Lady to Queen

He had to fully realize it that day. It was a fact that the woman he had known until now had not shown herself completely to him, and that she was not as good and tender as he had thought.     

He was the Emperor. His Empress could have laughed at his stupidity at being swayed by his mistress, but he thought she could not do so if she had been in his shoes. For him, his mistress was everything in life, a pillar that sustained his life, and a nourishment that led to his survival in life. Anyone, who was not even an Emperor, would have to fall in love with such an existence. Even his Empress, who spoke in a noble voice, would not be able to say that if she was in his perspective...     

It was a matter of transcending beyond good and evil, right and wrong. Survival was the priority in any situation. Moreover, in the present situation, when there was no successor, it was even more so for him, the only direct lineage descendant. So he had no choice but to fall in love with her. He had no choice but to have been caught by her.     

However, behind the scenes, there was also the expectation that the woman who made him like that was different from the likes of him. Unlike his dirty and ugly self, there was an expectation that she would be a beautiful and good girl. However, when he looked into the eyes of the Duke of Efreni who came into the room today, and the words he had listened to after, he was forced to realize it.     

'Ah, he was wrong.'     

Lucio had to completely admit it that day. The image he had for her was, after all, an illusion. It was unknown whether he was mistaken, or whether she had made him misunderstand, but what was certain was that what he knew was completely fictional.     

Of course, he did not intend to blame his mistress for this. There was no intention to blame. She was not the first person to be judged by him with such standards. He had just simply realized. That she wasn't a perfect match with his thoughts.     

He sighed. 'After all, it was what it was.' After all, it was what it was…     

Under the orders from Lucio, the Duke of Vashi eagerly investigated the matter to reveal only the truth without any discrepancy, but because everything had been falsified evidence and false statements, revealing the truth was like looking for fish on land. Eventually, the Duke of Vashi had no choice but to report on the day the Emperor had decided as the deadline.     

'Insufficient evidence.'     

Conspiracy was a sin that was powerful enough to destroy three generations. Therefore, the punishment was difficult without accurate evidence. If any evidence was submitted and proven to be a conspiracy, then there would be a great possibility of political abuse.     

Eventually, this work had to be done messily in the first place. Lucio took away the titles of Baron Diawadi and Baroness Phelps, and then drove out the two maids that made conflicting testimonies. It was the cleanest result, and anyone could accept it.     

Of course, it was Patrizia who suffered the most from this, but it was inevitable. She decided to be satisfied that Rosemond was only called Rosemond, but not Baroness Phelps anymore.     

Rosemond had to give up the title of Baroness but was not chased out of the Vain Palace. The maids of the Vain Palace were all replaced due to Rosemond's shock at having a traitor, and the number had been reduced as well.     

Rosemond realized once again that it wasn't a good thing to have a lot of maids, and decided to think positively. Anyways, from now on, she would not be hit with the axe she believed in.     

"Lady Rosemond, I'm glad you're still innocent."     

"Relieved?"     

Rosemond fired at Glara with an angry voice.     

"The title His Majesty granted me was taken away. Do you see that as good right now?"     

"…"     

Glara's mouth tickled at wanting to speak that it was fortunate she had kept her life, but she decided to endure it and kept it closed. If she had said more, she didn't know what punishment would be given to her from one who became just Vain Palace's Rosemond from Baroness Phelps. She reminded Rosemond that the title of Baroness was deprived from her, but she was still the Emperor's mistress.     

"But Lady Rosemond, the Emperor only loves you, Rosemond. Don't be discouraged. When you become the Empress, what is the use of a mere noble's title?"     

"I'm a fool who hired those stupid things. From now on, I should find more guaranteed assassins. Oh my gosh. To withdraw without even checking properly. It's a waste that I paid the entire amount of money."     

Rosemond burst out with an angry voice, and Glara just thought she was glad that she hadn't been condemned. Rosemond herself seemed to be unaware of it, but in fact, this was a huge achievement.     

To dare to try to murder the Empress, and she had even hurt the Emperor and she was lucky that she had only returned the title. Of course, Rosemond wasn't the type of person to be very satisfied with the details.     

"Ha… Anyways, I am glad that there are reduced unnecessary disturbances."     

Rosemond murmured while looking like she was thinking for a moment. What was she planning on doing this time? Glara had stepped up and worked together on all of Rosemond's work with her, but it was inevitable that she was terrified after having suffered through the recent events. Intermittent interrogation caused her to develop a pulmonary phobia. Rosemond opened her mouth, just as Glara revealed her anxiety on her face.