Chapter 176
It wasn’t a question directed at anyone in particular, but by sheer coincidence, there was only one person present whom the Empress would be expected to address with respect.
The proof of this was that all the servants fell completely silent, leaving that one person with no choice but to answer.
“…Well. It seems an unexpected accident has occurred.”
Ysaris couldn’t ignore a question so obviously meant for her, but she didn’t bother to hide her reluctance.
She had seen this pattern repeat too many times and could already predict what would come next.
“Oh my! I wasn’t addressing Your Majesty the Empress, but how kind of you to answer. No wonder His Majesty the Emperor is so utterly captivated by you.”
“…That’s too generous of you.”
What on earth is she trying to do?
Ysaris stared blankly ahead, feeling nothing but exhaustion.
The only small comfort was the sight of Mikael energetically chasing after butterflies. His tiny form darting around as he practiced shooting his poisoned darts—an exercise before hunting birds—was clumsy yet adorable.
“It’s nice to see His Highness the Imperial Prince running around so freely, but he should start learning proper etiquette soon. I wonder how much he has learned to read…”
It would have been an even better moment if not for this woman, whose words constantly grated on her nerves.
Ysaris frowned at the veiled criticism of Mikael, then smoothed her expression and coolly set a boundary.
“That is not something for the Imperial Consort to worry about. As his mother, I will handle it myself.”
Ysaris hadn’t treated Runellia this way from the beginning.
In fact, aside from the Duke and Duchess of Blake, no one in the imperial palace had willingly engaged her in conversation.
When Runellia first approached her, she had felt a mix of surprise and relief, enough to ignore the subtle sense of unease the woman gave her.
But soon, Ysaris realized the Imperial Consort harbored clear hostility toward her.
And upon reflection, it made perfect sense.
After all, Runellia had become the Imperial Consort, yet the Emperor was entirely devoted to Ysaris alone.
…But even so, was there really a need to behave this childishly?
“How can you say it’s not my concern? He is my husband’s child.”
“Do you truly mean that?”
“Why wouldn’t I? In a way, I’m also half his mother.”
Ysaris gaped at the sheer absurdity of the statement.
Where should she even begin to correct that nonsense?
Her mind swirled with questions—whether Runellia had lost her mind, why Kazhan had taken such a woman as his consort, and countless other thoughts that only deepened her bewilderment.
But knowing she wouldn’t find the answer at this moment, Ysaris swallowed her sigh and shook her head.
Instead, she chose the most pragmatic approach.
“There must be a reason you suddenly sought me out today. Let’s hear it.”
She had been in the Imperial Palace of Uzephia for months now.
Not once had the Imperial Consort spoken to her before this.
Finding out why Runellia was approaching her now was the priority.
“What do you mean, sought you out? I merely came to bond with His Highness the Imperial Prince. You were just busy playing, so I hadn’t had the chance to speak.”
“Then I would appreciate it if you quietly waited until Mikael is finished. And refrain from speaking to me.”
“I never addressed Your Majesty first, did I? You were the one who responded to my idle musings.”
Ysaris stared at Runellia, exasperation washing over her.
She had thought she had encountered all kinds of people in her life, but the more she spoke with Runellia, the more she realized she had never dealt with someone like this before.
She suddenly missed Pnesir, who had been shielding her from this nonsense until now.
Before stepping away due to an urgent whisper from a maid, Pnesir had been handling Runellia on Ysaris’s behalf.
In a social jungle like the aristocracy, people like her were invaluable.
“If you have no business with me, would you mind leaving? There’s no need for either of us to waste time.”
“Waste time? That’s quite a hurtful thing to say to someone trying to have a conversation with you.”
A moment ago, she had claimed she was just talking to herself.
Ysaris barely swallowed the words rising to her throat.
But that was the final straw for her patience.
Her expression turned cold as she addressed Runellia.
“Imperial Consort.”
“Ah, now that’s the expression befitting an Empress.”
Ysaris froze.
The words she had been about to spit out were forcibly pushed down by a long, deep breath.
Instead, she chose to dig into the meaning behind Runellia’s cryptic remark.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Hmm? What did I say?”
“I’m not in the mood for word games.”
Runellia smirked slyly at Ysaris’s hardened expression.
Rather than speak openly in a space where others could overhear, she deliberately formed words with her lips, silent but unmistakable.
Pa, st, in, ce, re, tu, rn, ing, ?
Ysaris’s eyes trembled involuntarily at the message.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.