“Perhaps you love me?”0

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace, Deculein brought up the subject of love to Sophien in an even tone.0

“This damned man!” Sophien shouted, the exclamation slipping out before she had the chance to catch it.1

Sophien jolted violently, her whole body flinching as everything in her private chamber—the Go board, scattered stones, and stacks of state documents—shot into the air.0

“This man must be out of his mind!”0

Sophien’s heart lurched as the deeply buried ennui within her mind suddenly burst into flames—a tremor she hadn’t felt in all those long years, both confusing and overwhelming. Before she could name the emotion, her cheeks trembled, and her hand slammed down on the desk.0

“This man dared to make a fool of me—that’s no different from treason.”0

"... What exactly has he done, Your Majesty?"0

At that moment, a voice rose nearby—almost unpleasant in its timing—it was, of course, Keiron, while beside him, Ahan poured tea, her features betraying the smile she fought to contain.1

“Did you not hear just now?” Sophien said, her brow knitting.0

"Yes, Your Majesty. While you were possessed, I had no way of hearing what was said,” Keiron replied.0

“… Hmph, that’s enough. I will go back to him and find out what he meant…”0

Sophien shook her head in frustration and tried to resume the possession, but it was no use—the magical link had already snapped, broken by Deculein’s treasonous words just moments earlier.0

Yuren, a nation over a thousand kilometers from the Imperial Palace of the Empire, would make restoration of the possession...0

“Ah,” Sophien murmured, then sighed and smacked her forehead with an open palm.0

“Your Majesty, what did the Professor say to you?” Keiron asked.1

Right now, the Empress’s face...0