Ibelia tightly clenched the hand placed on her knees. The heart that had just calmed down began to beat violently again.
The maid’s report about the Crown Prince troubled her more than the peculiar attitude of the Empress.
She remained restless, only her pupils moving dizzily. Because of this, she didn’t even notice the Empress’s gaze, which had persistently stuck to her.
In the moment of chaos that suddenly swept over her, a voice she had hoped not to hear pierced through her ears.
“You two are here together.”
“I invited the Prince Consort for a cup of tea. But, Rieu, what’s the matter for you to suddenly come here without a word?”
Yustia’s voice asking for the reason was infinitely relaxed. Yet, Ibelia couldn’t stay still as if walking on hot coals in front of his gaze that reached her.
“…I stopped by thinking of my mother as I passed by nearby.”
It was a straightforward answer. However, Ibelia felt vividly that it might not be sincere.
Even as he answered Yustia, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. As if he came here suddenly because of her.
How did he know? Doubts arose, but Ibelia quickly understood the petite form of a hamster that popped into her mind.
Felix might have the ability to see and hear even in distant situations. Considering his ability to transform into a hamster, what else could be impossible?
But at this moment, Ibelia found Felix to be so despicable.
“Stopping by because you thought of me, is there a happier thing than this? Come, Rieu, sit down quickly.”
Yustia brightly smiled and invited him to take a seat. It was just a simple invitation, yet Ibelia’s shoulders trembled strangely.
It was because of the name ‘Rieu’ that came out with Yustia’s voice.
[I am not Rieurian Petrov…] […] […Because I am Caliph Duit.]The voice he had forcibly erased came back vividly.
Caliph Duit.
His name was Caliph Duit, not Rieurian Petrov.
The moment the fact was deeply recognized, Ibelia started to feel uneasy for a different reason.
“Terot, I hope you’ve prepared Rieu’s share of the teacup.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will prepare it promptly.”
Yustia spoke to the attendant standing by. The attendant, bowing neatly, took steps and headed somewhere.
After that, only three people remained in their seats, excluding the attendants guarding the greenhouse door.
An uncomfortable atmosphere settled in the greenhouse in an instant. Only one person, Yustia, tilted the teacup with a calm expression.
“By the way, did the Princess Consort get hurt because of Relia?”
Ibelia suddenly gripped the hem of her dress at Yustia’s words directed towards her. Stories related to Relia were uncomfortable enough, but today it felt even more so.
Even though it wasn’t a difficult question, words to answer didn’t readily come to mind. Her constant focus on the neighboring seat was the reason.
She bit down on her lower lip, visibly agitated. Then, she made an effort to roll her pale hair to the side.
“It’s just a minor injury. Thanks to receiving prompt treatment, I’m much better now.”
“Even so, the fact that you got injured troubles my heart.”
“Your Majesty has shown so much concern; I am truly grateful. However, the wound is healing well, so there’s no need to worry.”
At the end of her words, Ibelia forcibly raised the corners of her mouth. The sudden appearance of Rieurian… no, Caliph had left her disoriented, but the Empress was someone she had to be cautious about, especially now. So, she had to be even more alert than usual.
Silence quickly returned. In the meantime, the attendant who had vacated her seat for the Empress returned and placed a tea set in front of the Caliph. Then, with familiar hands, she poured tea.
Only then did Yustia speak with a meaning-laden tone.
“I invited the Princess Consort to meet today because there is something I earnestly wish to ask of her.”
“Ask… what?”
Ibelia unconsciously furrowed her brows. It was surprising enough to hear the word ‘ask’ coming from Yustia’s mouth, but to so candidly reveal her true intentions was an unexpected move.
“I heard about what happened with Relia. It seems the Princess Consort’s heart has been greatly hurt.”
“Ah…”
Ibelia sighed softly. She wondered what nonsense this was all about, but eventually, it seemed that the purpose was to bring up Relia’s story.
Even without hearing more from the Empress, Ibelia could guess why this meeting had been arranged.
In the end, what the Empress wanted to say was likely related to helping Relia be released. Since the man believed to be Rieurian wouldn’t be swayed no matter what was said, it was clear that the Empress directed her arrows at her.
“Hurting the Prince Consort with the status of a princess is inappropriate.”
“…”
“Of course, at first, I thought it was too excessive to say that Rieu ordered imprisonment for that matter. However, upon reflection, it seems not entirely untrue.”
“…”
“The Princess Consort is a precious body destined to follow after me as the Empress. No matter how you think about it, this incident seems to be a mistake that Relia should not have made.”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
