After the ball ends, gossip magazines and various newspapers usually become noisy for several days.

There are countless incidents and accidents that occur at the imperial ball where most nobles gather.

From rumors about an octopus leg scandal involving a noble’s son, to praises about which family’s young lady was deemed the most beautiful, to reports on who is the most sought-after in the marriage market.

But this time was different. All newspapers and gossip magazines reported on the news of the Empress Consort’s pregnancy.

However, it was premature. The Empress still had a chance, and the child born to the Empress Consort could not immediately be named the next heir.

The problem was that the Empress was a surviving descendant of a treasonous family. Although Cledius had been holding back the nobles’ resentment, this incident had a high chance of being the final blow to the Empress.

Is this really the end for the Empress? Everyone’s attention turned to the Imperial Palace.

Joyful laughter never ceased in the Empress Consort’s palace. As if completely shaking off the gloomy atmosphere that had hung over during the confinement period, only bright and cheerful conversations flowed out.

Cledius headed straight for the Empress Consort’s palace. With a sword in one hand, he exuded an ominous aura without restraint. The expression “barging in” was more fitting than “visiting”.

He had just heard the diagnosis from the doctor who examined Selina.

The doctor who had entered the Empress Consort’s palace in the presence of the Marchioness of Geminia said, staking his entire career and life:

‘The Empress Consort is certainly with child.’

Even with the Emperor’s sword hovering near his neck, the doctor’s words were firm. It was certainty hidden behind trembling. Cledius’s molars clenched involuntarily.

The numerous symptoms that had appeared in Selina’s body recently. Suddenly feeling fatigue, having a higher temperature than usual, and becoming irritable – all these pieces fit together one by one.

Above all, her menstruation had stopped. Although her periods had been irregular to begin with, it was highly likely that she had reacted slowly to the changes in her body, as it was her first experience.

No one in the Empress Consort’s palace could stop the Emperor. The sword in the Emperor’s hand emanated a fierce aura that would cut down anyone who got in the way in a single stroke.

Cledius flung open the door of the reception room. The feather-like laughter abruptly ceased. The noble ladies gathered there stiffened their faces upon seeing the sword in the Emperor’s hand and stood up from their seats.

“My goodness, Your Imperial Majesty.”

Selina leisurely put down her teacup. Unlike her elegant gesture, the dessert pieces on the table had long since been smashed and scattered, losing their original beautiful shape.

“Everyone, leave. I have something to discuss with the Empress Consort.”

The noble ladies backed away hesitantly and left the reception room.

Selina’s eyes, which had been looking at the Emperor, narrowed. Such a hostile atmosphere and a sword in hand just to come to the Empress Consort’s palace.

“Your Imperial Majesty, please put away your sword. Our child is watching.”

“Our?”

At Cledius’s snort, Selina’s brow twitched. Even if he didn’t show it outwardly, this was the imperial heir she had longed for so much.

Even if he didn’t love Selina, she had conceived a child who would inherit his power. Shouldn’t even non-existent affection spring forth? That would be normal.

But his eyes were full of mockery. Cold-heartedness without even a speck of affection floating in the air like dust.

Could he be suspecting it’s someone else’s child? But the countless days and nights she had spent with Cledius were proof. Instead of rejoicing, to look at her with such eyes. How much will he regret this disgraceful behavior in the future?

Selina gently cradled her still flat belly with one hand.

“I assume you’ve met with the doctor.”

“I have.”

“The result will be the same no matter how many doctors you bring. So now, please greet our child and give your blessing.”

Blessing, was it? Cledius muttered quietly as he approached Selina. Then he stood the sword vertically and thrust it down in front of her.

A dull metallic sound fell onto the beautiful carpet. Selina did not tremble or show fear. She just looked up at Cledius while clutching her belly.

“…You cannot conceive a child.”

“What do you mean…?”

“I mixed contraceptives into the tea I bestowed upon you.”

