± ¡°Is Aunt Astelle going with us too?¡± Theor was so happy to hear that both of them were going. Astelle answered with a sigh, ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s go together.¡± So the three of them went to the fair together. *** The capital was a veryrge city. There were numerous densely popted areas in the east, west, north, and south, centering on the downtown area south of the Imperial Pce. The fair was held in the capital¡¯s grand park. The long marble walkway running through the center and the octagonal fountain square were the park¡¯s trademarks. The square, which creates beautiful and charming scenery, has always been clean and safe due to thorough management. But, there were way too many people. ¡°Theor, be careful, don¡¯t let go of my hand. Never.¡± Theor, who had never seen so many people, was too busy looking around. ¡°Wow.¡± When they rode the carriage across the center of the capital city, Theor didn¡¯t even look at Astelle because he was busy seeing a lot of people. ¡°Yeah, I won¡¯t let it go.¡± As he entered the crowd, Theor held Astelle¡¯s hand tightly. Theor looked around the east road of the square where many people came and went with a curious look. It was something he had never seen before. He rarely went out, so for him, everything was so amazing. He watched carefully at the people selling colorful goods. Kaizen, who followed the two from behind, murmured, ¡°There are so many people.¡± Astelle nced back at Kaizen, who was walking while crossing the crowd,taking care not to let his head touch themp hanging from the pole. As the situation changed rapidly, the great nobles fell, and a civil war broke out not long ago, but the capital was prospering more peacefully than before. It was all Kaizen¡¯s merit. ¡°Have you been here before?¡± (Kaizen) ¡°Yeah.¡± Kaizen seemed surprised to hear Astelle¡¯s answer. ¡°Why are you surprised?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know you like toe to a ce like this. In the past, it seemed that you would only live in a mansion. I don¡¯t think your father would allow you to go to a ce like this either.¡± Ladies of noble families don¡¯te to ces wheremoners hang out like this. Astelle muttered, avoiding his gaze. ¡°Well¡­¡­I didn¡¯te out with my father¡¯s permission.¡± There are many nobledies in the capital, but few of them have a father who will dly allow them to go to such a ce. ¡°I went out with Brother Fritz. Ah, Brother Sigmund too.¡± Come to think of it, Brother Fritz, like Kaizen, also grumbled while crossing the crowd. ¡°What makes this dusty market so much fun? I can¡¯t understand it at all.¡± (Fritz) Astelle just smiled bitterly. It was dusty and there were a lot of people, but I would like to see more when the opportunity arises. ¡®Because I thought once I entered the Imperial Pce, I wouldn¡¯t be able to go out at will.¡¯ Kaizen, who wasining, was surprised to see Astelle looking lonely. As he was about to say something more, Astelle suddenly pointed to a corner of the square. ¡°Theor, there¡¯s a puppet show. Shall we go take a look?¡± ¡°What is a puppet show?¡± ¡°A y with puppets.¡± At the word of the y, Theor was ready to run in that direction. ¡°I want to go see it!¡± Astelle went there with Theor. A small simple stage was set up in a corner of the square and a y was yed with puppets. In front of the stage, there are seats on the floor for people to sit and watch. Small children gathered together in front of the stage. Astelle chose a seat with a good view and sat Theor down. ¡°Sit quietly here and watch.¡± On the stage were a rabbit doll and a teddy bear hanging by a string. It was a story like a fairy tale because it was a performance for children. The conversation continued, going for a walk and eating delicious food. Theor sat down on the bench, and Astelle stood on the floor behind him and watched. Kaizen also came over and stood next to Astelle. While watching the y for a while, Kaizen next to her brought up another story. ¡°Have you met your father?¡± Astelle wondered if he was spying on her. After all, she was living in the mansion the emperor gave her, and she thought it would be known through the mouths of the servants. On the other hand, Astelle thought that Kaizen was not monitoring her, but rather her father, the Duke of Reston. ¡®How is the investigation of the assassination going on?¡¯ It must have been her father. What happens when the truth is revealed? Not only her father, but Fritz also couldn¡¯t be safe. Astelle herself could not be safe. Astelle answered as she hid her growing anxiety, ¡°Yes, I met my father.¡± ¡°What did your father say?¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t talk much. It was just about housework.¡± Kaizen frowned upon hearing Astelle¡¯s vague answer. When he heard that the Duke of Reston hade to see Astelle, he was not in a good mood. A few months ago, when Kaizen inquired about Astelle¡¯s whereabouts, Duke Reston said with tears in his eyes, ¡°My poor daughter left the mansion and disappeared as soon as the divorce trial was over. How heartbroken I am that the daughter I wholeheartedly raised has left the capital and disappeared¡­¡­¡± It was the image of a poor father who was heartbroken over the loss of his daughter, but he was ming Kaizen while pretending to be sad. Chapter 67 Chapter 67 ¡°I couldn¡¯t find her. Didn¡¯t you look for her?¡± At Kaizen¡¯s question, the duke shed tears again and pretended to be pitiful. ¡°I tried to find her, but I couldn¡¯t no matter how much I searched¡­¡­ I spent six years in agony because my poor daughter might have made an extreme choice.¡± Dramatically, at that moment, there was a report that Astelle¡¯s whereabouts had been found. ¡°Your daughter is in your father-inw¡¯s mansion.¡± Kaizenughed coldly as he read Astelle¡¯s whereabouts in the note given by one of the knights. ¡°Did you not know where your daughter is or where your father-inw lives?¡± The duke took off his sad mask in an instant and answered with a dissatisfied look on his face, ¡°¡­¡­It¡¯s been a long time since we cut ties.¡± Kaizen clicked his tongue as he recalled the memories of that time. ¡®That garbage man.¡¯ It was obvious that the duke was behind the assassination. But when it is revealed, the duke bes a traitor. Then Astelle would be stripped of her peerage and punished for being the daughter of a traitor. ¡®I can¡¯t do that.¡¯ I cannot kill the Duke of Reston as a traitor. Instead, Kaizen nned to secretly assassinate him. In the past, he had never thought about it. Only when a crime was charged and publicly executed could the duke¡¯s family be properly removed. But now there is Astelle. He cannot make Astelle as the daughter of a traitor and suffer humiliation. Instead of disclosing the duke¡¯s guilt and destroying the Reston family, he had to disguise it as an ident and get rid of him secretly. ¡®¡­¡­will she be okay? ¡® Even so, Kaizen still felt ufortable in a corner of his heart. Astelle from the past, as Kaizen remembers, was a good follower of her father, the Duke. She lost her mother when she was young and had only a father, so it was natural in a way. Although she was expelled by her family, she would still be sad if her biological father died. Thinking about it, he felt ufortable. ¡®Perhaps it is better for her to leave the capital until this work is over.¡¯ For now, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to send Astelle back to her countryside mansion. After the work is over, he can bring her back with a reason. If the duke dies, Astelle will receive the inheritance and return to the capital to see her brother be a duke. Kaizen did not give up on Astelle. He intended to bring Astelle back to him after he had finished the duke¡¯s work and removed all dangers. *** ¡°Theor.¡± Astelle approached Theor, who was still obsessed with the puppet show. Kaizen also strode along behind him. ¡°How long will you be here?¡± ¡°So much fun. I want to see more.¡± On the small stage, the rabbit and the bear were going for a walk again. ¡®I think they are doing the same thing again¡­¡­?¡¯ (Astelle) After one performance, it seems like they will do it again. Still, Theor stayed focused and watched the puppet show. His brightly focused face was cute. He has never seen a puppet show like this before. ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry or thirsty?¡± ¡°A little. I am a little thirsty.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll buy you something to drink. Wait here.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Astelle went to Kaizen. She couldn¡¯t call him Your Majesty so she mumbled and asked, ¡°Um¡­¡­can you watch over him, please?¡± ¡°Do not worry.¡± Astelle went out to the aisle of the square to buy some snacks. * Kaizen was watching Theor. After a while, a woman came over here with a basket full of cups. ¡°Freshly squeezed fruit juice. Please buy.¡± Normally, he would never buy anything from a ce like this, but today he was thirsty for some reason. Maybe because he was upset. Kaizen called out to the woman. ¡°How much does it cost?¡± ¡°One shilling per cup.¡± He handed the money to the woman and picked up two cups. It was a in juice mixed with severalmon fruits and mixed with water and a little sugar. After taking a sip, the rich fruity aroma and sweet and sour taste floated in his mouth. ¡®This must be a vor that children will love.¡¯ Kaizen drank from the cup and looked at Theor who still couldn¡¯t take his eyes off the stage. He handed Theor another cup. ¡°Come on, you said you¡¯re thirsty. Drink this while watching the y.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Theor took the cup with both hands and sipped the juice. He still did not take his eyes off the puppet show. He is really obsessed with it. Kaizen wondered if he would end up staying here until the fair was over. Still, he thought it was a good thing he brought Theor out because he liked it so much. Theor was still looking at the puppet show while drinking the juice as his eyes were shining brightly. ¡®Cute boy.¡¯ I¡¯ve never liked children in my life, but the more I look at this boy, the cuter he gets. Kaizen drank the fruit juice by Theor¡¯s side as he watched the puppet show nkly. A doll hanging by a string moves its limbs back and forth. Kaizen was looking at the stage when something tumbled at his feet. People standing around began to murmur. Theor was crouching on the floor, shaking his body. An empty juice cup was rolling next to him. Kaizen was startled and raised him. ¡°Theor!¡± Theor looked up at Kaizen with blurred eyes. The child¡¯s white forehead was wet with cold sweat. The focus from his blue eyes looking at Kaizen was gradually disappearing. *** Astelle was walking briskly through the crowd. She was on her way back from buying some snacks for Theor. In one hand she held a cup of milk with honey and vani, and in the other she held a small paper bowl filled with buttered and toasted round cookies and candied pickles. The surrounding area was full of people visiting the fair. Every time she took a step, she was hit by a person. ¡®I have to go back soon. He might be waiting.¡¯ I left Theor with Kaizen, still, I was not relieved. I get some snacks nearby and go back as soon as possible. I didn¡¯t buy a lot, but there were fruits that Theor loved, so it would be fine for a quick bite. Since we came out after dinner, this should be enough. It was when Astelle approached the corner of the square where the puppet show was while thinking like that. ¡°Astelle¡­¡­!¡± Kaizen suddenly appeared and faced Astelle with a pale face. ¡°Your Ma-¡± Astelle, who was startled and unintentionally called him by his title, saw Theor held by Kaizen and stopped. Theor had his eyes closed in Kaizen¡¯s arms. ¡°Theor?¡± At first nce, it looked like he was asleep, but as she got closer, she could see cold sweat dripping from his white face. Kaizen, who was holding Theor, spoke in an unfamiliar tone of dismay, ¡°Theor¡­¡­he had a fever and suddenly lost consciousness.¡± Astelle¡¯s hands lost strength and she lost what she was holding. The cups were scattered and the milk soaked the floor. The colorful pickles fell on the floor and rolled around. ¡°Theor¡­¡­!¡± Astelle put a hand on Theor¡¯s forehead. His forehead, wet with cold sweat, was like a ball of fire. His weak breaths continued with difficulty. ¡°I have the carriage ready. Let¡¯s go back to the mansion now.¡± Before Astelle could catch him, Kaizen headed for the carriage. Astelle hurriedly followed him. During the brief time the carriage returned to the mansion, Astelle felt like she was in hell. Theor did note to his senses until the three got on the carriage. Cold sweat dampened his pale forehead. Even though it was in a state of loss of consciousness, the corners of his eyes, which were closed powerlessly, trembled slightly. ¡°What happened?¡± It was only after the carriage moved that she was able toe to her senses. ¡°I bought Theor some fruit juice while you went to buy food. He copsed as soon as he drank it.¡± Kaizen looked at Astelle who had turned white and answered carefully. Anxiety was also in his red eyes. ¡°Fruit juice?¡± ¡°It was in juice. I drank it too.¡± Astelle wondered if there was any poison in it, but when she asked in, Kaizen said clearly. If it¡¯s just in fruit juice, why is Theor like this? Kaizenforted the confused Astelle. ¡°I told the guard to bring the cup, so we can check it out.¡± Even during that conversation, Theor was still fainting with his eyes closed. The sound of ragged breathing, which was hard because of the heat, continued faintly. At that moment, Astelle had something to point out. ¡°¡­¡­do you remember what kind of fruit juice it was?¡± Kaizen, who had been wiping the sweat from Theor¡¯s forehead with his hand, turned his gaze back to Astelle. A question appeared in his red eyes. ¡°¡­¡­I don¡¯t know. It seemed to be a mixture ofmon fruits.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Astelle struggled to hide her confusion. She never told Kaizen, but actually, Astelle herself had a peculiar constitution. She has an idiosyncratic constitution that suffers from a high fever when eating Lintail fruit. The Constitution here means a person¡¯s physical state with regard to vitality, health, and strength. Chapter 68 Chapter 68 There were not many people with such a constitution. Lintail is a fruitmonly used in the capital, so everyone enjoyed eating it. Astelle is the only person in her family with that constitution. In the past six years of living in the eastern countryside, Astelle hadn¡¯t seen Lintail fruit. Naturally, Theor had never eaten Lintail fruit since he was born. ¡®Maybe Theor also resembles my constitution¡­¡­?¡¯ Astelle thought about it, but she couldn¡¯t get it out of her mouth. It was a thought that should not be expressed in front of Kaizen. Because Theor is now Astelle¡¯s cousin¡¯s son. ¡®Maybe¡­¡­maybe not.¡¯ If not, it was a bigger problem. Because it meant he was sick. Astelle looked at Theor with confusion. Fortunately, the carriage came to a stop soon. When the three arrived at the mansion, the maids came out to greet them, but when they saw Theor, everyone stopped in shock. Hannah jumped out from among the maids who watched in surprise. ¡°Lady Astelle? Young Master Theor¡­¡­¡± ¡°Hannah, please prepare a wet towel. Theor has lost consciousness because of a severe fever.¡± At Astelle¡¯s urgent exnation, the mansion became as busy as if it had been bombed in an instant. Hannah brought a towel, and the other maids ran to call the doctor. Astelleid Theor down on the bed and wiped his forehead with the towel Hannah had brought. The heat was so intense, the cold wet towel on his forehead quickly became lukewarm. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± A doctor from the Imperial Pce came into the room. It was the doctor of the emperor whom she had met once when she fell sick with a fever during the tour. The doctor looked closely at Theor, frowned, and tilted his head. Then he asked Astellse, who was standing next to him with an anxious look. ¡°It¡¯s strange. It doesn¡¯t seem like a special disease. Did the Young Master eat anything special? Like a food he has never had before?¡± ¡°¡­¡­he ate fruit, but I don¡¯t know what kind of fruit it was.¡± Astelle answered without confidence and looked at Kaizen. Kaizen looked out the door. One of the guards who was waiting in front of the door came inside. ¡°What did you find?¡± ¡°The cup handle did not contain any poisonous ingredients. The vendor selling the drink was not suspicious at all. The ingredients are all three fruits.¡± The guard said the names of three fruits. All three weremon fruits found in the capital. One of them was the Lintail in question, which can only be eaten in the capital. The doctor asked Astelle again, who was silently listening to the guard¡¯s exnation. ¡°Is there any fruit that Young Master has never eaten? Does he have a sensitive reaction?¡± ¡°Yes, there is.¡± Astelle came to her senses and answered calmly, ¡°Lintail¡­¡­he has never eaten it before. Maybe that¡¯s why.¡± The doctor nodded, then he asked a question again, ¡°Is there anyone in your family who is sensitive to Lintail? Most people who are sensitive to certain foods have a family history.¡± A family history. As soon as she heard those words, her body stiffened. Astelle could note up with the answer. A calm voice from the side took the ce of her answer. ¡°Come to think of it, my wife must have been like that.¡± When she turned her head, she saw the Marquis of Carlenberg who had been at the bedside to see Theor. After that, he did not look at Astelle and was answering in a low-pitched, indifferent voice. ¡°But that¡¯s weird. My children were not like that, nor was my dead grandson.¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not strange. Gic diseases often skip generations.¡± Hearing those words, the doctor shrugged it off lightly. ¡®¡­¡­¡¯ Astelle¡¯s maternal grandmother did not have such a constitution. Astelle knew it, but she didn¡¯t say anything and fixed her eyes on Theor. She could understand why her grandfather would lie about her maternal grandmother. Her maternal grandmother, the Marchioness of Carlenberg, had long since passed away. No one remembered the details about her. But if it was her cousin Sigmund, or her uncle, there might still be some people in the capital close to them. ¡°Take this antipyretic and he¡¯ll be fine.¡± The doctor took out a small vial from the bag he was carrying. ¡°If the fever goes down, there won¡¯t be any problems, but he is still young, so he should rest for at least two weeks so that no side effects remain.¡± ¡°Yes, thank you.¡± Astelle lifted Theor up carefully, supported his head, and poured the medicine into his mouth little by little with a spoon. Theor was still unconscious and slowly drank the medicine Astelle gave him. Astelle put Theor back on the bed. The heat is still high. A warm hand rested on her shoulder. Her maternal grandfather, the Marquis, looked down at Astelle and patted her on the shoulder to reassure her. Astelle also took his grandfather¡¯s hand. Kaizen was watching all this silently. *** The antipyretic that the doctor gave worked well. An hour or two after taking the medicine, the fever started to go down. The high fever that had been boiling over gradually subsided, and theplexion that had turned white gradually regained its color. ¡°You¡¯re fine. You will wake up soon.¡± Astelle raised her hand and gently stroked Theor¡¯s hair. His fine ck hair was wrapped around her fingers. Theor¡¯s condition was getting better and better. Now the fever is almost gone and only a slight fever remains. Even the sound of his breathing that had been difficult could be heardfortably. Fortunately, the fever went down and it doesn¡¯t seem to be bothering him anymore. ¡°Ummm¡­¡­¡± After a while, Theor, who was lying on a cozy nket, slowly opened her eyes. ¡°Theor? Are you okay?¡± Blue eyes appeared between the eyelids. Theor turned to Astelle and the people around him and slowly moved his head up and down. ¡°Huh¡­¡­I¡¯m fine.¡± Astelle hugged Theor. Kaizen walked over to the bed. The dog lying by the bed recognized him and wagged its tail. ¡°Theor.¡± ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡­?¡± Theor looked up at him with a somber gaze. Kaizen gave Theor a mixed gaze. He told Astelle instead. ¡°I don¡¯t think this ce is suitable for a patient because it is too small. It would be better to move him to arger bedroom.¡± It is a guest room, not a room used by the owner¡¯s family of the mansion. It was also a small bedroom upstairs reserved for low-ranking guests. It was Theor who chose this room. The reason was that the branches of the garden tree were close enough to touch through the window, and the scenery of the capital in the distance could be seen at a nce. Theor insisted on sleeping here with Blynn. He was only going to sleep for a day or two anyway, so at that time Astelle allowed him to do whatever he wanted. Although it is a small guest room, it has everything you need and it was nicely decorated. However, it was a bit inconvenient because the room was too small for several people to enter. Doctors and maids would keeping and going, so it was nice to stay in a spacious andfortable room. For the patient, a well-ventted room would be better. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your consideration.¡± Kaizen looked at Theor lying on the bed for a moment, then turned and walked out. Astelle got up from her seat and tried to see him off, but a firm voice interrupted her. ¡°No need.¡± He said so and went out. * After Kaizen returned, the maids immediately started decorating Theor¡¯s new bedroom in the spacious room on the second floor. The maids moved Theor¡¯s luggage and brought a new nket. Theory in his new bed. Blynn, who followed Theor, was also lying on the bed with its front feet crossed. Astelle, who was watching everything, came to her maternal grandfather, the Marquis. ¡°Sweetheart, you should rest too.¡± Astelle closed her eyes as she heard her grandfather¡¯s worried voice. Her heart seemed to burst with regrets and remorse. ¡°I didn¡¯t know Theor would have a constitution like me.¡± Among her family, Astelle was the only one who was sensitive to Lintail fruit. Neither her father, her brother nor her mother had such a constitution. Theor has never had a sensitive reaction to a specific food or object. So she thought he was fine. However, such an idea was the problem. While Astelle was ming herself in her heart, a warm warmth enveloped her body. The marquis hugged her softly andforted her. ¡°It was unavoidable. You didn¡¯t know either.¡± ¡°Hah¡­¡­¡± Had I known in advance, I would have never taken him to a ce like a fair. There was no use in looking back and regretting what had already happened. Astelle sighed as she rested her head in her grandfather¡¯s arms. ¡°Still, aren¡¯t you d that Theor is safe?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± She was very fortunate to see Theor being treated well without any major problems. Theor slept soundly on the freshly made, clean bed. Astell carefully wiped Theor¡¯s forehead with a wet towel. In doing so, sheter realized the serious reality. She now had to stay in the capital for two more weeks. *** Chapter 69 Chapter 69 Vellian put on his coat and walked out the door of the office and sighed as he looked at the night sky through the window. It was a gloomy night full of gloomy clouds over the indigo blue sky. Vellian prepared to return to the mansion, rubbing his tired shoulders. He was tired and not getting enough sleep, so he had a sore throat. ¡®Gosh.¡¯ He had been working overtime for four days, and he might have to work all night tomorrow as well. That alone was terrifying, but what was even more worrisome was the fact that Astelle was leaving for the East tomorrow. ¡®If Lady Astelle leaves, His Majesty will be in a bad mood again.¡¯ The appearance of the emperor who was only working with an unpleasant expression suddenly appeared in his mind. Vellian let out a sigh. ¡®Oh, I really don¡¯t want to go to work tomorrow.¡¯ It was when he walked down the hallway. Suddenly, a servant appeared from the other side. For some reason, the emperor was there too. ¡°Your Majesty?¡± ¡°Vellian.¡± Kaizen found him and stopped. He was confused. From the moment he came out of Astelle¡¯s mansion he was confused. He couldn¡¯t help but be confused. The little boy copsed because of the drink he gave him. That alone was confusing enough, but Kaizen felt even more confused in the meantime. It is because what happened today was in contact with the memories of the past that had been forgotten. ¡®Obviously, this happened.¡¯ Astelle didn¡¯t seem to remember, but Kaizen had experienced something simr before. One summer day when he was about twelve years old. That day Astelle came to y at the Imperial Pce. As always, twelve-year-old Astelle in a gorgeous dress and draped jewels followed Kaizen. ¡°Your Highness, where are you going?¡± ¡°Just for a walk.¡± Astelle smiled brightly and walked over to Kaizen. ¡°Then let¡¯s go to the garden.¡± The two walked along the garden path. Servants and nobles passing by found them and greeted them respectfully. Some people smiled slightly after bowing their heads. As if a twelve-year-old princess chasing after a twelve-year-old young prince was cute. But Kaizen was too bothered by Astelle chasing after him. Reluctantly, he headed to Empress Dowager¡¯s pce to leave Astelle. Because Empress Dowager likes Astelle so much that when she finds Astell, she grabs her and doesn¡¯t let her go. Well, he had left Astelle to the Empress Dowager several times before. However, it failed today. ¡°The Empress Dowager went to the temple. She told me to serve refreshments for the two of you when youe.¡± These were the words of the handmaiden of the Empress Dowager. The handmaiden of the Empress Dowager took care of that young couple as if they were cute and brought tea, cookies, small cakes, and tarts to them. Kaizen sat down with Astelle on the terrace of the Empress Dowager Pce without being able to run away. Annoyed, Kaizen drank only the cool iced tea. Astelle ate the strawberry cake, carefully cut with a fork. Kaizen took a piece of the tart. It was a colorful tart topped with various fruits. He ate one piece, and it was sour and tasteless. His bad mood is getting worse. On the other side, Astelle was still eating the cake very carefully lest she would smear the cake on her dress. It was not eating cake, but a polite gesture as if holding a ritual. Kaizen thought. Pointing to the sour tart, Kaizen said, ¡°Astelle, you should try this too.¡± It doesn¡¯t taste good, so you should try it too. What a stupid act. Astelle, whose cheeks were flushed red, didn¡¯t know Kaizen¡¯s inner feelings. She seemed to think that Kaizen took care of her. Astelle obediently took a piece of tart to her te. But she put it down on the te and didn¡¯t eat it, she just watched carefully. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Astelle raised her head in surprise. ¡°I was checking what fruit was in it.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Kaizen looked at the tart btedly. It was just a colorful tart by adding all kinds of fruits. There were peeled grapes, apples, and plums. He doesn¡¯t know what it is, but it seemed that the small pieces of fruit were mixed inside as well. Astelle bit her lower lip slightly. It seemed awkward to say, but Kaizen had no intention of being considerate of Astelle. ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± Astele hesitated and finally answered, ¡°Just¡­¡­I¡¯m afraid there are some fruits I don¡¯t like.¡± It was a pathetic answer. It¡¯s not like fish or vegetables that have a strange texture, but fresh fruits. Kaizen himself hated eating some vegetables at that time, but Astelle¡¯s words of not liking certain fruits sounded pathetic. After all, you are a picky princess. ¡°Just eat it. Because it is delicious,¡± Kaizen insisted. Astelle hated it, so he wanted to force her to eat it. ¡°Yes??, yes, Your Highness.¡± Astelle thought he was angry and hurriedly lifted the fork. And she ate more than half of the tart in an instant. Kaizen lost interest and looked out the window. In the garden, fresh blue leaves are spread out like a dense forest. He drank iced tea while watching the cool sight. A gasping voice could be heard from the side. ¡°Your Highness¡­¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± It was when Kaizen looked back indifferently. Astelle, who was sitting on the chair, copsed to the floor. Then the maids came in, the doctor was called in, and a mess ensued. Astelle lost consciousness due to a sudden high fever. After a while, the duke sent a servant and a carriage to take Astelle. Kaizen couldn¡¯t understand why Astelle suddenly had a fever and copsed. The next day, the Duke of Reston exined the reason to the worried emperor and empress dowager. He said, ¡°It was just a sudden fever, Your Majesty.¡± The Duke exined so. It is said that Astelle suddenly fell sick with a fever. The emperor and the empress dowager did not doubt his words. Kaizen thought it was a bit odd, but he didn¡¯t pay much attention to it. After all, after about a week, Astelle returned to the Imperial Pce with her usual face again. And after that, Astelle¡¯s fever never rises again. *** Now, Kaizen who became emperor was thinking about the events of that day. At that time, it had passed insignificantly. If it hadn¡¯t happened that day, he wouldn¡¯t have remembered it for the rest of his life. The sight of Theor drinking from fruit juice and copsing from a fever brought back memories of the past. Kaizen remembered the memories of that day and realized themter. The tart that Astelle ate at the time. That tart had a Lintail fruit too. It felt like his head was fading white. ¡°I have something to find out quickly.¡± Kaizen turned to Vellian and ordered. Something that has been on his mind since the night of the fair a while ago. ¡°Investigate Theor¡¯s birth secretly.¡± *** Astelle spent the night with Theor. While taking care of Theor, she had to watch if the fever rise up. The doctor said that Theor had taken antipyretics and that it wouldn¡¯t get any worse, but Theor was only five years old. In any case, there was a good chance that something went wrong. After taking care of Theor all night, Astelle fell asleep for a while, and then she woke up. The white dawn light was seeping through the curtains. As Astelle opened her eyes and turned around, she felt something unfamiliar. When she came to her senses, she saw a warm nket covering her shoulders. ¡°Lady Astelle.¡± Hannah was with her. ¡°Hannah, are you awake already?¡± It was still dawn, but Hannah was perfectly dressed in her maid¡¯s uniform. Astelle realized that Hannah had spent all night as she watched the two of them. ¡°Lady Astelle, we prepared hot tea and soup. Please eat some.¡± Hannah ced a tray of teapots and soup bowls on the table by the window. ¡°Thanks.¡± Astelle got up from her seat. As she walked to the table, Hannah and her eyes met. Hannah¡¯s eyes looking at Astelle were deep and dark. She suddenly remembered Hannah, who had kept her mouth shut sincest night. Astelle realizedter. There were four people who knew Astelle¡¯s constitution. Her father, older brother, maternal grandfather¡ªthe marquis, and¡­¡­ ¡­¡­Hannah, who has been her maid of honor since her childhood. Hannah calmly bowed down to Astelle with eyes like the sea of ??unknown depth. ¡°I will not ask any questions until Lady Astelle tells me.¡± ¡°Hannah¡­¡­¡± Astelle was speechless. ¡®Can I tell Hannah?¡¯ It was Astelle herself who knew the best answer to her question. For her, Hannah was the most reliable person in the world. Like her maternal grandfather, she was like her family to Astelle. ¡°I can¡¯t hide it anymore. Hannah, it¡¯s like what you think.¡± As she might have already guessed, Astelle gave her the answer, and Hannah¡¯s calm brown eyes shook. Chapter 70 Chapter 70 Her eyes, which had been trembling in shock, gradually blurred with sadness. Hannah shook her head, covering her mouth with her hands to keep from making a sound. Tears fell to the floor. ¡°Hannah, don¡¯t cry.