Yustia looked at Ibelia with a compassionate gaze. If Ibelia hadn’t known the Empress’s purpose before, the gaze would have been enough to confuse her. However, Ibelia didn’t even flinch.

It was just surprising that Empress Yustia went to such lengths to initiate a conversation to ask for her favor. But, it didn’t sit well with her.
Ibelia wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. It was because of the man next to her.

The man showed no reaction to the Empress’s recounting of Relia’s story. Though she didn’t check directly, it was clear from the sharp feeling on the back of her hand, which he was gripping tightly under the table while looking down, that he was doing so with force.

It was unbearably uncomfortable, beyond words. In the midst of this, Yustia resumed speaking, shaking Ibelia’s attention.

“If Relia has acted foolishly, she should receive the appropriate punishment. However, on the other hand, there is cause for concern.”

Yustia murmured with a worried expression. Ibelia, deliberately avoiding the Caliph’s gaze, instinctively spat out words that had piled up in her mouth.

“What are you worried about, Your Majesty?”

“Do you happen to know about the recent rumors stirring up the palace regarding the Princess Consort?”

For a moment, Ibelia raised her eyes towards Yustia with a stiff expression. If the rumors stirring up the palace were about her and the Caliph, it meant stories surrounding them. More precisely, it was something the Empress had done with this situation in mind.

However, to mention such rumors with a face full of worry was absurd.

Ibelia bit her lip firmly. If she didn’t, it felt like a suppressed sigh would escape uncontrollably.

Almost instinctively, she reached out for a teacup. Even though she didn’t want to drink the tea Yustia had provided, it seemed like she had to swallow the sigh while drinking it.

With that thought, as she brought the teacup to her lips, Yustia’s story continued.

“Even if we don’t need to pay attention to every word the lower ranks mutter, it wouldn’t hurt to listen. So, I asked through the maids and found out about the circulating rumors. They seem to be gossiping that our Rieu is somewhat strange.”

“…”

“It’s as if Rieu has become someone else, and I should just let the rumors flow… I should be able to do that.”

Crash.

In an instant, the glass in the greenhouse shattered, and a sharp cracking sound spread in all directions.

Ibelia’s face turned pale in an instant, and she trembled at her fingertips. Her heart raced wildly. Although she should try to find stability through a deep breath, she couldn’t do anything.

Yustia’s words about the rumors of Rieurian being treated as if he had become someone else echoed in her ears. She had said it without any intention. Just by looking at the nuance of her words, it was clear. Yet, the surprised feeling didn’t easily subside. Amidst this, the gazes of the two people fixed on her were too piercing.

Belatedly, Ibelia stood up to pick up the shattered teacup, hoping to escape from the burdensome stares.
“I, I’m sorry. I, my finger slipped, so I just…”

The voice was as incoherent as the touch picking up the glass fragments was unstable. Recklessly grabbing without caution, there was no skill to avoid cutting the fingers.

“Ouch…!”

Along with a sharp pain, the glass fragment she was holding slipped away.

Only now did Ibelia regain her composure, and she moved her eyes to find the painful spot. Then, the blood-soaked wound sharply cut by the tip of her right thumb became visible.

“Princess Consort, are you okay?”

As flustered as the situation was, Yustia hastily asked Ibelia.

Ibelia took a suppressed breath. Then, to respond to the Empress, she finally parted her lips.

“Yes, I’m oka…”

“It doesn’t seem okay at all.”

Before she could finish her sentence, a low, muffled voice intruded.

Ibelia turned her head abruptly toward the source of the sound. As she did, the figure of a man rising from his seat and approaching her came into clear view.