Lionel asked again.

“What? We, we didn’t.”

What did that crazy guy say?

I glared at Prince Tesler, who shamelessly uttered lies.

“Ahaha, no matter how close you are, you can’t always get along, right?”

Sweat was dripping from the side of Prince Tesler’s head.

“Coincidentally, it seems you had a big argument this morning.”

Lionel lightly chuckled and muttered.
Amidst the awkward atmosphere, the dishes began to be served one by one.

During the meal, I occasionally exchanged glances with Bonis. Each time, we sent warm looks to each other.

In the lounge, I had already revealed to Bonis that she wasn’t the concubine of Prince Tesler. He neither pressed the truth from Prince Tesler nor asked Bonis if she really was the prince’s concubine.

If it were me, I would have immediately exposed Prince Tesler’s lies. However, he pressured the prince in a different way.

“Oh, by the way. If it’s okay with both Rosia and Prince Norton, I plan to send Rosia to Prince Norton.”

Lionel’s statement caused not only me but also Bonis and Prince Tesler, who were having a meal, to stop in surprise. Bonis looked perplexed, and Prince Tesler wore an expression of disbelief.

“Since she wasn’t originally brought in as a concubine, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Is that true, Your Majesty?!”

Suddenly bringing up Rosia and Prince Norton’s talk, I couldn’t understand why Lionel made such a provocative decision, and I unintentionally raised my voice.

“There have been several cases like this in the past, even in the predecessors’ era. So it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

While I needed to consult Rosia separately, if she had affection for Prince Norton, it was truly a fortunate event.

“Prince Norton is the strongest prince in the southern continent, the younger brother of Prince Kalbain, the heir to the Tavelo Empire. Although it’s unlikely, if Prince Kalbain doesn’t have a successor or dies early, Prince Norton will succeed to the next throne. It’s not bad for the Raphion Empire to show favor to such a person.”

Lionel put down the fork he was holding and held my hand.

“If Prince Norton likes one person and that person becomes the empress, he would have started a war immediately.”

I almost burst into laughter at his excited nonsense.

“Moreover, friendly relations with the Tavelo Empire are good for northern continent countries as well.”

Prince Tesler nodded unconsciously at his opinion.

“So, Prince, what do you think?”

“What… do you mean?”

“Isn’t the Shatonyl Kingdom maintaining close relations with the Raphion Empire?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Well, Prince, for the sake of friendship between the Raphion Empire and your kingdom, can you also send your concubine as a maid to my wife?”

Lionel’s voice sounded like a gentle persuasion, but his gaze was threatening like a wild beast.

I admired him inwardly.

Ah, that’s why he suddenly brought up Rosia and Prince Norton’s talk!

Since when has he been thinking like this?

As someone who was only concerned about Bonis’s worries, I had never considered this aspect.

Prince Tesler, who had just endorsed Lionel’s opinion with his own voice, found himself in a dilemma.

He must be thinking of a way out.

No matter how hard he thought, Prince Tesler’s choices were only two.
Amidst the military support received from the Raphion Emperor, the Prince Tesler faced an awkward situation—whether to flatly refuse the emperor’s request, leading to embarrassment and self-isolation, or to willingly send Bonis as my maid, gaining his trust and strengthening the alliance.

Although it was an uncomplicated choice, the reason for Prince Tesler’s prolonged response was simple. It was the only means Bonis had to threaten me.

I held Bonis’s hand under the table. She had a tense expression, likely worried that the prince might stubbornly resist.

“One should inquire about the opinion of their government.”

Prince Tesler addressed Bonis seated in front of him. The result of racking his brain was only conceding defeat to Bonis. What a coward until the end.

I, too, unknowingly let out a small snort.

“Oh, right. Bonis, would you graciously become my wife’s maid?”

Lionel politely asked her.

“If Your Majesty grants me the opportunity to serve by the empress’s side, I will do so sincerely… It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”

Bonis replied calmly, bowing her head.

In the end, since Bonis did not reveal the fact that she wasn’t Prince Tesler’s concubine, there was no need for the prince to worry about repercussions.

Lionel surely calculated even this aspect.

Alright, I can bring Bonis without major issues!

I tried to calm myself by forcibly pulling and lowering the reins.

“Will Prince not interfere with the honor Bonis feels?”

In Lionel’s grave tone, Prince Tesler pressed his lips tightly.

While doing so, the gaze of Prince Tesler looking at me seemed quite hostile.

“Of course, the prince must generously permit it, considering the circumstances.”

“Your Majesty, this is quite sudden…”

Prince Tesler cautiously raised an objection.

“I hope you understand. The empress has been mentally weakened lately.”