“What’s the point in trusting public sentiment? Is it reasonable to cancel the National Spirit Day and use that budget for the outbreak area?”

“Don’t you know that’s not what I meant?”

The gaze of the nobles on Henri was colder than ice.

Tribian had only become an empire four generations ago; Henri couldn’t completely ignore the nobles who had helped him become Emperor.

“So you’re saying the Empress is merely acting, and there’s a secret plot, so let’s proceed with the National Spirit Day celebration as planned?”

“Only have a street parade. This time, Your Majesty the Emperor should ride the carriage alone.”

Normally, for the National Spirit Day parade, a couple should naturally ride together in the same carriage. However, Henri had always ridden with Ballyear to humiliate Ermedillin.

As if to proclaim that the Empress of this country was not Ermedillin but Ballyear.

However, this year’s Founding Day parade saw Henri riding in a carriage with Ermedillin.

The nobles, who watched this scene with discontented faces, seemed to agree one by one with Count Batistian’s opinion.

“Fine. Let’s proceed with the street parade only. But all attendees must wear masks.”

“Of course. Would we want to see our capital groaning under an epidemic? Aren’t we the ones trying to eradicate the deliberately spread epidemic?”

Count Batistian emphasized the word ‘someone’ slowly and powerfully before immediately bowing his head toward Henri with a courteous expression.

His silver eyes, belonging to a shrewd politician who had just expressed his opinion, emitted an ominous aura.

The next day, Ermedillin visited the river delta where the sewers gathered with Pellio.

The entrance to the canal was almost blocked with a heap of refuse, and the rotten smell pervaded the area.

“Wouldn’t an epidemic occur in such conditions?”

Despite being a modern person, Ermedillin involuntarily crinkled her forehead at the unbearable smell.

“Of course. It’s only a matter of time before another animalborne epidemic occurs in this environment.”

“I’m seeing this mess for the first time myself. There certainly is a problem.”

Pellio took out a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to the visibly distressed Ermedillin.

“?”

“Use it.”

“Ah, it’s your handkerchief; you use it.”

“I’ve smelled worse on the battlefield. This doesn’t bother my stomach.”

Though not understanding why Pellio was showing off at a time like this, Ermedillin graciously accepted his offered handkerchief with a light smile.

“Thank you. I will use it well.”

As Ermedillin unfolded the handkerchief to cover her nose, she saw that Pellio’s name was delicately embroidered on the white fabric.

“Wow, this embroidery is amazing. Did you do it yourself?”

“No, it was a gift from my late mother.”

Startled by Pellio’s words, Ermedillin nearly dropped the handkerchief.

“I can’t use such a precious item just to block a smell! I’ll use my fingers; take it back!”

Holding up her thumb and index finger with one hand, Ermedillin extended the handkerchief back to Pellio with the other hand.

Pellio looked down at the white handkerchief in Ermedillin’s hand for a moment with a complicated expression.

The handkerchief, made of the highest quality cotton and adorned with delicate lace, was valuable in itself. But it was even more precious because his mother had made it for him.

His mother was generally a warm person but seemed always to have her mind somewhere else.
He never showed any interest in the affairs of the Baptistian royal family, as if he would leave it at any moment.

The only thing she cared about was her son Pellio, but even then, she was rather indifferent compared to a typical mother.

While most noblewomen would handsew their sons’ christening gowns or at least embroider their names on them, Pellio’s mother had no interest in such things.

A small box she handed to her son a few months before she died from a curse.

Inside it was this handkerchief.

“Please use it. I have no need for it anymore.”

Pellio spoke in a flat tone, and his face looked so sad that Ermedillin almost instinctively used the handkerchief to wipe away tears that weren’t even flowing.

“Don’t say you don’t need something your mother gave you! Take it and sto—”

“I truly don’t need it anymore. If you’re not going to use it, feel free to throw it away.”

Speaking in a firm voice, Pellio coldly turned his body and walked back to the craftsmen who had come with him.

‘Gosh… what an unfilial son…’

Although Ermedillin frowned for a moment, she quickly stopped her criticism, thinking that if the deceased mother had given it, there must be a reason for him to say so.

Because the Pellio she knew would never say such a thing for no reason.

Ermedillin, who had unexpectedly become the keeper of the handkerchief, decided to carefully fold it and keep it in her bosom.

‘I should return it when he seems to be in a good mood.’

A letter arrived in front of Henri.