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"..."
"As you are probably more acutely aware than anyone, given the atmosphere of the empire, it's more difficult for a woman than a man to decide on a divorce."
"..."
"I'd like to hear in detail about the reasons why you had no choice, and the story of the Duke and Miss Leticia... or rather, including Miss Elise, the story of the three of you."
I was stunned by Her Majesty the Empress's words.
It was a first.
Someone was asking me about my story with Feydan.
There were many who were curious as if it were mere gossip, but they only liked to inflate rumors among themselves.
They had no intention of understanding me, so they never asked.
And Idris, although he is currently the only person who understands my situation, the relationship started with my proposal.
But...
"Miss Leticia, can you tell me in detail?"
Someone has appeared who wants to listen to my story first and try to understand it.
As a human being to human being, and as a woman to woman.
I, who had been stunned for a moment, parted my lips.
"...It's just as the rumors Your Majesty has heard."
Perhaps it's because I'm not used to telling my story to someone. My voice trembles.
I cleared my throat and told the whole story of my relationship with Feydan.
"Feydan brought Miss Elise, who had nowhere to go, to the mansion, and I knew about their relationship but accepted it. I thought it was better than her wandering outside the mansion."
This is the story before I regressed.
"Then Miss Elise became pregnant and demanded a divorce from me. But when I readily accepted the divorce, he suddenly changed his mind and said he couldn't divorce me."
"...Why? Wasn't the Duke the one who wanted the divorce?"
"He wanted a divorce, but I don't think it was right now. He was planning to gradually reduce the alimony by using my refusal to divorce as an excuse."
"..."
"But I readily agreed to the divorce. At too high a price."
"...He was the one who broke the marital fidelity first, and he was just being stingy with that money?"
Her Majesty the Empress, who had been listening to my story silently, frowned.
Well, it was definitely an annoying part.
"Then when did you become deeply involved with Grand Duke Dellua?"
"While I was worrying because I didn't want to be played by the two of them anymore, I happened to have a connection with Grand Duke Dellua and our relationship deepened."
Of course, I vaguely glossed over the story with Idris because it was a lie.
Revealing that we have a contract here would definitely help my image...
'But I can't break the contract with Idris.'
Idris has someone he's waiting for.
The reason he accepted the contract with me was to buy time to wait for that person.
"Then, Grand Duke Dellua, having heard my situation, said he would help me get a divorce, and then he started the scandal."
"I see..."
"That's all there is to my story. I'm sure Your Majesty knows almost everything already."
When I first started, I was worried that the emotions I thought I had forgotten would pour out.
But once I started talking, it flowed out smoothly.
At the same time, my heart felt much lighter.
Just this situation where someone is listening to my voice.
It came to me as a great comfort...
As I was about to thank Her Majesty the Empress, she spoke first.
The words that came out of her mouth were unexpected this time as well.
"I'm sorry."
Her Majesty the Empress carefully took my hand and apologized.
At that, I widened my eyes.
"For understanding your heart so late."
"Ah, well. It's not something Your Majesty needs to apologize for. This is a personal matter..."
"No, it's clearly my fault."
I waved my hands in embarrassment, but Her Majesty the Empress's attitude was firm.
"It's a matter of settling the relationship between two people, but I can't say that the leader is not at fault for creating an atmosphere where the disadvantages only affect women."
"..."
"No matter how wise His Majesty the Emperor is, it is difficult for a man born as a man to perfectly understand a woman's heart."
"..."
"I should have noticed it first and told His Majesty. I'm sorry."
The moment I saw Her Majesty the Empress sincerely apologizing to me, I felt something hot welling up from deep within my heart.
I thought I didn't need understanding.
Whether people misunderstood me or not, I thought it was better to be a villain than to receive pity.
But that wasn't the case.
'Even though I thought it didn't matter if no one understood me, I was actually... waiting for someone to understand and empathize with me.'
I had been desperately deceiving myself with the words that it didn't matter in order not to collapse emotionally.
As if understanding even my feelings, Her Majesty the Empress, who had been waiting for me to collect myself, continued to speak.
"But the atmosphere of society cannot be changed in an instant, and if it did, it would rather backfire."
"..."
"His Majesty the Emperor cannot immediately approve your divorce request, but that method means that a bad reaction will come back to you and His Majesty."
Since I chose Idris as my affair partner, it was a foregone conclusion that the divorce ruling would not be clearly accepted by the people.
'Even if I bring clear evidence, there will be suspicion that the Emperor's personal feelings, considering his brother's face, have not been involved.'
But I didn't want the Emperor's judgment or the people's approval in the first place.
So I didn't submit a divorce approval form to the Imperial Family.
"I know that His Majesty the Emperor, who has to consider the situation of all the people, finds it difficult to take sides with either side. So I plan to pressure Feydan Farnese to reach an amicable divorce in my own way."
Her Majesty the Empress's brow furrowed with worry as she listened to my words.
"Even if you solve it that way, public opinion towards you will still not be welcoming."
"Public opinion doesn't matter. It's enough that Her Majesty the Empress has deeply considered my feelings―"
"No. It's not enough for me."
Her Majesty the Empress shook her head firmly.
"I don't want good people to be swept away by unfair public opinion anymore."
"..."
"Furthermore, I hope you can be recognized by everyone."
My heart fluttered at someone's sincere empathy and understanding towards me.
But apart from those feelings, Her Majesty the Empress's words were an ideal story that contradicted her previous realistic judgment.
'Is there another way?'
However, Her Majesty the Empress seemed to have something in mind.
She stopped talking while holding a teacup and stared blankly out the window.
Cherry blossoms were in full bloom outside the window. It was a full-blown spring.
"Soon the flowers will be in full bloom."
Her Majesty the Empress moistened her throat and put down her cup before continuing.
"I'll make a place."
"Does that mean...?"
"In that place where everyone is gathered, can we reverse public opinion?"
Only then did I realize what Her Majesty the Empress was talking about.
'If public opinion doesn't allow my divorce, I'll correct public opinion first.'
Exposing Feydan and Elise's immoral relationship in front of everyone and making public opinion on my side.
Having realized Her Majesty the Empress's plan, I smiled confidently.
"I will make sure that Her Majesty the Empress's grace is not in vain."
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