Although she became the mistress of the Palace of Radiance, Anita was nothing more than an inexperienced empress. She was excluded entirely from politics and diplomacy. At least she was able to save face, though, as she was granted real power within the Imperial Palace, as well as a private treasury budget similar to those of previous empresses. However, many of Laxion’s nobles, who already disliked her, referred to her behind her back using various insulting terms

‘A half-baked empress.’

Among the many epithets which included ‘a wilted flower without roots’ the most common was ‘half-baked’. ‘Half-baked’: an empress whose fatherland had fallen; an empress who bore a princess, who could not become an heir; an empress who consequently did not possess the proper rights and could not act publicly. It was certainly a term of contempt, but in reality Anita’s situation was exactly what the term described.

Yet, amidst this blatant disregard, Renee caused an incident. She did so precisely when animosity towards Callithea was at its peak.

“Did you hear? The Empress’s maid dared to speak that way to Her Highness the Princess…”

“To say it outright like that—she shouldn’t have been slapped. She should’ve been beheaded on the spot.”

“A mere maid speaking like that? Just imagine the things she must have said regularly. Then again, look at the mistress she serves.”

“It hasn’t even been that long since the traitors within our borders were purged, and now a foreigner dares to commit treason?”

Naturally, the rumors spread swiftly, fueled by the mood of the court. It was undoubtedly a scandal, but under normal circumstances, no one would have dared accuse the empress’s maid of treason.

But Anita was a half-blood empress, despised for her Callithean origins.

The one who lit the match was none other than Lady Katrine, the only daughter of Duke Colbert. Backed by her father’s immense political influence, she held sway over the social sphere, and her words carried devastating weight.

“To try to use the princess, who carries the blood of Fion, as a tool of another nation! This is the ultimate act of treason! In my view, she should be hanged immediately to set an example!”

Renee was dragged from the Empress’s quarters and thrown into the underground cells by palace investigators immediately after the incident. Yet even before the inquiry began, the verdict of treason seemed all but decided.

“They say Her Majesty defended the maid?”

“That’s not all. Lady Katrine herself requested to deal with the traitor personally, but the Empress ignored her and took the maid away.”

“Hmph! It’s only natural, isn’t it? The Empress, after all, thinks the same way.”

“If she speaks so carelessly even within the palace, who knows what schemes she’s plotting right now? We must investigate at once!”

Anita was also severely criticized for using her position as Empress to protect her maid. Once the wind picked up, the fire spread quickly and showed no signs of dying down.

“This is not just a matter of a maid’s reckless words. She tried to exploit the bloodline of the noble House Fion.”

“Though the princess holds no claim to succession, she is still destined to serve Laxion in some capacity. Yet this woman dares to speak of restoring Callithea?”

“Forgive me for saying so, but can we truly entrust Her Highness the Princess to the Empress’s care?”

“Whatever Her Majesty’s intentions may be, it would be best for her to step away from the Princess’s upbringing in order to avoid any further misunderstandings.”

“Indeed. We cannot leave Her Highness in the hands of the Callitheans.”

The criticism of Anita eventually reached a point where people began to demand that she be taken away from Félicité.

Meanwhile, Renee had vanished from the Empress’s Palace. A few maids those who had evaded the attention of the head lady-in-waiting, the Marchioness approached Anita, whispering rumors in her ear under someone’s secret instruction.

Her fingertips were icy cold, and her heart was pounding so violently that it felt impossible to contain. Fear and dread made her too afraid to hold Felicite in case she dropped her. Yet outwardly, Anita maintained an indifferent and composed demeanor, pretending she had heard nothing.

Despite the uproar consuming the palace, the investigation remained at a standstill. The Empress herself made no statement or protest. As the silence dragged on, the impatient and easily swayed courtiers began to gather, pressing their way towards Cedric.

“Your Majesty, the princess is the sole heir to your bloodline. Yet the environment in which she is being raised and the words of the maid entrusted with her care are gravely disloyal. After such blasphemous remarks, it is unthinkable to keep Her Highness within the Palace of Radiance.”

Those who stood before Cedric were confident that he would agree with them. They spoke as though it were self-evident: the maid’s behavior was treasonous and, after all, the Empress held little influence. Moreover, the Emperor himself had never seemed particularly affectionate towards his wife or daughter.

“You speak of my daughter’s guardianship in such a manner? Have you all forgotten who her mother is?”

Those easily swayed by rumor were about to pay dearly for their arrogance. Cedric’s expression hardened the instant anyone dared to speak lightly of his wife or child in his presence.

“The Empress is the Princess’s mother. Naturally, she should oversee her upbringing. Yet you gather together, make your own decisions, and then come before me as if you are doing me a favor?”

Even as Crown Prince, the young Emperor was known for his cold restraint rather than his explosive anger. Like the late Emperor before him, he rarely displayed open fury. The nobles, accustomed to this composure, had almost never seen him lose his temper.

“Enough. The Princess’s upbringing concerns only myself and the Empress. It is a matter between husband and wife, a family matter.”

