“It would be right to organize a congratulatory delegation primarily comprised of those in good physical condition. Weaklings should be excluded.”
Linel replied, casting a gentle gaze at me.
Melanie’s face darkened at his words.
“Your Majesty, I really want to go!”
Melanie began to appeal in a spirited voice.
“Why?”
He raised an eyebrow at Melanie.
“I may seem weak to you, but I had a wonderful time during the Continental Hunting Tournament! But an unfortunate incident occurred midway through, and we had to return to the palace...”
Melanie trailed off, glancing at Roxana.
The “unfortunate incident” she was referring to was the unexpected appearance of the combined forces of the Principality of Aklatto and Tanya Island at the Continental Hunting Tournament, trapping the distinguished guests in the monastery.
“Accident?”
Roxana glared at Melanie, her expression unconcealed.
“Oh, is that the correct term for an incident?”
“...What?”
Melanie asked Roxana, then looked at Rosie, who was sitting in front of her.
“What does clever Your Highness Rosie think? Someone who reads a lot of books, tell me.”
Melanie had a habit of asking Rosie’s opinion after every incident she caused, prefacing her sentence with “smart Your Highness Rosie.”
When she did that, it seemed like Melanie was just trying to upset the other person, didn’t it?
“Well, well...”
Rosie smiled awkwardly, her expression awkward.
“Can’t we just call it an incident?”
I said intelligently, quietly interjecting.
I saw Roxana purse her lips as she prepared to retort.
“As Melanie said, if everything had gone according to plan, we were supposed to finish the tournament in the Tebello Empire and then head over to the Pasha Empire to attend the Emperor’s coronation.”
Fortunately, Linel appeared at the opportune moment to cut off Roxana’s war of words.
Roxana swallowed her irritation, averted her gaze from Melanie and me, and elegantly lifted her teacup to drink.
“First, consider your own condition and situation, and notify your secretary of your intentions by tomorrow. If there are too many people, I will personally select them, so please understand.”
“Your Majesty yourself...?”
Roxana asked him, surprised, as she put down her teacup.
“Yes. What’s wrong?”
“But isn’t it my responsibility as the Empress to handle matters related to the concubines?”
Roxana seemed eager to use this opportunity to wield her Empress’s privileges in front of the concubines.
“Empress, this isn’t a matter of the concubines. It’s a matter of selecting the imperial officials who will be joining the congratulatory delegation. I plan to personally select the names of not only the concubines but also the ministers who will be leaving with them.”
Linel explained to Roxana in a calm yet commanding voice.
So, he meant for her to leave.
His tone wasn't angry or irritated, but it also didn't show any room for compromise.
Roxana, unable to respond, nodded silently.
I looked down at her hands, which were tightly gripping the teacup. The bones in her bent knuckles were protruding sharply, showing how much strength she had exerted.
"I... Your Majesty."
Pecilini, who had been sitting quietly, seemingly absent, listening to the others, timidly raised her hand.
"Yes, Pecilini. Do you have anything to say to me?"
Linel spoke to Pecilini in a very affectionate tone, completely different from how he had spoken to Roxana.
I could tell he was being intentional with Pecilini.
It seemed like a deliberate attempt to provoke Roxana.
As expected, Roxana's expression crumpled.
"Tell me more comfortably."
Emboldened by Linel's words, Pecilini suddenly burst into tears and pleaded,
"Please, take me with you. I beg you... sob sob."
Pecilini's sudden tears stunned the concubines.
Despite the other concubines' scolding gazes, she stubbornly continued speaking.
"When I was young, I accompanied my father to the Pasha Empire. There's a friend I briefly dated back then, and I desperately want to see him again. I feel like I'll never see him again if I don't have this chance. And I'm so, so heartbroken to hear that he's in critical condition!"
Pecilini was lying.
"But Pecilini, I understand you've been in poor health lately?"
He seemed to sense her lie, but he didn't show it and asked calmly.
"No. I won't cause any trouble to those who are traveling with me due to my declining health. So, Your Majesty, please...!"
