It happened about fifteen days after the wedding.

“Your Majesty, the envoys from Hesta have entered the capital. They are expected to arrive within the hour.”

“They’re finally coming.”

At his aide’s report, Reynard set down the documents he was holding and let out a dry chuckle.

He had been curious about Hesta’s response.

They were the ones who not only sent a fake princess but also tried to kill her by disguising their soldiers as bandits in an attempt to destroy the evidence.

They must have assumed everything had gone according to plan, so he wondered just how shocked they had been when they heard of his marriage to Evelyn. And he was curious about the nonsense they would soon spew once they arrived at the imperial palace.

“How laughable, whatever it is they’ll try to say.”

***

“Your Majesty the Empress, the envoys from Hesta have entered the capital. They are expected to arrive within the hour.”

The same information was delivered to Evelyn.

“From Hesta?”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

She responded as calmly as she could, but truthfully, their arrival was far from welcome.

She could more or less guess the intentions behind the royal palace sending people.

Hesta likely didn’t yet know whether Evelyn was alive or dead.

Perhaps they had decided she was dead and covered it up.

After all, it would be hard to believe that a mere maid could have survived such a slaughter.

The soldiers disguised as bandits had targeted Evelyn from the beginning.

Had Reynard not appeared upon hearing the commotion, she would have been killed by the soldiers of her own country.

“We’re expecting guests. Can you help me prepare, Joy?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Evelyn rose from her seat and headed toward the powder room.

She was about to meet with guests of the state. She had to be thoroughly prepared.

She changed into a luxurious beige dress and draped a red cloak over her shoulders. She didn’t forget to wear the tiara adorned with flowing jewels.

As she finished preparing, a knock came at the door to the powder room.

“Your Majesty the Empress, the Hestan envoys have arrived at the imperial palace.”

With all her preparations complete, Evelyn began walking slowly toward the audience chamber.

When she arrived, Reynard was already there, seated.

Seeing her enter, he rose from his seat and approached her.

“Let’s go.”

Reynard extended his hand to Evelyn.

When she took his hand, he began to escort her toward the imperial throne.

“Nervous?”

“Yes. A little.”

These were the envoys from her homeland, who had tried to kill her.

Though they weren’t the direct perpetrators, they were the spokesmen of the king who had ordered her death. It was only natural that she would be uneasy about meeting them.

“There’s no need to be so nervous. No matter what the past was, you are now the Empress of Bait.”

Reynard gripped her cold, pale hand more firmly and encouraged her with those words.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

It had been about a month since she first met him.

At first, she had only felt fear and thought of him as an intimidating presence. But the Reynard she had come to know through direct experience was rather kind and gentle.

It was no wonder that Bait’s vassals and nobles followed him, captivated by his calm yet confident charisma.

Evelyn also couldn’t express how grateful she was to have such a man like Reynard by her side.

And how thankful she was to have been given a chance to live.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Reynard, noticing Evelyn’s unabashed gaze, asked with curiosity.

“No reason. My eyes just went to you.”

At her silly response, Reynard let out a soft laugh.

And finally, the two of them reached the thrones set on the platform. Reynard sat first, followed by Evelyn who took the seat beside him.

They didn’t have to wait long before the envoys from Hesta appeared at the entrance of the audience chamber.

When they saw Evelyn, they exchanged confused glances. Then, belatedly, they approached the platform and bowed their heads.

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress of Bait.”

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”

They bowed in unison to Reynard and Evelyn.

Even with their heads lowered, their flustered emotions were palpable.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Now, I’m curious—what brings envoys from Hesta all this way?”

Reynard smiled with feigned ease.

Daniel Bradley, standing as the representative of the envoy, cautiously lifted his head and opened his mouth.

“…We’ve brought a gift in sincere celebration of your marriage.”

“A gift? Now I’m looking forward to it. Ah, come to think of it—bandits reportedly attacked Princess Ophelia’s soldiers near the border. Is Hesta aware of this?”

“Yes, we received the news belatedly. We were concerned that Her Majesty the Empress might have suffered some misfortune, but it is truly a relief to see her safe and sound.”

Evelyn was stunned by Daniel’s brazen lie, but she didn’t let it show on her face.

“Thank you for your concern. I was able to remain safe thanks to His Majesty the Emperor’s grace.”

“I’m truly relieved to see Your Majesty unharmed.”

There was a faint crack in Daniel’s smile.

He must not have expected this. Not only had Evelyn, who should have died, survived—she had even married Reynard and become the empress.

“The gift was delivered to the chamberlain as soon as we arrived at the palace.”

“Much appreciated. You must be weary from the journey—go and rest. Over the next three days, we will host a series of banquets to welcome your arrival. Please enjoy them at your leisure.”

“Thank you for your generous hospitality.”

The envoy bowed respectfully to Reynard and Evelyn and exited the audience chamber.

Their first meeting had been brief. Evelyn, who had struggled to keep a calm façade in front of them, finally let out a long breath once they were gone.

Reynard glanced at her upon hearing the sound.

“I’m sorry. I was just nervous,” 

Evelyn said with an awkward smile when she noticed his gaze.

“No need to apologize. Just relax.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

***

As soon as Daniel stepped into the residence prepared for the envoys after leaving the audience chamber, he bit hard on his lower lip. 

Things weren’t supposed to turn out this way. Evelyn was alive.

In truth, the purpose of their envoy mission was to express condolences for the death of the false Princess Ophelia and deliver gifts to soothe the Emperor of Bait’s potential wrath.

But not only was Evelyn, who was supposed to be dead, alive—she had married the Emperor of Bait and become empress.

When news of the Emperor’s marriage reached them while crossing the border, they had only half-believed it. But it had turned out to be real.

For the moment, they had managed to improvise a justification for their presence, but the real problem lay ahead.

What if the Emperor of Bait found out that Evelyn was the fake Princess Ophelia?

‘If that happens, then what…?’

He tried to think, but only one conclusion came to mind.

‘If that happens, war will break out.’

Hesta was in a state of severe military depletion after two long years of war. Meanwhile, Bait, having secured a string of victories, had suffered almost no loss of strength.

If war broke out in such a situation—There could be no outcome but Hesta’s defeat.

“What are we going to do? That maid is alive!”

One of the envoys turned to Daniel in alarm. Daniel glared at him and warned,

“Watch your mouth. If His Majesty the Emperor finds out who she really is, our lives will be the first at risk!”

“Gah!”

The envoy quickly covered his own mouth in panic.

“Then what should we do?”

Daniel let out a heavy sigh at the question that followed.

“We’ll have to report this to His Majesty the King. Prepare the carrier pigeon. I’ll write the letter.”

This was a matter that could decide the fate of the nation.

It was not something he could decide on his own.