I felt heartbroken, so I left the room quietly, ignoring her.

At that moment, I saw a man with green hair walking toward me in the hallway stopping. He was Duke Verita.

I dont know how to comfort you, Duke Verita.

Thanks for coming. Oh, I forgot to greet you a little while ago, Lady Monique.

Youre welcome, I should come, of course. By the way, why are you here? Where is the emperor?

As my wife passed out, he told me to go and check her condition.

I see. I am sorry to have disturbed you by asking a useless question.

No, thats fine.

The duke, who hesitated for a moment, said with a deep sigh, I promised him that I would keep it secret, but I think I should tell you. Allendis came here a few days ago.

Really? Allendis came here?

Yes. He seemed to have heard the rumor that his elder brother was in critical condition.

He abruptly came back a few days ago and had his competence as the family successor verified.

Then where is he now?

Watching me hurriedly looking around, he said with a faint smile, He said he would come back someday, so he asked me to stick around a little longer. What a stupid son!

You mean he left again?

Yes. As soon as he heard that the emperor would visit here, he left, carrying his luggage. Im telling you this because I know that you have been looking for his whereabouts. Dont worry as he seems to be keeping well.

I see. Thank you.

Oh, Ruth, you are here. Tia, you are here, too.

When I barely nodded, I suddenly heard a familiar voice at the far end of the hallway.

As if he rushed here as soon as he finished work, his silver hair that was always neat was hanging down, wet with rain.

Daddy!

Oh, Kairan!

Um. My father approached and hugged Duke Verita tightly. Then, after patting his shoulder, who expressed gratitude, my father looked back at me and said, I think I have to stay here longer, so go home first. You can use my carriage.

Yes, Daddy.

You dont have to, Marquis. Let me take her home.

Your Majesty!

I, Kairan la Monique, am honored to see you, the Sun of the Empire!

I didnt know when he appeared, but the emperor came to us and interrupted.

Nodding at my father showing due manners, he said to Duke Verita, Duke, you must be absent-minded at the moment. Let me leave now. Stay home and pull yourself together for the time being as I will have them take care of your work at the government.

Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.

Then, see you next time. Lets go, Aristia.

Yes, Your Majesty.

After saying goodbye to the two, I climbed into the wagon with him, looking out the dark window and thinking.

Youre safe, Allen. What a relief! As I havent heard from you since you left, I was worried that something bad happened to you. I always felt frustrated even though I believed you would come back. As I hurt you so much, I was worried that you might have made a bad decision.

Can I feel relieved now because you said you would come back someday? I felt a bit sorry to hear that, but its okay because I can meet you again someday.

I felt greatly relieved now. When I smiled a little with a lighter feeling, I raised my head because he seemed to be gazing at me. His navy blue eyes were staring at me.

What were you pondering over? You couldnt hear me when I called you.

Oh, Im sorry, Your Majesty. Actually

Oh I think I know even if I dont hear it.

I got cold feet at his cold voice. When I was hesitant, he paused for a moment and said with a deep sigh, Thats too bad. I knew he was weak, but I didnt know he would pass away so suddenly like this. I hear its been only a year since he got married.

Yes, Your Majesty.

By the way, how about Mrs. Veritas condition?

Ah, I saw her asleep when I came out.

I see.

Slowly nodding, he said after staring silently at the rain falling on the night street, I know I shouldnt say this, but I still envy them.

Pardon? What do you mean

They can mourn the death of their relatives purely without being conscious of losing their face or caring about what others think of them.

He was referring to the close relationship of my father and Duke Verita.

Your Majesty.

Well, I dont think Ive ever mourned the death of my relatives. I had no affection for the late empress, and I should not even pretend to know the death of my biological mother. And the late empress was

It is the same with me. Well, I cant even remember not only my mother, but all my childhood memories.

Although I knew I was rude, I cut him off because I felt sorry for his bitter loneliness.

He might have resolved his resentment towards the late emperor after hearing some episodes from me, but his cold relationship with the late emperor left a scar in his mind. The same may be true of his biological mother whose existence he had to deny, or the late empress from whom he never received love.

After looking at me silently, he smiled faintly. He seemed to notice that I was trying to change the topic.

Yes, thats true. Then, dont you have any childhood memories?

No, Your Majesty.

What a pity! At that time you followed me a lot.

Really?

Yes. Come to think of it, you were a very lovely child. You were bright and cheerful. You liked everyone around you, so you were loved by them.

As if lost in memory, he stared into the air.

At that time, I was up against a wallSo I didnt treat you well. Perhaps thats why Im still being punished right now.

In that respect, I understand why you cant love me easily. How can you feel affectionate for me when I have treated you coldly? Like they say, I reap the harvest of my own sowing.

Your Majesty.

Remember what happened at your estate? The moment I saw you standing aghast, I recalled the last glimpse of your mother. Even while I was inspecting the border, I kept recalling it.

His subdued eyes turned towards me. When I was fidgeting with the hem of my dress because I had nothing to say, the wagon stopped and a light knock was heard from the outside.

I breathed a sigh of relief deep down and slowly bowed to him.

Goodbye, Your Majesty.

Goodbye. Thanks a lot today.

Yes, Your Majesty. Ill see you tomorrow.

Watching his wagon disappearing in the rain while standing under the shade of the umbrella unfurled by a maid, I slowly walked into my house.

Back to my room, I changed into clothes and headed straight to the office.

Because I already reported to him, all I had to do was to review the documents sent by the head of the palace affairs department and consult with my father about it.

When I saw a pile of paper piled up like a mountain, I let out a sigh unconsciously. But I pulled myself together and picked up the thick documents.

How much time passed?

Only

When I saw the name I was looking for in the pile of documents, a smile came to my lips.

It took me a lot of time to search through all the names of the palace affairs department.

Let me see

A man of good conduct and sincerity?

After pulling myself together, I opened my mouth slowly. There was no way other than trusting him now, as long as there was no antidote, or someone else I could trust.

Even if the temple was involved in this, the High Priest would not protect the rebellious people.

So, no matter how much I think about it, it was best to offer him a deal.