The Saintess Returned to the Emperor's Arms

Reunion 

 

At that time, Greta had no idea what she would hear.

 

Deep down, she was expecting some kind of pleasant gossip about Riella neglecting her work and playing around with the emperor’s favor, thereby undermining the prestige of the imperial family.

 

“What did you say just now? That Riella is carrying the Emperor’s child?”

 

“Yes. Although it’s just a rumor. It is true that His Majesty cares for Miss Riella very much. Recently, she has not been allowed to go to work at the embassy and His Majesty has been protecting Riella only in her bedroom. He didn’t even let her feet go outside the bed, so it’s not surprising that such rumors are going around.”

 

Greta’s mind went blank.

 

‘Riella is pregnant with the emperor’s child?’

 

‘No matter how much it was a rumor if it was even true, it was not something to be taken lightly.’

 

‘Riella, who was already proud of the emperor’s power, would become more rampant.’

 

“If it’s true, it’s something to celebrate.”

 

Greta gritted her teeth as she tried to hide her boiling insides.

 

“Well, if it really is, it’s something to celebrate, but…”

 

“But?”

 

“I’m more worried. Miss Riella is not yet officially married to His Majesty, and she does not have any background to back it up.…Even if she was, would the noble society even recognize her bloodline? I’m worried that Miss Riella will get into trouble and get hurt even more by spreading rumors.”

 

‘I think you’re the one spreading the rumors?’ 

 

The maid’s pretty eyes drooped and she had a sad expression, but Greta was not fooled by that.

 

On the contrary, her interest was piqued. 

 

‘Where in the world are you from?’

 

“You’re a deep thinker, what was your name again?”

 

“My name is Loriel Ignis, and I am serving Miss Riella at the Lake Palace.”

 

‘Was she Riella’s maid?’ 

 

“The Count Ignis, who served as the imperial officer?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Speaking of your extraordinary elegance, you are indeed the daughter of a prestigious family.”

 

Greta’s eyes twinkled. She felt a little blood rush to her veins.

 

‘As expected, there seemed to be no way to just die. Even if you don’t like anything, there’s always at least one hole in the sun.’

 

“Okay. Loriel. I’ll remember it. If you have any other news in the future, will you let me know? Riella may say that her background is insignificant, but she is a citizen of my country, so in the end, I am like her own family.”

 

“Yes. Alright.”

 

“Please take care of our Riella.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“If there is anything I can help with, let me know. You know Riella’s personality, right? Even if something is difficult, she doesn’t talk about it,…Is she a bit foolish?”

 

At those words, the maid smiled, elegantly folding her eyes.

 

Greta knew better than anyone else the true meaning of that smile.

 

Because hypocrisy communicates with each other.

 

* * * 

 

“What? I’m pregnant?”

 

“It’s just a rumor. Because Miss Riella is hiding in the bedroom.”

 

“No matter what, how can they do that…?!”

 

A hot shiver ran up Riella’s spine. Something beyond ridiculous, something like unspeakable embarrassment.

 

it was the fact that she couldn’t plead that it was 100% untrue. Especially in front of Lou, who had even given her embarrassing tips.

 

‘Is His Majesty aware of this situation?’ 

 

Riella’s cheeks turned bright red at the thought that it was a problem even if he knew, and a problem even if he didn’t know. 

 

Lou continued speaking before her.

 

“Actually, there are about five more rumors besides that. Including that she’s seriously ill, that she’ll be gone tomorrow, that she hates her job and ran away from it all, and that she had a big fight with her aide….”

 

“What? Is it all true?”

 

Lou closed her mouth, but Riella had already opened her mouth.

 

‘I thought it was just embarrassing concerns floating around, but upon hearing it, it seemed like the situation was more serious than I thought.’

 

‘I’ve been too comfortable with the Emperor’s favor.’

 

It was something she didn’t pay attention to because she was so happy to spend her vacation with the emperor.

 

It was bad enough that she was being talked about badly, but to think that it would affect the emperor’s reputation was even worse.

