She seemed to have rushed over as soon as she heard the news of her dismissal.

“Can you dismiss me like this? You know very well that I can’t keep my mouth shut.”

Considering the early tasks she had allegedly undertaken, it wouldn’t be surprising if many dark secrets emerged between them.

That’s why Ermedillin felt she needed to sever ties with her.

“Is that so? Unlike you, my mouth is very, very heavy. I don’t speak, I just record very meticulously. I have plenty of interesting documents with your name on them. Your husband, Count Elion, will find them quite enjoyable.”

How enjoyable it was to threaten someone with their weakness!

Ermedillin was intoxicated by the sense of victory, watching the once defiant face of Countess Elion change into an expression of utter humiliation.

“I see. The Empress has decided to cut me off. Very well.”

Countess Elion got up, performed a deep bow with the utmost courtesy, and said,

“I wish abundant blessings on the future journey of Her Majesty the Empress.”

She then left the palace, leaving behind what could never be a sincere farewell.

“Haah.”

A deep sigh escaped Ermedillin’s lips.

No matter how unhelpful someone had been, firing them directly was not particularly pleasant.

Considering her vile history, the action was justified, yet still likely to cause resentment.

Even Biella, who had tried to kill the Empress, had not lost her position as a maid, had she?

At that moment, when Ermedillin was contemplating the fairness of her actions, Loony announced Pellio’s visit.

These days, Pellio had been visiting the palace almost every day.

From meticulously planning the orphanage construction and sewage projects, to even pioneering the establishment of educational institutions in the coastal relief projects.

Due to this, Ermedillin saw him more frequently than she would have liked, but each meeting brought a sense of joy.
Especially from one day, she felt even better whenever she saw the brooch shining on his cloak.

“Your Highness, thanks to you things are going so smoothly. I’m quite pleased. But aren’t I taking up too much of your time?”

Pellio responded to Ermedillin’s question with an indifferent expression.

“It’s no big deal for competent people. And who knows when Her Majesty will change her mind and go back to the way she was? Shouldn’t we use up all of her money before that happens?”

“What?”

Ermedillin could never grasp his mood; one moment he was charming, the next he was so offputting.

“To establish a basic educational institution…”

“Your Highness.”

Ermedillin cut off Pellio’s words with a somewhat sad voice.

“Do you really think I’ll go back to being the old Ermedillin?”

It had been several months since she unwittingly became the villainess.

Ermedillin, who thought she had been living quite well, was hurt by Pellio’s words, even if they were a joke.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“What?”

“It doesn’t matter what you become, Your Majesty.”

“So, it doesn’t matter if I go back to being a terrible person?”

“Yes, it doesn’t matter.”

Ermedillin’s lips almost jutted out a foot at Pellio’s icy response.

‘Would it kill him to say that things have changed?’

Pellio gave a sidelong glance at Ermedillin, who had suddenly become quiet.

Seeing her hurt by his misunderstood words felt both sad and strangely satisfying.

This contradictory emotion he had felt ever since meeting her.

Ermedillin, whose lips had jutted out so much due to his single comment, seemed adorable, yet also pitiable.

“Even if Your Majesty reverts to your old self, I will certainly stick with you until you return to your current state. You’ll never be able to get rid of me.”

Ermedillin’s heart, which had sunk at Pellio’s mischievous face, found its place again.

But she couldn’t just let it go; her pride was wounded.

“I look forward to the day I can thoroughly torment you, my everfollowing Highness!”

Crossing her arms and snorting, Ermedillin turned her head.

Yet how adorable she was, Pellio burst out laughing this time.

“Haha. I’m looking forward to it.”

She had definitely been hurt, her heart truly pounding in discomfort. But when she heard Pellio’s laughter, Ermedillin turned her head back reflexively.

She didn’t want to miss his smiling face.

‘He really does look best when he’s smiling.’

“Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!”

Right after Pellio left, as Ermedillin was quietly reading, Loony burst in with hurried steps.

“What is it?”

“That is, that is!!”

“That is, what?”

“Two maids of Valliere showed symptoms of an epidemic!”

Loony was so shocked he called the Duke of Bellian by his name Valliere, neither he nor Ermedillin noticed due to the shock of the information.

“Valliere? Is Valliere okay?”

“Yes, he seems to be fine. How did they get infected? It’s been a long time since the founding ceremony…”

Loony couldn’t know that a virus could have an incubation period of several weeks.

“Don’t the rates of infection for an epidemic vary?”

“Well… there are some differences.”
“Some people may develop symptoms early, while others may develop them late. Especially the maids working in the palace, who eat clean food in a clean environment, may develop symptoms even later due to their good health.”

“So what will happen to Duke Valier, no, Duke Velian?”

“Well, fortunately, His Majesty has already imprisoned Valier. Whether Valier will develop symptoms or not, we’ll have to wait and see.”

A worried frown formed on Ermedillin’s forehead concerning the condition of the infected maids.