Chapter 30: The Enraged Empress

“I’ve never traveled, huh…”

As he walked toward his office, Icarus quietly mulled over what Renev had said moments ago.

At the royal ball, Renev had been unsettled by the appearance of the fake princess.

Though it hadn’t shown overtly on her face, Icarus—who had been closer to her than anyone—had seen it clearly.

The unmistakable hostility Renev harbored toward the princess.

Until the guest room renovation was complete, Renev and the two princesses from Salty had to remain in the garden together.

It was inevitable that they would occasionally cross paths.

For that reason, Icarus had hurriedly investigated the relationship between the two.

“According to the report, there is absolutely no connection between the Princess of Salty and the Seiren Marquis’s daughter.”

Dehan’s report suggested it was highly likely they had been unaware of each other’s existence until now.

Princess Adria of Salty had never left the Salty Kingdom, and the fake princess, acting as a stand-in for the real one in Bashker, was the same.

The Seiren Marquis’s daughter had also never left Paradium before coming to Bashker.

“Then why?”

Evidence had been discovered showing that nine years ago, the Seiren Marquis and his family had stayed at a villa near the border, yet Renev herself claimed she had never been there.

That meant either she truly had never been there, she was lying, or perhaps…

Before Icarus could contemplate further, Dehan, who had been looking through documents, suddenly stood up.

“Have you returned, Your Majesty?”

Icarus gave a light nod, and Dehan asked, “Did the young lady like it?”

Icarus recalled Renev staring silently at the magic stone earlier in the sunroom.

How was it… did she like it?

She didn’t seem to dislike it.

Maybe she was slightly disappointed?

“By the way, I never imagined Your Majesty to be so romantic.”

Vein looked at Dehan, seeking agreement.

Dehan avoided Vein’s gaze, looking slightly troubled.

Icarus’s smooth brow furrowed slightly.

Vein, normally perceptive to Icarus’s moods, was unusually oblivious today.

“You asked for the magic stone to be carved in the shape of a Renev flower, correct?”

First-mined magic stones were never sold.

It was a superstition that had arisen after the once-thriving Fryson Marquis family fell from power.

A large amount of magic stones had been discovered on land owned by the Fryson Marquis.

When no more stones emerged from what was believed to be an inexhaustible source, the Fryson family declined.

Rumors spread through creditors that not even fragments of magic stone could be found in the Marquis’s estate.

Those in the magic stone business practiced caution to remind themselves that relying solely on stones would eventually lead to ruin—over time, this became a superstition.

Until now, Icarus had thought keeping the first-mined stones was foolish.

But Dehan’s words had swayed him.

“If carved nicely, it could become a quite splendid gift. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

Hearing that, Icarus had pondered how to carve the stone, and it was a curious coincidence that he noticed the Renev flower sharing the same name as Renev herself.

Seeing Vein constantly grinning, Icarus issued a low warning.

“Vein, it seems you’ve only been handling paperwork and are feeling quite comfortable. Once today’s work is done, follow me to the training grounds.”

Only then did Vein stiffen in fear, his expression hardening.

“Yes, Your Majesty…”

Dehan, realizing Vein had almost gotten scolded, lowered his gaze back to the documents.

The quiet sound of quill against parchment and paper brushing paper filled the emperor’s office.

Heavy, dark blue curtains blocked the afternoon sun, but a luxurious chandelier lit the room brightly.

On the walls of the Empress’s private chamber hung two large portraits.

To the left, the current Emperor sat in a gilded chair; to the right, a grown Lucius was depicted.

Empress Nelia of Paradium’s gaze shifted from left to right, overlaying her son’s image atop the gilded chair in the Great Hall.

A satisfied smile curled her lips.

But upon hearing Countess Andni’s report, her red lips twisted.

“It seems the First Prince has recovered enough to take a walk in the palace garden.”

Not long ago, the First Prince had not stepped outside his bedroom.

The excuse had been a seasonal flu, but Nelia knew the severity of his illness.

She also knew that his death was near.

For Nelia, who had eagerly awaited the day to raise a toast, this news was unexpected.

“The First Prince hasn’t asked for Strudel recently.”

It seemed suspicious to simply chalk it up to a sudden change in taste.

Strudel had been a dessert the First Prince consistently enjoyed over the years.

It contained a small amount of opium, potent enough to be addictive, and even a strong will would struggle to quit.

Yet he suddenly stopped requesting it?

The long-term assassination plan for the First Prince had clearly collapsed overnight.

This was enough to enrage Nelia.

“What on earth is going on!”

Unable to contain her anger, Nelia threw her teacup.

Crash.

