I tried to lift the corners of my mouth following Lionel’s smile, but it didn’t go as intended. It felt like iron weights were hanging on both corners of my mouth. As we were about to take our first steps, Raphaël appeared at the open door of the reception room. He courteously greeted,

“Your Majesty, before you descend to the lobby, there is an urgent matter for you to sign in the documents the Grand Chancellor left.”

“Oh? Since we’re on our way out, let me take a quick look at the documents on your desk.”

“Yes, it’s already laid out on the desk, Your Majesty.”

Raphaël opened the door in the center of the waiting room on the left side of the imperial reception room. It was a door directly connected to the Emperor’s office. In the middle of the passage leading to the office, there was a desk where secretaries could occasionally attend to their duties. It seemed like Raphaël had placed the documents on that desk.

“Huanghou, please wait here for a moment. It’s a matter that won’t take long once you sign.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Even with my brief response, he showed a wide smile. After receiving the smile, he shifted his gaze to Prince Norton, who was standing awkwardly. He spoke,

“Come to think of it, the prince may not need to meet the Shatonyl guests today. Anyway, when the hunting competition is held, there will be a formal opportunity to meet them.”

“If Your Majesty permits, I would also like to greet them.”

In response to Prince Norton’s answer, Lionel shrugged one shoulder.

“Well, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s not a bad idea to build some friendship in advance.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

‘Could it be that he wants to see Princess Lyselia?’

I thought, glancing at Prince Norton. When Prince Norton stayed in the Shatonyl royal family, he was just a mercenary, so he might not have had the chance to have a direct conversation with the siblings.

I wanted to warn the prince about their true identity, but I held back.
“Then I’ll sign the documents and come back, so you two take your time.”

Leaving Prince Norton and me behind, Lionel stepped out of the Alhyeon Room.

“Oh, today, it feels like the ventilation isn’t working well. Just leave the door open.”

As he was about to close the door, he loudly commanded to the attendants.

Poor ventilation? I didn’t feel that at all.

I chuckled, pondering over his words.

“Your Majesty seems concerned about leaving you and the Empress alone.”

Prince Norton approached me, speaking discreetly.

“So he ordered to leave the door open?”

In response to my question, the prince nodded and chuckled lightly.

I thought, ‘Could it be.’ I laughed briefly but then my mood sank again at the thought of facing Prince Tesler.

Trying to handle it casually, I was on the verge of boiling over like a pot about to overflow.

“Oops. I’m sorry.”

“Oops. My apologies.”
As I left the Alhyeon Room, I bumped shoulders with Prince Norton while looking down at the floor.

We both apologized.

I might be partially out of my mind due to unwelcome guests, but why does Prince Norton look so dazed?

“I was so excited about meeting the Shatolnil guests that I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings. I apologize, Empress.”

He apologized again.

I looked at Prince Norton’s face.

Why is he lying?

Contrary to his words about being excited, he seemed uncomfortable, and his complexion didn’t look good.

“No, it’s not that. I didn’t see you with joy because our home country’s guests arrived. But, Prince, your complexion seems worse than before, doesn’t it?”

“Empress, you also suddenly turned pale.”

In response to Prince Norton’s counter-question, I replied, lowering my voice, “Can you tell? Honestly, I’m not thrilled at all.”
I unintentionally spoke honestly about my emotions. How Prince Norton would interpret it was up to him.

“In fact, I feel the same way, Empress.”

Prince Norton’s response was unexpected.

This time, his words and expression seemed to align.

Of course, I might have interpreted the prince’s words arbitrarily.

However, even if I couldn’t pinpoint it, there was an inexplicable sense of camaraderie from Prince Norton.

The restrained anger within me seemed to be reflected in the prince’s eyes.

In his clenched fist and the firm jaw clenching teeth, there was undoubtedly anger.

What could it be? The cause of Prince Norton’s anger.

“Empress, let’s leave now.”

In the meantime, Lionel finished signing the documents and returned.

“Yes, Empress.”

I held his hand, trying once again to maintain composure.

Descending the central staircase and walking through the long lobby, we headed toward the main palace entrance.
The rhythmic sound of our footsteps, Lionel’s, and Prince Norton’s echoed grandly on the marble floor.

“Sweating in your hands?”

He looked down at the hand he was holding tightly and remarked.

“It feels a bit warm today, doesn’t it?”

“Warm?”

Swooosh[Dash].

“…….”

In response to Lionel’s words, a strong wind blew from the palace entrance into the lobby, causing my hair to flutter like a flag.