*****
She had a very fine and beautiful face that did not match her age. Because of that, she looked more like Isota.
"It's been a while, Your Majesty."
The greeting was normal. To the point where she didn't even notice that they're trying to kill each other.
"How have you been?"
Arsene seemed to have put an iron on his face too. A formal smile lingered on his lips.
Suddenly, it occurred to her that she hadn't seen such a cold smile in a long time.
Aside from the fact that she felt the coldness, from the outside, both of them acted as if they hadn't seen each other in a really long time, and the people around them were puzzled.
'The relationship has become awkward, but I guess it hasn't gotten worse?'
'It's more normal than I thought.'
Those who watched thought so, but Empress Dowager opened her mouth.
"How can I live well when I lost our Emperor? It seems that you are doing very well. I didn't know you already had a fiancée."
Her face was still smiling. However, they did not hide the blades toward each other in the conversation.
The Empress Dowager cold blue eyes met Regina.
It's been a while since the previous emperor passed away, but she still only wore a black dress. It seemed that she was still commemorating his death.
He knew, Empress Dowager knew, and she knew that the previous emperor died at the hands of Arsene. She was just pointing out that he made a fiancee on the subject of murdering someone else's husband.
However, if such words hurt his conscience, it was not Arsene.
"I wanted to be with her as soon as possible, because I really love her."
He answered with a clever lie. As if he didn't want to miss it because he loved her from the bottom of his heart, he made eye contact with Regina when he said the last word.
Looking at the fresh smile, she understood the true meaning of the word, even if it was a beat slow.
The accent, which emphasized "really" was sarcastic, that he had a pure heart, unlike the Empress Dowager, who married the previous Emperor just for to the throne.
Empress Dowager glanced at them with a ridiculous look as she looked into each other's eyes.
"I thought you'd live alone for the rest of your life, but it's a little surprising."
There was a hidden word inside that it was impossible for a monster like you to marry.
The two seemed to be having a casual conversation on the surface, but in reality it was not. It seemed like a whirlpool was forming inside the calm river.
Regina, who had been standing close to Arsene and listening to everything they said, held her breath as if she didn't exist there as much as possible. She never wanted to get involved in such a fight.
He was still smiling undisturbed. Nothing the Empress Dowager said could offend him.
His tone was gentle and not rude, but not kind to that extent.
"I also think it's all the blessing of Rastain to meet such a good person."
Empress Dowager eyebrows moved as he answered that all of this was God's will.
"By the way, did you never say anything to this mother as your were about to get married soon? I've heard it roughly, but I'd like to be introduced to her directly."
Her gaze returned to Regina. Her eyes were full of curiosity and unknown interest, unlike the boredom she had shown when she first kidnapped her.
Arsene held her hands a little tighter, perhaps because he felt it when she slightly shrank her shoulders instinctively.
“Why bother listening to something you already know?”
It was clear that the Empress Dowager subordinates had already done a background check. Perhaps from the time she heard that he was engaged, she had found out all the information on Regina's family members and even the structure of Count Blois' mansion.
His tone was polite, but he meant no. She clicked her tongue disapprovingly.
"I think you were a little cuter when you were young, but now that you're grown up, I don't see any cuteness."
By deliberately referring to his childhood, she seemed to emphasize that she was above him. Before the Empress Dowager could be rebutted again, she put aside the pointless bickering and smiled at Regina.
Regina looked at her beautiful face. An unknown chill brushed the nape of her neck.
She had a grown-up son like Logan, so she must be somewhat old, but she was still beautiful as if she didn't age.
Others praised the beauty, but it seemed strange to her. In her fading memory, she vaguely remembered that Empress Dowager used numerous methods to protect her beauty and youth.
"Lady Blois, I'll be inviting you to one of my tea party soon."
The eyes that met hers were blue, but at a glance she caught a glimpse of the greed within them.
But her gaze did not last long.
This time, she stood as if to hide Regina, and Arsene smiled at the laughing tabby, folding her eyebrows in front of her.
This time, Arsene, who stood as if he was covering Regina, folded the corners of his eyes and smiled at Empress Dowager.
"No, she can't. My fiancee is busy. We're in love at first sight. So mother will understand that it's not enough even if we stick together all day."
They smiled and looked into each other's eyes as they fought. Regina was under the illusion that the invisible aura seemed to waver behind the two of them.
'Wow...'
Is this called a fought between dragon and tiger? It was a relationship that was too bloody for her to be involved in.
And it was most terrifying that she was the reason why these two confronted each other now.
'How did I get entangled here...'
As she sighed and wiggled her hands, Arsene's hand, which was still intertwined, held her tightly.
Certainly Arsene was like a shield to protect her from Empress Dowager, but again, he was a double-edged sword.
Regina once again vowed to leave this empire as soon as possible before she died at their hands.
