An intense surge of anger consumed me as I charged into my study, tears flowing as fervently as the blood pulsing through my veins.

With a forceful strike, I shattered my wooden desk with my right hand, reducing it to mere fragments that no longer resembled a table but instead resembled a pile of dust.

My body quivered as gravity pulled my trembling legs down into the floor.

“Hah, seriously. You should get rid of that habit of yours of breaking things whenever you’re angry. If you keep this up, you’ll blow up the palace the next time around,” I looked behind to face the one talking, and it was Hervouet, leaning on the doorframe with his arms crossed.

In normal circumstances, I can hear what a person is thinking. But right now, I can’t hear his thoughts because I was absorbed by my emotions.

I know his words were exaggerated, but there’s truth in them. I can blow this place up with my hands.

“You’re the last person I wanted to see at times like this. I don’t even know if you’re helping or mocking me," My voice was weak, but I tried to sound confident.

I'm not in the mood to talk, but at the same time, I have to share what I feel with someone. I have to pour what's in my heart one way or another.

In times of emotional turmoil, it seems I have two choices: confide in someone or succumb to the impulse of destroying objects.

If only my father had remained by my side, I could have unabashedly expressed my emotions.

He is the sole individual in whom I place unwavering trust, the one person who accepts me without judgment no matter how exposed and fragile I may feel.

I have relied on him throughout the years, from the moment he relinquished the throne to safeguard and guide me rather than leaving me abandoned in exile.

“I tried to help you earlier by telling people how shameless they are to judge you without knowing anything. Unfortunately for you, the grand duke fueled the fire. He spoke once and everyone else followed. He sounded respectful, but everyone knows his motive. Still, his words gave you the lead to introduce yourself because we all know – nobody in high society heard of you.” Hervouet walked inside my study and found his way to the couch.

I pulled myself up and shook the dust off my dress. It’s such a waste to wear an expensive dress only for it to be covered with dust.

I let out a sigh and wiped the tears from my face and eyes.

“Is it normal for him to get on someone's nerves by asking a formal question, yet it has a hidden meaning?"

"He acted different this time. On normal occasions, he doesn't speak his mind. He only stares at everyone from afar with those cold, purple eyes of his. I think it was because he wants to keep himself a neutral leader so he didn't want to get involved with drama. It seems like getting married changed him a little bit," Hervouet flashed an amused grin while looking away, his finger placed under his chin. "I find it interesting."

"If he's a neutral leader, then why did the former empress make him a grand duke, instead of a duke?"

The Ruivenfiere Empire has a duke planted in each region with Ruivenfiere blood. Unlike others, Raleigh is the only one who isn't an Izavene, more so a Ruivenfiere.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I don’t understand what’s running in my mother’s mind to appoint him as the grand duke.

“Not that I know,” Hervouet shrugged. “You’re trying to solidify your position, but he’s the fourth-in-line to the throne despite not being a red diamond Izavene. I had the same question before but since he seemed harmless, I didn’t bother to dig further. The Ruivenfiere dukes are our uncles, but they might support him if neither of us would do our jobs properly. If I were you, I'll learn how to hold myself back instead of causing a commotion. Look at what you've done at the first banquet you held. It was a complete disaster."

I held my dress tight as I spoke. “Are you … on my side or not? Can I trust you?”

Hervouet’s hands steepled as he leaned on the couch. “I tried to defend you, right? I chose to help instead of doing my word of staying in Greizenne to rest. You should be grateful.”

‘Eviona is the most powerful Izavene I know. Being against her would be suicide, so I have to save myself by supporting her. I don’t want to end up like Azriel.’ Hervouet’s thoughts were loud and clear. He’s not expressing them, but he wanted to support me to stay alive.

Thus, it’s still a way of using me to his benefit, not because he supports me as the empress.

I can’t trust him. Or at least, I can’t get carried away by his kindness, if any. It’s a relief to have someone with me than nothing. This isn't the time to be picky about who to depend on. I have none, to begin with.

“Since the meeting would be tomorrow, I’ll be joining you so that you’ll minimize the tendency of being roasted like earlier. As the empress, you have to win their trust to earn their loyalty. You should apologize at least, and I don’t have to tell you why. Listen to my advice just this once.”

I felt a lump in my throat as I heard the word ‘apologize.’ Hervouet’s advice is right – after the chaos I did, I have to humble myself and apologize to them. The ones who roasted me are influential people. The meeting would be my only chance to give the impression that I’m not their enemy. One wrong move can cause civil war.

Damn it. I don’t think I can sleep a wink thinking about all this.

“Fine, I’ll try. Do you know what else made me feel worse? I looked like I was the bad girl in the banquet, while the grand duke and grand duchess stole the attention of the crowd. Everyone was fascinated at the sight of them. It was my banquet, not theirs but …”

“Aren’t they adorable together?” Hervouet chuckled, his eyes distant, recalling how they looked. “Lady Louvienne … I don’t know what’s in her, but I have a feeling that there’s a big mystery behind that dignified smile of hers.”

“Cut it out. You can’t fancy a woman who's already married. You said something similar when you told me about the Eurhyian princess. You said she will be a useful ally, but I heard your thoughts. You had eyes for her." I felt the corner of my lip rising because what I said was spot on.

He gritted his teeth and shot me a glare. "Then what does that make you? Isn't it hypocrisy that you're lecturing me about having eyes for some women when your head is filled with your past with the grand duke?” He let out a sigh as he continued.

“Tsk. Thyra, that serpent. She used her charms to kill my guards and mocked me when she used a poisoned hairpin to paralyze me. She’s cunning and dangerous so it’s best not to challenge her. It’s hard to figure out what she’s hiding under her sleeve. As for Lady Louvienne, it’s not what you think. I’m only curious about her because of her appearance.”

'Maybe my imagination is playing with me, but she resembles my younger sister a little bit. If my speculations are true, I can conclude that she's much stronger than Eviona.'

Hervouet's thoughts sent shivers down my spine. What is he talking about? I don't remember him having another sister.

Louvienne has golden hair and silver eyes like Corianne – the features of a red diamond Izavene that became human.

But one of her parents may have the same features, making her case similar to Marius who inherited Corianne’s features even if he was never an Izavene.

Louvienne Halvekia … who are you?

"Should we dig for information about her?” I suggested, now that I’m having a greater reason why I should.

“Don’t waste your time on that,” Hervouet replied. “Let her be. Leave the couple alone. I witnessed them in the garden earlier, and the grand duke was overprotective of her. Their marriage is real. Even if it’s true that she was a red diamond Izavene, what’s the point? She’s human now. Nobles would talk about her, but I doubt it’ll get anything serious.”

He stood up and walked towards the door.

"Choose your battles, Eviona. Satisfying your curiosity should be the last thing on your mind – that is if you're serious about solidifying your place on the throne. Whether you like it or not, if you’ll fail, I’m the one who’ll step up and fix your mess by replacing your current place. I won’t lie to you about that. Even if you’re the most powerful Izavene, lack of support and loyalty will be your downfall.”