That was the end of it.

As if no further action was needed, he embraced me and left the terrace. There was no consideration for the embarrassed guests and maids who had been left behind. As for me, I was also bewildered and embarrassed, but for the first time, I was glad to see my husband.

'...How can he do whatever he wants?'

A human being who was faithful only to reality... Even if I tried to imitate him, I could never catch up to him.

While I was hugging him, I could suddenly smell the bark and smoke emitting from him. It was a strange thing because Raniero does not smoke. Just by looking at his appearance, you would think he would smell like roses.

I slowly released my arm from his neck. It was quite a distance from here to the Empress Palace, so it would be a little too much to be carried all the way there. Then, Raniero stopped his steps as if he noticed what I was thinking.

"Thank you."

I thought I could walk.

Even though my stomach and back were still throbbing and aching, I was relieved just to get out of the gathering where there were many people who could treat me as something amusing. Raniero knew best that my essence was insignificant.

It felt like my nerves that had been on edge this whole time had calmed down a little as well. However, a problem arose. It was because he did not let me go...

...Excuse me.

I gazed at him with a vague expression. I thought we were on the same wavelength, are we not? I thought he suddenly stopped walking because he wanted to drop me down...?

Seeing his face, I was convinced.

...I guess our wavelength did not connect.

Raniero was staring at me with a mysterious smile on his face as if he was not displeased.

'He should've just said it.'

As soon as I thought of that, Raniero lowered his head slightly though he still stayed silent. Although I did not know what to do, I decided to avoid his gaze in a cold sweat. The next moment, I could hear an irritated voice slightly above my ear.

"Empress."

Then, he lowered his head more deeply.

'No way...?'

Even though I doubted myself, I slowly reached out and hugged his neck again. The next moment, Raniero straightened his back and started walking again, even with a satisfied look painted on his face.

In the end, he walked across the garden with me in his arms.

It felt a little strange.

Upon entering the Empress's Palace, the maids were tumultuous. They seemed incredibly embarrassed.

It was understandable. It would already be surprising that I came back so much earlier than scheduled, in addition, I unexpectedly came with the Emperor as well.

I could feel the maids rushing around.

Those who remained in the Empress's Palace were young, inexperienced maids. So, there was no way they were not good enough to deal with the Emperor. Moreover, Raniero was notorious for not tolerating mistakes. It was obvious that no one wanted to come near him.

But, even so, the Emperor and I could not just stand like this. Someone had to be the representative on behalf of Sisen.

It was Sylvia who, of course, took on the role everyone avoided. She came at a quick pace and bowed her back deeply. Though she pretended to be casual, her fingertips were trembling in the hand that was clasped tightly.

"I greet the most mighty."

Raniero replied softly.

"The Empress is not feeling well."

Sylvia, of course, knew that I was on my period. She nodded her head slightly.

"I'll support you."

"No."

However, Raniero ignored her words and moved on. Contrary to the original novel, he frequently visited the Empress's palace, so he knew this place as well as his own space... It was truly bizarre when I think about it.

I glanced up at him slightly.

This person was being more generous to me than I imagined.

Of course, I am also consoling a little by little...

If it was the first time we got married, I would not have been grateful to Raniero for solving a difficult situation, no matter how difficult it would be. I would just feel in trouble.

He laid me on the bed.

Sylvia, who was following the two of us, knelt down next to the bed and asked.

"Your Majesty, shall I bring you more painkillers?"

I nodded my head.

"Please."

Rising up silently, she glanced at Raniero a little before quickly leaving the bedroom.

Meanwhile, he seemed unconcerned about whether she had left or not. He drew a chair, sat down next to me, and pressed firmly on my nose.

"I see that you've got a very high evaluation of yourself, to think of appearing in front of people like that."

"I'm sorry..."

"It's a good thing that the people gathered there are so stupid that they didn't notice, don't you think so?"

At that, I lowered my eyes and replied, "...Actually, most of the people in this country don't seem to be very smart..."

"Haha."

Noticing that the sun was descending rather elongated onto the bed, I suddenly came to my senses.

"Come to think of it, Your Majesty, isn't it time for a council meeting? How could you be here—"

"State affairs meeting? I didn't go."

"...Yes?"

My eyes fluttered relentlessly.

"It wasn't worth a long discussion. I thought it'd be better to go where the ladies gathered and see what they'd say."

Haha, would a normal monarch not convey to the ministers that it was a topic 'not worth discussing for a long time,' and ask them to talk about something else? Instead of skipping the state affairs meetings without permission...?

I was constantly reinventing in my mind the fact that this country was still running well and was even the most powerful country in the world.

...A country protected by the God Actilla.

The Actilus Empire has a stronger backbone than anyone else, so there is no problem with this kind of politics.

"What was the topic..."

As I asked without thinking, Raniero also replied impetuously.

"The Temple of Tunia."