“…… Therefore, I received a reply that an audience is possible at noon today.”

The maid delivering the message to Anelli had an unmistakably very uncomfortable air about her.

“The carriage is already prepared, so it would be appropriate to depart at a leisurely pace after finishing tea time.”

“Yes, I see.”

However, unlike the maid’s reaction, Anelli had a remarkably composed countenance as usual. Despite receiving clear disregard from Sinclair.

The maid attending to Anelli hesitated for a moment, then parted her lips very carefully.

“I apologize for the impertinent question, but are you alright? Lady Anelli.”

“What is it?”

“…… In fact, if the branch family members make a move this time, wouldn’t Prince Sinclair benefit the most?”

“Perhaps so.”

“With you, Lady Anelli, stepping forward like this, telling you to come directly and also to request an audience according to procedure…… I find it a bit hard to understand.”

Instead of answering, Anelli smiled faintly. Then, setting down the teacup in a very elegant manner, she continued.

“The reason is simple. It’s because His Highness the Prince has also become an adult.”

“…… Pardon?”

But Prince Sinclair had already become an adult long ago. At Anelli’s words, which were not easily understood, the maid tilted her head slightly.

“I’ve only just realized it. To ascend to the position of emperor, one must not carelessly give their side to any faction.”

“…….”

“Even if that may be me.”

So is that why you are so peaceful despite receiving such treatment? But it seems like it would feel unpleasant.

As if she had already seen through the young maid’s thoughts, Anelli smiled faintly.

“Tina, that is also a gain for me. No matter how much it may be me, I cannot lend a hand to one who does not know the weight of the imperial throne.”

“Ah…….”

“But it is a bit interesting. I didn’t know that Prince Sinclair would mature to such an extent.”

Anelli chuckled.

“Perhaps rather than maturing…… it may be because he now has something to protect.”

Yes, that may very well be the case.

“Tina, could you bring the clothes for me to wear to the imperial palace? Since I’ve finished my tea, it seems I can change right away and depart.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll prepare them for you right now.”

As soon as she finished replying, Tina hurriedly left Anelli’s study.

And left alone, Anelli tapped the teacup that was starting to grow cold with her finger and fell into brief thought.

‘Elaina Aswald…….’

About that crippled crown princess.

She had thought at the time as well. If she intended to push Sinclair aside and make the branch family bloodline the emperor, Elaina’s existence would be helpful, and if she ended up supporting Sinclair, she would become an obstacle.

“In the end, you’ve become an obstacle, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”

There were no personal feelings, but the conclusion was clear either way.

In fact, if one considered it, Anelli did not dislike the woman called Elaina. No, if one excluded the matters of the next emperor or the imperial family’s power struggles, she was rather interested.

At first, she was merely curious about the news that she had captivated Sinclair Butler, the worst scoundrel in Edenbell, but the Elaina she actually met was wiser than expected and a woman who knew to keep within bounds.

If only I had met you in a different way, we would not have faced such a regrettable situation.

Anelli made a regretful expression and clicked her tongue.

Of course, she also knew. That Duke Fredrick had offhandedly mentioned his daughter and brought up the topic of empress, greatly offending Sinclair.

So she had no intention of stepping forward so stupidly without any thought.

Moreover, if Elaina’s feelings toward Sinclair also seemed genuine, all the more so.

“…… At times, it is because of that damned love that one becomes more ruthless.”

However, the love games of young lovers are but a fleeting moment.

No matter how desperate and fervent the heart boils…… as time passes, all feelings are bound to fade like fallen leaves.

And after ascending the throne as emperor, obtaining an empress with a solid background and grasping all power and glory, it was certain that Sinclair too would leave this time as merely a beautiful memory of his youth.

The same would be true for Elaina.

“In the end, the two of them will also realize that is the only path for everyone to be happy.”

Anelli, who had been muttering to herself, slowly rose from her seat.

Before long, Tina brought the dress for her to change into, and Anelli changed into the new dress alone, declining Tina’s offer to assist, quietly thinking.

What words should be said to most definitively remove pitiful Elaina from Sinclair’s side.

…… But there was one thing even Anelli overlooked.

If Elaina was not by his side. If she truly left Sinclair…… he would need neither the position of emperor nor any glory greater than that.

However, there was no way for Anelli to know that fact anywhere.

Unfortunately.

* * *

Despite leaving Sinclair so heartlessly in the reception room, Elaina could not leave the prince’s palace.

No, to be precise, it was correct to say that she did not leave.

Because she already knew. No matter what measures she took or how much she struggled, Sinclair would never let her go easily.

