So the Duchess Disappeared

55. The Emperor’s Favor

Contrary to Shilred’s innocent words, there was a brief moment of silence in the reception room.

No one spoke first.

“…”

“…”

Ah. Psyche sighed and rubbed her temples.

She hadn’t realized that Shilred was following her, thinking about meeting the Emperor.

Shilred, who squeezed into the Emperor’s presence, was more innocent than anyone else.

Since he hadn’t received a strict education among the nobility in the first place, Shilred was simply happy. He thought it was nice to be with “Daddy-like Clint” and Psyche, and he burst into laughter, seemingly delighted to see someone he didn’t know but found joyous.

“Mama!”

Then he rushed back to Psyche.

“Mama?”

The most surprised person when Shilred called Psyche “Mama” was the Emperor. Clint, who thought he needed to fix the situation, stepped forward.

“Shilred, wait outside for a moment.”

“But I’m bored…”

Shilred pouted, holding onto the hem of Psyche’s dress with his small hand, looking upset.

Psyche hurriedly went out.

“Ask Mr. Alejandro to play with you outside.”

Clint signaled to the servant standing guard in the reception room, as if he couldn’t stand it any longer.

Shilred had to leave the reception room quickly.

After the commotion passed, the Emperor looked quite bewildered.

First, the fact that Psyche had really returned and was in the Duke’s estate, and second, the fact that the child calling Psyche “Mom” was the heir of the Duke. The Emperor quickly shook his head.

He smiled slowly, leaned back on the sofa, and spoke up.

“Madam, you have a child?”

The Emperor, who had received Psyche’s greetings, turned the conversation to Shilred.

He indulged himself in his imagination.

He thought about why Psyche had been absent from the Duke’s estate for so long and related it to Shilred.

Why would she willingly give up the position of “Duchess,” which was second only to the Empress, among the nobility?

If Psyche had met another man and had a child with him, it would be a reasonable explanation.

If she had a child, wouldn’t it make sense why the Duke and Duchess didn’t attend the recent banquet?

The Emperor chuckled.

“A child…”

He mentioned Shilred once again.

Psyche responded calmly, without any surprise.

“Concerning the child, it’s not something Your Majesty needs to worry about.”

As she spoke with a smile, the Emperor’s expression turned slightly puzzled.

The Emperor thought Psyche didn’t understand how important the position of a Duchess was, given that she hadn’t grown up in the royal court.

He considered it brave for someone in a position like that of a Duchess to bring in an illegitimate child, not realizing the potential scandal it could cause.

‘So she can hold her head high, quite an impressive woman. I thought she was just a woman hidden in the shadow of the Duke, but she seems to have more backbone than I thought.’

The Emperor quickly revised his assessment of her.

However, in reality, Psyche had never been involved with another man besides Clint, and Shilred had been brought for a different purpose, so she knew why the Emperor was misunderstanding, but she didn’t feel the need to correct him as it would naturally become apparent over time that Shilred wasn’t her child.

Although Psyche politely explained that Shilred wasn’t her child, the Emperor, who had already crafted his own narrative and wanted to believe it, couldn’t accept her words.

So the Emperor began to ramble on his own.

“Doesn’t the Duke have any thoughts about his successor?”

At that remark, the Duke felt extremely uncomfortable.

Especially because he knew the Emperor had brought up this topic deliberately.

“You needn’t worry about our successor, Your Majesty.”

Unexpectedly, it was Psyche who spoke out. She lightly laughed and laid her hand on Clint’s hand next to her.

She felt a bit grateful for Clint playing with Shilred, but more so, she felt annoyed by the Emperor, who was trying to insinuate something about Rachel.

Clint looked at Psyche touching his hand with a strange expression.

Then he slowly lowered his gaze.

A white woman’s hand clasped over his.

Clint was suddenly engulfed by a strange sensation.

Something he hadn’t noticed before, something squirming inside him. And at the same time, tension filled his body.

Whether she knew it or not, Psyche continued to stroke Clint’s fingers.

“It’s been several years since you two got married, and you still have no successor. Doesn’t the Duke want one, especially since it’s well known that the Duke is eager for an heir?”

Each word from the Emperor was laden with concern and pressure.

It was common knowledge that Clint was obsessed with having a successor, so Psyche wasn’t surprised and responded gracefully with a smile.

“I didn’t realize Your Majesty was so interested in our affairs. You’re being too kind, and I’m at a loss for words.”

Knowing better, Psyche didn’t deliberately agree or disagree.

As Psyche spoke, the Emperor fell silent.

“That’s right. Isn’t the Duke one of the pillars of our empire? Therefore, the Duke should always stand firm.”