¡± Astelle wrapped her arms around Hannah¡¯s shoulders. The tears continued to flow from Hannah¡¯s cheeks until they touched Astelle¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Lady Astelle¡­¡­the fact that I wasn¡¯t by your side when you needed me the most¡­¡­ I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡­¡± The two hugged each other and shared warmth in the quiet bedroom where the dawn light permeated. Hannah did not ask who the father was. Hannah had seen Astelle who passionately loved Kaizen up close. She also saw her deposed and left after getting married and spent her first night. After that, what happened to her? She did not ask who the child¡¯s father was and where he was now. Astelle decided to just tell the truth. She no longer had to lie to Hannah. No, she didn¡¯t want to lie to Hannah anymore. ¡°He is the emperor¡¯s son.¡± She whispered quietly into Hannah¡¯s ear. ¡°Theor is His Majesty¡¯s son. I changed his eye color with a potion. You have to hide his identity. If it is discovered that he is the prince, Theor will be in danger.¡± We must hide this secret until we return home, until we are safe. There was no need to borate further. With Astelle¡¯s brief exnation, Hannah will be able to understand what happened before and after. Hannah stopped crying and lifted her head. She swore to Astelle, wiping her damp cheeks. ¡°I will help you, even at the cost of my life.¡± *** Fortunately, Theor was refreshed in the morning. ¡°Blynn!¡± As Theor got up, a dog lying under the bed ran up to the boy and licked his cheek. Theor grinned and hugged Blynn. ¡°Theor, are you okay now?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Theor patted Blynn¡¯s fur and looked up at Astelle. ¡°I¡¯m hungry.¡± Astelle smiled relievedly. Hannah, who was watching, also smiled. Theor¡¯splexion has improved and he has regained his vitality. The doctor who came early in the morning also examined Theor and gave a definite answer. ¡°You¡¯ve recovered quickly. The young master appears to have been born with a very healthy constitution.¡± Hannah brought a thinly fried potato pancake and hot soup for Theor. After Theor had fully recovered, he emptied the food Hannah had brought. Astelle walked out of the bedroom after watching Theor eat breakfast. Astelle went into the study with her grandfather and said, ¡°We must leave as soon as Theor recovers.¡± After her maternal grandfather came to the bedroom to see the little Theor, he entered the study with Astelle. ¡°Is he all right?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll have to see him recover, but I don¡¯t think there will be any problems at this rate.¡± Theor was originally healthy, so if there are no special problems, he will recover smoothly. It was fortunate that Theor was unharmed, but Astelle was still uneasy. ¡®We have to leave quickly before something unexpected happens again.¡¯ Until yesterday, she thought she would be leaving the capital and going back to the Eastern countryside. But, Theor fell sick one night and the schedule was postponed. Luckily he¡¯s better now. We should leave quickly when the opportunity arises. Astelle thought. This time, she was going to leave without telling Kaizen in advance. ¡®I have already received permission, so I can just leave.¡¯ I didn¡¯t want to get caught in another unexpected ident. Astelle spent the morning doing those calctions. But towards the afternoon, a loud noise was heard from the front door. She went downstairs and saw the attendanting in with arge box. After that, a man and a woman who looked likemoners followed with another box. Astelle called for Hannah, who was standing by the front door. ¡°Hannah, what is this?¡± ¡°Lady Astelle¡­¡­¡± Before Hannah could exin, the maid carrying the box greeted Astelle. ¡°Lady Astelle, His Majesty the Emperor has sent a gift.¡± The man and woman standing behind him also bowed deeply to Astelle. ¡°Who are these people? ¡± ¡°They are a couple who used to y puppet show at the market.¡± ¡°Puppet show?¡± Astelle suddenly remembered the puppet show she saw at the fairst night. It was a y in which a doll was hung by a string that moved in a box. Theor couldn¡¯t take his eyes off that puppet show. The man and woman who received Astelle¡¯s gaze came with a box and spoke quickly. ¡°I was ordered to entertain the young master.¡± The servant took them to the bedroom where Theor was. The box that the servant brought with him was full of toys. Cotton dolls and balls, small human dolls, and borately made castles, carriages, and cannons. As expected, Theor was very fond of it. ¡°Are they really doing a puppet show here?¡± (Theor) ¡°Yes, His Majesty has ordered it.¡± Astelle answered as she suppressed her slightlyplicated feelings. Theor smiled brightly as he held a ball woven from a gold thread from the box. ¡°His Majesty is really kind.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Meanwhile, the puppeteer man and womanid out the y box in front of the bed and started the puppet show. Theor looked at the stage as if possessed. Astelle looked at Theor, who looked happy, with a bitter look. *** Florin went to the bedroom of her mother, the Marchioness. The boudoir attached to the bedroom was used as a private space by the Marchioness. Inside the room were her mother and Naen, the youngest of her sisters. While Florin was as pretty as a doll, Naen¡¯s plump, round face didn¡¯t have many pretty corners. Naen wore a drab gray wool dress with her dark brown hair roughly tied up. Because of her outfit, she looked more like a nun than ady of a noble family. There was a frameset on the table. ¡®Come to think of it, it¡¯s time for embroidery.¡¯ The noblewomen chatted over the afternoon when there was nothing to do. However, the Marchioness did not even think about it because she was busyining to her youngest daughter. She said, ¡°I¡¯m so pissed off¡­¡­¡± ¡®She has said it a million times.¡¯ Florin sat down feeling fed up. ¡°Mother, don¡¯t cry.¡± Poor Naen was busy trying tofort her mother. She had no special talents. With her ugly appearance, her main role was to be a puppeteer and constion to her mother, the Marchioness. ¡°I get pissed off when I think about what she did to me and I can¡¯t sleep.¡± The Marchioness who was wearing a green damask dress was twirling her beautiful blonde hair. She had three daughters, but she always looked younger than her age. ¡°His Majesty doesn¡¯t even care about any women, but he brought that woman to the capital, gave her a mansion, and visited her often.¡± ¡°She was the wife of His Majesty, Mother.¡± Florin said bluntly, inserting the embroidery needle. ¡°It is not unusual for His Majesty to visit her. She made it easy for him to finish the southern estate work.¡± The Marchioness opened her eyes. She looked like she wanted to yell at Florin, but she just kept her mouth shut. ¡°Mother¡­¡­don¡¯t be too mad. Lady Astelle is leaving soon.¡± (Naen) ¡°They said she should have left earlier, but she didn¡¯t. When the dayes to leave, I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t leave again for other reasons.¡± (The Marchioness) ¡°There was no choice this time. Her nephew was sick.¡± (Naen) ¡°Was he sick?¡± (Florin) Florin raised her head at those words. The Marchioness, ignoring her second daughter, shouted angrily again. ¡°I mean, that little boy got sick from eating some kind of fruit. Is it Lintail fruit? Why did he get sick from eating amon thing.¡± She clicked her tongue. ¡°It must be because that brat is so weak, surely he won¡¯t live long,¡± the Marchioness continued. Florin lost her words at the sight of her mother pouring a curse to a five-year-old, then she framed the embroidery again. Florin, lost in her thoughts while embroidering, stopped and asked her mother, ¡°What did he eat?¡± ¡°It¡¯s called Lintail. It¡¯s just amon fruit,¡± the Marchioness replied with a sneer. She had bribed a maid to spy on Astelle¡¯s mansion. So she knew perfectly well what was going on inside. Again, the bad words about Astelle continued. But Florin had other ideas. She had seen Astelle separating the Lintail fruit on a cake at the tea party she had previously attended with her mother. *** The two days passed smoothly. Theor seemed to have fully recovered now. He rolled over on the nket of the bed, ying with the teddy bear, and as soon as he saw Astelle, he ran into her arms. Theor clung to Astelle¡¯s arms as she patted his face. ¡°I want to go out and y!¡± Astelle hugged him tenderly and patted him on the back. ¡°Not yet. The doctor told you to stay in the bedroom for five days.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡­¡± Chapter 71 Chapter 71 Theor rested his face ??on the pillow. Fortunately, Theor had no time to be bored. This is because the toys sent by Kaizen were piled up like a mountain in the bedroom, and people who perform puppet shows came to visit him every day. Theor watched the repeated puppet show with enthusiasm. He couldn¡¯t go out to the garden yet, but during the day he roamed the bedroom and yed with toys. Seeing him y vigorously, his body seems to have recoveredpletely. ¡°Grandpa, what are you doing here?¡± After going to Hannah for a while and preparing Theor¡¯s lunch, Astelle went upstairs and saw the marquising downstairs. ¡°Hey.¡± After going down the stairs, the marquis found Astelle and quickly approached her. He said with a frown on his face, ¡°I was looking for you. Your brother is here.¡± ¡°Brother Fritz?¡± It was an unexpected visitor. ¡®Brother Fritz hasn¡¯t contacted me since he came here on the first day.¡¯ A look of dissatisfaction crossed the eyes of the marquis. ¡°Yes. He said he came to see you.¡± When he first came to the mansion, Fritz also apologized to his maternal grandfather, the marquis, and asked for forgiveness. The marquis looked displeased, but he didn¡¯t say anything when he saw Astelle staying still. Astelle asked, ¡°What did you say about Theor?¡± ¡°I said he had a cold.¡± ¡°¡­¡­well done.¡± Of course, Fritz knows Astelle¡¯s constitution. If he knows the detailed circumstances of this matter, he will notice Theor¡¯s birth. Astelle walked nervously towards Theor¡¯s bedroom. It was when she reached the bedroom door. Theor¡¯sughter could be heard through the half-open door. ¡°So this knight holds a sword¡­¡­¡± Fritz¡¯s voice could also be heard. The scenery in the bedroom could be seen through the half-open door. Theor reclined on the bed and Fritz kneeled beside it and talked with two puppets. As Fritz moved the puppets in his hands, Theor burst intoughter. Astelle looked at the scene and opened the door. Theor, who was immersed in the puppet show, saw Astelle and shouted, ¡°Aunt Astelle!¡± Fritz also put the puppets down and got up. ¡°Astelle.¡± ¡°Brother, what are you doing here?¡± ¡°I was ying with Theor because he likes puppet shows.¡± As he said, puppets and small toys were scattered on the bed. Theor grabbed the puppet and approached Astelle. ¡°Uncle Fritz did a puppet show! It¡¯s called ¡®The Knight and the Bear¡¯! Do you know this story, Aunt Astelle?¡± ¡°Yes, I know it.¡± Astelle turned to Fritz. ¡°We watched it together when we were young.¡± ¡°Do you remember?¡± Fritz looked a little touched. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Conversing with my brother made me feel somewhatfortable even after seeing each other again after a long time. Is it because we are blood rtives? It¡¯s probably because of the affection umted while growing up together rather than blood ties. In terms of blood ties, I should have been closer to my father, but I wasn¡¯tfortable with him and didn¡¯t have any affection for him at all. ¡°What did youe here for?¡± Even so, I had no intention of sharing the affection with my brother now. ¡°I heard that you couldn¡¯t leave the capital because Theor was sick. I¡¯m worried about how he¡¯s doing¡­¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he is doing well.¡± Astelle cut off her brother¡¯s words in a calm tone. With Theor next to her, she couldn¡¯t get angry or show a cold reaction. Without losing a friendly smile to the end, she politely said, ¡°Now I have to eat lunch with Theor. Can you pleasee back?¡± Astelle struggled to ignore the sad, pale green eyes that looked at her. A deep sense of loss was revealed on Fritz¡¯s handsome face. It wasn¡¯t that she wanted to hurt her brother because she was resentful. But she was worried that her brother would see Theor for a long time. Because they are close blood rtives, she was afraid that he would notice something even a little. Theor asked, clutching Fritz¡¯s sleeve, ¡°Uncle Fritz, do you have to go?¡± Fritz¡¯s perplexed gaze turned to Theor. Astelle said, soothing Theor, ¡°Theor, we should eat lunch and take some medicine. Let¡¯s y again after we¡¯re done.¡± ¡°Astelle, I have something to talk about for a moment. Could you give me some time?¡± Fritz intervened between the two of them and begged her earnestly. ¡®What else happened?¡¯ I felt uneasy. If my brother begged like that, maybe he would have said something important to me. Or maybe it was about our father, the Duke of Reston. It wasn¡¯t something she could refuse to listen to. Astelle nced at Theor and said, ¡°Wait a moment.¡± The two moved into the next room, leaving Theor behind. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Astelle.¡± Fritz came closer to her. His eyes shook anxiously. ¡°Astelle, I am your brother.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t call me to say that, right?¡± ¡°Theor¡­¡­¡± His anxious, trembling voice stopped for a moment. Now, an ominous feeling filled Astelle¡¯s heart as well. ¡°If there is anything I can do to help you with Theor, please let me know.¡± ¡°There is nothing you can do.¡± Now, her own voice trembled as the thin thread before it was cut off. Fritz came one step closer to her. ¡°You¡­¡­don¡¯t you need my help?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Fritz noticed it. About Theor¡¯s Birth. ¡®How did you find out? Because of the fruit?¡¯ No way. When he first saw Theor, Astelle remembered Fritz standing still and looking at him. Astelle realizedter. That her brother must have been suspicious of Theor¡¯s birth from the beginning. ¡°Brother¡­¡­ I¡­¡­¡± Astelle couldn¡¯t continue her words because she felt suffocated. Fritz grabbed her hand. ¡°Astelle, I will help you. Trust this brother of yours.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± What should I say? I don¡¯t need your help? ¡®How much do you know?¡¯ Did you only find out that Theor is my son? Or did you notice that he is Kaizen¡¯s son? Astelle wanted to know for sure first. Her decision will be different depending on which of the two. ¡°Brother, I¡­¡­¡± But before Astelle could say anything, a sharp voice intervened between the two. ¡°Astelle.¡± The two siblings hurriedly turned their eyes. Kaizen was standing at the door. *** Kaizen walked towards the two siblings. I felt as if my heart was being trampled on by his steps. I felt like I was out of breath. Did you hear what I just said? If so, what did you think when you heard it? Kaizen stopped about a step away. The cold eyes looking at Astelle went down a little further. His gaze stopped on Fritz¡¯s hand that was holding Astelle¡¯s wrist. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Fritz looked at Astelle in bewilderment. Astelle replied indifferently without panicking. In a voice that is not at all different from usual, without shaking, ¡°We were talking about our mother¡¯s ball.¡± ¡°Your mother¡¯s ball?¡± ¡°Yes, my mother hosted a charity ball at this time every year. It is our family tradition, so I was discussing it with my brother.¡± Astelle finished answering and calmly looked down. I don¡¯t know why I remembered it at this moment. Perhaps when I danced with Kaizen at the ball at Dentsu Castle left a deep impression on me. Seeing that the moment I thought of an excuse while looking at Kaizen¡¯s face, I thought of a ball. Fritz puts Astelle¡¯s wrist down and bows to Kaizen. ¡°Yes, I said I was going to help my sister¡­¡­ There was a difference of opinion, so we talked for a while.¡± ¡®Will you believe us?¡¯ Astelle forcibly calmed her nervously trembling heart. Fortunately, Kaizen didn¡¯t seem suspicious. ¡°I see.¡± A faint smile appeared on his lips. ¡°That¡¯s a really good thing. I didn¡¯t know there was such a tradition. Why are you fighting when you are discussing such a good thing? The siblings should cooperate together.¡± Fritz¡¯s nced at Astelle. ¡®I think it went well.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty. It¡¯s because I¡¯m not good enough as a brother.¡± Kaizen turned to Astelle who was standing without a word. ¡°How about Theor?¡± ¡°Thanks to Your Majesty, his condition has improved a lot.¡± Astelle smiled as usual. ¡°Thank you for all the puppet shows and toys you sent him. Theor liked it a lot.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± A satisfied smile appeared on Kaizen¡¯s face. Chapter 72 Chapter 72 Kaizen was showing a friendly smile, but his red eyes looking at Astelle were as cold as ice. He said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ll help you with the ball.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Astelle looked up in surprise. Kaizen, not losing his smile, looked at her and said, ¡°Two siblings fighting over such a good thing. I have a good idea. Let the ball of thete Duchess be held in the imperial pce. So you two don¡¯t have to worry too much.¡± The siblings exchanged nces hastily. Fritz said in a polite tone, ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty, but this is our family tradition¡ª¡± ¡°If it¡¯s all about a charity party, wouldn¡¯t it be better to be held more grandly in the imperial pce?¡± Kaizen nced back at Astelle and added, ¡°Besides, you can¡¯t even discuss the ball because of Theor, so it¡¯s okay to do it in the imperial pce.¡± ¡°Your Majesty, I¡­¡­¡± As Astelle tried to refuse, Kaizen turned to her. Astelle was speechless by his cold gaze. Kaizen red at her and gave her a gentle smile. ¡°You¡¯d better attend. It¡¯s okay to take Theor along too.¡± Astelle said nothing. *** As soon as Kaizen returned, Astelle ran to the garden. She found her grandfather, the Marquis of Carlenberg, who was walking in the garden. ¡°Do you know how to sneak out of the capital?¡± ¡°What are you talking about all of a sudden? Why¡­¡­?¡± After taking a walk while looking around the garden, the marquis was surprised to see the pale Astelle. Only after seeing her grandfather¡¯s reaction did Astelle realize that she was shaking and her face must be pale. ¡°Follow me this way.¡± After that, the marquis took Astelle¡¯s hand and headed towards the end of the garden. There was a small gazebo at the end of the garden. Usually ced in the garden of arge mansion, the gazebo was a splendid ce adorned with borate gold ornaments. The gazebo in this mansion was as beautiful as other gazebos. However, there was one singrity that was not found in other gardens. It was that water flowed all day on one side of the gazebo. An endless stream of water fell down from the eaves of the dome. The water flowed non-stop all day long. As if one side of the gazebo was covered with a transparent wall. It was a mysterious form, but in reality, it was just a water supply connected to the top of the roof so that it could flow down. The marquis took Astelle there. As soon as she entered the gazebo, Astelle noticed why her grandfather had brought her here. ¡®The sound of water¡­¡­¡¯ Upon entering the gazebo, she felt as if she had entered a waterfall. The sound of flowing water interrupted the surrounding sound. No one could hear what the two of them were saying outside. As soon as she stepped inside, Astelle brought up the subject, ¡°I think the emperor has noticed something.¡± The Marquis was also shocked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°He came to a little while ago.¡± Astelle remembered the meeting with Kaizen that had just happened. ¡°You¡¯d better attend. It¡¯s okay to take Theor along too.¡± It was not a strange word. But those eyes¡­¡­ Ferocious red eyes that looked like they were looking at their prey. Astelle barely regained herposure and tried to ask Kaizen. ¡°Your Majesty, why Theor¡­¡­¡± Kaizen replied coldly, ¡°Don¡¯t you know what that means?¡± ¡°¡­..¡± ¡°The ball will be held in the imperial pce. I order you to prepare. On that day, you must also attend.¡± After saying those words, Kaizen went out. He then met Theor in the next room. Theor smiled and said something, but Astelle heard nothing. ¡°How did he know? Does the emperor know your constitution?¡± After hearing Astelle¡¯s exnation, the marquis asked nervously. ¡°I don¡¯t know either. I never told him¡­¡­¡± Her father, the duke, had kept it a secret, fearing that Astelle¡¯s engagement with the Crown Prince would be in trouble if he found out that she had an unusual constitution. None of the maids knew except Hannah. She told the other maids that she just didn¡¯t like the Lintail fruit. No one thought it was strange. ¡°Then did he notice everything? That he is his son?¡± ¡°¡­¡­I don¡¯t know.¡± Astelle wasn¡¯t sure either. Did he only know that Theor was Astelle¡¯s son? Or maybe he knew everything? ¡°Maybe he doesn¡¯t know that he is his son¡­¡­¡± After Kaizen returned, Fritzforted Astelle with worried eyes. And then he said, ¡°Astelle¡­¡­ it seems His Majesty was angry to know that you have given birth to another man¡¯s child.¡± Kaizen has red eyes and Astelle has light green eyes, but Theor haspletely different blue eyes from the two of them. However, Theor¡¯s constitution resembles Astelle¡¯s. In this situation, Fritz seems to havee up with the simplest answer: Astelle had another man¡¯s child. Astelle realized at that moment. Maybe Kaizen got it wrong. The marquis, who had been watching the flowing water the whole time as he listened to Astelle¡¯s exnation, turned to her and said, ¡°Right. Had he thought he was his son, he would have taken him to the imperial pce right away.¡± Astelle nodded. ¡°Yes, he is obviously unaware that he is his son.¡± But that alone was difficult. Even a dense dam could crack little by little, and it copses out of control in an instant. Knowing that Theor is Astelle¡¯s son will make him think about who his father is. By observing the child and digging for clues, there is a possibility that one day he will find out who Theor¡¯s biological father is. ¡®No, you can¡¯t do that.¡¯ Astelle made a decision while looking at the clear water flowing into the pond. It was a decision she had been thinking about sinceing here. ¡°Grandpa, take Theor and leave first.¡± ¡°What are you going to do?¡± ¡°I have to stay here until the ball.¡± Kaizen ordered Astelle to attend the ball. But he didn¡¯t ask Theor and her grandfather to attend. ¡°I have to leave when Theor¡¯s biological father is not known. He knows that Theor is my son, but he won¡¯t be able to find out who his father is without Theor being here.¡± So Theor had to leave here. As soon as possible. Astelle exined her ns, ¡°I will stay here and wait until the day of the ball. Grandpa, please leave two or three days in advance.¡± The emperor had given permission for the marquis and Theor to return home. But it was dyed because Theor was sick. Today Kaizen ordered Astelle to attend the ball, but he didn¡¯t ask her toe with her grandfather and Theor. So Theor just needs to leave quickly before another order is given. ¡°I¡¯ll move Theor and Grandpa¡¯s rooms to a separate annex. He won¡¯t notice it even if you disappear in the middle.¡± The mansion¡¯s annex was located in a secluded corner of the garden. There you will be able to avoid people¡¯s eyes. The marquis could not deny Astelle¡¯s opinion. It was the only way to protect Theor. After hesitating for a while, he turned to Astelle and asked, ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Am I okay? What will happen when it is proven that Astelle is Theor¡¯s biological mother? How will Kaizen react? Besides, Astelle is his ex-wife If she said that she gave birth to a child whose father was unknown, she would be dishonored and people would definitely point their fingers at her. But Astelle¡¯s answer was already decided from the time Theor was born. ¡°I¡¯m fine with anything that happens as long as I don¡¯t lose Theor.¡± *** The sun was dimly dawning in the cloudy clouds beyond the window. Kaizen watched as the white dawn light gently awakened the city. Astelle¡¯s bewildered look when he brought out Theor¡¯s name stayed in his head all night. Although he hadn¡¯t heard the results of the investigation yet, Kaizen knew the answer to the question he was looking for at that moment. That Theor is Astelle¡¯s son. ¡®How the hell¡­¡­¡¯ Astelle gave birth to a child. It¡¯s another man¡¯s child. As far as Kaizen knew, there were no men near Astelle. He had already investigated and gathered information when he looked for Astelle. Then, who is the child¡¯s father? Chapter 73 Chapter 73 What kind of life has Astelle been living for the past six years? After getting a divorce, being expelled from the imperial pce, abandoned by her family, and wandering alone, how did she end up having a child? Questions poured in endlessly, but regret and sadness preceded the questions. A princess, a former empress, abandoned by her family, gave birth to and raised a child alone in poverty. Kaizen couldn¡¯t even imagine how Astelle had to endure the whole process. It was too much of an ordeal for a woman who grew up to be a princess all her life. No, it would be difficult for any woman to bear it. And it was Kaizen himself who started and provided the cause of it all. The undeniable truth tormented him terribly and made him endlessly angry. ¡°Your Majesty, I¡¯m going in.¡± The door opened with a careful knock. It was Vellian. Vellian entered the office and shook his head as if tired of looking at the pile of papers on the desk. ¡°Have you not slept all night?¡± ¡°I just finished it all.¡± Kaizen answered without looking back. He couldn¡¯t sleep all night as he was finishing up the paperwork. It was because of a lot of work being dyed. But while he was holding on to work, his heart was still full of pain. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°As you said, I sent someone to find out.¡± Vellian continued, ¡°He came to a while ago¡­¡­and he said he found a midwife.¡± ¡°Then?¡± A moment of silence passed. Vellian said in a voice as cautious as possible, ¡°As expected. The person who gave birth to the Young Master Theor is Lady Astelle.¡± The subordinate hurried to the old midwife to investigate Theor¡¯s birth. The midwife who received the baby was an old woman who looked to be in her seventies. The old midwife remembered exactly that five years ago, she was called to the mansion of the marquis in the eastern countryside and assisted with delivery. Even though she had a little trouble remembering the mansion¡¯s structure and the baby¡¯s gender and appearance, she said she heard a mother who was suffering from birth clearly calling the marquis her grandfather. She added that the mother looked like a very nobledy. After the work was done, the old marquis even gave her a lot of money to keep that work a secret. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Vellian was really afraid that Kaizen would be very angry. The emperor had been crazy about Astelle for some time. He was so crazy that he covered secretly the work of the Duke of Reston, who had plotted the assassination. But, Astelle have a child with another man. ¡®Theor, who was introduced as her nephew, is actually her son.¡¯ Vellian himself was shocked when he found out about that fact. He couldn¡¯t even imagine how angry the emperor was. If he made even the slightest mistake in this situation, his head seemed to fall off. After finishing the report, Vellian hurriedly bowed his head. He was terrified as his gaze was fixed on the floor, but after waiting for a while, Kaizen still didn¡¯t respond. As he waited and carefully lifted his head, he heard Kaizen¡¯s voice. ¡°What about the maid who was said to have given birth to Theor? Did you find her?¡± Vellian¡¯s gaze fell back to the floor. ¡°That, that¡­¡­ The maid who gave birth to Young Master Theor has already disappeared.¡± ¡°Disappeared?¡± Sharp red eyes turned to him. Vellian hurriedly lowered his head again. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡­ Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Are you sure it was not that Astelle hid her?¡± ¡°Yes, it is not¡­¡­¡± Vellian swallowed dry saliva. It would have been much better if Astelle hid the maid. ¡®Oh, I really don¡¯t want to say this.¡¯ Vellian answered with a trembling voice, ¡°A man from the Croychen family took her.¡± *** Everything was done step by step in order. First, Theor¡¯s room was moved to a small annex attached to the mansion¡¯s garden. Astelle told the maids that she would like to keep the child in a sunny annex. Theor is recovering, so it would be better to be near a garden where he can run and y. Hannahined to the other maids. Theor insisted on going to a separate annex close to the garden, so she had no choice but to move. She didn¡¯t forget toin that it was hard to move the luggage even though there was not much time left before she left. Everyone believed in the exnations of the two without much doubt. For example, the young master said that he would go to an annex with trees and ponds nearby, and the annex looked okay, so Astelle allowed it. There was no room for doubt. It also didn¡¯t seem in the slightest odd that Theor was staying with his favorite grandfather. ¡°Grandpa must leave first.¡± Sitting opposite her grandfather in the annex, Astelle made a n in earnest. She said, ¡°I¡¯m going on a pic tomorrow afternoon.¡± ¡°Okay. Then I¡­¡­¡± ¡°Yes, Grandpa, don¡¯te back to the mansion, but stay near the gate.¡± The marquis will leave the mansion and stay near the gate to wait. In the middle of the night, Hannah would secretly take Theor there. Theor and the marquis would leave the city gates as soon as dawn broke and head east. It was a simple n. ¡®There¡¯s no problem with the emperor¡¯s permission anyway.¡¯ Theor¡¯s departure from the capital was set two days before the ball. Astelle and Hannah organized Theor¡¯s luggage and moved it to the separate annex. ¡°Why do I have to change rooms?¡± Theor watched the two of them organize his belongings, hugging the teddy bear, and approached Hannah. Hannah, carrying the luggage, sat down with her knees bent and answered with a warm gaze, ¡°I think Young Master will like the annex. The annex is really beautiful. There is arge zelkova tree next to it, so you can go up to the roof and touch the leaves and bird nests.¡± ¡°Really? Are there baby birds?¡± When the animal story came out, blue eyes shone brightly. A smile appeared on Hannah¡¯s face as she was exining to Theor. ¡°Yes, of course. And there is a small pond in front of the garden, and there are also frogs in the pond. Don¡¯t you want to go see them?¡± ¡°Yes! I want to go see the frogs.¡± When Hannah was affectionately persuading him, Theor was excited and nodded his head. Astelle, who was organizing Theor¡¯s clothes, swallowed a bitter smile at the child¡¯s innocent appearance. The bedroom in the separate annex was smaller than in the main building, but it got plenty of sunlight and wasfortable. When the curtains were opened, golden light poured in from the ss windows that filled the walls. Theor¡¯s toys were piled up in front of the firece. Dolls made of soft fluffy fur, and borate military ships and fortresses that look like the real thing. Soldier dolls the size of a finger are gathered in a circle. Theor took a seat between them and yed with the teddy bear while the two of them were packing up. While Hannah went to organize the luggage, Astelle knelt down next to Theor. She hugged Theor, who was obsessed with his toys. ¡°Aunt Astelle?¡± Soft ck hair touched her cheek. The milky smell wafted from the white skin. Astelle put her lips to Theor¡¯s forehead. Even though it was only a brief farewell, she felt sad. It must be because she had never taken him out of her arms before. For the past five years, Astelle has always kept Theor in her sight. ¡°Theor, you have to leave here with your grandfather in a few days.