Facing Relia, who urgently raised a request, he countered even Net Viscount’s excuses, firmly blocking the meeting with Ryurian.

It was still a very bewildering and incomprehensible behavior upon reflection.

How could he suddenly dedicate himself to Relia as if to press her to somehow make Relia Ryurian’s partner? When she was pressured to somehow make Relia Ryurian’s partner, how could he suddenly treat Relia as if she were nothing?

However, now it seemed that there had been a change of heart after the conversation with Ryurian.

Yustia took a breath without showing it. Dwayne’s sudden change in attitude must have had a reason.

“I see, Ryur. Did Father get angry? He’s so fond of Relia that he might be worried that he made a mistake with you.”

Yustia had no qualms about betraying Dwayne to understand his inner thoughts. It was a behavior that was terribly out of line with the elegant actions of the empress, but as long as it wasn’t revealed to her son, that was enough.

“Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Instead, he seemed to respect my thoughts.”

“Respect your thoughts? Garnet… No, did Father say that?”

Yustia nodded with bewildered eyes shaking in confusion. Her son’s figure nodding his head with eyes shaking in confusion was revealed.

“He said he wanted to become a strong emperor who would be remembered in history. To achieve that, he also mentioned that a close relationship with Evelia is an inevitable element, right?”

“… ”
“Fortunately, it seemed that he understood my thoughts. So, I thought he wouldn’t foolishly try to involve Relia and me anymore and let it go, but…”

With a meaningful tone, he narrowed the end of his words, then squinted his eyes sharply.

“Could it be that the Duke made inappropriate remarks to Mother because of that incident?”

In the inquiring voice, sharp emotions were full of pointed edges. If Dwayne were to answer that he did, Yustia was ready to call the Duke immediately and express her anger.

Yustia blinked her eyes without giving an answer. It was incredible to see her son getting angry for her sake. She felt her heartbeats, which had been anxious for a long time, gradually calming down, even if slowly.

Yustia looked at Ryurian with a brighter face.

“No, Ryur. It was just that I found it strange that Father’s attitude changed after the day we met Relia. That’s all I asked about.”

“The Duke’s attitude?”

“Yes. He’s someone who used to treat Relia very favorably, but on that day, he acted completely differently. When Relia said she wanted to meet you, he sent Relia away with a cold attitude, almost to the point of being harsh. It was a sight I had never seen before, so it was a bit surprising.”

“Unexpected. I just wished that he wouldn’t force the connection with Relia anymore, and he showed such an attitude. Anyway, it’s a warm change for me.”

After hearing Yustia’s explanation, he relaxed his expression and shrugged his shoulders. Even his appearance was enough to warm Yustia’s heart.

The anxiety that had been sensitive to her nerves all along was neatly gone. However, that didn’t mean she could just sit idly by.

If Dwayne’s sudden change in attitude was due to his conversation with Ryurian, then his intentions could be easily understood.

Like I did once, he probably believed in Ryurian’s strong desire to become an emperor. If Ryurian showed the same determination in front of Dwayne as he did to me, Dwayne’s heart would have been sufficiently moved.

If these speculations were true, Dwayne would have considered her value diminished even more. Perhaps he judged that there was no longer any value in using her. Just looking at the words he said before leaving the reception room that day indicated that.

Ha, fortunate that I don’t resemble you? How can I, who gave birth to you, not resemble you?

Yustia swallowed a bitter laugh and twisted her lips into a bitter smile. Even though she had decided to hold Dwayne’s hand by abandoning herself, it wasn’t something she could just watch quietly.

“By the way, did you summon me to ask about the Duke?”

Yustia, who had been turning her head noisily, looked directly at the face of her son sitting there with a bored expression.
“Huh? Oh, that too, but I called you because I also wanted to see you… Do you happen to be busy or anything?”

“Not really, but if there’s nothing else you want to discuss with me, I was thinking of getting up.”

“If you have work, then you should go see it quickly. You can go now, Ryurian.”

“Alright then, I’ll get up first.”

Ryurian got up from his seat without a moment’s hesitation. He seemed quite bored.

Yustia didn’t take her eyes off her son’s retreating figure. He was different from before and felt like a grown adult capable of protecting her now.

She couldn’t hide her joyful heart. As she watched her excellently matured son, she couldn’t help but imagine that he might tread more gently on Dwayne. The mere thought of it sent adrenaline pumping through her.

Unable to contain her excitement, a mischievous smile appeared on her lips. In that moment, her eyes briefly flashed a deep crimson.

Instantly, a tense atmosphere filled the reception room. However, no one noticed Yustia’s change, and she was no exception.