PWE 06

“Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived.”

“Oh, let her enter.”

Even at a glance, his voice sounded happy to hear the news. A faint smile also appeared on Amanda’s face.

There was no reason to dislike someone who welcomed her warmly.

After dismissing the maids, only Shan and Amanda entered the Sky Palace.

Despite being over fifty years old, the man still carried overwhelming dignity. His rich blond hair and deep blue eyes stood out sharply. Charles, the middle-aged man with a restrained expression, personally rose from his seat to greet Amanda.

After greeting Charles, Amanda naturally shifted her gaze beside him.

A woman with dark blue hair reaching down to her hips lay there with her eyes closed and lips tightly shut.

Amanda politely bowed deeply to the woman as well before greeting Charles again.

A satisfied smile appeared on Charles’s face as he looked at her.

“Greetings to the Former Emperor.”

“You can stop being so formal and sit down.”

Amanda sat in the chair the servant pulled out for her and looked at Charles.

Charles stared directly into her eyes.

“You can stop being so formal and sit down.”

‘Hm? What is it? Is there something on my face?’

Amanda awkwardly smiled and rubbed her face with her hand.

“No, no. It’s just… it feels like it has been a long time since I last saw you.”

“I apologize. This foolish body of mine failed to take care of its health…”

“Do not say such things. It is not as though you wished to be sick.”

“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s kindness.”

After Amanda finished greeting him, the servants began bringing in the food.

Seeing the dishes being served, Shan, who stood behind Amanda, looked at Charles in confusion.

The soup was so watery it almost looked like plain water. There was rough whole wheat bread with an unpleasant smell. Then there were various fruits carelessly placed on the table as if saying, “Here, just eat this.”

It was completely different from the meals Amanda usually ate at Moonlight Palace.

‘You threw my lady into this pit, and this is what you serve her?’

Shan barely stopped her eyes from turning sharp with anger and lowered her head.

Of course, it was natural for him to eat such food.

After all—

“I apologize. But if I eat delicious food beside her, wouldn’t she also want to eat it?”

“I understand, Your Majesty. Please do not worry about me. My body is weak anyway, so rich foods do not suit me.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Clink. Clink.

Amanda and Charles quietly began eating without speaking.

After some time passed, Charles suddenly burst into laughter.

“Former Emperor…?”

“Ah, forgive me. Continue eating.”

“Did something happen?”

“No, no. It’s nothing. It’s just…”

“Just…?”

“I like this. Sitting here like this.”

“Pardon…?”

“I like this. Sitting here like this.”

‘What is he suddenly talking about?’

Amanda tilted her head slightly without realizing it.

As she tried to understand the meaning behind his words, her eyes met Charles’s directly.

Feeling awkward for no reason, Amanda stabbed at her lettuce repeatedly with her fork.

Charles smiled softly.

“Amanda.”

“Yes, Former Emperor.”

“Do you… hate me?”

“Pardon?”

“I ignored Baron Raymond’s opposition and made you Empress. Yet my only son is making your life miserable.”

“…”

“Do you… hate me?”

“How could I possibly understand all your feelings? Still… if you wish to blame someone, blame me instead of that child. After all… this all began because of me.”

“No, Your Majesty. Because you personally chose me as Empress, I was able to stay beside the person I love. How could I ever measure such kindness? Rather, I only feel sorry for failing to live up to Your Majesty’s expectations.”

“You have no reason to apologize. This is all…”

Charles did not finish his sentence.

Instead, he forced a smile and ended the conversation there.

After that, the silent meal continued. Once they finished eating, they enjoyed desserts with barely any scent.

The soft sound of dishes quietly filled the room, and a small smile appeared on Charles’s lips.

Then suddenly, the voice of a guard shattered the peaceful atmosphere.

“Former Emperor, Her Highness the Imperial Consort requests an audience.”

“Send her away. I am dining with the Empress.”

“T-That is…”

“Your Majesty, this humble Imperial Consort Deborah has urgent matters to discuss with the Former Emperor. Please grant me permission.”

Charles looked at Amanda.

He was asking if he should allow it.

Amanda smiled gently and nodded.

With an unwilling expression, Charles said, “Let her enter.”

The moment he finished speaking, the door opened and Deborah strode inside.

Unlike Amanda, who dismissed all her maids before entering the Sky Palace, Deborah entered with all of her attendants.

The sudden disturbance caused Charles to slightly frown.

“Greetings to the Former Emperor. May the blessings of heaven be with you.”

“Yes. Sit down.”

“Thank you.”

Deborah sat proudly across from Amanda without even greeting her, despite Amanda still being the Empress.

‘Ha, would you look at that?’

Shan stared at Deborah.

Her flashy red dress and small crown-shaped gold accessories made Deborah look more like the Empress than a mere Imperial Consort.

Compared to Deborah’s dress, Amanda’s dress looked like something from a countryside home.

Yet Amanda calmly smiled and greeted her.

“It has been a while, Imperial Consort.”

“Oh my, the Empress was here too? I didn’t notice.”

There was no way she had not noticed.

Amanda smiled kindly and took a sip of tea.

Charles openly showed his displeasure and frowned deeply.