¡± Theor, who escaped from Astelle¡¯s arms, raised his sullen face. ¡°Will we go home?¡± ¡°Yes, but I can¡¯t go with you two.¡± The only toy not in the luggage bag, Levin the teddy bear, was in Theor¡¯s hands. Theor, who was fiddling with the teddy bear, asked in surprise, ¡°Why is it just me and Grandpa?¡± ¡°I have to stay in the capital because I have work to do.¡± ¡°Is it important?¡± ¡°It¡¯s very important.¡± Astelle will stay in this mansion for two days, hiding Theor and the marquis¡¯ departure. Kaizen ordered Astelle to attend the ball. But he didn¡¯t tell her to bring Theor too. He had allowed Theor to return home a few days ago, after which no orders were issued regarding Theor¡¯s whereabouts. Astelle was going to follow Kaizen¡¯s orders thoroughly. She will spend time at the mansion as if nothing happened and attend the ball as ordered. By then, Theor was already on his way home. Theor said sadly, ¡°I also wanted to stay in the capital more.¡± Astelle smiled and said, ¡°When we go back home, let¡¯s make Blynn¡¯s house in the garden. And a theaterpany wille. Then¡­¡­¡± ¡°Yeah! I want to go see a y!¡± The word of a y energized Theor again. Astelle smiled and hugged Theor again. Although she was calmed by the familiar warmth, her heart ached at the reality that her child had to leave her in a few days. *** The day before departure, as scheduled, they went for a pic in the capital city¡¯s park. The party was Astelle, Theor, the marquis, and Hannah. The marquis got off at the downtown area near the park. The remaining three were scheduled to return after spending time looking around the park. ¡°Where is Grandpa going?¡± Theor leaned out of the carriage window worriedly. The marquis stroked Theor¡¯s head before leaving. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll see each other again tomorrow night.¡± ¡°At night?¡± ¡°Yes. We¡¯ll meet at night and go home together.¡± Astelle exchanged nces with her grandfather. The marquis decided to wait in the prearranged ce near the gate. Hannah will take Theor there at night. The marquis also gave Astelle constion, ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. Everything will be fine.¡± The carriage set off again. Chapter 74 Chapter 74 The destination was a park a little far from downtown. It was a quiet park with flower beds and trails surrounding a wideke. As soon as they entered the fence, there was a walking path full of fresh grass and flowers. ¡°Young Master, there are fish here.¡± Hannah took Theor near theke. Carps with colorful patterns were swimming leisurely in the clear water. Feeling a person approaching, the carps flocked to the surface in unison. ¡°This is how you feed them.¡± Hannah threw a handful of dried breadcrumbs from the basket onto the surface of the water. Theor sprinkled breadcrumbs over the pond with his little hands. A flock of carp gathered and struggled to eat breadcrumbs. Colorful scales of red, ck, and yellow waved on the surface of the water. ¡°Aunt, look at this. Fish!¡± Astelle, holding back theughter, tried to approach Theor. At that moment, a cheerful voice stopped Astelle¡¯s footsteps. ¡°Oh my, Lady Astelle?¡± She saw familiar faces at the entrance of the park. Florin in a light pink dress and the Marchioness Croiychen in a purple dress. They were both wearing outdoor clothes. ¡°Hello, Marchioness, Miss Florin.¡± ¡®Why do I have to meet this mother and daughter here?¡¯ Astelle hid her annoyance and politely greeted them. Florin said, ¡°I am very lucky to meet Lady Astelle in a ce like this.¡± As she looked at Florin speaking with happy eyes, Astelle realized that this youngdy was watching her. ¡®What a useless effort.¡¯ The marchioness nodded with a stiff expression. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± ¡°Yes, long time no see.¡± Astelle greeted the mother and daughter with a friendly smile, but inside her heart, there was a little concern. Tonight my grandfather and Theor were due to leave the capital. If I make a mistake, I might be caught by the spy attached by thesedies. I¡¯ll have to be more careful. ¡°Aunt Astelle?¡± Theor, which was by the pond, ran to Astelle. Hannah followed with a worried look. Theor hung on the Astelle¡¯s skirt and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just meet people I know.¡± ¡°Oh my gosh, you are a cute young master.¡± Florin looked at Theor with curiosity. ¡°He is my nephew.¡± Theor also liked the cute and pretty Florin, so he politely bowed his head. ¡°Hello, Lady.¡± ¡°You¡¯re also a polite young master. How cute.¡± Florin lightly stroked Theor¡¯s head, then she turned to Astelle. Doll-like cute features and a bright smile like a flower blooming looked at Astelle. ¡°Your nephew looks a lot like you, Lady Astelle.¡± *** Astelle looked at Florin¡¯s cute face and had a gut feeling. This young girl knows who Theor¡¯s birth mother is. ¡®How did you know?¡¯ You didn¡¯t notice because of the Lintail fruit, did you? Kaizen was the only one who doubted Theor¡¯s birth mother. Did the information leak from there? If Kaizen knew about Theor¡¯s birth mother, the subordinates close to him would also know. The first one that came to mind was Vellian. ¡®Could he have told Florin?¡¯ I don¡¯t think so, but I don¡¯t know, though. Maybe it came from someone else¡¯s mouth. Several assumptions came to mind, but there was nothing I could be sure of. Astelle, hiding her confused mind, smiled softly. ¡°I heard a lot of people say that,¡± she said. Astelle looked at Florin and responded with a calm smile, ¡°Since we are rtives, we have no choice but to look alike, right? They say blood is thicker than water.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Florin added, ¡°I don¡¯t know because I don¡¯t have children yet.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle, who was hiding her tension, realized one more thing. Fortunately, even the clever Florin didn¡¯t know who the child¡¯s father was. ¡®If she had known that Theor was the prince, she would have tried to get rid of him somehow without making fun of me in this way.¡¯ A smile naturally leaked out of a deep sense of relief. Astelle smiled, then turned to Florin¡¯s mother. ¡°The Marchioness will understand. Because she had three daughters. The eldest daughter, Lady Marianne, resembles her mother a lot.¡± ¡°What did you just say?¡± The Marchioness, who was watching beside her daughter, raised her eyebrows. When she heard the name Marianne from Astelle, her anger seemed to increase. Astelle asked innocently, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? I thought you¡¯d be proud of your beautiful daughter for resembling you.¡± The marchioness looked like she wanted to p Astelle immediately, but she couldn¡¯t do it in the public park. She red at Astelle as if to kill her. ¡°Yes, unlike anyone else, my daughters are born with a clear bloodline.¡± At a time like this, I wondered what a bloodline was. The marchioness looked a lot like Marianne, but she did not resemble Florin even from the eyes of an ant. ¡°Right. Thanks to the great lineage of the Croychen family, your daughters are outstanding.¡± Astelle affirmed the marchioness¡¯ words with a rxed smile. When her humiliation didn¡¯t work, the marchioness turned around in anger. ¡°I¡¯ll go back now.¡± ¡°Goodbye, Marchioness.¡± Astelle stepped aside to tell her to hurry up and go away. Even after the marchioness had walked quite far, Florin did not leave her ce. ¡°They say that thete Duchess¡¯ charity ball is being held at the imperial pce. Lady Astelle will be attending as an organizer, right?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡± The smile on Florin¡¯s pretty face grew deeper. ¡°I hope to see you again at the ball.¡± The marchioness walked towards the entrance to the park, and she shouted at Florin, who was not following her, ¡°Florin! What are you doing?¡± Florin looked at Astelle with sparkly eyes and then gracefully bent her knees. ¡°Then see you at the ball, Lady Astelle.¡± Astelle also replied politely, ¡°Yes, see you at the ball.¡± Astelle didn¡¯t lose her smile as the mother and daughter walked out. ¡°Lady Astelle,¡± Hannah called Astelle in a worried voice. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I don¡¯t think they figured it all out.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± Without further exnation, Hannah understood what she meant. It doesn¡¯t matter how Florin found out that Astelle was Theor¡¯s biological mother. The important thing is that Florin has not found out who Theor¡¯s biological father is. ¡°Auntie, Auntie.¡± Theor was holding Astelle¡¯s skirt softly and waving it. ¡°Theor? Why?¡± Theor asked, pointing towards the entrance to the park, ¡°Why is that madam in a bad mood every day?¡± ¡°Pfft.¡± Hannah was barely holding back her burstingughter. Astelle alsoughed, then hugged Theor. ¡°There are people in the world who are in a bad mood like that every day.¡± Theor leaned his face on Astelle¡¯s shoulder and babbled, ¡°His Majesty did the same, but he is not angry anymore.¡± [T/N: This refers to the scene where Kaizen called all the maids and investigated who tried to kidnap Theor] ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle looked at Theor¡¯s cute face and smiled bitterly at him. A child who looked like Kaizen in his childhood was looking at her with affectionate eyes. ¡°Yes, he won¡¯t do that anymore.¡± *** Astelle opened arge luggage bag in the middle of the night. Theor¡¯s luggage was in the bag. On one side were clothes, and on the other side were toys and shoes. Astelle double-checked the items in the bag one by one and closed the bag satisfactorily. ¡°Theor¡¯s luggage is perfectly ready.¡± Theor will go alone with the marquis. Astelle couldn¡¯t miss anything, so she had to prepare it thoroughly. ¡°Lady Astelle, everything is ready.¡± Hannah came inside. She was wearing a thick, in overcoat. Astelle went to the bedroom and woke Theor up. ¡°Mm¡­¡­¡± ¡°Theor, you have to go now.¡± Astelle helped Theor put on the pre-prepared clothes. After carefully putting on the overcoat, Astelle handed Theor to Hannah. Theor, who woke upte, wrapped his arms around Astelle¡¯s neck and buried his face. ¡°Sob, sob, Mom¡­¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Theor.¡± Astelle gently stroked Theor¡¯s back with her hand to reassure him. ¡°You are going to see your grandfather, go home with him, and Mom will follow soon.¡± Astelle felt that her heart crushed at the sound of the sniffling. ¡°What about Blynn?¡± ¡°Mom will take Blynnter.¡± Theor wept and patted Blynn¡¯s head as he sat on the floor. ¡°Hannah, please take care of Theor.¡± ¡°Do not worry, Lady Astelle.¡± Hannah hugged Theor tightly and covered him with a wide cloak. The two went out into the garden through the back door of the annex. Chapter 75 Chapter 75 Astelle returned from the garden and opened the side door of the mansion with the key she had prepared in advance. Hannah turned her head slightly to Astelle, then turned back and quickly walked down the street. Astelle watched as Hannah and Theor disappeared into the darkness of the night. *** Two dayster, Astelle sat down in front of the dressing table. In front of the mirror sat a pale woman in a white dress. Hannah came closer to her. ¡°Lady Astelle, I¡¯ll do your makeup.¡± Astelle closed her eyes. She was very tired because so many things were happening at the same time. Hannah¡¯s low voice could be heard. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, Lady Astelle. The marquis and the young master must have left safely.¡± ¡°Yes, I hope so.¡± Theor and the marquis had already left the capital two days ago. Today Astelle is going to the ball. It was a charity ball held in the banquet hall of the imperial pce in the name of Astelle¡¯s mother. The ball that Kaizen told her to attend. The ball, which was supposed to be held on a small scale at the duke¡¯s mansion, became a grand ball to which all the nobles in the capital were invited. She had no idea what was going to happen there. But no matter what happens, Astelle will prevent the aftermath from reaching Theor. Hannah smeared the powder on Astelle¡¯s pale skin and slightly colored her lips with light pink powder. The dress was the same dress she wore at the ball before. She left all the dresses Kaizen gave her at Dentsu Castle. However, this dress was tailored to fit Astelle¡¯s body, so Hannah tucked it into the luggage bag, saying there was no need to leave it. She tried to sell it after she got home because she never thought she would wear it again. She wore the same dress and the same shoes she had worn at the time. She stood in front of the mirror, wearing silk gloves, holding a feather fan Hannah handed her. In the mirror stood herself the same as that night. It was like going back to the night of the ball that was held at Dentsu Castle. At that time, she danced with Kaizen and begged him to send Theor home, but she was rejected. ¡®I can¡¯t fail again this time.¡¯ Now it was different from then. Kaizen now realizes that Astelle is Theor¡¯s biological mother. He was angry with Astelle when he learned that fact. Asking her toe to the ball is probably to bully and wield her. However, Kaizen did not yet know that Theor was his son. Astelle has lost one thing, so she must protect the remaining one. Hannah took a step back after finishing the preparation. ¡°Lady Astelle, it¡¯s done.¡± Astelle went downstairs. Hannah also apanied her as her maid. This mansion was near the imperial pce. Although it was within walking distance, the carriage was prepared in advance for the sake of formality. There was an unexpected person downstairs. ¡°Astelle.¡± ¡°Brother Fritz?¡± Fritz, dressed in a Guards uniform, was waiting for Astelle at the door. It had been a long time since she had seen Fritz dressed like that. Fritz, wearing a luxurious robe, hadn¡¯t changed much from six years ago. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± ¡°I came to go to the ball with you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to the ball with me?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Astelle was a little surprised but understood the situation. The organizer of this ball was officially the Reston family. The one who had to start the dance was Duke or Fritz, or Astelle. Currently, all three are single. Fritz or Astelle had to do the first dance as their father can¡¯t possibly want a role like that. Astelle went down the stairs and asked indifferently, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to go with your partner?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have a partner.¡± At the calm answer, Astelle looked up at her brother. ¡°If you allow me, I want to be your partner.¡± Fritz, the only heir to the Duke of Reston, was popr in the social world from a young age. In some cases, thedies quarreled to be his partner. ¡®Is it because the Reston lost its power, so no women approached him?¡¯ Astelle went down the stairs and said, ¡°We will meet at the ballroom after all.¡± ¡°I want to go with you,¡± Fritz answered honestly without any hesitation. ¡°The ballroom is less than ten minutes from here,¡± he said. Even if you walk, you can go in fifteen minutes. But it would be hard to walk on the street in such a heavy dress. Fritz licked his lips as if he wanted to say something more. After a moment of contemtion, he confessed his true feelings, ¡°I don¡¯t want to let you go alone.¡± Astelle, who was walking down the stairs, stopped with thest step left. Six years ago, after her divorce process was over, Astelle left the pce without any regrets. Now Astelle will enter the imperial pce for the first time after her divorce. He came to pick her up because he thought it would be difficult for her. Did Brother Fritz have this kind of attention to detail? Fritz, as Astelle remembers, was a strict and sincere man. Although he cared for Astelle, he was not a caring older brother who looked after his sister¡¯s heart affectionately. ¡°I¡¯m going to the ball for a while. I don¡¯t mind that much.¡± Now, she was only thinking about Theor. Fritz tried to hold Astelle¡¯s hand, but she passed him and got into the carriage. The carriage has departed. There was only silence between the two of them until they passed the main gate of the mansion. ¡°Father left first.¡± Fritz sighed and added, ¡°We¡¯ll meet him at the ballroom.¡± In her dream, she didn¡¯t even want to meet her father. ¡®If my father knew about Theor, he wouldn¡¯t stay still.¡¯ It felt like my head was gettingplicated just by imagining it. My father already had a history of unsessful attempts to assassinate Kaizen. ¡®Does Brother Fritz know about that?¡¯ A sudden thought came to mind, but as Astelle looked at Fritz, she immediately denied it. Such a cruel way was not Fritz¡¯s style. Father would not have told Brother Fritz such a thing. Fritz looked at Astelle with worried eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about our father.¡± Astelle turned to her brother again. Fritz, who was sitting across from her, was looking at Astelle with a worried look. ¡°Even if father finds out about Theor, I will stop him from harming you two, so you don¡¯t have to worry.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Fritz also knew that Astelle was Theor¡¯s biological mother. However, Astelle did not think that her brother knew that Kaizen was the biological father of the child. ¡®Probably because of the color of his eyes.¡¯ A child of Astelle and Kaizen wouldn¡¯t have blue eyes. Astelle just simply replied, fearing that he would be suspicious if she said something useless. ¡°Thank you, Brother.¡± A feeling of sadness and relief permeated Fritz¡¯s light green eyes. ¡°If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.¡± Thank you. However, when Theor¡¯s origin is revealed, no one can help Astelle. At that time, whatever she does, Theor will be taken to the imperial pce. *** The carriage soon arrived at the entrance of the imperial pce. Even though it was around dusk because it was the day of the ball, there were many carriages passing through the main gate. They must be guests invited to the ball. The charity ball was held in the form of donating the proceeds by selling tickets to the ball. Anyone who bought a ticket could enter the ball as a guest. Even so, the only people who could buy expensive tickets were the high-ranking nobles. Today¡¯s ball was held at the imperial pce, so it was not conducted in such a way as to sell invitations. I heard that the way they each donated has changed. The distance from the entrance of the imperial pce to the ballroom was quite far. They had to go through three gates to the center of the imperial pce. After walking for a while, they arrived at arge hall used as a ballroom. A bright light was seen through the marble door of the banquet hall. There was no music. There is still some time left before the ball starts. ¡°Prince Reston and Princess Reston have arrived!¡± Arge number of people had already gathered at the ballroom. For a moment, everyone in the ballroom focused their eyes on Astelle. Those who looked at Astelle whispered in surprise. ¡°She really is the deposed empress.¡± ¡°Oh my gosh¡­¡­¡± Astelle¡¯s appearance was quite surprising. Even in Dentsu Castle, everyone was surprised to see Astelle, but at that time, people had only heard about the deposed empress through rumors. However, there were a lot of nobles who had known Astelle for a long time in this imperial pce. All of them observed the deposed empress with curious eyes that reappeared after six years. There were many people Astelle knew, but no one greeted her first. No one approaches Fritz first, let alone Astelle. She could really feel the position of the Reston family in the capital now. Chapter 76 Chapter 76 Fritz took her hand. Astelle turned to her brother. She could feel he was trying tofort her. ¡°Astelle.¡± On the other hand, Kaizen, who was surrounded by his men, approached this way. People¡¯s attention was more focused on them. Astelle grabbed the hem of her skirt and bowed her waist. ¡°Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor, Lord of the Empire.¡± There was no reply. When she lifted her head, red eyes full ofplex emotions were staring at her. ¡®Is meeting me so unpleasant?¡¯ Although she was divorced, she was Kaizen¡¯s fiancee from an early age, and she was briefly the empress¡¯ seat. Such a woman disappeared suddenly, and gave birth to and raised an illegitimate child in the countryside. Astelle had never thought from Kaizen¡¯s point of view, and she thought it might be offensive to him. ¡®Why did you hold a ball and force me to attend if you hate to see me?¡¯ I can understand his feelings, but his actions arepletely iprehensible. If he simply wanted to harass Astelle himself, he would not have had to hold a ball at the Imperial Pce and force her to attend like this. Fritz, who was next to her, also bowed. ¡°Greetings, Your Majesty, it is an infinite honor for us to hold our family¡¯s charity ball at the Imperial Pce.¡± Kaizen didn¡¯t answer but looked at Astelle. ¡°After the ball, I have something to tell you.¡± ¡°Is that something Your Majesty can¡¯t tell now?¡± ¡°No. Not now.¡± He looked like he was angry, but his tone was surprisingly calm. Red eyes filled with unknown emotions. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you formally when it¡¯s over.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± What? What are you going to talk about? There was no way that Kaizen had anything serious to say to Astelle at this time. ¡®It must be about Theor.¡¯ Bewildered, Fritz looked at Astelle worriedly. Astelle had a bad premonition, but did not show it, and showed a hospitality smile instead. She bowed her head lightly with a smile on her face. ¡°I will take your orders, Your Majesty.¡± *** Kaizen was watching Astelle as she left. Astelle went upstairs with Fritz. Guests stayed in the banquet hall until the ball started, or spent time in the parlor or balcony near the banquet hall. There was still time until the ball started, so Kaizen wanted to spend some time in a quiet ce for a while. Now, at the ballroom, Astelle was only a subject of curiosity and was not weed. The moment Kaizen met Astelle,plex emotions were mixed into one. He hated Astelle and resented her. ¡®She was raising a child by herself.¡¯ On the day of the reunion after six years, it was ridiculous to think of Astelle, who introduced Theor as her nephew with such a shameless face. Who is the child¡¯s father? ording to what he found out when researching Astelle¡¯s whereabouts, there was no man by Astelle¡¯s side for the past six years. Judging from that, it seems that she did not have a deep rtionship with the child¡¯s father. Seeing that he left behind a woman who had given birth to his own child, he must not have been a proper human being. And Astelle gave birth to such a man¡¯s child. The more he thought about it, the more he was furious. On the other hand, he felt sorry for Astelle. After being abandoned by her family, the duke¡¯s daughter, the princess of the empire, gave birth to a child without a father. Kaizen could not have imagined how difficult it must have been for her to give birth and raise a child because she was not well-off. Astelle couldn¡¯t even tell that he was her own child. Conflicting emotions confused his mind. However, in the midst of confusion, one thing was certain. Kaizen didn¡¯t want Astelle to suffer because of this. Kaizen looked back at the Marquis and Marchioness Croychen, who were sitting on the other side of the ballroom. He was thinking of getting rid of them to prevent this fact from being revealed. But anyway, it was impossible to hide the child¡¯s origin forever. Astelle and the Marquis of Carlenberg did not handle the birth of the child perfectly. They did not take care of the maid who was registered as the child¡¯s biological mother, nor did they get rid of the midwife who helped with the delivery. The maid was found by the Croychen family before Kaizen. ording to the investigation, this fact is already secretly shared among the nobles. If this is revealed, Astelle will be humiliated and shamed as the woman who bore an illegitimate child. Kaizen couldn¡¯t stand to watch Astelle suffer humiliation. ¡°What happened to what I told you to prepare?¡± Vellian approached with hesitation at Kaizen¡¯s question. He said, ¡°Your Majesty, the preparations are done¡­¡­¡± Vellian spoke his words helplessly. He felt like his head was going to explode since yesterday. He wished that the emperor woulde to his senses and make a normal judgment even now, but Kaizen had no intention of changing his mind. ¡°Prepare thoroughly, we¡¯ll carry out as nned.¡± *** ¡°Are you okay?¡± As soon as she left the banquet hall and came out into the hallway, Fritz asked worriedly. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Nothing will happen.¡± She just had to meet Kaizen. He asked her to wait because he had something to say. She didn¡¯t know what he was going to talk about, but she was sure it was rted to Theor. ¡°I¡¯ll go to the balcony and rest for a while.¡± ¡°Yes, that would be great.¡± She will meet her father if she stays here. Fritz took the lead and headed for the stairs. This is the outer pce of the imperial pce used as a banquet hall, so the balcony was on the upper floor. ¡°Fritz.¡± As they were heading up the stairs to the balcony upstairs, someone called Fritz. Looking back, he was one of Fritz¡¯s old friends. ¡°Princess Astelle. It¡¯s been a long time. I heard that you have returned to the capital, but¡­¡­¡± Fritz¡¯s friend blurred the end of his words as if embarrassed. Even after hearing that Astelle came to the capital, he couldn¡¯te and say hello, probably afraid of what others might say. Like Fritz, his friend was also treated coldly in society. In the past, a small number of prestigious nobles, so-called great nobles, upied the social world. Thedies who reigned as queens of the social world were always the mistresses of the prestigious dukes. But now the great nobles lost their power, and the remaining families barely survived. Of course, he must have been a cold meal in the social world. [T/N: cold meal refers to something that has been abandoned] ¡°I¡¯ll be upstairs.¡± Astelle walked away so the two of them could have a conversation. She was going up the stairs and there was someoneing down from above. She was a maid holding a bowl. It seems she is carrying food. Astelle grabbed her skirt and went up the stairs without a second thought. It was about halfway down the stairs when the maid stopped to make way for Astelle, ¡°Ouch!¡± The maid with the bowl lost bnce, stumbled, and fell on the stairs. As the bowl tipped over, the soup in it sshed in all directions. The maid fell on the floor and begged for forgiveness. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry.¡± The hem of Astelle¡¯s dress was wet from the ssh of soup. The worst thing was her shoes. Because she was holding her skirt up while going up the stairs. As the bowl tipped over, a lot of soup broth sshed on the front of her shoes. ¡®Oh my¡­¡­ I can¡¯t go back to the ballroom like this.¡¯ ¡°Lady Astelle, are you okay?¡± Hannah stared at the kneeling maid. The maid lifted her head, and then she looked at Hannah¡¯s piercing gaze and banged her head to the floor again. Astelle asked, ¡°Do you know each other?¡± ¡°Yes, she is the maid of the empty empress pce.¡± The Empress Pce. For the past 6 years, the Empress Pce had no owner. However, even if it is a pce without an owner, the Empress Pce cannot be left unattended. The maids in charge of the pce must have remained in it. ¡°How did you make such a mistake?¡± asked Hannah. Her cold voice contained a stinging rebuke. The maid was startled for a moment. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Hannah.¡± Astelle, who was examining her skirt, soothed Hannah. Interrogating the maid won¡¯t change anything. She didn¡¯t even want to deal with such a reckless mistake. ¡°You need to change your dress. Shall we go back to the mansion?¡± Seeing Hannah¡¯s worried expression on her face, Astelle looked back to the ballroom door under the stairs. She had some time before the ball started, but she thought it would take her enough time to go to the mansion. ¡°P-Princess¡­¡­¡± The maid, who was still kneeling on the floor, raised her head. She said, ¡°The princess¡¯ dress and shoes remain at the Empress Pce.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie. All of Lady Astelle¡¯s belongings are in the chamber of the Crown Princess pce.¡± It was in the Crown Princess pce where Astelle spent her first night after marrying Kaizen. At that time, Kaizen was the Crown Prince. The next day, he became emperor, but Astelle could not cross the threshold of the Empress Pce. As soon as she gained the status of Empress, she divorced and left the Imperial Pce. To Hannah¡¯s disbelief, the maid refuted as if it was unfair. She said, ¡°His Majesty has given the order to move them to the Empress Pce.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡®Why did he give such an order?¡¯ Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Astelle exchanged curious nces with Hannah. What the maid said were the things Astelle had brought when she was about to get married. When she divorced and left the Imperial Pce in a hurry, the dresses and furniture she had brought were left behind in the Crown Princess Pce. Astelle thought Kaizen would throw them away. ¡®Do you want to give them back even now?¡¯ Even so, why did my things have to be moved to the Empress Pce? ¡°Lady Astelle, what should we do?¡± Hannah looked a little worried. Hannah noticed that this obvious ploy was absurd. She also had simr thoughts as Astelle. No matter how you look at it, it seemed like an evil n to send Astelle to the Empress Pce. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Since my things are there, I will go there for a while to change my dress.¡± Astelle looked down the stairs and said, ¡°However, there must be no misunderstanding, so I have to get permission from His Majesty in advance.¡± She could not enter the Empress Pce without permission. Even if she could go in, it would be better to go with someone else for now. That way he¡¯ll be a witness no matter what happenster. Astelle ordered Hannah, ¡°Hannah, please find Sir Lyndon, exin the circumstances, and ask him to ask His Majesty if I may go to the Empress Pce to get a dress to change. If he allows it, ask him to send an attendant to apany me.¡± I don¡¯t know what this evil n is aiming for, but if I ask the Emperor¡¯s permission and bring an attendant worthy of a witness, I won¡¯t have any problems. ¡°Yes, Lady Astelle. Please wait a minute.¡± Kaizen of course allowed it. Instead of an attendant, he sent a knight. Astelle headed to the Empress Pce guided by him. *** Astelle looked around. It was a dazzlingly gorgeous bedroom. Gold decorations covering the walls and ceilings added a luxurious feel. The more she looked back at the luxurious bedroom, the more strange she felt. This is because the furniture and decorations in the bedroom resembled the chamber of the Crown Princess pce that Astelle remembered six years ago. Bed, armchair, and table were all brought by Astelle when she got married. The closet and dressing table in the dressing room were also Astelle¡¯s. ¡®It was moved to the Empress Pce and arranged in the same way.¡¯ Why did you do this? Astelle was confused. Hannah brought two dresses from the wardrobe and two pairs of shoes. ¡°Lady Astelle, these are the only prom dresses.¡± One was a light blue velvet, and the other was soft silvery silk. Astelle didn¡¯t prepare a lot of dresses because she thought she would be able to purchase new ones whenever she needed them even after bing the Empress. ¡°I¡¯m going to wear the silver one.¡± Hannah carefully examined Astelle¡¯s dress and shoes. She touched the fabric thoroughly and put her finger deep inside the shoe to make sure there were no abnormalities. She even hit the heel a few times on the floor. ¡°There seems to be no special abnormality.