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Chapter 20
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress, the Moon of the Empire.”
I forced down my boiling emotions and greeted her shamelessly.
Of course, the Empress, the Crown Princess, and those around them did not look pleased at all.
A judgment confirming possession of divine power.
A forced marriage to the Grand Duke of Praus.
Political training.
Anyone could see that my recent actions clearly showed my intent to completely suppress the Duke Zelon family, the Empress, and the Crown Prince.
They already hated me for being the daughter of a concubine—now it must be even harder for them to swallow.
‘And on top of that, Father’s side is investigating the mastermind behind Mother’s assassination.’
Despite the immense pressure and irritation weighing on her, the Empress responded in a manner befitting her status.
“Frey, what is it?”
“As you know, today is my wedding.”
“So?”
“I came to ask for a favor.”
“You? Asking me for a favor.”
The Empress was the highest-ranking woman in the imperial family.
In other words, it was her role to look after the women of the imperial household.
During important events, it was her duty to step forward and oversee proceedings.
And yet—
She was gathered with her close attendants, drinking tea as if she had no intention of attending my wedding at all.
A silent protest, showing she didn’t care about my marriage.
It was almost laughable—like a child throwing a tantrum, demanding others understand her feelings.
The Crown Princess, Garnet, who was sitting right beside her, cut in calmly.
“Oh my, Frey. Is it really alright for a bride about to marry the Grand Duke of Praus to be this idle?”
They say sisters-in-law are the worst…
Garnet appeared often in the original story as the mother of the heroine, but whether then or now, she didn’t seem like a particularly good person.
She seemed busy currying favor with those above her—the Empress and the Crown Prince.
“I heard the Grand Duke’s heart lies elsewhere… At times like this, you should be trying harder, Frey.”
“……”
“Even if your efforts turn out to be in vain.”
Garnet curled her lips upward.
So she meant I should dress up and try to win over Daniel, who kept everyone at arm’s length.
Well, to them, the Grand Duke was a man with a scandalous private life, so it made sense they’d try to provoke me like this.
‘Too bad I know he’s actually pure and inexperienced. That has zero effect on me.’
I smiled sweetly at the Crown Princess.
“I’d like to dress up too, but all the skilled maids seem to have gathered here.”
Garnet glanced around.
There were so many maids that it looked less like a tea party and more like preparations for a move.
Though it should have embarrassed her, she only grew more brazen.
“So, are you asking to borrow one of my maids?”
“Borrow? Are maids objects? And how could I possibly accept help from the Crown Princess’s attendants?”
As if she wouldn’t tell them in advance to ruin my appearance while pretending to help.
I lowered my eyes slightly.
Reflected in the teapot, I looked like a pitiful, abandoned puppy in the rain.
“I was just reminded that a marriage without the blessings of one’s elders is bound to end unhappily…”
The Empress twisted her lips into a smile.
Her face, filled with contempt for me, looked eerily identical to Tahar’s.
“Frey. Haven’t I already given you enough? Not long ago, I personally selected your maids and even served you tea.”
Her voice was elegant, without the slightest tremor.
“Yes, I remember. The tea Your Majesty gave me—the one meant to prevent me from conceiving.”
I answered clearly, making sure even those far away could hear.
Though it should have struck a nerve, the Empress remained composed.
“If you remember, then go back now—”
Her face suddenly stiffened as she noticed something.
The Crown Princess’s eyes widened as if they might pop out.
I turned toward what they were staring at and bowed.
“Oh, Father. Did you rest well last night?”
“Frey.”
At the end of everyone’s gaze stood the ruler of the empire—the Emperor.
His timely appearance was no coincidence. It was because of the message I had sent through the Imugi.
‘I didn’t drink even a sip of that infertility tea—’
But it would be useful to leave Father with another reason to thoroughly investigate the Empress.
Especially now, when all her attending maids were gathered here.
“Empress, is what Frey said true?”
Father barely acknowledged my greeting before questioning her in a heavy voice.
But the Empress was not one to be easily intimidated.
“What do you mean?”
“That you gave a princess about to be married tea to prevent her from bearing children.”
