Page 46 of Remarried Empress

Prince Heinley turned to Rashta sternly, and her eyes drooped. She looked miserable.

Her voice quivered in meekness. McKenna understood why so many people fell in love with Rashta. There was something about her distress that aroused pity in the viewer’s heart.

Heinley’s voice was a flat monotone, however, and McKenna tutted warningly. Despite Rashta’s tarnished reputation, she was still highly favored by the Emperor. McKenna didn’t care what Heinley said about her behind the scenes, but the prince would have to be careful in front of her face...

Prince Heinley seemed to completely disregard that, however.

Rashta’s large eyes glistened and filled with tears. McKenna knew what was coming. Prince Heinley could appear light and casual, but at the drop of a hat he could become cold and frightening. Prince Heinley’s frigid gaze intensified, and Rashta, who seemed intimidated, started to cry.

McKenna didn’t expect those words to leave her mouth. Rashta gazed at Prince Heinley with her dark eyes, not a trace of fear on her expression. On the contrary, she looked deeply moved. Who reacted to a cold attitude like that...?

McKenna’s eyebrows twisted in disbelief at her unusual behavior, and Prince Heinley, too, frowned in surprise. Rashta gave a sheepish smile as she wiped her eyes with one hand.

She finished dabbing her tears with her sleeve, but as soon as she lowered her arm she choked up again.

The urge to protect her strengthened even more when she was crying. Some nobles only treated other nobles with kindness, and looked down at people with lower status. It was likely those same people had terribly humiliated Rashta.

Despite the pitiable sight before him, Heinley continued to speak with cold formality. He seemed to have no opinion on her situation, and he checked his wristwatch and said, “Well, that’s enough,” then walked away without another word.

McKenna, feeling sorry for Rashta, smiled awkwardly at her and followed Prince Heinley.

What extraordinary talent. McKenna was certainly offended on Heinley’s behalf, but he had momentarily forgotten about it when he saw Rashta cry. He tilted his head in thought, while Prince Heinley turned back towards the southern palace.

*

*

I stared at the minister in bewilderment and he nodded.

Foreign guests rarely visited a month or two after the New Year’s celebrations. There were no festivals at this time, and those who did stay past New Year’s did it so they wouldn’t have to visit again. Why would Duke Elgy Klaudia, who couldn’t attend the New Year’s celebrations on the account of being too busy, suddenly come now?

Duke Elgy Klaudia was known to be a close friend of the prince. So...a playboy friend. I wondered at this, but I signed the documents permitting his stay, and continued on with my work. I heard the name Duke Elgy again while having dinner with the ladies-in-waiting.

I cut my salad with my knife.

Laura snorted, “No.”

Ah...Rashta.

Since Duke Elgy was Prince Heinley’s best friend, I thought he would avoid Rashta on principle. Laura continued on nervously.

Another lady-in-waiting, who was waiting for her turn in the conversation, followed Laura’s words quickly.

What happened? I looked at her questioningly, and she shook her head and clicked her tongue.

*

*

*

The table in Rashta’s drawing room was loaded with a diverse assortment cakeslight pink strawberry cake, yellow banana cream cake, melon cake...

The desserts, tailored to Rashta’s taste, were created by the Emperor’s chef and were made to perfection in both appearance and taste. However, these dishes were not for Rashta today.

Rasta smiled and thanked Duke Elgy sitting opposite her. She was deeply grateful to him. Although Viscount Roteschu retracted his remarks about Rashta being an escaped slave within a day, everyone was reluctant to believe him. As she feared, Rashta quickly became estranged from the nobles. Her friends stopped visiting her, and the flow of gifts disappeared.

What was most upsetting, however, was the occasional glimpses she saw of their gazes. Some nobles showed contempt, others curiosity, some pity, and others vague interest.

But Duke Elgy was different from all of them. He treated her kindly, like when she was treated as an aristocrat during New Year’s. At first Rashta believed it was because Duke Elgy was ignorant about the rumors, but soon she saw with her own eyes that he didn’t care about it at all. He even threw his fist at the nobleman who taunted her. He was a royal, he was a duke, he was a beautiful man who surrounded himself with the love of womenand he punched someone for her. Rashta was flattered beyond measure, and so she invited him to enjoy her favorite food.

Duke Elgy propped his arm against the chair arm and uttered a low swear word.

His friend was probably going crazy that he didn’t show up yet. He rubbed his eyes and wondered if he was concerned.

Duke Elgy was so different from the nobles Rashta met before. He seemed rough like a mercenary from a street bar, yet simultaneously had a sophisticated and noble air. She found it even more amusing to see the contrast of this muscular, big-mouthed noble eating dainty cakes. And he didn’t care if she was a slave...

Rashta especially liked him.

Duke Elgy answered her bluntly and swallowed another bite of yellow cake.