The problem seemed to be that she hadn’t gone to the location indicated in the note. However, it wasn’t expected that he would come in person.

“I’ll go out.”

Amber asked with a worried expression, rolling her lips.

When Reneve saw Lucius standing in the corridor, her eyebrows narrowed.

“Reneve.”

The question of why he had come all the way here was meaningless. Regardless of Reneve’s intentions, Lucius had matters to discuss with her, and until they were resolved, he would act annoyingly.

“Come in.”

Kieren, who was momentarily puzzled by the unexpected visitor, asked when Amber and Kieren left the room, “Lady, should I prepare tea?”

Since Kieren had never talked about the relationship between Lucius and herself, Reneve replied, “Tea is fine, so go away.”

Before Reneve could speak, Lucius commanded.

With a questioning gaze, Kieren sent a look asking if it was okay, and Reneve nodded with a bitter smile.

After Kieren and Amber left, only Lucius and Reneve remained in the reception room.

“Reneve, why didn’t you come to the promised place?”

“Promised place?”

“Yeah.”

“I don’t have any memories of making promises with His Majesty.”

“Haven’t you received a note?”

“I did receive the note.”

“Then why didn’t you come?”

Lucius asked as if he couldn’t understand. It seemed he couldn’t comprehend the idea that he was being ignored.

“Do I have to respond if His Majesty wants to see me?”

Even with Reneve’s cold tone, Lucius continued.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Isn’t a promise something that requires mutual agreement?”

Reneve’s logical answer left Lucius momentarily speechless. It seemed he couldn’t grasp the idea that he himself might be clinging.

“Yeah, Reneve. You’re right. I was foolish to unilaterally make the promise.”

Reneve barely managed to close her gaping mouth.

There was no history of Lucius admitting Reneve was right after becoming the emperor in the past.

‘Empress, you might be misunderstanding something.’

That was mostly how the past Lucius was. Or,

‘No. The Empress is wrong in her thinking.’

When Reneve’s opinion was correct, there was no acknowledgment or even an apology.

‘For Lucius to apologize and admit his mistake.’

She had no idea why Lucius had changed so much.

“So, can you tell me why you came to see me at this hour?”

“Reneve, return with me to Paradisium.”

“…!”

From the moment Lucius entered her space, Reneve tried her best to restrain her emotions.

Otherwise, she felt like she would explode.

At the time she unwillingly ended her life, when her family faced an unjust death, and when her only child, Kyle, was taken away.

The memories came flooding back.

Reneve clenched her fists so tightly that she felt the sensation of her nails digging into her palms.

“Lucius.”

As she called his name, anticipation appeared on Lucius’s face. Reneve had never called Lucius by his name since he started to mature.

“…Are you crazy?”

But Lucius’s narrow eyes in response to Reneve’s continued words showed that he wasn’t willing to say them.

“What?”

“Oh, excuse me. Since His Highness, the Prince, made such an unreasonable proposal, my true feelings slipped out.”

“I see.”

“I misspoke. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

In Lucius’s slightly harsh expression, there was an indication that there was much to say but that he wouldn’t.
In reality, Ikar belonged to the young generation among the emperors in history. And Lucius was younger than Ikar.

‘Is Ikar your older brother?’

Reneve swallowed those words and spoke.

“It seems that His Highness the Prince is trying to brainwash me.”

Although Lucius frowned, Reneve continued without caring.

“Moreover, discussing confidential matters between the two countries seems inappropriate here.”

It was the truth.

Ikar’s secret guards were skilled at hiding their presence and stealth.

So, there was no guarantee that Ikar hadn’t left his secret guards here.

“Well, it seems that words won’t get through.”

Lucius, frowning, brushed his well-groomed hair roughly.

“I suppose Viscount and Marquis Sother also don’t think they’re safe like you, huh?”

Why hadn’t he brought up that story?

Reneve stared at Lucius with a cold, piercing look in response to his behavior, treating people like objects.

“You should think carefully, Reneve. When the war breaks out, the Emperor of Basquker will attack the west of Paradisium first.”

“…”

“At that time, you will be an obstacle, preventing Siren Marquis and Viscount Sother from moving.”

An obstacle.

At Lucius’s speech treating people like obstacles, Reneve decided to end the conversation.

“I understand what you’re trying to say, Your Highness. Since it’s late today, please return to your assigned accommodation.”

“Yeah, it must be confusing since I brought up this story so suddenly. Take your time to think.”

It was a remark spoken out of frustration because it was difficult to look at Lucius’s smug face any longer.

However, Lucius seemed to accept that he needed to think about returning to Paradisium.