What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 29

The introduction of the letter was long. Only after two full pages of simple greetings, trivial chit-chat, and fabricated concerns did it get to the main point.

[……also, it is regrettable that I couldn’t deliver the King’s gift to you. It seems the Empire prohibits giving any kind of medicine to the Empress. Instead, I am sending you a small token of sincerity, hoping it can assist you in purchasing whatever you might need.]

Ysaris took out the currency that was inside the envelope along with the letter. When she counted the coins that landed on her delicate hand, it was 1 gold and 18 silver.
Certainly, it wasn’t a small amount, but it was severely lacking to be presented to the Empress of the Empire with any sense of pride. None of her jewelry was worth less than 10 gold, after all.
“Could it be…”

Was this the remaining money from reselling the potions? Are they suggesting she buy those things again with this?
The plausible assumption gave Ysaris a headache. It was quite a talent to make her nape, which had been calm for several days, tingle.
“Throw it into the fireplace and burn it.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ysaris handed the letter to her maid and got up from her seat. She opened the window, hoping to get some fresh air to clear her dizzy head.
A garden composed of her favorite flowers came into view. She saw a squirrel, which she didn’t know where it came from, climbing up and down a distant tree. A flock of birds flew across the vast sky, riding the cool breeze.
Freedom. Ysaris recalled a single word from the expansive scene and her face turned bitter.
It was a world she could not experience. Since falling into Kazhan’s hands, she hadn’t had a single personal outing, only attending official events.

Ysaris consciously took a deep breath to shake off the feeling of suffocation. She stared blankly at the garden before turning away.
It had been seven days since the day she collapsed. At least, she took comfort in knowing she could go out to the garden tomorrow and quietly ended her day.
It was the day before a turning point would come.

* * *

That day began ordinarily. Ysaris washed herself briefly and changed her clothes, forcing herself to eat breakfast.
Although she struggled with morning sickness, Viscount Lafaro had taken charge of her diet since she fainted, making it easier to swallow than before. The only hardship was forcing down food with no appetite.
“I’ll have a light refreshment in the garden for lunch today.”
“I will have it prepared.”
The clear sky naturally drew her attention. It was perfect weather for taking a walk and getting some fresh air after a long time.
Perhaps because of this, an unexpected guest came to Ysaris as she gazed quietly out the window.
“Your Majesty, the Duke of Blake has requested an audience.”
“The Duke of Blake?”
Temisian Blake. He was the man who hosted the evening banquet on the day of Runellia’s coronation ceremony.
They had only exchanged formal greetings a few times and were not close enough for him to visit her personally.
“Did he state his purpose?”
“He only said he wished to have a brief conversation.”
How strange. A noble of Uzephia coming to see me.
Ysaris pondered for a moment. There was no obvious reason why one of Kazhan’s known loyalists would visit her so suddenly.
It wasn’t just the Duke of Blake. It was rare for any noble to visit her, from whom they could gain nothing.
A powerless scarecrow who couldn’t handle the Empress’ state affairs. A puppet who couldn’t get even the simplest request granted no matter how much she pleaded with the Emperor. She had no power, and if mishandled, she was a dangerous item that could explode at any moment.
The nobles saw Ysaris as someone who could be of use only to correct the Emperor’s whims when he decided to play with her.
Ysaris was well aware of this perception.
“Did the Emperor cause another disturbance?”
“I have heard nothing related to that.”
This made the visit even more puzzling. However, there was no point in pondering it alone, so Ysaris nodded.
“Tell him I will go to the drawing room soon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”

* * *

Ysaris draped a light shawl over her attire for the walk. Without any further adornment, she headed to the drawing room.
“Duke Blake.”
“I greet the exalted moon of the Empire.”
Temisian stood up promptly and greeted her respectfully as she entered. Despite being the puppet Empress, he maintained proper decorum, showcasing his courteous attitude.
But that was probably the extent of it.
“What brings you here?”