Chapter 141
“Lady Izriella Aradman has arrived.”
At the palace servant’s announcement, Izriella felt her heart swell.
This isn’t a dream. This is really the Imperial Palace—
and not just anywhere, but the main palace!
It wasn’t her first time entering the palace.
The Academy was technically an affiliated institution of the palace, and once a year she could enter the palace gardens for festivals.
But this was different.
This was the inner palace, located deep inside the main palace.
Even high-ranking ministers were rarely allowed inside.
And yet, she was here.
So that idiot actually succeeded this time.
Izriella thought of Eve.
At dawn on the day of the Seasonal Festival, Eve had left the count’s estate.
Anyone else would have been anxious, praying everything went well—but Izriella had felt nothing but relief.
She’s finally gone.
The moment the carriage departed, Izriella ordered the maids to restore Eve’s room back to how it originally was—her room.
She didn’t care how things turned out.
Just being separated from that annoying child was enough to make her happy.
But as the afternoon passed, anxiety finally crept in.
She had bitten her nails and chewed her lips all day.
Even though she had checked Eve’s crest countless times, there was always a what if.
What if those currently in power took Eve away, just like her father feared?
That idiot would follow anyone who bought her expensive things.
Thinking of all the things Eve had coveted made Izriella’s stomach churn.
She grew up poor, sure—but whenever she saw something nice, she had to own it.
She had demanded everything Izriella had—her room, her belongings.
And even when something better came along, she never gave anything back.
She had to have everything.
Well… at least now I can find her cute.
Seeing the palace servants and maids bow respectfully at her side, Izriella lifted her chin proudly.
As she entered, the scent of polished wood and the palace’s signature fragrance filled the air.
Then she saw the room.
And in the center of it—
Eve, sitting on the sofa.
“Princess Evebien!”
Izriella rushed forward, dropped to her knees, and forced tears into her eyes.
On the day of the festival, her father had not returned home.
She had paced her room all night, unable to sleep.
At dawn, a letter finally arrived.
Eve had been recognized as royal.
And her father had also secured credit without losing it to others.
And now—today—Izriella herself had been allowed into the main palace.
“You’ve finally returned to where you truly belong. Congratulations, Your Highness!”
Her tears were not fake.
She was genuinely happy.
“Long time no see, Izriella.”
Eve looked down at her, her voice more arrogant than before.
Once, Izriella had hated that tone.
Now, it felt natural.
Eve was Princess Evebien.
A person everyone except the Emperor had to bow to.
“Yes, have you been well? I was so worried after you left for the palace that I couldn’t sleep at all.”
Half true, half lie.
She truly hadn’t slept—but not because of Eve.
It was because of the dazzling future waiting for her.
Her heart had been racing all night.
Just then, a cough came from the corner of the room.
“W-Who’s there?!”
Izriella turned sharply.
A female knight stood there, wearing an eyepatch.
On her chest was the golden emblem of the Imperial Knights.
“H-Hilde…”
There was only one female knight with an eyepatch.
Hilde spoke sharply.
“Mind your words, Lady Izriella. Eve has not yet been officially recognized as a Princess. Until His Majesty gives permission, the name Evebien may not be used.”
“What?”
Izriella felt as if she had been struck on the head.
Not allowed to use the name?
Eve bit her lip and glared, then spoke with a gloomy face.
“Hilde is right. I was confirmed as royal, but they still won’t recognize me as Evebien. Why won’t anyone believe me? And why won’t Dad call for me?”
Tears began to fall.
Izriella hurried to her side and wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
Then she asked the part that bothered her most.
“You haven’t met His Majesty?”
“Mm. They said Dad is very sick. So I can’t see him yet.”
Hilde spoke again.
“Until Eve is formally recognized as a Princess, she may not address His Majesty as her father. Please remember that.”
Izriella bit her lip.
Now that she thought about it, her father’s letter had only said Eve was recognized as royal—not as a Princess.
Still, did they have to humiliate her like this?
It was obviously just delayed because of procedures.
Wouldn’t it be better to treat her like a Princess already?
Izriella glared at Hilde—but quickly looked away.
Hilde’s single eye was cold and terrifying.
And a young girl couldn’t withstand the gaze of the Imperial Knights’ infamous mad dog.
Izriella turned back to Eve.
“Please don’t be sad. The palace laws are strict and complicated. His Majesty will recognize you as his daughter soon.”
“Right?”
Hearing what she wanted, Eve finally smiled.
“I hope His Majesty calls for me soon. He’ll hug me and say he missed me, right? And he’ll tell me I worked so hard… and do many things for me.”
Eve clenched her hands, certain that day would come.
Dad has to…
She had lived too poorly for a Princess.
So I hope he calls for me soon.
So she could receive everything she deserved.
* * *
“…So the palace is in complete chaos. His Majesty hasn’t left his room, and no orders have been given. The ministers don’t know what to do.”
Evie sat listening to Arcel.
The festival had turned into a disaster.
The moment the Emperor staggered after reading the letter, the Imperial Knights’ atmosphere turned hostile.
They escorted him out immediately—taking Eve with them.
After all, she had been publicly confirmed as royal.
They couldn’t just leave her behind.
Once the Emperor, Eve, and Dean Seraphina left, the festival couldn’t continue properly.
Music played, but no one danced.
Everyone only talked about Eve.
Evie hesitated, then asked softly,
“Um… I can’t see His Majesty right now, can I?”
“No. All state affairs are suspended. He’s refusing all meetings.”
“…Is he very sick?”
“Well…”
Arcel hesitated.
Speaking about the Emperor’s condition was a serious crime.
Even his father had hesitated to tell him.
But—
Arcel looked at Evie.
Her eyes were red. Her shoulders were slumped.
He couldn’t stay silent.
“He’s in a very bad mental state. He’s staying alone in his room and barely eating.”
Then he added quietly,
“And he still hasn’t acknowledged that child as Princess Evebien.”
Evie didn’t lift her head.
Then Irene, who had been listening beside them, spoke up.
“So… the kid who pulled Evie’s hair at Madame Crevel’s shop is royal?”
She muttered regretfully,
“Tch. I should’ve found her earlier and pulled all her hair out first.”
Clench.
The girl once called the young fist of the South ground her teeth, her beautiful face twisted in frustration.
She looked genuinely furious.