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Seeing that she dragged me all the way here, I thought she would have prepared something. Was she trying to hide something and using me of stealing it after I was here? It¡¯s such crude and childish way, but Marchioness Croychen seemed to like it. To avoid such a trap, I even brought a knight, but it must have been in vain. ¡°Then I¡¯ll change my dress.¡± Astelle changed into her old dress with the help of Hannah. ¡°It fits perfectly.¡± Fortunately, even after six years have passed, the dress she made at that time fit her body. The shoes were the same. ¡°Let¡¯s go back now.¡± *** Astelle went back down to the ballroom in her new dress and shoes. Since she wasted a lot of time changing clothes, there wasn¡¯t much time left until the ball started. As she entered the ballroom, people¡¯s eyes were on her again as before. Apparently, Astelle arrivedte, so everyone was chatting and waiting. The Marchioness Croychen stood next to Florin with an annoyed look on her face. I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve been waiting that long. Kaizen sitting on the throne ordered, ¡°The main character has arrived, so let¡¯s get started.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, a beautiful Minuet melody flowed calmly. It was the beginning of the ball. Since it was a ball held by the Reston family, of course, the family members had to do the first dance. Fritz politely held out his hand. Astelle took his hand. ¡°You changed your dress.¡± ¡°Yes, it got dirty.¡± Fritz seemed to want to ask what had happened, but Astelle gave no further details. Astelle took Fritz¡¯s hand and went out into the center of the ballroom. ¡®The first dance at the ball must be the Minuet.¡¯ She was walking slowly on the smooth marble floor. Suddenly her shoe that touched the floor tilted on its own. ¡°Ugh¡­!¡± The moment she was about to fall, Fritz, who was standing right next to her, quickly grabbed her arm. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Astelle leaned on his arm. Everyone¡¯s eyes were on her. ¡°Oh my¡­¡­what¡¯s going on?¡± People who saw Astelle staggering murmured. She hurriedly tried to head towards the center of the ballroom, but as soon as she took another step, she fell down helplessly. Astelle sped Fritz¡¯s arms firmly with both hands, supporting her staggering body. ¡®What¡¯s wrong with me?¡¯ She tried moving her shoes carefully. As soon as the high heels of the shoes hit the floor, they leaned sideways helplessly. ¡®The heels¡­¡­¡¯ The heels of the shoes were broken. *** ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Fritz asked Astelle worriedly as he supported her. Astelle answered as she moved the broken heel from side to side. ¡°My heels broke.¡± ¡°Your heel broke?¡± ¡°Both are broken.¡± It didn¡¯t break naturally, but the part connected to the sole fell out and seemed to be tattered. I¡¯m d the thick skirt was dragged all the way to the floor. Or I¡¯d almost show everyone my tattered heels. Because the skirt was long and heavy, it had the advantage of covering the feet, but there was also a disadvantage. It¡¯s hard to move because of the skirt, but now it¡¯s much more difficult to keep my bnce and control my body. ¡°Can you change your shoes as soon as possible?¡± ¡°Well, there are several other pairs of shoes in the Empress Pce, but I can¡¯t say for sure if they are in good condition.¡± Obviously, these shoes also had decent heels when they were first worn. It seems that the part connected to the heels of the shoes has been loosened at some point. After walking a few times, the heels broke. It was such a clear malicious intent. Astelle nced at Florin and her mother by the window. While Florin still had calm eyes, there was a triumphant smile on the Marchioness¡¯ face. ¡®Well, I don¡¯t think I need to find the culprit.¡¯ Maybe she was nning on making my heels break when I dance. It was fortunate that Hannah had hit the heels a few times while examining the shoes. That¡¯s why the heels broke a little earlier. Otherwise, I would have fallen to the floor while dancing. That would have been a huge disgrace. Astelle stood still, and Kaizen stood up from his seat with a worried look on his face. ¡°Why? Did you hurt your ankle?¡± As he showed a kind interest in Astelle, the people¡¯s gazes became focused again. Astelle stood up with her heels raised and bowed her head to him. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Your Majesty.¡± Seeing that the Marchioness put so much effort into it, there seemed no way the other shoes in the Empress Pce would be okay. Astelle spoke in a low voice only Fritz could hear, ¡°Minuet is too much.¡± The Minuet was a dance asplex and elegant as a sweet melody. Until the long song is over, you have to take turns moving and changing positions, and stepping carefully. To dance in these tattered shoes, she¡¯ll fall about ten times before she even starts. ¡®What should I do?¡¯ Well, there are old shoes I used to wear in the mansion, so I can just ask Hannah to bring them. But they were not prom shoes. Prom shoes were different from ordinary shoes. This is because prom shoes are specially made to order so that you can step on a smooth floor without slipping. Most of all, I couldn¡¯t keep the people here waiting while I ordered Hannah to get the shoes. ¡®I already started itte, I can¡¯t dy it again.¡¯ I¡¯d rather just say that I¡¯m not feeling well and go back. Or should I wait for Hannah to bring my new shoes? I was thinking about it for a while, and the noise around me gradually grew louder. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with her? Is it because she can¡¯t dance?¡± ¡°Since she lived in the countryside for a long time¡­¡­did she forget the steps?¡± For a moment, Fritz¡¯s eyes lit up with anger. Suddenly he beckoned to the servant on the other side. He was a servant in charge of conducting the banquet. ¡°Young Duke, is there a problem?¡± ¡°I had a brief discussion with my sister.¡± As the servant drew near, Fritz naturally lied, ¡°Actually, in our family, the first dance at the charity ball is not a Minuet.¡± ¡°Then what kind of dance¡­¡­?¡± Fritz turned to Kaizen and said politely, ¡°Myte mother liked waltz, so the first dance of the charity ball was always waltz. If you allow, I¡¯d like to do the waltz for the first dance this time as well, Your Majesty.¡± Chapter 78 Chapter 78 Kaizen of course did not object. ¡°You two are the organizers, do as you please.¡± Astelle gave her brother a look of gratitude. Choosing to do the waltz was an excellent choice. This is because, unlike minuet, the waltz is a dance where two people dance closely together, so the man can support the woman. ¡°Do you remember when you were young and practiced dancing for fun?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Astelle recalled memories of her practicing a waltz and standing on her brother¡¯s foot when she was about six or seven years old. Fritz looked delighted that Astelle remembers that moment. ¡°Let¡¯s do it like then.¡± ¡°I must be too heavy.¡± Fritz lowered his voice and smiled. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± The sweet melody of the waltz was heard. Still, I couldn¡¯t get on my brother¡¯s foot as I did when I was young. Astelle followed his steps, raising her heels so that the tattered heels did not touch the floor. She nearly lost bnce a few times, but luckily she was able to follow his steps without a hitch. Every time Astelle stumbled as if to fall, Fritz grabbed her and led the steps. Astelle leaned on his arm and managed to keep pace. Even while supporting Astelle like that, Fritz didn¡¯t seem troubled at all. Astelle looked up at her brother and admired him inwardly. ¡®You have great strength.¡¯ Fritz was once the leader of the Imperial Knights. It seems that it is not difficult to support Astelle¡¯s body because he has strength-trained in swordsmanship. After a few rounds like that, the first music ended. Fritz stepped out of the center of the ballroom, supporting Astelle. Astelle whispered to him without moving her lips, not losing her smile. ¡°Please go to the balcony.¡± People looked a little curious, but no one asked where they were going. It¡¯s not unusual to take a break after dancing. Astelle went up to the balcony on the second floor with Fritz. As she leaned against the railing of the balcony, she let out a sigh. Astelle expressed her gratitude to Fritz with a weary face, ¡°Thank you very much.¡± Fritz asked with a worried look on his face, ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask His Majesty¡¯s permission and go to the mansion?¡± ¡°No.¡± There was no need for that. Even if I wanted to go back anyway, Kaizen wouldn¡¯t let me go. Now that I¡¯ve finished the first dance, I don¡¯t need to do it again. I can spend time here. Hannah noticed something was wrong and hurriedly followed Astelle to the balcony. ¡°Lady Astelle, are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. The shoes are broken.¡± Astelle took off her shoes, leaning against the railing. ¡°I definitely checked it¡­¡­ She worked hard on it.¡± ¡°It really is a useless malicious intent.¡± Hannah went to the maids¡¯ waiting room and got indoor shoes. They were low-heeled shoes made of soft fabric that were closer to slippers than shoes. Hannah also brought two sses of champagne for both of them. Astelle drank some cool champagne. Refreshing champagne cooled down her throat. ¡°Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Sir Lyndon?¡± Lyndon opened the balcony door and stepped inside. He bent down to Astelle and delivered Kaizen¡¯s orders. ¡°His Majesty is looking for you.¡± ¡°Now?¡± Didn¡¯t he say he wanted to meet after the ball? After exchanging nces with Fritz, Astelle opened the door of the balcony and walked out. There was silence in the ballroom downstairs. Astelle, as soon as she entered, caught the attention of people. ¡®I don¡¯t know how many times this has happened.¡¯ Every time she enters the banquet hall, people¡¯s eyes are focused on her. ¡°Astelle.¡± She turned around and saw Kaizen standing there. Astelle thought his appearance was a little different from usual. His tense expression and frozen red eyes seemed unfamiliar to her. He walked close to Astelle and slowly lowered his head. Like an ordinary noble gentleman asking ady to dance. Astelle stiffened in surprise. Those who watched were even more surprised. Numerous nobles gathered widened their eyes. Even if Kaizen suddenly took out a bomb and threw it away, everyone seemed less surprised than this. Astelle stuttered, perplexed by this chaotic situation. ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡­ Why¡­¡­¡± Kaizen ignored the gazes of the people directed at him. He was only looking at Astelle. As if he and Astelle were alone in this ce. He spoke slowly with clear pronunciation, ¡°Astelle, please be my wife.¡± *** In an instant, the world seemed to stop. ¡®What did I just hear?¡¯ Everything around me became blurred. The flow of time and the scenery of the banquet hall disappeared in an instant. Only Kaizen remained in front of her. Kaizen stood proudly in the center of the banquet hall and looked at Astelle. Standing in the emperor¡¯s formal attire, the majesty of a strong and relentless monarch stands out. While everyone fell silent in confusion, Astelle broke the silence first. ¡°Your Majesty, what does that mean?¡± I can¡¯t judge what kind of situation this is. Astelle asked in a trembling voice. Kaizen answered without hesitation at all, ¡°I¡¯m proposing to you.¡± There was silence in the banquet hall. Normally, there would be murmurs or even exmations. It was such a shocking thing that the Emperor proposed to the former empress he divorced six years ago. Everyone was so shocked that they couldn¡¯t even breathe. Astelle was also shocked and looked at Kaizen. A ten-year-old Kaizen appeared in her dusty memories. The young crown prince handed over a ne with blue jewels and proposed to her. ¡®Astelle, marry me.¡¯ She still vividly remembers the young prince who smiled with his youthful face. Although it was an engagement made by the grown-ups¡¯ calctions, Astelle felt blissful at that moment. Ten years have passed now, and Kaizen was saying the same thing as back then. ¡°Marry me, Astelle.¡± Why are you saying this? Astelle felt doubts in the midst of the confusion. Kaizen was noticing that Theor was Astelle¡¯s son. Nevertheless, he proposed to her. She didn¡¯t understand. ¡®Why are you doing this?¡¯ Astelle was too confused to answer. The first to respond to Kaizen¡¯s words was the Marchioness of Croychen. The Marchioness, who had been standing in the corner, suddenly ran forward. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± The eyes in the banquet hall were focused on the shout. ¡°Your Majesty! Princess Astelle is raising an illegitimate child that she disguised as her nephew!¡± ¡°Mother!¡± Florin ran and stopped the Marchioness. Unlike the Marchioness, Florin seems to have judged that saying this would not help in the current situation. If you do something that defames the person the emperor proposes to, it is an insult to the emperor. However, the marchioness lost her mind the moment she saw the emperor proposing to Astelle. She pped her daughter¡¯s hand away and pointed at Astelle. She said, ¡°You gave birth to an illegitimate child without a father, and you shamelessly appeared in the imperial pce and disguised your illegitimate child as your nephew¡­¡­!¡± The shock spread like a wave at the sudden revtion of the marchioness. The former empress gave birth to an illegitimate child¡­¡­ The nobles, who thought that there would be no greater shock than the Emperor¡¯s proposal to the deposed Empress, were dumbfounded at the Marchioness¡¯ words. Of course, the person who received the most shock was the Duke of Reston. The duke asked in disbelief, ¡°What, what did you just say?¡± Fritz was also puzzled by her father¡¯s reaction. ¡°Astelle, is that true?¡± Astelle did not answer her father¡¯s questions. She might be caught off guard by her quick-witted father if she says something useless. Now, there was no reason to exin the past to her father in detail. The frustrated duke shouted at his daughter, ¡°Astelle!¡± In the midst of confusion, Kaizen opened his mouth, ¡°Lyndon.¡± At Kaizen¡¯s cold voice, the banquet hall, which had been buzzing, became quiet as if cold water had been poured on it. Kaizen turned to look at Lyndon standing by the door and gave the order, ¡°Bring out the Marchioness. How dare she insult the princess in the Imperial Pce.¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Your Majesty!¡± The Marchioness shouted desperately. ¡°I am not lying! There is a witness! Just ask her!¡± A witness. With that one word, Astelle understood what had happened to her. I see. I wondered how she found out, and she seems to have found a maid who registered as Theor¡¯s biological mother. She is the only one who can be a witness in this matter. There was also a midwife who helped give birth, but she did not know the exact identity of Astelle. The only person who could be a definite witness was the maid. ¡®You put a lot of effort into it.¡¯ She would have been difficult to find. The marchioness had a grudge against Astelle for her eldest daughter Marianne and for her work at Dentsu Castle, so she did everything she could to disgrace Astelle. Chapter 79 Chapter 79 Lyndon beckoned to the knights. It meant to take the marchioness quickly. As soon as the knights entered the banquet hall, a clear and calm voice interrupted them. ¡°Yes, it is.¡± The eyes, which had been shaken by shock, were all focused on one ce. Astelle stepped forward. She confessed in a calm voice. ¡°Theor is my son.¡± After confessing, she felt ratherfortable. Eyes full of shock, astonishment, ridicule, and contempt were inserted down like arrows, but Astelle didn¡¯t care at all. This much is fine. As long as I don¡¯t lose Theor. The Marchioness smirked and muttered, ¡°Dirty and shameless¡­¡­¡± Astelle walked over to her without saying a word. The Marchioness was startled. ¡°Then I will ask you, Marchioness.¡± Astelle asked bluntly, ¡°No matter how many illegitimate children I have, what does it have to do with you?¡± The Marchioness shouted in surprise, ¡°How can the imperial princess say such vulgar words¡­¡­¡± ¡°Is it a crime for me to have a child? I¡¯ve been living alone since I got divorced, and I¡¯m not even having an affair with my husband, so what¡¯s the problem?¡± In the Empire, it is not a crime to have an illegitimate child. If both were single, there was no problem at all. However, this was always followed by rebuke and criticism from the people of the world. Especially the woman who gave birth to an illegitimate child was ridiculed and looked down on for the rest of her life. Astelle turned her back and met the dark red eyes looking at her. She said, ¡°It is wrong to falsify the child¡¯s origin in the documents, and if you punish me, I will ept it, Your Majesty.¡± After she said that, she warned the marchioness again. ¡°But I will not forgive you if you insult me ??and my son.¡± The marchioness shut her mouth at Astelle¡¯s threat. She had nothing more to say because she had already revealed who the child¡¯s birth mother was. While everyone was shocked, there was a person standing with an unchanged expression. Kaizen was looking at Astelle with calm eyes. ¡°I knew.¡± Those present at this ball were shocked for the third time. The deposed empress had given birth to and raised an illegitimate child, and the Emperor, knowing the fact, proposed to her. ¡°Lyndon, what are you doing?¡± At Kaizen¡¯s rebuke, Lyndon hurriedly beckoned to the knights. The knights dragged the marchioness from the banquet hall. The bewildered Marchioness turned to her husband, but he stood still like a stone statue. ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡­ I¡¯m sorry. Your Majesty!¡± The Marchioness was dragged out by the knights, btedly begging for forgiveness. Astelle raised her head and looked at Kaizen. She seemed to know only then why Kaizen had proposed to her. She was surprised at first. Kaizen hoped Astelle wouldn¡¯t be hurt and insulted by this scandal. If she were a woman who received the emperor¡¯s proposal, no one would dare to do anything with her. ¡°I am sorry for ruining the atmosphere, Your Majesty.¡± But Astelle was unwilling to get his help. Astelle politely bowed and said, ¡°I¡¯m going to leave now.¡± She was about to leave the banquet hall, but as soon as she took a step, Kaizen grabbed her wrist. ¡°My proposal still remains the same.¡± Holding Astelle, he said with earnest eyes, ¡°I want to marry you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± There was a time when I was infinitely happy to hear that. Young Astelle, who did not know the world yet, was delighted after receiving Kaizen¡¯s proposal. Even now as an adult and getting older, I still haven¡¯t been able to understand all the principles of the world, but I do know one thing for sure. Astelle and Kaizen are destined to never be together. And Astelle was now swayed by Kaizen¡¯s heart and did not want to repeat her past mistakes. One such thing was enough. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty.¡± Astelle pulled out her gripped wrist. ¡°I refuse the proposal.¡± *** It was dark outside the banquet hall. The cool air clears my head a little. My heart, which had been beating anxiously, gradually found stability. ¡°Astelle!¡± Fritz, who followed, came to find Astelle. ¡°Brother, I¡¯m fine.¡± In fact, I¡¯m not fine. My heart was still beating erratically. However, Astelle, pretending to be indifferent, skillfully hid her feelings. ¡°Lady Astelle!¡± Hannah brought Astelle¡¯s luggage and came to find them. She heard what happened in the banquet hall and asked Astelle worriedly, ¡°Lady Astelle¡­¡­are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, Hannah.¡± Fritz looked around the door of the banquet hall. ¡°I think it¡¯s better to go back to the mansion quickly.¡± Astelle agreed. If she stays here long, she will run into other people. It was enough to be a spectacle for curious people in the banquet hall. Astelle returned to the mansion with Fritz in the carriage. As soon as she arrived, Astelle headed to her bedroom. She took off her ne, put it on the dressing table, and sat down on a chair. When she arrived at the mansion, the umted fatigue came over. Today, everything was expected. Kaizen is also aware of the rtionship between Astelle and Theor. Also Florin and the Marchioness are up to something rted to that. I guessed it roughly. It was all things I had expected and prepared for. However, Kaizen¡¯s proposal could not be imagined even in my dreams. I didn¡¯t expect him to propose to me there. No matter how much he wanted to protect me. The emperor of the Empire made an open proposal to the divorced former empress. ¡®Like a fool.¡¯ Not only would it damage the dignity of the emperor, but it would also undermine the emperor¡¯s face. It was surprising that he coulde up with such an outrageous method. Before dawn, all the nobles in the capital will talk about this. I think it would be better to pack up and leave immediately. Now that I have obeyed the order to attend the ball, I can go home. Astelle made up her mind to pack up and leave as soon as the sun came up. knock knock. A careful knock broke the silence in the room. ¡°Lady Astelle.¡± Hannah opened the door and came in. ¡°Hannah.¡± ¡°I have prepared bathwater in the bathroom,¡± she said. ¡®Yeah, I have to take off my clothes and remove my makeup.¡¯ Astelle struggled to get her body up. The dress, which had a puffed skirt, was incredibly heavy. Hannah supported Astelle. ¡°Lady Astelle, don¡¯t think about anything else and get some rest.¡± Hannah¡¯s calm voiceforted Astelle. Astelle sighed. ¡°Okay. Nothing will change if I think about it more anyway.¡± Anyway, the goal was achieved. Theor left for the East with his grandfather. It was not revealed who Theor¡¯s biological father was. At least for now. Astelle sat down in front of the dressing table. Hannah loosened Astelle¡¯s hair. ¡°Can I prepare some tea before you take a bath?¡± Hannah asked, looking worriedly at Astelle¡¯s pale expression. Just as she was about to say okay, she heard a sharp voice outside the door. ¡°Astelle!¡± It was a familiar shout. It was Astelle¡¯s father, the Duke of Reston. ¡°Astelle! Where are you?¡± Astelle stood up. The untied hair flowed down her back. She walked straight ahead and opened the door leading to the hallway. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± Her father, who wasing up the stairs, found Astelle and stopped. She could see Fritz rushing over his father¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Astelle.¡± Her father, the Duke of Reston, came into Astelle¡¯s room grinding his teeth. ¡°What are you doing in the middle of the night?¡± ¡°What are you saying! After what happened at the banquet, how did you go back without my permission!¡± ¡°Do I have to get my father¡¯s permission when I return to the mansion?¡± Astelle asked calmly. Of course, she didn¡¯t need her father¡¯s permission. Because Astelle had been thrown out of the family. The duke had an expression on his face that he wanted to hit Astelle immediately. ¡°Is that true?¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°I¡¯m asking if that child is really your son?¡± The duke shouted impatiently. His eyes trembled from how angry he was. Fritz, who followed the duke, stopped him. ¡°Father, please stop it.¡± However, Astelle was not shaken at all. He¡¯d heard it a while ago, so I don¡¯t know why he¡¯s asking again. She meekly repeated her answer, ¡°Yes, you heard it right in the banquet hall. Theor is my son.¡± A cold silence settled in the room. The duke was so shocked that he stood there nkly. After a brief silence, his face burned with anger. ¡°This¡­¡­ this dirty thing¡­¡­!¡± ¡°Father.¡± Fritz stopped the duke with a cold expression on his face. ¡°If you insult my sister, I won¡¯t let you go.¡± Chapter 80 Chapter 80 Astelle was a little surprised. It was the first time in her life that her well-behaved older brother treated their father like this. ¡°What, what? What did you just say?¡± ¡°I told you not to insult Astelle.¡± ¡°How dare you! To your father¡­¡­¡± Then I heard loud footsteps outside the door. The footsteps were rapidly approaching from down the stairs. knock knock. The door opened with two knocks. Behind the door were men in Imperial Knight uniforms. Lyndon with the knights came in and greeted Astelle. ¡°Lady Astelle, I apologize for visiting you in the middle of the night.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Sir Lyndon. What¡¯s going on?¡± Lyndon nced at the duke beside Astelle, then bowed his head politely. ¡°By Your Majesty¡¯s orders, the knights will guard this mansion from today onwards.¡± There was a heavier and longer silence than before. ¡°Why do they have to guard this mansion?¡± A confused expression appeared on Lyndon¡¯s serious face. Astelle noticed what he was trying to say. ¡®Lady Astelle is the one who received His Majesty¡¯s proposal¡­¡­ Of course, you need to be protected by the knights¡­¡­¡¯ That¡¯s probably the reason. Lyndon did not dare to be so frank but answered as euphemistically as possible, ¡°It¡¯s His Majesty¡¯s orders.¡± There was no one who could not understand the meaning of those words. ¡°I am leaving tomorrow.¡± ¡°Are you leaving?¡± ¡°Are you leaving?¡± The duke was more surprised than Lyndon. ¡°I have already obtained permission from His Majesty the Emperor.¡± Of course, it was before I got proposed to at the ball. ¡°I am sorry, Lady Astelle. You cannot leave this mansion without His Majesty¡¯s permission. I am really sorry.¡± ¡°What if I want to go out for a while?¡± ¡°You can go out as much as you want. But the knights will apany you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± I was about to leave the capital tomorrow, insisting that I have permission. Considering that they even came at me straight away like this, I don¡¯t think they would let me go so easily. However, I didn¡¯t know that I would be locked up in the mansion and monitored. Astelle barely suppressed the rising anger. ¡°Am I imprisoned?¡± I can not leave the mansion and return home, and I must be monitored by knights to go outside. It was certainly confinement. ¡°Oh, it can¡¯t be. We will protect Lady Astelle to the end. You can meet your family as much as you want. This is not confinement at all.¡± Lyndon hurriedly denied it, but there was a deep sense of guilt in his innocent eyes. He also seemed to agree with the word ¡®imprisoned¡¯ in his heart. ¡°Then I will ce the knights and leave.¡± Lyndon quickly saluted the three of them, then turned around and went outside. Even after the door was closed, there was a heavy silence for a moment. The emperor sent knights to protect Astelle. This was obviously his intention to make Astelle his empress. In the past, she had spent close to ten years as the crown prince¡¯s fiancee, but she had never been protected by the Imperial Knights. The Duke and Fritz, as well as Astelle, were speechless. Although Kaizen personally proposed at the ballroom, Astelle had no idea that he would want to marry her so strongly, though. ¡°ept the proposal.¡± It was the duke who broke the silence. ¡°You can¡¯t refuse after what happened. I will meet the emperor tomorrow, apologize for what happened today, and ept the proposal¡ª¡± ¡°No, I do not want to. I will never ept his marriage proposal.¡± ¡°If you marry the emperor, you will be the empress again!¡± ¡°A woman with a child became the empress. Then she would be ridiculed for the rest of her life.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that better than being ridiculed as a princess who gave birth to an illegitimate child?¡± The duke sneered coldly. Astelle did not answer. It was far better for her to livefortably with Theor in the countryside than to enter the Imperial Pce and live next to Kaizen. ¡®Be the Empress again¡­¡­¡¯ A conflict arose in her heart. The reason that Astelle had thoroughly hidden Theor¡¯s biological father was that the child would be taken away if it was discovered that he was the emperor¡¯s son. If Theor became prince and entered the pce, Astelle could not protect him. Poor Theor will be oppressed by the children of the new empress and will die horribly. But if Astelle herself bes Empress again¡­¡­ She no longer has to hide the truth of Theor¡¯s birth. She can enter the imperial pce and gain the power to protect Theor. ¡®Would it be safe for me to be Empress again?¡¯ Astelle thought fiercely in her mind and came to her senses by the duke¡¯s sweet voice. ¡°I know you¡¯ve been having a hard time. At that time, I was too harsh. I am so sorry.¡± The Duke apologized to Astelle in the form of a benevolent father. Then, he began to show his true intentions. ¡°But now, why not forget about the past and look at the reality? The emperor has publicly proposed to you. You have a chance to be the empress again. Are you really going to refuse it?¡± ¡°Yes, I am.¡± Astelle answered without hesitation. There was a conflict for a moment in her heart, but the moment she saw her father, a decision was quickly made. Astelle could not be the empress again. When Theor¡¯s true identity is revealed and Astelle bes empress, her father, the Duke of Reston, will do another dangerous act to make his grandson the emperor. Not only Astelle but Theor¡¯s life will also be threatened. ¡°So you won¡¯t listen to me?¡± ¡°Ever since I was little, I lived only what you told me to do. I obeyed your orders and grew up to be the daughter you wanted me to be.¡± When she was young she wanted to be a daughter to be proud of. She hoped that she would be a wonderful daughter who was loved by her father and would brighten up her family name. But in the end, she couldn¡¯t. By the time she was twenty, she perfectly aplished everything her father wanted. But all her efforts for twenty years came to nothing because of one decision she made of her own free will¡ªthe decision to ept the divorce request from Kaizen. From that day on, Astelle became the duke¡¯s failure and was expelled from the family. ¡°I think I have fulfilled my duty to my father and my family.¡± ¡°So you will refuse the emperor¡¯s proposal and go back to the East?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The duke stared at Astelle for a while and thenughed coldly. ¡°I¡¯m very curious about how you n to go back.¡± Astelle did not answer. It was just as her father thought. She was imprisoned in this mansion. She was now in a situation where she could not leave at will. *** From the night of the charity ball, Astelle¡¯s confinement life begins. Her life did not change much. Astelle was still treated with great hospitality in this luxurious mansion. Inside the mansion were numerous servants and maids. They gave Astelle whatever she wanted. She was also free to do whatever she wanted. She could go anywhere in the mansion she wanted to go. If she wants, she can even go to the top of each roof of the mansion. Only the gate of the mansion she could not cross. In fact, it was the most luxurious confinement in the world. But confinement, whether luxurious or extravagant, was still confinement. ¡°Sir Lyndon, how long do I have to stay here?¡± Astelle went out to the garden and met Lyndon. Lyndon repeated the answer he had repeated countless times with a perplexed face. ¡°I am sorry, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°His Majesty has not said anything yet?¡± Lyndon nodded his head. Astelle managed to withstand her rising anger. She was going to pack up and leave as soon as the ball was over, but things went awry. Kaizen imprisoned Astelle in the mansion under the pretext of guarding. Several times she asked for an audience, but she never got an answer back. She didn¡¯t know what the hell she was doing. ¡°I see. When you see His Majesty, please tell him again that I request an audience.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady Astelle. I will definitely tell His Majesty.