I could understand why Pecilini was begging so desperately. He must have been concerned that being left alone in the palace might be dangerous.
Perhaps Roxana's entourage might try to sabotage her, or perhaps Prince Tesla might try to get her pregnant and kidnap her from the Shattonil Kingdom.
Pecilini's anxiety was completely understandable.
Roxana, too, seemed to see through Pecilini's words.
For the concubines, unaware of Pecilini's pregnancy, the sight of her tearfully begging him to take her to the Pasha Empire must have seemed unsightly.
"Why are you making such a bold appeal when you're not even Her Highness Zelda?"
Melanie whispered to Catherine beside her.
"Of course."
Catherine, who usually avoided Melanie, responded absentmindedly and stared at Pecilini intently.
The three concubines, especially those from Aklatto, glared at Pesilini openly.
“This time, we’re taking the sea route, so it won’t be that difficult a journey.”
He rubbed his sharp jawline, mulling over it, and accepted Pesilini’s plea positively.
At the same time, Roxana’s gaze was narrowing.
Pesilini tried to ignore her gaze and continued to send him a longing look.
“Hmm, seeing how desperate you are, you must have been quite a good friend. But since you say he’s in critical condition... Alright. Pesilini will go for now.”
The other concubines’ faces cracked at his decision.
This meant fewer seats were available for the congratulatory delegation.
The concubines’ gazes at Pesilini were filled with envy and rebuke.
Linel left the office first because he had to attend a meeting with his ministers.
“Who just stayed silent because they didn’t know how to shed tears?”
“It’s always been the lifeblood of a concubine that dignity reigns supreme, but it’s not a pretty sight.”
“His Majesty is surprisingly kind. If I had known, I would have made up a story.”
The concubines from the Duchy of Aklatto each threw a word of resentment at Pesilini as they left the office.
“Your insolence is reaching the sky.”
Roxana, surrounded by them, whispered as she passed Pesilini.
“Even the favored Zelda didn’t openly ask to be taken away, but I never thought you would. Wow, you have quite the influence.”
Roxana looked down at Pesilini’s stomach.
She wanted to ask why she was dragging her in when she was still, but the atmosphere seemed to make Pesilini uncomfortable, so she pretended not to hear.
Pesilini stood with her head down, covering her stomach with both hands, hoping Roxana would quickly pass her by.
“Let’s go, Your Majesty.”
The concubines of the Principality of Aklatto flanked Roxana and led her down the central staircase.
As soon as Roxana disappeared from sight, Pecilini let out a breath she had been holding and placed her hand on the wall.
“Are you alright?”
I quickly supported her.
“Yes... Your Highness Zelda. Thank you.”
“You were anxious, weren’t you? Afraid of being left alone in the palace.”
I asked quietly, trying not to be overheard by the other concubines, and Pecilini replied, “Yes.”
I gave her a look of understanding and a comforting smile.
I took Pecilini’s arm and walked her down to the main palace entrance.
Rosie and Melanie followed. I walked her to the carriage waiting in front of the main palace, which was Pecilini’s quarters.
“You go first.”
“Thank you very much. Then I’ll go first.”
“Yes, get some rest.”
Pecilini bowed deeply to me and climbed into the carriage.
“What did you say? Why all of a sudden?”
Melanie asked me, watching Pecilini’s carriage head toward the West Palace.
“Actually, Pecilini is pregnant now,”
I said cautiously to Melanie and Rosie.
It was a story I couldn’t hide once Pecilini’s belly grew. Roxana, who knew nothing about the palace affairs when I was Empress, didn’t have any major doubts about Pecilini being pregnant with Linel’s child at the time, but the existing concubines were likely to not believe it.
So I thought it would be better to tell them the situation in advance.
Besides, it would soon be announced to the palace.
“Huh! Who is he?!”
Melanie asked, leaning back as if she was about to fall over.
“Shh. Be quiet.”
“It's not His Majesty, aren't it?”
