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Chapter 7
“Is that all? They didn’t even grab her hair! I heard she even asked if they were hurt!”
The maids all made reluctant faces.
“Hey, isn’t that a bit…? No matter what, that sounds way too exaggerated.”
“It’s true! My friend came out of the imperial princess’s palace completely unharmed that day!!”
At the same time, another maid spoke with a doubtful expression.
“Actually… I heard something too.”
“What? What is it?”
“This time, Her Highness the Princess placed a large order of purification medicine from the Imperial Ability Research Institute.”
“Purification medicine?”
The maids all widened their eyes.
“You mean that purification medicine? I heard she sent it to the Blue Radiance Knights?”
“…The Blue Radiance Knights?”
“Yeah. And she even sent jewels as gifts, saying it was a token of encouragement for the researchers working hard.”
The maids looked completely confused, as if they were facing some cosmic mystery.
That Cassia?
The selfish imperial princess who was so obsessed with luxury that she never wore the same jewel twice.
She gave away her personal jewelry collection as gifts?
And even supported the Blue Radiance Knights with purification medicine?
That purification medicine was famous for costing more to produce than the same weight in gold…
This was clearly—
“It must be because of Count Romanov.”
All three maids spoke at once.
No matter how cruel the princess might be, it seemed she was sincere when it came to love.
“But she also ordered that the entire knight order receive it, not just Count Romanov.”
“Yeah, yeah. She’s actually doing something good for once?”
Even if it was clearly done with some selfish motive…
It was still something the usual arrogant, selfish Cassia would never do.
But then—
“What are you all talking about so happily?”
A cold voice cut into the conversation.
Startled, the maids quickly turned pale and bowed their heads.
“Y-Your Highness the Empress.”
A noblewoman stood there like a blooming white lily, shooting sharp eyes at them.
Despite having an adult son, she looked almost untouched by time—pure and delicate in appearance.
Even though she was a maid by origin, her beauty alone had captured the Emperor’s heart.
The Empress.
But now, none of that gentle purity could be seen.
Her beautiful face was twisted with hostility.
“I didn’t expect you all to be this naive.”
She let out a mocking laugh and spoke sharply.
“So the moment that girl Cassia quiets down a bit, you start saying she has changed?”
“E-Empress…”
“If I hear you speak so carelessly again, I will personally punish you. Understand?”
She swept her gaze over them coldly and raised her voice again.
“Leave!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The maids scattered like sparrows hit by cold water.
Left alone, the Empress bit her lip.
Cassia… what on earth are you thinking?
The only bloodline of the late Empress, and the sole legitimate princess of the Astrid Imperial Family.
She also had the Duke of Diaz family from the north as her maternal backing, so even the Emperor could not completely push Cassia aside.
She was the biggest obstacle to her son Fernando’s future ascension.
That was why the Empress and Fernando had always seen Cassia as an eyesore.
However, Cassia had always been so empty-headed that they had thought, there’s no way she could surpass us.
Maybe I was too careless.
Recently, Cassia had locked herself in her palace, just eating snacks and wasting time.
That alone was understandable.
Cassia’s strange behavior was always normal.
But—
Purification medicine…
Deep wrinkles formed on her smooth forehead.
Spending her own money to support the Blue Radiance Knights…
This could definitely improve Cassia’s reputation.
After biting her lip for a while, the Empress finally turned around decisively.
I need to go see Cassia.
She needed to find out what Cassia was planning.
She would uncover everything.
Ah, happiness.
I was currently wrapped in my blanket like a caterpillar, happily enjoying all kinds of snacks.
“This luxurious life… is sooo good…”
As I crunched on a macaron, I flopped onto the bed.
On the table within arm’s reach were colorful premium macarons and various cheeses.
My favorite sweet-and-salty combination.
For drinks, there was a cold strawberry ade with fizzy bubbles.
What? Eating cheese and macarons together is weird?
I don’t care.
As long as I like it, that’s enough.
“Ahh… this is heaven…”
Right now, it was kind of a grace period.
The purification medicine I ordered from the Imperial Ability Research Institute hadn’t been completed yet.
The day that medicine is delivered to the Blue Radiance Knights—
I’ll be leaving for the North.
So I was fully committed to lazing around.
If I became the administrative supply officer of the Blue Radiance Knights, I would have to work myself to death until the world ended five years later.
Early morning drills… training… military life…
Wait, why are my eyes suddenly getting watery…?
Then a sharp voice pierced my ears.
“What exactly… do you think you’re doing, living however you please like this?”
Huh.
I blinked.
That voice…?
I poked my head out from under the blanket and looked up.
There, a noblewoman was looking down at me with narrowed eyes.
Even though she was middle-aged, she still looked like a pure white lily.
“…Your Majesty the Empress?”
Why is she here?
“How many days are you going to rot away in your room like this? Do you even think you’re worthy of being an imperial princess?”
She stared at me disapprovingly and continued.
“Your brother is working so hard for the country even now. Tsk…”
She clicked her tongue as if I was hopeless.
Then she continued sharply—
“I don’t know what’s going on in that empty head of yours.”
Honestly, I’d like to say the same thing back to you.
Showing up uninvited in my room and immediately lecturing me?
What kind of mindset is that?
While I stared at her in disbelief, she continued attacking me.
“Isn’t this far too luxurious?”
Eh? Me?!
Unbelievable. I feel so wronged.
Compared to the original Cassia, I’m barely spending anything!
“If you’re going to accuse someone of being ‘too luxurious,’ shouldn’t you at least explain the situation first?”
Still lying down, I asked back.
The Empress’s elegant face turned red and blue with anger.
“How long are you going to talk while lying down?! How disrespectful!”
“And you stormed into my room without even sending notice, Your Majesty. That’s very polite of you.”
I shot back like a villainess who never holds back.
The Empress looked like she was about to faint from frustration.
Seriously, why did she start this first?
I snickered inwardly.
“Haa… just stop talking. You’ve always been so immature.”
Shaking her head, the Empress spoke as if she were being generous.
“I heard you ordered purification medicine from the Imperial Ability Research Institute.”
“Yes, I did. So what?”
I replied while still lying down.
A vein popped on the Empress’s forehead.
“Are you really planning to send that purification medicine to the Blue Radiance Knights?”
“Yes, I am.”
Without even blinking, I answered.
The Empress narrowed her eyes.
“Are you not being reckless? Do you even know how expensive purification medicine is?”
“I know the price. I was the one who ordered it.”
“What—Cassia, do you not understand figures of speech?!”
The Empress finally exploded.
Her face was so red it looked like a ripe tomato.
