“What is the meaning of this sudden act?”

“What act? What are you talking about! You people are so arrogant…”

Valiere wanted to argue with Pellio’s words, but he couldn’t find the right words to say.

Biella’s comment was aimed at Countess Elion, not at him.

He was simply annoyed because Ermedillin was laughing and chatting far more happily than he had anticipated. That’s why Biella’s words momentarily fueled his anger.

Before the child was born, Valiere, who had wanted to avoid any trouble, eventually relaxed his grip.

As he regained his composure, he remembered the purpose of his visit.

‘Be careful with your words.’

Ignoring Henri’s cold warning from just a day before could have unpredictable consequences.

Though very uncomfortable and uneasy, Valiere decided to thank Ermedillin first.

“I came to offer my gratitude to Your Majesty, the Empress.”

He calmed down and lowered his head, but the reaction was still cold.

Just looking at the expression, one could read the unspoken ‘now you come?’

“I didn’t do it for the thanks. But I appreciate your coming.”

Only Ermedillin gave Valiere a gentle gaze while wearing a leisurely smile.

‘Smile? Fine. Laugh all you want for now. I’ll settle the score with you once the child is born.’

Valiere was becoming increasingly agitated by Ermedillin, who showed no signs of being affected by his pregnancy.

Ermedillin turned her head to focus back on her work, but Valiere continued to gaze at her.

“Why? Is there more to say?”

Valiere lowered his head with a slightly disappointed look.

“Aren’t you going to congratulate me?”

“Didn’t I do so the moment I saw you?”

“I didn’t expect Your Majesty, the Empress, to be so indifferent to the news of my pregnancy.”

Valiere had his head lowered in a stoic manner, unaware that the faces around him had suddenly turned fierce.

Beleleste was about to stand up and argue, but Ermedillin stopped him with a gesture.

“I consider the Count’s pregnancy a very joyous occasion. But I can’t pay attention to the pregnancies of every noble in this country.”

“Am I not more than just a noble? The child I’m carrying is the Emperor’s, shouldn’t you be concerned?”

At this point, even Ermedillin, who had tried to let it pass as a trivial matter, began to get annoyed.

‘Why is she so thoughtless? Is she making trouble intentionally?’

“Did you ever congratulate the Empress when she became a Duchess?”

Before Ermedillin could answer, Beleleste with a fierce face interjected.

“What?”

“The Empress receiving a title is a ceremonial event for the royal family, which everyone should celebrate. But your pregnancy is a personal matter. Why should the Empress care?”

‘A trivial matter?’

Valiere’s rationality snapped at Beleleste’s words.

“Sure, a princess becomes a widow before she has children, so it may seem trivial. But you will find it more significant once you become pregnant while having a living husband.”

Unable to respond to the cruel words, Beleleste stood there stunned, as Ermedillin slowly stood up and approached Valiere.

With a sweet smile, she gently tucked Valiere’s protruding strands of hair behind her ear and said something she would never normally say given her usual stern demeanor.

“Who cares for a mere tool? I will discuss the child’s affairs with His Majesty, so you, Duchess, need not worry.”

Almost blurting out the word ‘traitor’ in the heat of the moment, Ermedillin remembered she was in a world of fiction and changed her words at the last moment.
But Valliere immediately understood what being called a “tool” meant.

Even if the child is not of the Empress, they cannot have any claim to the throne.

Even if one’s father is the Emperor, legally, they cannot become a member of the royal family.

Had not Henri also ascended to the throne as Emperor by forcibly adopting the expedient of being the Empress’s adopted child amid the chaos caused by illegitimate children?

There was no guarantee that such a loophole would work again.

Strangely, when Valliere got extremely angry, he felt his head cool down.

He felt as if the blood throughout his body had frozen, and the back of his neck turned cold.

How dare she insult the protagonist by fitting into the role of the villainess, Valliere couldn’t stand the sight of Ermedillin.

“I will become the Empress by any means necessary and make sure you meet your predetermined end!”

After Valliere left the Empress’s quarters with a flushed face, an awkward silence fell.

No one dared to break the silence.

“I think I overreacted. I apologize for making it uncomfortable.”

Finally, Ermedillin took the lead and apologized, causing everyone to jump up and dissuade her.

“Uncomfortable? Count Bellian started it in the first place!”

Everyone nodded in agreement with Belelest’s words, but Ermedillin regretted what she had just said.

“Regardless, calling someone a ‘tool’ isn’t appropriate…”

“Well, Count Bellian should be thankful that he didn’t get slapped.”

The person who spoke these harsh words with a stern look was Countess Grania, who had been sitting beside Biella like a shadow.