Rosie said decisively.
“No, that’s not true.”
“Then whose child is she having?”
“Prince Tesla.”
“My goodness...! Does Empress Roxana know?”
“Yes, but she thinks it's His Majesty’s child.”
“Somehow, somehow. They said that the way Empress Roxana looks at Her Highness Pecilini is unusual.”
Behind Melanie’s excited muttering, Rosie asked with a serious expression.
“What is His Majesty thinking?”
“He plans to raise him as the Prince of the Lapion Imperial Family.”
“He's raising his enemy’s son as the Prince of the Lapion Empire?”
Rosie raised her voice without realizing it and covered her mouth with her hand.
“That way, he can completely suppress Prince Tesla. Besides, what sin would a child raised by Prince Tesla commit? I think he must have considered that when making his decision.”
“Puhahahaha!”
Melanie suddenly burst out laughing.
“Why are you laughing, Your Highness?”
Rosie asked, looking at Melanie with a strange look.
“His Majesty only loves Her Highness Zelda, but it’s funny how all the concubines fall in love with other men.”
“Oh, that’s true.”
Rosie agreed, chuckling.
“Rosie seems to be having a secret affair with Prince Norton, Pecilini with Prince Tesla, and Catherine with Count Ethan, but Melanie, you’re not here. This is no time to laugh.”
I playfully told Melanie, and she slowly opened her mouth.
“Actually... I’m not far behind.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a secret, but I’ll tell you two. I have a crush on someone.”
“Roxana’s escort?”
“The Pirate King?”
Rosie and I shouted at the same time.
Although we referred to them differently, we were both referring to that guy, Hetor.
“Heup, how did you know?!”
Wouldn’t you be stupid if you didn’t know?
Who was it that openly asked Linel to make that guy your bodyguard?
“Oh, and I’ve decided!”
“What?”
“I’m definitely going to the Pasha Empire.”
“Then you should start working out now.”
I grabbed her slender arm and shook it, laughing teasingly.
“So, let’s go to the martial arts center! The one in the cypress forest.”
Melanie’s unnecessarily serious response made Rosie and me stop laughing and tense up.
“Right now...?”
“Yes!”
Melanie called out, walking ahead.
“But I’m a little hungry, so how about we grab some refreshments?”
“Shall we? Then, let’s go to my quarters and have some cheesecake and some refreshing orange juice...”
Rosie, delighted by my suggestion, was about to head to the carriage when...
“No!”
Melanie raised her voice, her heels bucking.
Oh, surprise.
“...Why not?”
“Hetor is at the martial arts center.”
“What?”
“How would Your Highness Melanie know?”
“Hetor said he was going to the martial arts center before we came to the main palace. I said he could stay until dinner, so he should still be there.”
“Ah, so that was your purpose? Physical training was just an excuse?”
Rosie asked, her expression bewildered.
“Yes.”
Melanie readily admitted, and a hollow laugh escaped her lips.
“You can see his face from your quarters, so why bother going all the way to the training ground?”
I asked her, holding back a laugh.
“I’m thinking of learning some swordsmanship from Hetor!”
“Forget it, Melanie. Don’t test people’s patience like that. He might just slit your throat while teaching you.”
I gently placed my hand on the nape of Melanie’s neck and offered her sincere advice.
She flinched for a moment, then asked me earnestly,
“I heard that when you first learn swordsmanship, you hold hands and hug from behind, right?”
“Well... that’s how it’s supposed to be when you’re trying to help someone.”
“Then the worse your posture, the longer you’ll stick around?”
“!”
Melanie chuckled and led the way to the training ground in the cypress forest.
Why is that ominous...?
“Will you be okay? When you act like that, you look like a crazy woman.”
Rosie looked troubled as she watched Melanie run towards the cypress forest.
“Let’s pick a flower and put it in her hair on the way. If Hetor is conscious, he’ll know to avoid her.”
“Yes...”
Roxana abruptly steered the carriage heading to the Empress’s Palace towards the West Palace.
