A few days later, a gossip magazine written by an anonymous reporter spread throughout the capital.

People were shocked by the unsubstantiated rumors, and even more astounded by the explicit illustrations accompanying the article in the gossip magazine.

It contained details about the Empress spending nights with the mercenary captain contracted by the Imperial family, along with a drawing of the two together in bed.

Selina held the magazine with a satisfied smile.

The Empress lying half-naked on the bed, embracing a man. It was a somewhat embarrassing image to look at directly. It even caused cognitive dissonance, being so different from the Empress’s usual appearance.

‘Just spreading rumors like this should be fatal to the Empress’s image.’

This time, Count Diobe had done his job properly. When he said “Leave it all to me” and asked to be trusted, who knew he would come up with something like this.

Facts aren’t important in gossip. First, it needs to stick in people’s minds and be on everyone’s lips. Once that happens, rumors that were once like mist slowly gain power and become as vivid as if they really happened.

This is just the beginning. Gradually tightening the noose around the Empress, in the end even her deposition will be discussed.

‘His Majesty the Emperor must be disappointed in the Empress too…’

Running straight to the Emperor’s palace now might only irritate Cledius more. Selina decided to take a breath and go comfort the Emperor later.

When you hear rumors that the person you love is in another man’s arms, how could you look favorably upon it? She looked at the gossip magazine again.

“Whoever drew this did a really good job.”

Cledius was holding a document in his hand. Its contents didn’t seem very pleasant, judging by the uncomfortable expression on his face as he read through it.

‘Embezzlement from the Gloria Foundation…’

To think they would stab him in the back like this after he had turned a blind eye. Had he been too lenient all this time? The thin papers trembled faintly in time with his sigh.

“Your Majesty. Duke Eurgen is here.”

Uncharacteristically for the usually composed Duke, he entered the Emperor’s office with a flushed face and an urgent manner.

“This is unusual. I’ve never seen the Duke so flustered before.”

“I rushed to the palace thinking you should know about this. Please don’t be angry and take a look.”

Cledius received the thin booklet that Duke Eurgen held out. It was a magazine folded vertically several times, easily found on the streets.

As Cledius opened the booklet with an indifferent expression, his eyes gradually widened.

The red glow in his eyes, usually slow and relaxed, began to fill with anger. The face of the secretary, who was glancing at the magazine’s contents beside him, also hardened.

Even the Imperial family couldn’t control anonymous gossip magazines. Until now, they had overlooked them, thinking it best to ignore such baseless rumors.

“…They don’t know their limits, running wild because we don’t charge them with insulting the Imperial family.”

The stiff booklet crumpled in Cledius’s hand. Duke Eurgen, watching the Emperor, waited tensely for his next words.

“Bring those who wrote this article before me at once.”

“But Your Majesty, it’s an anonymous magazine. Moreover, punishing them would be unprecedented in the Empire’s history…”

“Duke Eurgen.”

The angry summons was tantamount to an imperial order not to be repeated twice.

“Tell Kailem to search for them.”

The secretary and Duke Eurgen bowed deeply before leaving the office. Staying any longer would only further aggravate the Emperor’s mood.

Cledius glared at the crumpled booklet in his hand.

The article was full of speculation about the Empress’s ‘shadow’. Among them, the mercenary captain was treated as the most credible.

Along with people’s reports of his fairly handsome appearance, there was even embarrassing content suggesting this might be the Empress’s type.

The mere mention of that man was filthy.

The image of him in bed with Ilarid. Ilarid’s provocative voice saying “Shall I tell you how passionate it was?” echoed in his ears again.

Cledius put the booklet straight into the trash can. Soon a match was struck, and the scandal slowly turned to ashes.

He must declare this article nonsense. He must flatly deny it and punish those who wrote it, making it clear that the rumors are not true.

Because Ilarid belongs to no one but Cledius.

The article’s writers were caught sooner than expected. It was an anticlimactic result given the enormity of what they had done.

The journalists, brought in blindfolded, bowed their heads and trembled as soon as they confirmed the Emperor’s face. The Imperial Guard stood behind them, the Emperor in front.

There was no space to escape, and only their tongues could save them now.

“Your audacity is admirable. You dare mock the Emperor’s consort with such an article?”

“We, we wrote the article after receiving information that it was true!”

“That’s right! Someone who frequents the palace claimed they had seen it with their own eyes, so…”

Cledius frowned deeply as he listened to the journalists. What kind of lunatic would spread such rumors after seeing just that kind of scene?

“Who is that person?”

“Well, that…”

“Speak now. If you confess, I’ll at least spare your lives.”

At least spare their lives? It was exactly what they needed to hear in this life-or-death moment. The journalists seized the opportunity and quickly confessed.

“It was Count Diobe. He even gave us money and half-threatened us to publish it as fact…”

Where else could such a light betrayal be found? The journalists were eventually released unharmed.

With the added warning to the Imperial Guard captain to keep their mouths shut, as the story was certainly not true.

As they approached their office, they entered a narrow alley beside the building. After walking a few steps, a mysterious woman greeted them.

“Good work. This is a bonus to be delivered separately.”

“Oh my, thank you. Please let us know if you need us again next time.”

It was an envelope that looked thick at a glance. After confirming the amount, the journalists entered their office again with satisfied expressions.

Their betrayal of Count Diobe was a foregone conclusion.

Of course, there was someone else who had given them more money and asked for a separate job.

The woman who handed the envelope to the journalists walked to the end of the alley. At the dead end, the mastermind behind this incident was waiting.

“Boss. I handled it as you said.”