“……”
“Take all the maids and attendants here for questioning immediately! If even the slightest evidence is found, I will not let this pass.”
At the Emperor’s furious command, the maids panicked.
It was clear they hadn’t prepared for this.
Though the Empress had the backing of the Duke Zelon family and the noble faction, evidence of such an act would put her in serious trouble.
‘She’s probably been too busy covering up evidence of Mother’s murder lately.’
At least until public attention dies down, she’ll likely keep her head low.
Without someone powerful intervening, exclusion continues.
It was a sad truth I had learned in my previous life.
‘Before, I might have overlooked her direct malice toward me… but not anymore.’
Perhaps not expecting things to go this way, the Empress glared at me and began making excuses.
“I simply offered her a warm cup of tea before she left. I didn’t know it had such effects.”
“Empress, do not speak nonsense.”
“…Well, since you won’t believe me anyway, investigate if you wish. But let me be clear—I gave no such order.”
The Empress and Crown Princess left in visible agitation.
But their attendants were seized by the Emperor’s knights and couldn’t follow.
That alone would be a heavy burden on the Empress’s side.
“Frey. Why didn’t you tell your father sooner about something like this…?”
Father spoke in a voice filled with sorrow and gently pulled me into an embrace.
From deep within his warm arms, I could feel his heart pounding with anger and shock.
So this is what it feels like—to have someone on your side.
Something I had longed for endlessly in my previous life, I now possessed in this one.
I couldn’t let this world, where I am loved, come to an end.
“I only pretend to eat food given by the noble faction. I didn’t swallow the tea either, so don’t worry.”
“I have no face to show you or your mother. I will thoroughly investigate and punish those responsible.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“……”
“But even if something like this happens again, it’s okay. I have the divine power you gave me, Father.”
At my calm words, Father fell silent.
What must a parent feel, seeing their child speak so casually about preparing for poisoning?
I smiled brightly.
“Anyway, I’m glad you came. I was just being overwhelmed by Her Majesty and the Crown Princess.”
“It’s thanks to a subordinate of the Grand Duke of Praus who delivered your message at the right time. Frey, it seems you’ve grown close to him.”
Since I had sent the message through the Imugi, it wasn’t strange for Father to think that.
I didn’t tell him that the Grand Duke had no interest in me and often frowned whenever he saw my future.
If I said such things before leaving, Father would only worry endlessly.
Instead, I chose a harmless lie to reassure him.
“To be honest, I’m not close with the Grand Duke yet. Since it was a marriage I pushed for, it’s only natural he isn’t pleased.”
“Frey. It’s not too late. If you ask, I will find you another man—one who will obey you. A man with such a scandalous private life is—”
“No, Father.”
I looked straight into his warm, deep eyes.
“I like the Grand Duke. Even if it’s one-sided…”
I felt a slight pang of guilt at that part.
But I continued acting according to my role.
“So I want to be the one to keep him from being lonely.”
“Frey, the Grand Duke is a transcendent being. He lives on a different timescale than us. Do you really think someone like him would feel loneliness?”
“I’m not sure.”
“……”
“But it seems people only remember the love story of the former Grand Duke and his wife, and no one thinks about the Grand Duke left behind.”
The previous Grand Duke couldn’t accept his human wife’s death and followed her into death.
Didn’t the young Daniel, left behind in the world, feel something similar to what I once felt—being abandoned by his parents?
I didn’t plan to become lovers with Daniel, who despised love, but—
If we could become good friends who healed each other’s wounds, that would be enough.
“Also… his looks and usual behavior are exactly my type.”
Perhaps setting aside his dignity for a moment, Father gently patted my head.
“Honestly… your taste for proven handsome men is just like your mother.”
“Of course. Looks come first.”
“Yes, your mother used to say her anger disappeared just by looking at my face.”
Father shrugged playfully, then smiled while looking toward a pillar—perfect for someone to hide behind.
“I hope your groom comes to understand your pure love, Frey.”
So Daniel is there.
I raised my voice slightly, as if for him to hear.
“I hope the Grand Duke of Praus understands my sincere feelings.”
Though not even a gram of sincerity was in my voice.