“Your Majesty, the Empress! I am honored to have you come to my residence in person!”
Roxana turned her carriage and arrived at the residence of Consort Yulina, a concubine from the Principality of Aklatto.
“But what brings you here...”
The Empress, who had not spoken to her much in the main palace office a moment ago, slowly straightened her back, her face slightly tense, and looked up at Roxana.
“I have something important to discuss with you.”
“I will have tea served first.”
“No, just come and have a seat.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress...”
“Yulina, you would also like to attend the coronation ceremony of the Emperor of the Pasha Empire, right?”
Roxana smiled and asked Yulina casually.
“Of course! I heard it is the largest empire in the Southern Continent. And I heard they usually give various gifts to the congratulatory delegations... Is that true?”
Roxana saw greed in Yulina’s eyes.
"You know me well. This congratulatory delegation has many special features. I hear they're giving away a blue diamond, a gem only found in the Pasha Empire, as a souvenir."
Linel replied, casting a gentle gaze at me.
Melanie’s face darkened at his words.
“Your Majesty, I really want to go!”
Melanie began to appeal in a spirited voice.
“Why?”
He raised an eyebrow at Melanie.
“I may seem weak to you, but I had a wonderful time during the Continental Hunting Tournament! But an unfortunate incident occurred midway through, and we had to return to the palace...”
Melanie trailed off, glancing at Roxana.
The “unfortunate incident” she was referring to was the unexpected appearance of the combined forces of the Principality of Aklatto and Tanya Island at the Continental Hunting Tournament, trapping the distinguished guests in the monastery.
“Accident?”
Roxana glared at Melanie, her expression unconcealed.
“Oh, is that the correct term for an incident?”
“...What?”
Melanie asked Roxana, then looked at Rosie, who was sitting in front of her.
“What does clever Your Highness Rosie think? Someone who reads a lot of books, tell me.”
Melanie had a habit of asking Rosie’s opinion after every incident she caused, prefacing her sentence with “smart Your Highness Rosie.”
When she did that, it seemed like Melanie was just trying to upset the other person, didn’t it?
“Well, well...”
Rosie smiled awkwardly, her expression awkward.
“Can’t we just call it an incident?”
I said intelligently, quietly interjecting.
I saw Roxana purse her lips as she prepared to retort.
“As Melanie said, if everything had gone according to plan, we were supposed to finish the tournament in the Tebello Empire and then head over to the Pasha Empire to attend the Emperor’s coronation.”
Fortunately, Linel appeared at the opportune moment to cut off Roxana’s war of words.
Roxana swallowed her irritation, averted her gaze from Melanie and me, and elegantly lifted her teacup to drink.
“First, consider your own condition and situation, and notify your secretary of your intentions by tomorrow. If there are too many people, I will personally select them, so please understand.”
“Your Majesty yourself...?”
Roxana asked him, surprised, as she put down her teacup.
“Yes. What’s wrong?”
“But isn’t it my responsibility as the Empress to handle matters related to the concubines?”
Roxana seemed eager to use this opportunity to wield her Empress’s privileges in front of the concubines.
“Empress, this isn’t a matter of the concubines. It’s a matter of selecting the imperial officials who will be joining the congratulatory delegation. I plan to personally select the names of not only the concubines but also the ministers who will be leaving with them.”
Linel explained to Roxana in a calm yet commanding voice.
So, he meant for her to leave.
His tone wasn't angry or irritated, but it also didn't show any room for compromise.
Roxana, unable to respond, nodded silently.
I looked down at her hands, which were tightly gripping the teacup. The bones in her bent knuckles were protruding sharply, showing how much strength she had exerted.
"I... Your Majesty."
Pecilini, who had been sitting quietly, seemingly absent, listening to the others, timidly raised her hand.
"Yes, Pecilini. Do you have anything to say to me?"
Linel spoke to Pecilini in a very affectionate tone, completely different from how he had spoken to Roxana.
I could tell he was being intentional with Pecilini.
