[And? She’s been there several times before. What I’m curious about is why your expression is so serious.] [Evelia headed to the empress’s palace, and I immediately directed myself here. But it seems I heard something I shouldn’t have.] [Something you shouldn’t have heard?] Caliph muttered with a face consumed by anxiety. He hadn’t heard Felix’s response yet, but it already felt like his heart was crumbling. And soon after Felix continued speaking, Caliph could no longer stand still.

[It seemed like the empress’s voice, and she said something like she would kill the Princess Consort in her place… muttering words like that.]

Kill the Princess Consort? Who would dare, my Evelia.

Caliph gritted his teeth. His heart felt like it might burst with each continuous stride, but he didn’t stop for a moment.

Please, please, let nothing happen until I arrive.

With only that one fervent wish, he continued to run.

It was quite some time after Caliph had rushed into the empress’s palace. The palace maids who recognized him bowed and offered greetings, but Caliph had no room to reciprocate greetings.

He swiftly opened the door of the closest information room. The room was not illuminated, and no one was in sight.

Without delay, he turned his back. Then, he headed to the reception room, where Evelia was likely to be.

He could see a maid guarding the door to the reception room in the distance. Just that sight made Caliph certain.

Evelia, whom he had been desperately looking for, was undoubtedly right there.

Caliph hastened his steps toward the reception room. The maid who recognized him bowed. It seemed she intended to report to the empress after showing courtesy.

But Caliph couldn’t wait. While the maid was bowing, he flung the door of the reception room wide open.

Bright light poured through the cracked door. And within it, he saw Evelia facing Yustia.

Caliph instinctively examined every nook and cranny of the reception room. It was a quick check for any threat to Evelia.

But nothing was visible. There was no weapon to harm Evelia, and no one in sight capable of overpowering her.

All that could be seen were Yustia, her maid, the teapot on the table, and the teacup in Yustia’s hand.

…Teacup?

Caliph hurriedly halted his steps. However, before taking a single step, he had to stop due to the shock.

“Li, Lio!”

Yustia was the first to recognize him. Evelia, who had been showing her back, also turned around at her call.

“…Your Highness?”

Evelia looked at Caliph with a puzzled expression. She seemed to be asking how he knew she was here.

But what Caliph saw with his eyes was not Yustia or Evelia’s faces. The only thing that caught his eye was the cup Evelia was holding.

It felt like his heart sank. But he bit down on it and approached her, swiftly grabbing the teacup from her hand.

“Princess Consort, did you drink this tea?”
“Yes? Oh, yes. Her Majesty the Empress prepared it for your relaxation, Your Highness. The aroma of the tea is delightful. Would Your Highness also like to enjoy it together……”

Even to Caliph’s sudden question, Evelia responded cheerfully. Not only that, but she also subtly conveyed her desire to spend time with him with an affectionate smile.

However, she couldn’t bring her words to a conclusion. Evelia instinctively brought her hand to the pain she suddenly felt around her chest. Due to this, she accidentally let go of the teacup she was holding.

The teacup, released from Evelia’s hand, danced under gravity without violating any principles. Sharp cracking sounds spread throughout the reception room.

And Caliph’s distressed voice also filled the reception room.

“Evelia!”

Caliph hurriedly approached Evelia. With a pained expression, she was tilting dangerously, clutching her chest.

He quickly grabbed her and embraced her. The face that had been lively until a moment ago was now pale, writhing in pain.

“Evelia! Evelia! Are you okay? Evelia!”

Caliph shook Evelia desperately with a face that showed no sign of composure. However, Evelia couldn’t open her clouded eyes.

It felt like the whole world was collapsing. Caliph’s eyes, now reddened with congestion, soon turned to the surroundings.

Having initially glared as if intending to kill Yustia, Caliph urgently shouted at the maid standing beside him.

“What are you doing! Quickly call the physician!!”