Cledius muttered indifferently. Selina’s light green eyes began to tremble gradually. I must have heard wrong, it must be someone’s nonsense carried on the wind. But the windows of the reception room were tightly closed, and there was no way for a stray breeze to enter.

Selina barely managed to utter a word.

“Lies…”

Her breathing gradually quickened. It was a different emotion from when she heard Cledius say he didn’t love her.

He must be just spouting nonsense in anger. Selina had endured throughout her confinement thinking that way. Otherwise, she felt she would truly die.

Cledius was equally confused. Wasn’t it the contraceptive tea passed down from the Empress Dowager? Why had Selina suddenly become pregnant? Cledius continued calmly.

“You drank that tea without missing a single day, didn’t you? You had no choice but to do so.”

It was a cruel confirmation shot. How could she refuse a gift from her beloved? But that gift was no different from poison. The sword thrust before Selina might as well have been pierced into her heart, not the floor.

When properly packaged with the word ‘love’, one could do anything. Even if one knew the end would be ruin.

Shaking her head a few times in denial, a word flowed from her lips.

“…It doesn’t matter.”

It was like a denial of all the feelings she had poured out until now. She wanted to prevent all the time she had devoted and consumed for Cledius from becoming futile.

“Even if Your Imperial Majesty gave me contraceptives… this is a precious child that has come to us despite that.”

An exasperated sigh escaped Cledius’s lips. Selina continued in a trembling voice with her head bowed low. Perhaps these were words meant not for the Emperor, but for the child in her womb.

“Your Majesty, it’s alright if you don’t love me. I will just remain by your side.”

Surely things will change when he sees the child. Since human hearts are fluid, it’s possible for them to return as if they had changed. So she vowed to endure until the child was born.

Cledius took a step forward. However, he did not continue speaking and instead pulled out the sword stuck in the floor.

What remained was only an eerie silence. Only the sound of footsteps turning away without a word could be heard. Emotions welled up, choking her throat.

“Are you going to Her Majesty the Empress?”

Selina’s tear-filled words could no longer hold Cledius back. A silent dismissal that it was none of her business mixed with the cold wind and fluttered away.

Ilarid shut herself in her office again. As one big event is followed by another, it couldn’t be helped.

Before her lay a list of noble ladies and nouveau riche participating in the charity event.

Most of them were people who had promised cooperation with Ilarid first. Though they couldn’t gather properly due to their individual circumstances until now, this time all those who mentioned ‘May Day’ were coming together. As a result, the scale of the event had grown quite large.

Half of the invitations could be completed smoothly with Alice’s help. The venue for the bazaar had also been reserved.

Amidst her busy state, Ilarid’s gaze fell on her desk drawer. The locket pendant belonging to the Captain of the Imperial Guards, Kailem Western, inside it kept bothering her.

That night, on her way back from the garden, her mind was entirely focused on the contents of the pendant.

Locket pendants usually contain traces of loved ones that one doesn’t want to forget. Therefore, family or lovers often become the subject. Things from the past that can be recalled when seen, like bone fragments, hair, or portraits.

There’s no way Kailem Western and the Empress Dowager could be blood-related. Then there was only one possibility left.

The Empress Dowager’s hidden lover, Kailem Western.

Ilarid’s expression became complicated again. She had grasped one of Kailem’s weaknesses, but the problem was how to proceed from here on.

‘It’s not like he’ll listen if I suddenly threaten him…’

Her endless train of thought arrived at one possibility.

Whose child is Cledius K. de Astrid?

What are the chances that he is not the son of the previous Emperor and Empress Dowager, but the son of Kailem Western and the Empress Dowager?

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

There was a presence outside. Ilarid startled, removing the hand that was supporting her chin and straightening her posture.

“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”

So the inevitable has come. Ilarid rose from her seat.

Cledius’s appearance was not as miserable as expected. Perhaps he was trying his best to look alright. Ilarid greeted the Emperor without much emotion.

“You’ve come.”

“You look at peace, Empress.”