It seemed like a deliberate attempt to provoke Roxana.
As expected, Roxana's expression crumpled.
"Tell me more comfortably."
Emboldened by Linel's words, Pecilini suddenly burst into tears and pleaded,
"Please, take me with you. I beg you... sob sob."
Pecilini's sudden tears stunned the concubines.
Despite the other concubines' scolding gazes, she stubbornly continued speaking.
"When I was young, I accompanied my father to the Pasha Empire. There's a friend I briefly dated back then, and I desperately want to see him again. I feel like I'll never see him again if I don't have this chance. And I'm so, so heartbroken to hear that he's in critical condition!"
Pecilini was lying.
"But Pecilini, I understand you've been in poor health lately?"
He seemed to sense her lie, but he didn't show it and asked calmly.
"No. I won't cause any trouble to those who are traveling with me due to my declining health. So, Your Majesty, please...!"
I could understand why Pecilini was begging so desperately. He must have been concerned that being left alone in the palace might be dangerous.
Perhaps Roxana's entourage might try to sabotage her, or perhaps Prince Tesla might try to get her pregnant and kidnap her from the Shattonil Kingdom.
Pecilini's anxiety was completely understandable.
Roxana, too, seemed to see through Pecilini's words.
For the concubines, unaware of Pecilini's pregnancy, the sight of her tearfully begging him to take her to the Pasha Empire must have seemed unsightly.
"Why are you making such a bold appeal when you're not even Her Highness Zelda?"
Melanie whispered to Catherine beside her.
"Of course."
Catherine, who usually avoided Melanie, responded absentmindedly and stared at Pecilini intently.
The three concubines, especially those from Aklatto, glared at Pesilini openly.
“This time, we’re taking the sea route, so it won’t be that difficult a journey.”
He rubbed his sharp jawline, mulling over it, and accepted Pesilini’s plea positively.
At the same time, Roxana’s gaze was narrowing.
Pesilini tried to ignore her gaze and continued to send him a longing look.
“Hmm, seeing how desperate you are, you must have been quite a good friend. But since you say he’s in critical condition... Alright. Pesilini will go for now.”
The other concubines’ faces cracked at his decision.
This meant fewer seats were available for the congratulatory delegation.
The concubines’ gazes at Pesilini were filled with envy and rebuke.
Linel left the office first because he had to attend a meeting with his ministers.
***
“Who just stayed silent because they didn’t know how to shed tears?”
“It’s always been the lifeblood of a concubine that dignity reigns supreme, but it’s not a pretty sight.”
“His Majesty is surprisingly kind. If I had known, I would have made up a story.”
The concubines from the Duchy of Aklatto each threw a word of resentment at Pesilini as they left the office.
“Your insolence is reaching the sky.”
Roxana, surrounded by them, whispered as she passed Pesilini.
“Even the favored Zelda didn’t openly ask to be taken away, but I never thought you would. Wow, you have quite the influence.”
Roxana looked down at Pesilini’s stomach.
She wanted to ask why she was dragging her in when she was still, but the atmosphere seemed to make Pesilini uncomfortable, so she pretended not to hear.
Pesilini stood with her head down, covering her stomach with both hands, hoping Roxana would quickly pass her by.
“Let’s go, Your Majesty.”
The concubines of the Principality of Aklatto flanked Roxana and led her down the central staircase.
As soon as Roxana disappeared from sight, Pecilini let out a breath she had been holding and placed her hand on the wall.
“Are you alright?”
I quickly supported her.
“Yes... Your Highness Zelda. Thank you.”
“You were anxious, weren’t you? Afraid of being left alone in the palace.”
I asked quietly, trying not to be overheard by the other concubines, and Pecilini replied, “Yes.”
I gave her a look of understanding and a comforting smile.
I took Pecilini’s arm and walked her down to the main palace entrance.
Rosie and Melanie followed. I walked her to the carriage waiting in front of the main palace, which was Pecilini’s quarters.
“You go first.”
