The sun began to set softly in the evening.

Eustia guarded the empress’s reception room with a displeased expression. It was because Relia had requested a meeting.

Normally, she would have waited in the reception room only after hearing of her arrival, but today, she simply couldn’t sit comfortably in her bedroom to wait for her.

[Liou, I called you because I have something to ask.] [Yes. Please go ahead.] [Just maybe, really just maybe.] [Yes.] [Is your heart leaning towards the crown princess?]

The moment she said those words, how her heart thumped anxiously—Eustia vividly recalled the feeling even now.

Each second felt oppressively long. Liurian, who was unnaturally slow to respond, eventually asked back with a furrowed brow.

[What are you talking about all of a sudden?] [I’m asking if your feelings have changed compared to before.] [Then why are you bringing this up out of nowhere? I’m asking because I don’t understand.]

Liurian spoke with a tone of bewilderment. It was the reaction of someone who had heard something unbelievable. That both relieved and further unsettled Eustia.

Unable to overcome the surging anxiety, Eustia finally spoke candidly.

[Relia said she saw you giving flowers to the crown princess.] [Ah, it’s Relia you’re talking about?] […Could her Highness have lied to me?]

Eustia couldn’t take her eyes off Liurian’s face. Especially when her handsome son’s face was terribly crumpled.

That’s right. It can’t be. My chosen son would never disappoint me.

Eustia thought this even before hearing Liurian’s response. Just then, an unexpected answer came.

[No, you’re correct. I did give flowers to the crown princess. But I’m surprised she told you about it.] […What did you say?]

Eustia’s complexion turned ashen in an instant. Even if she had somewhat expected the answer, the shock didn’t easily subside.

Could it be that my son is really inclined towards the crown princess? Could it really be true?

[There’s no need to look like that. I’ve told you repeatedly. I only wish to win favor from the Caroline Duke faction.]

Liurian spoke as if he were quite wronged. Because of that, Eustia couldn’t escape her confusion.

Though she thought she knew her son better than anyone, she couldn’t read his thoughts at all. Yet the Liurian who had caused her this confusion only furrowed his brows as if he were frustrated.
Liurian let out a heavy sigh. This weighed heavily on Ustia’s heart.

Ustia abruptly grabbed her son’s hand, her shoulders trembling. Suddenly, all signs of confusion had disappeared.

“No, that’s not it, Liurian. Why wouldn’t I trust you? It just seemed like you were avoiding Relia and only seeking the crown princess, so I thought you were upset.”

“Then I am really disappointed in Relia as well. Isn’t she also not trusting me and that’s why she is talking like this to you, Mother?”

“Liurian, you seem really hurt. I must have spoken thoughtlessly. Let’s just forget what I said and have some tea with your mother…”

“No, it would be better to go for now. If I stay longer, it will hurt your feelings as well.”

Trying belatedly to soothe her son’s feelings, Liurian left the Empress’s chamber without looking back.

He had never acted this way before. So Ustia was utterly shocked.

“Ha, the audacity of a mere duchess to come between Liurian and me.”

Ustia muttered with a venomous expression. She couldn’t forgive Relia. Her usually obedient son had turned his back on her so coldly. She had clearly loved him too unconditionally.

“I won’t let this go today.”

Ustia bit her bright red lips. She couldn’t have looked more furious.

Some time later, Relia arrived.

Entering the reception room, Relia bowed her head with a forced smile. She was utterly oblivious to the Empress’s inner thoughts.

“Your Highness, why are you seated already? I would have requested to be informed upon your arrival.”

Was it that Relia couldn’t control her emotions after returning to the ducal house? Her face looked puffy, as if she had cried all night.

Under different circumstances, her appearance would have evoked tender feelings. However, to Ustia now, even Relia’s appearance seemed loathsome.

“You should have hurried your steps here before I arrived and waited.”

“What?”

“It’s already been over two hours since you said you would come. You’re making me wait too long.”
Eustia stared at Rellia with merciless eyes, a picture of cruelty.

“But I left immediately after receiving Your Majesty’s permission to enter the palace…”

Rellia mumbled with a bewildered face. She was visibly flustered. And understandably so. Who would have ever imagined that a princess accustomed to favor would experience such coldness?

However, Eustia had no intention of showing leniency. She found Rellia’s helplessness not at all pitiable.

“So are you saying that you came diligently to see me, and I’m the one being unnecessarily critical?”

“No, Your Majesty, I didn’t mean that you’re being unnecessarily critical.”

“Your words can only be interpreted in that way.”