Empress Tai-hoo’s hand, pointing at Akia, trembled. Akia, in response, raised the corner of her mouth towards Empress Tai-hoo and Ilay.

“I didn’t expect both of you to be so sorrowful over my death. Someone might think you’re more tender than my own grandson.”

Akia looked at Empress Tai-hoo and Ilay and spoke. In the face of Akia’s straightforward words, Empress Tai-hoo wiped her face full of bewilderment with confusion.

“…W-Well, of course! You’re practically like my own grandson. Oh, Akia. I thought you were dead, and… How fortunate this is… Huhuh.”

Empress Tai-hoo shed fake tears while continuously uttering words of happiness.

‘Disgusting.’

She lied shamelessly with a pale face, as if she had seen a ghost. Akia slowly bent her knees to align her eye level with Empress Tai-hoo.

Then, with a cruel smile, she added, “Lie.”

“…What?”

“To say it’s fortunate, seeing the face of the one you killed, coming back like a ghost.”

Empress Tai-hoo’s mouth gaped at Akia’s blunt words. She didn’t expect Akia to bring up the topic in front of hundreds of mourners.

No. More than that, Empress Tai-hoo didn’t expect Akia to be convinced that she was the one trying to kill her.

Empress Tai-hoo bit her lip.

‘Surely, I said the job was successful…! What on earth happened?’

Jyakal, the leader of the assassins, was the best assassin who had never failed in a mission. How could such a person fail!

Moreover, how did she find out that he was behind the assassin’s group? Empress Tai-hoo’s face showed a deviation from the usual composed appearance.

“Y-You killed… What nonsense!”

Despite denying it, Empress Tai-hoo’s voice trembled thinly. The conversation between the two made sighs erupt sporadically from the people.

She killed someone, who is she talking about?

It seems the Duke is talking about…

People looked back and forth between Akia and Empress Tai-hoo, confused. Akia, who observed this, slowly straightened her body.

Then she turned to the people looking at her and nailed the wedge.

“Yes, I almost lost my life to the assassin sent by Empress Tai-hoo.”

“Akia!!!”

Empress Tai-hoo involuntarily shouted, but she was taken aback by the eyes gathering around. Conscious of the gaze around her, she awkwardly smiled and waved her hand.

“T-That’s not true! It’s a misunderstanding!”

Trying to salvage the situation belatedly, the news that Empress Tai-hoo tried to have Akia executed was spreading among the people. Then Lea approached Akia.

“I once received a poisoned knife from an assassin in Biarritzcal. At that time, I saw a strange tattoo on the assassin’s arm.”

“…Duchess, please refrain!”

Empress Tai-hoo rebuked as if asking where the woman fit into this. However, Lea did not blink at Empress Tai-hoo’s fierce gaze.

“No. The heir of Velerus almost lost her life. Is this something that should be overlooked?”

Empress Tai-hoo chewed her lips at Lea’s dignified appearance. Since Lea now had the right to speak, mentioning the Velerus family, she had gained a say.

“When the assassin attacked, I saw a tattoo on his arm.”

“T-That’s…!”

Empress Tai-hoo, seeing the paper with the assassin’s tattoo, bit her lip.

How did those two find out about the assassin’s group!

But before she could be surprised, Lea continued.

“It was the same tattoo as the assassin group under Empress Mama Tai-hoo.”

Empress Mama has an assassin group!

I knew it… So this whole thing…!

The murmurs of the people drew Lea’s attention.

“This time, the fire at the Velerus Duke’s mansion was also arson. All these events were caused by the assassin group with this mark.”

“Please refrain from baseless accusations, Duchess!”
This arson was not the work of the assassin group but a separate deed carried out by Emma, who was hired separately. Therefore, there should be no trace of the assassin group anywhere.

‘Where on earth did Rodrigo go in this urgent situation…’

A few days ago, it was Rodrigo, the viscount, who had applied for a leave and had not returned. If he returns to the palace, they would need to discuss the situation immediately.

It was at that moment, as Empress Tai-hoo was glancing around to find Rodrigo, that Akia quietly muttered.

“Baseless speculation…”

“That’s right! How can the Duke and Duchess attempt to disgrace the royal family with such baseless accusations?”

Akia, who had been observing her, whispered quietly.

“If you don’t believe me, I can show you directly. Bring that person here.”

As Empress Tai-hoo tried to grab her, Akia smirked beside her. Then, she gestured towards the palace guards who were blocking the entrance.

Following Akia’s gesture, the palace guards dispersed like parting waves, revealing Rodrigo, who stood in the center, trembling, surrounded by guards.

“Viscount! Where have you been and what have you been doing until now?”

Delighted to see Rodrigo, whom she had been searching for, Empress Tai-hoo called out to him with a welcoming face. However, at the sight of such an expression from Empress Tai-hoo, flames flickered in Rodrigo’s eyes.