¡± Astelle turned and headed towards the end of the garden. In the mansion as well as in the garden, there were knights of the imperial pce. The knights showed respect with modest movements whenever Astelle passed by, but they could notpletely hide their curious eyes. ¡®It¡¯s understandable that they¡¯re curious.¡¯ Rumors about Astelle are spreading like wildfire in the capital. His Majesty the Emperor has brought the deposed empress back. He even publicly proposed to her. It was a shocking fact. A woman with a child bes an empress. Moreover, it was a woman who gave birth to an illegitimate child. Thanks to this, Astelle¡¯s existence itself is a subject of curiosity. The empress was expelled after just one day of marriage. A princess who disappeared for six years and then reappeared with her illegitimate child. A woman who captured the emperor¡¯s heart again. Roughly speaking, those were what people were thinking. ¡°What are they saying about Theor?¡± What bothered Astelle the most was what people were talking about Theor. Since it has already been revealed that Astelle is his biological mother, will there be any doubts that Theor is the emperor¡¯s son? Hannah reassured Astelle. ¡°There seems to be no one suspicious of the Young Master¡¯s birth. If he was His Majesty¡¯s son, they would have thought that you would reveal it beforehand.¡± After all, no one would ever imagine that the deposed empress hid a prince as her illegitimate child. Chapter 81 Chapter 81 Astelle was a princess of a prestigious family. A woman who gave birth to an illegitimate child was still viewed with contempt. ¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± But hearing Hannah¡¯s words, Astelle felt relieved. The maids and servants here were very kind to Astelle. Some servants already called her ¡®Your Majesty the Empress¡¯, saying that she would be empress again. Astelle forbade them from calling her that. However, it was already considered a fact that the two would remarry. Since Kaizen himself proposed to her, everyone thought it was decided. No one cared about Astelle¡¯s opinion. ¡®Did Grandpa and Theor get home safely?¡¯ What bothered Astelle the most was how Theor and his grandfather were doing. On the second day of her confinement here, Lyndon asked Astelle where her grandfather and Theor were. Astelle said that the two went back home. Lyndon couldn¡¯t say anything more, because it was the Emperor who gave the two permission. Then he returned to the Imperial Pce and informed Kaizen of the fact. Hearing that, Kaizen did not say anything. ¡®Hope everything is fine.¡¯ She had managed to send Theor back home. Nevertheless, Astelle felt strangely anxious. She was worried whether the two of them left without a hitch. It¡¯s been a few days since they left, so they¡¯ll be home soon. ¡®Why do I keep getting this ominous feeling.¡¯ Two days ago, Astelle met Fritz and asked for his help. She asked him to send someone to Theor and her grandfather to protect them until they return home. Had it not been for what happened at the ball, she would not have had to worry about the well-being of Theor and her grandfather. However, Kaizen had openly proposed to her and now even imprisoned her in the mansion. Now Theor was known to the public as Astelle¡¯s illegitimate child. There may be someone who wants to harm Theor because of his hatred for Astelle. Astelle briefly exined the reason and asked for help from Fritz, who was the only one who could help. Fritz promised to send someone right away. Hannah came to Astelle who was standing by the pond. She tried tofort Astelle. ¡°Lady Astelle, do not worry too much. The young master and the marquis are going home safely.¡± ¡°Yeah, I hope so.¡± I feel like I¡¯ve be hypersensitive because I have so many thoughts. There¡¯s no point in worrying about it. Astelle turned around and walked away from the end of the garden. It was time for her to go into her room and rest. ¡°Lady Astelle.¡± One of the maids was rushing along the side path leading to the main building of the mansion. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Hannah stopped her and asked her. The maid took a deep breath and bowed to Astelle. And she gave the unexpected news. She said, ¡°His Majesty the Emperor has visited.¡± *** ¡°I havee to deliver the Emperor¡¯s personal letter.¡± Vellian politely handed over the Emperor¡¯s letter with a displeased look. In front of him, the Duke of Reston looked at the letter the emperor had sent and eximed with ridicule. ¡°I can¡¯t believe His Majesty sent me a personal letter. I¡¯m so honored.¡± Vellian ignored the duke¡¯s ridicule and ced the emperor¡¯s letter on the desk. ¡°It¡¯s about Princess Astelle.¡± When Astelle¡¯s name came out, the smile disappeared from the duke¡¯s neat face. He read the letter sent by the emperor. As he roughly skipped the formal greeting at the beginning and went down, the first sentence came into his eyes. [This is to convey the marriage proposal to the Duke of Reston¡­¡­] The Duke turned his gaze to Vellian. ¡°This is not a personal letter, but a marriage proposal.¡± Vellian wasn¡¯t surprised at all. It seems he already knew what it was. The duke read the main body of the letter again. There was useless rhetoric to show polite manners, but there was one conclusion; the emperor wants to marry Astelle again. ording to custom, of course, Kaizen had to ask permission from the father of the bride-to-be, the Duke of Reston. The duke was speechless as he read the emperor¡¯s letter. ¡®Come to think of it, something¡¯s been weird since the ball.¡¯ The Reston Charity Ball was an event initiated by histe wife by raising money for charity. There were many nobledies listing or donating. They considered it a virtue to give alms. It is a kind of show-off virtue. The duke had never been interested in the work of women. However, Kaizen suddenly informed that he would hold the charity ball in the imperial pce. The duke was bewildered. Why was the emperor who returned from his journey so interested in the duke¡¯s small event? Fortunately, Fritz, who was there, answered his doubts. Fritz exined that the emperor was doing this to repay Astelle. It was only a reward for helping toplete thete empress dowager¡¯s will with ease. It was a little suspicious, but the duke believed his son. Because he couldn¡¯t guess the reason other than that. Instead of asking the emperor for a reward in money or gold, the foolish Astelle asked to hold herte mother¡¯s ball in the imperial pce. However, the duke realized itter as he watched Kaizen propose to Astelle. The reason Kaizen held the charity ball at the imperial pce was that he was going to propose to Astelle. Kaizen fell in love with Astelle. Obviously, it was the look of a man who was passionately in love. I don¡¯t know what happened during the journey, but Astelle finally captured the emperor¡¯s heart. After six years of divorce¡­¡­ ¡®This is ridiculous¡­¡­¡¯ It was shocking, but it was an opportunity not to be missed. After thest assassination attempt failed, he lived as if he were walking on a thinyer of ice. It was an anxious life, not knowing when he would be caught and executed. However, an unexpected breakthrough urred. ¡®If I make Astelle the empress again¡­¡­¡¯ I can make Astelle the empress and buy some time. If Astelle is in the imperial pce, then I will be able to nt people in the imperial pce. Now Kaizen is blind to Astelle and will do whatever she asks to do. Hopefully, I will have a golden opportunity to get rid of Kaizen. ¡®Who knows, if I¡¯m lucky, Astelle might get pregnant with the emperor¡¯s child.¡¯ When Astelle gives birth to a child who will be emperor, the Reston family will regain their powers. Get rid of Kaizen and his grandson will be emperor. It was a dream-like future. So Astelle must not refuse to be empress. ¡°It is an honor I don¡¯t deserve, I don¡¯t know what to say.¡± The duke put down the emperor¡¯s letter and continued to speak slowly. ¡°Although some of the previous empresses were from my family, it is still amazing to experience such a glorious thing over and over again, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Ignoring what the duke said, Vellian calmly said, ¡°His Majesty asked me to get permission from you, Duke.¡± ¡°Of course, I am in favor. I will be grateful for the rest of my life for the grace of His Majesty the Emperor for choosing my daughter.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Vellian bowed his head lightly and quickly walked out as if he didn¡¯t want to deal with him anymore. As soon as Vellian disappeared, the duke asked his subordinate who was beside him. ¡°Did you find him?¡± ¡°Yes, we found where he stays.¡± The duke tapped the armrest with his finger. Kaizen fell in love with Astelle, and even proposed to her and wanted to make her the Empress. However, Astelle was stubborn and refused his marriage proposal. The duke decided to take Astelle¡¯s weakness in order to get her to marry Kaizen. It was very clear what Astelle¡¯s weakness was. ¡®Her child must be very precious to her. If I catch her illegitimate child, she will do whatever I tell her.¡¯ The duke gave an order with a satisfied smile, ¡°Take him to the capital.¡± *** Astelle headed to the mansion¡¯s living room. At the entrance of the mansion, she saw knights she had never seen before. They seem to have been knights that followed Kaizen. Seeing the unfamiliar faces, she realized that Kaizen was waiting in the mansion. Astelle calmed her mind and entered the mansion. Kaizen stood in the living room. ¡°Astelle.¡± He was the same as usual. His appearance in the emperor¡¯s robe is full of strong dignity, just like a true owner of the empire. ¡®The world is so unfair.¡¯ Born to be an emperor, Kaizen was always able to handle everything as he pleased. While Kaizen is ruling the empire with such a dignified and handsome appearance, Astelle is trapped here like a prisoner of war. ¡°Your Majesty, what made youe here?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wanted to meet me?¡± Chapter 82 Chapter 82 I did request an audience. I requested over thirty times to ask to meet you just once, but only now I¡¯ve been able to meet you. Astelle asked frankly¡±Your Majesty, how long do I have to be here?¡± ¡°Are there any inconveniences about staying here?¡± Astelle was speechless for a moment. Is there any convenience felt by the person who is in confinement? ¡°There is no inconvenience except that I can¡¯t go out.¡± There was no inconvenience in the mansion. In the dazzlingly splendid bedroom, mealsparable to pce meals were served, and the maids served with care all day long. ¡°But I do not want to stay in this mansion. I have to go back to the East now.¡± ¡°Stay here for a while.¡± Kaizen gave orders as if he was saying the most obvious thing. Astelle was stunned. ¡°Your Majesty, but I have family waiting for me at home.¡± ¡°I have sent knights to bring your grandfather and Theor back to the capital.¡± ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± ¡®What did you do?¡¯ I painstakingly made Theor leave the capital, but you¡¯re going to bring him back here? ¡®How could this be?¡¯ If I could, I wanted to push Kaizen in front of me and get angry. ¡°Isn¡¯t it enough for you to keep me in this mansion?¡± Kaizen looked at Astelle¡¯s resentful eyes and said pitifully, ¡°The child should be with you. Do you think making him leave the capital will solve your problem?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty. What problem do you mean?¡± Astelle asked, barely managing to contain the rising anger. Now her biggest problem is Kaizen locking her up here and not letting her go home. Kaizen bit his lip as he was about to say something. Astelle knew what he was trying to say. ¡®You, a princess, gave birth to an illegitimate child. Do you know what people are talking about right now?¡¯ Maybe that¡¯s what he wanted to say. Astelle didn¡¯t care what the world said about her. As long as there were no rumors of Theor¡¯s birth, she didn¡¯t have to worry about what people were talking about. After a while, Kaizen said carefully, ¡°I sent a proposal to your father.¡± Now I¡¯m tired of being surprised. ¡°The imperial court started preparing for the national wedding. At the earliest, in two months, we will get married.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty. What part of the word ¡®refuse¡¯ did you not understand?¡± Kaizen¡¯s expression hardened at the cold response. How dare she say this in front of the emperor. However, Kaizen wasn¡¯t mad at her at all. He looked at Astelle with the light of his eyes that showed painful anguish. ¡°I can¡¯t let you be insulted. This time, I will make sure you never suffer.¡± It was a calm voice, but it contained a deep sincerity and regret. He seemed to regret the past. He foolishly divorced Astelle, who had been his fiancee for half her life, after their first night. As a result, Astelle was expelled from her family and gave birth to a child alone, making her a single mother. Kaizen med himself for all this because of his selfish behavior. Kaizen took one step closer to Astelle, who was standing there without a word. ¡°It must be all my fault that this happened. Give me a chance to take responsibility and make things right.¡± ¡°Is that why you proposed to me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a formal marriage. I will not force anything on you. You just have to get empress status and to be the hostess of the empire again.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± There is no way to undo the past. Astelle thought so, but Kaizen was offering her the position of Empress as a reward for what had passed. ¡°If you allow me, I will make Theor my son and raise him as a prince.¡± At this point, Astelle felt her heart pounding. Astelle said in a low voice, ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that.¡± She tried to speak as calmly as possible. ¡°What is important to you is also important to me.¡± As she lifted her head, his deep red eyes stared at her. He looked at her and asked earnestly, ¡°Give me one chance. A chance to protect you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Hearing Kaizen¡¯s words, Astelle thought she had done something useless by hiding Theor from his biological father. Astelle called him impulsively, ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡­¡± Her voice trembled. Astelle began to speak with difficulty as if to let out all the emotions she had been holding back. ¡°I have something to tell you.¡± If not now, she thought she wouldn¡¯t be able to say it forever. Astelle instinctively felt that this was herst chance to tell the truth. ¡®¡­¡­¡¯ Astelle calmed her mind for a moment. She was almost ready to say it, but when she saw Kaizen¡¯s eyes staring at her, she was speechless again. Can I tell you this? What Astelle is concerned about is losing Theor to the Imperial Pce, and Theor will be used as a scapegoat in the strife. To prevent these two things, Astelle has been working hard for a long time by any means. Can she get help if she confesses the truth to Kaizen? He was a man who promised to raise an illegitimate child as a prince. When he finds out that Theor is his son, he might do everything he can to protect him. Kaizen would be able to stop Astelle¡¯s father, the Duke, before hemits another dangerous attempt. But on the other hand, Astelle still couldn¡¯t trust Kaizen. Now, he said that because he thought he loved her. As time passes and the shallow feelings of love disappear, Kaizen will be indifferent to Astelle again. When the emperor loses affection, Astelle and Theor will be abandoned. ¡°Astelle?¡± Kaizen looked at Astelle with a questioning look. ¡°¡­¡­it¡¯s nothing.¡± Astelle turned around and avoided his gaze. For a moment, the urge to tell Kaizen the whole truth arose, but Astelle chose to keep her mouth shut. ¡°Astelle¡­¡­ If there¡¯s anything I can do to help¡­¡­¡± He came one step closer to Astelle. It was close enough that he could touch her face with his hand if he wanted to. Astelle avoided him without answering. Kaizen stopped walking. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± Then Lyndon opened the closed door and entered the living room. Embarrassment shed across Lyndon¡¯s face as he saw Astelle trapped between the wall and Kaizen. Astelle was a little relieved. This is because the ufortable atmosphere disappeared thanks to Lyndon. Lyndon greeted both of them. ¡°Your Majesty, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Kaizen asked with a nervous look. ¡°Your Majesty, I have something to report to you.¡± Astelle didn¡¯t miss the opportunity and was about to leave. ¡°Then, I will take my leave.¡± After she slightly bent her knees, she quickly rushed out into the hallway before Kaizen caught her. *** Kaizen¡¯s regretful gaze followed Astelle¡¯s back as she walked towards the hallway. When he confessed his sincerity, traces of agitation appeared on her indifferent face. It was proof that Astelle¡¯s heart was changing little by little. Kaizen turned to Lyndon. ¡°Tell me what¡¯s going on.¡± ¡°Your Majesty.¡± Lyndon looked at the hallway where Astelle had left with a worried look and reported, ¡°Young Master Theor has disappeared.¡± ¡°What?¡± It was unexpected. ¡°What does that mean?¡± Lyndon exined in a regretful voice. The knights he sent went after the Marquis and Theor. However, when they arrived at the inn where they were staying, Theor had already disappeared. The Marquis who was with him was found unconscious with small wounds. And Theor is nowhere to be found. Someone had attacked the marquis and kidnapped the child. ¡°How¡¯s the condition of the Marquis?¡± ¡°He is receiving treatment at the official residence there. He was injured, but not to the point of being life-threatening.¡± It was fortunate. If that old man dies, Astelle will be very sad. ¡°Do you have any clue who kidnapped the child?¡± Many nobles were dissatisfied with the decision to make Astelle an empress. However, no matter how dissatisfied, no one would dare to kidnap Astelle¡¯s child as long as the emperor dered that he would make Astelle the empress. Lyndon reported in a cautious voice, ¡°After investigating the surroundings, it appears that the Duke of Reston¡¯s men were nearby.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± However, there was a person who could do that. Still, Kaizen felt a little relieved. If the Duke kidnapped Theor, he would be safe. ¡®Obviously, you kidnapped him to ckmail Astelle.¡¯ The Duke must have been overjoyed to hear that Astelle would be Empress again. But Astelle refused to marry Kaizen. The Duke probably intended to use Theor to force Astelle to ept the emperor¡¯s marriage proposal. ¡®That disgusting man.¡¯ How could you kidnap your only grandson to threaten your daughter? It was just like the Duke of Reston. Kaizen hated him. He tried to get rid of him whenever he had the chance. The only reason he¡¯s still alive is that he¡¯s Astelle¡¯s father. ¡°Go to the Duke¡¯s mansion and find the child.¡± He turned to Lyndon and ordered coldly, ¡°If there¡¯s anyone who interferes, get rid of him.¡± Chapter 83 Chapter 83 A small carriage rattled along the forest trail. Theor rolled the stiff woolen cloth that covered the windowpane with his little hand. The blue sky and a wide wheat field could be seen through the small gap between the curtains. It has been five days since he left the capital. Theor was returning home with his grandfather. The ride home in the small carriage was fun. When he went to the capital, he slept in a pce-like castle in arge carriage, but this time he slept in small houses as he moved from vige to vige. While riding the carriage, he had to get off sometimes and move to another carriage. Theor visited the vegetable garden and the stream from time to time. Theor looked up at his grandfather as he walked along the path of a stream and asked, ¡°Grandpa, when is Moming?¡± The Marquis carrying the luggage replied with a smile to Theor, ¡°If we go home first, she wille soon.¡± Theor believed it. Before he left, his mother said the same thing. If he goes home with his grandfather first, she will follow. Thinking of the capital mansion, Theor turned to his grandfather again. ¡°Will Blynn and Hannahe with Mom, too?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± It would be nice if Blynn and Hannah also came. After leaving the mansion, whenever Theor had spare time, he missed his big hound. He also missed Hannah, who brought her sweet cookies with a caring smile. Of course, the one he missed the most was his mother. After leaving the mansion, Theor missed his mother every night. ¡®Go home with your grandfather first. Mom will follow soon.¡¯ It was thest time he heard his mother¡¯s voice before he left the mansion. Theor missed his mother, but he endured it without crying. If he came home, his mother would be back soon. His grandfather was by his side and took good care of him, so he was able to bear it. The two arrived in a small town around sunset. The Marquis entered the building at the entrance of the vige. It was arge, two-story building that was well lit. ¡°Grandpa, where are we?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an inn. We¡¯re going to sleep here today.¡± Theor knew what inn was. Leaving the capital, the two continued to sleep in an inn somewhere. As they went inside, there was a loud noise and the smell of fragrant food. The Marquis took the key from the man at the door, grabbed Theor¡¯s hand, and went up to the room on the second floor. There was a small bed, a wardrobe and a chair in the square room. Theor and his grandfather had a simple meal of white bread, boiled vegetables, meat, and soup. It was nothingpared to the meal he ate at the castle or mansion, but Theor ate deliciously. After dinner, the Marquis bathed Theor andid him down on the bed. As soon as hey down on the bed, he was drowsy. Theor hugged Levin the teddy bear and fell into a sleep, buried in the soft duvet. Suddenly, as if he had just realized it, the Marquis said, ¡°I have to give you the medicine.¡± ¡®It¡¯s time to drip the medicine.¡¯ Usually, when he was lying down to sleep, his mother would put in the eye drop medicine. As drowsiness hit, Theor closed his eyes without warning. ¡°Theor.¡± The voice of his grandfather woke him. He opened his eyes and before he coulde to his senses, his body was lifted up. Levin in his arms fell to the floor. Theor immediately came to his senses and stretched out a hand to the floor. ¡°Levin¡­¡­¡± The Marquis picked up the teddy bear and gave it to Theor. But after that, he opened the closet door while hugging Theory. ¡°Theor, stay here.¡± The closet door closed with those words. Suddenly, he was in a dark closet. Theor was sitting on top of hisyered robe. Thin light permeated through the closet door gap. ¡®What happened?¡¯ Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he peered through the closet door. The candle-lighted room was quiet. His grandfather was nowhere to be seen. As Theor looked through the gap of the closet door with sleepy eyes, the silence in the room quickly broke. ¡°Ugh!¡± A scream was heard. Starting with the scream, there was amotion in the room. The sound of knives crashing, the scream of someone in pain, even the eerie sound of cutting something. Young Theor could notprehend the situation. What¡¯s going on? Why did other peoplee into our room? Where is Grandpa? He could see people moving in the dark. He looked through the gap in the closet door but had no idea what was going on. He could only guess that people were fighting. At that moment, something fell right under the closet where Theor was, shaking the closet greatly. ¡°Aa- eup!¡± Surprised, Theor almost screamed, but he hastily covered his mouth with his hands. The noise in the room disappeared in an instant. It was when Theor was puzzled by the sudden silence. creak. The closet door opened. *** ¡°Hey, Count.¡± A middle-aged man approached Vellian. He is the minister of the interior. Then he put his hands on the desk. Vellian frowned. He had been sitting in his office all day, pretending to concentrate on his work. ¡°Why do you¡ª¡± ¡°What the hell is going on?¡± Vellian held back his breath. He repeated over and over again what he had said over a hundred times in thest few days. ¡°This is the order of His Majesty the Emperor.¡± At that, the minister of the interior bit his lip with a dissatisfied look. ¡®That¡¯s understandable.¡¯ Vellian had been suffering for several days. His Majesty the Emperor¡¯s order to make the princess Reston the empress again shocked all the nobles in the capital. Of course, Astelle herself was enough to be the empress. The problem is she has a child. Also, an illegitimate child whose father is unknown. ¡®It was so shocking.¡¯ Vellian clicked his tongue as he recalled Astelle¡¯s calm and dignified face. ¡®Who is his father?¡¯ In fact, as soon as Vellian learned that Astelle was the child¡¯s biological mother, he wondered if Theor might have been His Majesty¡¯s son. Because of Astelle¡¯s personality, he couldn¡¯t imagine that she would have met another man after she got divorced. ¡®But his eyes¡­¡­¡¯ There is no blue-eyed imperial family in history. ¡®But, his face looks a little alike.¡¯ When I looked carefully, I felt something simr to His Majesty¡¯s face. However, if he is His Majesty¡¯s son, there is no way to exin why his eyes are blue. ¡®In the end, it¡¯s impossible that he is His Majesty¡¯s son.¡¯ He had hoped in vain that he might be the son of His Majesty the Emperor, but it seems he is not. After all, if he was a prince, there was no reason to hide his identity. ¡°How did this happen? What did you do while you were there? You must take good care of His Majesty!¡± The interior minister had made Vellian suffer for the past few days, as had the other ministers and some nobles. Theirints are the same. That they could not agree with the emperor¡¯s decision to make a princess who gave birth to an illegitimate child the empress. No matter how high-ranking a princess is, a single mother of an illegitimate child could not be empress. It was impossible. Moreover, her father, the Duke of Reston, was a man who lost power while fighting the emperor. In all respects, the princess could not be the empress. Even if the princess was once an empress. Vellian also wanted to stop this marriage if he could. But now, His Majesty the Emperor did not listen to anyone¡¯s advice. ¡°How dare I disobey His Majesty¡¯s will.¡± Vellian also tried to stop Kaizen, but he failed repeatedly. ¡°Anyway, this is an order from His Majesty the Emperor. If you have anyints, please speak directly to His Majesty.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± The minister did not say anything. His Majesty the Emperor ended a long civil war and drove out the great nobles. There was no one here who could openly disobey the emperor¡¯s will. They could not dare to object in front of His Majesty the Emperor, so everyone was expressing their anger towards Vellian. Vellian let out a low sigh and went back to work. *** Kaizen went up the stairs with mixed feelings. He was on his way to tell Astelle about the marquis and Theor. His footsteps were heavy as he thought of Astelle, who must have missed her child. Chapter 84 Chapter 84 Astelle was in the study on the second floor. I was often told that Astelle spent time there as she had nothing to do. Kaizen, who was in front of the study room door, opened the door hesitantly and went inside. Astelle, who was sitting by the window, looked at him and got up. ¡°Your Majesty?¡± Astelle looked tired. Her white skin was pale and the corners of her eyes were shaded. Is it so difficult to stay here? I told the courtiers to take good care of her so that there is no inconvenience. ¡®It must be because she is worried about her child.¡¯ The figure of Astelle, who cared for Theor affectionately, shed before his eyes. Astelle and Theor looked happy. The light green eyes looking at the child were full of affection. When the two were together, there was always a peaceful and happy feeling around them. But now Astelle looked tired, lonely, and exhausted. I felt bad when I saw her like that. I wanted to make you feelfortable. But it became like locking you up here and making you suffer. Still, Kaizen could not let Astelle go. He has already ordered the preparation for the wedding in the imperial pce. No matter what happens, I will officially hold a wedding ceremony and bring her to the imperial pce. ¡°I have something to tell you.¡± Kaizen was silent for a moment as if he was choosing his words. Even though he swore firmly that he would never let Astelle go, he couldn¡¯t say anything when he saw her tired face. If I tell her about this, she will be shocked. ¡°Your Majesty? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Kaizen approached Astelle with a sad face. ¡°This is about the Marquis and Theor.¡± Astelle¡¯s face turned pale in an instant. *** ¡®Why did you return?¡¯ I thought he had left, but Kaizen returned to the study. Astelle, who was looking out the window, found Kaizen and got up from her seat. Until then, Astelle thought he was going to continue the previous conversation. After a long time, the ufortable silence was broken by Lyndon. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Kaizen seemed a little hesitant. Astelle realized that something bad had happened. ¡°I think there was an attack before my knights arrived. The Marquis was injured.¡± ¡°An attack?¡± Something I was worried about was happening. Astelle almost fell from losing her bnce. Kaizen quickly came over and helped Astelle. He hugged Astelle andforted her. ¡°Astelle, it¡¯s fine. He is safe now.¡± ¡°How hurt is he?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not serious. It¡¯s at a level that can recover quickly.¡± Astelle let out a sigh of relief. ¡®Fortunately, you are safe.¡¯ When she heard that his grandfather was injured, she had imagined the terrible consequences. Astelle, who was relieved, looked up at Kaizen again. ¡°How about Theor?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± This time, Kaizen didn¡¯t answer easily. ¡°Your Majesty, is Theor safe?¡± When Astelle urged him to answer, Kaizen answered hesitantly and carefully, ¡°I think your father took Theor.¡± ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± At the word father, Astelle¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡®Did my father take Theor?¡¯ ¡°The Duke¡¯s men were near the inn. I¡¯ve sent Lyndon over there now, so don¡¯t worry too much.¡± Astelle understood the situation with that single word. Her father, the Duke of Reston, wanted Astelle to be Empress again. But, Astelle did not listen to him, so he kidnapped Theor. He kidnapped her son and tried to threaten her. Anger erupted at her father¡¯s callous and selfish behavior. On the other hand, she was also afraid. If my father kidnapped Theor, it would be discovered that his eyes were red. My quick-witted father will grasp the situation in an instant and find out that Theor is a prince. Hiding her anxiety, Astelle asked, ¡°Are you sure? What if it was someone else¡¯s¡­¡­?¡± ¡°Why did other people kidnap Theor?¡± ¡°Maybe someone who has a grudge against me¡­¡­¡± Astelle did not directly refer to Florin and her mother, but only said ¡®someone who has a grudge against me¡¯. But Kaizen knew who she was talking about. ¡°Even if the Marchioness of Croychen had a grudge against you, there was no way she kidnapped the child of someone who would be Empress. The Marquis of Croychen would not allow that to happen.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle was silent at Kaizen¡¯s confident words. Kaizen was right. Unless it¡¯s revealed that Theor is his son, no one else would try to kidnap Theor except Duke of Reston. Kaizen said whileforting Astelle, who was trembling slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. Your father probably didn¡¯t kidnap him to harm him.