And after a long while, Enrique opened his mouth heavily.

“Actually, we decided not to love each other. Helene. Because love has an end, and we didn’t want to lose each other.”
“Put your robe back on, Helene.”

“Why? It’s been a long time since you embraced me. You never even explained why you stopped embracing me!”

In the relationship between him and Helene, physical intimacy was an act that embraced and comforted each other’s anxieties. It was something like remembering the days when warmth was needed, telling each other, ‘It’s okay.’

So, as the Empress suspected, it can be firmly stated that it wasn’t for the resolution of desire.

The Emperor having multiple women by his side was not a sin, and there was no reason for Helene to feel sorry for the Empress.

Because it didn’t have the basis of desire, Enrique did not give her his seed. Only the Empress received his seed.

Enrique considered himself fair, making such distinctions.

However, even that became unbearable when she returned alive and stood in front of him.

Guilt. How should he handle this heavy guilt?

Looking at him, trying to protect Helene, what was she thinking?

“Everyone in this country knows we slept together anyway! Do you think avoiding me will make you a clean person? Do you think the Empress will accept you!”

Then, it happened.

Helene, who read his inner thoughts, screamed like a banshee.

Enrique, clenching his fists with a sense of discomfort, muttered dryly.

“Shut up.”

“I can bear your child.”

“I told you to shut up, Helene.”

“The Empress won’t give you a baby! She can’t have an heir. Even if she continues to refuse to share a bed with you, can’t you see?”

Sharing a bed.

Yes, it was the obligatory act that the Emperor and Empress had to perform.

Leonorada had waited for that day only. She had said it herself throughout the night, so it was certain.

Even if her body wasn’t in good condition, she endured it just like sharing a bed.

‘Rejection… When did Leonorada have the power to reject me?’

A bitter smile crossed his face.

Against him, Helene kept pushing, shouting every word.

“Give me a baby.”

“What if I refuse?”

“…I’ll tell everything. That you actually loved that demon. That you were planning to betray us in the Crusade.”

Hatred showed in her fiery eyes.

Enrique knew what kind of expression his eyes had now.

Disappointment. And probably contempt.

“Advisor. Are you there?”

“Yes.”

“Lady Saint is said to be returning to the Lily Palace. Escort her.”

“I will comply.”

Enrique!!!

Held back by the advisor, Helene let out a scream that seemed to tear her apart. Enrique blocked his ears because he couldn’t stand to hear her calling his name.

Until now, he still couldn’t figure out what to do and just wanted to avoid the rain inside.

“You bastard.”

Helene, who was instantly expelled from the main palace, dropped her head. With every step she took back to the Lily Palace, cries welled up.

But Helene never only cried.

‘I gave you the last chance. You’re the one who threw it away.’
She bit her lip and made a decision.

“How much I loved you. How special we were. And it’s you who ruined it all. Not me.”

Now, in hindsight, she felt like a fool.

She should have raised the rights of the minority in preparation for the day when Enrique might change his mind.

Qued still remained in a miserable situation, and if Enrique completely turned away, she would end up the same way.

The temple did not try to use her, nor did it offer any guidance.

“There’s only one solution after all.”

Thinking of the ominous presence lurking in her palace, Helene bit her lower lip hard.

The taste of blood lingered bitter in her mouth.