“Meeting Your Majesty’s lover is a necessary inconvenience.”

“I am only in charge of the Crown Prince’s education. Disregard the rumors.”

“Crafty as a centuryold fox. Street rumors aren’t entirely false, are they?”

At Rose’s sarcastic words, Susan’s elegant face paled.

Although she knew it wasn’t her place to interfere, she seemed unable to contain her anger.

I should remove this situation quickly.

“Is that not why you’ve come here to speak?”

“Is it that I should state my business quickly?”

“The Crown Prince is waiting.”

“Carrying the Crown Prince on your back, acting as if the palace is your home.”

“If my words have offended you, I apologize.”

She bowed gracefully.

Rose let out a loud snort.

“You lowly woman must’ve learned some palace etiquette. Even a monkey would do better than you.”

“……”

“How dare you challenge our house. You will regret it, regret it in tears. My brother and father will see to you…”

I let Rose’s words in one ear and out the other.

How can someone talk so long about something nobody listens to?

She’s impressive in her own way.

Drowsiness swept over me, perhaps due to last night’s sleeplessness.

I focused my eyes to suppress a yawn.

I decided to concentrate on Rose’s shaking auburn hair.

‘It’s the same color as cayenne pepper.’

Rose, noticing my distraction, asked sharply,

“What are you thinking?”

“Your Highness Rose’s hair resembles dried pepper… no, it resembles a plant that I love.”

I explained cautiously.

Interest flitted through Rose’s eyes.

“What plant is it?”

“It’s a precious plant that grows only in my hometown. It’s red, shiny, and both haughty yet fiery.”

“Hm. Is its name pepper?”

“It’s a plant loved by all. Considered indispensable and revered.”

In Korean tables, one couldn’t do without pepper.

You dip pepper into soybean paste and eat it, and heap red pepper powder into indispensable kimchi, didn’t we?

“Huh. So it’s a beautiful flower like me?”

Pleased by the backhanded compliment, Rose lifted her chin.

“Flattery won’t work. Brother Simon will win. He’s the strongest in the Empire.”

“I believe Lord Claudia will also do his best.”

“But your real skill is in bed, isn’t it?”

The smile disappeared from my lips.

I’d hoped to let it pass today.

But it seems wherever I go, there’s someone who likes to rush me into disrepute.

“His Majesty has never kept a woman so close, so what great skill of yours won him over?”

“Elizabeth is not the person you say she is…”

Susan, who had been quiet, trembled her lower lip.

Rose glared at Susan with daggerlike eyes.

“Who are you?”

“I am Susan Nettleton, the palace apothecary.”

“Nettleton? Ah… the family of gamblers, quack apothecaries, and nonsense novelists!”

Rose hurled fierce insults.

Seemingly heavily affected, Susan’s small body wavered.

Only for a moment.

Susan replied in a confident voice.

“I am from the Nettleton Ducal House. One of the five great families that received the Emperor’s grace.”

“You were driven out long ago, and yet you still claim this? There are only four great families in the Empire now.”

“But…”

“You’re disgraced but still claim to be noble? You follow this lowly woman, calling her sister.”

“Elizabeth is not what you’re making her out to be.”

“How pathetic. Fawning over the woman who got my brother locked up.”

A single tear slid down Susan’s cheek.

That was the last straw.

I can tolerate much, but not when it comes to hurting our child.

Nor will I.

“Your words go too far, Your Highness.”

An icy voice flowed from my lips.

“Finally showing your true colors?”

“Please continue on your way, without later regret.”

“You insolent woman!”

Rose raised her hand toward me.
Where have I seen this scene before?

But the situation was quite different from when I was with Lady Kensington.

I had no intention of forgiving Rose.

A sharp slap rang out.

The moment Rose’s right hand tried to slap my left cheek.

I lifted my left hand slightly, pretending to cover my mouth.

So, the sound was of palm hitting palm.

But I still staggered to the side.

Not only that, I tumbled around.

“Aah!”

I didn’t forget to let out a melodramatic scream.

Susan burst into tears.

“Elizabeth, are you okay?!”

“Su, Susan…”

“Your face is so pale! Sob, sob.”

If I’d really been slapped, I would have turned red.

What I needed now was a bit of audacity and confident acting.

“I’m, I’m okay.”

I leaned on Susan with a frail expression, as if a gust of wind could carry me away.

As if I had been diagnosed with something terminal, Susan cried out loud.

“Why the fuss when you didn’t even get hit properly?”

“How could someone hit another person? If something happens to Elizabeth, the Queen Mother will be responsible, right?”

Susan looked up at Rose with somewhat sharp eyes.

Rose, intimidated by Susan’s vigor, softened her tone.

“Oh my, look at this one. Anyone listening would think a club was swung.”

“You’re saying a club was swung? Are you trying to kill my sister?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“I haven’t even fully recovered from the kidnapping. I feel like I’m bleeding again, sis!”

Susan tensed her lower belly and raised her voice.

The whole Prince’s palace reverberated.

It was a sound that would ring in some man’s ears and still be left over.