Translator: Aura / Editor: SaWarren
Rivetti was startled to hear Rashtaâs name.
âRashta was the culprit for my kidnapping?â
Although they had a bad relationship, she felt chills to hear that Rashta had been the culprit of her kidnapping.
Rivetti still despised and considered Rashta a filthy slave, but she did not belittle her power.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
It was truly terrifying that the Empress of the Eastern Empire was behind this.
Rivetti shivered wrapping her arms around her own body. Although she was safe now, she was afraid of what Rashta might do in the future.
Was Rashta trying to erase the traces of the past? Did she intend to eliminate the Rimwell Family to erase her past as a slave?
âMy familyâ¦â
âIs safe.â
At the knightâs calm reply, Rivetti managed to shake off the greatest of her fears. She still had a tough road ahead, but fortunately she had confirmed that her family was safe.
âBy the way⦠how did His Majesty know that I had been kidnapped and sent Sir Oreleo?â
âA maid attacked Rashta and left a scar on her forehead. After what happened, the Emperor assigned someone to escort Rashta secretly, concerned for her safety.â
Secretly? Why did he secretly assign someone to her?
When Rivetti blinked in confusion, the knight quickly added.
âRashta doesnât usually like to go out with her guards.â
âAhâ¦â
âUltimately, thatâs how we were able to learn that Rashta had hired an assassin to get rid of Lady Rivetti. Iâm glad it was possible to rescue you safely.â
Rivetti nodded. In fact, that was the most important thing.
Then the knight explained to Rivetti,
âYou must stay here for a while, Lady Rivetti.â
âWhat? Here?â
Rivetti looked around in surprise. Finally, she entered and was able to appreciate the interior of the simple but impeccable mansion.
The mansion was well organized and cozy, but the furniture and couches looked new. It looked like an uninhabited place.
âThis placeâ¦?â
âIt is a mansion owned by the Emperor. Iâm sorry, Lady Rivetti. If you return to the capital now, you might be attacked again.â
Recalling the attacker she had seen, Rivetti hurriedly said.
âThe attacker had a very peculiar figure! Iâll give my statement about it, maybe we can capture that assassin!â
âEven if we catch that assassin, another one will soon appear.â
âAh.â
At the knightâs firm words, Rivetti sighed and sat down on a couch.
âIâll be back for you when the time is right. In the meantime, make yourself at home. Forget about the terrifying things that happened.â
Rivetti recalled the crowd of people who had followed her and those who negotiated her price while she was locked in a cage.
Compared to Rashta, those people were not far behind, they were also terrifying.
Rivetti nodded. If she were to return to the capital with the current situation, no doubt her family and friends could be hurt.
âYes, I will stay here. Thank you for saving me. Please convey my thanks to the Emperor as well.â
âLady Rivetti. Remember this day.â
âWhy do you say that?â
âIt will definitely be useful in the future.â
***
The knight who left Rivetti in a safe mansion, immediately returned to the capital in the carriage and went to Sovieshu.
Arriving at his office, the knight handed him a brief report that he had hastily prepared. After reading it, Sovieshu nodded and praised him.
âGood job. It must have been very hard.â
Once the knight left, Sovieshu put the report in a drawer of his desk. Before closing it, Sovieshu glanced inside the well-organized drawer.
All of Rashtaâs crimes were contained here. At least all the crimes he knew about.
A few hours later, feeling disturbed, Sovieshu ordered his secretary to take Rashta to his room.
However, Rashta pointed out that she couldnât walk very far because her belly hurt, so she asked Sovieshu to come over.
She made the excuse that her belly hurt, probably because she didnât want to see the blue bird in his room. Sovieshu didnât expect Rashta to come to his room either, he just pressed her on purpose. In the end, he went to Rashta.
Rashta stood in front of the West Palace, nervous that she had feigned momentary discomfort to evade his request, but when she saw Sovieshu, she hurried over and spoke affectionately.
âYour Majesty, Rashta did not have the strength to go to the East Palace. I feel better now, but I felt a lot of pain in my belly a while ago.â
âIt seems that your belly hurts very often, have you called the palace doctor?
âI donât think itâs appropriate to constantly call such a busy personâ¦â
âThatâs his job. Even if you feel a little bad, make sure you call him.â
âAlright.â
Once they entered the Empressâs room, Rashta looked expectantly at Sovieshu.
The atmosphere was mellow after a long time. She thought about taking this opportunity to improve the relationship between the two, which had become a little awkward.
âHmm, Your Majesty. You havenât sung to Rashta lately⦠the baby in Rashtaâs belly wants to hear Your Majesty sing.â
Sovieshuâs weakness was the baby, and Rashta knew that perfectly well.
Although Sovieshu was silent for a moment, he soon sat down beside Rashta and sang a beautiful song softly.
Rashta closed her eyes as Sovieshu sang. She felt as if that beautiful song tickled her ears.
As soon as the song ended, Rashta had fallen into a drowsy state and was lying on Sovieshuâs shoulder with her eyes closed.
She liked Duke Elgy, who was always at her side, but she also liked Sovieshu. When he was in a good mood, he was sweeter than any man she had ever met in her life.
âDo you have something to tell me?â
Even his sudden voice was low and soft. Rashta shook her head still with her eyes closed.
âNo.â
âThink it over, do you really have nothing to say to me?â
Sovieshu asked once more. His voice wasnât even cold, but Rashta was startled to hear the same question again.
What is wrong? Why does he ask that question? Did he find out about something?
Rashta raised her head and opened her eyes.
In fact, she had recently carried out many things behind Sovieshuâs back. A series of events came to Rashtaâs mind at the same time. However, she could not reveal any of it.
âNo.â
Rashta lied flatly and stood up suddenly.
âCome to think of it, I also have something to question Sovieshu about.â
She had intended to keep it to herself a bit longer before bringing it up, but⦠in this situation, she felt it best to use it now.
âYour Majesty has something to explain to Rashta, right?â
Rashta asked coldly, and put her hands on her waist.
Sovieshu narrowed his eyes, leaning back on the back of the couch.
âWell. There seems to be something you want to discuss. What is it?â
Rashta walked over to her dresser and opened a drawer. She reached into it, pulled out a necklace and held it up to Sovieshuâs face.
âWhat does this mean?â
Sovieshu took the necklace. The necklace might look very expensive, but it did not fit Sovieshuâs standards. It was too shiny and unrefined.
âWhat is this trinket?â
At Sovieshuâs direct question, Rashta gaped with a puzzled expression. Then, Sovieshu asked once more.
âI asked what it is, Rashta.â
Rashta stammered with a âisnât it?â expression.
âIsnât it a gift Your Majesty gave Evely when you brought her as a concubine?â
Sovieshu laughed as if he found it absurd.
âYou underestimate my good taste.â
Rashta, who had been angered by how expensive the necklace looked, felt embarrassed. Emperor Sovieshuâs words seemed to imply that she had bad taste.
âIn any case. I assume, from what you just asked, that this necklace belongs to Evely, right?â
âHmmâ¦â
âYou shouldnât take a necklace that doesnât belong to you.â
âIt made me very jealous that Your Majesty cared for another woman. I picked up the necklace at the Southern Palace, but I purposely did not return it. Iâm sorry.â
Sovieshu put the necklace in his coat pocket.
âIâll have someone return it for you.â
***