“Cold gaze? Bianca was taken aback by the unfamiliar look in Jillian’s eyes as he stared at her. Even in their first meeting, where he had thought of killing her, he hadn’t shown such a gaze. Though time was pressing, did thinking about Deborra seem too naive? Bianca realized that she had done something immature.

“I’m sorry.”

“Was it lacking?”

“No.”

Could it be lacking? He had saved both himself and Marquis Elian. Was there any room for inadequacy? It overwhelmed her. So, this was just greed. She wished for more without knowing the subject or what more there could be. Bianca chastised herself.

“I was short-sighted.”

“But still, you wanted to see me?”

“I think my heart felt a little heavy because I remembered you crying.”

“He cried?” Referring to Deborra seemed strange; the title was odd.

“Deborra Elian. My cousin who was a maid when I was here. I remembered the child crying.”

Bianca quickly added. It was good to confirm when something seemed strange. It might be a misconception, but Jillian’s reaction a while ago was aggressively defensive.

“Ah.”

After Jillian’s short sigh, Bianca was convinced. There was a misunderstanding.

“Is there anyone else you want to meet?”

Bianca asserted with strength. There might be people she had to meet, but the one she had longed to see was none other than Marquis Elian.

By the way, Marquis Elian was not among those who attended today’s inquest. It was strange that the Marquis, who would stand up for himself if it was for his wife’s sake, was not present.

“By any chance…”

“Do you know what happened to Marquis Elian?”

Bianca swallowed the question that rose to her throat. Does Jillian know? It was strange that someone who used to go back to the territory immediately to deal with the Wave together now knew nothing about Marquis Elian.

“If you’re worried about Marquis Elian, don’t be. Both Marquis Elian and Young Master Elian are safe. I heard they returned to the territory to handle the situation.”

The man who had been growling until a while ago was now speaking with a very apologetic voice.

“Ah… How did you know?”

“You were just told. I thought the lady would be curious about the person she wanted to see.”

“Thank you. Since you’re not in the inquest today…”

“Do you value the lady a lot? It seems there’s no reason to stay in the capital now that the Marquis has left.”

Well, Bianca nodded her head quietly at Jillian’s words. Marquis Elian had found it very difficult to be in the palace after his younger sister’s death. He only stayed and came in and out because of the harsh life left by his younger sister’s child. If not for her, he would have returned to the territory much earlier.

“I was short-sighted.”

More than being sorry for not being able to see him, Bianca’s voice, which seemed more apologetic for having found him like a child, naturally subsided.

“Don’t be sorry. Is there any reason you need to see me here?”

“What…”

Thump. Although she hadn’t heard anything yet, her heart began to pound strangely.

“You can invite him.”

“Invite…?”

“When the snow melts, invite him. It’s okay to visit Marquis Elian. I’d like to visit the Marquis’s territory at least once since I don’t have any memories of being a Marquis.”

“Ah.”

She hadn’t even thought about it. Going back and forth like ordinary people.

“Can I?”

“Who’s going to stop you?”

Bianca didn’t answer, but Jillian understood the answer.

“No one will stop you.”

“…”

“I’ll make sure you’re not bothered. Responding to an unwanted call will be the last time this time.”

“It’s not that I can’t trust you.”

Bianca knew that the Emperor was much more cunning and cruel than she had thought. Bianca, who had been tormented by him all her life, knew well how he cornered people. Today’s incident was an exception.”
“Invite him when the snow melts. You can also visit Marquis Elian. I also have no particular memories of Marquis territory, so I’d like to go there at least once.”

“…Ah.”

She hadn’t thought about it.

Becoming like ordinary people.

“Is it allowed?”

“Who would stop you?”

Bianca didn’t answer, but Jillian understood the response.

“It won’t be stopped.”

“…”

“I’ll make sure it doesn’t bother you. Responding to an unwanted call will be the last time this time.”

“I don’t distrust you.”

She knew the Emperor was more cunning and malicious than she thought.

Bianca, who had been tormented by him all her life, knew well how he cornered people.

Today’s incident was an exception.

Probably, if today’s inquest wasn’t a special situation called ‘Wave,’ it wouldn’t have ended so smoothly.

The nobles were more skillful than reeds.

They dealt with the world based on their own values.

The top priority was their safety.

Today, the Emperor touched on the most basic and prioritized thing for them, which was why the atmosphere flowed unfavorably towards Valrock, not because they revered Valrock.

Thinking that their favor would continue next time is foolish.

That’s why Bianca was worried.

After the Wave, how she would deal with the aftermath of today’s events.