It was an ordinary day.

In the morning, Vallier carried water up and down the narrow stairs, and in the afternoon, Pellio had a meeting about the sewer construction.

Spring was gradually speeding up, staining the palace gardens in a deep shade of green, and the afternoon sunlight, now warmer, relaxed people’s spirits.

Perhaps that was why? Ermedillin decided to walk in the garden to see Pellio off as he prepared to leave.

They didn’t speak, just walked in the garden, but strangely, this quiet time felt too precious as it passed.

The pace of Ermedillin and Pellio naturally slowed down.

But the sight of them walking, almost keeping a distance that could fit two people between them, could seem awkward to an observer—a mundane scene.

However, to Duke Batistian, who happened to be visiting the inner palace on business, the scene struck him as shockingly reminiscent of his deceased wife.

He happened to witness the moment Pellio walked behind Ermedillin, catching the scent of her long hair blowing in the wind.

Duke Batistian took a deep breath and approached Ermedillin.

“Your Majesty, the Empress.”

At the duke’s polite greeting, Ermedillin brightly smiled and responded.

“I was on my way to see my student off after discussing matters about the sewer construction. He is as bright as his father and has been of great help.”

Since she knew Pellio through Duke Batistian’s introduction, Ermedillin harbored no ill feelings towards him.

“Is that so? I’m truly glad to hear my son has been of great assistance.”

Duke Batistian glanced at Pellio and responded sarcastically, but Ermedillin thought he was simply proud of his son.

Then, an unexpected event occurred.

Suddenly, a bird flying over the inner palace garden dropped white excrement onto Duke Batistian’s shoulder.

“Oh!”

Startled, Ermedillin unconsciously reached for her handkerchief inside her robe, causing Pellio’s handkerchief, which he was planning to return, to fall as well.

Fearing Duke Batistian might misunderstand, Ermedillin quickly extended the handkerchief to him and said,

“I had borrowed this from my student earlier…”

Before Ermedillin could finish her explanation, Duke Batistian’s hand shot up.

Slap!

‘What just happened?’

Suddenly, the duke raised his hand and slapped Pellio across the face, leaving Ermedillin’s mouth wide open.

“What are you doing!”

Ermedillin shouted in surprise, but the duke’s hand rose again, striking Pellio’s cheek harder this time.

“Ah!”

Seeing blood splatter from Pellio’s mouth, Ermedillin screamed and intervened between the father and son.

“What on earth is this!”

Even though the Empress intervened, Duke Batistian’s hand rose again.

Pellio was disoriented and tried to stop his father, but Ermedillin was faster.

Her face red with anger, the powerful duke was formidable, yet Ermedillin, trembling all over, managed to hold his wrist.

“Duke, stop it. Do you want to hit me, the Empress, too?”

Ermedillin, clearly furious, threatened him in a low voice, but a cold sneer appeared on the duke’s face.

He had always looked down on the soontobedeposed Empress but was never disrespectful in her presence.

However, seeing his late wife’s belonging in the hands of the woman who killed her, his longsuppressed anger erupted.
Count Heidern did not relent his grip even when confronted by the Empress’s words, using a tone full of sarcasm he would never normally employ with her.

“Why should you concern yourself, Your Majesty? It’s a family matter. Please proceed with whatever you were doing.”

“A family matter so dire I can’t proceed?”

“What?”

“Count, didn’t you clearly tell me you would assist me because you could not stand to see a father abusing his daughter? Are you proving yourself a hypocrite by beating your son right here?”

Count Heidern was indeed a hypocrite.

Though normally an incredibly affectionate father, he was indisputably cruel to his son when he lost his temper.

But he deeply resented someone pointing out that fact.

At Ermedillin’s accusation of hypocrisy, Count Heidern clenched his teeth and released his grip.

“This handkerchief was kindly lent to me by the young prince when I was in a difficult situation. I merely forgot to return it.”

Ermedillin purposefully omitted mentioning that she had handed the handkerchief to block a foul smell or told him to discard it if he didn’t intend to use it.

“What does that object mean….”

As Count Heidern began to speak, Henri, who was passing by, witnessed the scene.

“What are you doing?”

Upon hearing Henri’s voice, Count Heidern immediately lowered his hand and bowed his head toward him.

“I was just having a conversation with Her Majesty, the Empress….”

“And why was your hand raised during this conversation?”

Count Heidern closed his eyes tightly at the sight of Henri’s flushed, almost explosive face.

Because he knew very well that Henri would not tolerate any affront to the royal authority.

“I did not raise my hand at Her Majesty. I was disciplining my son….”