Ermedelin, genuinely surprised, widened her eyes and bent down to inspect Felio.

‘Oh, please. Don’t come any closer!’

But her inner plea did not reach Ermedelin.

“Why are you like this? Where does it hurt? Your face is so red. Did you catch a cold? I should call Louise right away…”

“Oh, no! Don’t!”

Ermedelin tried to call for Louise, but Felio urgently restrained her.

Of course, he only managed to grab the edge of Ermedelin’s sleeve as he sprawled on the floor.

“No, it’s not necessary. If someone suddenly falls backward, we should check, right?”

Felio’s head, already bleeding as much as it could, began to spin at the highest speed of his life.

‘Think! Think! Come up with a plausible answer!’

“Well, I just dozed off for a moment!”

“What?”

Louise and Margo, who had rushed over upon hearing the noise, approached Felio along with Ermedelin.

“Why is Gongja acting like this? Where does it hurt…”

“No, I’m fine! I’m okay! I just… ate a bit too much for breakfast!”

“No, this is clearly my fault. I should have anticipated that Gongja would be tired from helping me lately. I’m sorry.”

Unlike Louise, Ermedelin had no laughter on her face; she seemed genuinely concerned about Felio’s condition.

“I’m not tired! I’m perfectly fine! It’s just… I ate a bit too much!”

“No, you need rest now. Also, I was going to talk to you shortly, but I will soon head to the imperial palace as your substitute.”

“What?”

In the beautiful and leisurely spring days before the arrival of summer, the people of Trivian always endured difficult times around this time every year, unlike the weather.

The harvested grains were all gone, and barley and fruits were not yet in full production. Consequently, it was a season when the prices of foodstuffs skyrocketed.

The Trivian Empire had a tradition where nobles, both individually and publicly, made substantial donations around this time every year.

Of course, the royal family was no exception, contributing to the state treasury, lowering taxes, and providing other benefits during this challenging season for the people.
And during this season of hardship, the Empress used to pray to the gods of Trivian at the Grand Temple located in the eastern end of the mountainous region.

However, recently, instead of Ermedelin, who has no interest in such matters, Valier visited the Grand Temple.

In fact, since a few years before Ermedelin became the Empress, it has been her duty, so no one has ever requested Ermedelin to go to the temple in her place.

However, this year, Valier, who had lost a child and considering Henri’s grief and anger, had no intention of sending her to the temple.

“If the Empress is unwilling, you don’t have to go. It’s not a mandatory event,” Henri said.

Although Henri said this, from Ermedelin’s perspective, it has been a tradition for several generations, making it difficult to completely ignore.

Also, from what Louise mentioned, the Grand Temple seemed to be a quiet place nestled deep in the mountains, making it a good place to clear her mind.

‘Temples are usually built in places with good water and mountains, right? Let’s think of it as an early vacation. Actually, I do want to get away from this tiresome atmosphere.’

After a few possessed months. Time when Ermedelin had been running fiercely to erase the sins remaining in her body and survive with Ferdinando by any means.

And the countless hatred and hostility from people she encountered during that time.

Dealing with Henri, who kept changing his mind, was challenging enough, but now Ermedelin had to face Valier’s endless hostility as well.

Ermedelin was exhausted, both physically and mentally. It felt like the right time for some rest.

“I will go.”

“The Empress? Really?”

She hesitated to say it just in case, but when Ermedelin actually said she was going, Henri looked at her with a grimace, as if he had seen something unbearable.

“Do you really mean to go to the Grand Temple?”

“Yes. Anyway, it’s only for about three weeks, right? Can’t I do that much for the well-being of the Trivian Empire? I am, after all, called the Empress.”

Fearing that her inner desire for
The attitude of Louise in the royal palace was warm, and Ermedelin momentarily forgot, but the original Ermedelin was the archenemy of the clergy and enemies among enemies.

There was even a description in the original work that when she was to be executed, the deputy minister looked at the scene behind Valier with a smirk.

“It seems like avoiding is not an option…”

“How can I abandon my duty just because we don’t get along? I’ve already said I’ll go…”

However, Ermedelin’s mind became even more complicated.

She had barely managed to avoid insults or being pelted with stones while walking around. However, the nobles still hated her, and there had been several assassination attempts.

In any case, whether she lived or died was in the hands of Henri and the nobles, not the common people.

Now, if she were to say that she wouldn’t go, it was clear that they would mock her, knowing that she had anticipated such a response.

“Shall I go with you?”

Seeing the worried expression on Ermedelin’s face, Felio made a surprising suggestion.

“If you leave, who will take care of the orphanage and sewer construction?”

“Don’t you have maids?”

“The maids are busy recruiting and training staff for the orphanage, creating teaching materials, and handling internal decorations. You’re well aware, aren’t you? You have to stay and handle the payments.”

She had planned to take a comfortable break, but the thought of encountering the vivid hatred she faced when she first possessed and meeting those intense hostilities again drained Ermedelin’s energy.

“Empress!”

At that moment, Velest appeared in the reception room, exuding a cheerful atmosphere.