Before departing for Isajel’s mansion, Edith could have a conversation with Rosalin.

Rosalin and the child were moved to the residence of the palace maids, as the informants of Lexion, who noticed the surveillance, had done.

‘Rosalin is confident that Claude is not the son of the Empress.’

But all the paternity tests conducted so far have consistently shown that Claude has the bloodline of the imperial family.

If Rosalin’s claim is true, it means that Patricia manipulated all the paternity test results.

When she thought that far, something caught her attention.

“Elizabeth, tell me everything you did as the Empress’s maid in the past few days.”

“If you mean everything….”

“Tasks assigned to you, requests made, and similar things. Please tell me everything without missing a single detail.”

Edith’s voice was more serious than ever. Elizabeth began to recount the events from a week ago, rolling her eyes to remember.

“And late yesterday, she said she was nervous about the trial and visited the medical office briefly. While I was explaining the symptoms to the doctors and asking for medicine, she waited outside.”

Edith’s eyes, listening to the story, narrowed slightly.

It was somewhat strange for Patricia, who used to explain her physical condition when called a maid, to personally accompany her to the medical office and wait outside while she talked to the doctors.

‘Rosalin did the same. Before the trial, the Empress, claiming nervousness, personally went to the medical office.’

Did she use something in the medical office for manipulating the paternity test results?

As soon as she returned to the mansion, Edith decided to further investigate reasonable suspicions.

“Elizabeth, you’re fortunate to be working as the Empress’s maid. Patricia’s falsely accumulated power will surely crumble.”

“I’m glad I could be of help. Oh, and you previously told me to go to Gilbert and gather useful information.”

Elizabeth, mentioning Gilbert’s name, remained calm without any apparent agitation.

“Gilbert said that. Elizabeth, it seems that Patricia sending me to Fortrion was not a coincidence.”

“What does that mean?”

“Gilbert said so. For some reason, the Empress has been sending wizards and assassins to the provinces for a while, and among them, those heading to Fortrion seem to have discovered something.”

After Rosalin, Elizabeth was also saying the same thing.

“Elizabeth, do you know what the Empress found?”

“I didn’t know, and Gilbert didn’t seem to know either. The Empress only trusted Gilbert about half the time, so she didn’t tell him very important things. But if it’s Count Gulturk, he might know.”

“…….”

Edith fell into thought for a moment.

She had already asked her to investigate Patricia’s reason for sending Elizabeth to Fortrion, thinking that there might be a reason behind it.
However, hearing the story through Rosalin that she admired Lady Leia but also felt jealous and obsessed, now everything felt like a planned scheme rather than a coincidence.

“Claude, you don’t have to be nervous. Regardless of what anyone says, you have the bloodline of the imperial family.”

“Yes, Mother….”

“Okay, if you understand, go back now, have a meal, and prepare for the outing. Remember the faces of those who placed you in the courtroom today.”

Patricia lightly patted her son’s tense shoulders. The touch was burdensome, but Claude left the room without any military salute.

Now that she was alone with Count Gulturk, Patricia, irritated, let out a sigh.

“Gilbert, if that fool hadn’t made a mistake, the trial wouldn’t have turned out like this…. Count, did you bring Rosalin?”

“…….”

Count Gulturk bowed his head and did not respond at all.

“I apologize. Lexion’s surveillance was so strict that approaching was impossible.”

In fact, if Count Gulturk’s trained assassination unit had remained, it might have been possible to somehow bring Rosalin.

However, Patricia was the one who discarded their leader, Eisen, like a dirty napkin.

Moreover, due to the secret missions carried out under Patricia’s orders, many had been injured or killed, and the morale of the knights was not as high as before.

But the Count could not disclose all these facts, so he vaguely ended his words.

“Failing to bring back a woman with a child is quite incompetent.”

Patricia, annoyed, spoke and reached out to the Count. It was to receive the items she had asked for in advance.

Count Gulturk confirmed once again that there was no one around and took out a small dagger from his embrace, offering it to her.

Swish—

Patricia stared at the blade with indifferent eyes. Unlike ordinary swords, she liked the vivid blue light enveloping it.

“As you ordered, the blade was made using only magic stones. However… may I ask where you intend to use it?”

At the Count’s question, Patricia let out a light laugh.

‘Rexion was born with immense magic power and lived a life with a limited lifespan. His son would be no different.’