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~Chapter 54~
“What… did you just say?”
Richard’s voice dropped low.
He couldn’t understand why Amelie had to endure such insulting words. Anger boiled in his chest.
But the Empress only looked at him calmly, her face cold with disdain.
“From your reaction, it seems not everything in that article is false.”
“Do not speak carelessly about Amelie. She does not deserve such insults, especially from you, Mother.”
“She left her first social party being pulled away by a man’s hand. If that isn’t disgraceful, then what is?”
“If that’s the reason you call it disgraceful, then it’s me who deserves that scolding. I was the one who took her away impulsively.”
Richard’s list of things to apologize for to Amelie kept growing.
Because of his recklessness, she had been troubled. And now she was being mocked in her absence.
The worst part was—this wouldn’t be the end of it.
“You, a noble and brilliant son, cannot be compared to the daughter of a mere Baron. Even if she was forced along, people will still point their fingers at her, not you.”
“Then I’ll break all those fingers. That’s the punishment for insulting the Crown Prince’s companion.”
“Richard!”
This time, the Empress’s voice was not sweet but sharp with anger.
Her face, always composed, now showed clear irritation.
“She may have a large merchant guild, but a Baron’s family is nothing. They have no honor, no true power. And I hear she even runs the business herself these days?”
“You’ve been digging into her already, I see.”
“You are my son, Richard. Anyone connected to you must remain under my control. They cannot hide anything from me.”
“How diligent of you. I’m sure there are plenty of your spies in the Crown Prince’s palace even now.”
Richard had long noticed the filthy, prying eyes in his residence—maids, servants, even knights, all secretly reporting back to the Empress.
“Richard, you must marry someone worthy. You will be Emperor one day—”
“Ha! That again. Do you still cling to such a hopeless dream?”
At the word “Emperor,” Richard cut her off with mocking laughter.
His mother had started speaking as if he were destined for the throne. But no matter how many times he made it clear he had no interest, she never let go of her greed.
That obsession was what had pushed Richard to side with Bastian, the Crown Prince, in the first place. It was also when he stopped visiting the Empress’s palace altogether.
“Hopeless dream? Richard, you are far more fit to be Emperor than Bastian. You are the son your father and I conceived out of true love.”
“I can’t listen to this any longer. I’ll take my leave.”
“Richard!”
As he stood to leave, the Empress shouted, her voice sharp with fury.
“I will never allow you to lower yourself with someone so base! You are not Patricia—why would you settle for less?”
Crack.
At the mention of his dead half-sister, Patricia, Richard clenched his teeth hard enough to grind. Rage consumed him.
But he could not cast away his mother here and now.
“While His Majesty still lives, I suggest you focus on preserving your position. If you lose even your honor… you know how pitiful you will become.”
Without another glance, Richard turned his back and left the Empress’s palace.
I hummed lightly as I basked in the morning sunlight through the window.
This peaceful Monday morning felt more precious than ever.
The Empire was no longer in chaos over the Crown Prince’s scandal.
Richard had declared publicly that he and I were just close friends. He even used the excuse that he had wanted to request goods from the Garnet merchant guild.
Baron Garnet confirmed this. And when it was revealed the items were toys for orphans at the relief center, the last of the suspicions disappeared—replaced instead by praise for Richard.
Even better, the story claimed I would donate the toys with my own money, which raised my reputation too.
And the truth was, Richard had planned gifts for the orphans. Of course, I was happy to donate as well.
“Thankfully, everything worked out well.”
Now all that was left was to explain properly to Lyssa.
I had temporarily closed my counseling office today, waiting at the mansion only to meet her.
“When did Lady Lyssa say she’d arrive?”
“In about an hour.”
“Oh, that’s soon!”
Omok looked cheerful at the news of Lyssa’s visit.
The little bird flapped his wings and hopped excitedly on the table.
“Do you really like Lyssa that much?”
“N-no! It’s not like that. I’m just curious because she’s the heroine of the original story!”
“Why would the guide of a transmigrator be ‘curious’ about the heroine? Just admit you like her.”
“T-that’s not it!”
Omok puffed up his feathers in protest.
But no matter how angry he looked, he was too small to be scary. He only looked like a fluffy cotton ball.
“Anyway, you can’t even talk to her today, you know?”
“What? Why not?”
“Well, this isn’t the counseling office, it’s the mansion. Your human boy form hasn’t been seen here before.”
“….”
I had only meant to tease him, but Omok froze as if the whole world had collapsed.
“Are you okay? Was that really such a shock?”
I poked him with my finger a few times, but he didn’t move.
Could it be—had he actually fallen for Lyssa?
Well, Omok being able to talk at all was already impossible, so I decided not to overthink it.
“Miss, Viscount Medaniel has arrived at the front of the mansion.”
“So soon?”
Omok was still stunned when, unexpectedly, Lyssa arrived early.
I quickly placed him back into his cage and leaned close.
“I’ll let you meet Lyssa at the office next time. So pull yourself together.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. But for now, stay like a proper bird.”
“Leave it to me!”
At once, Omok perked up and flew onto the little decorative branch in his cage.
Now he looked like nothing but a normal tiny bird again.
I gave him a thumbs up in approval.
“Shall I bring out the tea now, my lady?”
The maid who had been waiting nearby asked cautiously.
She had clearly seen me grinning and giving a thumbs up at the birdcage, and was forcing an awkward smile.
“Ah… yes. And bring out the cookies I baked yesterday, too.”
Ugh—so embarrassing!
Inside, I was kicking my blanket in shame, but I tried to answer calmly.
This is all Omok’s fault for living here!
Soon the tea and cookies were prepared. I had even wrapped the cookies in a special tin case—just for Lyssa.
Right. This was what mattered now.
I had to be sure Lyssa wasn’t hurt or still misunderstanding me because of the rumors.
But why do I have such a bad feeling?
Even though I believed Lyssa would trust me, unease settled in my heart.
Knock, knock, knock.
Before I could dwell on the feeling, a knock came at the door.
“My lady, Viscount Medaniel has arrived.”
“Yes. Come in, Lyssa.”
I smiled as Lyssa entered with Sophia.
But her expression was far from friendly.
“Amelie, I’m truly disappointed in you.”
And so, my bad feeling came true.
Lyssa’s thunderous words struck me down in despair.
