“Unfortunately, there was such an unfortunate incident,” Lionel replied, putting down his knife.

Prince Tesler, looking surprised, took a sip of water.

After erasing his bewildered expression, he continued speaking in a nonchalant tone, “However, Your Majesty, don’t women move separately during the day when hunting takes place?”

“But,” he added, “It’s worrisome for Your Majesty, considering that I’m not a knight responsible for the immediate protection, and unless it’s the empress herself, wouldn’t it be uncomfortable for you?”

While it’s common to accompany each other at a certain distance, I’ve heard that during the daytime hunting, men and women are often separated.

It may sound like it’s for my sake, but the prince seemed uneasy about the reinforcement of guards around me.

Oh, come to think of it…

As I move down to the southern continent, I’ve heard that there are occasions when I stay for a night or two in various villas and occasionally camp in the forest.

It wasn’t that difficult for me.

However, the concubines are a bit worrying.

They have probably always slept in warm and cozy places throughout their lives, and for the first time in their lives, they might have to endure sleeping in the forest.

Suddenly, figures of important characters came to my mind.

Princess Lyselia and the second concubine, Melanie.

Except for these two, the rest might not endure it that well.

Catherine, despite her elegance, would probably not make a big deal out of it, and Fesilini didn’t seem like the complaining type either.

As for Rogia, well, she reads books even boldly in front of a campfire.

“The Chief Markrom we saw earlier won’t be a problem even if he’s among the women since he can’t see ahead,” Lionel said, brushing off Prince Tesler’s opinion smoothly.

“Oh, Chief Markrom is in charge of guarding the empress?” The prince’s face showed a slight relief for some reason.

“But he has a more sensitive sense than those with open eyes. I even doubt if I have eyes at times,” Lionel said with a smirk.

Prince Tesler nodded willingly, but his gaze seemed to mock, saying, ‘It’s funny to be sensitive to senses even after losing vision.’

Ironically, even after learning that Chief Markrom, who is in charge of my protection, is blind, I didn’t request a change for my safety or insist on a different guardswoman.

Rather, it seemed like I just overlooked it because I didn’t properly know Chief Markrom’s abilities.

Indeed, he had no concern for my safety.

I glanced at the dining room door.

Isn’t it time for him to come in already?

When the conversation paused for a moment, everyone, as if there was a prearranged signal, looked at the dining room door at least once.

Prince Tesler’s tension seemed to rise even more.

Of course, it would.
“If Princess Lyselia or Ken hadn’t coordinated their words in advance with Chief Markrom, it would be uneasy to imagine how the two of them, who learned that she is their empress, would have responded.”

A few minutes later, the dining room door opened, and the butler announced that Bonis had arrived.

“Escort her in.”

After Lionel’s permission, Bonis cautiously entered the dining room.

“Bonis!”

I pretended to greet Bonis as if it were the first time seeing her. It was not challenging at all, and Bonis seemed to do the same.

“I present you to the Empress and Queen of the Raphion Empire.”

Bonis bowed deeply to Lionel and me.

As I stood up, Lionel also rose to his feet following me.

Intentionally, I took both of Bonis’s hands and expressed joy and gratitude as if I were about to leap. Lionel’s gaze focused on Bonis’s bandaged left hand.

When Prince Tesler saw Bonis’s missing fingers from his position, anger intensified.

“It’s been a while, Bonis! But you don’t look well. Where have you been all this time? And what happened to your hand?”

I intentionally held Bonis’s bandaged left hand and gave a sly look at Prince Tesler.

“I’ve been lonely since Empress went to the Raphion Empire. But I’m so happy to meet you again! And about my hand… there was an accident.”

Bonis spoke with an excited voice, but as if she became conscious of Prince Tesler, her voice gradually lowered.

“Let’s sit and continue the conversation.”

Lionel personally pulled out a chair for Bonis.

“Empress, I bring news…”

The seat he offered Bonis was the position facing Prince Tesler and the closest to me among the high-ranking positions.

I worried that Bonis might feel intimidated by Prince Tesler, but she was holding up well.

On the other hand, Prince Tesler seemed more restless.

The prince appeared extremely tense about the situation not unfolding as he expected.

“It’s strange. You two still look awkward with each other?”

Lionel jokingly remarked as he closely observed Prince Tesler and Bonis.

“Well, can there be such a thing?”

Prince Tesler awkwardly smiled and looked at Bonis, who was sitting across from him.

In contrast to the prince’s expression, Bonis, who had just smiled at me moments ago, erased her smiling face and looked expressionless, lowering her gaze.

“Did you have a fight, by any chance?”