Despite Valier’s protest, Countess Elion responded with a relaxed smile, matching her mood.

“It’s not about hiding beauty behind a mask. Even with a mask, it’ll shine brighter than anyone in this world, so rest assured!”

Valier, too, knew that Countess Elion’s compliments were merely flattery, but hearing such self-praise from someone else’s mouth wasn’t a bad feeling.

‘Go ahead and flatter me as much as you want. You’re the only reason I keep you around.’

Finally, the day of the national wedding anniversary arrived.

The palace was bustling with preparations for the procession from morning.

As Ermedlin sat by the window, quietly looking outside the castle gate, Runy asked with a worried voice.

“Don’t worry about it. After all, we’re not riding the same carriage.”

“Did I look like I was worried?”

“Um, weren’t you?”

“I was just admiring the street because it’s pretty. Also, I’m worried if people gathered in the square are wearing their masks properly…”

“Hasn’t the epidemic almost disappeared?”

“True, but we shouldn’t be complacent until it’s completely eradicated, especially during events with a large crowd like this.”

Listening to Ermedlin, Runy also tried her best to gaze out the window and enjoy the scenery outside the castle gate.

“Indeed, a lot of people have gathered today. It’s not as much as during the founding festival, but still.”

“Probably because various things happened during the founding festival. But still, after a long time, there’s a successor to the imperial family, so people who want to congratulate must have gathered.”

Even though they were wearing masks, the excited atmosphere of the people was not hidden.

Ermedlin prayed for the safety of all the people gathered as she felt the pleasant tension before the procession began.

With the sound of a loud trumpet, the doors of the palace opened, and finally, the procession began.

Although cheers erupted when the doors opened, the shouts soon died down.

This was because people saw Henri, who used to ride in the same carriage as the emperor every year to mock the empress, now sitting alone in the carriage.

Of course, Valier appeared right after him, but the people observed the procession silently with gazes filled with various emotions rather than cheers.

The nobles didn’t like that Henri, who used to ride in the same carriage to openly mock the empress, now attracted attention by following along, even if it was against his will.

The promising young members of prestigious families, seeing the emperor riding alone without the empress, began to imagine who the next empress might be and if they would have a chance to stand by the emperor as splendidly depicted.
The ordinary citizens were genuinely curious about why the emperor, who had played the role of empress in the government until now, even recently granted titles and was carrying his own child, did not ride in the same carriage as Valier.

Furthermore, they wondered why, during the founding festival, Valier rode in the same carriage as the empress, but on the national wedding anniversary, she was excluded from the procession.

The atmosphere of the procession, mixed with various emotions, was quite different from the founding festival.

Although they clapped their hands reluctantly, everyone was rolling their eyes at this bizarre sight.

And Henri.

In fact, Henri wanted to march with Empress Ermedlin, just as he did during the founding festival.

He still didn’t plan to completely get rid of Valier, but the feelings he had for her as the potential empress had disappeared.

While Ermedlin is empress, her authority is directly linked to the authority of the imperial family.

Therefore, Henri, unable to withstand the pressure from the nobles, eventually boarded the carriage alone, symbolizing submission to their power, which was extremely unpleasant.

Valier, too, was dissatisfied with Valier.

In the eyes of the people who were supposed to shower her with endless praises, she discovered disdain and hostility.

‘What? Why is everyone looking at me like that? Even if you all glare at me, I’m up here on the carriage, and you’re down there on the ground!’

With an uneasy heart, Valier took a deep breath and checked the dagger in her embrace.

Meanwhile, Feliu, who was watching the procession behind Duke Batisian, felt good.

He didn’t care whether that foolish woman gave birth to the emperor’s child or not.

If he could grasp decisive evidence that she tried to harm the empress, getting rid of Valier wouldn’t be a difficult task.

However, Henri distancing himself from Valier and getting closer to Ermedlin as a reaction could be a problem.

While Ermedlin is empress, she has no intention of creating any difficulties for her, but she knows that if the imperial couple suddenly becomes affectionate, witnessing that scene might drive her crazy.

Therefore, Feliu looked at Henri’s empty seat with great satisfaction.

Amidst tangled ideals, Ermedlin, who should have been the protagonist of the event, did not have any particular thoughts until the end while looking at the distant view of the procession, a festival atmosphere she could not properly feel while marching with Henri during the founding festival.

And then, when everyone’s attention was focused on Henri and Valier.

A pair of eyes stared piercingly at the palace.

Even in the darkness, the shining golden eyes of a beast, which could be clearly seen, were raised towards the palace, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ermedlin. However, due to the long distance, it was impossible to discern the faces of people.

‘But soon. I can meet her soon!’

The golden eyes, longing for a reunion with the missed one, shone brightly with anticipation.

As the procession was almost coming to an end, it seemed that the event would conclude without any major incidents, thanks to the generally calm atmosphere.

However, the incident occurred when the returning procession re-entered the square in front of the palace.

A shabby woman, her face covered with old cloth, approached Valier while weeping, despite the guards immediately blocking her way.

“Due to the epidemic that spread during the founding festival, almost everyone in the village died. My grandson became an orphan! How are you going to take responsibility for this?”

How such a loud voice came from her frail body was unclear.

Her plea, soaked in blood, echoed through the square, capturing the attention of all the people.
Valier was well aware of the epidemic that spread during the founding festival. He also knew the fact that people had died as a result.

It was natural, considering that even the maids he faced every day had died.

However, he was deliberately avoiding the fact that his reckless actions had brought about such a tragedy.

Removing the mask was the choice of those people, and he had decided to convince himself that the tragedy that unfolded as a result had nothing to do with him.

So, at that moment, Valier couldn’t help but utter words he wished he hadn’t.

“What does that have to do with me?”

In response to Valier’s answer, the enraged woman lost her composure and rushed toward Valier.

Of course, due to the guards, the woman’s touch did not reach Valier.

However, Valier, who had an almost obsessive anxiety that everyone was his enemy, was so shocked that he pulled out the dagger he had in his embrace and swung it forcefully.

The sharp blade precisely cut across the woman’s neck.

As blood sprayed from the woman’s neck, Valier, who was facing her, was covered from head to toe in that blood.