Relia headed to the Empress’s reception room with an unusually tense expression. Her fingers, gathered in front of her, trembled visibly. There was no way to hide her anxiety.

It had been a long time since she last visited the palace. Ever since she left the Empress’s palace as if pulling out a radish, prompted by Duke Dwayne’s eviction order, Yustia had not sought her out.

Unfortunately, Relia knew what that meant.

On that day, without a moment of hesitation, Duke Dwayne issued the eviction order while Relia was in conversation with the Empress. Clearly, despite being in a position higher than the Duke as the Empress, Yustia did not seek any explanation or inquire about Relia’s wishes. She was expelled without any request for forgiveness or consultation. Yustia did not point out Dwayne’s harsh actions.

Despite being the Empress of the Empire, Yustia was merely a scarecrow in front of Duke Dwayne. Dwayne’s decisions always became Yustia’s will.

Therefore, Dwayne’s eviction order soon became Yustia’s position. Dwayne’s ruthless action indicated that her value had hit rock bottom.

Relia’s speculation soon became reality. Since that day, the Empress, who had sought her out, had been missing in action.

Relia’s days were filled with despair and frustration.

Despite being acknowledged as Rurian’s implicit lover throughout her life, she had never imagined that she would be left alone like a discarded object.

If Duke Dwayne had decided to abandon her, all Relia could do was prove her worth again. In the midst of contemplating how to seize this long-awaited opportunity, a messenger arrived from Yustia.

With the opportunity she had long awaited now before her, there was no reason not to seize it. However, the opportunity was desperate, and she couldn’t afford to relax for even a moment for fear of making a mistake.

Her anxious steps quickly reached the reception room. The chief steward, who was leading the way, soon spoke.

“Your Majesty, Lady Relia has arrived.”

“Bring her in.”

Yustia’s response came immediately. The sound coming through the door was somewhat distorted, but no specific emotion could be felt. Due to this, Relia’s tension increased even more.

Relia stared between the doors, swallowing dry saliva. The figure of Yustia sipping tea appeared. Trying to hold back her emotions, Relia pressed her eyes together tightly.

“Your Majesty.”

Relia stood in front of Yustia and courteously bowed her head. She felt the Empress’s gaze on her forehead, but she didn’t have the courage to lift her head.

“It’s been a while, my dear. Please have a seat.”

Yustia’s voice, heard up close, was no different from before. It sounded even kinder than usual. This was a situation Relia had never expected.
Certainly, Dwayne’s attitude last time was filled with the meaning of rejecting himself. If that is Dwayne’s intention, Yustia should have shared the same intention.

However, there was no trace of such an attitude from Yustia now. Not only was she not rejecting, but she was also kind, as if she wanted something from me.

Unable to hide her confusion, Relia sat down across from Yustia. Then, as if waiting, the steward approached, as if expecting, and poured tea into the cup placed in front of her.

“This is the tea I’ve been enjoying lately; try it. The aroma is delightful.”

Yustia looked at Relia with a bright smile. The room was filled with warmth. Yustia’s attitude, gaze, and even the atmosphere in the reception room were like that.

There was nothing unfriendly at all. The problem was that the atmosphere felt unusually strange.

Relia cautiously lifted the teacup. Taking a sip, she savored the flavor on her palate. At that moment, as if waiting, Yustia’s voice came across.

“Your complexion seems worse than before.”
“…I’m in the process of recovering, but it seems that the vigor I had when I was in the prison doesn’t return, so it appears this way.”

“Yeah, that’s understandable. Lady Yeonga has been locked up in a wretched prison for quite a while; her body and mind must have suffered.”

Yustia lowered her eyes, expressing her regret without reservation. It was a mixture of apology and a melancholic demeanor.

Relia couldn’t escape the confusion. The sudden change was not clear to her. However, Yustia’s words did not stop there.

“You haven’t fully recovered yet, but I appreciate you coming all the way here, Relia.”

“Please don’t mention it. I’m always happy to answer Her Majesty’s call.”

“Yeonga said she’s grateful for that. She asked you to come here today because she felt uneasy about the words she said to me last time.”

“…Last time, the words she said?”

With a puzzled expression, Relia asked Yustia. There was certainly no positive reaction from Relia to Yustia. Nevertheless, Yustia nodded her head with a sly smile and replied.

“Didn’t she tell me that she wanted to meet Riurian to apologize and greet him?”

“That’s true, but…”