 

‘It’s been too long since I stopped working. I acted irresponsibly, so it’s only natural that rumors would arise.’ 

 

So Riella called an employee and asked about the progress of the embassy’s work.

 

The employee, who was so low-level that he could not even receive the emperor’s order to handle the work without Riella’s knowledge, handed over all the documents in front of Riella without even thinking about it.

 

It was only then that Riella saw all the letters exchanged between the embassy and the princess while she was on vacation.

 

It was a few hours later that the emperor briefly stopped by the lake palace bedroom.

 

“Your majesty. I have a favor to ask.”

 

Herhan found Riella so lovely as she rushed in front of him as if she had been waiting.

 

In his eyes, Riella, who had never been one to ask for favors, was just cute when she made a request.

 

“What is it? I’ll bring you everything you want.”

 

“Please let me return to my duties as ambassador.”

 

“What?”

 

Herhan’s brows furrowed at the unexpected request, and his gaze soon found the documents on the table.

 

After recognizing the identity of the documents, Herhan’s complexion instantly darkened.

 

“You know everything.”

 

Riella’s heart also sank in front of the confession in a low voice. But she answered honestly.

 

“Yes…”

 

Fabian was so sick that he was on the verge of death, and that was why the princess requested support from the imperial family.

 

The emperor rejected the request, and because of that, the princess, whose schedule had been disrupted, arrived at the imperial palace the day before yesterday.

 

And all of that, including the fact that the emperor was handling all of that without her knowledge.

 

Riella now knows everything.

 

“So you resent me?”

 

“I feel a little resentful.”

 

Although she said that, Riella actually resented the emperor more than a little.

 

It was because she was disappointed and felt that she was not that trustworthy.

 

‘I knew the emperor’s intention to protect me in the safest place, but that made me even more upset.’

 

‘Now I want to show His Majesty that I can fight on my own.’ 

 

That’s why she accepted the ambassadorship, and that’s why she also accepted the princess’s visit.

 

So this time, Riella again spoke to Herhan, who turned his back on her and turned bitterly.

 

“I think I have enough vacation. Now, please let me return to my ambassador duties.”

 

As If Herhan sucked in a breath, his shoulders rising and falling once, but he kept his back to her and only replied.

 

“If that’s what you want, then do it.”

 

“I’ll go to the West Palace first.”

 

“Yes.”

 

For some reason, Herhan’s voice sounded a little cold.

 

* * * 

 

Riella stopped by the embassy, prepared carefully, and headed to the West Palace where the princess would be.

 

The West Palace still looked the same. The garden was still beautiful, quiet, and lush with greenery. 

 

However, there was no ‘Riella Blinite’ who was unfamiliar and afraid there.

 

Riella now confidently crossed the hallway to where the princess was staying and made the maid announce that the ambassador had come.

 

“What? “Who is coming?”

 

Greta paced nervously, then stopped in front of the door.

 

Greta’s pupils trembled slightly as she made eye contact with Riella.

 

Riella’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of such a steadfast princess.

 

“Princess. It’s been a while since I saw you.”

 

Still, Riella greeted Greta first.

 

“Looks like someone was waiting for me.”

 

“Riella!”

 

From shouting the name ‘Riella’, the princess was the same as before.

 

Greta grabbed Riella’s wrist and pulled her roughly, but Riella gently pulled her hand away.

 

“Who do you think you are? Who said it was okay to come in as you please? You can’t stand in front of royalty and not get down on the floor, but you’re still…!”

 

Riella didn’t care and called Lou,  ordering her to set up the tea for the two of them.

 

While Greta was dazed, Lou quickly went into the living room and prepared tea and refreshments.

 

“When I was at the palace, I remembered the princess calling me to the rose garden. So, I’m going to do the same today.”

 

“Riella, you…”

 

“Please sit down. Princess.”

 

Riella took the initiative to offer Greta a seat. As if to remind her that she is just a guest who stopped by here for a while.

 

“I can’t forget the tea the princess gave me back then. It had a unique floral scent and a tangy taste.”

 

“…..”

