CH 133

Conspiracy (6)

She wondered if Lucy couldn’t say anything because she was embarrassed to see that Roelin was now doing another job without money as well.

At that moment, Lucy instantly burst out laughing.

“What do you even mean when you say that you’re going to get your budget in advance? I’ve also heard of some of the Palace’s employees getting paid beforehand as well……”

“No, I thought that I had spent all my money and no longer have any left.”

Roelin became more embarrassed by Lucy’s smile as her face began to turn red. Then, Lucy opened her mouth with a gentle smile.

“You haven’t even spent a third of the Empress’s allocated budget.”

“……Huh?”

“We still have, well, more than half left, Empress.”

Lucy smiled again while curving her eyes as if she was looking at a cute little child.

“Therefore, you can just use it with confidence. Moreover, the budget will be allotted again when the year changes, so there will probably be more allocation by next year?”

It was quite possible in relation to Kergel, who was already in love with Roelin. Lucy continued to giggle at Roelin, who couldn’t even make a single sound at her words.

She was such a lovely person anyway. She never knew how much she had and no, even if she did realize it, it was unlikely that this would change by now as well.

‘I’m so glad to hear that. Your Majesty’s companion is not the Royal Daughter after all.’

Lucy then recalled Roelin and her twin, Rakain’s Royal Daughter. If that other Princess had become the Empress, everyone would have been deceived into having her as the real Empress……

‘Oh, it’s just terrible to imagine.’

Lucy eventually finished up Roelin’s hair by shaking her own head in horror. Her finely combed hair soon fluttered down naturally.

Although she did not decorate it with jewelry because of her personality, which wasn’t fond of such luxury, Roelin’s appearance in those ribbons and flowers was simply beautiful.

‘……so, how would you even accept so many gifts for the Empress with this kind of personality?’

Not only the merchants who were operating right in the Empire, but even most of the merchants on the continent had gathered as well. And they almost swept up everything that seemed precious.

At that time, she was also excited as she empathized with Kergel, but now that she thought about it, she became utterly worried.

‘No, it’s a situation where her birthday will be spent outside of the Imperial Palace and not inside. Maybe she can actually spend it at the Samalta Mountains instead.’

Lucy frowned as she remembered that Roelin’s birthday was just a day away.

It was understood then when Roelin had decided to go to Rakain as Silloa began to hold onto Lucy while feeling rather upset. At that time, she did not express her feelings since she was comforting Silloa, but Lucy was also very upset.

‘It’s her first birthday ever since she arrived in Seroif.’

More precisely, it would have been the very first birthday in her life.

Lucy gave up her disappointment and smoothed out Roelin’s dress. She had been changed into some comfortable clothes to leave for the road, so she didn’t have that many parts to be corrected, but Lucy’s touch was still very meticulous.

“Thank you, Lucy.”

Roelin thanked Lucy and eventually left the room. Right outside of the Outer Palace where they had stayed, some people who had been accompanying her were already there, including Duke Bönt himself.

“Empress.”

As soon as Roelin emerged, the Duke of Bönt took a step closer and bowed his head. Roelin then softly opened her mouth to the gray-haired nobleman.

“Are we all ready to leave?”

“Yes, all you have to do is ascend into the carriage, please.”

“Thank you, Duke. Thanks to you, I was able to move about safely.”

“No, Empress. Or rather, it is a great honor to have served you.”

A benevolent smile began to spread across the Duke of Bönt’s mouth. In fact, from his point of view, the Empress was just about the same age as his own granddaughter.

However, unlike the tomboy girl who had been very stubborn and liked to cause accidents several times a day, the Empress was so calm and collected that the phrase, ‘to have served you’, was quite meaningless.

Despite the fact that it would have been utterly impossible for a woman to travel from Seroif to Rakain, she never even expressed that it was very difficult.

Rather, she even carefully considered the fact whether the Knights and servants who had come with her were not having a hard time.

‘Well, that’s the reason you’ve become His Majesty’s companion.’

The Duke of Bönt escorted Roelin politely to the carriage. And only after Roelin had gotten into the carriage did he command for a departure.

Not a single person from the Royal Family of Rakain had come out. It was as if they had already finished all their business.

It bothered her a little, but she wouldn’t have to care anymore since she was just about to leave Rakain anyway.

“……mmm.”

Not long after the carriage had begun to move, Roelin made a small noise while stroking her hand under her neck. Then, Lucy immediately noticed her abnormality and asked in a hurry.

“Is there something wrong with you, Empress? Are you feeling sick?”

“I just felt a little bit sick in my stomach…… It’s not that big of a deal. It has become alright once more.”

Roelin reassured Lucy by waving her hand. But Lucy still couldn’t relax her expression. She managed to calm Lucy down after many repeated attempts before she looked out of the carriage and rubbed her lower neck once again.

‘It’s okay now. But why was it so hot a little while ago?’

Lucy had only been told that she felt bitter, but in fact, the sensation that Roelin felt was painfully hot. It was as if the inside of her throat had been on fire.

Maybe, it was just an illusion.