“Ugh! Your Majesty! What is this gift…?”

Belerest, who was about to tell Ermedelin not to worry since Valier was just a puppet ruler, abruptly closed her mouth at Ermedelin’s sudden tears.

‘I don’t cry easily. I’m not someone who cries often. This is strange.’

The last time she cried was almost a year ago when she parted ways with Kyung-soo before the possession.

After realizing the harsh reality of having no one to comfort her when she cried, Ermedelin, who seldom shed tears after that, strangely found herself shedding tears more often in this place.

“Oh, our Queen… Haha… Sob…”

Suddenly, Roonie burst into tears, hanging on Ermedelin’s arm. Ermedelin barely regained her composure amidst the sudden display of emotions.

When Ermedelin wiped away her tears and looked around, the gazes fixed on her were filled with sympathy.

‘Oh, could it be that everyone thinks I’m crying because of Valier?’

Ermedelin, who absolutely disregarded such misunderstandings since it didn’t matter what that woman did, let out a deep sigh and concocted a story.

“It seems that you all want to believe that I’m crying because of Lord Valier, but that’s not true, so please restrain those malicious glances.”

“What?”

Ermedelin’s firm voice surprised the maids and servants, but only Pellio was smiling meaningfully.

“S-so, my family… My father is, uh… my brother is… not here…”

As she tried to make up a lame excuse, Ermedelin’s tongue got twisted.

‘Even though I thought I had become quite adept at lying…’

“Anyway, even though I felt uneasy when I received my title, your congratulations warmed my heart, and I cried without realizing it.”

‘Is it convincing? Please believe me. Please.’

Although the story was poorly fabricated, it was true that it felt awkward to inherit the family name with her father dead and her brother missing.

A good lie usually contains some element of truth.

Slowly glancing around, it seemed that everyone was taken in by this white lie, and this time, they were staring at her with eyes full of emotion.

‘Phew. I guess they bought it.’

“Your Majesty! I-I will be your family! Well, I can’t be a member of the royal family like that, but…”

Suddenly shouting, Ermedelin cut off Roonie, who ran into her arms with a cry.

“Stop. Don’t say such things in front of me. Even if you’re not a member of the royal family, you’re precious to me.”

As Ermedelin gently stroked her back, Roonie began to cry louder.

Fortunately, Ermedelin’s tears were completely absorbed in consoling Roonie.

“Now that you’ve become a duchess, can you use the magic circle? Do you plan to visit the Duke’s residence in Franshuar?”

Leana, who had been observing Pellio’s subtle expression, asked in a lively voice as if trying to lighten the mood.

“Magic circle?”

‘Right. That’s correct. The Duke of Franshuar also used a magic circle to enter the palace. He mentioned that it was installed only in some castles of major aristocratic families.’

“I guess I should go at least once. Well, I’ve sold almost everything that could be profitable, so there’s hardly anything left.”

Only major noble families with close ties to the imperial family could install a magic circle leading to the outer palace.

Those who could use the magic circle were the emperor, a subordinate directly delegated with authority by the emperor, and the castle lord.

Even then, the area around the magic circle installed in the outer palace for the safety of the imperial family was always strictly guarded, and only three people could use it at a time.

Although Henri didn’t engage in actions such as confiscating the property of the Duke of Franshuar, he never granted Ermedelin the right to visit the castle.

But now that she had become the castle lord, Ermedelin had gained the ability to use the magic circle.

Of course, she would have to report to Henri.

“I want to go too!”

Suddenly, Belerest raised her hand with shining amber eyes.
“I’m curious about the Brunnian region, and I’m also curious about the Franshuar Castle, the oldest castle in the Empire!”

It truly felt like the exemplary student who had firmly set her heart on being chosen by the teacher.

Although Ermedelin was well aware that she was an older woman who had already been married, despite that, her appearance felt cute to Ermedelin.

“Me! Shouldn’t I be the one to go?”

Suddenly, Pellio’s voice, quietly present behind, popped out.

“G-Grand Duke… Huh… Haha…”

Turning her head, Pellio, with both arms raised and silver eyes gleaming, was radiating a charismatic presence.

‘Is… is this also considered cute?’

“I am a mage, aren’t I? Since the magic circles in the Duke of Franshuar’s castle may not be as strictly monitored as before, I should accompany you!!”

A caption saying something like this should be added to Pellio, who was raising her chin and wearing a confident expression.

‘Don’t you guys have anything like this?’

Ermedelin found Pellio’s shameless attitude somewhat pitiful yet cute, but Belerest growled at Pellio, seemingly not feeling the same.