¡± But Astelle could not be so relieved. ¡®If my father finds out Theor¡¯s true color eyes¡­¡­¡¯ That is the worst thing that could happen. Astelle was still anxious but had a glimmer of hope. Her father¡¯s men weren¡¯t the only ones near the inn where her grandfather and Theor had stayedst night. There were also her older brother¡¯s men, Fritz. Maybe the people near the inn weren¡¯t his father¡¯s men, but Fritz¡¯s? Maybe the people Fritz sent had defeated her father¡¯s men and saved Theor. Maybe her grandfather was injured, couldn¡¯t escape, and could only take Theor to safety. ¡®Even if Fritz took him, he would notice the color of Theor¡¯s eyes.¡¯ Still, it¡¯s not the worst if Fritz finds out. ¡°Your Majesty, may I go see my grandfather?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, your grandfather will arrive in the capital as soon as everything is settled.¡± ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Fritz was her only hope. Astelle turned her gaze to the window. In the ss window, she could see the reflection of her pale face. Kaizen reflected in the window raised his hand toward Astelle. Astelle turned to him. In an instant, Kaizen¡¯s finger touched her ear. Kaizen reassured Astelle and stroked her tinum hair. ¡°Theor will surelye back. Don¡¯t worry too much.¡± As Kaizen whispered, his warm breath reached Astelle¡¯s ear. After meeting again in six years, Astelle sometimes felt unfamiliar with Kaizen. In particr, whenever he acted so kindly, she wondered if he was the Kaizen she knew. Kaizen of the past yed as her sweet fianc¨¦, but he was always cold. He always pretended that he cared for Astelle, but despite such nned kindness, there was a somewhat heartless part. ¡®I didn¡¯t realize it at the time.¡¯ That the present Kaizen is unmistakably sweet and kind. There is no pretense at all. Is he really sincere? Even though her feelings had wavered for a while with the friendly Kaizen, her heart froze again every time the old image of Kaizen crossed her mind. What¡¯s more, she is furious to think that none of this would have happened if this man had done nothing. Astelle took a step back and walked away from him. ¡°Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Kaizen¡¯s gaze followed Astelle. He sighed and said, I¡¯ll be back soon, so if you ever need anything, just tell me.¡± Astelle bowed her head in an unwavering manner to show respect. Kaizen¡¯s sad eyes stared at her for a while. When Astelle raised her head, she saw Kaizen¡¯s back as he walked out the door. After the door closed, Astelle swallowed dry saliva and looked back at the window. I could see the view of the capital city turning dark. Now, I have no choice but to pray in my heart that Theor is okay. *** Theor woke up hearing a rattling sound. ¡®Where is this ce?¡¯ When I slowly opened my eyes, I saw an unfamiliarndscape. There was a patterned roof and windows a little away. Even when I was lying still, my body was constantly shaking. I couldn¡¯t remember how long I slept. I don¡¯t even know where this is. Blinking slowly, Theor realized he was in a moving carriage. The blue sky and tree branches could be seen through the ss window. ¡°That kid hase to his senses.¡± Startled at the unfamiliar voice, I turned my head. Sitting across from me were men I had never seen before. ¡°Are you awake?¡± Theor looked at them in surprise. Both were strangers. He looked simr in age to His Majesty the Emperor, but unlike His Majesty, they were men who looked scary. Who are these people? ¡®Why am I here?¡¯ Theor looked around and looked for his grandfather. However, there were only two strangers in the narrow carriage. ¡°Grandpa¡­¡­¡± Another man, who had been silent all this time, said, ¡°The Marquis is not here.¡± Theor shuddered and stiffened in surprise. The moment I heard that voice, I remembered what happenedst night. Last night, someone opened the closet door where Theor was hiding. He was the man with a ck cloth covering his face. Chapter 85 Chapter 85 He caught Theor and dragged him away. ¡°No!¡± Theor shouted. Another man said, ¡°Handle that kid carefully.¡± Then the man covered Theor¡¯s mouth with a cloth. Suddenly he could smell a strange smell. But his memory ended there. As he recalled the memories ofst night, Theor bit his lip to keep from crying. Judging from the situation, it seems that he has been caught by these people. He must have been kidnapped. I know what kidnapping is. I¡¯ve seen it in children¡¯s books or ys. Bad people were kidnapping children ordies. I know up to that point, but I don¡¯t know what happens after that. In fairy tales, someonees to rescue the kidnapped person, but he understood to some extent that reality and fairy tales are different. ¡®But where am I going now?¡¯ The carriage was still going fast. I wondered where I was going, but the men in front of me didn¡¯t seem willing to tell me. ¡®Where is my Grandpa?¡¯ I realized that I hadn¡¯t seen my grandfather since I went into the closetst night. The violent noise from outside the closet also came back to my memory. ¡®Did my Grandpa get hurt?¡¯ Rather than the fact that he was kidnapped, he was afraid to think that his grandfather was injured. ¡°Sob¡­¡­¡± Theor began to cry as he sniffled. Seeing Theor crying, the man on the other side got angry. ¡°Do not be noisy. A crying child is disgusting,¡± said the man who talked to Theor from the very beginning. Theor was forced to hold back his tears. Another man, who was sitting still, said, ¡°Don¡¯t be rude. He is a precious young master.¡± He opened the carriage drawer and took out a small paper box. Inside the box was a bite-sized biscuit. It smelled like butter. ¡°I¡¯ll give you this, so don¡¯t cry.¡± Theor looked at the biscuit box with tears in his eyes. He wasn¡¯t in a situation where he wanted to eat something like a biscuit, but he was taught not to turn down a gift from an adult. Theor barely stopped crying and took the biscuit the man gave him. And he politely bowed his head. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to say thank you like that.¡± At his blunt answer, Theor raised his head and looked at the man. Upon closer inspection, he looked older than the man beside him. He had eyes that looked nicer than the man beside him who kept talking. The moment their eyes met, the man¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°You¡­¡­¡± ¡°Yes?¡± The man grabbed Theor¡¯s shoulders and pulled him closer. Then he looked into Theor¡¯s eyes with a surprised expression. His eyes were trembling in shock. Theor didn¡¯t understand why he was surprised. Theor, who just blinked his eyes, realized it then. That he had not dripped eye color changing medicine sincest night. *** The study door swung open. The Duke of Reston, who was sitting in his study, frowned at his son, who entered the room without knocking. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Seriously? Are you asking because you don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on?¡± Fritz looked at his father with a contemptuous look. ¡°You were the one who attacked my grandfather and kidnapped Theor, right?¡± The Duke looked up at his son with a puzzled look. The people sent to pick up the child had not yet returned to the capital. How did Fritz, who was only in the capital, find out about it? ¡®Was he trying to bring the child too?¡¯ Fritz seemed to have nned on taking the child to protect him. ¡®Seeing you get angry, you must have been one stepte.¡¯ The duke pretended not to know and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Although he expected it, he was angrier when his father tantly denied it. ¡°I know you¡¯re behind it all.¡± As he leaned leisurely on the back of the chair, the Duke asked, ¡°Do you have any evidence?¡± ¡°My grandfather said he saw your men.¡± Astelle asked Fritz to protect Theor and the Marquis. After that, Fritz immediately sent his men to the East. He ordered his men to find Theor and the Marquis, escort them home, and report to him once they got home safely. However, it seemed that his men were one step behind the Duke¡¯s. By the time they found the inn, Theor had been kidnapped. His maternal grandfather was found lying in the inn room after being attacked and injured. Fortunately, his maternal grandfather was not seriously injured. After his maternal grandfather confirmed that they were Fritz¡¯s men, he told them who had attacked him. Although their faces were covered in masks, they were clearly the Duke¡¯s men. ¡°He must have seen it wrong.¡± The duke denied his son¡¯s words with a smile. ¡°Your maternal grandfather hasn¡¯t been here for a long time, so how could he recognize my people?¡± ¡°After my subordinates investigated, they said that there are your people near the inn.¡± ¡°My people are free to go anywhere. Just because they were near the inn, can that be used as evidence?¡± ¡°Father, I didn¡¯te here to y pun,¡± said Fritz, holding back his anger. He continued, ¡°My grandfather was injured and Theor was missing. Where did you hide him?¡± Fritz felt ashamed of himself. ¡®Astelle asked me for help, but¡­¡­¡¯ The fact that Astelle was Theor¡¯s biological mother was revealed at the ball. After the ball, Astelle was locked up in the mansion and couldn¡¯te out without the Emperor¡¯s permission. Now Astelle is a princess who gave birth to an illegitimate child, and is the hot topic of gossip at the moment. Fortunately, Theor and the Marquis had left first. Poor Astelle called Fritz and asked him to help them get home safely. This was the first time Astelle had asked for help directly from him. He definitely wanted to help. ¡®But I can¡¯t even help her.¡¯ He was pathetic. He couldn¡¯t even listen to his only sister¡¯s earnest request. He was a really pathetic brother. Even his maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Carlenberg, was injured because he waste. Fritz, who had been ming himself, decided to find Theor and bring him to Astelle no matter what. ¡°Father, tell me where Theor is.¡± The Duke still pretended not to know. ¡°Well, no matter how many times you ask, I don¡¯t know where her illegitimate child is.¡± Fritz couldn¡¯t stand his father¡¯s attitude, so he brought up Kaizen¡¯s name. ¡°Can you say that to His Majesty?¡± ¡°Kaizen?¡± ¡°His Majesty had also sent knights to the East to find Theor.¡± ording to reports of his men, the knights sent by the Emperor had arrived just before they left. After hearing that the Emperor had sent the knights, the Duke¡¯s brazen smile slowly disappeared. ¡°Why did the emperor look for him?¡± ¡°How would I know that?¡± The Duke pondered for a moment. He seemed to be contemting what the Emperor¡¯s intentions were. However, his worries did notst long. The Duke smiled calmly again and said, ¡°No matter what the Emperor asks, my answer remains the same. I don¡¯t know where the child is.¡± Fritz gave up talking to his father. There¡¯s no point in talking to him. ¡°All right.¡± He gave the Duke a look of contempt and made a cold deration, ¡°I will find him myself.¡± Fritz has already searched every nook and cranny of the mansion and his father¡¯s vis. But Theor was nowhere to be found. ¡®He probably hasn¡¯t arrived in the capital yet.¡¯ Father will surely bring Theor to the capital. Theor was the key to ckmailing Astelle. Father will try to keep him close by. Fritz thought that if he kept an eye on his father, he would be able to find Theor¡¯s whereabouts. Fritz walked out the door without saying goodbye to his father. He returned to the west mansion where he lived and gave orders to his men, ¡°Keep an eye on this mansion and my father, and whoever he meets.¡± *** The smile disappeared from the Duke of Reston¡¯s face as soon as Fritz closed the door. The duke in the study realized what his son was thinking and clicked his tongue. ¡®He¡¯s going to spy on me.¡¯ Fritz was his biological son and heir to the family. Of course, he knows all the vis in the capital. He must have thoroughly grasped the radius of his father¡¯s actions. ¡®Do you think you can beat me?¡¯ The Duke suddenly remembered his son¡¯s words. ¡®But Kaizen was also looking for him¡­¡­¡¯ Chapter 86 Chapter 86 ¡®I didn¡¯t know that Kaizen would be interested in that illegitimate child.¡¯ Obviously, Kaizen fell in love with Astelle. So I think Kaizen will treat the child like a thorn in his eye, and won¡¯t care if he¡¯s missing or not. The Duke received a report that when the Marquis and the child had left for the East first, Kaizen didn¡¯t respond at all. When the Duke heard this, he thought Kaizen was trying to leave Astelle¡¯s child in the eastern countryside. ¡®Did he try to take the child to threaten Astelle because she rejected his proposal?¡¯ I wondered if Kaizen was looking for the child for the same purpose as me. ¡®I can¡¯t go against Kaizen¡¯s feelings right now.¡¯ Now it was a very important situation for Astelle to be Empress again. It was unwise to go against Kaizen¡¯s intentions in such a situation. ¡®What should I do with the child?¡¯ He got up from his seat and headed to his bedroom. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a rest, so don¡¯t disturb me.¡± He gave orders to the butler who followed him to the bedroom. The Duke¡¯s bedroom was as splendid as the Emperor¡¯s bedroom in the imperial pce. He walked to the wall next to the bed. The light blue wall was decorated with white jade and elegant lily bushes. The duke pressed the white petals ovepped under the bushes with his hand. A crack appeared in the solid wall and a hidden door appeared. The Duke had long taught his sessor, Fritz, about the family affairs, but did not tell him everything. Including this secret passage was not disclosed to his son. He told him all the other secret passages, but this one was the exception. The Duke entered the door and went down the steep stairs. He went down the stairs for a long time and passed through the dark passage and saw a door in the stone wall. This was a secret room that he did not tell anyone except one of his most trusted men. When he knocked on the door, the man who had been waiting inside came out. ¡°Duke.¡± ¡°Did you bring the child?¡± He received a report that the child had arrived a moment ago. ¡°Yes, the Young Master is here, but¡­¡­¡± With a shocked face, the man paused for a moment. ¡°Why? Is there something wrong with him?¡± The duke was worried that the child might be injured or sick. It didn¡¯t matter whether that illegitimate child died or not, but it would be a problem if he died now, since Kaizen was looking for him. After hesitating for a while, the man said, ¡°Duke, you must see the Young Master right now.¡± *** Theor was locked up in a narrow, dark room. No matter how much he looked around, he had nowhere to go. There was one small wooden door, but it was closed tightly. Theor came to this strange ce after riding for a long time in a carriage with strange men. He didn¡¯t know where he was. He only remembered seeing a huge building. As soon as he got off the carriage, Theor was led by the men into an underground passage. And he was locked up in this little room. ¡®Where is this ce? Is this room also underground?¡¯ There is no window here, so he doesn¡¯t know if it is night or day. The man who brought Theor here kindly asked him to wait here. ¡°Young master, please wait here for a moment. The Duke will be here soon.¡± Theor didn¡¯t know who ¡®the Duke¡¯ he was talking about was. He pondered for a moment to see if he had ever met someone with that name. However, there was no one with the name ¡®the Duke¡¯ in Theor¡¯s memories. A stranger left Theor here, saying he would bring another stranger. It was scary enough, but Theor wasn¡¯t too scared. When he first found out he had been kidnapped, he was terrified. He trembled in fear and wept. However, the strange men who kidnapped Theor took great care of him all the way here. Theor also regained some stability in their kind and friendly attitude. Theor raised his hand and touched the corner of his eye. When his red eyes became known to others, he thought something great was about to happen. ¡®Mom said red eyes are so precious that I¡¯ll be in trouble if other people find out.¡¯ However, the strangers who were with Theor did not try to harm him even when they saw his red eyes. Rather, the stranger who handed Theor a biscuit was very careful with him after seeing his red eyes. Every time he got off the carriage for a while in the middle of the trip, they took him to lodgings, asked if he was ufortable, and even brought him delicious food to eat. Theor knew that the sudden change in the men¡¯s attitude was because of his eyes. Because the other man who had been bothering Theor also became surprisingly kind after seeing his red eyes. Theor was young, but he was aware of the situation. He was kidnapped. No matter how kind the men were, they were just kidnappers. ¡®I have to run away.¡¯ I don¡¯t know where to go, but¡­¡­ Still, I have to run away first. Theor looked around the room as soon as the man went out, looking for a way out. But there was no ce to go. The door was tightly closed and there was no window. There was a bell on the wall to call people. There was such a bell in Theor¡¯s house. Theor tried to touch the bell, but it was too high to reach. When Theor was looking around the square room and checking the walls for cracks, the door opened with a click. The man who brought Theor came inside. Behind the man stood a stranger. He was a man with light blond hair, who looked much older than the Emperor, Lyndon, and Vellian. The man was skinny and had a monocle in one of his eyes. That person seems to be of high rank. Theor thought so as he looked at the man. When he was at home, he didn¡¯t know that people wore different clothes depending on his status. When he met the Emperor and traveled with him from ce to ce, Theor learned that the high nobles wore splendid and fancy clothes. Count Vellian always wore nice clothes, and so did the knightmander, Lyndon. The man in front of him now was wearing much better clothes than Vellian or Lyndon. He walked up to Theor with an astonished expression. ¡°Is he Astelle¡¯s son?¡± ¡°Yes, Duke.¡± Astelle was his mother¡¯s name. ¡®Does this uncle know my mother?¡¯ The white-blond man looked down at Theor, then suddenly grabbed Theor¡¯s neck and pulled him closer. ¡°Ah!¡± Theor struggled in pain. The white-blond man angrily pulled Theor¡¯s body towards him. ¡°Stay still!¡± His body was lifted into the air and he was having trouble breathing due to the firm grip on his neck. ¡°Open your eyes.¡± He barely opened his eyes. He could see the man¡¯s face close enough to hear his breath. ¡°Huh¡­¡­¡± He looked into Theor¡¯s eyes for a long time and smirked. The moment the man let go of Theor¡¯s neck, he fell to the hard floor. The man¡¯s satisfiedugh sounded above Theor¡¯s head. ¡°Well¡­¡­ There is no way my daughter will have an illegitimate child.¡± Theor couldn¡¯t understand what he was talking about. At that moment, the bell rang. The white-blond man muttered as he looked at the bell. ¡°Why is the butler looking for me?¡± He ordered the man who had brought Theor. ¡°Leave him here for a while. I will be back.¡± *** Lyndon was guided by the butler into the Duke¡¯s drawing-room. His subordinates, who were waiting for his orders, upied all the way from the main gate of the mansion to the drawinh-room. They were encircling the Duke¡¯s mansion in order to find Theor who had disappeared. It was his duty to find Theor and bring him back to Princess Astell. Lyndon felt sorry for Astelle. During the tour, Lyndon was fascinated by Astelle¡¯s dignified and neat appearance. Astelle was an elegant and wisedy. Even His Majesty the Emperor seemed to be drawn to her again. ¡®Young Master Theor is Princess Astelle¡¯s son.¡¯ Lyndon was also shocked to hear about it. It was unimaginable for him. But he soon developed sympathy for Astelle. The poor princess had lost everything and struggled to raise her child alone. That sad reality aroused pity rather than contempt. Besides, seeing Theor¡¯s existence being ridiculed by people now makes Astelle look even more pitiful. He wanted to quickly find Theor and return him to Astelle¡¯s arms. ¡°Oh, it is you.¡± Lyndon met Astelle¡¯s father, the Duke of Reston in the drawing-room. Lyndon also hated this middle-aged great aristocrat. The Duke smiled dly to see him and asked, ¡°What did youe to my mansion for?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here to pick up Young Master Theor.¡± ¡°Who?¡± The Duke had a puzzled expression on his face as if he was hearing the name for the first time. But Lyndon was not deceived by him. ¡°I know it was the Duke¡¯s work. There is also evidence.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know there were so many people interested in me.¡± Lyndon stepped closer to him and gave him a threatening look. ¡°Kidnapping is a felony.¡± The duke answered slowly, ¡°Are you saying it was wrong for a grandfather to bring his only grandson?¡± ¡°Even though you¡¯re his grandfather, attacking his guardian and taking him away is kidnapping.¡± Lyndon continued, ¡°His Majesty the Emperor has ordered you to return Young Master Theor. Where is he now?¡± Chapter 87 Chapter 87 It was too rude for a knight to say that to the Duke. But the Duke nodded and smiled. ¡°Okay, if His Majesty wants to see my grandson, I will personally take the child to the Imperial Pce. Can I do that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not possible. I have to bring the Young Master right now.¡± Lyndon thought the Duke would reject it, but surprisingly the Duke readily agreed with him. ¡°Then we can go together.¡± The Duke called the butler and ordered something. The butler hurriedly headed somewhere. ¡°Wait a minute.¡± After a while, a man came into the drawing-room and approached the Duke. The Duke ordered him, ¡°Bring the child here.¡± The man nced at Lyndon once before leaving the drawing-room. The Duke looked at Lyndon who was standing like a statue and held back hisughter as if the situation was funny. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to keep you waiting.¡± Lyndon felt like Duke was making fun of him by not bringing Theor at once and instead constantly calling out to his people. Still, he patiently continued to wait. The Duke had admitted that Theor was in the mansion. If he did something dangerous, Lyndon could turn this ce around to find Theor and take him away. ¡°Duke, the Young Master is here.¡± After a while, the door was opened. The man who had left after receiving the Duke¡¯s order came in with Theor. ¡°Oh, my grandson is here.¡± The Duke got up from his seat. He looked at Lyndon for a moment. ¡°Sir Lyndon. Aren¡¯t you supposed to say hello?¡± At first, Lyndon didn¡¯t understand what the Duke was talking about. ¡°Mr. Lyndon!¡± Theor spotted him and immediately ran to him. ¡°Young Master¡­¡­¡± He looked at him and tried to ask if he was okay. But the moment he met Theor¡¯s eyes, Lyndon could not continue his words and opened his mouth wide. Theor¡¯s eyes, which were obviously blue, had turned red. *** The sunset was coloring the scenery of the capital city red. Astelle was sitting by the window in the study, looking at the garden. There was nothing to do because she couldn¡¯t get out of here. All she could do was wait patiently for Theor¡¯s news inside the mansion. Hannah knocked on the door. ¡°Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Hannah? What is going on?¡± Astelle approached her, wondering if there was any news about Theor. Hannah¡¯s face darkened. Astelle intuitively realized that what she had brought was not good news. Hannah handed a small folded paper to Astelle.. ¡°Master Fritz has sent a letter.¡± Astelle took the envelope with her trembling hand. She hurriedly ripped open the envelope. What was written on the letter was undoubtedly Fritz¡¯s handwriting. The content of the letter was that the Duke had kidnapped Theor because the people Fritz sent werete, and Theor didn¡¯t seem to have arrived in the capital yet. Astelle¡¯s eyes widened before she could even finish reading the letter. ¡°Lady Astelle!¡± Hannah supported Astelle who was about to fall. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Astelle sat on a chair, supported by Hannah. ¡®Is it over?¡¯ All the efforts of the past have been in vain. After she sat on the chair and calmed her mind, Astelle picked up the letter again and read the rest. Fritz wrote that he will make sure to find Theor, and asked Astelle not to worry too much. Even if Fritz did not save him, Kaizen had already sent the knights to the Duke¡¯s mansion. Astelle wasn¡¯t worried about Theor¡¯s safety. If her father was the one who kidnapped Theor, he would not be in danger. Astelle was worried that if her father saw Theor¡¯s eyes, he would know that he was Kaizen¡¯s son. That was the problem. Upon learning of Theor¡¯s birth, her father will immediately try to take advantage of the child. Theor is the only prince and sole heir in the Empire. If his father reveals Theor¡¯s identity, obviously everyone in the Empire will know who Theor¡¯s biological father is. Astelle said to Hannah, ¡°My father will find out about Theor¡¯s birth. Maybe he already knew.¡± Hannah¡¯s face was now pale. ¡°Lady Astelle, what should I do?¡± Astelle did not answer. How could she find a way? She is imprisoned here. She couldn¡¯t even get out of the mansion, and there was no way she could stop what was happening in the Imperial Pce and the Duke¡¯s mansion. Astelle closed her eyes. There is only one way to rectify this situation and to make the situation even a little better. She must find a way before her father devised an evil n. A way to protect Theor. ¡°Hannah. Tell the knight that I want to see His Majesty right now.¡± *** Kaizen opened the door to the conference room with his own hand and went inside. The guard hurriedly announced his arrival. ¡°Your Majesty the Emperor hase.¡± As he sat in the highest chair, the officials sat down as well. The sky seen through the window was already dyed red. Because he was too busy with work, the meeting that was originally supposed to be in the morning was postponed to the afternoon. There were a lot of things that were pushed back because of the tour, and there was a pile of new work to be done. He was tired from the endless work, but Astelle¡¯s work was the one who made him most tired. Astelle was still rejecting his proposal. Kaizen wanted Astelle to raise Theor in afortable Imperial Pce and live as an Empress. The best thing he could do for Astelle was to make her Empress again. But Astelle refused his help. Kaizen could not understand Astelle¡¯s thoughts at all. He didn¡¯t think she¡¯d ept him now. He just hoped that Astelle would not be med for his fault. Kaizen wanted Astelle to livefortably in a morefortable environment. But Astelle seemed to hate being tied up with Kaizen to death. To the extent of rejecting even the Empress position. Kaizen suddenly asked, ¡°How are the preparations for the national wedding going?¡± The inside of the conference room fell silent instantly. Kaizen, who was looking at the document, looked at the senior officials sitting around the table. At the meeting a few days ago, Kaizen announced that he would make Astelle the empress again. Of course, no one weed it. Kaizen already knew that the nobles were strongly opposed to it. But now that the great nobles have fallen, no nobles dared toin to the Emperor. Instead, they were pouring out the anger they couldn¡¯t tell Kaizen at Vellian. ¡°I ordered to build a new pce for the Empress. How is it going?¡± ¡°Your Majesty, that¡­¡­¡± At Kaizen¡¯s question, the Minister of Home Affairs hesitated to answer. Kaizen turned his gaze to the officials one by one. Of course, the high officials averted their gaze. ¡°Are there anyints among the officials that I will remarry the empress?¡± A silence fell again at the urging to speak up if there were anyints. The officials who were gathered still looked disapproving, but no one dared to speak his mind. knock knock. Then an urgent knock broke the silence of the conference room. ¡°Your Majesty.¡± The person who opened the door was the knight protecting Astelle. ¡°Why? What¡¯s going on?¡± Kaizen¡¯s heart sank when he saw the knight who was supposed to protect Astellee here. ¡®Did something happen to her?¡¯ Just looking at the sudden intrusion during the meeting, it was clear that something unusual was happening. The young knight nced at the officials gathered in the conference room and said, ¡°Your Majesty, I have something to report to you for a moment.¡± Kaizen sensed the anxiety in his tone of voice. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this today.¡± Kaizen got up from his seat and went outside. The knight said, ¡°The Princess asked Your Majesty for an audience.¡± ¡°Astelle? Me?¡± ¡°Yes, she said she had something urgent to tell you.¡± Kaizen ordered the servant by his side without asking any more questions. ¡°I¡¯m going to the mansion where Astelle is right now. Be prepared.¡± He headed straight for Astelle¡¯s mansion. The moment he walked into the mansion, the sun was settingpletely. Astelle was in the drawing-room, looking out over the garden. Against the backdrop of the night sky, he could see Astelle¡¯s back. Kaizen was blown away by the sight in an instant. His heart aches for some reason. He asked urgently, ¡°Astell, what¡¯s going on?¡± Astelle slowly turned towards him. She politely bent her knees, bowed her head, then calmly raised her head again. ¡°I will ept Your Majesty¡¯s proposal.¡± Kaizen was stunned in surprise. Astelle looked at him with an unwavering gaze. ¡°Instead, there is a condition.¡± Chapter 88 Chapter 88 ¡°A condition?¡± Kaizen blinked a few times, not believing what he had just heard. ¡°I can give you anything you want. You don¡¯t have to put any conditions on it.¡± Can you give me anything I want? It was amazing to be able to say such a thing even at a moment like this. There was only one thing Astelle wanted. To leave the capital and return to the East with Theor. But Kaizen didn¡¯t do the one thing she so desperately wanted. ¡°Let¡¯s have a contract marriage. If you are willing to sign the contract, I will set the terms and conditions of the contract clearly.¡± Astelle spoke calmly but clearly. Kaizen clenched his fist at Astelle¡¯s words. He looked at her cold expression for a moment before he asked, ¡°Okay. What is the condition?¡± Astelle took a deep breath, then she looked him straight in the eye and said, ¡°Before that, I have something to tell you. It¡¯s about Theor.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll bring Theo safely, so don¡¯t worry too much.¡± Kaizen replied before he even heard the exnation. He knew how much Astelle loved Theor. Even though he is not his son, Kaizen intends to raise Theor as his own. However, what Astelle was trying to say was not what Kaizen thought. ¡°Theor is Your Majesty¡¯s son.¡± At her words, Kaizen opened his eyes wide. ¡°What?¡± Kaizen couldn¡¯t easily understand what he just heard. No, he did not understand what he just heard. ¡°What did you just say? Theor is my son?¡± In fact, she never wanted to tell him. But for Theor, Astelle could do anything. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°But how¡­¡­!¡± Kaizen was so confused that he could not speak for a moment. Actually, Kaizen had also thought that Theor might be his son. When he found out that Theor was Astelle¡¯s child, the first thing that came to his mind was the memory of the first night of their marriage. The memory of the first night of newlyweds when he formally slept with Astelle. That night Kaizen took the contraceptive pill. But he was told that the contraceptive pills sometimes fail. Could it be that the child was born at that time? For a while, he had such hope. He wished Theor was his son. Every time he imagined that Astelle was pregnant with another man¡¯s child, it made his blood boil upside down. However, Theor¡¯s clear blue eyes were conclusive evidence that he was not his son. Kaizen has been feeling endless pain and anger over the past few days. But now, it turns out that Theor is his son. ¡°I happened to meet a good pharmacist and got a prescription for a potion that changes eye color. I change the color of his eyes every day with that potion.¡± Astelle continued to exin while looking at the confused Kaizen. ¡°A potion?