“Ah, is that so?”

“When I made mistakes, I had to desperately clean them up, and when rumors circulated, I had to prove they weren’t true. This is the position I’ve defended while fending off countless schemes to push me out! Let alone someone like you!”

Aristie threw back the very words Estelle had spat out. She couldn’t lose to this black-hearted villainess.

Past memories flashed through her mind like a kaleidoscope.

At every party, her rivals trying to stir up scandals by having men approach her. Groups of people hiding in the crowd, imitating her brother’s manner of speech and snickering.

There were countless other incidents, but she never told Khalid. She knew he was already overwhelmed with his own affairs.

Whenever they appeared in public, Khalid always declared that Aristie was his companion. That alone was enough.

Being helpful to the Emperor’s reign, and furthermore, leaving her name in history as a benevolent and wise Empress – that was her ambition and wish.

‘And you’re going to nullify all those years and efforts? By cutting off my head?’

Preposterous!

Frost settled in Aristie’s blue eyes.

“I won’t say anything about you dreaming of wealth and glory with His Majesty as your backing.”

Just as Estelle was about to make a sound, Aristie fiercely pressed on, as if to cover it.

“But enjoy it alone! If you dare to make even the slightest move against me or my people out of reckless greed, I won’t let it slide!”

“What do you mean by that?”

“!”

Aristie’s head whipped around at the sudden familiar voice.

Khalid was standing in the center of the open door, looking at her.

‘Khalid!’

She was so startled that she was momentarily speechless. When she turned her head back, she saw Estelle’s expression subtly distort.

A cunning face that only someone who had seen her true nature could perceive, as if trying to hold back laughter.

‘Of all times…’

It ended up looking as if she herself was the villainess instead. She felt wronged, but she didn’t want to let Estelle see her flustered state.

“You’ve arrived, Your Majesty.”

Aristie calmly stood up and paid her respects. However, in the very next moment…

“Welcome, Khalid.”

Her eyes widened severely as her gaze was snatched away to Estelle.

‘What… Did she just call him by name?’

Estelle had clearly called him that. Seeing Khalid’s nonchalant reaction, it seemed they usually addressed each other by name.

But Aristie had never once uttered the Emperor’s name. The title ‘Your Highness the Crown Prince’ that she heard when first introduced was imprinted in her mind.

Like a chick imprinting on its mother.

She was that young, and he was such an exalted figure.

Moreover, her father’s increasingly extreme obsession made her carefully attach ‘Your Highness’ to her fiancé’s name. After Khalid’s ascension, she naturally started calling him ‘Your Majesty,’ and thought that was proper.

But…

‘Was it something that could be broken down so easily? To the extent that a mere commoner who hasn’t known him long can casually cross that line?’

Aristie’s heavily armored heart crumbled in an instant. Her face, which had been trying to hide her bewilderment, instead showed her misery as she watched Khalid approach the sofa.

“Tell me. What do you mean you won’t let it slide? Has Estelle done something wrong to you?”

Khalid, seated in the place of honor, asked directly. He seemed a bit surprised by Aristie’s unusually fierce attitude.

But he didn’t rebuke her. His tone simply suggested he wanted to know the reason.

“Well…”

Aristie hesitated. Wondering if she could speak honestly.

She says this is a world inside a novel. She claims to be a villainess from another world. She says she’ll cut off my head and become Empress.

If I say that, will you believe me?

Even without any evidence. Just my word alone?

“It’s nothing, Khalid.”

While Aristie was hesitating, Estelle naturally interjected. In a kind voice. Calling the Emperor’s name as if to make sure it was heard.

“We just had a bit of a difference in opinion. As you know, I enjoy writing. I mentioned that I’d like to write novels based on my experiences, but the young lady had a different…”

Estelle trailed off for a moment, showing signs of trying to contain her hurt. As if she had been treated badly but was trying to endure it.

Then, when she felt Khalid had noticed this hint, she continued with a faint smile in her eyes.

“…opinion. A heartfelt advice.”

