‘If that happens…’

The seed of doubt would inevitably grow uncontrollably. Then, there could be protests or riots demanding the truth.

Ilay chewed on his lip as his thoughts reached that point.

Even without the incident of receiving the crown from Philip III, there were several factions that did not welcome the succession of a non-bloodline to the throne.

[Even if the prince is weak, how can you pass the throne to someone who is not the rightful heir!] [Tsk tsk. Even if there is no suitable successor, allowing someone from the collateral line to ascend to the throne.]

At that time, the Empress had pointed to Ilay’s murky golden hair and said so. Ilay was the legitimate heir born with the imperial sign.

“Hey, Ilay. Try drinking this.”

“What is this?”

“It’s good for your health. Drink it all without leaving any.”

Ilay recalled the memory of when the Empress handed him a bottle containing medicine when he was young. She had been careful not to reveal the bottom of the bottle until he swallowed all the medicine.

‘…I didn’t know back then.’

That it was medicine to change the color of his hair.

The gaze of the Empress, which glimmered with greed as she looked at the empty bottle, was still unforgettable.

As if recalling something unpleasant, a smirk formed on Ilay’s lips. Then, addressing Rodrigo, who was awaiting his response:

“Let’s go to the study first.”

Ilay was contemplating how to put an end to the rumors circulating in society.

“Go and come up with a plan…”

Just as the Emperor was about to get out of bed to dress, the closed door suddenly creaked open, making a commotion outside the bedroom.

Who could have entered the Emperor’s bedroom without permission?

Ilay’s face contorted involuntarily.

Before he could go out, Empress Hwantaeho, breathing heavily, rushed towards the open door. She approached with urgent steps.

“Ilay!”

‘Ilay?’

Ilay’s eyebrows furrowed involuntarily at the Empress’s behavior. Even if she was a close maternal aunt, how dare she call the Emperor’s name so casually.

However, the Empress approached Ilay without any discomfort.

“What’s going on? Not even in the study, but all the way to the bedroom. I’ve repeatedly asked not to enter my private space without permission.”

Ilay’s cold voice penetrated the Empress’s ears. However, she didn’t seem to be the least bit discouraged.

On the contrary, as if Ilay’s sharp response stimulated her, her face twisted into a grimace.

“It’s not important right now! Do you know what rumors are spreading in the court?”

The Emperor touched his forehead. He had guessed that the Empress must have heard it since the moment Rodrigo Viscount reported to her.

‘But…’

He didn’t expect her to come to me like this.

“…Gerald. Just go out for now.”

Ilay was trying to send the viscount out first, as if he thought harsh words might come.

“No. Stay there, Viscount.”

However, the Empress blocked the Emperor’s order with a decisive tone.

Ilay’s face darkened with the ice-cold voice of the Empress, who had stopped Gerald from leaving.
“Ilay, how do you plan to handle this matter now?”

To the Empress’s question, the Emperor remained silent. As Ilay continued to maintain his silence, the Empress, as if reprimanding a child for a mistake, clicked her tongue.

A momentary embarrassment flashed across Ilay’s face at the impolite question from the Empress. The Empress gestured discreetly towards Viscount Rodrigo.

In response to that small gesture, Viscount Rodrigo swiftly approached.

“Viscount, you. Didn’t I instruct you to take good care of the Emperor? What have you been doing until such an incident occurred?”

“I apologize, Empress Mama. It’s a sin that even the gods would…”

As a spark of resentment jumped to Viscount Rodrigo, he not only lowered his head but also knelt down, pressing his forehead to the ground.

“Yes. It’s a sin worthy of death for failing to protect my grandson, hm?”

“Empress Mama.”

As soon as the remorseful words of Viscount, seemingly anticipating his imminent death, were spoken, the Empress coldly interjected.

“But I know Viscount’s sincerity towards the Emperor, so…”

The Empress looked down at Viscount Rodrigo with a chilling gaze.

“Repay with your life.”

“What? Empress Mama…!”

Casually uttering words commanding death, the Empress made Viscount Rodrigo lift his head from the bowing position.

His face seemed to turn pale, foreseeing the impending death. In response to Viscount Rodrigo’s reaction, the Empress burst into a faint smile.

“Viscount, who told you to repay with your life?”

After a moment of holding his breath, Viscount Rodrigo, having anticipated the next words from the Empress, took a breath again.

“…Yes. Empress Mama.”

Then Ilay quietly observed the two. His gaze was inscrutable, filled with thoughts impossible to gauge.

In the Belarus Duke’s mansion in the capital, a man and a woman were strolling in the garden.

“Edward-nim, thank you for everything.”