¡± A potion that changes eye color. Kaizen had never heard of it. Suddenly, something shed through his mind. The day he took Theor to the hunting lodge in the woods. Astelle had run through the rain to the hunting lodge at sunset. At that time, he had been worried about whether Theor had an illness. ¡°Was it because of that potion that you rushed to the hunting lodge from Maern Castle?¡± Kaizen felt as if a fireball was rising in his chest when he saw Astelle standing calmly. ¡°Why did you hide it?¡± Kaizen managed to endure the rising anger and approached Astelle. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me until now!¡± It was understandable that Astelle hid Theor¡¯s birth and said that he was her nephew, because he was an illegitimate child. She wouldn¡¯t have been able to reveal that she gave birth to an illegitimate child. But if Theor is his son, Theor is a Prince. He raised the prince as the son of a dead knight. Kaizen gritted his teeth. ¡°If you had a child, you should have told me! I have rights as a father!¡± Kaizen was furious. That she deceived him. He was also furious with himself for letting her go that way without knowing anything about her. Astelle, who was hit by his anger, raised her head. Light green eyes looked up at him. ¡°What would you have done if you had known then that I was pregnant?¡± Memories of six years ago came to mind. The day he ascended to the throne at the young age of twenty. At that time, he was in a civil war with the great nobles. He killed countless people, and he was at risk of countless assassinations. What would he have done if he had found out that Astelle was pregnant during that bloody and cruel period? Kaizen knew the answer to that question. Had he known Astelle was pregnant, he would have tried to get rid of the child. If it was hard to get rid of the child, he might have tried to kill Astelle. Astelle said, ¡°My father must have noticed Theor¡¯s eyes and knew his identity.¡± Hearing that, Kaizen immediately turned around and opened the door. He couldn¡¯t ept the current situation, but now there was something important. ¡°What is Lyndon doing? Send someone to the Duke! Tell Lyndon to bring Theor here. Right Now!¡± Kaizen closed the door and entered the drawing-room where Astelle was again. Astelle was still looking at him. ¡°So you meant you¡¯d marry me because of Theor, huh?¡± It was ridiculous that he was happy for a while to hear that she epted his proposal. ¡°Don¡¯t you know that I can only take Theor and punish you?¡± Kaizen couldn¡¯t calm himself down, so he spoke coldly. But when he spoke like that, his heart ached. ¡°If you want it, just do it.¡± Astelle replied calmly without any hesitation. ¡°Haha¡­¡­¡± Kaizenughed helplessly. He was free to punish Astelle at will. She might even be imprisoned for hiding a prince. If it was a few months ago before he met her again, he would definitely have punished her. But Kaizen himself knew better that he couldn¡¯t do that now. ¡°So, what is that condition?¡± Kaizen gritted his teeth and asked. ¡°Please appoint my brother as the Lord of the West.¡± ¡°The position has been inherited from the Duke of Reston from generation to generation.¡± The empire ruled the entire continent. In the old days when the emperor¡¯s authority was weak because the territory was too wide, the emperor¡¯s authority did not work in areas far from the capital. In order to effectively rule the empire, the old emperors divided thend into north, south, east, and west except for the central part where the capital is located. In addition, the authority to manage the area was delegated to the nobleman with thergest territory in each area. As the times changed and the emperor¡¯s power became stronger, the families that were the Lords of the North, South, and East walked the path of destruction one after another. However, the Reston family still held the title. Although the current Duke of Reston lost his post as prime minister, he was still the Lord of the West. ¡°I am not asking for it forever. Please let Fritz hold the position for three years, no, two years.¡± Kaizen noticed why Astelle asked him to give the position to Fritz. ¡°If my brother receives the title, there will be no difficulty for him to seed the Duke in the future.¡± ¡°Is that even possible? The Duke won¡¯t back down so easily.¡± In fact, Kaizen could get rid of the Duke if he wanted to. If he investigated the attempted assassination, the Duke would be a traitor. But he didn¡¯t or else Astelle would be the daughter of a traitor. Moreover, if the Duke dies as a traitor, Theor will be the prince of a descendant of a traitorous family. Such a disgraceful mark will follow him like abel for the rest of his life, even if he bes emperor. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I will convince him.¡± Astelle had the confidence to convince her father. To be more precise, she will intimidate him, not convince him. The best intimidation is about the attempted assassination masterminded by the Duke. But Astelle can never use that card. If that happens, it will be fatal to her and Theor as well. But Astelle had another way. How to threaten his father to hand over the title to her brother, Fritz. ¡°¡­¡­okay. I ept that condition. Do as you please.¡± As long as the Reston family could be defended and only the Duke of Reston quietly retreated, it would be an advantage for Kaizen as well. Astelle looked at him for a moment and said, ¡°¡­¡­and there is one more condition. I would like to set the contract period to be five years. After that, if I ask for a divorce, please ept it any time.¡± Kaizen, whose mouth was slightly open, looked at her in disbelief. He looked like he never imagined that such words would be spoken by Astelle. ¡°Theor is my son, he will be the Crown Prince.¡± Kaizen¡¯s voice trembled with anger. ¡°Still, you¡¯re going to get a divorce?¡± ¡°Yes, I want you to promise that you will divorce me at any time.¡± In order to protect Theor¡¯s position, Astelle had to maintain the position of empress in the imperial pce. Still, Astelle wanted to hold thest key to finding freedom. She would be able to endure the life of the imperial pce only if she had the key in her hand to untie the shackle. But Kaizen did not understand her heart. Instantly, sparks lit up in his red eyes. Kaizen was more furious than when he heard about Theor¡¯s birth. Astelle intends to live as an empress for several years and leave after establishing Theor¡¯s position. ¡°What are you going to do if I don¡¯t promise you?¡± Light green eyes of unknown depth looked at him again. ¡°If you do notply with the conditions, I will refuse the marriage proposal.¡± ¡°Are you going to leave Theor in the imperial pce?¡± Kaizen thought Astelle couldn¡¯t do that. But Astelle answered firmly, ¡°If you don¡¯tply with my conditions, it can¡¯t be helped.¡± Kaizen clenched his fists tightly. Her attitude that pushed him away made him suffocate. But all of this was caused by himself. It would not have happened if he hadn¡¯t abandoned Astelle six years ago. He knew it was all his own fault. However, Kaizen did not want to let Astelle go. Astelle might give up on the two of them and leave, but Kaizen couldn¡¯t give up on Astelle. He closed his eyes tightly. ¡°¡­¡­okay. I promise.¡± Chapter 89 Chapter 89 ¡°Come on, sweetheart. Try this.¡± The Duke of Reston handed a cookie to Theor. It was a sweet voice as if dripping honey. It was a figure that no one could ever imagine. ¡°¡­¡­I won¡¯t eat it.¡± Theor ran behind the chair, avoiding the Duke¡¯s hand. He hid behind the back of the chair, revealing only his face. The Duke smiled and put the cookie back down on the bowl. ¡°You don¡¯t like sweets?¡± Theor replied while wary of him trying to catch him. ¡°No, I do not want it.¡± Then he hidpletely behind the back of the chair, avoiding his eyes. Theor hated the man named the Duke. The nape of his neck he had held still throbbed and hurt. It was also strange that he suddenly smiled kindly, having grabbed his neck a moment ago and angry. He seemed like a high-ranking person, but just looking at him frightened him. The Duke smiled contentedly as he wiped his hands with a napkin. ¡°You¡¯re not like a normal kid. Is it because you have precious blood?¡± The Duke thought children would like sweets like this. In fact, the Duke did not like children. Children were just noisy and annoying creatures. But he likes this little one. This child is the heir to the throne. When this child bes emperor, he will be a regent andwfully rule the empire. Bing a regent had long been his dream. For that dream, he educated Astelle as the future empress. Although he failed because of Kaizen, Astelle still did her part. Because she gave birth to such a cute and clever prince. ¡®If this child bes emperor, I will rule the empire.¡¯ While the Duke was imagining such happiness, there was amotion in the hallway. bang! The door of the drawing-room opened with a bang. Fritz entered the drawing-room. ¡°Father!¡± ¡°Have you forgotten how to knock?¡± Fritz walked towards his father angrily. ¡°I heard you brought Theor. Where is he¡ª¡± ¡°Uncle Fritz?¡± Theor, who was hiding behind a chair, heard a familiar voice and raised his head. ¡°Theor?¡± ¡°Uncle Fritz!¡± Theor rushed out and hugged him. ¡°Theor are you o-¡± Fritz, who was about to ask if he was okay, stared nkly at Theor¡¯s tearful face. ¡®His eyes¡­¡­¡¯ His eyes are red. ¡°¡­¡­uncle?¡± When Fritz didn¡¯t respond, Theor grabbed the hem of his robe. ¡°Why do you look like that? Are you surprised?¡± The duke ridiculed his son. ¡°Father, he is¡­¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. As you can see, your nephew is His Majesty¡¯s son.¡± The Dukeughed as if pleased to see his son¡¯s silly expression. ¡°You were the emperor¡¯s ymate when you were a child, but you can¡¯t recognize your nephew? Just by looking at his appearance, it is clear he is Kaizen¡¯s son.¡± Fritz looked at Theor with trembling eyes. The tearful eyes were still ruby ??red. As soon as he saw Theor, he knew he was Astelle¡¯s child. Theor doesn¡¯t look like Sigmund at all. Rather, his thin stature, the shape of his ears, lips, and hands, were all very simr to Astelle¡¯s. And Fritz, who was close to Sigmund like a best friend, was well aware that Sigmund had no lover. He could not believe it when he heard that a child from Sigmund had been born, so he had written several letters to his maternal grandfather. The moment he put all of these together, there was only one answer. That Theor is Astelle¡¯s child. But he did not know who the father was. He once thought Theor looked a little like the emperor, but he never thought he would be the emperor¡¯s son. Above all, the color of his eyes was the most convincing evidence, so he did not doubt. ¡°Duke.¡± Lyndon was standing by the door. A little while ago, Lyndon had sent a knight to the Imperial Pce to inform the Emperor about Theor. However, even before the answer came back, a messenger sent by the Emperor arrived first. ¡°His Majesty has asked you to bring the Prince¡­¡­ Young Master Theor to Lady Astelle¡¯s mansion right now.¡± ¡°It seems that my daughter has epted His Majesty¡¯s proposal, huh?¡± Lyndon did not answer the Duke¡¯s question and hugged Theor. ¡°Young Master Theor, I will escort you.¡± *** Astelle was waiting for Theor. Kaizen left the drawing-room after saying he would meet the conditions. I don¡¯t think he left the mansion. He seemed to need some time to be alone for a while. He suddenly heard the incredibly shocking news. So it takes time to calm his emotions. Marriage to Kaizen is now decided. The marriage was nothing more than a formal marriage. Astelle will live as an empress, but she will not be a real couple with Kaizen. ¡®There is no other way for now.¡¯ Running away from the imperial pce is possible only when Theor¡¯s biological father is not revealed. Since Theor¡¯s identity had already been revealed, there was no other way to escape. She hated the fact that she had to return to the imperial pce again, but she could endure it if it was to protect Theor. It was better to gain the position of Empress and protect Theor than to go on a battle without any power outside the Imperial Pce. I will do everything I can. The important thing is to protect Theor. Hannah opened the door and came in. ¡°Lady Astelle! Young Master Theor is¡ª¡± Before Hannah could finish speaking, Astelle stood up from her seat. Footsteps were heard from the stairs. Astelle hurriedly ran downstairs. On the stairs were Sir Lyndon and Theor. Theor found her and shouted with joy, ¡°Aunt Astelle!¡± Astelle ran and hugged Theor. ¡°Theor¡­¡­¡± She could feel the familiar warmth and soft body. She was so happy that she cried feeling the presence of the child in her arms. ¡°Theor, are you okay? Are you hurt?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡­¡± Theor nodded, then put his hand on his neck. ¡°My neck hurts.¡± ¡°Do you have a sore throat?¡± Astelle unbuttoned his shirt in surprise. The red marks left on his slender neck could be seen. ¡°You have a bruise. Where did you get hurt?¡± ¡°The bad guy grabbed me like this!¡± Theor grabbed his neck with both of his hands. ¡°What does that mean?¡± She was about to ask more, but Lyndon, who was watching, coughed. ¡°Mhm. Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Oh, Sir Lyndon, thank you for bringing Theor back.¡± Lyndon looked at Astelle with aplex look. There was a little anger on his serious face. Are you angry? That¡¯s understandable. Now Theor¡¯s eyes were red like blood. The former Empress, who was expelled, hid the emperor¡¯s child and raised him as an illegitimate child. As the emperor¡¯s servant, he deserved to be angry. ¡°Whatever you think, Sir, I have no reason to deny it,¡± Astelle said calmly. ¡°Lady Astelle, I am not ming you.¡± Lyndon denied her words. Then a familiar voice could be heard. ¡°Lyndon.¡± Kaizen was standing on the railing on the second floor. *** Kaizen, who was waiting in the break room, came out when he heard that Theor had arrived. People were gathering under the stairs. Theor was seen in Astelle¡¯s arms. Kaizen walked slowly towards the two of them. Lyndon and the other knights hurriedly bowed. Astelle also bowed her head. Finally, Theor turned and looked at him. ¡°Your Majesty?¡± When he turned around, his red eyes could be seen clearly. He had already heard from Astelle, but that was the moment when he faced the truth with his own eyes. ¡®Really¡­¡­¡¯ Theor is my son. At that moment, Kaizen felt an indescribable deep emotion. ¡°Theor.¡± Kaizen approached him. He then gently stroked Theor¡¯s face. His soft, milky cheeks touched his fingertips. ¡°Your Majesty, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Not Your Majesty.¡± Kaizen bent his knees to meet Theor¡¯s eye level. He had the same red eyes as himself. ¡°Call me Father.¡± The knights and servants who saw the two could barely keep their mouths closed from the shock. When Lyndon entered the mansion with Theor in his arms, they were all astonished to see the color of the child¡¯s eyes. Theor blinked, not understanding what he was saying. ¡°My father is in heaven.¡± Kaizen¡¯s hand fell helplessly. Theor looked at Astelle in bewilderment. ¡°Aunt? His Majesty is talking about Dad.¡± Kaizen gritted his teeth when he heard that. ¡°You don¡¯t have to lie anymore. Just call her mother.¡± Theor, as if frightened by the low-pitched voice, grabbed the hem of Astelle¡¯s skirt and turned his head away. ¡°Theor, it¡¯s okay. His Majesty was very worried about you.¡± Astelle hugged Theor andforted him. ¡°Your Majesty, Theor seems to be very surprised and tired today. Pleasee back tomorrow,¡± said Astelle. ¡°¡­¡­¡± Kaizen is feeling sad and miserable. The son, whom he met after six years, did not think of him as a father, but was afraid and turned away. Kaizen also knew that he could not be recognized as a father by the child right now. Kaizen endured his sorrow and turned around. ¡°I will go to the Imperial Pce,¡± he said. Chapter 90 Chapter 90 Kaizen turned around without saying a word and left the mansion. As he left, his back looked lonely and bleak. Although he didn¡¯t show it on the outside, he seemed deeply hurt by Theor¡¯s ignorance of him as his father. But Astelle, who was still hugging Theor, didn¡¯t feel too bad about it. ¡°Then see you next time, Lady Astelle.¡± After Lyndon also said goodbye to Astelle and Theor, he went out with Kaizen. ¡°Mom? Why did His Majesty the Emperor talk about father?¡± After Kaizen left with the knights, Theor, who was still in Astelle¡¯s arms, looked up. ¡°Isn¡¯t my father in heaven?¡± Theor tilted his head, confused by what Kaizen said. ¡°Theor.¡± Astelle hugged Theor affectionately. And she put her lips to Theor¡¯s forehead. Along with the relief that the child had returned safely, there was anxiety about the future toe. She said quietly as she embraced the child, ¡°I was going to tell youter when you¡¯re older.¡± At least five or six yearster, I was nning to exin the situation. That¡¯s when he will grow enough to understand the situation. But now I had to tell Theor the truth. After Astelle bes Empress, Theor will be Crown Prince. At least he should know who his father is. Astelle sighed, hugged Theor, and went upstairs. ¡°Let¡¯s go up to the room first. Hannah, prepare Theor¡¯s clothes.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady Astelle.¡± Hannah, who had been watching them quietly, came closer to Theor. Theor waved his hand at her. ¡°Hello, Hannah.¡± ¡°I¡¯m d you came back safely, Young Master Theor.¡± Tears welled up in Hannah¡¯s eyes. Theor raised his hand in surprise. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, Hannah.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯m so happy.¡± Hannah smiled and held Theor¡¯s hand. ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry? I¡¯ll prepare meals while you take a bath.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m hungry.¡± Hannah burst intoughter. Astelle also smiled as she went up to the second floor with Theor. Hannah quickly went to prepare bath water and a change of clothes. Astelle sat Theor on the bed and bent her knees to meet his eye level. ¡°Theor, you had a hard time, right? Everything¡¯s okay now. It¡¯s safe here.¡± ¡°What about Mom and Grandpa? Grandpa put me in the closet, then he disappeared.¡± Theor looked worried. Astelle reassured him by patting him on the shoulder. ¡°Grandpa is fine now. He will be here soon.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Maybe when Theor was in the closet, the kidnappers had a fight with the Marquis. Then he must have been wounded. At the thought of her wounded maternal grandfather, her anger at her father soared. woof woof! Blynn, who was in the bedroom, found Theor and ran to him with a wee bark. ¡°Blynn!¡± Theor grabbed Blynn¡¯s neck and rubbed his face against its soft golden fur. Maybe it was happy to meet Theor, its fluffy tail waving gently. Theor hugged Blynn and whispered in a desperate voice as if he had reunited his separated family again after a decade. ¡°Blynn, I missed you.¡± Blynn licked Theor¡¯s cheek as if in response. Theorughed out loud. ¡°Blynn missed you a lot while you were away.¡± Ever since Theor left, Blynn has been lying down in Theor¡¯s room without energy every day. When Hannah and Astelle tried to make it go for a walk, it lowered its tail and walked helplessly, and finally returned to Theor¡¯s room. Astelle took out the ointment she had put in the drawer and looked at Theor¡¯s neck again. Upon closer inspection, it was even worse. He was bruised so badly that his veins burst. Astelle looked at the bruise and asked worriedly, ¡°How did your neck be like this?¡± ¡°A bad guy grabbed my neck.¡± ¡°Who?¡± Theor replied without hesitation, ¡°A man named Duke.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± I can guess what happened with just that word. ¡®What would have happened to Theor if he weren¡¯t Kaizen¡¯s son¡­¡­¡¯ If Theor were really Astelle¡¯s illegitimate child, her father would have locked him up in the attic and left him unattended. Considering her father¡¯s cold and heartless personality, it was quite possible. Astelle applied herbal ointment to Theor¡¯s neck. ¡°I¡¯ll apply this medicine first. Let¡¯s apply it again after taking a bath.¡± Theor waited patiently for Astelle to apply the medicine. Astelle started to apply the grass-smelling medicine to Theor¡¯s soft skin. The child¡¯s neck was thin and weak enough to be held in one hand. Her anger soared again. How could he treat such a young kid so badly that he was bruised? He is still his only grandson. When she divorced and was kicked out of the house, her affection for her father disappeared, but she still wanted her father to live safely for the past six years. If her father got into trouble, Astelle herself won¡¯t be safe. But now things have changed. He kidnapped and hurt Theor. I couldn¡¯t forgive you. I won¡¯t leave you alone. Astelle intended to usurp the title and power of her father. In order for Astelle and Theor to livefortably, the Duke had to disappear. As she closed the lid of the ointment and rose from her seat, an innocent voice stopped her. ¡°Mom.¡± Theor, who was petting Blinn, looked up at Astelle. ¡°Why did His Majesty the Emperor say that?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle knelt down and looked at Theor. ¡°Theor.¡± Astelle paused for a moment and took the child¡¯s hand. ¡°I haven¡¯t been able to tell you until now because I¡¯m afraid it will be dangerous if this fact bes known.¡± Astelle paused again, choosing her words carefully to avoid hurting the child. ¡°Actually, His Majesty is your father. You are the son of His Majesty the Emperor.¡± Theor widened his eyes. Theor was smarter than other children his age, but he was still at an age where he couldn¡¯t understand how dangerous the imperial bloodlines were. Theor pondered and asked, ¡°Is that why His Majesty also has red eyes?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But why didn¡¯t he live with us?¡± Confused, Theor tilted his head. ¡°Does His Majesty not like living with us?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle hugged Theor gently. She had no idea where Theor heard this from. Her heart ached as she looked into his clear ruby eyes, but she couldn¡¯t tell the young Theor everything. Instead, Astelle said, ¡°It¡¯s not like that. His Majesty couldn¡¯t live with us because he was too busy.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Astelle stroked Theor¡¯s dark hair. ¡°Yes¡­¡­ But now everything¡¯s okay. We will now go to the Imperial Pce and live with His Majesty.¡± I didn¡¯t want to go to the Imperial Pce, but it¡¯d be better to move quickly. I do not know when it will be, but sooner orter I will enter the Imperial Pce. It¡¯s safer to stay in the Imperial Pce than this mansion. ¡°Then are we not going home?¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Astelle did not answer the question for a moment. The six years of living in the countryside were difficult but peaceful. She and her grandfather lived happily watching Theor grow day by day. I will never be able to go back to those days again. My heart ached at the thought that the peaceful and simple happiness had ended forever. Astelle looked at Theor and replied, ¡°Yes, we are not going home.¡± *** The next day, Astelle invited Fritz to the mansion. In fact, he didn¡¯t even need to be invited. This is because Fritz arrived at the mansion as soon as she sent the invitation. ¡°You came early.¡± Fritz stood by the doorway, staring at Astelle with heavy eyes. His eyes were filled with worry, still not believing that his only sister had hidden such a secret. Fritz asked, ¡°How is Theor doing?¡± ¡°He slept all night and is feeling better now.¡± Even though Theor looked tired, he was fine now. After taking a bath and having dinner, he fell asleep immediately. Fortunately, after waking up in the morning, he regained his energy and yed with Blynn in the room. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t save Theor in advance. It wouldn¡¯t have happened this way if I had brought him first.¡± ¡°There is no need to me yourself for what¡¯s already happened.¡± Astelle will soon be empress again and enter the Imperial Pce. So there is no need to regret what¡¯s already happened. Fritz looked at Astelle with a painful look. ¡°I heard that you epted the proposal.¡± ¡°I wanted to meet you because of that matter. I have something to tell you.¡± Astelle continued calmly, ¡°I want to make father step down from his post. So, please be the Duke of Reston, Brother.¡± Fritz opened his mouth wide and was taken aback by the unexpected offer. ¡°Would that be possible? Father will never step down from the position of head of the family.¡± ¡°We have to make it possible.¡± Of course, the Duke would rather die than give up the title. But Astelle knew her father well. Her father, the Duke of Reston, was someone who would offer a title or anything to escape the moment when his life was really in danger. ¡°I need your help, Brother. I will tell you how to do it after I enter the Imperial Pce.¡± Fritz seemed to be in conflict for a while. However, the time to ponder was short. He was very sorry after Astelle left six years ago. Now, Fritz made a promise in front of Astelle. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll help you.¡± Chapter 91 Chapter 91 Astelle stayed in the mansion for several days after Theor returned, waiting for her maternal grandfather. Kaizen wanted Astelle to enter the Empress Pce immediately, but Astelle wanted to stabilize Theor¡¯s position first. The most important thing was to properly maintain the pce before entering the Empress Pce. Astelle paid a lot of attention to choosing Theor¡¯s bedroom and residence. Astelle wrote down a detailed order and handed it over to Hannah. ¡°Give it to Vellian.¡± ¡°Yes, Lady Astelle.¡± Hannah could get in and out of the Imperial Pce with ease. The maids to be brought to the Empress Pce were chosen by Hannah herself. Most of them were maids who used to serve the Empress Dowager. In the meantime, time flew by. When the preparation to enter the Imperial Pce was over, the Marquis arrived at the mansion. ¡°Grandpa!¡± As soon as the Marquis arrived, Theor ran to him. He had a bandage on his left arm. He looked into Astelle¡¯s worried eyes and said quickly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s not serious.¡± Theor, who was in his grandfather¡¯s arms, asked as he looked at his injured arm, ¡°Grandpa, are you hurt?¡± ¡°Grandpa is fine. What about you, Theor?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not hurt. I¡¯m okay.¡± The Marquis took Theor¡¯s teddy bear out of his luggage. ¡°I brought your doll.¡± ¡°Levin!¡± Theor took the old teddy bear and held it in his arms. ¡°Theor, Grandpa must be tired froming a long way.¡± When Astelle blinked as if giving instructions, Hannah took Theor outside. Astelle went into her room with her grandfather. He said it wasn¡¯t serious, but her grandfather¡¯s wound was worse than she thought. His left arm could not move and he had a scar on the back of his head. The Marquis sighed as Astelle looked at his injured arm. ¡°I should have protected Theor no matter what. It¡¯s pathetic to be old.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that. I¡¯m d you weren¡¯t badly hurt.¡± It was heartbreaking to see her maternal grandfather injured. It looked like she was about to cry, but she held it back. If she cried in front of her grandfather, he would feel even more guilty. ¡°I decided to take Theor to the Imperial Pce.¡± Astelle exined the situation to her grandfather. ¡°¡­¡­that¡¯s how it happened.¡± After hearing Astelle¡¯s exnation, the Marquis sighed long. ¡°Are you okay?¡± ¡°It¡¯s better than letting Theor go there alone.¡± Astelle spoke very calmly, but there was a painful look in her eyes. However, she immediately regainedposure. If she shows signs of sadness with her grandfather in front of her, her grandfather would be even sadder. Because Astelle had to go through an unwanted marriage and was forced to return to the Imperial Pce. Astelle took her grandfather¡¯s hand quietly. ¡°Do not worry too much. It¡¯s just a formal contract marriage.¡± ¡°When are you going to enter the Imperial Pce?¡± ¡°I have to go to the Imperial Pce tomorrow.¡± ¡°Tomorrow?¡± ¡°I decided to go to the Imperial Pce after grandfather arrived.¡± Astelle told Kaizen that she would stay in the mansion until her maternal grandfather returned. ¡°Grandpa, can¡¯t you stay with me and Theor?¡± Astelle felt uneasy at the mere thought that her grandfather would be outside the Imperial Pce. Astelle¡¯s most precious people were Theor and her grandfather. In other words, they were Astelle¡¯s weakness. There may be someone who harms the two to threaten her. Another dangerous thing could happen if her grandfather was outside the Imperial Pce. ¡°Did the emperor allow it?¡± ¡°He did. He said you were free to stay with me.¡± Kaizen looked a little displeased, but he allowed Aselle to do whatever she wanted. She asked why he looked displeased, but he didn¡¯t answer. The Marquis also had a reluctant face, but he understood Astelle¡¯s will and nodded his head. ¡°It would be okay if the emperor allowed it.¡± *** Since the Marquis had arrived, there was no reason to procrastinate any longer. In fact, Astelle wanted to procrastinate, but she couldn¡¯t. The next day, carriages were sent from the Imperial Pce. Kaizen also seems to have heard the news that the Marquis had arrived. Astelle packed her belongings and entered the Imperial Pce in the prepared carriage. The Empress¡¯s Pce was a splendid building to the east of the Imperial Pce. Taking Hannah¡¯s hand and getting out of the carriage, Theor looked at the magnificent pce in front of him, and his eyes widened. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s huge! Are we living here now?¡± ¡°Do you like it, Young Master?¡± ¡°Yes! It¡¯s like a pce.¡± Hannah replied with a smile, ¡°This is the Empress¡¯s pce.¡± Astelle went inside the Empress¡¯s Pce and looked around. On the day of the charity ball, she came here to change shoes. The furniture she had brought with her when she was the Crown Princess was still there, so she had a strange feeling as if she had just moved into the Crown Princess Pce. ¡®I didn¡¯t know I would live here.¡¯ After Kaizen¡¯s mother passed away, this pce was empty for a long time. There were days when she dreamed she would live here. She thought that she would start her new life as the hostess of the Imperial Pce. ¡®It was a foolish thought.¡¯ The day she divorced and left the Imperial Pce, she thought that living in the Imperial Pce was over. But now she came back here again. She really had no idea how fate worked. As she looked around the bedroom and was immersed in her feelings, the maid announced Kaizen¡¯s arrival. ¡°Lady Astelle, His Majesty is here.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Kaizen is here? It was noon now. Now is the time to attend the political affairs in the emperor¡¯s pce, so why is he here at this time? Astelle entered the next room under the guidance of the maid. Kaizen was in Theor¡¯s room. As she entered, Kaizen, who was standing next to Theor, turned to her. ¡°Astelle.¡± ¡°What brings you here, Your Majesty?¡± Vellian, who was with him, found Astelle and hurriedly greeted her. ¡°Lady Astelle. How have you been? I wanted to greet you in advance, but I didn¡¯t get a chance¡ª¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been a while.¡± Astelle answered indifferently, but Vellian came closer with a friendly attitude. ¡°If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know. Whatever it is, I will do my best.¡± It was a somewhat sarcastic voice. Ever since learning of Theor¡¯s birth, Vellian seemed to want to look good to Astelle Every time she sent orders for the Empress¡¯s affairs, a sincere reply came back. Astelle will soon be Empress, and Theor will be Crown Prince. Vellian, the Emperor¡¯s aide, tried to ignore what happened in the past and get along with Astelle. Astelle replied with a smile, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll keep it in my mind. Don¡¯t forget what you just said, Count.