The flying cup hit the wall with a sharp sound.

Not stopping there, she also threw Countess Andni’s cup, the teapot, and even the vase.

Once there was nothing left to break, Countess Andni calmly spoke.

“As Your Majesty knows, he won’t easily overcome his addiction.”

“Yes. He may endure it for a while… but the most dangerous time is when one lets their guard down.”

Having regained her composure, Nelia leaned back on the sofa as Countess Andni pulled a cord to summon the maids.

Without a hint of surprise, the maids cleaned the floor and table.

Soon, a new teapot and cups were neatly arranged.

Nelia sipped her tea gracefully and looked at Countess Andni.

“You handled it thoroughly, I hope?”

“Of course. Even if the Empress tries to investigate later, she won’t find any evidence.”

Countess Andni’s handling of matters was always reliable.

There was no risk of being caught by the Empress.

“For now, it would be best to leave the First Prince alone, given the Empress’s vigilance…”

At that moment, a knock sounded on the door.

“The Prince has arrived.”

“Lucius?”

Surprised by her son’s unexpected visit, Nelia glanced at Countess Andni.

Understanding the look, Countess Andni disappeared through a hidden door, and Nelia moved to the sitting room.

“It’s been a while, our Prince.”

Nelia lightly embraced Lucius and patted his back a few times.

“The tea?”

Holding a white teapot with gold trim, she asked.

“I’ve had some.”

Slightly disappointed at her son’s curt response, Nelia put the teapot down.

“Right. What brings you to me today?”

“I heard there was a royal ball in Bashker recently. Did you hear?”

“Of course. I did.”

Nelia added information passed by her spies in Bashker.

“The Emperor of Bashker attended the ball with the Seiren family’s daughter, didn’t he?”

Lucius’s brow furrowed slightly, but Nelia continued calmly.

“Also, it seems the Seiren daughter is currently staying in the garden.”

Had she remained idle, she would have secured the position of Paradium’s next Empress.

‘Foolish.’

Although under the guise of studying abroad, she was essentially a hostage.

If circumstances escalated into war, the Emperor of Bashker would first use the Seiren daughter’s life to pressure Paradium.

Would the Seiren Marquis prioritize his daughter over the state, or serve the empire above her noble sacrifice?

The Marquis’s choice was uncertain, but the fact that his daughter remained in the garden was dishonorable to their family.

Even if she survived her studies abroad and returned to Paradium, finding a suitable marriage would be difficult.

And yet, she dared to become the match for Nelia’s son, the future Emperor.

Seeing her son inquire about the Seiren daughter, Nelia felt uneasy.

“Lucius, our Prince. To achieve great things, it’s best to forget the past quickly.”

Comforting Lucius, Nelia naturally changed the topic.

“By the way, the Emperor’s birthday is approaching.”

After some conversation, Lucius left the sitting room.

Countess Andni, walking by, noticed him and bowed.

Lucius briefly looked at her, then straightened his gaze and strode down the corridor, deep in thought.

‘The garden… why put Renev there?’

The most powerful of Bashker’s visiting dignitaries was indeed Paradium.

So using Renev as a partner for show could be understood.

But the garden?

It was the place where the Bashker Emperor’s mistresses had stayed.

Lucius could not comprehend the Emperor’s methods.

He wouldn’t have treated Renev so carelessly himself…

The grand estate of the Durenburg Marquis, one of Bashker’s most prestigious families, symbolized their power.

As Esica entered the salon of the Durenburg Marchioness, a young attendant at the entrance asked,

“May I see your invitation?”

Esica handed over the invitation.

After confirming the distinct Durenburg seal, the attendant bowed deeply.

“Please enjoy your time, Princess.”

Esica lightly inclined her head and entered.

The salon was filled with guests who had arrived earlier.

While Esica admired the artwork on the walls, a noblewoman in a striking turquoise dress approached.

“Thank you for coming, Princess.”

After a brief greeting, the Durenburg Marchioness showered Esica with compliments.

Esica politely praised the Marchioness’s dress and accessories, without excess.

Satisfied, the Marchioness smiled warmly.

“This is Princess Adria from Salty.”

Introducing Esica to the other nobles, she continued.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess.”

“The honor is mine, Princess.”

The female nobles bowed slightly, and the male nobles kissed Esica’s hand to show respect.

Some trembled from nerves, others blushed while admiring her beauty.

The ladies and young ladies, in turn, complimented Esica’s appearance.

‘This is why social gatherings are enjoyable.’

Had she remained in her original status, she wouldn’t even have had a chance to meet these high nobles.

Seeing them fawn before her, Esica’s smile remained unwavering.

But that was only for a moment.