In fact, Eblina had recently visited the Imperial Palace and overheard Lord Tikan and the Emperor talking.

It was then that she learned that the Empress was about to step down, as mentioned earlier.

However, Eblina spoke as if she had heard it directly from the Emperor himself.

Eblina did not stop there and added, curving her eyes:

“I believe you will certainly keep the promise you have made.”

For a moment, laughter harshly echoed through the air.

The owner of that laughter was none other than Vivian.

To laugh like that after hearing something that was not at all funny.

At this bizarre scene, Eblina stared at Vivian, frozen in place.

After a brief moment, Vivian raised her head and fixed Eblina with a low, calm gaze.

“That was when Rachel was still alive.”

“It seems you have not heard the news yet.”

“What news.”

Eblina stared directly into Vivian’s eyes, which looked at her coldly, while resting her chin on her hand.

Her face bore an indifferent and dry expression, but her lips were curved in a smile.

Eblina frowned. However, she soon regained her composure and curled up one corner of her mouth.

‘Now is not the time to act so nonchalant…’

She must be pretending to be at ease, not wanting to show her frustration.

But.

The words that came out of Vivian’s mouth next completely missed Eblina’s expectations.

“Ah, are you talking about the news that the aide is impersonating Rachel?”

Eblina’s face instantly hardened.

‘The Empress knows that I’m pretending to be Rachel? How?’

Eblina felt her mind going blank.

“What… what do you mean by that?”

“The aide would know better than anyone else.”

Even after carefully retracing past events, there was nothing particularly suspicious.

The only one who knew that she was pretending to be Rachel despite not being her was her father, Bashuvir.

She had been especially careful about this matter even in front of the servants.

‘She must be just testing me.’

After all, who could come up with such an outrageous idea?

The idea of using a woman who died seven years ago to monopolize the Emperor’s favor and grasp the world.

Isn’t it a scenario too perfect to be true?

If she herself hadn’t discovered that possession was possible, she wouldn’t have even attempted it.

The fact that possession was possible and that Rachel was a great mage, all the scenarios were perfect.

‘By now, you must be seething inside.’

That’s why she wants to believe all this is a lie.

Eblina said with a smile spread across her face:

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Vivian quietly observed Eblina, who was swallowing her anxiety.

Watching her, she sneered.

Isn’t it amusing to see her sitting there, desperately clinging to her disguise?

Vivian’s gaze was bored but sufficiently intimidating to her opponent.

Eblina’s body trembled slightly as she met the purple gaze.

Vivian calmly watched this scene and set down her teacup with a clatter.

“Do you really think His Majesty doesn’t know about the aide’s lies?”

“It seems Your Majesty the Empress simply cannot believe the fact that I am Rachel.”

“…”

“That’s understandable. I felt the same way at first.”

“…”

“But what can we do? The truth is that I am Rachel.”

Looking at the silent Vivian, Eblina continued speaking sarcastically.

“His Majesty shared many moments with me. Those times are filled with memories that Your Majesty the Empress could never intrude upon.”

As she continued to act, Eblina now felt as if she had truly become Lady Rachel.

If she could monopolize that great man’s favor and achieve her dreams, honestly, what did it matter what she became?

“Why else would His Majesty have spent 7 years searching only for me?”

“…”

“I’ve even heard rumors that 7 years ago, Lord Diarob did something to me.”

Eblina stared directly at Vivian.

‘Weren’t they said to be a close father and daughter?’

Even if that wasn’t the case, it would be normal to fly into a rage when one’s family and father were insulted.

But the Empress showed no such reaction at all. She was clearly a fox-like person skilled at hiding her emotions.

Eblina inwardly flinched but outwardly maintained a calm expression.

“I’m trying to show Your Majesty the Empress one last courtesy.”

“…”

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to step down before I do something to Snowfell and drive Your Majesty out with my own hands?”

Eblina gently curved her eyes.

‘This should be enough to make the Empress bitch come to her senses and step down.’

