Episode 31

The dog, who was often anxious, seemed to be worried about being attacked by Bonita.

“A private audience? Have you forgotten what happened yesterday?”

Although both Bonita and I would likely be equally terrible in combat, his expression was serious.

Just last night, we encountered an assassin, so I was going to allow him to accompany me. This time, however, Bonita vehemently opposed it.

In the end, it was decided that one maid would accompany me to serve tea.

Aiden, looking serious, carefully selected a maid. It was Anna, Lothania’s personal maid.

Anna was quiet, gentle, and skilled with her hands, so I liked her. I went to the parlor with Anna.

Bonita and I sat facing each other, not too far but not too close. Bonita glared disapprovingly at Anna standing behind me, then sighed and said,

“It seems His Majesty has some misunderstandings about me.”

“What misunderstanding do you think I have?”

“Don’t you think I’m aiming for my niece’s position?”

It was a rather straightforward question.

I suspect she is after not only Lothania’s position but also her life.

I didn’t answer because I couldn’t figure out her intention, and Bonita let out a long sigh.

“Did someone tell His Majesty that since my brother passed away before the successor awakened, either Henry or I might awaken? Or that I am trying to kill my niece to become the master of the Oath?”

She was right. I had heard that if all direct descendants disappeared, Bonita and Henry had a high chance of awakening.

It wasn’t a secret either, as I found out later.

There had been many cases where a member of the royal family aimed for the emperor’s life over the last 300 years to become the master of the beasts.

That’s why Lothania was so wary of Bonita.

I still didn’t answer, and Bonita leaned towards me, her crimson eyes glinting.

“Was it one of the beasts who told His Majesty that story?”

Again, she was right. The person who told me that story was Lian, with his serpent tongue.

As I recalled his smiling face with curled eyes, I suddenly became confused. I had to suspect Lian’s tongue as much as Bonita’s.

Noticing my unease, Bonita sighed as if she had expected it.

“The beasts’ goal is to break free from the Oath’s bond, meaning Lothania’s death, Your Majesty. It is not I who is targeting the Crown Princess, but they are, and I am an obstacle to them as I would protect my brother’s only daughter.”

“You would protect Lothania?”

“Of course, Your Majesty. That child is my family. Although she seems to prefer her stepmother over her once-beloved aunt now, she is still my precious niece.”

Bonita spoke with a melancholic expression and sorrowful eyes. Her words seemed genuine.

Had I been misunderstanding Bonita all this time?

Come to think of it, this was the first time I was hearing her side of the story directly.

As my mind grew more complicated, Bonita continued with a smile that resembled Nerian’s.

“At first, I also misunderstood Your Majesty. I thought you were conspiring with the beasts to harm my niece. After all, there is no bond between you and Lothania, isn’t there?”

Bonita’s question left me speechless again.

People would find Bonita’s anxiety understandable.

She and Lothania are blood relatives, and I am just a stepmother who could leave for Dirmil anytime.

With the crimson eyes symbolizing the Luminal royal family, Bonita continued, feigning a gracious demeanor.

“I now understand that Your Majesty truly cares for Lothania. So please, Your Majesty, take my hand. How can you face those vicious beasts alone? Just last night, you nearly faced a disaster.”

She spoke with certainty that one of the beasts sent the assassin last night.

After finishing her words, Bonita stood up. As she approached me, her voluminous skirt rustling, she frowned because Anna blocked her way.

“Step aside.”

“Marchioness Senwood, please take your seat.”

“Do you think you can obstruct me and remain unharmed, mere maid?”

“I have been instructed not to let anyone approach Her Majesty.”

“Who dares to give such an order?”

Bonita’s sharp voice echoed in the parlor, and Anna stood firmly, blocking the way between Bonita and me.

Fearing that the innocent maid might get hurt, I intervened.

“I gave that order.”

“Excuse me?”

“I gave that order. So, sit down, Marchioness Senwood.”

Bonita looked displeased but couldn’t do anything more and returned to her seat.

Watching her, I slowly composed my thoughts and words.

I thought dealing with the beasts would be enough, but it turns out none of them are easy opponents.

How can she stir people’s hearts so skillfully while only stating facts?

Nothing Bonita said was wrong.

I doubted her. As she said, it was the beast, Lian, who fueled that doubt.

It’s true that the beasts are targeting Lothania, and it’s also true that my stepdaughter and I are not connected by blood.

However, the fragments of those facts are not the whole story. Moreover, the facts she stated are not entirely true.

On the day of Nerian’s funeral, the trembling of that small hand that clung to my skirt while being held by Bonita was the beginning of my suspicion.

From the day I promised to protect Lothania, holding that hand, we became something more.

We may not be connected by blood, but we can call each other family.

And now, she’s suggesting that I should join hands with someone who threatened Lothania to tears, brought the issue of deposing the empress to the political meeting, and secretly contacted Dirmil?

I might as well suspect Bonita of being the one who sent the assassin last night.

In this vast empire, the only things I can trust are my only family, Lothania, the old chamberlain whom my late husband trusted, and for the time being, the dog who will protect my life.

“Marchioness Senwood.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I called Bonita without any particular intonation, and she bowed her head politely, her face full of expectation.

There was a way to honestly say that I don’t trust her and dismiss her.

If I banned her from entering all royal properties and prevented her from seeing Lothania again, things might seem quiet on the surface, but who knows what schemes she might be plotting next.

Rather than that…

“That’s a good idea.”

“Excuse me?”

“Didn’t you suggest I take your hand? I will agree to it.”

“Really?”

“As you said, I don’t have the power to face the three beasts alone in Belphator. If the House of Senwood stands by my side, it would be reassuring.”

“You’ve made a wise decision, Your Majesty. I will get rid of the beasts for you and the Crown Princess.”

Ah, so that’s it?

From the words Bonita spilled with a bright smile, I could guess her real intention behind this proposal.

She wants to get rid of me, but the beasts are in the way.

Since the House of Senwood can’t confront the beasts without any justification, she wants to use me, the Empress, to deal with the beasts first?

Once the beasts are gone, it wouldn’t be difficult to remove the powerless Empress. Then she plans to take the throne from Lothania, who would be left alone.

I nodded along with Bonita’s words and then said,

“But we must be cautious. We can’t let them know we’ve joined forces.”

“Then what should we do?”

“You and the House of Senwood should gather strength to confront the beasts. When the right time comes, I will create a justification.”

“But how will I know when that time comes? I am banned from entering the palace and can’t see you, Your Majesty.”

“I will allow Henry Senwood to enter the palace as Lothania’s playmate. If you have something to convey to me, send a letter through him. If I need to contact you, I will send this child.”

I pointed to Anna, who was standing beside me.

Bonita glanced at Anna from top to bottom and frowned.

“How can I trust this maid?”

“She has already heard everything. She has served Lothania for a long time, so you can trust her.”

“I have no choice, do I? You, keep your mouth shut about this conversation.”

Bonita warned Anna in a pretentious authoritative voice, but I almost burst into laughter.