“Her Majesty the Empress, please calm yourself. It is not good for the baby’s prenatal well-being.”

Bertisha, who had used Yezar’s heart as she pleased, was unforgivable. And I no longer had any obligation to tolerate her stubbornness.

“I do not know what has angered Her Majesty the Empress so, but I believe nothing lasts forever.”

With time, people inevitably change—whether it be emotions, relationships, or anything else.

“Even solid stone erodes with time. Surely the wise Her Majesty the Empress is not unaware of this fact.”

Bertisha’s words, poured out at me like an attack, carried an undercurrent of anxiety. Deep down, she instinctively knew it too—that there were things one could never possess again, no matter how much one desired them.

“Still, if my words have displeased you, I offer my apologies. It seems I have chosen a poor day. May I take my leave, despite the rudeness?”

I had no desire to waste my time on something no longer worth engaging.

‘And you, Bertisha—you wouldn’t want to hear my words piercing your core any longer either, would you?’

She spoke to me without hiding her displeasure.

“Today, the Duchess has been quite rude. I’m glad you’re aware of that. I summoned you hoping to ease my mind during this unstable period, but now I fear you might negatively affect the imperial grandchild. Please, take your leave.”

Under the cold dismissal, I bowed and exited the room.

“Yes, Her Majesty the Empress.”

‘As if I’d come even if you called me.’

Though grumbling inwardly wouldn’t change the fact that I’d eventually have to return to this palace whenever Bertisha summoned me, judging by how visibly her hands trembled and refused to stop shaking, she likely wouldn’t call me again for a while.

‘…If Yezar ever learned of Bertisha’s true feelings, he’d be deeply hurt.’

After all, his feelings had been sincere. It was obvious he’d be wounded knowing that someone else had so easily toyed with such sincerity.

‘I don’t want to see him suffer because of Bertisha anymore.’

So I would bury it. For now, nothing mattered more to me than ensuring Yezar’s heart remained unharmed.

***

And now, having left Bertisha’s palace, I was lost.

“Where exactly am I?”

The servant had clearly said to go straight and turn left, and I’d find the carriage. But the path before me was unfamiliar, unlike the one I’d taken earlier.

‘I vaguely recall hearing the palace grounds are winding and complex. How do I get out?’

Blinking in confusion, I tried to ask for help from someone nearby. But everyone passing by carried stacks of documents in their arms. I felt too guilty to interrupt them.

Trying my best to retrace my steps and find the way on my own, a painting hanging in the palace corridor caught my eye.

“This is…”

The painting depicted a sea at sunset, with a ship returning to port. I immediately recognized it as the work of Cortina, a painter beloved by the royal family.

The colors of the fading twilight and the clouds tinged with dusk were brilliant, and the depiction of the rippling waves was exquisitely detailed.

“Beautiful… This painting seems to carry the joy of safely returning to land and reuniting with beloved family.”

As I quietly gazed at Cortina’s painting, my anger began to settle. This was why I loved Cortina’s art—it brought warmth to the heart.

Then, footsteps approaching steadily came to a halt before me.

“I also quite like this painting. Our tastes seem similar.”

Startled by the sudden voice, I turned my head. A well-dressed figure entered my sight. After years of seeing the sculpted face of Yezar, my standards had become impossibly high, so such admiration didn’t come easily. Who was this?

As I carefully studied the man’s face, I soon froze in shock.

‘Those crow-like jet-black hair and those fiery red eyes! Goodness, it’s Camileo?’

Why was that wretched psycho male lead standing before me? I wasn’t thrilled, but he was the Emperor now, so I quickly bowed in proper etiquette.

“My apologies for the late greeting. Long live the Empire. I humbly greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

First Bertisha, now Camileo? Clearly, my luck today had completely run out.

“Please rise. I wish to discuss my thoughts on this painting with the Duchess of Ferhaem.”

How did he even know I was Yezar’s wife? He barely remembered anyone unless they were someone he personally favored.

“Others who see this painting usually fail to grasp such longing and joy. Yet the Duchess reads it with remarkable depth.”

“You flatter me. I simply collected several of Painter Cortina’s works before, so I’ve had the chance to study them closely.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Camileo’s expression.

“You said you collected them? How interesting. I wonder if the Duchess possesses paintings even I don’t know about.”

