It was when Eshika turned into the corridor near the reception room, where she always met Lucius.

Vague voices could be heard, probably because the door to the reception room was slightly ajar.

Eshika stopped and perked up her ears.

“…I heard she’s been imprisoned. Mother, please, I hope you have nothing to do with this.”

Lucius’s voice, sounding slightly angry, continued.

“Of course. Certainly. Since there is a way to resolve everything, Prince, you don’t need to worry at all.”

Soon, Hwangbi comforted him.

‘Is there a conflict between Lucius and Hwangbi over the imprisonment of the Andini Marquis’s wife?’

At that moment, footsteps approached suddenly, and the slightly open door closed.

Because of that, Eshika couldn’t eavesdrop on the conversation any longer, but she felt she knew well why Lucius, who rarely showed anger, was so agitated.

The imprisonment of Andini Marquis’s wife didn’t affect only Hwangbi.

If Hwangbi didn’t resolve this matter properly, there was no way her son Lucius would be safe.

Not only would he be completely pushed out of the line for the throne, but it could also pose a threat to his status as a prince.

And all of this depended on the emperor’s decision.

Until now, the problems Hwangbi caused could be solved from the emperor’s side.

But if it involved executing a member of the royal family, the situation was different.

If the emperor decided not to protect Hwangbi, both Lucius, who relied on her, and Eshika, who supported him, would be in jeopardy.

‘For now, I should go to the bedroom and come back later.’

Because it wouldn’t be good if she was caught eavesdropping, Eshika decided to leave now.

However, just as she was about to turn away, the door to the reception room suddenly opened with a creak.

And there, facing her, was Hwangbi.

“I greet you, Lady Hwangbi.”

Eshika hid her surprise and greeted Hwangbi politely.

But Hwangbi didn’t give Eshika a single glance and left.

‘Her…’

Eshika internally criticized Hwangbi’s rudeness and went into the reception room.

Lucius was standing near the door.

“I heard the prince was looking for me.”

Only then did Lucius turn towards Eshika.

“You said you went out, but it seems you returned early.”

“…With the current situation, it’s uncomfortable outside, even if I’m out.”

Saying so, Eshika smiled slightly.

Although she had heard about the encounter with Reneve during her outing today, she endured mentioning it.

It wasn’t good to bring up Reneve’s story in front of Lucius for no reason.

Not wanting to talk any further about today’s outing, Eshika changed the topic to the conversation she overheard a while ago.

“Your Highness, I apologize. It wasn’t intentional, but I happened to hear the conversation with Lady Hwangbi.”

“…Was it you who was outside?”

Lucius, who had already noticed, seemed to prefer that she told the truth first.

“Yeah. How do you predict what will happen next in this situation?”

Recently, it seemed that he was slightly doubting Eshika’s ability to foresee the future. He also seemed to have noticed the limits of the ability to see the future.

And rejoicing in the appropriate situation that unfolded to avoid such suspicions, Eshika spoke.

“Prince, it’s only natural that you are concerned about this incident. However, unlike what you worry about, this matter will be resolved well.”

“How can you say that the situation will be resolved well in the current situation?”

“The Empress’s side will claim that the Andini Marquis’s family attempted to assassinate Lady Hwangbi with poison.”

“…”

“Lady Hwangbi will claim that the Andini Marquis’s family acted unilaterally. To support the Empress’s claim, a confession from the Andini Marquis’s family is needed. Various evidence will be required.”

“…”
“But what if all the witnesses connecting the Andini Marquis’s family and Lady Hwangbi disappear?”

“It means only suspicions remain, and we won’t be able to find any evidence.”

“That’s correct. Moreover, His Majesty still cherishes Lady Hwangbi. He might punish her a bit under the pretext of mismanagement by subordinates, but he will probably inquire about this incident.”

Lucius, who had been silent for a moment, chuckled.

“It’s unbelievable… Well, is that what true love is like?”

Mocking the emperor’s excessive affection for Hwangbi, but seeming to understand his own feelings now.

That fact unknowingly stabbed into Eshika’s heart once again.

Inside the underground prison, the air was dark, damp, and musty.

However, even in the midst of the looming aura of death, Lady Andini, the wife of the marquis, did not let go of the thread of hope.

“Lady Hwangbi will soon rescue us, so endure a little longer.”

Lady Andini comforted her daughter, who was suffering from cold and hunger.

To some extent, it sounded like she was saying it to herself. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have the strength to endure any longer.

The environment of the underground prison was too harsh for the nobles who had spent their lives in a warm and safe mansion.