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'The life I barely regained after the black magic was dispelled.'
Iana repeated Charles' words in her mind.
Charles' eyes, filled with sincerity, were earnest.
Iana spoke, her voice calm, uttering words that deviated from the context of the conversation.
"Even adults need someone to indulge their whims. Someone to whom they can reveal their clumsy and weak hearts without reservation."
"......"
Charles only listened, as if trying to understand her words.
"To me, Your Highness is that person."
"Is that so?"
"But it's only because you are Your Highness that I reveal my clumsy and weak side. It's not like I'm someone who needs to be protected right now, is it?"
Iana cast a small spell.
An intense blue light rose from Iana's hand, which Charles was holding.
"I didn't want Your Highness to get involved in dangerous things. But if you've decided to do so, then I will fight alongside you."
"Even so......"
Charles looked at her with a worried expression.
"That's what Your Highness taught me, isn't it? To feel responsible for those you love. Isn't that right?"
Iana could see his heart.
Charles was a person with a strong sense of responsibility.
He believed and supported the Third Prince more than anyone else, believing he would be a good Emperor.
But his judgment had been wrong, and it seemed he was trying to bring the Emperor down himself out of a sense of responsibility.
"......That's right."
Charles finally agreed with her words after a long time.
"Do what you want to do. I will fulfill my responsibility by helping Your Highness."
Iana's eyes were firmer than ever.
The events she had with Charles flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.
"It's not your fault. So, Iana, don't fall apart."
"One must rise from where one has fallen."
"You are a truly beautiful person."
Charles de Rubena.
A beloved man and a teacher who taught her about the world.
Iana had grown as a mage in his shadow, and now she wanted to use her magical power to help him achieve what he wanted.
"......"
Charles stared at her intently without a word.
Iana, slightly embarrassed by his gaze, muttered.
"Th, that's not just for Your Highness."
"Then?"
"It's embarrassing for Iana Archmage to run away outside the border, and Mule Archmage will scold me if he finds out......"
Before Iana could finish speaking, Charles' lips touched hers.
Was it because of the precarious situation they were in?
The kiss was deep and passionate. They were eager to touch each other more closely. Their hot breaths were conveyed through their touching lips. So affectionately that their minds became dizzy.
Iana unknowingly wrapped her arms around his neck.
The intense blue light emanating from her hands dyed them both.
Iana's cheeks were already flushed. Charles chuckled softly at the sight.
"I like your strong Archmage side, but I like you even more as you are now."
"Now?"
Iana didn't know what he meant and looked in the mirror.
Her cheeks were round and red, as if she had been hit by the cold winter wind.
Like a clumsy child.
When Iana frowned, Charles caressed her cheek and said.
"Because this is a side you only show me."
"......"
She couldn't continue speaking because she was embarrassed.
Charles noticed this and changed the subject.
"Oh, by the way, it seems Lady Riel was the one who incited His Majesty the Emperor to adopt the theocratic political system."
Iana's eyes turned sharp. She then spoke with a thoughtful expression.
"Riel must have read the heart of His Majesty the Emperor, who desires immense power, and did so. And......"
"......"
"She intends to deify His Majesty the Emperor and become the Empress. With His Majesty the Emperor's immense power."
✦ ✦ ✦
At that moment, Riel was lying in bed with the Emperor, listening to what had happened in the office during the day.
"So, Charles is going to take the lead in changing the theocratic political system."
"Grand Duke Ervin?"
Riel's eyes shook greatly at the Emperor's words.
"Yes."
'Grand Duke Ervin is yielding so easily? That can't be.'
The Grand Duke should have at least pretended to dissuade the Emperor in a roundabout way.
But instead of dissuading him, he was going to help him take the lead.
The situation seemed to be flowing in a different direction than expected.
'This is definitely a scheme by Grand Duke Ervin.'
As she was lost in thought, trying to grasp Charles' intentions,
The Emperor's breathing changed lewdly. Soon, he slowly untied the strings of Riel's nightgown dress.
