“Your Highness, please understand that only Bonis was called.”

“Well, only Bonis?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Ha, really? Is that so…?”

“That’s correct, Your Highness.”

Princess Lyselia glared at Director Malcolm and reluctantly stepped back.

‘Being so picky with someone who can’t even see. If his vision were normal, he wouldn’t dare to act tough like that just by looking at my face!’

Lyselia snorted while glaring at Malcolm, then poked Bonis with her finger.

“It can’t be helped. Go.”

“Go, Bonis.”

“Yes…”

Bonis quickly followed Director Malcolm, realizing that this might be an opportunity to escape from this hell.
Expectation surged as she could meet Zelda.

‘Finally, to see Zelda unni. No, now I should call her Empress, right?’

Following Director Malcolm, Bonis, who had come out of the Star Palace entrance, looked up at the sky. The weather was exceptionally clear and refreshing on the day she stepped outside the Star Palace for the first time since arriving at Lafeon Palace.

“Since time is short, let’s move by carriage.”

Director Malcolm opened the carriage door himself, speaking as he gestured towards the waiting carriage.

“Thank you… But am I going alone?”

Bonis, before boarding the carriage, looked intently at Director Malcolm.

Hearing her words, Director Malcolm turned his head towards where his subordinate was.

“Anthony, ride with me. I will accompany Bonis to the carriage.”

“Yes, Director.”

Director Malcolm entrusted his horse to Anthony and boarded the carriage with her. He felt like he needed to have some conversation with her.

“Shall we move slowly to the dining hall? Director Malcolm will guide Bonis Yeongae to the dining hall anyway.”

Linel pulled out a pocket watch, checking the time as she spoke.

“Yes… Your Majesty.”

Prince Tesler, who had been anxious since earlier, nodded reluctantly.

“The tea is still warm; finish this before getting up.”

Linel raised her teacup, recommending the tea.

The black tea was something he had ordered the servant to bring a moment ago.

Unable to resist Linel’s persuasion, Prince Tesler pretended to blow on the still hot tea and took a sip.

As I was about to lift my tea to take a sip,

“Oops.”

Linel, holding her own teacup, spilled it on my dress.

“Oh! I’m sorry, Your Majesty. Did I spill it on you?”

He quickly put down the teacup and apologized pretentiously.

“Yes…? Uh…”

As I stammered, looking at him,

“Stian!”

He suddenly stood up, calling for the court physician, intentionally standing in front of me and blocking the view of Prince Tesler, who was sitting across from me.

Stian immediately opened the office door and entered.

“What’s the matter, Your Majesty?”

“I spilled hot tea on the Empress’s dress. Call the infirmary right away, and bring Sharon to take a look.”

Before I could grasp the situation, his unflinching order was issued.

“Yes, understood!”

After Stian hurriedly left, Sharon soon entered the office with a wet towel and ice.

To cut to the chase, I wasn’t scalded by the hot tea, and his tea was not even hot. Of course, the tea in front of me and the one Prince Tesler was drinking had steam rising from them, but Linel’s tea was cold.

Now that I think about it, since the court physician brought the tea, he had been holding the teacup with both hands the entire time. It was a well-known fact that when he touched food or drink, its temperature significantly dropped. And this was something he knew better than anyone else.

Yet, why did he call for the infirmary while pretending to be surprised?
It was an intentional act.

He slightly bent down and, with a swoosh, brought my hand to his lips.

“Prince Tesler, I’m sorry, but I need to step out for a moment. As you can see, I need to check if there’s any injury where the Empress was scalded.”

When Linel turned to Prince Tesler, he seemed to hesitate, as if he wanted to confirm my condition.

“Oh, yes…”

“Empress! Your hand seems to be a bit red!”

At that moment, Sharon put ice into a towel and placed it on the back of my hand.

Before that, Sharon had touched the area of the dress where the tea had spilled.

Even though I already knew the tea wasn’t hot, considering Linel’s words, it seemed like Sharon also sensed Linel’s intention.

Only then did Prince Tesler stand up from his chair.

“I’ll wait outside, then.”

“I’ll be out soon too.”

Linel turned completely towards the prince and said.

“Your Majesty? Did you do that on purpose?”

I asked him as soon as Prince Tesler left the office.

But he smiled and gave me a different answer.

“Since I spilled tea, you should go up to your bedroom and change your dress. Markrom is about to return with Miss Bonis.”

“What do you mean…”

“Tell Stian in advance, meet Miss Bonis first. However, there won’t be time for a long conversation.”

His consideration touched my heart.

Linel gently stroked my face and turned to Sharon.

“And Sharon.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“I’ve been sorry since last time.”

“W-What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

Sharon asked with wide-open eyes, then bowed deeply again.

“Even so, this time, I didn’t tear the sleeves.”

He seemed to mention the incident where he tore the sleeves of my dress when we went to Melanie’s residence together, hearing the news that she had fallen on the stairs.

At Linel’s words, Sharon bit her lower lip.

It seemed like she was holding back laughter.

After briefly apologizing to her, he asked me.

“Zelda. Do you cherish this dress?”

I looked at Sharon with a slightly sad expression on purpose.

“Yes, because Sharon carefully chose it for me.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll buy you a better dress than this.”

He patted my shoulder and left the office.

A few minutes later, Rapha came in and informed me that he and Prince Tesler had gone down to the dining hall.

Thanks to Linel, I could meet Bonis without any interference from Prince Tesler.

My heart began to pound as if I were going to greet Bonis.

I hurriedly headed to the bedroom floor with Sharon.