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Chapter 258
Perhaps it was due to the commotion that morning, but the atmosphere within the palace was unsettled.
As Iona and Leroy walked through the corridors of the Empress’ palace, they silently speculated on why the mistress of this space had allowed them entry.
It was true that the Empress had invited them first, but there had been no real need for that meeting to happen so soon.
Was the Empress’ prompt invitation a sign of confidence? Or was it a display of pride, meant to show she would not be underestimated?
“This is probably my first time stepping in this far,” Leroy remarked, glancing around with curious eyes.
Even to Iona, who had visited the Empress’ palace a few times before, this place felt unfamiliar.
After all, the Empress’ residence was a fortress—one not easily accessible even to those within the palace.
“Outsiders are generally prohibited from entering, out of concern for Her Majesty’s health. Only a few, hand-selected by the Empress herself, are allowed to cross this threshold,” the maid walking ahead of them explained with a gentle voice.
That too was unexpected.
One had to wonder whether the Empress had specifically ordered her attendants to treat the ducal couple with such care, because everyone they encountered was uncommonly courteous to Iona and Leroy.
Leroy let out a strange smile, perhaps recalling the cold treatment Iona had received during their previous dealings with the Crown Prince’s residence.
Then, with a small chuckle, he added, “What an honor.”
“This way, please,” the maid said as she came to a halt in front of an enormous door.
To reach the Empress’ private chambers, they had to pass through several layers of security. At one point, they were even subjected to a physical search.
That was something they’d never experienced before—not even during past visits with Richard.
‘Well, I suppose there was no need to search her own son for dangerous items.’
Perhaps it was because Richard was the Empress’ son that things had gone smoothly before. Or maybe the Empress had hastily put these new procedures in place out of suspicion toward them.
Whatever the case, it didn’t change the reality that, to the Empress, the ducal couple were not fully trusted.
Still, since neither of them was carrying anything like a blade, they passed through the checkpoint without issue and were led to the Empress’s presence.
The Empress was seated by the window, sunlight pouring over her, waiting for them.
As Iona and Leroy stepped inside, she rose to her feet and opened her arms in a gesture of welcome.
As if to express her genuine pleasure, the table was already set with a steaming teapot, gold-rimmed teacups, and a dazzling assortment of colorful sweets.
“You’ve come,” the Empress said warmly.
She slowly approached Iona and attempted to embrace her.
Caught off guard, Iona couldn’t hide her surprise.
Not that there was any reason to. After all, she wasn’t the only one taken aback by the Empress’ unexpected gesture.
To immediately return the hug would have felt even more unnatural—as if she had been anticipating it.
Awkwardly, Iona spoke the Empress’ title.
“Your Majesty the Empress?”
“Oh dear. I couldn’t restrain my joy and ended up doing something rather tactless,” the Empress said with a self-deprecating chuckle, releasing her from the embrace.
She then turned her veiled gaze toward Leroy, who looked equally stunned.
“Has marriage matured you further? You seem even more dashing than before, Duke. You two make such a splendid pair—it truly was a shame I couldn’t attend your wedding.”
Even if the wedding had been held in the capital, the Empress would likely never have left her palace. Still, she spoke as though she genuinely regretted not being there.
Leroy replied, pretending not to notice the subtext in her words.
“Well, when we first married, it wasn’t quite the time for joyful celebrations. But both my wife and I still long for a proper ceremony, so when the occasion comes, we hope you will grace us with your presence.”
“Are you saying that to placate me, or do you truly mean it?”
“Of course, I mean it. And if there’s anyone who ought to feel disappointed, it would be us.”
With that, Leroy turned to Iona with a gentle look.
The Empress, silently watching the couple for a moment, eventually turned toward the table.
Her face was hidden behind a veil, making it difficult to read her expression, but on the surface, the mood remained pleasant enough.
“You must’ve had a long walk. Please, have a seat. My chambers are in a rather secluded corner—it must’ve been quite the effort to find your way here.”
“It is truly an honor to be invited, Your Majesty.”
Iona responded with a polite, composed tone.
She was exactly as she had been when she met with the Empress alone before returning to the duchy—poised, dignified, reliable.
Did the Empress now regret having trusted her back then?
Or… did she still believe Iona was on her side?
She had once revealed her true intentions to Richard, but whether that had made its way to the Empress was anyone’s guess.
After all, as revolting as he could be, Richard had wanted to protect her from danger.
Still, even if Richard had kept silent, Iona couldn’t be sure the Empress had discovered nothing about her.
The Empress was a woman well-versed in every underhanded, conniving trick imaginable.
She had deceived Iona’s mother all the way to her grave—her acting skills were no joke.
‘And more than anything… the fact that she fought with her son this morning is what bothers me most.’
Whatever the Empress was thinking, Iona could be certain of at least one thing: she hadn’t summoned her here with good intentions.
Even the letter Iona had sent the Empress might’ve only added to her suspicions.
She picked up the teacup, silently praying that it hadn’t been poisoned.
Thankfully, there was no bitter or strange taste to be found.
After a long round of polite small talk, the tea had gone lukewarm. And that’s when the Empress finally spoke—her tone layered with meaning.
“You must be wondering why I called you here so suddenly.”
“…It’s true, Your Majesty. I was a bit surprised by the unexpected invitation.”
“I hope you understand. I had… reasons that left me no time to waste,” she replied, slowly brushing her opposite hand with her right as she spoke.
Iona finally began to grasp the emotion that had been hiding beneath the Empress’ voice all along.
It was longing.
“Lady Iona, could you take a look at this for me?”
The Empress reached into her robe and pulled out a single sheet of paper, holding it out to Iona.
Iona didn’t even need to open it. She could recite every word inside.
Because it was the very letter she had sent to the Empress.
“What is this?” she asked, feigning calm, as if she were seeing it for the first time.
Whether Leroy truly didn’t recognize it or was simply playing along, he showed no reaction at all.
The Empress watched their performance like a slow-moving theater critic, her voice dragging with veiled amusement.
“It’s a letter I received recently. Or perhaps… you could call it a kind of accusation.”
“…Does it contain something about us?”
“You mean to say you have no idea what this might be?”
Iona turned to Leroy with a puzzled expression.
Leroy simply shrugged, as if he, too, was clueless.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. May I take a closer look at it myself?”
There was a pause before the Empress replied.
“Go ahead.”
With measured care, Iona reached out and took the letter.
At last, she understood what the Empress wanted to confirm by summoning them here.
She suspected that Iona might be the author of the letter. And astutely so.
As she slowly unfolded the paper, Iona found herself thinking back to the version of herself who had once been so naïve about the imperial family.
What would that innocent girl have done if faced with this letter—if she had discovered the hidden truth of her birth?
It wasn’t hard to guess.
Anyone would be shaken to the core if confronted with a secret so profound.
“What is this…?”
Iona muttered in a voice full of shaken disbelief.
Having once pretended to be Leroy’s loving fiancée before marriage, she was already a seasoned actress.
Pretending to tremble from shock was child’s play now.
“This… is this true? Could I really be…?”
But Iona’s performance couldn’t hold its shine—not in front of someone like the Empress, a veteran actress in her own right.
Before she could even finish her sentence, the Empress abruptly burst into tears.
Clutching Iona’s hands with trembling emotion, she asked desperately,
“Are you truly telling me you know nothing? Could it really be… that Teresa’s daughter miraculously survived… and returned to us?”
---The End Of The Chapter---
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