Evelyn, who had shut her eyes tightly, opened them and blinked a few times at Greta. The fear that she might be beaten immediately for deceiving a noble now felt almost laughable.

“Y-You’re not angry?”

The nobles Evelyn knew were mostly arrogant and aloof. If someone deceived or tricked them, they would usually punish the person on the spot.

Having grown up in the imperial castle, Evelyn had often seen people flogged for absurd charges. So she naturally assumed Greta would be no different.

But Greta wasn’t angry. She only asked for an explanation, as if curious about what had happened. That reaction felt strange to Evelyn.

Were all the people of Bait so kind and understanding? Both Joy and Greta, despite being deceived by Evelyn, didn’t seem especially upset about it.

“Angry?”

“Yes.”

At Evelyn’s confirmation, Greta narrowed her eyes slightly, as if contemplating.

“It’s certainly unpleasant.”

Eventually, Greta frowned slightly as she gave her answer. Evelyn exhaled softly and lowered her gaze at the expected response.

“But that’s that. For now, tell me the story. I’m curious.”

However, her next words were filled with curiosity.

Evelyn looked at her, flustered.

“Are you really okay with this?”

“No, I told you it’s unpleasant. But that’s how I feel. I’m still curious, so I’d like to hear your explanation.”

As Evelyn hesitated, Greta urged her again.

“Um, well…”

Evelyn was struggling to find the words.

“It’s best to hear that story slowly, Lady Emmett.”

The door opened, and Reynard entered the room, speaking to Greta.

Greta and Joy stood up at the sound of his voice and greeted him. Reynard responded with a simple wave and walked over to Evelyn, standing by her side.

“The sudden spread of the rumors has been difficult for the Empress. So wouldn’t it be better to hear the details gradually?”

Reynard gently suggested. But it was not so much a suggestion as it was a veiled command.

Greta frowned briefly but then nodded in understanding and bowed her head to Evelyn.

“I understand. Then, Your Majesty the Empress, I shall take my leave.”

“Please get home safely.”

Greta slowly left the bedroom.

With the sound of the door closing, only Evelyn, Reynard, Joy, and Laura remained in the room. Even then, Reynard gestured to Joy and Laura, silently signaling them to leave as well.

“Are you all right?”

Now alone with Evelyn, Reynard asked her.

Still a bit dazed, Evelyn answered a beat late.

“Yes, I’m all right. But… does this mean everything is truly exposed now?”

First Joy, and now even Greta had learned that Evelyn was an imposter. If even a maid like Joy had heard rumors about her real identity, it was certain that the rumors about her had already spread throughout the imperial castle.

Reynard let out a quiet sigh and nodded.

“The matter was brought up in this morning’s state council meeting. It seems Duke Emmett has already completed his investigation.”

“I see.”

Evelyn had suspected the truth would come out eventually, but now that the moment had suddenly arrived, she couldn’t help feeling surprised.

“Then… what happens to me now?”

That was the most important question. Until now, Evelyn had lived in the imperial castle as Princess Ophelia and Empress of Bait.

But now that it was revealed she was a fake, she could no longer remain as Bait’s Empress or as Princess Ophelia.

So now, she had to think about what position she should hold going forward. Since she didn’t know Reynard’s plan, Evelyn couldn’t act on her own initiative.

“For now, just stay as you are.”

“As Bait’s Empress?”

Evelyn asked again in surprise, her eyes widening.

Reynard nodded calmly and added an explanation.

“You don’t exactly have another place to go, do you? So stay here and be comfortable.”

“But how could I possibly continue to stay on as Empress? Didn’t you say that the truth is already out?”

Evelyn couldn’t understand how she could continue pretending to be Empress when everything had already been exposed. Even if she personally wished to stay, it was obvious people would criticize that decision.

“You’re fine, so there’s no need to worry. And for a while, you won’t need to attend any official events. Just stay here. I’ll speak to the attendants, so don’t concern yourself with it.”

Reynard said this as he placed a hand on Evelyn’s shoulder.

“……”

Evelyn still found it difficult to accept Reynard’s words, but since he had already said it was all right, she couldn’t argue further.

“Then… if you have any plans moving forward, could you let me know?”

If she was to remain here, surely there must be a reason. Understanding her position, Reynard paused briefly before speaking.

“First, I should ask why you were sent in place of Princess Ophelia.”

It was a rather belated question at this point. Evelyn had even wondered why he had never asked before, despite knowing she was a false Princess Ophelia.

Flustered, Evelyn hesitated as she began her explanation.

“His Majesty the King did decide to send Princess Ophelia to His Majesty the Emperor, but… Princess Ophelia was strongly opposed to it.”

“So they sent you in her place?”

“Yes. The princess and I have similar hair and eye color. So my mother… proposed a plan to His Majesty. She suggested sending me in place of the princess.”

At Evelyn’s words, Reynard furrowed one eyebrow.

“Your mother didn’t know the soldiers in Hesta would be disguised as bandits to kill the fake princess?”

“…I’m not sure.”

Evelyn couldn’t be certain of that part either. As distant as they may have been, she was still Glenna’s daughter. If Glenna had known Evelyn would be killed, would she have sent her to Bait at all?

‘……’

Yet despite the lingering questions, Evelyn couldn’t be sure. For Glenna, the top priority had always been Princess Ophelia, never Evelyn.

“‘Not sure’? You speak as though she might have known after all.”

At Reynard’s remark, Evelyn gave a weak smile.

“Maybe she did.”

Reynard had a hard time accepting Evelyn’s words. After all, wasn’t she still her mother? It was hard to imagine that a mother could knowingly send her daughter to her death.

“Why do you think that? Maybe your mother didn’t know.”

“My mother has shown such deep devotion to Princess Ophelia that she would give her life for her. But as for me, she hasn’t shown even a shred of affection.”

Each word left a bitter taste in her mouth. It was only natural—it was a moment when she was confronting a lifelong sense of lacking.

“And His Majesty the King completely trusts my mother. I don’t want to believe it, but I suspect she’s the one who came up with this entire plan.”

“You must have your reasons for thinking that.”

“……”

Evelyn lowered her head slightly in affirmation. Reynard let out a soft sigh as he looked at her.

“What a cruel person your mother is.”

“…She is.”

Evelyn replied in a quiet voice, forcing a faint smile. To Reynard, her smile looked heartbreakingly fragile.