“…”

And to think you would use the words of the empress’s maid as an excuse to reproach her in front of me! Have you forgotten why you call her Empress, the woman I honor as my equal? How dare you!”

But this time was different. Cedric held his head high as he erupted in fury at the nobles before him. His voice rang out sharply and commandingly as he repeatedly struck the armrest of his throne. Those who had never witnessed such wrath before froze in shock, their courage melting away instantly.

“How dare mere courtiers condemn the Empress before I have spoken a word, and then pressure me into holding her accountable?”

“…”

“Ridiculous! Do you intend to rule over me?”

“Your Majesty, that is not our intent.”

“Not our intent, you say? Then why do you stand before me with such arrogance?”

Count Pallan, who had spoken the loudest, bore the brunt of Cedric’s fury. He had been elated, thinking that this would finally earn him the duke’s favor. Yet, faced with the Emperor’s terrifying rage, cold sweat trickled down his back.

Those standing behind him were no better off. Realizing how serious the Emperor’s anger was, they began to regret their actions, each silently wishing to flee. But Cedric would not allow any of them to move. He glared down at the assembled nobles, as though punishing them simply for bearing witness to his fury. Then his gaze shifted and landed squarely on Katrine.

“Since matters have reached this point, there is one more thing we must address.”

“…”

“Since when has it been acceptable for a mere noblewoman to behave in such a manner in the presence of the empress? I’ve heard that she not only dared to hit the Empress’s maid in front of her, but also told the Empress what to do.”

Everyone present either served under or sought to align themselves with Duke Colbert. When they realized that the fire was spreading towards their most desired ally, Count Pallan instinctively stepped forward to defend Katrine.

“That is not so, Your Majesty. The young lady only spoke out of loyalty. She was merely appealing to Her Majesty out of concern.”

“An appeal?”

“…”

“Since when is that kind of insolence an appeal? Did Lady Colbert kneel before the Empress? Did she at least ask permission to speak?”

“T-That… she did not…”

“And now I see that many of you are quick to shield a single noblewoman, showing disrespect to the Empress and to me through your words.”

“Your Majesty!”

This was precisely the reaction Cedric had intended. Yes, the Empress’s maid had spoken outrageous words that could not be overlooked, but using that as an excuse to tarnish his wife’s name was another matter entirely. He would never permit it.

What infuriated him more than anything was that others presumed to judge and reprimand his wife as if he did not have the sole right to discipline her.

“Never! Never, Your Majesty! I would never dare! You misunderstand me. I swear it! I am innocent!”

“Count Pallan, do you think complaining about injustice will suddenly make me agree with you? I am looking at you and listening to you. I am judging this matter myself. And yet you now dare to say that my judgement is wrong?”

“Your Majesty!”

“From this moment, Count Pallan is forbidden from entering the imperial palace. As you can no longer enter, you are hereby relieved of your duties. All authority granted to you is revoked and placed under my direct control again. Furthermore, you are barred from entering the capital. Take your family and return to your estate to reflect on your arrogance.”

Beyond the punishment itself, Cedric also saw an opportunity to suppress the growing influence of Duke Colbert, whose men were always ready to seize any chance of advancement.

Count Pallan entered the palace brimming with confidence, but was soon dragged out by the knights and stripped of all dignity. Witnesses were reminded of how the Emperor had dealt with rebels in the past. Unlike his predecessor, the young emperor showed no mercy and had little compassion. He tolerated no opposition to his will.

“It seems my judgement erred when I appointed him to an administrative post. That is why he forgot his place and dared to behave so insolently.”

Yet, if you looked closely, you could see something subtle in the Emperor’s fury. He crushed those who had demanded that the Empress be stripped of custody of the princess, silencing them with his power. However, when it came to Katrine, although his tone was stern and his words cutting, he stopped short of reprimanding her. It went no further.

Cedric referred to Lady Colbert, the duke’s only daughter, as ‘merely a noblewoman’ and described his decision to appoint her as an ‘error of judgement’. Despite this reprimand, however, Katrine kept her job as Deputy Chief of Ceremonial Affairs. No further punishment followed.

“The investigator I personally dispatched is already questioning the Empress’s maid. But if anyone dares to contribute to this matter, how should I regard that person?’

Was the Emperor wary of the duke’s power, or was he issuing a veiled warning to a favored subordinate?

“Those who are truly loyal to me should know very well what course of action to take from here.”

The uncertainty surrounding the Emperor’s intentions left the nobles feeling deeply unsettled. Words that had seemed on the verge of denouncing the Empress only moments before died away. No one dared to speak further about the maid; everyone was gauging the Emperor’s mood and choosing their words carefully.

“Remember this. My mercy ends today.”

His face was impassive, making it impossible to read his true thoughts. The young emperor looked down on the uneasy nobles with cold, imperious eyes. Then, seemingly bored with the whole affair, he abruptly rose from his seat without saying another word.

Where was he headed? The emperor gave no explanation, but his attendant already knew. His steps moved by habit, carrying him towards the same place as always. As the sun began to sink beyond the horizon, Cedric instinctively went to find his wife.