“Really?”

“No.”

“Then I will have you escorted.”

I said it thinking at least some courtesy should be maintained, but the Emperor shrugged his shoulders.

“You’ll escort me?”

“Yes.”

“There’s no need. We will go together.”

“To where…?”

Both he and I seemed taken aback by my genuine question. I was surprised by his invitation to go together, and he seemed incredulous at my question of where.

“Where? Is there any place other than the Imperial Palace where you would go?”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think it would be good to stay here any longer.”

He gestured towards the back with his chin. I nodded in agreement.

“Ah.”

“I didn’t know that such stupid and dull people would remain.”

Honestly, I thought the same. Since they failed this time, they might try something else next time. Though I had rationalized it in my head, I still didn’t understand why the Emperor suddenly wanted to leave.

“Why, do you want to stay here after seeing that?”

“No, but…”

As the Emperor feared, they might plan more carefully next time and sell me out. Even if not that, they were people who would do everything to torment me. Yet, something felt strange.

Why am I so uncomfortable when I’ve said I would leave, and I’ve planned it all out?

“Then let’s go together.”

Then. The Countess, who had been quietly eavesdropping on our conversation, rushed toward me.

“Whwhere are you going? Where are you going…”

The Countess was gaping in surprise, but when the Emperor looked at her again, she bowed her head to the ground.

“It looks like she’s prepared for the next move?”

“It seems so to me.”

“Then come with me. I will at least make sure you don’t go through this twice.”

I stared at him quietly and nodded.

“Yes.”

As expected, the Countess quickly grabbed my shoulder as soon as I said I would follow him.

“No, you can’t. Isabella. Even if… even if… marriage… leaving is even more impossible!”

“No. I can no longer be with those who only use me under the name of parents.”

“That’s…!”

The Countess, who seemed to be about to make some excuse again, closed her mouth tightly under the Emperor’s gaze.

It would have been truly mad to say anything more there, so her reaction was understandable.

If she had spoken up there, she would have felt like a crazy person, but it seemed she wasn’t quite there yet.

“Then let’s leave. His Majesty will arrange a place for us to stay.”

“Prepare a place for her to stay until she officially becomes the Empress.”

“Yes. And Mother, Father. Thank you for raising me.”

Before leaving, I bowed my head to them. This was a sincere gesture.

I hoped they would never again use someone at will, that being a parent did not mean owning a child, that a child was not born to serve the parents, but I did not think the Count and Countess would change their minds.

“Isabella…”

“Ah. And I’m not going alone.”

It’s not just you going? Could you possibly be taking us too? For a moment, the Countess’s face seemed to harbor such hope.

I looked at her without speaking.

Could it really be that unbelievably, my thinking was correct?

It seemed very unlikely, but it seemed my unlikely guess was correct.

“Isabella. You’re going with us, right? Yes. You’ve always put us first, so you must think that way.”

“Why do you think that?”

It was truly absurd. People can be shameless, but there are limits. They had crossed the bounds of shamelessness.
“Who else would you take with you besides us?”

“I don’t know why you think there won’t be anyone else.”

“Are you saying it’s not us?”

She nodded sincerely. Giving hope and then disappointment. It felt like I was doing just that to the count and countess, but it was more satisfying than I thought.

I think I understand why people like sarcasm.

“Of course not, if you’re a sane person.”

“Who then? Your maids? If not that…”

“Shasha.”

“Shasha. Yes, Sha… what? Shasha?”

“Yes. Shasha.”

The countess, who had been casually responding to my words, shut her mouth in surprise. Even the count, who had been standing back as if he were the victim, stepped forward, both of them seemed greatly surprised.

“Sha… are you talking about Shanensia? Our youngest daughter?”

“Hey. Of course not. It must be… another… someone else. Surely.”

“If others hear, they’ll misunderstand. You talk as if you love her, when you never gave her love or affection.”

It’s disgusting. There’s a limit to shamelessness. There are no words other than truly shameless.

“Pretending to love? Of course…”

“You don’t even love her. Have you ever loved the child? Have you ever held her? Have you ever properly educated her… once?”

“That’s…”

“Will you blame others again this time? First, blame me, then the environment? How long will you live blaming others?”

These words wouldn’t make them come to their senses. Even so, I couldn’t bear it.

“As I’ve said before… you too…”

“Are you saying I’m the same? Yes, yes. I’ve tormented Shasha more than anyone else. That’s why I’m trying to protect her now. I’ll take her with me.”

“You can’t say that! It can’t happen. Leave if you want, but not Shasha!”