Chapter 5

Suddenly, the faces of the people gathered in the grand, ornate hall were filled with confusion at Yona's words.

"The Queen pushed the newly arrived Holy Maiden down?"

"Impossible. But, didn't the new Holy Maiden fall down the stairs the moment the Queen extended her hand?"

"Recently, the relationship between the King and the new Holy Maiden has been good... and she was trying to take the partner's seat from the Queen, wasn't she?"

(That's absurd!)

Eris wanted to shout out at the whispers exchanged furtively while fans were being opened.

Yet, at the landing of the stairs, Yona, still holding her cheek, was exuding a frail and delicate air, and then she threw herself into Reinhardt's chest.

"This is too much! Just because the King and I have a good relationship, you would do such a thing!"

Reinhardt looked up in surprise. His eyes were filled with disbelief. Confused, he looked up at her with his ice-blue eyes, and something in Eris's head snapped.

"You must have slipped on your own! How dare you blame me for this!"

"But, the Queen must be resentful about this morning. The King spent the night in my room last night... That's why she treated me, who was in the way, like this!"

"What!?"

Eris was not the only one who shouted in surprise.

"The King spent the night in Yona's room?"

"Does that mean... something happened?"

The murmur grew louder.

"It's well-known among those who serve closely that there's nothing between the King and Eris. So, does this mean the King's favor is with Yona?"

"Eris, go back to your room."

As the murmur grew louder, Reinhardt spoke anxiously.

"Reinhardt! I didn't do anything! I didn't push Yona out of jealousy for you and her!"

But, at that moment, a voice called out from below.

"No! The Queen definitely pushed Yona!"

"What...!"

Turning around in surprise, she saw a priest serving Yona, Vili, shouting up at her.

And he was clenching his fists, his face flushed with anger.

"I never thought it would come to this! When Gitt came to me this morning to ask about Yona and the King last night, I should have realized it immediately. But I saw it! I saw Eris push Yona's back as she was about to run to the King!"

What is this man saying!?

My hand only touched Yona's back. I never pushed her down.

But, Vili's words only made the nobles' murmur grow louder.

"If Gitt the priest confirmed it, then the Queen must be involved in this..."

"So, the King and Yona are already in that kind of relationship?"

"Lies! I didn't do it! Why are you spreading such nonsense—"

"To still lie to protect yourself at this point. Your Majesty, even if she is the Queen, she should be punished for hurting another Holy Maiden out of personal grudge. As a priest, I recommend that the Queen be confined."

"Don't believe them, Reinhardt! I never envied you and Yona's relationship!"

Eris's shout only made the nobles' murmur grow louder. Everyone's eyes were focused on the King, who was holding Yona in his arms.

"Your Majesty... my body hurts..."

Yona's body was trembling as she sobbed. Reinhardt's eyes moved uncertainly.

"Yona..."

"How could I be treated like this... I thought the Queen, who shares the same world's memories, wanted to be close to me..."

At these words, the nobles' eyes turned accusingly toward Eris.

"I will issue a decree about this matter later. For now, we need to tend to Yona. Eris, go back to your room."

"Reinhardt!?"

(You don't believe me!? After living together for so long!)

But her pleading words were met with a fierce gaze.

"Just go back to your room! I will deal with this matter later!"

(Deal with it...?)

While holding the sobbing Yona, the words shouted at her made something snap in her head.

"What... do you mean...?"

(You believe that woman over me!? Even if our marriage hasn't worked out, I've always been by your side—)

Her clenched fists trembled with anger.

(I'm so angry!)

Lifting her golden eyes, she flipped her long golden hair.

The nobles' curious gazes followed her, whispering about the scandal, but she had no intention of looking back.

"Mock me!"

No matter how harshly she was treated, she stayed by Reinhardt's side because she thought they had built at least a minimum of trust over the years.

(But to believe the lies of a woman who just appeared recently, after living together for six years—!)

This is the most ridiculous thing!

The more she thought about it, the more she felt foolish for all her efforts.

So, flipping her thin golden hair, Eris walked down the grand corridor of the palace, her high heels echoing on the floor. The corridor, usually filled with beautiful floral patterns on the walls and intricate marble mosaics on the floor, was a sight that would normally make her sigh in admiration, but she had no time for that now.

(How dare you mock me like this—!)

Thinking of Reinhardt's words and Yona's deliberate fall and cling to Reinhardt, her vision turned red with anger.

So, when she burst into her room and slammed the door, she shouted at Corinna, who was inside.

"Pack our things! We're leaving the palace now!"

(If that's what you want, do as you please! I'm done being used like this!)

She shouted, as if spitting out the thoughts that had been building in her chest. Corinna, who was inside, blinked in surprise at Eris's sudden words.