Ermedillin had no memories of her parents, but children who had some memories of their parents when they entered the orphanage all carried shadows.

Whether they received love or were abused, they all had deep emotional scars.

Such children were naturally irritable, defensive, and unable to trust people.

It took much longer for them to build trust and open up than for those who had nothing from the beginning.

Recently, Vallery had been acting suspiciously, and although Ermedillin was not pleased, she didn’t want to give up the relationship.

“I’m also anxious and at a loss, just like you. So let’s overcome it together,” she wanted to say.

When would a child, doted upon in a wealthy family, feel the anxiety of being left completely alone?

How frightened must he have been to attempt suicide?

Ermedillin wanted to somehow save Vallery, who might attempt suicide again, and teach him to take responsibility for his mistakes.

For that, he first needed to be saved.

What Ermedillin was doing was not just fetching washing water.

To Vallery, shunned by everyone in the palace, to this Ye Rim surviving in a strange world, she was saying, “You are not alone, so don’t give up yet.”

Unable to bear watching Ermedillin’s struggles any longer, Bellest asked,

“Why are you going to such lengths?”

At her question, Ermedillin paused for a moment.

Then after a brief hesitation, she answered in a subdued voice.

“Because I know well what it feels like to be left alone.”

Of course, Bellest and everyone else around, who couldn’t even fathom that the soul of an orphan named Hye Young resided in Ermedillin, recalled Ermedillin’s isolated position in the palace.

How alone she must be, that even as the empress, no one helped her carry the bucket.

“Why is Her Highness the Empress alone?”
Hearing the response, Loony eagerly pulled on his gloves and approached to pick up a bucket.

“Go ahead, spill it if you want!”

“What?”

“I don’t care about Duke Bellian. Whether he ends up alone or not doesn’t matter to me. But Empress Fei is never alone! I’m here, aren’t I?”

Loony’s heart was grateful, a smile forming, but Ermedillin really didn’t want to inconvenience anyone.

As Loony skillfully avoided his fast hand, moving the bucket this way and that, he soon felt his balance starting to wobble.

‘Ah! Why is my body so weak! Give me back my sturdy frame!’

Gritting her teeth and gathering her strength so she wouldn’t fall, Ermedillin felt someone else’s hand grab her arm besides Loony’s quick grasp.

The hand that approached from behind grabbed Ermedillin’s waist, and she soon regained her balance.

Turning around, she saw Biella’s expressionless face.

Balliere pressed himself against the door, straining to hear the noises outside.

Because he had caught a glimpse of Belest and Biella.

Although reluctantly using the water Ermedillin fetched to wash his face, Balliere was actually very anxious about the situation.

Because he thought Ermedillin was exploiting this unfair circumstance for her own benefit.

‘What’s she trying to accomplish by just fetching some water?’

‘She must be gloating that I’ve come to this. Probably checking on me under the pretext of fetching water, ready to kick me out of the palace at the first sign of illness!’

Being paranoid about all kinds of things, Balliere couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable about the presence of Belest and Biella outside the door.

Seeing Ermedillin act good, what would happen if rumors spread that she’s sincere?

But the doors of the royal palace were not so easily breached.

No matter how closely he pressed his ear to the door, the sounds from outside the firmly closed door were not heard.

“Thank you.”

Biella’s flushed face was somewhat lovely, but Ermedillin’s voice remained cold.

If kind words came out to someone who tried to kill you, it would be weird.

Biella simply snorted and gave a slight nod.

Belest waited until Ermedillin and Loony had emptied the bucket, cleaned their gloves and masks, before stating the purpose of his visit.

“Did you designate me as a maid?”

“Yes.”

“And you also refused Biella’s marriage proposal?”

“Yes.”

Sipping her tea leisurely, Ermedillin nodded.

“Why? Do you think you’ll be using me as a maid because Lienna and I have an issue with Duke Bellian?”

Belest asked straightforwardly, without any hesitation.

“Do I look like I need your help to deal with Balliere?”

Ermedillin chuckled at Belest’s incredulous thoughts.

“Then why did you issue such an order?”

“Why? Are you unhappy? Are you upset that I’ve designated you as a maid and blocked the marriage?”

Ermedillin shot a cold glance at Biella, who was sitting next to Belest.

Biella, guilty of her sins, averted her gaze and said nothing.

“Since you won’t dodge the question, let me be straightforward.”

Ermedillin stared at Belest with somewhat softened eyes.

“I haven’t found any value in the maids so far, nor have you proven your worth to me. Isn’t that right?”

Although Ermedillin was speaking to Belest, the blade hidden in her words was clearly aimed at Biella.

“What expectations could I have for someone who has vented personal grudges by using the hands of others, even the hands of a young boy?”

Biella bit her lip and bowed her head.
“Valier is not my concern. No, not even worth concerning. Frankly, as long as the Count doesn’t pose a danger to the people, I couldn’t care less what he does. That’s not why I appointed you as a handmaid and declined the marriage proposal.”

Ermedillin paused to catch her breath, then continued in a subdued voice tinged with bitterness.

“I simply wanted to give you both time to mourn. That’s all. Whenever you’re ready, you may request for the marriage to be approved again. I will be more than happy to approve it then. Now, I must go through the applications of teachers who have applied to the orphanage. You may leave.”

Ermedillin gestured for the two handmaids to exit and then turned her attention to the applications.