Chapter 85

Renia sat in a chair and ordered something to drink from the staff. Even though it was a simple movement, it felt dignified. Even if her appearance changed, she was still her. What happened to her in the territory that changed her like this? Amelie was very curious about her completely different story.

“How’s life on the territory?”

Amelie asked Renia how she was doing.

“It’s the worst compared to life in the capital. Since my father is only in the capital, it’s a mess of embezzlement and corruption. It was so funny to keep so many issues hidden and only be wary when only one came to light. I’ve been busy showing what kind of person Renia Manvers is.”

“Is that why you cut your hair?”

“Yes. My father gave up on me and cut off all my maids. And I cut it because I was too annoyed to take care of it by myself.”

Renia’s words were blunt, but Amelie noticed that she was very satisfied with her life.

“Short hair suits you well. I’m really glad that you’re doing well in the territory. I was a little worried.”

“It’s still worth doing. It seems like it’s worth continuing in the future as people of high rank are still watching.”

Renia shrugged her shoulders.

“High ranking people?”

Those who were higher than Count Manvers were Marquis Lewin, Duke of Odorus, and Serwin.

“Obviously. Who else but His Majesty?”

“Ah! Come to think of it, you said that before.”

The day she received Renia’s letter, Amelie thought Reina was offering her help but wasn’t sure.

“By the way, His Majesty is pruning the Manvers faction. Are you okay?”

Renia was actually the whistleblower. The data she handed over was being used as the basis for punishing those in the Manvers faction. Amelie was worried that Count Manvers might have noticed Reina’s betrayal or that the Emperor’s pruning would cause backlash for Reina.

“Don’t worry. I’m not that clumsy. And His Majesty won’t kill all of the Manvers factions if he thinks about the future. I have to be the Count and serve as the background support for Miss Amelie.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Amelie was embarrassed and laughed.

“I must return to my hometown before Renia becomes the Count.”

It was dizzying to think that it would take more than 10 years to fight the disaster. Also, Serwin’s body may not hold out until then.

“Are you serious about what you said before? I mean you don’t want to become an Empress?”

“Yes.”

As Amelie nodded, Renia opened her eyes wide.

‘Then what is it? Was it because the Emperor alone was frantic and was trying to hold her?’

The tyrant was a man, too. Renia smiled.

“His Majesty is a man who doesn’t have much to see. I can’t believe he hasn’t changed Miss Amelie’s feelings.”

“We’re not like that in the first place. Now I can be honest with you.”

Amelie explained that she was not Serwin’s lover and that she followed him to help him. She also talked about black smoke and disaster.

“Phew, I feel better. All the while I was misunderstood a lot, but I couldn’t explain. How frustrating it was!”

Amelie smiled refreshingly. Renia won’t misunderstand any more. However, Renia, who heard the whole story, reacted differently than Amelie expected.

“Hmm. Whatever the relationship in the beginning, it is true that His Majesty is hanging around with you alone.”

‘It’s not very different from the rumors. Rather, not as mutual lovers, but that His Majesty has a one-sided crush on you.’

That tyrant has unrequited love. Somehow, this story became more and more interesting. Renia urged Amelie to talk more.

“No— I’m talking about something really serious now. It’s a disaster. The destruction of the world!”

Amelie was frustrated. Now, huh? Is now a time when you’re analyzing the signs of love?

“You’re doing great, Miss Amelie. What are you worried about?”

“M, me?”

“Yes. You saved me and others, too. A lot has already changed, so it will continue to be like that.”

Renia smiled brightly.

“Is that so?”

“Of course!”

She heard compliments!

Amelie felt better.

“Young Lady Renia. Order whatever you want to eat.”

“It’s His Majesty’s money anyway, right? I’m going to order something I don’t normally eat either. Bring everything.”

Renia smiled and handed the menu to the waiter. The waiter panicked, but Amelie had never eaten the entire menu before, so she quietly allowed Renia to place her order.

While slowly savoring the ordered tart, Amelie and Renia continued chatting. As Renia’s hostility towards Amelie had disappeared long ago, the conversation went smoothly.

Amelie recalled something she had forgotten only after finishing all the last remaining pecan pie.

“When will the person you introduce today come?”

She was distracted by Renia’s change and the delicious tarts and forgot about it, but in fact, today’s purpose was not to chat. The purpose was to introduce people who knew what happened in the old imperial palace.

“Oh right, the conversation was so fun that I forgot about it. Actually, I decided we should go to that person’s house. Since the topic of conversation is such a sensitive subject, I think their house will be good. That person hated the imperial palace.”

Renia checked her watch.

“We can get ready to leave now.”

“Huh? Then why did you ask me to meet you here?”

“That’s, it— I wanted to talk to Miss Amelie in a relaxed way.”

Renia blushed slightly and glanced at Amelie.

“Last time, we didn’t even have time to talk properly. I want to be closerr to Miss Amelie.”

