“What’s the scale?”

Hersis asked calmly, as if receiving a business report.

“An entire street is burning down. You might see the flames from here.”

“We need to stop the party.”

Liz shouted with an agitated voice.

“Evacuate everyone immediately, and deploy the guards to suppress the fire.”

“Got it.”

Hersis calmly spoke and lowered Liz into a wheelchair. As the warmth moved away, Liz became more aware of the reality.

‘If it’s not too late, leave it to me.’

Did René eventually lose trust, or was it that she simply couldn’t stop her brother? Liz felt like she knew and didn’t know at the same time. However, it didn’t matter.

In the end, a fire broke out.

The flames seemed to be crawling up from Liz’s feet. Even so, she felt helpless.

Finally, Liz, who had caught her breath, grabbed Hersis, who was about to turn away.

“I’ll stay by your side. Please let me do that.”

“It’s already midnight, Liz. A regular biological rhythm makes a gentle child, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, go inside and rest. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Without giving her a chance to object, Hersis turned away.

“Ishar.”

At his call, Ishar approached. The two male commoners behind him stood still.

“Stay here and take care of the aftermath. I need to go out for a moment.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And you two…”

Hersis’s golden eyes shifted behind Ishar. As they did, the two male commoners stepped forward and bowed.

“Escort the Empress to her residence.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After delegating roles like that, Hersis looked back at Liz. His tired smile seemed to reassure her that nothing would happen. But whether it was one way or another, Liz couldn’t be reassured.

Watching him move away, Liz felt awkward.

Answers to the ambiguous questions were becoming clearer in her mind. It seemed more likely that René had lost trust.

‘Arson, huh? They brought it upon themselves. It seemed like a perfect opportunity for a fire.’

She remained calm without a change in her complexion. In less than a day, she had swiftly changed her stance to benefit her family.

How could she have believed that such a cunning woman would easily stop her brother? How could she be confident that he wouldn’t be executed and still build a plan to gain the trust of the Grand Duke?

Liz wanted to slap herself in the face.

Even if Ishar hadn’t spoken up, she would have felt the same.

“Stop.”
The words he just raised his hand were not directed at himself. It was an instruction to the two commoners trying to lift the wheelchair in front of the stairs.

“By moving like that, won’t it be uncomfortable for Her Majesty?”

“Well… But when His Imperial Majesty moves Her Majesty, he always says to do it like this…”

“That applies to you two.”

Ishar said so, and then, supporting Liz’s waist and knees, he suddenly lifted her.

In Liz’s head, already confused with various thoughts, there was no room for Ishar’s unexpected actions. Liz didn’t even realize that he was lifting her.

Silent and motionless, the other two commoners couldn’t say anything.

“Carry that and follow us.”

Ishar pointed to the wheelchair with his chin and gave instructions.

Then, without any apparent difficulty, he confidently ascended the stairs.

The following commoners were extremely surprised.

“Wasn’t Marquis Baldemion supposed to be weak like this?”

“I didn’t know either. I thought he would be weak because of his delicate physique.”

While the commoners exchanged glances, Ishar and Liz arrived at her residence.

Rosa, waiting at the door, quickly opened it.

Ishar entered through the open door, and the two commoners carrying the wheelchair followed. Rosa, entering last, quickly rushed to the bed, lifted the canopy and duvet, and arranged them.

Ishar carefully lowered Liz onto the bed.

Only then did Liz realize that she had been held by Ishar’s hands all along.

“Oh, thank you, Ishar.”

Liz’s expression was ambiguous. Although she knew she should smile, her face didn’t follow her intentions.

“I just did what needed to be done.”

Ishar said calmly and then nodded to the commoners.

They understood and stepped back. Rosa, waiting for Liz’s instructions, seemed confused, as if she didn’t know I was here.

So, following Ishar’s instructions seemed appropriate, and she also withdrew with the two male commoners.

Finally, only Ishar and Liz were left in the bedroom.

“Shall I get you a glass of water?”

Ishar asked.

“Yes… No.”

Liz answered absentmindedly, changing her words belatedly. However, Ishar had already moved to the table to fetch water.

The Imperial Regent and the head of the noble House Baldemion personally poured water. There was even a slice of lemon floating in it.

Liz accepted the glass apologetically. Uncomfortable in her heart, there was no way to pass it off smoothly.

Cough.

As a sudden foreign substance invaded, a cough erupted uncontrollably, and Ishar gently tapped her back.

It was a cautious touch, enough to feel the trembling. Liz didn’t know why there was tremor mixed in his touch, but she was thankful anyway.

“Thank you. I’m okay now.”