Riel suppressed her emotions and gently took the Emperor's hand.
"Your Majesty, people don't change so easily in an instant. It's suspicious that someone who opposed everything Your Majesty did until recently would change so much overnight."
Thud.
The Emperor pressed down on her hands forcefully, as if he didn't want to hear it.
"Charles said he would take care of those who rebel, so we'll know if we watch."
"But......"
"Let's stop talking about that."
The Emperor kissed her passionately, as if to devour her.
Riel was furious at the Emperor's lack of awareness.
She turned her head and quickly parted her lips.
"Your Majesty, Grand Duke Ervin is by no means an easy person to deal with."
At that moment, the Emperor's hand stopped abruptly. His eyes had turned sharp.
"Say that again."
"Grand Duke Ervin is definitely a cunning person. You shouldn't believe what you see."
The Emperor sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard, and gave a twisted smile.
"Do you think I, the Emperor, wouldn't know that?"
'The Emperor is now intoxicated by the sight of Ervin Grand Duke's surrender.'
But she couldn't stimulate the Emperor's inferiority complex any further.
Riel sat up and slowly stroked the Emperor's face.
"This isn't a matter of ability, but of recognition. Grand Duke Ervin is now preying on Your Majesty's merciful heart."
"......"
The Emperor stared at Riel without a word.
Just as she slowly leaned in to kiss the Emperor's lips,
The Emperor pushed her shoulder roughly.
"I don't feel like it today."
The Emperor immediately got up and walked out of the bedroom.
Bang!
The bedroom door slammed shut with a loud noise.
Riel thought as she watched him.
'The Emperor is a more vile human being than I expected.'
✦ ✦ ✦
A few days later, rumors that started at Madam Marie's dress shop spread throughout high society.
The rumor that Riel would soon become the Empress with the help of Duke Havel was exaggerated in a sensational way.
The rumor was that the Emperor's mistress from the Estina family, who had tried to poison the Crown Prince, was now trying to poison the Empress.
Iana headed to the Imperial Palace for her next plan.
She waited for Riel at the entrance, timing it to coincide with Riel's arrival at the Imperial Palace.
As expected, she ran into Riel, who was heading to the office.
"Iana Archmage, hello."
Riel greeted her with a bright face, as if she didn't care about the rumors.
"Lady Riel, how are you?"
Iana also greeted Riel politely.
"I'm fine. If you're on your way to see His Majesty, would you like to go together?"
Riel pointed to the entrance with her hand, as if she had something to say.
"I'd like that."
Iana and Riel entered the Imperial Palace side by side.
As they walked down the hallway, Riel stopped in a quiet place where there was no one around.
"Iana, thank you."
Iana asked at Riel's sudden expression of gratitude.
"For what?"
"Thanks to you spreading the rumors, people have started to pay attention to me."
"......"
"People will outwardly criticize me, but inwardly they'll think that way. They'll be curious about how a woman from a treasonous family captivated the Emperor and is even trying to make her the Empress."
"Are you just trying to dismiss the rumors as mere jealousy?"
When Iana countered without wavering, Riel asked with a stiff expression.
"You're up to something again, aren't you?"
Iana approached Riel closely and whispered.
"Riel, you're so strange. You don't do that, but you believe that other people are moral."
"What does that mean?"
"If the rumors are just rumors, then people will think you're attractive. But wouldn't the situation change if the rumors turned out to be true?"
After speaking, Iana pointed to the Emperor's office.
The Empress and Charles were walking together from the office, as if they had just met the Emperor.
"......!"
Riel's eyes shook greatly.
Iana kept her gaze on the Empress and spoke.
"Poison was found in Her Majesty the Empress's food."
"What?"
Riel looked at Iana with sharp eyes.
Iana also turned her gaze and stared at Riel, asking.
"But do you know what that poison is?"
"......"
"Seulanka. The poison you used when you killed the sculptor's assistant, Raul."
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