“Oh, ah, thank you. I also wanted to get close to Young Lady Renia.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Renia laughed happily at Amelie’s answer. Amelie was embarrassed at her reaction.

At that time, Chad carefully intervened in the conversation.

“Excuse me, but are you meeting anyone other than Young Lady Manvers today?”

“Yes.”

“It’s my first time hearing that.”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

Amelie pondered. It seems she didn’t tell anyone that she was supposed to be introduced to the old lady. It was all because she had been hanging out with Serwin every day, so she thought Serwin would know.

“I’m sorry. Of course I thought I said it already.”

“It would have been nice if you told me in advance, but it can’t be helped. Is the person you’re going to meet someone you can trust?”

“Of course, she’s a reliable person.”

Renia replied.

“She is Olivia Willow, who has worked in the Imperial Palace for more than 40 years. She served the previous Empress, and from the time His Majesty took the throne, she was the head maid in charge of the Imperial Palace.”

“…Are you talking about head maid Willow?”

Chad made a difficult face.

“Do you know her?”

Amelie asked.

“I know that she’s still in the Imperial Palace by the time I was about to become His Majesty’s knight. Why do you want to meet that person?”

“I wanted to hear the story of the reign of the Regent King.”

Amelie was curious about the story before the disaster was sealed to Serwin. She wondered if she could find a hint about the disaster if she heard the story of the witch who sealed the disaster to Serwin or the time when the regent king ordered a witch hunt.

“I don’t have high expectations. It’s like catching straw. Because there’s no other clues.”

In fact, Amelie had not even decided what to ask Mrs. Willow.

“Is that so?”

Chad pondered whether to stop Amelie from meeting Mrs. Willow or not.

‘She’s not going to talk nonsense about His Majesty right—.’

Mrs. Willow was usually friendly to Serwin and quietly stepped down when she retired due to health reasons.

‘She may not know everything. A lot of time has passed.’

Chad decided not to stop Amelie after much consideration. She would have gone out for nothing and found out that he was hiding something.

“Can we leave now?”

Renia lightly clapped her hand to call attention.

“It’s kind of weird to go empty-handed. Let’s buy a pie here.”

“She will like that.” Reina replied.

Amelie packed the pie and got in the carriage. Renia also wanted to talk more with Amelie so she left her horse at the store and rode the carriage with Amelie.

******

Mrs. Willow’s house was not far from the tea house. Her house was an ordinary two-story house. A human shadow was cast on a nearby window and the curtain was seen shaking slightly.

“It’s Mrs. Willow’s daughter. She’s traveling with her.”

Renia took the lead, followed by Chad. He didn’t forget to be wary of his surroundings while walking. Other knights had already entered the house to check their safety.

Knock, knock.

When she knocked on the front door, the door opened. An elderly woman came out. She wore a thick brown knitted shawl, and she had her back bent, making her look small. Still, her expression was bright and lively, so she didn’t look intimidating.

“Young Lady Manvers! Welcome! You don’t know how nice it was to be contacted by you.”

She welcomed Renia very much.

“Is this the person who said that she wanted to meet mother?”

“Yes, that’s right. Miss Amelie, this is Mrs. Willow’s daughter.”

“Hello. I’m sorry I came out of the blue.”

“What? It’s Young Lady Manvers’ request. Please come in.”

Mrs. Willow’s daughter escorted them into the house. The house felt somewhat gloomy.

“We are always away from home and traveling, so there must be many things we lack in welcoming guests. So, my mother is always nagging me not to invite guests, but it’s the request of Young Lady Manvers, so I can’t say no. How much help have I received?”

She was talkative. In a way, she seemed to be trying to look good to Renia.

‘Help— so that’s how they got close. As expected of Young Lady Renia.’

Amelie was amazed.

“Please sit here. I’ll go and make tea! Oh, my. I have to bring my mother, too.”

“I’ll help you.”

“No, no. I can’t ask the guest for a favor.”

“This is from Miss Amelie.”

“Oh my, thank you. I didn’t have anything to treat you, so I was wondering what to do! You bought this at the green store, right? I sometimes thought of pie there. My mother doesn’t like such places—”

Mrs. Willow’s daughter made a fuss accepting the pie Amelie bought.

“Noisy! Why are you always so fussy!”

“Mother!”

An old lady was standing on the stairs to the second floor. Her hair was white, but she felt toughness and stubbornness in her posture. She gave a strict impression that it would not tolerate untidiness. In a way, she seemed like an older version of Mrs. Enard.

“What are you doing? Bring out the tea! How many times have I told you that you need to be quick!”

Mrs. Willow’s yelling was so loud that the whole house rang loudly.

“Ugh, you’re nagging again. Then I’ll make tea, so you can talk with my mother.”

The daughter entered the kitchen with Milena. It seemed to be the daily life of this mother and daughter. When her daughter disappeared, Mrs. Willow just came down the stairs.