~Chapter 07~
“What’s so funny? Why don’t you tell me?”
I already knew what kind of person Aria was, so there was no need to get rattled.
I lifted the corner of my lips just like she did and asked her.
“Well, isn’t it a little ridiculous? You’re offering to give me the Emperor and asking for another man in exchange. Your Majesty, don’t you find that funny?”
“Not at all.”
“Really? I think it’s kind of amusing.”
Even the pretense of respect in her tone was gone now.
Not that I hadn’t expected it — honestly, given her personality, it was a miracle she’d held back this long.
“You know, Your Majesty, I’m carrying the Emperor’s child. You know what that means, right? This child will one day succeed him as the next Emperor.”
…Or so she thought.
In the story I knew, that child in her womb would never become Emperor.
He would be killed by the male lead long before then.
“…Why are you smiling? Do you think what I just said is funny?”
Ah — I must have let my laugh slip out.
Apparently it annoyed her, even though she never stopped to think about her own actions.
“No. I’m just laughing because I also find this situation amusing.”
I shrugged calmly.
Her lips twisted into a sneer.
“You know… even if I don’t agree to this deal, I think I’ll still become Empress someday.”
She rubbed her stomach and spoke with hidden meaning.
“The Emperor loves me, and I’m carrying his child.”
“You believe that once the child is born, the Emperor will give you my position?”
“Either that, or I’ll make it happen.”
Wow…
She was flat-out saying she planned to push me aside — and kill me.
Truly fitting for Aria Harrington, the future villain’s mother.
But those words didn’t intimidate me in the slightest.
If I were the type to be scared by that, I never would have started this in the first place.
It was time to play my last card.
I quickly organized my thoughts and spoke.
“By the way, Consort… have you confirmed that the child in your belly is truly His Majesty’s?”
“What? What are you saying right now?!”
Aria’s eyes went wide, and for the first time, I saw her truly lose her composure and raise her voice.
“Calm down. I’m only asking if the child’s paternity has been confirmed.”
“This child is! This child is the Emperor’s!”
She lied so smoothly.
She didn’t even blink while saying it — and the way she got angry at my words was convincing enough that anyone else might believe her.
“Are you doubting me? By what right?”
“By right… I am the Empress of this Empire. And as Empress, I have both the right and the duty to confirm that the next Emperor truly carries the blood of the Brienne Imperial Family.”
“That’s…! That’s… I’m innocent! I swear I’m innocent!”
“Then you can prove your innocence with a paternity test.”
“There’s no need! This child is the Emperor’s. Why are you doing this to me?”
“Consort, I’m not doing this to harass you. I’m simply following Imperial procedure.”
“I’ve never heard of such a procedure! And if His Majesty isn’t saying anything, then why are you—?!”
“Do I need to repeat myself? As Empress, I have that right and that duty.”
Perhaps realizing she had no counterargument, Aria’s lips moved but no words came out.
She only glared at me, breathing hard.
A long silence followed.
Neither of us looked away.
I knew this deal would go the way I wanted, so there was no reason for me to rush.
Finally, Aria seemed to realize that making a scene would get her nowhere.
She calmed herself and spoke first.
“What is it you want?”
Her eyes and voice were still sharp.
“I already told you.”
“Noah Everdane?”
“And for the Harrington family to sever its dependency on the Everdane family.”
“…Haa.”
She let out a long sigh and went quiet again, clearly thinking.
But this time, she didn’t take long before speaking.
“Did you know? There’s a very powerful spell binding our two families together.”
I already knew that, but I pretended ignorance and shook my head.
“I only know that the Harrington family has long produced talented sorcerers.”
I made sure to say only what was common knowledge.
“That’s right. Our family has always produced exceptional sorcerers — but only through blood. We can’t have many children. Only one is ever born and survives in each generation.”
I already knew all of this.
The Harrington Marquisate — one of the last noble houses to still produce sorcerers, now nearly extinct.
Whether willingly or not, their great magical power often dragged them into dangerous affairs.
But that power was rare — so rare that only one child in each generation ever possessed it.
