Rashta asked coldly, to which Baron Lant replied, âYes.â
After glancing at Evely with growing unease, Rashta asked this time,
âWhat kind of guest?â
However, Baron Lant hesitantly responded with an uncomfortable expression.
âYou will know later, Your Majesty.â
Rashta pursed her lips, suppressed her anger, and said.
âThis girl said that Rashta is not the Empress.â
She was trying to contain her anger as much as possible because this was Baron Lant.
âI think Rashta has the right to know who this girl is.â
âThat isâŚâ
Baron Lant glanced at Evely, not sure what to do.
Evely, the cause of the trouble, stood there without even blinking. With her chin up and looking disdainful, an attitude that also annoyed Baron Lant.
It was difficult to respond to Rashtaâs words, but Evely seemed to want to make the situation worse.
Finally, he shouted at Evely.
âMiss Evely, apologize to the Empress immediately. What on earth are you doing?!â
Still, Evely responded sullenly.
âI havenât done anything.â
âPrecisely that is the problem! You must show Her Majesty, the Empress, the proper respect!â
âAs far as I know, Her Majesty, the Empress, is definitely someone else.â
âMiss Evely!â
Baron Lantâs face was completely red with anger, and Rashta was puzzled.
âWho on earth did this girl think she was to refuse in this way? From how angry Baron Lant is, I donât think sheâs a young lady of nobility.â
***
Although there was some commotion, Baron Lant was in no position to scold Evely any further.
Emperor Sovieshu was awaiting her arrival. He had already been informed that she was coming in this carriage, so Baron Lant should take Evely to Sovieshu without further delay.
Rashta snorted at the mysterious girlâs arrival, but had to reluctantly step aside when Baron Lant indicated that Sovieshu was waiting for her.
Evely raised her head and looked at Rashta with sharp eyes before following Baron Lant.
âShe is the Empress, so pay attention to your actions.â
After entering the main palace Baron Lant started to give a little advice to Evely as they walked down one of the corridors.
âWas it necessary to pretend not to recognize, or acknowledge, Her Majesty the Empress?â
However, Evely did not respond to his words at all.
Baron Lant clicked his tongue, thinking that she really did have a haughty and rude personality.
Baron Lant did not properly introduce Evely to Rashta because he did not know the reason why Sovieshu wanted to see Evely.
She was the girl whose mana had disappeared. Even if she was once a mage, she was now useless.
That said, this girl didnât seem very attractive for a concubine either. She had no backing, no status, no beautiful face, and no good personality.
She was completely different from Rashta, who always smiled and comforted the people around her, even in difficult situations.
With that personality, even if she became a concubine, she would be kicked out in no time. Baron Lant clicked his tongue again inwardly.
His thoughts coincided at one point with Evelyâs. He didnât know why she was being called here now that she wasnât a mage.
âIâll find out soon enough.â
The imposing door opened before her eyes. Evely took a deep breath and stepped inside.
âOh!â
As soon as she took a few steps inside, Evely let out a small gasp.
It was because of the appearance of Emperor Sovieshu, who was sitting at his desk.
Originally Evely hated Emperor Sovieshu. Because of him the person she respected, loved, and admired the most had left for a distant country.
Evely thought that Emperor Sovieshu was really stupid and mean. Also that this personality would clearly show on his face.
But when she saw him in person, Emperor Sovieshuâs face was more than handsome, it was radiant.
After a momentâs hesitation, the emperor said with an unexpected smile.
âIf you stay there, it would be difficult to talk to you.â
Baron Lant indicated from behind her to âgo further insideâ.
Evely, who walked hesitantly, came within three steps of the desk. Sovieshu, who was handsome from afar, looked even more handsome up close.
Evely remembered Navier, whom she admired more and more every time she saw her. And immediately, she imagined the Emperor and Navier side by side.
âHow wonderful it must have been to see them together.â
While Evely felt some regret, as she noticed that there was a lot of silence around her.
As soon as she came to her senses she saw that the Emperor was staring at her.
The way he stared at her without saying anything was very complicated and disconcerting.
Any noble would have quietly waited for the Emperor to speak, but Evely felt suffocated by the Emperorâs stare, so she eventually spoke first,
âI wonder why you called me, Your Majesty.â
Baron Lant glared fiercely at her from behind and whispered, âMiss Evely.â
His voice was threatening, but Sovieshu waved him away.
âHavenât you heard it yet?â
âI have heard it.â
âThen why do you ask?â
âTwo people contacted me, the first person told me that I had incurred the Emperorâs wrath by being patronized by the Empress.â
Hearing this Sovieshuâs eyebrows immediately rose. So thought Navierâs aidesâŚ
âThen the next person told me that I would be the Emperorâs second concubine.â
Sovieshuâs eyebrows, which had been raised, rose even more before he burst into laughter.
âAre you serious?â
âWhich one is true?â
Sovieshu burst out laughing once more at the bold question.
âNeither one. First, I do not hate the Empress. Second, even if I did, it would be absurd to hate you just because she patronized you. Third, you are too young to be my concubine.â
âThen why did you call me here?â
âYouâre smart and talented, but youâve been caught up in the phenomenon of the decline of mages.â
â⌠yes.â
âJust because your mana disappeared doesnât mean your intelligence disappeared too. It is an unusual case, so I plan to support you to take advantage of your talent.
Having finished speaking, Sovieshu rang the little bell to summon Baron Lant.
Baron Lant entered, but Sovieshu did not take his gaze from Evely and spoke again,
âThere are those who are dedicated to the scientific study of magic. One of them needs an assistant, so I would like to recommend you. Do you agree?
ââŚYes.â
âBaron Lant, take the girl to meet Lord Axel.â
âAs you command, Your Majesty.â
âAfter that, take her to Countess Reygess. Evely?â
âYes.â
âShe will take care of you until you can stay alone.â
With nothing more to say, Sovieshu raised the pen on his desk and ordered them to leave.
However, Evely took another step forward and said, âUm, Your Majesty.â
When Sovieshu looked up, Evely boldly asked.
âI can work as a maid in my spare time, so please allow me to stay at the imperial palace.â
Baron Lant clicked his tongue at her bold words, but Sovieshu asked calmly.
âThere are many rooms available, so on that side there is no problem. However, you may be the victim of false rumors. You donât mind?â
âI donât care.â
âThenâŚâ
Thinking for a moment, Sovieshu ordered Baron Lant.
âBetter prepare a room for her in the Southern Palace.â