“How about it? Splendid, isn’t it?”

Upon seeing Felio’s excited face, Roberto shook his head disdainfully, as if finding it pitiful, and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk tsk. How much did you pour into making this?”

“Is money the issue? It’s about how well it suits her!”

The brooch in Felio’s hand had a large amethyst in the center, surrounded by hundreds of small diamonds.

“Even said you custom-ordered this. I don’t even want to imagine how much it cost.”

Since the moment Felio heard about Ermedlin succeeding the Duke of Françoise, he had been contemplating the perfect gift to give her. What he chose was the blue brooch that now always adorned his own shoulder. Felio thought it was far more valuable than what Ermedlin had received.

“I received one too, so it’s only right to reciprocate.”

“Of course, the brooch Her Majesty gave you is also a good item. But anyone can see that the brooch you made is an extremely expensive piece of jewelry!”

“Even so, isn’t it better? You can feel the sincerity I put into it!”

“Ah, you fool! To make things worse, the Duke’s son, sticking to the Queen, gives such an expensive gift. Just wait until everyone hears about it. What kind of rumors do you think will spread?”

Felio, who was too caught up and had forgotten about the reality, now began to worry about the murmurs of the people.

“A smart guy turned into such a fool. Love’s power is truly great, huh?”

While Roberto grumbled, shaking his fist, Felio seemed oblivious, his friend’s words not registering.

“So, how do we deliver this? Should we do it anonymously?”

“Anonymous? Donate this expensive gem anonymously?”

“Yeah. If I send it without anyone knowing, wouldn’t that prevent any strange rumors?”

“Hey! Pouring so much money into this and giving it away without anyone knowing who sent it? What’s the point?”

Although Roberto’s suggestion was quite valid, Felio, with a puzzled expression, tilted his head in incomprehension.

“Don’t I know it? I’ll know that the brooch shining on Her Majesty’s shoulder is the one I gave her.”

With Felio’s innocent smile, Roberto touched his forehead, sighing deeply from the bottom of his heart.

“You’re wrong. It’s already hopeless.”

The national wedding anniversary was approaching.

Everyone around Ermedlin disliked the fact that Henri would be marching with Valier, but the person in question had no interest in it.

“Well, even if he rides a different carriage, that’s it. How can we march without Her Majesty on the national wedding anniversary?”

“Well, originally it was done every year without me. It’s just more formal this time.”

“Still, it’s surprising that Viscount Bellian is riding in a different carriage. He used to ride in the same carriage as the Emperor every year. Why ride separately this year, especially when she’s pregnant?”

“Do I understand Her Majesty’s deep intentions? Well, if we must speculate, considering the epidemic that broke out due to Valier last time, it could be for the sake of public opinion.”

In fact, Henri’s decision to march alone stemmed from the fact that Valier was involved in the attempted assassination of the Empress. However, since this was still classified information, everyone was making various guesses.

“That’s true. But fortunately, the epidemic didn’t spread much. Only the poor kids who worked under Viscount Bellian suffered.”

Thinking about the maid Luny who died, Ruin mumbled, her tail trailing off.

“Yeah. It’s truly regrettable. But at least it didn’t spread further inside the palace; it’s a relief that it ended like this.”

“Still, there’s a place almost reduced to ruins, isn’t there? I wonder how dreadful it must be for the people there?”

“Yeah, just imagining it makes my heart ache.”

This was a normal reaction.

Although these people were indifferent in some ways, empathizing and feeling sorrow for the suffering they had experienced was a universal response.
However, Valier never showed any curiosity about the maid who had contracted the epidemic and died.

In the end, Ermedlin had to handle the funeral of the maid instead of Valier, who was still in seclusion, and even deliver condolences to their families.

There was a time when Ermedlin waited for Valier to ask about the maids once the seclusion was lifted, but now she abandoned that hope.

‘She truly only cares about herself.’

“It suits you so well!”

Countess Elion, seeing Valier absorbed in her reflection in the mirror, applauded lightly.

“It’s not perfect, but it’s not bad.”

“Not perfect? Look at how beautiful it is! There’s no one in the empire more beautiful than the viscountess!”

“Oh, if only it weren’t for this mask. The epidemic in the capital seems to have quieted down, so why still wear this?”

Valier sighed deeply, looking at the glamorous and extravagant mask.

“Even if it has quieted down, the viscountess is carrying the successor to the imperial family, right? Naturally, she should be more careful.”

“Honestly, can’t only the people participating in the event wear it? Her Majesty is practically surrounded tightly!”