"Your Majesty, Duke Liberty is here to see you."
"Why does he want to see me?"
When I asked, bewildered, Countess Jubel shook her head.
I heard recently that Duke Liberty had surrendered, like Marquis Ketron. But unlike the Marquis, who had hung upside down like a bat, Duke Liberty only bowed slightly so as not to lose his dignity completely.
I also didn't expect anyone other than Heinley to come to see me all of a sudden. Since becoming pregnant, I did no more work than necessary, and I had to put it off whenever I felt a little tired or unwell.
Due to all that, his visit was most unexpected. There was no reason for Duke Liberty to visit me, personal or work-related.
However, thinking about it carefully... Although Duke Liberty had been a close aide to Christa, they didn't share blood ties, and he never directly confronted me or Heinley. He maintained a position such that he could back down at any time.
So, did he come because he wanted to take my side? Did it also have to do with William?
[TL/N: William is the youngest son of Duke Liberty. He was adopted by Mullaney's father. ]
"Let him in."
Rather than treat him coldly, I greeted him with a polite smile. Although we had differences, there was no need to be open enemies.
After exchanging pleasantries, he began to talk like any other nobleman as we discussed High Society, the Western Empire, and Whitemond.
Suddenly, Duke Liberty stared at me in silence for a moment, and carefully broached the subject he had come for.
"Your Majesty, I don't know how you will take what I am about to tell you..."
"All right. Say it."
"Did you have a bad relationship with Rashta in the Eastern Empire?"
What? Why is he talking about Rashta now? I didn't think he really wanted to know about how we got along.
Although it was suspicious, I tried to maintain a calm expression. He sighed, took out an envelope, and handed it to me.
"Your Majesty, take a look at this."
I accepted the envelope, opened it, and took out the letter,
"... My infertility was the reason for the divorce?"
The content of the letter was unpleasant.
Judging by the content and wording, it seemed that Rashta had written the letter... I forced myself to smile.
Even now that we were far away, she would not leave me alone. I didn't know why she was trying to attack me by sending such a letter to a nobleman from my country who happened to oppose me in principle.
Isn't she Empress of the Eastern Empire? Did she think that she should be the only Empress in the world? Or is her happiness based on seeing others unhappy?
As I looked at the letter, Duke Liberty said, cautiously,
"I don't know for certain why the Empress of the Eastern Empire sent me this letter, but I can guess."
Although I could also guess why, I asked,
"Really?"
"She thought that she could distance the nobles from Your Majesty with this letter."
"You think so?"
"Isn't that the only possibility? Why else would she send me a letter like this out of the blue?"
