“Is something wrong?”

It was after receiving an urgent request from His Imperial Majesty.

Since then, Regina hadn’t even made the minimum outings, spending all her time in her room.

She didn’t go to the chapel, which she used to visit quietly in the early morning, and occasionally, she stopped going to the library.

Then, with no books to read, she just sat idly in her room.

Whether she was a living corpse or a breathing human being.

Even Olivia, watching from the side, was confused.

Facing Olivia, Regina lowered her head slightly.

“It’s nothing. I just want to rest.”

Looking at Regina answering with a weak voice, Olivia sighed.

Nevertheless, she had her own duties to attend to.

Olivia carefully extended a tray to Regina.

“But, what about these?”

Regina had only been in the palace for just over two weeks.

She didn’t attend salons, nor did she engage in any external activities.

She barely existed in the room provided by the Emperor.

Regina didn’t know anyone in the palace.

Then Regina received letters.

Not one, but two.

Recalling the letters she had been entrusted with, Olivia cautiously called Regina.

“Miss Regina.”

At Olivia’s call, Regina stopped her movements and looked.

As she swung her leg out of the bed, the nightdress that had been hanging slid down smoothly.

As the thin leg was revealed beyond the quilt, it left a white silhouette and disappeared.

“I’ve been asked to deliver these letters.”

Regina’s unfocused blue eyes focused on the letter tray.

One was a letter with the seal of Emperor Schreitz.

And another was a letter with the seal of Duke Bergen.

Two letters were waiting for Regina’s decision.

Who could this woman be that the Emperor would send a letter?

Moreover, a few days ago, a letter from His Excellency the Duke, who had secretly entered the palace for pre- and post-processing.

Letters from aristocrats that would be difficult for some people to receive even once in a lifetime were delivered to Regina in two.

“Thank you for delivering them.”

Regina’s hand, which had been hesitating for a moment, moved toward the Emperor’s letter.

The seal with the iris pattern engraved was torn open by Regina’s slender and long fingers.

Her blue eyes quickly moved along the text of the letter.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot provide a partner for the victory celebration.”

What Regina spat out after reading the letter was a straightforward rejection.

Olivia stiffened for a moment, but soon skillfully contained her emotions.

“Yes. I will convey that to His Majesty.”

In response to Olivia’s answer, Regina withdrew her indifferent gaze and rose from the bed, her steps toward the dressing table were silently serene.
If it weren’t for the flowing hem of the nightdress, one might have believed it to be smoke that would scatter in the wind.

Olivia carefully questioned Regina, following her faint movements as if she would disappear.

“Miss Regina, what should we do about the Duke’s letter?”

“He must have sent it by mistake. Last time, he mistook me for someone else.”

Olivia grinned at Regina’s denial.

It was quite stubborn for a mistake of sending it to continue for ten days.

At the same time, at the same hour, letters of the same format were sent.

“It’s impolite for me to read letters meant for others. I cannot confirm it.”

Olivia looked at the single remaining letter on the tray.

The Duke persistently sending letters and Regina desperately avoiding them.

In the middle, Olivia’s face showed an awkward expression.

“Please make it clear to the Duke that I am not the person he is looking for, and he should stop sending letters.”

“But this time, the Duke also sent some items along with the letter.”

A clicking sound echoed from Olivia’s fingertips.

It was the sound of the golden button on the letter tray.

Regina silently stared at the glittering button in the light.

“He specifically asked if Miss Regina could check the letters.”

A button engraved with the iris symbol, representing the Strelitz Empire.

Such exquisite and ornate buttons were only worn on the uniforms of high-ranking officers.

What story could there be for an officer who participated in this war?

Is that why the Duke is particularly concerned?

“It’s for the owner of this button.”

Olivia, conveying the Duke’s words, silently waited for Regina.

After hesitating for a while, Regina picked up the Duke’s letter.

Luxurious stationery came out of the carefully opened envelope.

As if trying to engrave each letter, Regina’s eyes moved slowly.

Her eyelids blinked continuously.

The light pieces attached to the trembling eyelashes scattered faintly.

Just by looking at the letter.

Olivia, looking at Regina’s figure, felt an oddly poignant feeling.

“If there’s anything I can help with, please tell me.”

After a long silence, Regina, who had been silently reading the letter, slowly spoke.

“Miss Olivia.”

“Yes.”

“I want to go to the chapel.”

“I will prepare for your outing.”

“No. I want to go alone, alone.”

Olivia hesitated for a moment, recalling the Emperor’s command.

He had told her never to leave Regina alone.