“Thank you, dear. Good job.”

Marsha peeled herself off the wall she had been leaning against. She had just promised the journalists twice the money Count Diobe had given them, with a bonus on top.

‘Such guys move for more money after all.’

It was a simple but bitter reality. But at least it would be an opportunity to take down Count Diobe.

‘Now what’s left is… the Empress’s side?’

Or perhaps the Emperor, who holds Count Diobe’s life in his hands.

**

A document fluttered down and landed at the feet of Count Diobe, who had hurried to the palace. As if calculated, the paper fell precisely at his feet.

“Count Diobe. You’ve been up to some interesting things.”

It was hard to discern what emotion the Emperor’s voice held. Whether it was simple irritation or boiling anger would depend on Count Diobe’s next words.

‘Is he talking about the foundation’s affairs…?’

The Count rolled his head and eyes around. His mouth dried up as he thought about how to answer.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean…”

“Even if the foundation’s income is quite good, such blatant mischief is troublesome.”

Only then did he glance at the document that had fallen at his feet. Hurriedly checking, he found it contained evidence of embezzlement from the Gloria Foundation. Every pore on Count Diobe’s body screamed.

“I also know about your money games with Marquis Geminia. That’s why I’ve been turning a blind eye to all your comings and goings at the Empress’s palace, buying and selling artworks.”

While Count Diobe was checking the document with trembling pupils, an ominous metallic sound was heard. Cledius slowly approached him, drawing his sword.

There was something more infuriating than being caught for embezzlement.

The sharp tip of the sword appeared before the Count. Suddenly faced with a threat to his life, Count Diobe could only tremble, not knowing what to do.

“And you dare… insult the Empress?”

How did this happen? Was it supposed to be exposed this quickly? Wasn’t it a job he had requested, even pushing a fairly thick wad of money?

Thinking back, it was quite a chance encounter. Walking down the street, he suddenly bumped into some guys and mud splashed. He took the business card they offered, saying they would compensate him. And conveniently, those guys turned out to be gossip magazine journalists…

But Cledius’s sword was several times faster than Count Diobe’s mental calculations. The sword that had been in front of him suddenly moved right next to the Count’s neck.

One wrong move and he might lose not just his position as foundation representative, but his life as well. The Count decided to prostrate himself flat for now.

“I, I heard it was true! I just casually mentioned it, but when did it…”

“I know everything. I heard you even gave them money and begged earnestly.”

It was a shallow trust. There are no eternal secrets in the face of money. It inevitably leans heavily towards the side offering more, but Count Diobe had overlooked this fact.

“Do you want to pay for your sins with death? Ah, for you, perhaps telling you to step down as foundation representative would be more fitting. How about it? You’ve been there for quite a while.”

The Emperor’s voice was now tinged with anger. It was a clearly intentional threat, and even that was being quite lenient. It was as good as telling him to admit his wrongdoing and step down on his own.

But Count Diobe didn’t want to step down quietly. His hands began to tremble violently. What an opportunity for a comeback this had been. The Count decided to drag in anyone he could to cover for himself.

“The, the, the Empress Dowager ordered it! Her Highness clearly said it was true. That the Empress brings in… a lover every night… She commanded me to quietly leak it to the magazine journalists…”

He felt the sword at his neck being withdrawn. Now he was saved. Just a couple more words and he could escape. Count Diobe felt relief as he wet his lips and added again.

“As a father, how could I refuse my daughter’s plea? I will scold my foolish daughter well, so please calm your anger…”

With a bang, he felt only an empty breeze. Count Diobe raised his head timidly, blinking his eyes. The Emperor was nowhere to be seen.

Soon a sigh of relief washed over him. He seemed to have kept his position as foundation representative, if nothing else.

He felt a vague sense of guilt, as if he had sold out his daughter, but it was only momentary. Surely the Emperor wouldn’t go so far as to cut down his favored mistress.

Count Diobe folded the document containing evidence of embezzlement several times and put it in his pocket. From now on, he would have to hide it more thoroughly to avoid being caught.

“Oh my, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Selina raised her languidly sprawled body. It was rare for the Empress to come to the Empress Dowager’s palace herself, an unexpected visit.

Moreover, it was right after a bout of unfavorable rumors had swept through. She thought the Empress would be discouraged and holed up in her palace, but Ilarid looked rather at peace instead.

It was as if she was proclaiming to the world that such rumors were nothing but false. Seeing the Empress’s noble posture, the corners of Selina’s mouth twisted slightly.

“I apologize. I’ve been feeling constantly drowsy lately, and my body has been screaming with fatigue…”

“Don’t worry about it. I know the hardships of the Empress Dowager.”

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

“No, thank you. I came today to clear up a misunderstanding.”

Her deep green eyes curved gently. How could she maintain such composure while her image was crumbling so noisily? Selina slowly raised herself and asked the Empress.

“What misunderstanding?”

“About the incident with His Majesty the Emperor during the morning walk the other day…”

“How could I dare comment on the relationship between Your Majesties? I’m just a little worried.”

When was the last time she could be this bold in her position as Empress Dowager? Selina, certain she had gained the upper hand, spoke in a voice full of concern.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

“It seems there’s something I don’t know about.”

“Oh my, haven’t you seen it yet?”

Selina covered her mouth with both hands, feigning slight surprise. But she was still a novice in this arena. The joy she couldn’t quite hide was plainly visible beneath her palms.

“His Majesty the Emperor has noticed someone visiting your bedroom every night.”

Oh, I see.

How should one react to a fact that’s not at all surprising? Ilarid had to hesitate for a moment.