“Thank you very much. Then I’ll go first.”
“Yes, get some rest.”
Pecilini bowed deeply to me and climbed into the carriage.
“What did you say? Why all of a sudden?”
Melanie asked me, watching Pecilini’s carriage head toward the West Palace.
“Actually, Pecilini is pregnant now,”
I said cautiously to Melanie and Rosie.
It was a story I couldn’t hide once Pecilini’s belly grew. Roxana, who knew nothing about the palace affairs when I was Empress, didn’t have any major doubts about Pecilini being pregnant with Linel’s child at the time, but the existing concubines were likely to not believe it.
So I thought it would be better to tell them the situation in advance.
Besides, it would soon be announced to the palace.
“Huh! Who is he?!”
Melanie asked, leaning back as if she was about to fall over.
“Shh. Be quiet.”
“It's not His Majesty, aren't it?”
Rosie said decisively.
“No, that’s not true.”
“Then whose child is she having?”
“Prince Tesla.”
“My goodness...! Does Empress Roxana know?”
“Yes, but she thinks it's His Majesty’s child.”
“Somehow, somehow. They said that the way Empress Roxana looks at Her Highness Pecilini is unusual.”
Behind Melanie’s excited muttering, Rosie asked with a serious expression.
“What is His Majesty thinking?”
“He plans to raise him as the Prince of the Lapion Imperial Family.”
“He's raising his enemy’s son as the Prince of the Lapion Empire?”
Rosie raised her voice without realizing it and covered her mouth with her hand.
“That way, he can completely suppress Prince Tesla. Besides, what sin would a child raised by Prince Tesla commit? I think he must have considered that when making his decision.”
“Puhahahaha!”
Melanie suddenly burst out laughing.
“Why are you laughing, Your Highness?”
Rosie asked, looking at Melanie with a strange look.
“His Majesty only loves Her Highness Zelda, but it’s funny how all the concubines fall in love with other men.”
“Oh, that’s true.”
Rosie agreed, chuckling.
“Rosie seems to be having a secret affair with Prince Norton, Pecilini with Prince Tesla, and Catherine with Count Ethan, but Melanie, you’re not here. This is no time to laugh.”
I playfully told Melanie, and she slowly opened her mouth.
“Actually... I’m not far behind.”
“Huh?”
“It’s a secret, but I’ll tell you two. I have a crush on someone.”
“Roxana’s escort?”
“The Pirate King?”
Rosie and I shouted at the same time.
Although we referred to them differently, we were both referring to that guy, Hetor.
“Heup, how did you know?!”
Wouldn’t you be stupid if you didn’t know?
Who was it that openly asked Linel to make that guy your bodyguard?
“Oh, and I’ve decided!”
“What?”
“I’m definitely going to the Pasha Empire.”
“Then you should start working out now.”
I grabbed her slender arm and shook it, laughing teasingly.
“So, let’s go to the martial arts center! The one in the cypress forest.”
Melanie’s unnecessarily serious response made Rosie and me stop laughing and tense up.
“Right now...?”
“Yes!”
Melanie called out, walking ahead.
“But I’m a little hungry, so how about we grab some refreshments?”
“Shall we? Then, let’s go to my quarters and have some cheesecake and some refreshing orange juice...”
Rosie, delighted by my suggestion, was about to head to the carriage when...
“No!”
Melanie raised her voice, her heels bucking.
Oh, surprise.
“...Why not?”
“Hetor is at the martial arts center.”
“What?”
“How would Your Highness Melanie know?”
“Hetor said he was going to the martial arts center before we came to the main palace. I said he could stay until dinner, so he should still be there.”
“Ah, so that was your purpose? Physical training was just an excuse?”
Rosie asked, her expression bewildered.
“Yes.”
Melanie readily admitted, and a hollow laugh escaped her lips.
“You can see his face from your quarters, so why bother going all the way to the training ground?”
I asked her, holding back a laugh.
“I’m thinking of learning some swordsmanship from Hetor!”