 

“Ah. Could it have been because I drank poison at that time?”

 

Riella took a sip of tea and smiled.

 

Greta bit her lip as she looked at that relaxed smile.

 

Greta couldn’t even touch her own teacup while Riella finished her cup of tea.

 

At that time, people wearing uniforms entered the open door one by one.

 

They were embassy employees brought in by Riella.

 

“Princess Greta. I see you now.”

 

“I am late in greeting you, Your Highness.”

 

“….!”

 

Greta was embarrassed by the sudden appearance of these people and clenched her fists.

 

The guests brought by Riella continued to enter. In addition to the embassy staff, there were servants carrying boxes and escort knights carrying swords.

 

While greeting them without knowing what to do, Greta’s eyes were full of venom as she glanced at Riella from time to time.

 

‘Are you going to criticize me for dragging a lot of sides in a shameless way? I learned it from the princess.’ 

 

Riella couldn’t even laugh because she felt like she could clearly see Greta’s insides.

 

Suddenly, she remembered the time when she was surrounded and harassed by the princess and her people. Those days when she was pointed at as insignificant by those around her and became the object of contempt and ridicule.

 

Now that she was in the exact opposite situation, Riella could have taken revenge for what happened then.

 

However, instead of telling everyone that the princess had harassed her, Riella went in front of the staff and proudly raised her head towards the princess.

 

“I called my employees. I have something to give to the princess. I’m sorry for being late in greeting you, leaving the work to just my aide. Did you experience any inconvenience?”

 

Greta clenched her fists and trembled.

 

‘Since when did she become so confident and noble?’

 

“There is nothing like that—!”

 

Greta answered while glaring at Riella as if she were going to kill her, but then quickly changed her words, perhaps because she was worried about the gazes of those lined up behind Riella.

 

“Uh, no, I didn’t, Ambassador.”

 

“Do you like the living quarters we’ve arranged for you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I’m glad.”

 

When Riella smiled softly, the embassy employee and servants also smiled brightly.

 

At first glance, the atmosphere in the West Palace seemed very friendly. It was only Greta who was desperate to hide her angry expression.

 

“I brought you a gift to welcome your visit, Princess. These are things prepared by our embassy.”

 

Greta glared at the gifts that were neatly placed in front of her.

 

As Riella’s generous favors piled up, Greta’s humiliation also piled up.

 

Greta contemplated slamming the table several times but decided to hit back at Riella in a different way.

 

“I appreciate your welcome gift, but isn’t it a less polite act? Ambassador.”

 

As expected, Greta’s words immediately poured cold water into the room.

 

“Didn’t you hear that my fiancé is in a hospital bed? So what good are all these luxurious gifts? Do you think I’m in the mood to happily unwrap a present?”

 

Greta showed a sad and displeased face. But Riella remains calm.

 

She’d expected the princess to bring up Fabian at this point, and she knew full well that it was her only weapon.

 

“I see. sorry. I was short-minded.”

 

When Riella calmly apologized rather than being agitated, Greta hesitated and tried to hide her embarrassment.

 

“Yeah, that’s right…”

 

“Then I will bring back all the gifts.”

 

“What? Oh no….”

 

Greta was at a loss, so couldn’t say anything.

 

“Hmm, Ambassador. Are you taking this jewelry set back with you? I had it customized with garnets from Bourdos….I had a hard time getting it as soon as possible.”

 

‘Bourdos garnet?’ 

 

At that time, Greta became even more agitated when one of the employees whispered something in a sad voice.

 

Bourdos is a mine in the northern part of the continent monopolized by the Elschweig Empire, producing gems of such high quality that they could not even be found in the kingdom.

 

‘With that, I can buy Fabian’s medicine for a few months…’

 

Greta regretted it later.

 

She thought about telling her she’d just take the gift now, but she couldn’t be cowardly in front of Riella, let alone anyone else.

 

Riella scolded the employee in a more stern voice as if Greta could hear it.

 

“If the princess has already refused, are you going to be even more rude? Hurry up and take it away.”

 

* * *