A hamster darted quickly through the meadow where the fresh green leaves were sprouting. It was a crossroad leading to the Prince’s Palace.

Felix breathed heavily, his breath reaching his throat, but did not forget to look around. He was cautious of the unpredictable Caliph.

‘Finding clues from books seems to be tough, probably talking to Evelia will yield some information.’

Felix thought, looking at the Prince’s Palace that had already come close in sight.

He had pondered for days and days, but only unsettling answers had come forth.

Divine power was a force that had value only when gods existed. Even if he himself had been sealed rather than obliterated, if Caliph had not appeared, he wouldn’t have awakened either.

If so, there should have been no gods in the world, and divine power should have gradually degenerated to the point where it couldn’t be found. That was the natural order of things.

‘If that power still remains, there must be a reason for it.’

Felix quickened his short legs with a rather grave expression. Just as he was about to step into the entrance of the Prince’s Palace, he suddenly changed direction and hid in the meadow.

Evelia, who he thought would be in her room, was leading her attendants out of the Prince’s Palace.

But what was strange was that Evelia’s expression was unusually stiff. Not only that, the expression of her personal maids following her was also dark, like people being led to the gallows.

Clearly, something had happened to her. Felix, who had been hiding and holding his breath, eventually followed her after pondering.

As soon as Evelia entered the glass chamber, she hurriedly walked up to the Empress who had already arrived.

“Your Majesty.”

She bowed respectfully towards the Empress. Only then did Ustia lift her head and force a smile.

“You’ve arrived, Crown Princess. I was surprised when you suddenly wanted to see me, please have a seat.”

Evelia blinked her eyes silently. It was a kind attitude that she had never seen before, except when she was with the Emperor.

She was taken aback, but acted as if nothing had happened and sat down across from the Empress. Then she looked solely at the Empress.

It was hard to find any other emotion in that smiling face. Nevertheless, Evelia was still certain. The reason the Empress had called for her was undoubtedly because of Liurian.
She took a subtle deep breath and immediately asked the empress.

“What brings you here, Your Majesty?”

“Some fine tea recently arrived in the palace, and I thought it would be good to share.”

Eustia responded in a gentle voice, casting a glance at the palace servant standing beside her. The servant, as if waiting for the cue, approached and poured the tea into the cup in front of her with a gentle motion.

Evelia looked distantly at the red-tinged tea. The empress’s words that followed subtly annoyed her.

“Try it. The scent is lovely.”

The empress appeared relaxed. Even the gesture of tilting the cup to her lips was. She seemed in no hurry to get to the point.

Evelia exhaled softly and picked up the cup in front of her. Being overly stiff wouldn’t help. The empress would turn even that into a fault of hers.

As she brought the cup to her lips, the scent of fragrant black tea filled her nostrils. Still, it did not whet her appetite.

It was when she took a polite sip. The empress spoke in a soft voice.

“You’ve had a hard time worrying about Liurian for the past year. I should have set up such a meeting much earlier to ease your mind… I have been very careless.”

Eustia spoke as if somewhat sorry, but her voice felt insincere.

Evelia knew it was nothing but a preamble for the main topic. She took a moment to catch her breath and chose her words carefully.

“No, Your Majesty. You’ve had it tougher than me. I should have visited sooner to inquire about your well-being. I apologize for not doing so.”

“It’s not like you had the time, being the crown princess. But hearing you say that eases my mind somewhat.”

Eustia feigned a gracious smile and once again tilted her tea cup. Her demeanor was entirely pretentious.

The more she acted that way, the more uncomfortable Evelia felt, but she silently waited for the main topic to continue.

“Lately, I’ve heard Liurian has been visiting you quite often. I am so relieved that he is taking care of you, making up for his negligent mother.”

Evelia lifted her gaze that had been fixed on the edge of the table all along. A wistful smile hung on the empress’s lips.

“Moreover, the two of you looked so striking at the victory party… You suited each other so well that I was genuinely surprised.”

“…….”
Thinking back, it was the first time I’d seen the two standing side by side since the coup. If one had to name the most beautiful person at that party, it would undoubtedly have been the Crown Princess.

One insincere compliment followed another. It seemed incredibly difficult to bring up what he really wanted to ask. Still, I had to choose my words carefully.