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Chapter 9
Amenda gave an awkward smile and looked up at Shan.
“So, about that girl Margaret?”
“Well, she is indeed the daughter of a fallen noble lord from the southern region. However, there is one unusual thing…”
“Mm?”
“She is reportedly very skilled in martial arts.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The Cliff region has many rough mountains and cliffs, so it often suffered from bandit bases and wild animal attacks. Because of that, the Cliff family traditionally practiced martial arts. When their only daughter showed talent in it, they invested heavily in her training.”
“What caused the Cliff lord to fall into ruin?”
“Well, there are several rumors…”
“….”
“They say the Cliff lord and his wife were in an accident.”
“An accident?”
“Yes. While traveling by carriage through a mountain road, they unfortunately ran into bandits… Ah, but those bandits were properly punished. At least that’s fortunate.”
Amenda nodded and put another tomato in her mouth. This time she kept her mouth closed and chewed quietly for a while.
Shan smiled.
“You’re unusual today.”
“Hmm? Why?”
“You usually only learn general information about the maids. But this is the first time you’ve asked for such detailed information.”
“Of course.”
“Pardon?”
“Until now, I’ve only done the most basic duties of an empress. Nothing more. And no one ever complained. But that girl Margaret…”
“….”
“I apologized, and she just said ‘yes.’ That means she thinks I did something wrong.”
“Why does that matter…?”
“She’s dissatisfied with me.”
“If I ignore it, that dissatisfaction will explode eventually. And then…”
Shan finished her thought.
“…she might say things harmful to you.”
“Yes. A single fish can dirty a well. No need to create unnecessary trouble.”
Amenda put three tomatoes into her mouth at once. Juice and seeds splattered onto her nightdress and the white rug.
“Hehe… Shan…”
“….”
“Sorry.”
Shan sighed but still didn’t stop her from eating.
Just then, voices were heard outside again.
Amenda swallowed quickly and hid the tomato bowl under her blanket.
A maid peeked outside.
“What is it? I sent everyone away…”
“E-Empress! Baron Raymond requests an audience!”
Elsewhere
Loud laughter and vulgar insults echoed in the imperial laundry area.
Margaret sat on a thick tree branch above them, watching silently.
Five men were beating one man.
But Margaret did not react.
Such violence was common in the palace.
A heavy punch landed on the man’s chest, and he collapsed coughing.
The others laughed.
But something was odd.
That man didn’t seem low-ranking.
“An illegitimate child? Or a new noble?”
Margaret moved closer on the branch to observe—
Their eyes suddenly met.
“…!”
She quickly looked away.
The man, despite being beaten, raised a finger to his lips and signaled her to stay silent.
Moonlight Palace
“Empress, I greet Your Majesty.”
A man with faded red hair and green-blue eyes bowed.
Even though he entered the palace rather rudely, Amenda greeted him warmly.
“Father, you’re here.”
“Amanda, what is going on? The whole palace is saying you are in critical condition!”
“…?”
Tenter Raymond looked at Amenda, then at Shan.
“…?”
He blinked again.
The rumors said the Empress had nearly died yesterday.
But his daughter looked perfectly fine.
Shan avoided his gaze.
Tenter sighed deeply.
“Amanda.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Whether you are acting or serious, I don’t care. But don’t make me worry.”
“….”
“I was really shocked.”
“Sorry, Father. Oh—do you want tomatoes?”
Amenda offered him cherry tomatoes. Tenter ate them absentmindedly.
Then—
“By the way, Father.”
“Hmm?”
“Is Gale not here?”
“He said he would be late. He’s handling something you personally requested.”
“Oh.”
That made sense.
Tenter looked pleased at his children’s bond.
At that moment—
“Empress, Baron Raymond requests an audience.”
“Let him in.”
The door opened.
Gale rushed in.
Gale
“Shan, I heard you were very ill! Are you alright? You had breathing problems!”
“Baron…”
“Damn it! I rushed here thinking you were dying!”
“Hi, Gale. That outfit is interesting. Wet rat style?”
“…Sister?”
Gale, soaked in water, stared blankly.
He had heard she was coughing blood and nearly dying.
But she was happily eating tomatoes.
He looked at Shan.
Shan avoided his gaze.
“…damn it.”
Gale clenched his teeth.
“Long time no see, sister.”
“Yes, long time.”
“I heard you had a serious incident yesterday.”
Normally, rumors said she was just “sick.”
But this time it said she nearly died.
Gale was furious.
Amenda casually handed her empty plate to Shan.
“Shan, refill this.”
“Yes.”
Gale’s teeth grinding echoed.
Amenda smiled like nothing mattered.
“By the way, Gale, change your clothes. You look terrible.”
“…Ah.”
Only then did Gale notice himself.
He awkwardly smiled.
Amenda narrowed her eyes slightly.
Something was off.
Then Gale spoke.
“By the way, sister… did you hear?”
“What?”
“The Stupid Consort has been confined for five days.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“That’s not something to say ‘really?’ about.”
The Emperor had reportedly declared he would sleep with the Consort during those five days.
Amenda tilted her head.
“Really? So he’ll stay in her palace properly this time? Then a healthy prince might finally be born?”
“Why does it always go there…!”
Gale sighed.
“This is serious. They are ignoring you.”
“I should be ignored. If I’m not ignored, I’d have to sleep with the Emperor. …ugh, I imagined it. Disgusting.”
Amenda shook herself dramatically.
Then she smiled at them.
“I’m really fine.”
“I expected this from the start. I didn’t marry the Emperor because I loved him. I just wanted the position of Empress. The title is enough. Being his wife? Disgusting.”
She continued calmly.
“I am the Empress of this Empire. I have protection from thousands of soldiers. I can live comfortably without doing anything.”
“I don’t even need to give birth to an heir because the Consort already did that.”
“So I don’t actually have anything important to do.”
She smiled.
“I’m not completely idle either. I still pay attention to policies and court affairs. I just don’t make myself noticeable.”
“I’ve maintained this position for a year through careful balance. I have no intention of losing it.”
She ate another tomato.
“I even eat tomato juice and pudding from my territory sometimes. That’s enough for me.”
She laughed lightly.
“And yes… I do sometimes miss it.”
“….”
“Living freely in my territory.”
She smiled again and kept eating tomatoes.
