The moment the Emperor said ‘daughter-in-law’, both Marquis Hamel and I froze with embarrassment.

It was too disparate of a word to come out of the wild beast’s mouth.

“Your Majesty, it’s because Her Highness first insulted our family…”

However, Marquis Hamel was unable to continue speaking because the Emperor’s sword was already at his wrist.

“Then, why did this wretched hand move?”

“That…..”

“Were you going to give the Crown Princess a slap?”

“N-no……”

“Are you saying that I’m lying?”

The sharp blade flashed dangerously. It seems Marquis Hamel tried to hit me. I was the Crown Princess, and the Emperor was beside him, so he stopped his hand.

I couldn’t see them properly because the blade was flashing in front of my eyes. Suddenly, the Emperor’s assistant, Collin, appeared in front of me.

“Your Highness, I think you’d better go home for today.”

In contrast to his cold demeanor, he smiled warmly.

“Okay. I’ll be on my way.”

I bowed down to the Emperor and left the room without saying anything. I gave a video footage to Collin as he accompanied me out of the Emperor’s palace.

“What is this?”

“It’s a video of Sir Hamel insulting the Crown Prince and me.”

This was a clear indication that he was guilty of subversion.

Originally, I planned to deliver it directly to the Emperor, but I could trust Collin.

He was the Emperor’s most trusted servant and knew that Tenstheon actually loved Blake.

“You prepared this too?”

Colin seemed rather surprised.

“I can’t just accuse a person without any evidence.”

There was something like this in my previous life too. Since there was CCTV footage to support my claims, the guilty person was able to escape the charge. Since then, I realized the importance of having evidence.

“I’ll let the Emperor know.”

Collin bowed politely.

***

Hamel was fired for trying to slap the Crown Princess in the presence of the Emperor. His son also used his position as a chief servant to embezzle the wealth of the Imperial family and was punished for insulting the Crown Prince.

This wasn’t the end. Hamel and his family were stripped of their titles and sentenced to 30 years of hard labor.

The family of the Marquis fell to the ground, but no one dared to take their side.

If the Emperor had tried to punish the family for the Monstrous Crown Prince, the nobles would have had a reason to protect them.

However, the Emperor did not use the Crown Prince as a reason. He asked to punish the Hamels because they slighted the Crown Prince and insulted the Imperial family.

The man also tried to slap the Crown Princess in front of the Emperor, and the son made such low-handed insults.

Marquis Hamel pretended to be loyal to the Emperor, but served the Duke of Cassil behind his back. The Emperor pretended not to know, but he must have already been thinking about how to punish him.

I handed over the video, which was a sure proof, but it didn’t seem to be so simple to get the Emperor’s attention.

I looked at the clock. Even though it was time for the Emperor’s political affairs to end, there was still no news from the Emperor. Was he not going to call me back again today? Was he going to leave Blake alone, as he had always done?

Of course, I knew that the Emperor didn’t make this choice because he wanted to, but I felt sorry for Blake.

However, just because the Emperor chose to neglect Blake under the guise of indifference again, I couldn’t just wait like this.

I couldn’t just leave the Emperor and Blake like this when they were once again walking down the path of tragedy.

I jumped up from my seat.

“Melissa, get me a carriage. I’m going to Phillion palace.”

Melissa panicked when I said I’d go to the Emperor’s palace.

“Your Highness, if you would like to see His Majesty, why don’t you ask for permission first?”

“If I ask him on a formal basis, he’ll say no.”

It was better to just go and look for him directly. Even the nobles wouldn’t think much of it and dismiss it as a child’s behavior.

Hence, Melissa was forced to prepare the carriage.

We had to use a carriage to go to the Phillion palace. The Crown Prince’s palace was located in a remote area away from the Emperor’s Palace, so riding a carriage was a must.

I was about to get on the carriage, when suddenly, someone grabbed my hand.

“Your Highness…”

“Ancia, where are you going?”

Blake was very upset when he heard that I almost got hit by Marquis Hamel at the Imperial Palace. He would definitely stop me if I said I was going to the Phillion Palace.

“I’m going to the square for a while.”

“Lies. You’re going to His Majesty, aren’t you?”

Did he hear my conversation with Melissa?

“I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Pardon?”

It was the first time Blake said he would come out of the Crown Prince’s palace. Melissa and Edon seemed surprised as well.

“I’ll protect you, wife. So if you want to see His Majesty, I’ll go with you.”

He didn’t stop me from going and instead tried to protect me. This little boy somehow felt like a reliable husband.

“Okay, let’s go together.”

I smiled and clasped his hand as we climbed onto the carriage.

The Emperor loved his son.

As the Emperor of the Empire, he could not call his son to the palace first, but if Blake visited first, he wouldn’t reject him.

***

We reached when the Emperor’s political affairs just got over. We rushed straight into the Emperor’s bedroom.

“Your Highness, you can’t get in.”

“You dare to defy the Crown Princess?”

The servant stood in my way, but when I spoke harshly, he finally withdrew.

“Your Highness, you may enter.”

I clasped Blake’s hand, and opened the door of the Emperor’s bedroom.

“……”

Tenstheon had just come out of the bath. Water still dripped from his hair and body, and even though he covered his lower body with a large towel, he wasn’t dressed.

The Emperor stood tall and looked down at us. I was overwhelmed by the charisma of the crimson-eyed man and lowered my head instantly. Then, my attention was drawn to his perfectly defined muscles.

Wow, I don’t know where to direct my eyes. I was always with my cute husband so I forgot that I was in a R-19 novel for a moment.

“What’s the matter?”

I suddenly came to my senses.

I was distracted by the sight, but I didn’t forget my purpose.

First of all, I needed to win the Emperor’s trust. I must make him believe me enough to tell me about his love for his son. Only then could I naturally act as a bridge between the two.

Praise was the best way to gain trust and favor. ‘Come on. Praise him…!’

“Y-your abs are very magnificent.”

‘What did I say? Ancia, are you crazy?!’

Blake must have been surprised too, since he tightened his grip on my hand.

No. This can’t be it. I need to fix this and get the Emperor’s favor. Come on.

“I-I’m sorry this is my first time seeing a man’s body.”

“Huh?”

He was so bewildered that he made the noise unconsciously. Blake was also astonished.

Even the eight-year-old kid thought my words were ridiculous.

Ah, I’m totally screwed.

“Your majesty. Th-that’s not it. I was embarrassed…”

“Hmm. I don’t think you’re in a condition to have a conversation today.”

He coughed in vain and put on a black gown.

“I’ll call you soon.”

Tenstheon’s gaze passed over me to Blake. A faint longing flashed through his eyes. I bowed down and went away.

“Yes, Your Majesty, I will go now.”

“Let’s go.”

Blake lowered his head, too. My heart ached when I saw the two.

***

Blake’s expression did not look good since we met the Emperor.

His father, whom he had met for the first time in a long time, threw him out, and it was all because of my mistake.

“Your highness…”

“I’d like to take a break. Edon, come here for a moment.”

He let go of my hand and went into his bedroom.

Your Majesty, why did you have to take a bath back then? At least wear a gown. But I couldn’t blame others for my mistake.

“Your highness, don’t worry. I’ll check up on him.”

“Yes, please.”

***

Edon followed Blake in.

“Ancia, did you follow me?”

The corners of Edon’s mouth gently raised up.