“How could I be frivolous when such a great joy has come to the Imperial Family?”

That’s not what you want to say, is it? Ilarid observed her husband’s expression. It was the face of someone who had sunk but not yet completely hit rock bottom, and thus still held a glimmer of hope.

“I’m quite a ‘precious guest’ visiting the Empress’s palace, so how about a cup of tea?”

There’s nothing like teatime for starting an awkward conversation. Ilarid instructed Lynette, who was nearby, to prepare tea in the reception room.

“Aren’t you busy receiving congratulations?”

“Terribly so. To the point where I can’t even feel hunger.”

Ilarid deliberately dismissed all the maids. The sight of the Empress personally pouring and serving tea to the Emperor was a rare and precious scene.

A one-sided gaze continued. Ilarid looked at the teacup, while Cledius only looked at Ilarid.

“I plan to increase the budget allocated to the Empress Consort’s palace by a small amount. Given that there will be more things to take care of…”

“…Was this your doing?”

“Yes.”

Ilarid affirmed without hesitation. Her eyes, which had been looking at the red tea in the cup, slowly rose to meet Cledius.

“Is there a problem with that?”

There wasn’t. Rather, he should have been pleased.

“Some cunning person mixed contraceptive drugs into the tea the Empress Consort frequently drank.”

I believe Your Imperial Majesty already knows this. Ilarid quietly lifted the teacup to moisten her throat. The dry feeling in her mouth was immediately replaced with a fragrant sensation.

‘Didn’t you ask if she drank it, Empress!’

Cledius was as good as caught red-handed at that moment.

“Probably considering that the Empress Consort would happily drink it since it was a gift bestowed by Your Imperial Majesty. Fortunately, it seems there’s no problem for the fetus in her womb. Isn’t this truly something to rejoice about?”

Before Ilarid finished speaking, Cledius buried his face in his hands. A low groan, as if crawling on the floor, was heard. Ilarid leisurely swallowed the tea in her mouth, using his anguish as a side dish.

The thing he least wanted and desired.

Now the nobles who support the Emperor will freely show their hostility towards the Empress. There’s no one as much of a thorn in their side as the Empress, the lone child of a traitor who has the people’s support.

Now only endless conflict, to the point of boredom, remains.

“…Ilarid.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Putting aside our titles as Emperor and Empress, will you answer me honestly?”

“Please ask.”

“Have you ever, even once in the past, loved me?”

Surprisingly, his voice was trembling.

The question reflected in his palm was pathetically desperate. Ilarid had to suppress the laughter trying to escape. Even if there was, she didn’t want to mention it in a relationship that was already broken beyond repair.

“…No.”

The clear sound of the teacup touching its saucer rang out.

Cledius unconsciously muttered the same words Selina had said.

“I see, it doesn’t matter. It’s okay even if only hatred remains and you torment me to the end. So…”

When he raised his head, his eyes were wet. She never imagined those red eyes would be filled with tears.

“Stay by my side.”

The sincerity he had been suppressing finally burst out. Each syllable he uttered stung as if cutting into flesh.

What does it matter? Anyway, Lebel, the Empress’s ‘shadow’, was a terminally ill life with numbered days.

Ilarid would lose him, be devastated and grieve, then slowly wither away inside the Imperial Palace. Where else could a woman who lost her loved one go…

“Is that what Your Imperial Majesty wishes?”

Where did the fleeting bewilderment go? Ilarid smiled brightly, trampling on Cledius’s tears.

“Then I… will do my best to leave this place.”

“…Leave? Are you trying to divorce?”

“There’s nothing stopping me.”

Her tone was as indifferent as plucking a hangnail from the edge of a fingernail.

“Cledius. Nothing you want will happen.”

I must excuse myself first as I am busy with official duties. Ilarid bowed to the Emperor and left the reception room. She didn’t mind much that the tea, which had not yet cooled, was still steaming.

“Ilarid!”

Cledius reached out urgently, but everything drifted away without anything being able to reach her.