I don't care what that bastard did. At this point, I wish he could make a proper mutiny so I could get rid of him.

The Empress constantly poured out vulgar words without caring.

Your Majesty the Empress?

Ah, I'm sorry. Are you surprised? These days, I feel stuffy if I don't say everything I want.

The appearance of the Empress smiling and talking as if nothing happened was as elegant as when she poured out those vulgar words. Sarah blinked slowly to see if the words she had just heard were really coming from the Empress' mouth. Seeing Sarah like that, the Empress smiled and said.

Now that Countess Millen and I have become friends, I hope that we will continue to be comfortable like this.

An awkward smile crept across Sarah's lips.

'Was the Empress that kind of character in Flower of Darkness?'

She tried to remember the appearance of the Empress in the novel she had written anew. However, nothing came to mind about the Empress because she was mentioned lightly. While Sarah's mind was getting complicated, the Empress began to bring up her own stories, thinking she was comfortable with her in her own way.

Who would have wanted to marry an Emperor who would hold onto a dead Empress for the rest of his life? He even had a grown-up heir, that old man. His only attraction was being able to give me the status of an Empress.

I've heard that His Majesty professed that even that was nothing more than an illusion.

Yes, that's right. So who would have wanted to give up their daughters, no matter how much she was Empress?

Sarah nodded without a word. At that time, when the Emperor greeted the Empress, he nailed that the only Empress of this Empire was his dead companion. It meant that she would not be recognized as a proper Empress, only by her position as an Empress. That meant that even Marquis Orlin, the current Empress' father, and her maternal relatives were also inferior to the dead Empress' family.

His Majesty's only maternal relative is Marquis Bollun.

Did Marquis Orlin say it was okay?

The thought of becoming an Empress full of insults, why not? However, neither my father nor I was smart enough to be satisfied with the status of being just an Empress.

The Empress savored the aroma as she poured the tea into her handmade teacup. Then she picked up the teacup and took a sip of the tea with an elegant gesture. That figure was terribly well suited to the splendid position of being the Empress of the Empire. Perhaps the Emperor would not admit it for the rest of his life.

Then why did you decide to become the Empress?

It was all thanks to the First Prince. Seeing the First Prince, I was able to make up my mind.

Even though I couldn't become a real Empress, I thought I could become a real Empress Dowager of this Empire. I saw what that bastard was doing.

The Empress laughed and continued, raising the corners of her mouth as high as she could.

You know, the old man's only son is a blockhead.

!

There was no sense of incongruity in the appearance of the Empress, who spoke vulgar words in her graceful behavior. Surprised, Sarah opened her eyes, and the Empress smiled as if it was fun.

I'm sorry, this is something I learned from my daughter-in-law. How hollow is it.

You must have had a meaningful exchange with Penelois-nim.

Of course. She's really a daughter-in-law that I really like.

Sarah smiled awkwardly as she recalled the Penelois she had seen before. Those words came out of Penelois' mouth, who had been so ill and looked so delicate. As expected, you can't judge a book by its cover.

No matter what kind of son I had, I was confident that I could raise him better than that bastard. As expected, my two sons grew up better than him, and one even brought this beautiful daughter-in-law.

That's really good.

Sarah smiled and responded to the Empress' words.

As expected, Countess Millen and I hit it off well. We should meet more often in the future.

The Empress smiled brightly like a girl and said that she liked it. Sarah felt a little uncomfortable, but the Empress seemed to feel a little more comfortable with her.

I've never had someone to talk to so comfortably. How can I be so comfortable with this kind of story to the other ladies?

Isn't Your Majesty the Empress treating me too special?

Because you're a Countess. You're not just a 'lady'. Aren't you the one who'll have yours, just as I'm going to take control of an Empire?

That's right.

After hearing the words of the Empress, Sarah could understand why she was so comfortable showing her true self.

To be interested in one of my words, you need to keep an eye on more. It can't be better than this to be a friend.

