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I was needlessly worried about showing my weak points. However, the empress still wore a smile. It seemed she was accustomed to such retorts.

“You jest too much. It’s this mother’s wish and true intent for the prince to enter the palace and assist His Majesty Demerov and Crown Prince Versus.”

“You suggest I should demean myself as Versus’s foot wipe? I’m sorry, but I have no such intention.”

When Etienne blatantly scoffed, the empress’s expression turned icy.

Her previously calm voice grew sharper.

“A foot wipe, you say! Showing loyalty to Versus, the next emperor is an honor and duty of the empire’s citizens. It seems the prince doesn’t think so?”

“Yes, I don’t see it that way. An emperor should earn the loyalty of his people with his own abilities, not by force. Her Majesty’s unreasonable arrogance hasn’t changed.”

“Prince!”

The empress’s face went red, then pale.

Ooh… It felt like I was being grilled just listening from the side. The empress must be furious. But that doesn’t mean I felt any sympathy for her. No, actually, I found it satisfying.

Who dared to mess with our Etienne?

“Empress, enough.”

Emperor Demerov reprimanded not Etienne, but the empress. It was mentioned in the novels, but seeing it firsthand confirmed it. The emperor… favored Etienne too much.

He treasured Etienne more than Versus. He was always harsh with Versus but lenient with Etienne.

Yet, while watching the empress’s mood, he presented Versus as the crown prince. He gave only power without affection to Versus and gave Etienne an affection he couldn’t be responsible for.

Thanks to this, Etienne had to bear the brunt of the empress’s wrath.

The empress, trying to hide her rage, covered her face with her fan.

“Etienne is always consistent. Quite mischievous too.”

“Exactly. That audacity of his truly resembles me. Haha. That appearance and those venomous eyes. Well, he should at least be that much if he’s my son.”

The emperor unabashedly continued to praise Etienne. I had wondered who Versus inherited his lack of tact from when speaking so carelessly; it turned out he took after the emperor himself!

To think he took after him in that respect when he isn’t even his biological son…?

In any case, it’s fortunate Etienne didn’t inherit that trait…

As the praise intensified, a dark shadow settled over the empress’s face.

Forget calling her beautiful. Right now, she looks just like a toad.

“Versus is good in every way, but he lacks that boldness. One needs that spirit to accomplish great things. I’ve raised Etienne so well. Giving birth to and raising Etienne was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life!”

The emperor laughed heartily, taking pride as if he personally gave birth to Etienne, while the empress’s expression soured even more. Even though I don’t like her, in this moment, I felt secondhand embarrassment.

Your Majesty… please, stop… Aren’t you aware? Your wife beside you is fuming…

The atmosphere grew more awkward. With a longing to leave, I sneaked a glance at Etienne.

When are we leaving? We’ve given our greetings; so can we leave now?

“Dahlia, it seems you’ve gained some weight.”

The empress’s gaze turned to me.

Startled as I was trying to signal something to Etienne, I looked up at her.

The empress looked at me with a renewed calmness. She was the one who knew I had feelings for Versus but still arranged my marriage to Etienne. It was probably her intention to surround and isolate Etienne with her own people. Thus, she wouldn’t particularly dislike me…

So, was this just an attempt at changing the topic?

I pondered on how to respond.

The old Dahlia was said to have acted ‘normal’ in front of the emperor and empress. So…

“It’s thanks to the kind care of both His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”

I lowered my eyes modestly.

It should have felt natural. Given how she climbed to that position, her perceptiveness must be extraordinary.

“I’m pleased to hear the Princess consort say so. Etienne truly is fortunate to have you as his wife.”

The empress chuckled softly. Somehow, her words seemed to carry a hidden meaning, as if saying, ‘Though she lacks manners.’

“But, something about you has changed.”

I swallowed hard. Fortunately, my gaze was lowered, or she would have caught the panic in my eyes.

“Perhaps, you’ve become more… amiable.”

A prickling sensation ran across my forehead under the empress’s gaze. My heart raced. How could she notice from just a single remark?

“It seems Etienne has been treating the Princess consort well.”

The emperor laughed heartily once more, then rambled about how Etienne resembles him and has inherited his romantic nature or so on….. He began spouting endless, unbelievable praises.

The empress’s expression, which had momentarily softened, turned cold again.

I’m grateful you’ve shifted the empress’s suspicions, but please, enough. Sir… just stop and let me go.

It reminded me of my boss, who would go on and on for hours with his speeches every time we had a team dinner.

Pretending to be sick works best in situations like this.

“Cough, cough.”

I subtly cleared my throat. I must admit, I’m rather good at this act.

Etienne, understanding my signal perfectly, didn’t miss a beat.

“It seems my wife isn’t feeling well. If it’s not too presumptuous, may we take our leave now?”

“Yes, you’ve traveled far, and we’ve kept you for too long. Return and get some rest.”

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