But Vivian smiled without being intimidated in the least.

Then, the voice that came out of her mouth was vicious.

“Last courtesy… That’s not something a woman who deceives with false acting and schemes to take another’s man should say.”

“What did you just say?”

Eblina’s blood boiled at the leisurely tone that seemed to be mocking her.

She was the one who had the Emperor now, the one who should be at ease.

She couldn’t understand why this woman was looking at her as if she were some dirty impurity while maintaining a noble expression.

Above all, Eblina’s knees weakened at the cold gaze looking down on her.

It was natural, as people with something to hide tend to be sensitive to even the smallest things.

“You seem very anxious.”

“…”

“Well, you found the lover you missed for 7 years, but His Majesty doesn’t seem to be as moved as you expected.”

“…!”

Eblina narrowed her brows and widened her eyes.

Seeing this, Vivian spoke without inflection:

“I wonder why His Majesty hasn’t fully restored Duke Bashuvir’s rights yet.”

“My father is different from Lord Diarob. He’s trying not to burden His Majesty.”

“You’re more naive than I thought. Or are you just stupid?”

Vivian’s smiling face stimulated the underlying anxiety in Eblina.

“Your Majesty the Empress!”

Seeing Eblina shouting in excitement, she became even more certain.

‘Eblina’s anxiety has reached its peak.’

Curling up the corners of her mouth, Vivian murmured softly.

“If you were really Rachel, why hasn’t His Majesty announced that fact yet?”

As Eblina listened to Vivian’s meaningful words, she recalled the past days.

The Emperor had consistently visited her quarters without fail.

He had even cut off what little interaction he had with the Empress in the past.

But that was all there was to it.

Until now, all of His Majesty’s changes were only about his relationship with the Empress.

He never progressed further with her.

Eblina had taken the initiative more than once or twice.

Even though she was disguised as Rachel, she thought she could still seduce him as Eblina.

That’s why she tried to hold his hand, kiss him, and spend the night with him.

But each time, the Emperor rejected her.

Of course, he didn’t fail to give reasons.

He said such things could wait until after the treatment was finished.

However, his gaze towards her seemed to grow colder as time passed.

There was no more heat felt in that gaze.

Eblina clenched her fist as her underlying anxiety was scratched.

But people tend to believe in hope more than despair.

Eblina believed the Emperor’s promise at face value.

The loser now is clearly the Empress. Everything the Empress says is just a last struggle.

“It seems your imagination has grown quite a bit now that I have monopolized His Majesty’s favor.”

Watching Eblina trying hard to compose herself, Vivian still did not lose her smile.

“Your imagination is the one that’s abundant. To the point of admiration, in fact.”

Eblina stared at Vivian with a dumbfounded expression, as if she had been hit.

The Emperor’s favor had tilted towards her, and everything was in her grasp.

By now, one would think the Empress would be intimidated.

But Vivian’s face didn’t show even the slightest movement.

Soon after, Vivian’s sarcastic voice was laid over the space once again.

“You could write a novel. You seem to have talent.”

There was no wavering in her tone as she spoke with certainty.

The only one wavering was Eblina herself.

Thoroughly hiding her trembling hands under her sleeves, Eblina smiled and added:

“The reason His Majesty hasn’t announced my existence yet is because he intends to do so after I regain my memories.”

Vivian spoke while absentmindedly turning her teacup with one hand:

“You will never be officially announced as Rachel.”

“What did you just…”

“You won’t be able to remember anything. How could you recall memories when you’re not Rachel?”

A smile spread across Vivian’s lips.

“…!”

Eblina felt her breathing quicken.

Those who tell lies are naturally more sensitive to even small things.

Eblina couldn’t help but be sensitive to everything right now.

As if maintaining a life built on lies wasn’t already making her anxious and dizzy enough, the Empress was now scratching at that facade.

Eblina felt like her heart would burst from anxiety.

At the same time, a strong anger took root in her heart, determined to drag the Empress down from her position.

Eblina slammed the table with a bang and stood up.