“Is that really the end?”

Emily, who finished reminiscing about the past, had stated that she had no emotional exchange with Charles, but as a man, Kilian could keenly perceive that Charles had a significant liking for Emily.

“You seem upset.”

“It’s just the lady’s misunderstanding.”

Emily looked at him with a strange gaze. Didn’t he seem jealous? But soon she shook her head. Jealousy should be rooted in the emotion of love.

In her opinion, Kilian did not seem to have such feelings towards her yet. Perhaps he simply developed a sense of rivalry as a fellow man.

Anyway, the two, who had been outside for a long time, returned to the reception hall. Regardless of their mood, they had to greet the Emperor since they were here.

Seated on the throne, the Emperor was receiving greetings from the people.

“Greetings to the sun of the Empire.”

When their turn came, the two stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor.

“Oh, welcome. Come forward. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you after conferring the title.”

Although the Emperor was now in his seventies, apart from his white hair, he looked incredibly dignified.

It seemed that he greeted Kilian warmly because he had used Killian’s money to resolve many of the royal family’s debts.

“And you are the new bride who married the Marquis, right?”

The emperor’s gaze turned toward Emily this time.

“Yes, I am Emily Starr.”

It was the first time Emily greeted the emperor with such formality. The emperor looked at her with a perplexed expression as if something came to his mind.

“Which family are you from?”

“I am from the Sinope family.”

The kind smile on the emperor’s face instantly disappeared. He glanced sharply at Emily and slowly opened his mouth.

“Pity about your parents.”

Emily, who had been bowing her head the whole time, was touched by the fact that the emperor knew about her parents’ incident, even though she didn’t know what kind of gaze he had towards her.

“Thank you for remembering my parents.”

“You sure say everything.” 

Kilian listened to their conversation with a stiff attitude. He just wanted to leave this place quickly. Fortunately, the emperor thought Kilian was nervous and sent them away sooner than expected.

“Well then, enjoy the rest of your time.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kilian escorted Emily back to their seats as if he had been waiting.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“What do you mean?”

Although she was hesitant to say it outright, Emily felt like he was standing beside her in an imposing manner. It was strange that he escorted her almost as if he was protecting her from the emperor. but she decided to pretend not to notice.

‘My head hurts.”

Emily lightly shook her head and pointed to the table.

“What would you like to eat?”

The deeper you know anything, the less fun it is. Emily decided not to persistently dig into Killian’s thoughts.

***

Meanwhile, there was a young man despairing at the sight of the two of them together.

“That person is Lady Starr, right?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

It was none other than Prince Lucius

He quickly summoned his attendants upon seeing his dream woman with a strange man, eager to find out who she was. And it didn’t take long for him to learn that she had married Lord Starr a few weeks ago.

“If only I had returned to the palace a little earlier.”

Lucius sighed and bit his lip as people swarmed around him. Unlike before, the atmosphere became gloomy, and the people were whispering.

The empress also watched Lucius from a distance, biting her tongue.

“Of all people, it had to be a married woman?”

“It seems so, Your majesty.”

“Ugh, that pitiful guy.”

Under the empress’s orders, a maid who had made contact with Lucius’s secretary informed her that he had taken an interest in Emily.

“Make sure Lucius never finds out that Lady Starr was a candidate for the position of princess consort, understood?”

“Yes, don’t worry, Your Majesty . We’ll keep a close eye on those below us.”

In fact, a few years ago, the emperor had initially considered Emily as a candidate for the position of princess consort. However, for some reason, he decided to connect her with Duke Sadie. And later the emperor even sent a breakup letter himself, breaking off the engagement between the Duke and Emily.

When Duke Sadie found out about it later, he strongly protested against the breakup, but his plea was not accepted.

“I really can’t understand what that old man is thinking.”

Seeing Emily appearing in the social world after a long time, the empress’ eyes dripped with regret.

Although the Sinopes weren’t of a high noble status,  it wasn’t too bad if the crown prince’s wife came from a less powerful family. Aside from being beautiful, Emily had an innocence that was not easily found in others.

“Sigh.”

The empress shifted her gaze away from Lucius and looked around the banquet hall.

A new candidate was needed to quickly put an end to her son’s unrequited love.

***

Translator note: The Crown Prince is down badddddddd~Mae

Kofi:https://ko-fi.com/maetranslations