“So then, what urgent matter is important enough to interrupt my conversation with the Empress?”

“Ah, well…”

Deborah flinched at Charles’s cold tone, but only for a moment.

Covering her lips with a fan decorated with scarlet feathers, she smiled awkwardly at Amanda.

‘Hm? Does she mean I shouldn’t be here?’

“It seems the Imperial Consort wishes to speak with the Former Emperor alone. Then I shall—”

“Oh my, would you?”

Deborah answered immediately as if she had been waiting for it.

Shan’s eyes grew sharper and sharper.

Just because she received the Emperor’s favor, how could she behave so arrogantly? Especially in front of the Former Emperor.

Amanda secretly tapped Shan’s side with her elbow.

It meant she was going to stand up and wanted Shan to support her.

As Shan helped the perfectly healthy Amanda rise, Charles spoke in a low voice.

“No. The Empress will remain seated.”

“Pardon? But…”

“Former Emperor, forgive me for saying this, but what I must discuss… is difficult to say in front of Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Difficult? What is difficult about it?”

“Pardon?”

“The Empress is the mother of this Empire and the closest servant beside the master of this palace.”

“The Empress is the mother of this Empire and the closest servant beside the master of this palace. What matter could possibly be so difficult that a mere Imperial Consort would dare send away the Empress of this nation?”

“…”

“Think carefully before you speak. I dislike useless disturbances and the people who create them.”

“…”

“Seeing how you are choosing the timing, it does not seem all that important.”

Perhaps you should leave now.

Charles let out a quiet laugh and gestured for Deborah to leave.

He had not even offered her tea yet.

Deborah tightly gripped her dark red velvet dress.

If the person before her had merely been a servant, she would have slapped them immediately.

But the man before her was the Former Emperor himself, the highest authority in the imperial family.

So Deborah swallowed her anger and forced the corners of her lips upward into a fake smile.

“What I wish to discuss… concerns His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Oh?”

“Are you aware of the policy His Majesty is currently trying to push forward?”

“Yes. He plans to build schools. The nobles are opposing it fiercely, which is concerning… but that is now his matter to handle, not mine.”

“I see. However, there seems to be a problem with the policy.”

“They say there is not enough funding.”

“Yes. They lack funds to hire teachers and even to build the schools themselves. Right now, they only have enough money to build schools around the capital.”

“And?”

“So I was thinking that the imperial family should gather funds to support the policy. What are your thoughts, Former Emperor?”

“…”

Charles silently stared at Deborah.

Since he did not answer, Deborah also remained silent.

After a long moment, Charles smiled faintly and spoke first.

“That does not sound like something the Imperial Consort should be saying.”

“Pardon?”

“If you sold the necklace you are wearing, it would build at least three classrooms. If you sold that dress, forget classrooms—you could build an entire school.”

“T-That…”

“If you sold that dress, forget classrooms—you could build an entire school.”

“You cannot even give up your own belongings, yet you urge others to participate. How laughable.”

“…”

“The Empress, despite her weak body, knelt before the ministers and begged the Emperor to withdraw his order to buy new furniture because she thought the money spent on herself was wasteful. But what have you done until now, Imperial Consort? I truly wonder.”

“…”

“And before involving yourself in politics, perhaps you should pay attention to the Prince. I hear his asthma is growing worse.”

“…”

“Tsk. A person who cannot even properly care for her own child wishes to care for the people of this Empire? Before demanding participation from others, reflect upon yourself first.”

“…Yes. I will remember that.”

The grinding sound of Deborah’s teeth was loud enough for even the maids beside her to hear.

‘Looks like someone will end up crippled again today.’

The maids silently prayed that the future victim would not be them.

“If that is all you wished to say, then leave. I was enjoying my time with the Empress.”

In other words, you are interrupting us.

Deborah bit her lip and forced a smile.

“Forgive my rudeness.”

She stood up from her seat.

As she turned away, Charles spoke coldly.

“When you come to see me, first learn how to hide those dark thoughts of yours.”

“…”

“Even without trying to see them, they are far too easy to read.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

Everyone in the Sky Palace could tell that Deborah was trembling with rage as she left.

But not a single person pitied her.

After Deborah and her maids left, Charles completely dropped his cold demeanor and spoke warmly, like gentle sunlight.

“My, I showed such an ugly side of myself in front of the Empress.”

“Not at all, Your Majesty.”

“You also need to become a little stricter. No matter how weak your body is, and no matter if you do not receive the Emperor’s affection, you are still the Empress of this nation.”

“…”

“You are still the Empress of this nation.”

“She dared to wear red, a color reserved only for the Empress, through such petty tricks. How rude and shameless. If her behavior displeases you, then punish her. Matters of the inner palace belong to the Empress. And if the Emperor says anything, come directly to me. I will immediately stand by your side.”

“Your words alone are already more than enough. I only feel sorry for causing Your Majesty concern.”

Amanda lowered her head with a sad expression.

Charles stared at her carefully before smiling softly.

Then he spoke with a smile on his face.

“I am truly glad that you are the Empress.”

As he said that, Charles’s eyes flashed sharply like lightning.