What’s even more absurd was that Aaron resembled her more than her son Leonel did. It wasn’t that Amelia’s biological son was Aaron. They were of the same age, and Leonel was certainly Amelia’s child. However, the problem was that Aaron, who had no blood relation to her, resembled her more.

How could someone unrelated look so identical? And Patrick’s reaction. His reaction was as if she really could be the Emperor’s hidden daughter. She had thought it ridiculous at the time, but seeing Raphael made her doubt.

“As long as the Emperor isn’t a fool, he won’t harm me.”

“How can you be so sure?”

He asked, knowing already. He wanted to avoid this topic of conversation.

“It’s the 700th Founding Festival. And it’s also the first festival attended by the House of Siegfried.”

Would the Grand Duchess of Siegfried be harmed at such a festival? The Emperor wouldn’t be such a fool. The Emperor is probably afraid of Siegfried and also afraid of public opinion, so he definitely wouldn’t cause an incident in the imperial family.

“And you’re saying the Grand Duchess would die there?”

He knew but he’s choosing not to say it. He wished she would give up on attending the party.

“It would ruin the festival itself, so that couldn’t be.”

Rather, she wished the Emperor would lose his composure like Patrick did. At least then, she would know why. But the Emperor is not ordinary. He has gained his power by not trusting anyone and being cautious in everything.

“I don’t plan to attend every day anyway. I’m not in good health.”

“…….”

Getting ready for the party itself was laborious for Amelia. Wearing an ill-fitting dress and heels, and having to dance intensely with him, she would probably collapse within three days.

“Is there another reason besides the Emperor trying to harm me?”

Even if there were, he wouldn’t answer. It seemed he wasn’t sure yet or had only recently found out.

“No, there isn’t.”

“I met the First Prince at the party.”

“The First Prince?”

His reaction was intense, not as much as the Emperor’s, but it showed he disliked her contacting the imperial family. This hadn’t been the case until before they attended the Founding Festival. Had he started suspecting something since yesterday?

“What did the First Prince say?”

“Well, you seem curious.”

He’s not properly telling her anything. She became curious about what was going on in his head. Was there really a secret about her birth?

“He asked if I was his hidden sister.”

The one thing she could be sure of was that if she was from the imperial family, Raphael wouldn’t have married her.

“Am I really the Emperor’s daughter?”

***

As she asked, she thought it was an absurd story. If she really were the Emperor’s daughter, he wouldn’t have reacted like that. At least if he met his biological daughter, he wouldn’t try to kill her. Is that what life is like for those in power?

“What are you talking about?”

His voice dropped low, sending shivers down her spine. The cold tone without any inflection instilled fear.

“Am I really some hidden child of the Emperor?”

“You know you’re the daughter of Viscount Seraphin.”

“… Viscount Serafin doesn’t have silver hair and purple eyes.”

In this empire, silver hair and purple eyes were traits passed down only through the imperial bloodline. That’s why Raphael had said her mother might be from another country.

“You might have wanted to be from the imperial family, but unfortunately, you’re not the Emperor’s daughter.”

Wanted to be from the imperial family? Who said that?

“I have no desire to become part of the imperials.”

“Is that so? It seemed like it.”

“No.”

“If the Emperor was your father, he should have caused trouble during his days as a prince.”

That was a correct statement. The Emperor was not that old. To have an adult daughter like Amelia, he must have caused trouble in his youth.

“But back then, the Emperor was on his knees, trying to catch the eye of the Crown Prince.”

The reason the Emperor did not choose a crown prince. It wasn’t just to avoid giving the position to a non-biological first prince. The current Emperor ascended to the throne without being a crown prince period. The Emperor’s time as a prince was similar to Aaron’s current situation. One was a legitimate Crown Prince with a strong backing, while the other was a prince in name only, whose mother was unknown.

It could even be said to be worse than Aaron. He was almost an abandoned prince. If you ask how he became Emperor from such a position. All you can say is he was incredibly lucky. Because the Emperor and the Crown Prince died of a mysterious illness.

“So, wife, you don’t need to worry about such things.”

“……”

Amelia froze as he whispered in her ear, coming close and holding her face. The touch, subtly playing with her earlobe, felt strange. She didn’t realize how he got so close. If she wasn’t careful, she would get swept up in his pace. His cool scent swirling around her nose also made her head spin.

“Shouldn’t you be concerned about your injured husband instead?”

“What?”

Amelia was angry at his light-hearted attitude, taking her mind away with his teasing. It was just fun for him to see her get swayed by him.

“I don’t think I need to worry about that.”

You’ll manage well on your own, anyway.

“And like I said before, don’t touch me so suddenly.”

Lying about an injury? If you’re going to lie, choose something else. Amelia’s face hardened quickly at the statement that he was injured.

“Amelia, I think you’re right.”

“……”

“The Emperor wouldn’t just abandon the throne he barely obtained.”

The throne he barely obtained? Wasn’t it because both the Crown Prince and the previous Emperor died, leaving him as the only imperial family member to succeed the throne despite his low birth? Hence, the Emperor spent his life trusting no one.

She was confused because Raphael disappeared before she could ask any more questions, but her preparations were moving smoothly despite her confusion. Was it not just luck that got him the throne?

“Mother!”

She seemed oblivious that Leonel was looking at her because of the words Raphael had thrown like a bomb.

“Mother?”

“Ah, yes……”

It took him several calls before she finally noticed.

“I want to escort you today.”

Her mood improved for a moment at his shy, fidgeting appearance. Knowing how much Leonel must have struggled to say this, Amelia reached out her hand. She couldn’t disappoint the child’s hopeful eyes. But no matter how mature Leonel was, he was still five years old. Even if his development was fast, a child is still a child. The escort turned out to be quite comical.

“A rather amusing scene is unfolding.”

“Ah, Your Grace.”

Raphael scooped both her and Leonel up in one go and lifted them onto the carriage. Leonel’s cheeks puffing up instantly was inevitable.

“It seems you’re too early for escorting by about 10 years.”

“…… It won’t take 10 years.”

To anyone looking, they seemed like a loving family, but Amelia knew this was happening on thin ice. The ice below could break at any moment, welcoming them with cold water that could freeze their bodies.

“Amelia.”

“……”

From Raphael’s conversation a moment ago, he realized she might not be of imperial descent. But could a mere noblewoman be part of the imperial family? That seemed unlikely, not just because of their matching hair and eye colors. Surprisingly, Aaron and her looked very much alike.

“Amelia……”

She didn’t hear him calling amidst the noise upfront. She trusted him. If Raphael says it’s not so, then it must not be. But the doubt in his voice left her feeling uneasy.

Murmurings.

She didn’t even realize when they entered the party hall. She was in his arms receiving greetings from people. The Emperor soon loudly announced the start of the party, and she had to dance with him. With people around, the Emperor showed no unusual behavior.

“Excuse me…… I feel sick……”

The murmuring of people seemed to grow louder. Rumors must have spread quickly. A Grand Duchess resembling the third prince with silver hair and purple eyes. Knowing she shouldn’t have, she ran away from there anyway.

She didn’t know where she was going but hurried on foot. She couldn’t stop even as she ran out of breath.

“You might fall running like that.”

Startled by the hand that caught her wrist as she ran mindlessly, Amelia turned around. There stood someone who seemed out of place here.

“Master……”