“When I was fully a devil, I’ve never felt this much pain in my chest.”

With each step, I tasted the bleakness as if sinking into a swamp.

Helpless like a mere human, the only thing I could do was pray for this to be a dream.

The hands that had embraced the deceased Charlotte shook uncontrollably in the trembling wind, and I tightly clenched the pocket Merem had given me.

Even now, my palm felt scalding as if I were about to burn myself, yet I didn’t let go.

When it became known that Charlotte had met an honorable death protecting me, the banquet was immediately halted.

No noble could return home, and even the servants who were at the banquet were all confined.

Although secret attempts at assassination were usually overlooked and passed by, daring deeds like this in the imperial palace were a different matter.

Depending on the perspective, it could be seen as a challenge to imperial power, so whether loyal to the emperor or nobles, no one dared to speak up or make a fuss.

In the midst of that, claiming mental stability as a reason, I forcibly brought Charlotte back to my palace.

Despite the uproar about the need for an autopsy or finding the cause of death, I couldn’t stand that much.

How dare anyone lay a hand on Charlotte? How dare.

“Your Majesty….”

Lady Bertholdt, who came out to greet me upon hearing the news, had red eyes. Lydia standing beside her was still crying, and the other maids and servants were the same.

And… Phaibel.

Phaibel silently stared down at Charlotte, who was brought in, carried on a stretcher.

But in Phaibel’s sunken olive-colored eyes, I could see sparks of anger.

“Your Majesty, are you unharmed?”

“How could this happen!”

“Aaaah!!!”

The Astaroth Knights who rushed in afterwards were also in disarray.

The knights, who seemed to have a crush on Charlotte, knelt and screamed in front of her corpse.

I looked around at all those scenes one by one and belatedly realized that I was still tightly gripping the pocket.

“Ah….”

My hand was hot.

No, was it burning?

Hiding my numb hand behind me, I tightly closed my eyes.

I must not lose focus. I shouldn’t falter here.

A leader should always maintain composure no matter what.

“…Phaibel, first contact Charlotte’s family. The funeral is scheduled for three days later at the Empress’s Palace, so prepare for it.”

“…Yes.”

“Charlotte… lay her in the banquet hall within the Empress’s Palace… and forbid condolences until tomorrow. The doctor… needs to find the exact cause of Charlotte’s death.”

With every word, my strength seemed to drain away.

Merem, of course, was the one who supported me.

The knights carried the stretcher and moved the body, followed by the palace residents.
The only ones left in this place are Merem and… Lady Bertholdt.

“Susan? You seem to have something to say.”

“Your Majesty. That… Charlotte…”

Emotions overwhelming her, Lady Bertholdt paused, swallowing hard before continuing.

Having understood enough, I waited in silence.

I waited for Lady Bertholdt to collect her emotions and report.

“The reason Charlotte rushed out was… when she investigated the government’s quarters, she found a suspicious illness.”

“Illness?”

“When she dismantled the floorboards under Sukrel’s bed, there were dozens of identical-looking bottles inside. Upon identifying the contents, one of them turned out to be poison.”

Returning, Charlotte had rushed to warn about Sukrel, only to meet her end.

I understood that, but there was still an unresolved question.

“Do you know why Charlotte returned at night?”

“Originally, she was supposed to return after two days. In fact, she left because of my sister’s wedding, so even if she came in a bit later than the vacation period, Empress Your Majesty would have probably forgiven her generously.”

“That would have been the case. Yes, that should have been the case…”

As if lamenting, Lady Bertholdt repeated the same words, shaking her head as if in disgrace.

“She told me before leaving the Empress’s Palace. She had a bad dream.”

“A bad dream…”

Carefully retracing my thoughts, I recalled what Charlotte had said as she threw herself forward.

Squat down.

So, had Charlotte dreamed somewhere that a weapon would fly at her? And did she, without hesitation, watch me get hit and without any hesitation block it with her own body?

“But in that case, from the angle, Sukrel can’t be the culprit.”

Coldly assessing the situation, I realized that the direction from which the silver thread flew was exactly where Therion had appeared.

Sukrel, Therion, Gabriel.

Like the other nobles, the three were currently confined in the Emperor’s main palace.

Since there was no prison more strict than there at the moment, there was no need to worry about their escape.

Shailo Silver Rose had enveloped the entire palace in magic.

“First, Your Majesty, the night wind is chilly. Please go inside.”

Lady Bertholdt’s voice trembled.