¡± ¡°Haha¡­¡­¡± Vellianughed awkwardly at Astelle¡¯s firm voice. Anxiety shed across his face as if he realized that what he said was useless. Astelle turned around indifferently and checked Theor¡¯s room. Theor¡¯s room wasrger and more splendid than Astelle had ordered. Initially, Astelle did not ask for decorating the room, but asked for a change in structure and location. ¡®This is a bit too much.¡¯ There was a small study full of fairy tales and a bedroom asrge as the Empress¡¯s bedroom. There are other rooms on either side of the study. One was a small living room overlooking the garden, and the other was a yroom full of toys. In the yroom, there were so many toys that the room looked cramped. Kaizen looked at Theor and asked, ¡°What do you think? Do you like this ce?¡± Theor was hugging Levin¡ªthe teddy bear his grandfather had brought¡ªwhile looking at his new toys. ¡°¡­¡­yes.¡± Theor answered hesitantly. Looking at the overly spacious and luxurious room, it seems impossible to believe that it is his own room. His bedroom in the mansion was also gorgeous, but it wasn¡¯t this spacious. ¡°Prince, you should thank His Majesty.¡± Seeing Kaizen¡¯s disappointment, Vellian quickly stepped in. Vellian looked a little impatient. ¡®What¡¯s wrong with him?¡¯ Astelle watched silently and realized why he was like that. Seeing the frightened Vellian look into Kaizen¡¯s eyes, Astelle was able to find the answer. Kaizen seems to have ordered Vellian to decorate the room that Theor would like. Theor bowed his head helplessly toward Kaizen. ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Theor has been a little unfamiliar with Kaizen since he learned he was his father. Come to think of it, it was understandable. For Theor, a ¡®father¡¯ was like a dream that didn¡¯t exist in reality. He must have been confused and surprised that Kiazen, with whom he was quite close, was actually his father. Kaizen spoke to Theor again, ¡°First of all, stay here. I will give you a new pce for youter.¡± Theor didn¡¯t pay much attention to those words. He couldn¡¯t even adapt to this splendid pce yet, so the word ¡®new pce¡¯ didn¡¯t catch his ears. ¡°Young Master Theor, there are also cute dolls here.¡± Hannah showed him the toys one by one. Astelle went into the next room to look around again. Kaizen followed her. ¡°Astelle.¡± Astelle ignored the look of despair that appeared in his eyes. ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°Is there anything else you need? I¡¯ll send the attendant to get it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need anything. I just want you to keep your promise to me.¡± Kaizen¡¯s eyes turned cold at Astelle¡¯s stiff reaction. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me?¡± ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t believe Your Majesy.¡± Chapter 92 Chapter 92 Kaizen¡¯s handsome face hardened at the answer that came out without hesitating. Astelle said frankly in a calm voice, ¡°Your Majesty once made an oath of marriage in front of God and demanded a divorce the very next day.¡± How can I trust such a person? Astelle¡¯s words had such a meaning. Kaizen could not refute. As Astelle said, he was the one who broke the oath of marriage in the first ce. ¡°So this time, I want to leave solid evidence.¡± ¡°Do you want me to write a contract?¡± Kaizen gritted his teeth and asked. ¡°Yes, I would like to make the terms and conditions of this marriage.¡± Astelle answered immediately. ¡°Haa.¡± At this point, Kaizen was stunned and smirked. ¡°Okay. I will make a contract and sign it as you wish.¡± He opened the door and shouted toward the next room. ¡°Vellian!¡± Vellian, who was ying with Theor, ran up to him with a surprised face. ¡°Bring a paper and write this down.¡± Vellian hurriedly went somewhere and brought a paper and pen. He went to the small table in Theor¡¯s bedroom and wrote down what Kaizen was saying. ¡°In exchange for the marriage, I appoint Fritz von Reston as the Lord of the West.¡± Vellian, who was diligently writing, nced at Astelle. The table he wrote on was a children¡¯s table engraved with little stars, moon, and ponies. The sight of Vellian writing on the table like that was really funny. ¡°I wrote it all down, Your Majesty.¡± Vellian, who finished writing the terms of the contract, raised his head. Kaizen didn¡¯t say anything. Astelle added, ¡°And one more thing, please. I can file for a divorce at any time I want in five years.¡± At this point, Vellian also looked surprised. ¡°Your, Your Majesty¡­¡­¡± ¡°Write it down.¡± After Vellian wrote down Astelle¡¯s terms, Kaizen took a pen and signed it quickly and roughly. He put down the pen and asked, ¡°Now that you have everything you want, what are you going to do?¡± Astelle picked up the paper and said, ¡°Please take care of Fritz¡¯s work properly. As I said before, I will take care of my father.¡± *** Kaizen went out of the Empress¡¯s Pce after finishing his conversation with Astelle. Vellian followed him and clicked his tongue. ¡®It¡¯s a bad start.¡¯ Today was Astelle¡¯s first day at the Empress¡¯s Pce and Kaizen¡¯s first visit to the Empress¡¯s Pce. Vellian, who was always beside Kaizen knew how long he had been waiting for this day. The Emperor urged the knights to bring the Marquis to the capital as soon as possible in order to quickly bring Astelle to the Imperial Pce. As soon as the old marquis arrived, he immediately sent a carriage to pick up Astelle. Besides, Vellian thought Kaizen was waiting for Astelle from the bottom of his heart. Unfortunately, this meaningful first day in the Empress Pce ended very ufortably. Kaizen, who had been walking for a while, stopped for a moment to catch his breath. As soon as he entered the pce, he was annoyed by Astelle¡¯s request for a contract, but as his feelings subsided, he felt pitiful. It was not unreasonable that she did not believe in him. After he made an oath in front of God, he broke it in just one day. ¡®¡­¡­¡¯ Suddenly, a memory from six years ago came to mind. It was around the time when the wedding date was set. While preparing for the wedding, Astelle entered the Crown Princess pce and decorated the couple¡¯s room for the two of them. At that time, Astelle looked very happy. Sometimes she showed him furniture and tapestries and asked him for his opinion. ¡°How about this, Your Highness? Do you like it?¡± Of course, he was not very interested in the wedding. ¡°Choose as you please. I trust your eyes. Everything you pick will be great.¡± He gave such a usible answer every time. Then Astelle¡¯s cheeks reddened and smiled. It was the appearance of a happy bride-to-be. Kaizen hopes Astelle will be as happy as she was back then. However, Astelle, who has now entered the Empress¡¯s Pce, looked around the splendid pce with indifferent eyes. She even asked him to sign a contract. ¡®A contract¡­¡­¡¯ Kaizen will somehow change Astelle¡¯s mind before the contract period ends. It¡¯s never going to be an easy task. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to change Astelle¡¯s mind.¡± Vellian, who was following him, heard his sighs mixed withints. Vellian only listened without a word. In such a situation, it was the role of the aide to cheer up by saying good things as much as possible. But no matter how much he thought about it, it seemed impossible at this time. ¡®No matter what His Majesty may do, I don¡¯t think Lady Astelle will change her mind.¡¯ When he thought about the contract he had just written, it would be nice if Astelle could continue living in the Imperial Pce instead of changing her mind. Vellian remembered thest condition and felt anxious. ¡®You¡¯re really not thinking about leaving in five years, are you?¡¯ No way. Your son is here¡­¡­ However, considering Astelle¡¯s determined personality, Vellian couldn¡¯t hide his anxiety about what would happen to this marriage. *** After Kaizen left, the maid announced another visitor¡¯s arrival. The maid said, ¡°The Duke of Reston and the Young Lord of Reston havee.¡± ¡®I¡¯m busy.¡¯ Before she even unpack her belongings, other guests came. Her father and Fritz were waiting in the drawing room. When Astelle arrived, the Duke of Reston, who was sitting, said admiringly, ¡°I am finally seeing you here. It¡¯s been six years.¡± It was a voice of satisfaction as if his long-cherished wish hade true. He has been working hard for nearly twenty years to put Astelle here, of course, he was satisfied. The Duke of Reston beckoned to Hannah, who was beside Astelle. ¡°It is a hot day. Bring the tea.¡± He was still as arrogant as before. Hannah stood still and said nothing. ¡°No need to bring it. He won¡¯t be here long.¡± At Astelle¡¯s brief orders, Duke Reston raised one eyebrow. ¡°I came to see our prince.¡± ¡°Theor is not a prince yet. He hasn¡¯t even been verified by the temple.¡± Everyone already knows that Theor is a prince, but in order to be officially recognized, he had to undergo a blood test at the temple. Astelle heard that as soon as she entered the Imperial Pce, Kaizen had scheduled the test at the temple. ¡°If he¡¯s the emperor¡¯s son, he¡¯s a prince. If you look at his face and the color of his eyes, anyone will know he¡¯s a prince.¡± The Duke of Reston smiled and continued, ¡°You managed to fool me. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯ve been hiding such a big secret for six years. You¡¯re smart because you¡¯re my daughter.¡± Astelle didn¡¯t respond. Fritz, who had been standing quietly, asked worriedly, ¡°Is grandfather okay?¡± ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s hurt a little, but I think he¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± The Duke of Reston clicked his tongue. ¡°Why is he holding a sword at that age? If he just stayed still, he wouldn¡¯t be hurt.¡± Fritz frowned at his father¡¯s rude remarks, and Astelle clenched her fists hard. Her maternal grandfather seriously injured his arm in the incident. She wanted to make her father, who dared say such a thing, suffer the same. But Astelle did not show her anger. Now was the time for her to convince her father. At that time, Theor ran inside. ¡°Mom! Look at this! Levin has clothes.¡± Theor, who was running towards Astelle with Levin in knight uniform, stopped at the door. Theor¡¯s gaze was fixed on the Duke sitting in the chair. The Duke of Reston stood up with a smile on his face as soon as he saw Theor. ¡°Our prince.¡± Theor ran and hid behind Astelle. ¡°Mom, I hate him. He is a bad guy.¡± ¡°Theor, he is your maternal grandfather.¡± ¡°My mom¡¯s father?¡± Theor raised his head with a confused look. The only grandfather Theor knew was Astelle¡¯s maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Carlenberg. ¡°Yes.¡± The Duke smiled friendly and beckoned to Theor. ¡°Prince, pleasee to this grandfather of yours.¡± But Theor ran away, hugging the teddy bear as the Duke tried toe to him. ¡°Bad grandfather! No!¡± The Duke¡¯s face hardened, still maintaining his friendly smile. Astelleforted her father. Of course, there was no truth in it. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. It was because he still hasn¡¯t adapted. I¡¯ll exin to him slowly, so stay away from Theor for a while. He¡¯ll hate you even more if you force yourself to approach him, because he¡¯s a very shy kid.¡± ¡°He is a picky boy.¡± The Duke frowned as if he was displeased, but there was still a smile on his lips. ¡°Well, he is a child who will be the emperor, he shouldn¡¯t open his heart too easily.¡± The Duke seems to like Theor very much. It must be because he is his own blood that will inherit the throne. He is an important child who will make him a regent. ¡°Actually, I wanted to see you, father.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Astelle looked at her father and spoke in a calm but clear tone. ¡°I am going to be the Empress now and Theor will be recognized as Prince. So I need your help from now on, father.¡± Chapter 93 Chapter 93 ¡°You need my help?¡± The Duke ridiculed Astelle, ¡°You seem to havee to your senses now.¡± ¡°I will soon be the Empress, and Theor will be Crown Prince, but there is no one to help me.¡± Astelle said frankly that she needed her father¡¯s help. ¡°Isn¡¯t the Emperor so into you?¡± ¡°How long will itst?¡± Right now, Kaizen is obsessed with Astelle and doing whatever she wants, but Astelle doesn¡¯t know when Kaizen will change again. The Duke of Reston clicked his tongue as if agreeing with Astelle. ¡°Well, it won¡¯tst long. He is too old now.¡± Fritz red at his father, stunned. Astelle beckoned him to remain still and then turned to the Duke. ¡°I asked His Majesty to make Fritz the Lord of the West.¡± ¡°What? Why?¡± The Duke, leaning on the back of the chair, was surprised and looked back at his son when he heard that the Emperor was going to give Fritz the position he should have. ¡°I asked him to return your position, but he didn¡¯t allow it. I had no choice but to ask him to appoint Fritz,¡± Astelle exined. Kaizen removed the Duke from the position of Lord of the West two years ago after he became embroiled in a rebellion in the North. ¡°Did he give his permission?¡± ¡°Yes, he promised.¡± ¡°Good job.¡± The Duke looked at Astelle with eyes full of affection as if appreciating her. Astelle¡¯s weakness was that she wasn¡¯t young anymore, but she was still quite beautiful. She was still wearing a in dress like a maid, but there was dignity in her beautiful face and her skinny body. It was not unreasonable that Kaizen fell for Astelle. However, it was surprising that he would return the position of the Lord of the West to the Reston family. Kaizen has made every effort to destroy the Reston family. But he changed his mind as easily as turning his palm over just because of Astelle¡¯s words. ¡®This turned out to be easier than I thought.¡¯ The Duke said, ¡°Okay. Trust this father of yours. I¡¯ll do anything for you and the prince.¡± ¡°Thank you, father.¡± Astelle smiled as if touched. ¡®I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s not going to go your way.¡¯ Astelle had a clear picture of what her father was thinking. However, Astelle had no intention of doing what her father wanted. She could feel Fritz¡¯s gaze looking closely at this side. Astelle blinked at him. Fritz nodded as if understood. *** The next day, as soon as I woke up after sleeping overnight, Kaizen sent an attendant to deliver a message. I was told to take Theor to the temple. ¡°Already?¡± I heard that the Theor would go through the verification process at the temple, but I didn¡¯t know he would go this early. Astelle finished breakfast quickly in her room and changed. Theor was still asleep in his room. The Emperor¡¯s attendant bowed his head as if he was sorry. ¡°His Majesty has ordered me to bring the prince as soon as possible. The priests in the temple have already finished the preparations and are waiting.¡± Kaizen seems to want to check the lineage in the temple as soon as possible and grant Theor the status of a prince officially. Reluctantly, she woke Theor up and prepared to head to the temple after finishing his light breakfast. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Theor rubbed his sleepy eyes as he ate a slice of potato pancakes with apple jam. Cooling down the cream soup in the bowl, Astelle said, ¡°We are going to the temple with His Majesty.¡± ¡°Why are we going to the temple?¡± Theor didn¡¯t seem to understand well that he had to go somewhere again before he could adapt to the Imperial Pce. ¡°We are going to the temple to pray and to let others know that His Majesty the Emperor is your father.¡± Astelle bathed Theor, changed his clothes, and headed to the outer pce where the carriage was waiting. When she arrived at the outer pce of the Imperial Pce, Kaizen was waiting for the two of them. ¡°Theor, did you sleep well yesterday?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± Kaizen, who was stroking Theor¡¯s hair, looked at Astelle and hardened his expression for a moment. Kaizen said reluctantly, ¡°If you feel ufortable, you don¡¯t have to go.¡± Astelle wondered what this meant, but it seems that Kaizen is worried that she will be ufortable because she will face numerous nobles in public. At that unfamiliar concern, Astelle replied calmly, ¡°It¡¯s okay. I can¡¯t just let Theor go. I will go with him.¡± What¡¯s there to be ufortable about? He had already publicly proposed to her at the charity ball. Kaizen looked at her and carefully reached out to escort her. She wanted to say no, but Theor was watching the two with sparkling eyes. Astelle took his hand slowly, reluctantly. His hard, calloused hand wrapped around hers. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for calling you in a hurry. I want to finish the temple work as soon as possible.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Your Majesty. It¡¯s something you have to do anyway, so it¡¯s better to finish it quickly.¡± Under the bright sunlight, Astelle looked at Kaizen who was wearing an emperor robe. Even though there must be a lot of backlog of work, he came out early in the morning to stabilize Theor¡¯s position as a prince. She had to admit that he cares for Theor. Although Astelle herself gave up her expectations from Kaizen. As she was walking side by side in the Imperial Pce, the memories of the past came to mind. In the past, she used to meet him at the outer pce of the Imperial pce and go to the temple together. In particr, whenever Empress Dowager¡¯s health deteriorated, Astelle and Kaizen went to pray for her. Kaizen came out first and waited for Astelle. ¡°Astelle.¡± He politely reached out to her, took her hand, and walked along. ¡°Thank you foring with me, Astelle.¡± In her memory, the teenage Kaizen smiled affectionately. Astelle blinked her eyes at the bright sunlight as past memories came and went. Next to her was Kaizen, who had now be an imposing emperor, and the young Theor. The two headed to the temple with Theor. *** As the attendant exined, the priests had already been in the temple and were waiting for the emperor. It was early, but the altar was crowded with nobles who had gathered to see this historic scene. In the past, when Astelle came here to sign the Empress Dowager¡¯s will, only the ministers and other high-ranking nobles were present. But now, even nobledies and young nobledies were filling the altar. There seemed to be more people than on the day of the charity ball. ¡°The Emperor hase.¡± Astelle followed Kaizen with Theor. People¡¯s eyes focused on the three of them. Theor seemed a little nervous when too many people looked at him. Astelle held Theor¡¯s hand and whispered, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Theor.¡± At Astelle¡¯s words, Theor walked confidently. At that moment, the old high priest poured gold-colored water into the holy grail. It was a special water used to test blood ties. When Theor was born, he proved that he had a blood rtionship with the Marquis of Carlenberg. The blood of the Marquis and the newly born Theor was put into the water in the holy grail. The test process was simple. If there is a direct blood rtionship, it shines, and if there is not, then no change urs. Of course, the stronger the blood ties, the stronger the light. At that time, the light appeared on the surface of the holy grail and then disappeared. Still, it was enough to prove that Theor was a great-grandson of the Marquis of Carlenberg. ¡°Prince, your hand¡­¡­¡± The priest reached out to Theor. Theor looked at Astelle with a slightly frightened face. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Theor. It won¡¯t hurt much.¡± The High Priest poked Theor¡¯s finger to draw his blood. Theor frowned at the prickly pain, but bit his lip and endured it. Drops of blood fell into the holy grail. In an instant, there was a light that shone so brightly that it blinded the eyes. ¡°Oh, my¡­¡­¡± ¡°He really is His Majesty¡¯s son¡­¡­¡± There were murmurs of admiration among the gathered people. Everyone knew that Theor was Kaizen¡¯s son, but when they saw it officially confirmed, they were more surprised. There was shock and confusion in the eyes of some. The High Priestforted Theor kindly, ¡°It¡¯s all over, Prince.¡± Theor stopped crying and touched his painful finger. Astelle took his hand and applied the medicine she had prepared. Kaizen gazed at Theor with a look full of pride and beckoned, ¡°Theor,e here.¡± Theor hesitated and walked over to him. Kaizen lifted Theor with one arm and hugged him in his arms. The high officials who were watching at that sight btedly approached Kaizen and bowed. ¡°Your Majesty, I congratte you for finding the Prince.¡± Kaizen nodded his head in satisfaction. But Astelle couldn¡¯t even pretend to be happy. ¡®Congrats on finding the prince¡­¡­¡¯ I hoped that this day would nevere in my life. Today was an important day for Theor to be recognized as a prince. However, the two parents had different mixed feelings. Kaizen showed his son to others with a happy face, but Astelle, standing next to him, felt nothing but vain and bitter feelings. Astelle hoped Theor would spend the rest of his lifefortably without getting involved in political strife as the emperor¡¯s son. Even though she knew it was hard, she wanted to let him live a quiet life without his identity being revealed forever. But her hopes were shattered in vain. Now, like it or not, she had no choice but to live here to protect Theor. As Astelle was standing still and having such thoughts, someone looked at her and approached. He was a skinny, middle-aged man. ¡°Um, Lady Astelle. Long time no see. I am Viscount B¨¹rgen, Minister of Home Affairs.¡± Chapter 94 Chapter 94 This wasn¡¯t the first time she had heard the name. He was a man who was a middle-ranking official even when Astelle lived as a Crown Princess. Astelle remembers he was also quite close with the Reston family. ¡®It seems that the great nobles who have fallen have now risen to the rank of minister.¡¯ ¡°Yes, long time no see. I heard that you were busy renovating the Empress¡¯s Pce. I bet you¡¯ll be busy preparing for a national wedding as well.¡± The Minister of Home Affairs was happy when Astelle recognized his effort and continued the conversation. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. I¡¯m preparing for the wedding without any hups, so you don¡¯t have to worry about it. I would like to congratte you in advance because you will soon be the Empress¡ª¡± Astelle cut off his words in a polite but cold manner. ¡°I just brought the prince at the orders of His Majesty. The congrattions will be epted after the wedding.¡± She didn¡¯t want to receive congrattions from the minister already because she hadn¡¯t be the empress yet. In particr, she had no desire to build friendships with people who move around like migratory birds ording to the powerndscape. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right. Then I will greet you againter.¡± The Minister of Home Affairs said goodbye to Astelle with a disappointed expression. Then Astelle went to the temple terrace to avoid people. She took a moment to breathe in the fresh air, admiring the garden in front of the terrace. It was tiring to go to the temple immediately after moving into the imperial pce and to be a spectacle for people. She needs time to cool her head, even for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s nice to greet you here again, Lady Astelle.¡± She turned around and saw a familiar person. It was Seibel¡¯s father, Count Ecklen. ¡°I¡¯m seeing you at the temple again, Count.¡± ¡°Please speakfortably.¡± As the Count came out to the terrace, he continued, ¡°I am not worthy of receiving this courtesy from Your Majesty the Empress.¡± ¡°I am not yet the Empress.¡± The Count looked around the temple. Through the ss door, there is Theor with Kaizen. ¡°The prince is mature even at a young age.¡± Theor stood quietly, looking up at the people talking to him. He seemed a little confused because there were so many people, but he didn¡¯t look scared. The Count looked at Theor with great respect and continued, ¡°The prince¡¯s calm personality seems to resemble you, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°He must resemble His Majesty.¡± Kaizen was not a calm person, but Astelle said so out of courtesy. In this situation, it was polite to say humbly that he resembled the emperor. Moreover, this man was the emperor¡¯s man. The Count smiled as if he had read Astelle¡¯s thoughts. He also seemed to think that Kaizen and calm did not go well together. ¡°You really resemble your mother a lot, Lady Astelle.¡± ¡°Do you know my mother?¡± As soon as she asked the question, she thought that he knew her mother well, of course, since he was her maternal grandfather¡¯s lieutenant. Count Ecklen looked at her for a moment and then answered, ¡°Yes, we were friends.¡± ¡°You were my mother¡¯s friend?¡± Astelle thought it would be a rtionship between a young lieutenant and the daughter of a superior. She was surprised to hear the word ¡®friend¡¯. In an instant, a deep regret passed through the Count¡¯s eyes, as if recalling the past. ¡°It¡¯s a bit impolite to say that I was your mother¡¯s friend. We were close because we were the same age.¡± ¡°I see.¡± The Count spoke as if it was nothing. But it sounded like a pretty close rtionship. ¡®I¡¯ve never heard of this before.¡¯ My maternal grandfather never said such a thing. Why didn¡¯t he say he was close to my mother? It felt a little odd. Astelle smiled, hiding her confusion. ¡°Count, if it¡¯s okay with you, would you like to visit the Empress¡¯s Pce?¡± ¡°Can I?¡± ¡°Of course. I¡¯d like to have tea with you. I want to hear more about my mother.¡± Astelle spoke as if she only had that request, but in truth, it was not just that. Currently, there is no one Astelle can trust in the Imperial Pce. Fortunately, this man was the only person she had a rtionship with. Since this man was the minister of the military, it would be good to befriend him at this time. Besides, he had a rtionship with her maternal grandfather, and the Count himself was also favorable to Astelle. Astelle invited the Count to the Empress¡¯s Pce with that intention. ¡°Thank you, Lady Astelle. I will see you soon.¡± The Count happily epted the invitation. *** The bloodline test at the temple ended without any problems. From that day on, new maids were added to the pce where Astelle lived. ¡°His Majesty has sent us to serve the prince.¡± ording to the principle, Theor, who was recognized as a prince, had to receive his own pce and stay there. However, since he is still young, he decided to stay here until he adapts to the Imperial Pce. ¡°Nice to meet you. Hannah will tell you what to be careful about.¡± The head of the maids bowed to Astelle. Astelle tilted her head and whispered to Hannah after the maids had left. ¡°See if they can be trusted.¡± All the maids of Empress Dowager were selected and brought in by Hannah. The maids sent by Kaizen also must have been chosen with care, but still, Astelle shouldn¡¯t let her guard down. ¡®Those who will be with Theor should be chosen carefully.¡¯ Theor¡¯s safety was what Astelle paid the most attention to when entering the Empress Pce. It was for the safety of the child that she decided to take care of him here for the time being. Astelle paid a lot of attention to the structure of the pce. Theor¡¯s residence was ced on the innermost side, with Astelle¡¯s residence on the other side and her maternal grandfather¡¯s room on the other side. The maids wandered all day along both passages, and guard soldiers guarding the pce stood up at novices day and night in the garden. People¡¯s eyes could always reach around Theor. ¡°Mom!¡± Theor ran to the terrace to find Astelle. ¡°Theor? I thought you were hanging out with grandpa.¡± Red eyes like ruby ??looked at Astelle with curiosity and affection. After returning to the capital, Theor no longer drips color-changing medicine in his eyes. Theor seemed to prefer the freedom to call Astelle his mother instead of having to go through the hassle of dripping medicine in his eyes every day. Whenever he had a chance, he called Astelle his mother, and followed her. ¡°I think grandpa is sleeping now.¡± Theor hung on the armrests of Astelle¡¯s chair. ¡°Mom, how long do we have to be here?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t like being here?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that.¡± It still seems unfamiliar here. The three of them lived together for many years, and it was difficult to adapt to such arge pce. Hannah sat down on her knees next to Theor, carefully said, ¡°Prince, would you like a small castle in the garden?¡± ¡°Castle? Can you build a real castle?¡± ¡°Of course. I will ask the servants to make a nice castle out of wood.¡± Hannah added, looking at Astelle. ¡°In the past, there was such a castle in the Crown Prince¡¯s Pce. It was a yground for His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.¡± Hannah is talking about a small castle in the garden of the Crown Prince¡¯s pce when Astelle was young. It was a small castle built by Empress Dowager for young Kaizen. ¡°Please make one here, too!¡± ¡°Please draw the castle you want. I will make it the same.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Excited, Theor took Hannah¡¯s hand and went to the study. Astelle looked at that sight and smiled bitterly. Theor¡¯s eyes were the same red as Kaizen¡¯s because he didn¡¯t take the medicine. When they stood side by side in the temple with the same hair color and eyes, they really looked like father and son. knock knock. A maid opened the door and brought a letter. ¡°Lady Astelle, the Viscountess Milott, along with the other nobledies, has asked an audience.¡± ¡°The nobledies?¡± The content of the letter was a request to visit the Empress¡¯s Pce and greet Astelle. The names of the participants were alldies of middle-ss nobles. Among them was the Marchioness of Croychen, Florin¡¯s mother. Perhaps because of the orders of her husband, who was the minister of state, she was caught between thesedies. ¡®It means you want to keep an eye on me because I¡¯ll be the empress soon.¡¯ In fact, Astelle wanted to tell them not toe. However, she would soon be empress, she couldn¡¯t ignore the nobledies of the society. ¡°Okay. Tell them to visit me in the afternoon.¡± *** A few hourster, the nobledies came to Astelle. When Astelle went to the drawing-room, there were about ten nobledies gathered, and they all bowed their heads towards her. ¡°Lady Astelle.¡± There were faces she knew and faces she didn¡¯t. Among them, the eldestdy hesitated and stepped forward. She seems to be the Viscountess who wrote the letter. ¡°Lady Astelle. Thank you for allowing us to attend. Before the wedding, we came to greet you in advance.¡± Among them, none had a close rtionship with Astelle. That¡¯s why they couldn¡¯te separately bute together. ¡°Thank you for visiting. Come this way. The tea will be ready.¡± ¡°Thank you, Lady Astelle.¡± Next to the drawing-room was a reception room for receiving guests. As soon as Astelle asked to bring tea, the maids served tea and dessert. As soon as they put down the teacup, thedies took turns congratting Astelle. ¡°Congrattions, Lady Astelle.¡± Astelle listened to the endless congrattion. But there is only one nobledy who has not opened her mouth. She was the Marchioness of Croychen. The Marchioness of Croychen, who was sitting farthest from Astelle, was forced to open her mouth after the others began to pay attention to her. ¡°Well, me too¡ª¡± Astelle cut her words coldly. ¡°You ndered Theor as an illegitimate child.¡± Astelle looked straight at the Marchioness and continued, ¡°If you want toe here and congratte me, you have to apologize first.¡± Silence filled the reception room in an instant. The Marchioness stared at Astelle with a zing gaze. She didn¡¯t seem willing to apologize, even formally. She got up in a hurry. ¡°I will go back.¡± The Marchioness rose from her seat, and no one followed her. Just by looking at that, Astelle could tell the position of the Marchioness in society right now. On the other hand, Astelle, the only prince¡¯s mother, was in such a firm position in the Imperial Pce. Astelle said indifferently, ¡°Please remember, I don¡¯t want to see the Marchioness here in the future.¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!