By that time, I had almost given up. I thought that Raniero would just laugh at those words.

But, unexpectedly, he responded to that.

Normally, if I said anything, he would have repelled it within one second. Whereas this time, he closed his mouth and glanced at the table on my side. Well, even though I said it was on my side of the table, he was probably thinking of my legs under it.

Raniero was suddenly speechless.

After that, we just ate without saying a word.

Meanwhile, I glanced around carefully and put the hard-roasted corn in my mouth. Shortly after the meal was over, he ordered that I bring my clothes from the Empress' Palace. I was fortunate enough to be able to avoid the disobedience of going into a political meeting with only his tunic on.

'Does he understand now...?'

I entered the room in surprise.

We avoided the riot, but the political affairs meeting was not enjoyable. It was because the tense atmosphere in front of Raniero had been transmitted. Everyone was speaking extremely carefully, and it was very quiet.

And I, who only knew about the politics and economy of the Actilus Empire at the level of a 'foreign princess,' had nothing to say and just had to listen. In such an environment, you could not help but feel asleep.

...I was really sleepy.

Nevertheless, when I felt like I was going to fall asleep, I made eye contact with Raniero. I smiled and pinched the back of my hand under the table until I shed a few tears.

After the political meeting, I thought it was liberation... Though Raniero even took me to personal training. He urged me to catch a dagger, but it did not work out. My body was weak because I used it too much yesterday.

Of course, Raniero looked at me like I was pathetic. However, I could only sit in a shady corner and watch his beautiful sword dance. And now that it is all over...

At last... I was freed from that damn Emperor and returned to my cozy nest.

"Haaaah—"

I could not keep my dignity any longer. It was because I did not have the mental power to do that. I did not even change my clothes and collapsed on my bed, which I met forty-eight hours ago.

Although it was summer, it was still cool at night.

Cisen put a shawl, thin like dragonfly wings, on my shoulder. Meanwhile, Duchess Nerma, who had not yet left the Palace, stood behind her and laughed.

"It's nice to see the two of you having a good time together."

I choked up.

It is a good thing!

I mean, from a national point of view, it was definitely a good thing... However, it was not so good for me personally...! I do not mind being bad at this, I just want His Majesty not to pay any attention to me! I am so tired of this—!

'And originally, today...'

I laid down on the bed and rolled my eyes.

Duchess Nerma was not the only maid who did not leave the Palace yet. Sylvia, with her silver hair tied up to one side, was also standing, holding her hands politely.

'I was going to throw her an entrance party or something...'

My nose is three feet long*, so I could not care for Sylvia too much. However, if her relationship with the existing maids was bad, I would be in trouble.

If the relationship between the maids was awkward, the atmosphere of the Palace would be uncomfortable as well. I am not a fan of the Empress Palace having the same atmosphere as the government meeting earlier...

Well, Sylvia does not seem to be particularly sociable either. And, the rest of the maids are the servants of her mother that she killed, so now that she is on the other side of the line, they might want to cut the ropes now.'

My head was already exploding as to how to reform the atmosphere.

'Favoring Sylvia openly could be one of the ways.'

No one could tell me anything about that as well. As I mentioned, except for Cisen and Sylvia, all the other maids were ordered by Roberta Jacques to shun me.

...Hmm, shall we try that?

I rolled my eyes again, thinking about it. At the end of the gaze this time, it was Duchess Nerma. As soon as our eyes met, she strode towards me.

'Aack.'

Without realizing it, I jumped up and sat down.

The Duchess of Nerma sat at my feet with a smirk and glanced up at me, "Your Majesty, yesterday's hunting was done very proudly. His Majesty the Emperor declares that there are no wounds on the Empress's body. Ha... I'm so thrilled."

I replied with an uncomfortable voice.

"Is, is that so...?"

"Your Majesty's now a true person of Actilus — a true national mother loved by all... Everyone's eager to see Her Majesty the Empress."

For some reason, the back of my neck was cold. At the same time, the Duchess of Nerma smiled lovingly, puffing her round, plump cheeks before adding.

"So now, the social gathering that had been postponed..."

'Aaaakk!'

Right, there was something like that...!