‘I’m not curious at all. Don’t be curious! I just want to return to my peaceful ducal home where Yezar is.’

But power was always a bully. I had no choice but to continue this uncomfortable conversation with Camileo.

Yet strangely, Camileo was deeply knowledgeable about art. Unlike those who merely collected paintings for show and recited rehearsed critiques, he genuinely sought to understand the artist’s intent and focused intently on every subtle detail.

At first, I had been sweating coldly, pretending to be at ease during our exchange.

But before I knew it, I let out an unexpectedly joyful laugh—and realized something was wrong.

‘Why is this conversation so enjoyable? Have I finally lost my mind?’

This was the man who nearly caused severe harm to Julietta over a single harsh word toward the female lead. Shouldn’t I be feeling anything but enjoyment?

Yet, meeting the Emperor apart from his relationship with Bertisha, he seemed straightforward and gentle—like a truly benevolent ruler. I knew it was likely a crafted image, but everyone wore social masks, after all.

“That’s why, whenever I see his paintings, I feel comforted. Perhaps everyone is so captivated by Painter Cortina’s works because they offer such moving solace?”

“Yes. Painter Cortina’s art captures the heart and enchants the soul. That is why the late Emperor, and I as well, continue to cherish him.”

“That’s understandable.”

Nodding in agreement, I smiled. Soon, Camileo asked me.

“But this is the Emperor’s palace. How did you end up here? As far as I know, you were invited to the Empress’s residence today.”

Ah. Bertisha must have told Camileo about my visit. But how on earth did I wander all the way to the Emperor’s palace…? No wonder everyone around seemed like overworked office workers.

“…Since I’ve attended only a few gatherings, I got lost within the complex palace grounds.”

“Why didn’t you stop someone passing by and ask?”

“They seemed so busy I didn’t want to be a bother.”

“They may be busy with duties, but they wouldn’t have ignored a request from the Duchess.”

“That’s true. They wouldn’t have ignored me…”

Yet as I wondered why I hadn’t, I remembered—I’d often been put aside for trivial reasons, dismissed as unimportant when bothering already busy people. It had become a habit, really. A terrible habit formed from living in the Count Orbetian’s household.

“I’m occupied with urgent matters, so I can’t escort you myself. Ah, now that I think of it, isn’t the eldest son of the Count Orbetian family serving in the royal court? I believe I see him over there.”

Indeed, the person Camileo pointed to was my eldest brother. I’d avoided him since the banquet and hadn’t contacted him, so I’d nearly forgotten about him. If I acted hesitant now, it would seem strange.

I forced a cheerful smile.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Since my eldest brother is there, I can finally catch up and find my way safely back to the ducal residence.”

‘I truly hate this. If only Yezar were here—he’d instantly sense how I truly feel.’

My eldest brother seemed to have noticed me too, and he was smiling brightly. He could greet me so warmly like this, yet I still harbored resentment—making me feel like the unreasonable one.

Just as I prepared to walk toward him, Camileo stopped me.

“There’s something I’d like to ask of you before you go.”

“Your Majesty has a request for me?”

Huh? Camileo had a favor to ask of me? Something about this request felt suspiciously familiar in the worst way…

My expression instinctively began to tighten. But Camileo’s face had darkened.

“Yes. I recently received a message from my longtime friend—and the Duchess’s husband.”

‘Ah! Now I remember—back at the royal banquet, Yezar mentioned he’d visit Camileo separately once urgent matters were settled.’

It seemed he had contacted Camileo in advance.

“He wishes to apologize for distancing himself without reason and would like to speak. Does the Duchess know why he kept his distance? If you do, I wish to hear it—so I may apologize to my dear friend for any wrong I may have committed.”

While Bertisha saw Yezar as a convenient tool to indulge her whims, Camileo genuinely regarded him as a true friend.

I couldn’t claim to be good at reading people, but the expression before me seemed sincerely troubled by guilt.

But the truth was, Camileo had done nothing wrong to Yezar. Loving someone could never be a wrongdoing. It was merely a tangled situation—nothing more. A situation that had spiraled, causing pain and wounds to those involved.

Therefore, the only answer I could give was this:

“I know, but I cannot tell you. I don’t wish to speak of matters my husband wants to keep hidden.”