Prince Norton took a step back with a shocked expression.

Then Rosie widened her eyes and approached. However, Prince Norton distanced himself again as much as she approached.

At first, I suspected that Rosie had falsely confessed to Prince Norton to help me get out of the trap.

However, after hearing her confession, I wondered if she really had feelings for Prince Norton.

So… is she doing this as a dual-purpose action?

I need to make sure of the truth later by listening to Rosie’s words, but one thing was clear: she helped me once again.

I had to make sure that Rosie didn’t suffer any great harm…

Unfortunately, in the situation where she, a concubine, was caught confessing to a prince from another country, it was difficult to handle the aftermath.
“But still, we need to handle the situation for now.

If I were to say that Rosie’s words here are false, her position would become even more bizarre, and she would be suspected of her mental state as well.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me. Contrary to Rosie’s words, she has never asked for my help. I just, out of pity for the heartbreaking scene I witnessed, arranged for this situation.”

“The Empress?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It wasn’t Rosie, but I who first offered to help. So if you want to blame someone, blame me!”

I bowed deeply to him.

“Empress…?”

Prince Norton was as confused by my statement as he was by Rosie’s confession. It was a natural reaction. Earlier, I had mentioned coming to meet Prince Tessler, and even went so far as to say that we seemed to have fallen into a trap. Now, suddenly changing my words would undoubtedly confuse him about what was true.

But the method Rosie had chosen, which caused confusion for both me and Prince Norton, was the best option for her and Prince Norton.

“Prince Tessler. We must act as if we did not see or hear anything that happened here today.”

After a moment of silence, Rinel’s serious tone was directed towards Prince Tessler.

“Your Majesty! How can you simply overlook the Empress’s concubine confessing her love to a prince from another country? Moreover, Empress, who led such an extraordinary event herself? This is an unacceptable situation!”

Prince Tessler, with foam at his mouth, raised his voice.

“Did I say to overlook it like I just asked?”

“…Yes?”

“It was an order.”

Rinel said with a furrowed brow.

“Ha, Your Highness, this is a deception against Emperor Your Majesty!”

Prince Tessler, momentarily flinching at his severe gaze, resumed his rant.

Failing in his plan to puncture holes in the trust between Rinel and me, he now tried to turn the situation by catching onto the fact that I assisted in the love confession of a concubine to the prince.

“This is not something to just let go, Your Majesty!”

“When did I say I would just let it go?”

Rinel’s voice became firm.

“Yes…? Haha, right. Naturally, it’s not something to just let go of.”

Tessler’s face turned slightly pale at his response.

“It’s my Empress’s and concubine’s issue, so I will handle it. Prince, you just need to discuss the events that happened here with others. Is that a difficult request?”

“Not difficult, but…”

“If it’s not difficult, it means you don’t want to discuss it, right?”

Boldly.

The last words were clearly conveyed in Rinel’s gaze.

“Oh, Your Majesty, please don’t misunderstand. It seems I momentarily deviated from the subject due to my concern… Please forgive me.”

Prince Tessler took a step back and glanced at me secretly.

“Alright, let’s wrap it up. The lively confessor and the slightly troubled confessee, come to the main palace office tomorrow. You can leave now. Oh, of course, separately.”
Rinel pointed towards the direction of the Western Palace, where Rosie’s residence was, with her left hand, and towards the Star Palace, a straight path from the Support Road, with her right hand.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Prince Norton responded quietly.

Meanwhile, Rosie still had a face that seemed to have more to say.

“Please don’t scold Empress Your Majesty! Everything happened because of my bursting feelings toward Prince Norton, so please…”

Rosie raised her hands, pleading, with her chest puffed out.

Goodness, how much did she drink to act like this?

Rosie, who was usually quiet, had never behaved like such an unrestrained foal before.

“Rosie, lower your hands.”

I hastily grabbed her two hands, pulling them down, and whispered.

Rinel grimaced, avoiding eye contact, and Prince Norton raised his back, using his hands to splash water on his face.

“Let’s disperse.”

He said firmly.

I and Rinel headed to the main palace, Rosie turned back towards the temple building, Norton Prince and Prince Tessler towards the Star Palace.

Everyone dispersed quickly.

Rinel remained silent throughout the way to the main palace.

I also closed my mouth and walked quietly, only listening to the sounds of cicadas and his footsteps.

He kept his lips tightly closed, but his hand was holding mine tightly.