But…….

She did not want to be in the same space as Sinclair, to breathe even a little of the same air. She did not want to fall asleep in his arms as she had done every single day until now.

She did not want to return to that bedroom filled with their love thus far.

In the end, Elaina spent a sleepless night in a separate room prepared in the prince’s palace. A room that was quite unsuitable for the crown princess to use.

Even Sinclair dared not force her in such a state.

He merely left word for Schuler, Judith, and Anna to attend to Elaina as closely as possible.

“Lady Elaina…….”

Although they could not understand exactly how the situation was unfolding, one thing was certain – the relationship between the prince and princess was strained.

Thus, Judith and Anna, who had come to attend to her in the morning, looked at Elaina with worry-filled faces.

“…….”

When there was no answer, Judith and Anna looked at each other with troubled expressions.

It was not so much that they were at a loss for what to do in response to the lady’s attitude showing no reaction, but rather they were extremely worried.

They had no idea what words to say or how to say them to her vacant countenance.

“Lady Elaina, I’ve brought breakfast.”

Anna, who had pulled in a trolley, was the first to gather the courage to part her lips. Standing carefully in front of Elaina, Anna continued.

“You didn’t eat anything yesterday either. So you must eat today.”

“Th-That’s right! I brought a thin soup, thinking that suddenly eating might upset your stomach.”

Judith also hurriedly added.

“…… It’s alright.”

However, Elaina merely replied in a powerless voice, still gazing into the void.

“I have no intention of eating anything.”

“…….”

“I’m really sorry, Judith, Anna. For going through the trouble of preparing it……”

What in the world should we do now?

It was not easy to even utter the question of what had happened.

The prince and princess who had left the reception room both had the same expression.

As if the world had collapsed.

Moreover, with eyes brimming with tears……

Judith pondered for a moment, then asked very cautiously.

“Is there nothing we can do to help? Lady Elaina.”

“That’s right. Please tell us anything. I know it’s presumptuous to say, but seeing you like this makes my heart feel like it’s burning up.”

“That’s right. You know it too, Lady Elaina. How much we……”

“I just want to be alone.”

“…….”

“I’ll call if I need anything. Thank you.”

With Elaina responding to such an extent, there was nothing more Judith and Anna could say. They looked at Elaina with regretful expressions, then finally pulled the trolley and left the room again.

No, they tried to leave.

If not for the sudden sound of a polite knock.

“Hello, Lady Elaina. Did you sleep well?”

At the abrupt voice resounding in the room, Elaina slowly turned her head to gaze at the closed door.

“It’s Glen. May I come in for a moment?”

Why is that person here now?

Elaina’s empty eyes flickered briefly.

Judith glanced around for a moment before opening the door. Then, gesturing toward the trolley with the untouched soup, she parted her lips.

“Well…… Lady Elaina is unwell.”

“That’s right. It would be better for you to sleep a bit more. If it’s not an urgent matter…….”

Judith and Anna were equally unaware of why Glen had come to visit. And although they knew that Glen was a trustworthy person, they wanted to respect Elaina’s desire to be alone.

However, Glen did not back down.

“You two may leave first. I have something to discuss with Lady Elaina.”

“B-But…….”

“If Lady Elaina is truly unwell, I will leave straight away, so please understand a little.”

You can grant my request, can’t you?

Glen was almost forceful. He gently but somewhat urgently pushed the hesitating Judith and Anna outside and closed the door before they could say anything.

“I apologize for the rudeness, Lady Elaina. But as I just told Judith and Anna, there is a conversation I really wish to have……”

A conversation you wish to have?

It’s probably just to side with Sinclair anyway.

I don’t want to hear such things.

At least not right now.

“It’s unnecessary.”

“…….”

“Please leave, Glen.”

Faced with Elaina’s response, which was much colder than expected, Glen seemed a bit flustered, but he continued in an even more resolute voice than before.

“Then please just listen. I earnestly implore you.”

“Glen, you’re going to earnestly take Sinclair’s side with all your might?”

You, who are Sinclair’s person, would have no other reason to come see me like this.

Elaina asked with a hollow laugh, but……

“No.”

The answer that returned was somewhat unexpected.

“I merely wish to tell you what you should have rightfully known. And what you should know.”

“…….”

“I have no intention of, nor the heart to, take anyone’s side. Because I know all too well that even if I did such a thing, it would be of no use whatsoever.”

…… So please, just give me a little of your time.

At Glen’s words, which were close to a plea, Elaina looked at him with puzzled eyes.