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Chapter 259
It was a reaction that could rival even that of an Archduke.
Though she couldn’t see the Empress’ face beneath the veil, Iona had a strong hunch that even if it were lifted, there wouldn’t be a single crack to find.
That was how flawless her performance was.
Iona found herself staring at the Empress, almost entranced.
And just then, as if the Empress had suddenly regained her composure, she withdrew the hand that had reached out to Iona.
“My apologies. I tried to keep calm since nothing is certain yet… but the thought that you might be Teresa’s daughter overwhelmed me.”
As she spoke, the Empress covered her mouth.
Her shamelessness was almost awe-inspiring.
It was fortunate that the emotions Iona was expected to display right now were confusion and agitation. Had it been any other circumstance, she might not have been able to maintain such a natural expression.
Steadying herself with effort, Iona ran her fingers over the letter and asked with disbelief.
“Did the late princess… truly have a daughter? One around my age?”
“Yes. Everyone believed she had died as soon as she was born, but after receiving this letter, I began to hope—perhaps a part of Teresa is still with us…”
“That’s… a very hard story to believe…”
Iona shook her head, clearly troubled.
The Empress studied her carefully and then spoke.
“That’s why I summoned you—to hear your side of the story. I wondered if you might know something more.”
“Even so… this is all new to me, I’ve never heard anything like it.”
“Did Count Modrov never speak to you about your mother? Even a small detail might help.”
“It’s true I was the Count’s illegitimate child, but I was never told my mother had noble status. In fact, the former Count often said she was just a woman from the streets.”
Iona frowned, then added firmly, “There must be some mistake.”
Watching her closely, Leroy calmly offered a different perspective.
“There’s no guarantee the former Count told you the truth. If what’s written in this letter is true, then it would’ve been in both their interests to keep their relationship hidden.”
“…I agree with the Duke. What’s more, the person who sent this letter seems to know a lot about our situation. I doubt they would fabricate something entirely baseless.”
For a brief moment, Iona thought the Empress was glaring at her with piercing eyes.
Though only the outline of her chin was barely visible through the delicate veil, it was enough.
The black cloth covering the Empress’ face resembled a bottomless pit—one whose depths could not be seen.
Perhaps the Empress herself had fallen into that pit, unable to return.
And now, she was ruining herself with actions she could never take back.
‘Though she would never admit that herself.’
Swallowing down her self-mockery, Iona replied in a careful tone.
“If this is about my origins, then my father’s old retainers would likely know more than I do. Most of the staff who served in the mansion before I was sent to the duchy were dismissed, so it may take time to track them down… but I’ll do my best to gather information quickly.”
“Good. I’ll also investigate the sender of this letter further.”
The Empress touched her temple, as if trying to ease a throbbing headache.
Then she murmured quietly,
“I hope it’s true.”
“……”
“To think that child… Teresa would’ve been so happy to see her daughter grow up like this.”
There was such longing in her voice—as if Teresa had become a cherished memory to her.
And at that moment, Iona felt a quiet rage begin to boil deep within her.
The person most responsible for Teresa’s death had no right to act so brazenly.
Suppressing her emotions behind a tight-lipped smile, Iona asked,
“…Were you close to Princess Teresa?”
“Close? Of course. Who else but me could visit that child, locked away in the palace? Neither the late Emperor nor the late Empress could bear to even look at her. Caring for her was always my responsibility.”
After a brief pause, the Empress continued.
“Even so… those were good times. At least she was still alive back then.”
“……”
“If she had held on just a little longer, she might’ve finally seen the light of day…”
What a ridiculous tragedy.
The Empress pretended to have shared a deep bond with Teresa—all in an effort to win favor with Iona, her supposed daughter.
It seemed she was trying to avoid any potential suspicions related to the past.
And for a moment, Iona realized that if she had truly known nothing, she might have been completely fooled by the Empress’ shameless act.
After all, how could one imagine that the very woman who claimed to have cared for her imprisoned mother… was the one who had thrown her into that abyss in the first place?
Just as Teresa had once been deceived.
“I recall hearing a story… that during the fire, Her Majesty the Empress rushed into the flames to save Princess Teresa. You must have been devastated.”
Fortunately, Leroy still had enough presence of mind to cater to the Empress’ mood.
Thanks to that, Iona was able to momentarily forget her anger and regain her composure.
“It was a meaningless act. In the end… I couldn’t save her.”
“……”
“When I found Teresa, it was already too late. Had there been any chance of rescuing her, that child would’ve already escaped on her own… I myself barely made it out alive.”
Saying so, the Empress reached a hand beneath her veil and began scratching at her skin.
It was unclear whether the act was conscious or unconscious, but she continued for quite some time, unable to stop.
Eventually, one of the palace maids leaned in and whispered gently to her mistress.
“Your Majesty… your skin will become damaged.”
“Ah…”
Lowering her hand at last, the Empress looked noticeably weakened and spoke in a fatigued voice.
“I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well today. Perhaps we should end our meeting here.”
It was a sudden dismissal.
To an outsider, it might have looked like the Empress had been overcome with sorrow.
Even Iona hadn’t been able to spot any clear flaws in her behavior.
Yet she couldn’t believe it was anything but an act.
“If it isn’t too much trouble for you both, would you consider staying in the palace for a while? That way, if anything else comes to mind, you can speak with me right away.”
“We’ll do as you ask.”
It was an unexpected offer, but Iona nodded without objection.
After all, having a closer look at the Empress wasn’t a bad thing on their side either.
And more than anything, refusing might arouse suspicion.
“Very well. Then go and rest.”
With that, the Empress summoned the same maid who had guided them earlier and instructed her to prepare a chamber in the detached palace for their stay.
Just as Iona was rising from her seat to leave, she paused and looked back at the Empress.
“Your Majesty… does His Highness the Crown Prince know about this matter?”
A peculiar silence passed between them before the Empress answered as if it were only natural.
“Of course, he read the letter as well. Though he strongly denies it, insisting it’s an impossible claim.”
“I’m not sure… how I should face him.”
“Just act as you always have. You two were like family from the very beginning, weren’t you?”
The fact that the Empress herself acknowledged their relationship as family brought a bitter smile to Iona’s lips.
If everyone else recognized it, why was Richard the only one unable to accept it—leading himself toward ruin?
With a polite bow toward the Empress, Iona exited the chamber with Leroy.
They walked the corridor in silence, until Iona suddenly spoke.
“That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
“Heard of what?”
“That Her Majesty ran into the fire to save Princess Teresa. I always thought she had just gotten caught in the incident herself.”
Before Leroy could answer, the maid guiding them turned her head slightly and interjected.
“Her Majesty and Princess Teresa were very close.”
Naturally, both turned their gaze toward her.
Keeping her eyes fixed forward, the maid continued her explanation.
“The moment Her Majesty heard of the fire, she ran to the princess’s residence. Though the maids tried to stop her, she pushed past them and charged inside—after dousing herself with water fetched by the servants.”
“That… must have been extremely dangerous.”
“She was lucky to survive. They say Her Majesty very nearly died at Princess Teresa’s side.”
---The End Of The Chapter---
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