“Forget it, Melanie. Don’t test people’s patience like that. He might just slit your throat while teaching you.”
I gently placed my hand on the nape of Melanie’s neck and offered her sincere advice.
She flinched for a moment, then asked me earnestly,
“I heard that when you first learn swordsmanship, you hold hands and hug from behind, right?”
“Well... that’s how it’s supposed to be when you’re trying to help someone.”
“Then the worse your posture, the longer you’ll stick around?”
“!”
Melanie chuckled and led the way to the training ground in the cypress forest.
Why is that ominous...?
“Will you be okay? When you act like that, you look like a crazy woman.”
Rosie looked troubled as she watched Melanie run towards the cypress forest.
“Let’s pick a flower and put it in her hair on the way. If Hetor is conscious, he’ll know to avoid her.”
“Yes...”
***
Roxana abruptly steered the carriage heading to the Empress’s Palace towards the West Palace.
“Your Majesty, the Empress! I am honored to have you come to my residence in person!”
Roxana turned her carriage and arrived at the residence of Consort Yulina, a concubine from the Principality of Aklatto.
“But what brings you here...”
The Empress, who had not spoken to her much in the main palace office a moment ago, slowly straightened her back, her face slightly tense, and looked up at Roxana.
“I have something important to discuss with you.”
“I will have tea served first.”
“No, just come and have a seat.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress...”
“Yulina, you would also like to attend the coronation ceremony of the Emperor of the Pasha Empire, right?”
Roxana smiled and asked Yulina casually.
“Of course! I heard it is the largest empire in the Southern Continent. And I heard they usually give various gifts to the congratulatory delegations... Is that true?”
Roxana saw greed in Yulina’s eyes.
"You know me well. This congratulatory delegation has many special features. I hear they're giving away a blue diamond, a gem only found in the Pasha Empire, as a souvenir."
"I've heard a lot about the Pasha Empire's blue diamond! There's even a rumor that looking into it will charm anyone."
"Exactly. Now that I think about it, that gem would suit you perfectly, Yuliana. His Majesty be so enamored."
"Oh, thank you, Your Majesty."
Yuliana couldn't hide her smile at Roxana's unexpected compliment.
"That's right. In fact, among the concubines from the Principality of Aklatto, I cherish you the most."
"My goodness, it's an honor for our family to hear you say that!"
Yuliana was dumbfounded by the continuous praise.
"That's why I plan to do everything I can to ensure you're included on the list of congratulatory delegations."
Roxana's voice sounded gentle, but her gaze was fiercer than ever.
"Really, Your Majesty? Thank you, thank you!"
Yulina's buttocks swayed as she sat on the sofa.
"Instead, there's something I need you to do."
"What is it? Just tell me anything!"
Yulina said with a look of excitement. Roxana leaned in closer and lowered her voice.
"Get close to Pecilini. It would be even better if you built a relationship before you left for the Pasha Empire."
"Huh? Why is Her Highness Pecilini suddenly..."
"Exactly. Now that I think about it, that gem would suit you perfectly, Yuliana. His Majesty be so enamored."
"Oh, thank you, Your Majesty."
Yuliana couldn't hide her smile at Roxana's unexpected compliment.
"That's right. In fact, among the concubines from the Principality of Aklatto, I cherish you the most."
"My goodness, it's an honor for our family to hear you say that!"
Yuliana was dumbfounded by the continuous praise.
"That's why I plan to do everything I can to ensure you're included on the list of congratulatory delegations."
Roxana's voice sounded gentle, but her gaze was fiercer than ever.
"Really, Your Majesty? Thank you, thank you!"
Yulina's buttocks swayed as she sat on the sofa.
"Instead, there's something I need you to do."
"What is it? Just tell me anything!"
Yulina said with a look of excitement. Roxana leaned in closer and lowered her voice.
"Get close to Pecilini. It would be even better if you built a relationship before you left for the Pasha Empire."
"Huh? Why is Her Highness Pecilini suddenly..."
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