Having waited patiently, Salvatrice Hwangbi urged her.
“If Elodie Yang does not take it, the opportunity will go back to Dorothea Angelos of another of the Four Great Houses.”
‘Even if I say this much, she won’t do it and she’ll let it go?’
However, Elodie was Elodie Ferdia.
“Well, it seems like a significant issue. I should discuss it with my father, Your Majesty.”
Even though the opportunity would be lost to another young noble, she calmly responded.
Since she had received a request to persuade Elodie directly, as she was being sorted out at the Angelos Mansion for the Ishtar Shrine, she should not consult with the mansion.
“It must be decided today, Elodie Yang.”
“Today?”
“Yes, right now.”
Normally, putting a time limit would make one anxious, leading them to agree involuntarily. However, Elodie’s reaction was different.
“Then I won’t do it.”
“……?!”
“Let Dorothea Yang do it!”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, of course.”
Elodie smiled innocently and nodded vigorously.
‘Ha. It’s hopeless.’
Having read the madness in her clear eyes, Salvatrice Hwangbi gave up on persuading her further.
After that, there were still some casual conversations, but Hwangbi, who seemed to be absorbing all my energy, responded with formal answers as if her mind was elsewhere.
‘Now is the time.’
I brought up the beginning of the conversation that I had thought about in advance.
“Um, Your Highness Hwangbi, I have something important to consult with you. It’s about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
I thought Hwangbi, who was restraining Adenmir, would naturally show interest, and my prediction was correct.
“What’s the matter?”
“Actually, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince mentioned that he stepped back for my sake, but it’s not true.”
It’s not a lie.
“Is that so… His Royal Highness used Elodie Yang.”
Without an answer, Hwangbi, with a sad smile, seemed confident in her guess.
“So, my first love sadly ended because of that…”
This is not a lie either. It was my first love.
Until now, it was just laying the groundwork. I looked at Hwangbi, who was smiling lightly as if comforting herself, and asked subtly.
“May I ask, even if it’s unusual, if Your Highness Hwangbi has experienced first love…? Hearing about Your Highness’s experience might soothe aching hearts.”
“Yes, I have had my first love.”
“Who was it? I’m curious.”
After asking other servants besides Masa, I came back with the consensus that Salvatrice Hwangbi’s first love was my adoptive father, Duke Severus.
Hwangbi, who hesitated for a moment as if lost in thought, opened her mouth.
“He was a kind person.”
“And?”
“Kind but cruel.”
Kind but cruel? What does that mean?
Before I could ponder over her words, Hwangbi gathered her voluminous dress and rose from her seat.
“I forgot that I have something scheduled. Let’s talk again next time, Elodie Yang.”
Avoiding my eyes, Salvatrice Hwangbi hurriedly left the tea time gathering.
[Seems like she’s hiding something.]I agreed with the opinion of greed.
‘What could it be? Why leave so hastily?’
[Maybe bothering you is the reason?]‘It’s not bothering. She just skillfully pushed back with a smiling face, right?’
Surely now she won’t do something as absurd as bringing Beltan to me.
I don’t want to leave an uncontrollable crazy woman by my son.
The “I don’t know anything” strategy is the most suitable for someone who is trying to suppress the opponent like that.
The only regret is that I didn’t get much information about her father.
‘Should I contact Baron Balesh, her father?’
Even though not part of the Four Great Houses, Baron Balesh had the power comparable to them. With that power, especially now when the emperor was bedridden, Baron Balesh’s influence was strong.
‘Even so, I didn’t expect Hwangbi to let go of Angelos and try to take Ferdia.’
It seemed that Ferdia was impressive enough for her to give up the friendly relationship she had maintained for a long time.
‘It might not be bad to observe while walking on a tightrope in between.’
Continuing to maintain a friendly relationship, it seems Ferdia is impressive enough for Angelos to give up.
‘Maybe it’s not bad to observe while walking on a tightrope in between.’
With such thoughts in mind, I left the Third Palace support gathering.
Because mercenary escorts couldn’t enter the Imperial Palace, I was alone waiting outside.
Still, with palace guards deployed everywhere, there was no risk of being attacked within the palace.
As I was urging myself to leave the palace quickly in case I meet Beltran, it happened.
‘Oh.’
I froze upon seeing someone walking towards me from the opposite side.
‘Adenmir…!’
What is this feeling, as if caught red-handed cheating on a husband?
The Third Palace is Hwangbi’s palace, so it was evident to anyone that I had met Hwangbi.
‘What should I say? Saying it’s a misunderstanding might lead to more misunderstandings.’
In my confusion, Adenmir quickly approached with long strides and stood in front of me.
“Lady.”
Certainly, there was no doubt that he misunderstood. Yet, I couldn’t help but make excuses.
“Your Highness, it’s not [dash].”
“Was Hwangbi pressuring you?”
“What?”
In the midst of unexpected questions, I just blinked my eyes.
“Speak up. Is it okay?”
Could it be that he’s worrying about me?
Even though I denied it, Adenmir’s actions were clear expressions of concern.
“It’s okay.”
“Good. If Hwangbi calls for you next time, make sure to bring attendants. It’s dangerous to be alone.”
Worrying again.
Somehow, the unfamiliar and caring concern hurt my heart like a pang.
‘It’s unfair to be this affectionate.’
I knew it was a formal concern for a fiancée, but it made me expect something unnecessary.
As I silently looked at Adenmir, he narrowed his eyes and came a step closer.
“Why are you like that? Your expression is not good [dash].”
“I thought you would suspect, of course.”
“What?”
“Seeing me coming out after meeting Hwangbi, it’s normal to suspect collusion.”
As I spoke, Adenmir’s eyes slowly widened, and he couldn’t help but sigh.
Ah.
“…I didn’t think about that.”
“…”
“Well, it’s normal, but it’s strange…”
Muttering so, Adenmir smiled and stared at me. Then, he calmly said,
“I guess I want to trust you.”
Leaving those words behind, I watched Adenmir’s back as he turned away.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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