“I see that you have everything under control then,” Delilah said in a defeated tone. “Despite our little falling out, you've matured quite well.”

Genevieve tilted her head to the side, “Oh, are my words coming out harsher than they seem? I didn't mean to make it sound like we're having a falling out, empress mother.”

She hid her annoyance with the princess’ wishy-washy-ness. “But you weren't coming to me like you always do. You even went so far as to have the emperor step in, when he's busy with other affairs.”

“Well, I see you all the time, your majesty. I don't see my father all too often,” Genevieve retorted.

When the word, ‘father’ passed her lips, Delilah nearly broke the fan she held, “You should be careful, your highness. You shouldn't call his majesty that unless you're in his presence.”

Genevieve blinked, “And why not? Emperor Isaac Ulrich of the Ulrich Empire is my father just like he is your husband.”

The empress decided to mess with her, “You may not understand because you've been sick all the while, but you must respect that title. Even when he is your father, or him being my husband, he is first the emperor of our nation.”

—

Wow, this bitch is petty.

Maybe it was the fact that Veronica uttered the word ‘father’ in front of the empress. Delilah’s miniature lecture was a load of hot air. It was just another tactic to make it seem like the relationship between Genevieve and the emperor wasn't great.

“By that logic, does this mean you don’t see my father as your husband when you’re not with him?” She folded her arms.

Delilah had a bewildered look, “P-Princess Genevieve, what are you going on about?!!”

“I mean, you said it yourself, empress mother. We must respect the title of the great emperor when not in his presence.” Veronica spoke louder out of spite, finally getting up from the ground. “That means, behind his back, you can frolic with whomever you please until you come back to the palace, no?”

The empress was distraught by the princess’ sheer audacity, “There are ears amongst us, your highness! You will give someone the wrong idea!”

Well, that’s what you get for messing with me in the first place. Veronica thought.

Veronica faked a concerned look, “Did I misunderstand, your majesty? You were the one who just relayed to me this tidbit of information. I’m simply giving examples to show my understanding.”

She put a finger to her chin and thought out loud, “It is also by that logic that his majesty might be going around frolicing with other women as well, but it’s alright because in the end, he comes back to the palace and respects you in your face, empress mother!”

“PFF-!” Nate turned his head and held a fist to his mouth to stop himself from laughing.

Delilah was hot with anger, but Veronica kept on going, “Hm, I guess it wouldn’t really matter whether Emperor Isaac frolics with other women or not. He is the emperor of our great nation, so it wouldn’t be surprising for him to have a few concubines.”

It was the kids’ turn to puff their cheeks out and stop themselves from giggling. The empress was far from amused, “And what’s so funny over there?!”

They stopped laughing and shivered in fear but Veronica stepped in, “Why are you so offended, empress mother? I’m only telling the truth. Why, was I wrong in my assumption after all?”

She cutely placed a hand on her cheek, “Oh dear, you shouldn’t go around spreading misinformation like that! Even if it was just a test to see if I remember your teachings! It’s a good thing that I’m well-versed!”

Empress Delilah flinched, sweat appearing on her cheek, “A-Ah, yes. You caught me. I simply wanted to test your memory to make sure it was still intact.”

Veronica smiled with her eyes closed, “Of course, your majesty. You practically beat it into me. How could I possibly ever forget?”

The empress’ face grew pale. Nate, who was laughing to himself, instantly stopped when Veronica’s tongue danced around those exaggerated words. He turned to her, eyes wide. The girls gave the fake princess a very concerned look. She didn’t even bother looking back at them.

Delilah had her face flushed in anger, “Princess, what is the meaning behind those words?”

A very familiar voice appeared from behind the empress, “Yes, I’d like to know as well.”

Everyone, except for Veronica, went stiff with shock as soon as Emperor Isaac approached them. They immediately bowed and/or curtsied before him. “We greet his majesty, the emperor!”

—

Walking through a near empty hallway wasn’t something Emperor Isaac expected. Towards the training grounds, barely any maids were stationed. Isaac mentally took note of that when he made his way with Sir Ephraim. Eventually, they arrived at the open area above the training grounds.

The second knight commander kept the confidential documents on his person as tightly as possible, not giving way to winds. He took the emperor’s orders very seriously, since the documents aren’t public information yet.

He just hopes that the issue gets resolved by the two princes before Emperor Isaac has to step in.

“Ah, I see her highness and Sir Nate right there, your majesty.” Ephraim looked at the two in the middle of the grounds. “They’re having a conversation with her majesty, the empress.”

“I’m sure she wants the case transferred over to her immediately.” Isaac placed a hand on the rail. “That maid must be precious. I wonder why…”

“Would you like me to do some digging on her background?” Ephraim asked him.

Isaac shook his head, “If you do so, do it on the princess’ orders, not mine. She has full reign on this investigation.”

“...” Ephraim pondered his next question. “Is there a reason why you’re allowing her highness to exercise this specific right, your majesty?”

Isaac watched as the two ladies of the palace chatted, “Hmm… To make amends, perhaps?”

“You realize how making amends like this can stir the nobility? They'll believe that her highness is vying for the throne.”

“Let them believe what they will,” Isaac sighed. “I give all my children equal opportunity to prove themselves. The princess is no different.”

“Despite her lack of magical affinity and poor health, would you consider her?” Ephraim pried further.

“Must I be interrogated like this outside my office, Sir Ephraim?”

In other words, he has no answer for that… Ephraim blinked at Isaac.

It wasn't that Ephraim didn't want Princess Genevieve to exercise her right as an imperial princess. In fact, he'd prefer it if the princess was a little more selfish this go-around after going through such an ordeal. He was worried over how Empress Delilah would take it.

That woman is sly. Emperor Isaac knows it deep down but chooses to ignore it as long as she does her duty as an empress well. Princess Genevieve wasn't considered a threat due to her lack of mana and mysterious sickness. There was no reason to go after her in any way. Especially since the late Empress Angelica and current Empress Delilah were long-time friends, she wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, be going after her friend’s daughter.

Besides, he needed an heir with magical prowess in order to pass down the throne. Emperors from the past only ever had mana and his vassals will hear none of it otherwise. A strong emperor made for a strong empire, as the saying went.

Word will soon get out that Princess Genevieve is leading an investigation that normally one of his heirs does. Since it's a particular investigation against one of the empress’ own, it could seem like a slight against her. Of course, that's further from the truth but the nobility will talk regardless of what he says.

“The knights must be in the mess hall.” Isaac scanned the area for possible threats. “I see that I don’t have to worry about my daughter getting overwhelmed by lots of people.”

As far as Isaac knew, Princess Genevieve wasn’t fond of being around a crowd. In the past, she’d cower in a corner and act as small as possible. She never sought him out growing up because he was, most times, in the throne room.

Two rows of knights were on each side of the red carpet, leading up to the throne. He imagined her being claustrophobic and fainting after being inside for longer than a few minutes. There was no reason to put her body through that kind of stress, so he dismissed the thought of her ever showing up.

Maybe it was because she died once, but she didn’t seem as afraid as she was before, dragging that criminal like she did. It was nice to see her come to his office for once. Hopefully, the next time she comes, it would be under much better circumstances.

“They should be done in twenty minutes.” Ephraim was taken aback from the sudden conversation switch. “Sir Nate must be wrapping things up here. They're tangled up with her majesty, however.”