Late in the evening, Terot carefully carried the medicine received from the Imperial Palace to the Empress’s bedroom. Since yesterday afternoon, her mistress had been bedridden due to a persistent headache, and despite a whole night and day passing, she had not recovered her condition.

The imperial physician, who examined the Empress, had mentioned that it seemed like a mild cold. Still, Terot’s thoughts were different. It was evident that the Empress’s fever was due to an issue that lingered in her mind and refused to be erased for several days.

“Your Majesty, do you happen to know about… about the name Khalif?”

The confusion for her mistress began on the day when Lady Relia mentioned the unfamiliar name.

From the moment she heard Relia’s words, Ustia, who had turned pale, continued to be in a state of extreme unease. Even when faced with her beloved son, she couldn’t erase the suspicious look from her eyes.

Every moment must have been an indescribably painful time for Ustia. From the moment the forbidden figure, almost forgotten for decades, surfaced, the pain became unavoidable.

“Phew.”

Terot checked the bedroom door right in front of him before briefly coming out of his reverie. While Ustia might be lenient to him as a servant, it was better to be cautious when she was sensitive like now.

Taking another deep breath, he politely knocked on the bedroom door. Despite offering formal words, there was no response from inside.

That alone was a sufficient answer for Terot. Without hesitation, he entered the bedroom.

“Your Majesty, it’s time to take your medicine.”

Terot stood in front of the barely visible silhouette of the bed, offering his words courteously. Once again, there was no response. Not only was there no answer, but the silhouette on the bed did not even stir.

However, that didn’t mean he could just leave the medicine and go. Terot couldn’t ignore it. He placed the tray he had brought on the bedside table and approached Ustia a bit closer.

“Your Majesty, I know you don’t have the energy, but still, please muster some strength and try taking the medicine.”

“……. ”

“You need to gather your strength. That way, you can overcome the situation in some way.”

Terot admonished Ustia like a child. It was an attitude that would be unimaginable with anyone else.

Originally, a frigid gaze and a chilly voice should have accompanied such a suggestion. However, along with a deep sigh, Ustia forcibly raised herself.

As if waiting only for that moment, Terot extended the medicine to Ustia. When he did, Ustia obediently accepted the medicine.

The entire process, from taking the medicine to swallowing the water, went smoothly without any hitches. Only then did Terot gently assist Ustia to lie down again, seemingly relieved.

As he was about to quietly withdraw, Ustia’s voice, which had been silent in the tranquil bedroom, resounded sharply.

“…Terot.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you happen to know?”

“What are you referring to?”
“…I’m talking about how I should overcome this situation.”

Ustia’s murmuring voice was filled with pain. Terot gently set down the tray in his hands and dared to sit down, placing his hands on Ustia’s head.

The wrinkled hands, which always maintained proper etiquette towards the Empress, brushed away Ustia’s long hair without any hesitation. Although the touch was lacking in the formality expected when dealing with an empress, Ustia did not say anything to Terot. Instead, she felt warmth even down to her eyelids, as if Terot’s touch could be considered as tender as a mother’s.

“What answer are you hoping to find, Your Majesty?”

“…I just want to know the truth.”

“If that’s all Your Majesty desires, you wouldn’t be lying in bed in such agony.”

Terot received Ustia’s words with a warm tone. Ustia lifted her eyelids that had been tightly closed, gazing intensely at Terot.

Unknown emotions were poured into her gaze, directly aimed at Terot. However, without the slightest hesitation, Terot continued to stroke Ustia’s head.

The uncomfortable silence was broken quite some time later. Ustia, along with a heavy sigh, reluctantly parted her lips.

“Now, saying these things at this point might not have much meaning, but still, let’s speak frankly… I hope all the words Relia said to me were just misunderstandings.”

“Talk related to His Imperial Highness seems to be greatly distressing Your Majesty.”

“How could it not be distressing? Relia’s words might imply that… Riurian, whom I believed without a doubt was my son, might not be the real Riurian.”

Ustia spoke, her voice full of agony. Even though she appeared to be in a state of suffering, Ustia’s breaths, accompanied by a heavy sigh, seemed to indicate that her heart was more shattered than she had thought.

Terot silently held his breath. He then pondered deeply. Even in the midst of this, Terot continued to caress Ustia’s head for her comfort.

It seemed to have a considerable effect, as Ustia, with a heavy sigh, opened her eyes slightly wider, indicating that her closed heart had opened a little more.