Why did it feel like my heart was tearing apart?

I coughed to clear the choked-up feeling in my voice.

“That’s beyond my ability to grant.”

“I suppose so.”

I really didn’t want to say that.

My goal was to keep my head down safely here and fly far away with the wings of a maidservant career, just as the Count said.

But what could I do about the surge of emotions?

I couldn’t leave her be. As a fellow human, it felt wrong.

I said firmly,

“But you have an opportunity now.”

“…”

Princess Miliora looked at me as if wondering what nonsense this bastard was speaking.

“The competition. It’s an opportunity.”

Princess Miliora sat up in a mix of fear and unease.

“You think you’re great, don’t you? But don’t even think about doing anything.”

As if I’d need to be great to act great; it was absurd. But there were more pressing matters now.

“All eyes are on the royal children right now. The competition could be your chance to show the Empress who you truly are. Make it that opportunity, Your Highness.”

Yet, Princess Miliora darkly responded.

“Don’t you get it? This competition is for the two Orabi princes. If I step out of line, they’ll eliminate me first. What do you know about the Tagars? Just stay quiet.”

“You have your own desires, too.”

Princess Miliora glared at me.

“You seemed to enjoy contemplating the tea party and competition themes.”

“…That was an act. Otherwise, the Empress would be angered, thinking I’m neglecting the competition. So don’t make any rash actions that could cause me to be misunderstood, you bastard.”

Although she spoke fiercely, I found it amusing.

Did she think I’d been called a bastard only a few times up to now?

Noticing my composure, Princess Miliora turned her head away in irritation.

“If you don’t wish to, we won’t. It’s easier for me too.”

“…”

“But if you wish… you can at least show that you’re not such a helpless person. We’ll leave the flashy competition to the two prince brothers.”

I quietly backed away. Before I opened the door, she asked,

“How?”

I turned my body slowly.

“By trusting me.”

“Have you gone mad?”
The tone in Her Highness Milliora’s words lacked strength.

“I could do much more for you, Your Highness, just by you trusting me instead of suspecting that I stole the ring or that I’m close with Duke Kaidel.”

I saw her green eyes quiver slightly. I suspected I might not be the first person who had asked her to trust.

Finally, she turned her head away and spoke tersely.

“Do as you wish.”

I extended my hand towards her. She raised her eyes as if saying, ‘What?’

“Please give me that ring.”

After sending Milliora away, the Empress closed her eyes and took deep breaths to calm her excitement.

During that time, Orul came in and sat in front of her. So, when she opened her eyes, she could genuinely smile.

Her loving first-born, the Crown Prince, spoke affectionately.

“Cool your anger, Your Majesty. It mars your beauty.”

“The Prince is correct. To be disturbed by such a child, indeed, it’s foolish.”

“Indeed.”

After the maid served tea and left, the Empress softly asked.

“Was it you who sent that knight?”

“Yes, it was me.”

Orul said so and smiled broadly.

“I was curious whether the words of the third lion about sending a bastard daughter were true or not. I wanted to see how that maid would behave in this situation.”

“Your point is valid. However, there was no need to go that far. Shouldn’t we also consider the dignity of the royal family?”

“I’ll be more careful in the future, Your Majesty.”

However, the Empress knew that the reason Orul had shaken the princess’s palace was not solely for that reason.

She sipped her tea and smiled.