That Sarah was the Countess. And that she was in the position of getting rid of the First Prince. That she was a person who would be helpful to Penelois, Eleon's companion. All of that came together and Sarah Millen became a figure that had to be taken on the side of the Empress. So the Empress was trying to make Sarah her own ally in her own way.

What an honor.

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And Sarah was able to make great use of it.

After visiting Alton Estate, may I visit the Empress' Palace one more time?

Oh, do you need my help?

I want to let everyone know that I have become a glorious close friend of Your Majesty the Empress. It would be a good idea to host a party together.

That's a really good idea, Countess Millen. It was my lifelong wish to host a party with my friend.

Sarah and the Empress exchanged secret glances and smiled at each other. Their thoughts might be different, but the goal they wanted to achieve was the same.

It's going to be a very fun party.

We should make it that way.

The Empress reached out to Sarah, and she held her hand very friendly. Now that she had attracted the biggest ally for Claude and Ambrosia's future, it wouldn't be difficult to grant her small requests.

It's already this time. You should get up now, Countess Millen.

Thank you for taking the time for me, Your Majesty the Empress.

There's no need for such a greeting between us. I'll be looking forward to the next meeting.

The Empress smiled and rang the bell on the table. Then the maids who were waiting outside the tea room came in all at once and opened the door. In front of the door, a knight under the order of the Emperor was stamping his feet with an anxious face. Judging from the uncomfortable faces of the maids, they seemed to have a little argument with him outside the door.

It's been a short tea time, but he seems to be very dissatisfied nonetheless. That Emperor of mine.

Seeing the knight's face, the Empress sarcastically spoke.

May I take Count Millen with me, Your Majesty the Empress.

You may.

The Empress sipped the tea without giving a single glance at Sarah, looking disinterested. The knight, who had been paying close attention, immediately reached out to Sarah.

Come with me, Countess Millen-nim. I'll escort you.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sarah took the knight's hand and left the tea room without saying a common goodbye to the Empress. Just like they had an uncomfortable time with each other. After leaving the Empress' Palace completely, Sarah changed her hardened face and smiled at the knight and said.

I'm getting a little better now. Did His Majesty wait long?

He was concerned that Her Majesty the Empress might have been rude to Countess Millen-nim.

It's just an excuse to keep things quiet. It is His Majesty's command, so I have no choice but to follow.

At Sarah's words, the knight gave a small admiration. It was because, at first glance, he felt as if she had endured the Empress whose heart was twisted by the Emperor's orders.

Indeed, the Millen family has always been loyal to the Imperial family.

A smile formed on Sarah's lips as she saw that the knight's eyes, which had been slightly guarded, were relieved peacefully.

We've been, and we'll continue to be.

When the knight saw Sarah's face, he secretly blushed and coughed softly. Then he continued in a more friendly voice than before.

As expected of Countess-nim. Now I dare to understand why His Majesty chose the Countess-nim.

Those words give me strength.

The knight's lips loosened even with Sarah's moderately joking words. He could feel his heart beating at the fact that Sarah, who was more beautiful than he had heard, was smiling at him. If he could hold the hand of Countess Millen, who was loyal to the Imperial family and who was wise enough to be secretly sought by the Emperor, his future would be solid. The knight, who had already planned to hold a wedding ceremony with Sarah in his head, spoke in a subtle voice.

His Majesty may speak for a long time, so may I take you to Duke Ambrosia's mansion after that? I heard you're staying there.

Oh my. I appreciate your kindness but

Sarah laughed at the voice of his blatant ulterior motive, and while she was about to refuse, there was a hand naturally grabbing the hand held by the knight. Then, in his low-pitched voice, he spoke the words of refusal on her behalf.

I'll say no.

Duke Ambrosinim?

I was the escort for Countess Millen from start to finish.

With a soft but determined face, Ethan blatantly warned the knight.

So back off. There will be no chance of her going back with you.