While I was writing a letter to Evely, I had to put down my pen several times. My mind kept turning away to other thoughts.

  ‘Sovieshu truly loves Rashta.’


  Every time I thought about this, my heart ached and my chest felt heavy. Sovieshu was going to banish my brother because he posed a risk to Rashta and the baby……

  Well, Sovieshu had said that it would be unofficial. If it went to court, he probably feared that a scandal about Rashta may be uncovered. He wanted to drive the narrative that my brother “attacked the viscount”, not “attacked the Emperor’s baby.” If Koshar was charged for the latter, the court would dig and find out that Viscount Roteschu and Rashta were closely connected, and in the process, the story of Rashta being a runaway slave would spread. That would be something Sovieshu would want to stop before it began.

  But then what? Would he really allow Koshar to come back if he reflected and repented of his sins? I honestly couldn’t believe it. Why would Sovieshu want to banish a man for the sake of an unborn baby, but allow him to return after the baby’s birth? Sovieshu was trying to keep Koshar away because he was burdensome to Rashta.

  With the stormy thoughts in my head, it took two hours to finish the page-and-a-half letter to Evely. I encouraged Evely not to get too frustrated, and that I would continue to support her whether her grades were good or bad. I found I couldn’t even write proper words of comfort, because I myself had too much nervous energy.

  “Deliver this letter to this address tomorrow.”


  I felt bitter as I handed the envelope to Countess Eliza. Afterwards I paced the room, worrying about Sovieshu, Rashta and my brother.

  It was a long while before I finally left my room. I wasn’t going to spread rumors about Rashta’s past in the social circles, but I was going to use it as my hand so my brother wouldn’t be banished.

  As I walked down the corridor, a cold wind blew against my back. It was as if it was pushing me to go to Sovieshu. I took several deep breaths and went into the eastern palace.

  Because the eastern palace was the domain of the emperor, it was relatively peaceful during the day, and even quieter at night. The sound of my footsteps echoed so loudly in the corridor that I deliberately lifted my heel to make as little sound as possible.

  On the way to Sovieshu’s room, I had to pass Rashta’s room, and I came by an unexpected acquaintance. It was Viscountess Verdi, my former lady-in-waiting who betrayed me and left to serve Rashta. She stood nervously by the door, and her eyes widened as she saw me.

  ‘Should I acknowledge her?’


  The air was tense with uncertainty. I glanced at her for a moment, and she looked so flustered that she didn’t know what to do.

  ‘It’ll be awkward to say hello to each other.’


  Viscountess Verdi was unlikely to greet me, so I turned my head away. I didn’t even bother rebuking her for not acknowledging the empress.

  However, as I walked a few steps past her, she called out to me unexpectedly.

  “Your Majesty.”


  Her voice was so faint that I was initially unsure whether I heard her or not. She sounded sorrowful.

  I looked back, and I saw Viscountess Verdi standing by the door in tears. She had betrayed me and went to Rashta, and seemed to have found herself in an even more difficult situation. She was likely hoping for comfort, but now was not the time for me to do so. I tried to turn around, but Viscountess Verdi spoke again.

  “Your Majesty the Empress.”


  She left with those words, and disappeared as quiet as a ghost behind the door.

  ‘She seemed to have something to say.’


  Why did she leave without saying anything else? Was it something she found difficult?

  I paused, looking in the direction of the viscountess’ disappearance. The door was ajar. Normally, I would have thought it was a mistake, but it was the place where Viscountess Verdi had just been standing with a tearful face a moment ago. My eyes were drawn through the door.

  ‘What did she want to tell me?’


  I pondered over it, but her intentions were difficult to understand. I decided to go my way.

  “But Your Majesty……divorce? Wouldn’t the Empress’ family object to it?”


  I was surprised to hear a voice from beyond the door. I stopped. The owner of the voice was Rashta.

   

  ‘Divorce?’