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nAstelle was a princess of a prestigious family.

nA woman who gave birth to an illegitimate child was still viewed with contempt.

n“That’s a relief.”

nBut hearing Hannah’s words, Astelle felt relieved.

nThe maids and servants here were very kind to Astelle.

nSome servants already called her ‘Your Majesty the Empress’, saying that she would become empress again.

nAstelle forbade them from calling her that.

nHowever, it was already considered a fact that the two would remarry.

nSince Kaizen himself proposed to her, everyone thought it was decided.

nNo one cared about Astelle’s opinion.

n‘Did Grandpa and Theor get home safely?’

nWhat bothered Astelle the most was how Theor and his grandfather were doing.

nOn the second day of her confinement here, Lyndon asked Astelle where her grandfather and Theor were.

nAstelle said that the two went back home.

nLyndon couldn’t say anything more, because it was the Emperor who gave the two permission.

nThen he returned to the Imperial Palace and informed Kaizen of the fact.

nHearing that, Kaizen did not say anything.

n‘Hope everything is fine.’

nShe had managed to send Theor back home.

nNevertheless, Astelle felt strangely anxious.

nShe was worried whether the two of them left without a hitch.

nIt’s been a few days since they left, so they’ll be home soon.

n‘Why do I keep getting this ominous feeling.’

nTwo days ago, Astelle met Fritz and asked for his help.

nShe asked him to send someone to Theor and her grandfather to protect them until they return home.

nHad it not been for what happened at the ball, she would not have had to worry about the well-being of Theor and her grandfather.

nHowever, Kaizen had openly proposed to her and now even imprisoned her in the mansion.

nNow Theor was known to the public as Astelle’s illegitimate child.

nThere may be someone who wants to harm Theor because of his hatred for Astelle.

nAstelle briefly explained the reason and asked for help from Fritz, who was the only one who could help.

nFritz promised to send someone right away.

nHannah came to Astelle who was standing by the pond.

nShe tried to comfort Astelle.

n“Lady Astelle, do not worry too much. The young master and the marquis are going home safely.”

n“Yeah, I hope so.”

nI feel like I’ve become hypersensitive because I have so many thoughts.

nThere’s no point in worrying about it.

nAstelle turned around and walked away from the end of the garden.

nIt was time for her to go into her room and rest.

n“Lady Astelle.”

nOne of the maids was rushing along the side path leading to the main building of the mansion.

n“What’s going on?”

nHannah stopped her and asked her.

nThe maid took a deep breath and bowed to Astelle.

nAnd she gave the unexpected news.

nShe said, “His Majesty the Emperor has visited.”

n***

n“I have come to deliver the Emperor’s personal letter.”

nVellian politely handed over the Emperor’s letter with a displeased look.

nIn front of him, the Duke of Reston looked at the letter the emperor had sent and exclaimed with ridicule.

n“I can’t believe His Majesty sent me a personal letter. I’m so honored.”

nVellian ignored the duke’s ridicule and placed the emperor’s letter on the desk.

n“It’s about Princess Astelle.”

nWhen Astelle’s name came out, the smile disappeared from the duke’s neat face.

nHe read the letter sent by the emperor.

nAs he roughly skipped the formal greeting at the beginning and went down, the first sentence came into his eyes.

nThis is to convey the marriage proposal to the Duke of Reston……

nThe Duke turned his gaze to Vellian.

n“This is not a personal letter, but a marriage proposal.”

nVellian wasn’t surprised at all.

nIt seems he already knew what it was.

nThe duke read the main body of the letter again.

nThere was useless rhetoric to show polite manners, but there was one conclusion; the emperor wants to marry Astelle again.

nAccording to custom, of course, Kaizen had to ask permission from the father of the bride-to-be, the Duke of Reston.

nThe duke was speechless as he read the emperor’s letter.

n‘Come to think of it, something’s been weird since the ball.’

nThe Reston Charity Ball was an event initiated by his late wife by raising money for charity.

nThere were many noble ladies listing or donating. They considered it a virtue to give alms. It is a kind of show-off virtue.

