All time passed swiftly, and the inevitable rules applied to her without exception.
“As you can see, the baby will be coming soon. You need to be extra careful than usual.”
The imperial physician warned her while examining her belly.
In response to the physician’s advice, the protection around the palace was strengthened. Cloe couldn’t take a step outside without additional guards. Even meals were only allowed after another court lady confirmed the safety of the food.
The empress’s duties became an impossible dream. What she had to do became the responsibility of Hyde and other courtiers. Even occasional outdoor activities, which used to break the monotony, were now restricted.
“Don’t do this, don’t do that, don’t do anything at all!”
It didn’t seem that extreme, but everyone prevented her from moving freely.
Cloe spent her day as usual. She ate a steak carefully prepared by the chef, walked around the palace with a group of knights, and suddenly remembered the book left in Kun’s personal study last night.
Jane suggested having tea time with the herbal tea she bought from the tea shop, and it seemed like a good time to read it.
With the knights following her, Cloe headed to the emperor’s personal study.
“…May I?”
“Permission granted.”
“Hail to Her Majesty!”
As Cloe reached the door, she heard two voices overlapping. One was her lovely husband’s voice, and the other was the voice of the diplomat, Count Halon.
Caught in a dilemma, Cloe unintentionally eavesdropped on their conversation.
“The Imperial Knights are outstanding individuals, and they will be needed by Her Majesty.”
“Wasn’t the Friede Empire their suzerain? It doesn’t mean they won’t assist in suppressing the rebellion or sending capable knights on a mission.”
“Of course, the kingdom will gladly accept it as an honor… All right. Then, we’ll send support funds with Winter as the leader, representing the imperial will.”
The Count did not refute the Emperor’s opinion and agreed to send substantial financial support. He realized that making noise wouldn’t change anything.
For him, the empire’s reputation was secondary. The safety of the empress and the child to be born in the future was the top priority.
“As much as needed from the budget. Send them enough to not be disappointed.”
He ordered to send a substantial amount of financial aid, solving the issue with money. It seemed like sending a considerable sum would not hurt their pride.
‘He seems to be talking about the Kingdom of Yurich.’
Listening to their conversation, Cloe thought about their allied nation, the Kingdom of Yurich. There were stories about sudden monster attacks in various places due to the underground den erupting.
“The number of demons is so great that it is said to have overwhelmed the entire kingdom now. It was truly a catastrophe, so other nations stepped forward and dispatched support troops.
The Friede Empire and the Yuri Kingdom had a deep historical relationship, to the extent that it was not an exaggeration to call it a profound connection.
Therefore, it was only right to sympathize with their suffering and offer help. Like other nations, they too sent knights and felt a shortage of resources when it came to procuring goods and financial support.
“Is it because of me?”
Kun could not be unaware of that. Moreover, he was someone who willingly helped even nations unrelated to demon affairs.
Cloé, who was contemplating the reason why a considerate man like him was actively involved in such a catastrophe, finally arrived at the truth.
Just as Cloé was pondering the man who was lamenting in this catastrophe, Baron Hallon, who had just finished a conversation, opened the door and came out. He glanced at the unknown person he collided with with a cold look. His eyes, half-closed from accumulated fatigue, widened even more.
“Your, Your Highness!”
Even though it was a slight collision with the shoulder, and that too, not a serious one, the Baron trembled as if the person he collided with had committed a capital offense.
Hearing the commotion and anticipating Kun’s approach, Cloé made a quiet gesture for him to calm down. It meant that everything was fine, and he should make way without worrying.
After sending off the apologetic Baron with a sorry face, they entered the study. In the study, Kun, who seemed lost in thought, caught Cloé’s attention. Although he vehemently rejected the Baron’s opinion, there seemed to be a lingering concern in his heart.
“Kun.”
Cloé approached him and held his hand.
The man, who was on the brink of death, soon formed a smile on his face. Of course, it might be mixed with a sense of joy, but it was intentionally acting cheerful to alleviate Cloé’s concerns.
“You seem troubled.”
“It’s not like that, don’t worry. I just haven’t had much sleep.”
“Because of the tragedy in the Yuri Kingdom?”
“……”
“Kun, if the reason you don’t want to go is because of me, I’m fine. Really.”
Cloé spoke straightforwardly.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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