The nobles of Croathia announced that the Duke’s remains would be laid to rest in the cathedral after the funeral.

Her husband’s funeral. Although it was a fabricated ceremony, offering a worship service for a living husband made her feel uneasy.

Lea bowed slightly towards the mourners laying flowers on the table in front of the coffin, expressing her gratitude.

Then, it was the turn of Empress Hwang Tai-hoo and Elay, whose figures appeared as they ascended the platform. The cold gaze of the indifferent Empress fell upon Lea, seemingly provoked by Lea’s mournful appearance.

“My grandson, Akia… This pitiful creature…”

“…”

“I didn’t know you would end up like this. If I had known, I would have watched you grow up at the palace…”

The Empress’s face darkened.

Although she turned her back to everyone and couldn’t be seen in detail, Lea saw it clearly. The moment she placed the flowers, a malicious smile appeared on the Empress’s veiled lips.

‘How much I’ve been waiting for this day…’

It was challenging for the Empress to suppress the laughter that seemed to spill out continually. However, as if realizing it wasn’t the time, she erased the smile and turned towards Lea.

“This is what happens when you let a woman into the house. How will the lady take responsibility for this!”

“…?”

At first, Lea thought she had misheard.

Otherwise, in a funeral hall where hundreds of mourners gathered, she wouldn’t have been accused like this.

“How can you stop! You devoured my grandson and played with the bodyguard, who is now your lover!”

“……What?”

At the blame from Empress Hwang Tai-hoo, who had been bowing her head deeply, Lea raised her head. It wasn’t the mournful gaze she had when looking at Akia.

With a gaze that could attack her at any moment, the Empress continued to raise her voice.

“Akia, who was perfectly fine, married you, and you ended up like this, shamelessly playing around with the bodyguard!”

Empress Hwang Tai-hoo, shedding tears that looked repulsive, shouted vehemently.

The court lady beside her blocked her as if she might rush forward at any moment.

“Let go!”

“Empress Mama, please stop.”

Even Elay, who was watching, intervened in response to the murmurs around. However, Empress Hwang Tai-hoo showed no intention of stopping the blame directed at Lea, raising her voice even louder.

“How can I stop! My grandson was devoured, and the wife who played with the bodyguard became a widow right away! How will you explain, madam?”
Lea was dumbfounded. The rumor of an affair with a bodyguard drew the attention of all the mourners at the funeral towards Lea.

‘This is disgraceful.’

Empress Hwang Tai-hoo saw an opportunity in her accusation, intending to eliminate any suspicions related to Akia’s death that might arise.

The scandal between the Duchess and the bodyguard, unfolding frighteningly at her husband’s funeral, was provocative.

For a while, people would be more interested in Lea’s scandal than in questioning Akia’s death. In the typical manner of Empress Tai-hoo, cracks appeared on Lea’s face.

Despite Empress Tai-hoo’s fierce censure, Lea didn’t bat an eye. Foolishly, the Empress wouldn’t even imagine that the bodyguard could be Akia.

“No, how could that be?”

“The rumors seem to be true. Duchess of Heidern was said to be involved with a bodyguard.”

“Oh, dear.”

The murmurs of the people, as if waiting for Lea’s defense, grew louder. And slowly, a strange smile spread across Lea’s lips, who had been silent until now.

‘She’s smiling?’

Empress Tai-hoo frowned as she watched Lea’s meaningful smile. Had she gone mad in a dead-end alley?

“An affair with a bodyguard… Well, it’s not entirely wrong.”

“What?”

It’s a false rumor, it’s unfair. It would be natural for her to vent her frustration. However, Lea’s reaction, admitting the scandal with a nonchalant look, brought an indescribable unease to the spine.

‘Something’s off.’

Empress Tai-hoo’s long-standing intuition was saying something. Something was seriously wrong.

“If you’re curious about who the bodyguard is, it might be better for you to see him yourself.”

“What do you mean…”

At that moment, the tightly closed door of the cathedral opened, and the clicking sound of high heels echoed.

And as the people looked at the owner of the sound, their faces gradually turned into expressions of shock.

“Heek!”

“T-That person is…!”

A man in a black uniform walked towards the extended cathedral, accompanied by the sound of his footsteps.

With the footsteps resonating through the spacious cathedral, a man in a black uniform came into view.

The people, seeing the radiant golden hair fluttering in the air, each sighed.

“I’m a little late.”

As the voice reached them, Empress Tai-hoo, who was staring at Lea, was taken aback. The voice was so familiar.

“To be late to my own funeral, it’s quite impolite.”

And when she turned to look at the man, Empress Tai-hoo collapsed into her seat. Akia, who should be asleep in the coffin right now, was blatantly facing her.

“Oh, Akia! How…!”

“Long time no see, Empress Mama.”