nThe duke had never been interested in the work of women.

nHowever, Kaizen suddenly informed that he would hold the charity ball in the imperial palace.

nThe duke was bewildered.

nWhy was the emperor who returned from his journey so interested in the duke’s small event?

nFortunately, Fritz, who was there, answered his doubts.

nFritz explained that the emperor was doing this to repay Astelle.

nIt was only a reward for helping to complete the late empress dowager’s will with ease.

nIt was a little suspicious, but the duke believed his son.

nBecause he couldn’t guess the reason other than that.

nInstead of asking the emperor for a reward in money or gold, the foolish Astelle asked to hold her late mother’s ball in the imperial palace.

nHowever, the duke realized it later as he watched Kaizen propose to Astelle. The reason Kaizen held the charity ball at the imperial palace was that he was going to propose to Astelle.

nKaizen fell in love with Astelle.

nObviously, it was the look of a man who was passionately in love.

nI don’t know what happened during the journey, but Astelle finally captured the emperor’s heart.

nAfter six years of divorce……

n‘This is ridiculous……’

nIt was shocking, but it was an opportunity not to be missed.

nAfter the last assassination attempt failed, he lived as if he were walking on a thin layer of ice.

nIt was an anxious life, not knowing when he would be caught and executed.

nHowever, an unexpected breakthrough occurred.

n‘If I make Astelle the empress again……’

nI can make Astelle the empress and buy some time.

nIf Astelle is in the imperial palace, then I will be able to plant people in the imperial palace.

nNow Kaizen is blind to Astelle and will do whatever she asks to do.

nHopefully, I will have a golden opportunity to get rid of Kaizen.

n‘Who knows, if I’m lucky, Astelle might get pregnant with the emperor’s child.’

nWhen Astelle gives birth to a child who will become emperor, the Reston family will regain their powers.

nGet rid of Kaizen and his grandson will become emperor. It was a dream-like future.

nSo Astelle must not refuse to become empress.

n“It is an honor I don’t deserve, I don’t know what to say.”

nThe duke put down the emperor’s letter and continued to speak slowly.

n“Although some of the previous empresses were from my family, it is still amazing to experience such a glorious thing over and over again, isn’t it?”

n“……”

nIgnoring what the duke said, Vellian calmly said,

n“His Majesty asked me to get permission from you, Duke.”

n“Of course, I am in favor. I will be grateful for the rest of my life for the grace of His Majesty the Emperor for choosing my daughter.”

n“All right.”

nVellian bowed his head lightly and quickly walked out as if he didn’t want to deal with him anymore.

nAs soon as Vellian disappeared, the duke asked his subordinate who was beside him.

n“Did you find him?”

n“Yes, we found where he stays.”

nThe duke tapped the armrest with his finger.

nKaizen fell in love with Astelle, and even proposed to her and wanted to make her the Empress.

nHowever, Astelle was stubborn and refused his marriage proposal.

nThe duke decided to take Astelle’s weakness in order to get her to marry Kaizen.

nIt was very clear what Astelle’s weakness was.

n‘Her child must be very precious to her. If I catch her illegitimate child, she will do whatever I tell her.’

nThe duke gave an order with a satisfied smile,

n“Take him to the capital.”

n***

nAstelle headed to the mansion’s living room.

nAt the entrance of the mansion, she saw knights she had never seen before.

nThey seem to have been knights that followed Kaizen.

nSeeing the unfamiliar faces, she realized that Kaizen was waiting in the mansion.

nAstelle calmed her mind and entered the mansion.

nKaizen stood in the living room.

n“Astelle.”

nHe was the same as usual.

nHis appearance in the emperor’s robe is full of strong dignity, just like a true owner of the empire.

n‘The world is so unfair.’

nBorn to become an emperor, Kaizen was always able to handle everything as he pleased.

nWhile Kaizen is ruling the empire with such a dignified and handsome appearance, Astelle is trapped here like a prisoner of war.

n“Your Majesty, what made you come here?”

n“Didn’t you say you wanted to meet me?”

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