The empress fixed her gaze on the man in front of her.
His name is Vincent de Winsor, and he was the Marquis of Mod before becoming Emperor of the Empire.
He’s a man who sees her as a ‘connection to Rochester’ rather than as a person.
The emperor grinned as she averted her gaze.
After seeing his smile, the empress shuddered slightly.
Despite the fact that he was her husband, who had vowed to stay with her for the rest of her life, the handsome face gazing back at her seemed unfamiliar.
“It’s been a long time since we met, empress.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The empress elegantly lowered her head after opening her lips.
“I didn’t know the emperor would come all the way here. I’m overjoyed.”
The empress stated this in the gentlest voice she could muster.
I’m overjoyed.
Those words pricked the tip of her tongue like a thorn.
There must have never been a moment when they both liked meeting each other.
Meanwhile, the emperor could only smile.
“No matter how busy I am, I can’t live without seeing my wife’s face as your husband.”
However, unless there’s a particular reason, he never comes to meet her.
The empress managed to straighten her brow before it could wrinkle arbitrarily.
Until now, there had been only one motive for the emperor’s visit to the empress.
‘To ask for or obtain something from the Duke of Rochester.’
There was nothing else.
But this time, why?
“Recently I heard that the empress had found a new pastime, so I came here right away.”
“Pastime?”
You’re looking after the crown prince these days, aren’t you?”
…… As expected.
The empress took a deep breath.
The emperor’s grin widened slightly.
It was not a friendly grin however.
“Actually, I felt it was excessive to interfere in the empress’s affairs, so I tried not to pay attention. But there is some problem.”
The emperor lifted his head slightly and met the empress’ eyes.
The empress fixed her gaze on the emperor, her face expressionless.
“You seem to be interested in the imprisoned crown prince, may I ask why?”
“I did it for your majesty, the emperor.”
The empress responded without batting an eyelid.
The emperor burst out laughing, however, his eyes became sharp.