*****
The strong smell of herbs calmed her mind and body.
Inside the room were numerous drawers, bookshelves, and shelves neatly lined up. To one side was a table, and Regina was sitting on a chair in front of it.
Eventually, that day, Arsene returned to the mansion with Regina earlier than schedule that day. The Empress Dowager left the party shortly after talking to them, but he said the reason he hurried home was simply that he didn't want to be there any longer.
Empress Dowager seemed to have come to the Duke of Allegrand solely to meet her, since she had gone back after talking to them.
'I don't know what she's up to.'
A deep sigh came out. Arsene, who does not know when he will kill her, and the Empress Dowager, who wants to have healing powers. No matter how much she thought about it, she had to leave the Yurdenian Empire as soon as possible.
She was deep in thought, and something heavy lay on the table.
As she was lost in her thoughts, something heavy was placed on the table.
"Here it is."
"Ah, thank you."
Regina was in Ella's drugstore now. Her first visit to the drugstore was as neat as expected. Everything was well organized and there were no conspicuous personal items. In fact, rather than being neat–
'Should I say that I don't feel the sense of life!'
Ella sat across from her as she glanced around the drugstore again.
On her seat, she raised her flowing silver glasses and opened her mouth. Hazelnut-colored eyes looked at the pocket she had put down.
"Check it out."
She did as she said and opened the pocket, and the glittering currency caught her eye.
“I sold all the potion you gave me last time.”
"What about the fee?"
The fee here was a certain amount of money that was supposed to be given to Ella as stated in the contract.
She pulled out a coin from her pocket and held up a smaller package to Regina, who checked to see if it was genuine.
"I set it aside."
"All right, thank you."
Regina nodded her head in satisfaction and tightened her pockets again.
She had no idea it would sell out so quickly. Even though she knew that there was no way the potion wouldn't sell, given that it worked so well.
Regina seemed to be able to raise her funds for the escape sooner than she thought.
Pushing the money pocket to one side, she opened the box she had brought with her.
"I brought the next batch. I made it twice as much as the letter you asked me to make."
Thanks to that, It was difficult to bring because of it.
A glass bottle containing a light brown liquid shone transparently. Ella, who checked the slick liquid once, nodded her head.
"I'll contact you again when the sale is complete."
Regina got up from her seat with her money pocket after confirming that she was moving the box.
"Then next time, write the same letter as last time."
Coming out after a short greeting, she rented a carriage and returned to the duke's mansion.
The driver asked for her ID when she went to the door used by the servants. Calmly, she held out Sally's ID.
If they had seen black hair and pink eyes, they would have recognized Regina immediately, but today she was able to do so because she was wearing a cloak.
Once inside, she covered herself in trees and bushes before entering the mansion. She looked around, but no one seemed to spot her.
As she quickly took off her cloak and crumpled it recklessly, it turned into an unrecognizable mass of cloth. She hid it in her arms and quickly entered the mansion.
She had no choice but to sneak out because it would be considered suspicious if the behavior of bringing medicine and receiving money was repeated every time. All this was possible thanks to Sally's cooperation.
Sally saw her acting suspiciously, packing her cloak and asking for an ID card, but did not ask any questions. She just looked at her with worried eyes when she told her not to tell anyone.
[Miss If anything happens, I'm always on your side, so don't worry. I'll help you anytime.]
Her light blue eyes met Regina's seriously. Every time she thinks about it, Sally was a really trustworthy maid.
Back in the room, she put her cloak somewhere in the dress room and put her purse on the table. A proud smile hung around her mouth.
Returning to her room, she tucked her cloak somewhere in her dressing room and put her pocket on the table. Suddenly, a proud smile hung around her mouth.
'I've prepared something for this day.'
It was a safe box.
Although she spoke grandiosely, it was a box with a lock.
She opened the safe boxand put in the money pocket she received today, as well as the special potion she had made as a sample. Then she locked the box again and hid it under the bed.
'I'm a little nervous.'
Actually, it wasn't a very safe place because the maid could see it while cleaning, even under the bed.
If she had the chance, she was thinking of burying the box outside. Until then, there were few places to hide first.
The key to the safe box was made like a necklace and hung around the neck. When she tucked it into her clothes, it felt perfect. If she did this, they won't be able to open the box without destroying it.
Feeling better at the smooth progress, she hummed and drank tea. It cooled a little while she was out, but it was delicious enough.
*****
That night. There was a place where some people are awake at a time when everyone was deeply asleep.
Arsene, who was sitting at his desk in the office, stared blankly at what was placed in front of him.
"You mean this is it?"
"Yes."
Even, who put the item in front of him, nodded slightly.
"Hmm–."
Arsene, leaning slowly against the chair and tapping the table with his fingertips, lightly touched the locked padlock. He felt a heavy touch of metal.
It was the box that Regina hid during the day.
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