Unintentionally, the Emperor became genuinely concerned about the future of the duchy.

“Well, I’ll do my best to meet Your Majesty’s expectations.”

Psyche smiled again, calmly responding. Then she continued.

“Wouldn’t it be a problem if there were no duchies in the empire? Losing a pillar would be a big deal, wouldn’t it, Your Majesty?”

The Emperor was completely swayed by Psyche’s mood.

Due to Psyche’s refusal to be provoked, the dynamic between them shifted.

Subtly suggesting that the duchy played a larger role than the Emperor, he found himself nodding without realizing it.

“Was she always like this? She’s not an ordinary woman.”

Clint could only watch the scene unfold. To him, Psyche felt different, not just to the Emperor.

It felt like an image of weakness he hadn’t noticed before had completely disappeared.

The Emperor regained his composure and changed the subject.

“As a celebration of your return, it would be nice if you could attend the welcoming ceremony in a few days.”

“If it’s a welcoming ceremony…”

Clint, who had remained silent for a while, spoke up.

“The queen of Tarin wants to visit.”

Tarin was a large kingdom adjacent to the eastern part of the current empire.

Although not formally elevated to an empire, Tarin was also a formidable power.

The two countries maintained a very friendly relationship, and this was largely thanks to the Duke.

A few years ago, Tarin was engulfed in a major rebellion, and the entire country was in turmoil. Members of the royal family, including the queen, fled or went into exile to save their lives, and the king and queen themselves lost their only heir, the prince.

The Duke had played a significant role in handling the situation, although the Emperor had forcibly sent him, of course.

This was why the Duke had been delayed in finding Psyche during that time she fled from the duchy.

“It’s not just any noble who can attend the reception for Tarin’s queen. If the Duchess could perform that role well…”

It was the Emperor’s excuse to bring Psyche into social circles.

However, on the other hand, the Emperor also needed to impress Sandrine.

The port of “Silin,” a key point for advancing eastward, was located in Tarin. The Emperor had been eyeing it for a few years.

Since all of Tarin’s diplomacy was effectively under the queen’s jurisdiction, the Emperor was subtly pressuring her to agree to a treaty to allow her to use the port sooner.

“Yes, it’s the queen of Tarin. I’d love to meet her. I’ve heard she’s a stunning blonde beauty, as you know.”

“Oh, right! There’s more to discuss with the Duchess!”

The Emperor suddenly burst into hearty laughter and quickly continued speaking.

“The queen lost a child a few years ago. The Duchess also…”

“Your Majesty.”

Clint interrupted the Emperor’s thoughtless words.

It was clear he targeted Psyche’s emotions with what he said.

Instantly, the atmosphere turned hostile.

Psyche, who had been smiling cheerfully, wiped the smile off her face.

Clint, who keenly noticed her change, narrowed his eyes.

“Oh, haha! I’ve overstepped my bounds! You know, they say sharing pain halves it. I thought having someone who had experienced similar pain nearby might make it easier for the queen to open up!”

“Your Majesty, it would be best not to continue that conversation any further.”

Clint openly expressed his discomfort.

“Hahaha! Looks like I’ve crossed the line! Hope the gracious lady forgives me!”

The Emperor chuckled heartily, looking at Psyche.

Psyche’s appearance, with her focus gone, looked sad.

This time, Clint placed his hand on top of Psyche’s hand.

Feeling that touch, Psyche managed to shake off her vague feelings.

She nodded slightly and forced a smile.

“Yes, Your Majesty. You need not worry.”

“As expected! The Duchess is different indeed!”

The Emperor laughed again as if he felt relieved.

The sensation of the trembling hand faded away in Clint’s hand.

Seeming to have achieved his purpose, the Emperor rose from his seat.

“I’ll send my official invitation to the duchy.”

“Please do.”

Clint, who had been eager for the Emperor to leave, quickly stood up from his seat. As he did so, the warmth that covered Psyche’s hand disappeared in an instant.

Psyche, who had been looking down at her hand, slowly raised her gaze.

She felt somewhat strange.

“It’s nice to see the Duchess after a long time. Let’s meet often.”

After bidding farewell, the Emperor left the duchy.

As he turned to leave, something seemed to occur to him, so he turned back.

“Oh, make sure to bring that child to the welcoming reception.”

He deliberately suggested Shilard’s presence.

Clint brushed it off as nonsense, nodding vaguely and politely ushering the Emperor out again.

As they watched him leave, Clint and Psyche stood in the same place for a while.

Once the Emperor was completely out of sight, they slowly walked inside. On their way to their respective rooms, Psyche suddenly spoke up.

“W-we have to bring Shilard to that reception.”

“…?”