Chapter 90

"……It seems it won't be possible."

Several days later, when I returned to see the Empress, she opened with that—her eyes sliding toward me cautiously as she spoke.

I frowned sharply. The Empress flinched and said, with something almost like wounded dignity:

"I did everything within my power. The argument I made was this: if Princess Rene refuses to leave for Rosenthal without Princess Mari, that means she intends to continue competing with my son for the succession. And I simply cannot bear to watch my son being dominated by his own sister any longer!"

"You needn't be quite so candid with me about that reasoning."

"……I said I tried," she muttered, composing herself with a small cough, and continued in a more subdued voice. "But what can I do if he won't hear it?"

"I assumed someone of your standing and favour would at least be heard by His…