Khalid, having heard the story, asked skeptically.

“Advice? It sounded more like a warning to me.”

“Maybe it was because her concern was so great. Isn’t that right, Miss?”

Not content with lying to the Emperor, Estelle even sought agreement from Aristie. Her skillful acting and brazen nerve were astounding.

“Is that true?”

With even Khalid asking, Aristie found herself in a position where she had to answer. There was conflict, but no matter how much she agonized, there was only one conclusion.

Her hesitant lips opened heavily.

“I apologize… It seems my expression was a bit excessive.”

Beyond Estelle’s clear gaze, Aristie could sense the arrogance of a victor. All she could do was suppress her anger that was rising enough to make her shoulders tremble.

If it had been just a matter of rude behavior, she would have reported it long ago. However, this was a matter that went beyond the moral dimension and constituted a serious crime.

Estelle had insulted the nobility, foretold the assassination of a future imperial family member, and identified herself as the traitor mentioned in the prophecy. To report such a person, one must present evidence or testimony to that effect.

But there was none. Aristie could show nothing.

Without evidence, her accusation would amount to nothing more than a shameless slander against the Emperor’s companion.

‘How can someone be so cunning!’

When she said it was safe to reveal her secret to her, this was the situation she was referring to. Even if Aristie exposed the truth, the public would dismiss it as nothing more than a woman’s jealousy.

In the end, it would only create new gossip. So, frustrating as it was, for now, all she could do was keep an eye on Estelle’s movements.

“However, there is one thing I’d like to correct.”

But she couldn’t just be helplessly victimized either. Aristie slightly raised her lowered eyelids and added.

“What Miss Estelle wanted to write as a novel was her love story with Your Majesty.”

“Huh? With me?”

Khalid raised his eyebrows as if in disbelief.

“Though unpleasant, I was trying to understand and let it go, but I couldn’t accept her saying she would include me as a supporting character. That’s why I ended up flaring up.”

This much should be enough to engage in a battle of truth.

Aristie counterattacked by playing along with the other’s lie. Estelle had called her a scarecrow, but if she were merely a scarecrow, she wouldn’t have survived this long in this cruel world of nobility.

Her resolve, which had weathered all sorts of schemes and scandals, somewhat resembled that of her once-strong father.

“What on earth was discussed while I was away…”

Khalid’s face turned sour.

It was evident that he was troubled by this unprecedented women’s quarrel.

‘You should at least endure this much.’

As Aristie muttered inwardly and averted her gaze, Khalid’s sharp golden eyes turned towards Estelle.

“Is what the lady said true?”

“Ah, I…”

Estelle’s voice wavered pathetically at the question that flew at her like an interrogation. It was because she had been caught off guard in an unexpected area.

She wanted to shout that it was a lie, but her opponent’s explanation was too plausible. It would be difficult to convince him otherwise even if she pleaded.

Since Aristie had partially acknowledged her words, Estelle had no choice but to acknowledge them in the same way. Rather than engaging in a fight with uncertain odds, it was better to hide her true colors and plan for the next move.

“It’s a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean it that way.”

“You’ve acted recklessly.”

But perhaps she shouldn’t have given in so easily. As soon as Estelle answered, Khalid began to reprimand her as if he had been waiting for it.

“You’re clever enough to know which part was reckless without me pointing it out. From now on, behave with proper respect in front of the lady. Also, be especially careful with your words. Understood?”

“I understand. I will…”

“And one more thing.”

Regardless of Estelle’s dejected expression, Khalid continued.

“Just because I allowed you to call me by name doesn’t mean it’s okay anytime. Unless we’re alone, refrain from using personal titles. Otherwise, you’ll end up in trouble sooner or later, by someone’s hand.”

“I’ll… keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

Estelle replied in a sulky tone, feeling that something was off.

‘How did this happen?’

Clearly, in the novel, the Emperor had little interest in the Empress. At best, she was just a political marriage partner, and the Emperor’s heart was consistently directed only towards the female lead.