“I wasn’t having bad thoughts about that, Queen. Absolutely not. I’m not the kind of person who gets excited like this.”“…”Excited…?I stared at him.“I’m going crazy.”Prince Heinley covered his eyes with both his hands as if he wanted the ground to swallow him.“You didn’t even ask me in the first place. I dug myself into this, didn’t I?”“…A little.”At the sound of his distress, my mouth couldn’t help but turn up.“Well, I’m smiling in the middle of this. Human emotions are complicated.”“Well, I’m glad that my embarrassment made you smile.”The prince sighed and then gave a chuckle. Just then, Countess Eliza came in with the tea. She set the tray down on the table, then hurried out to leave the pair of use alone again.I held up a teacup for him, and he carefully accepted it. I could feel his hand trembling as our fingers brushed against each other. His gaze was cast downwards when I looked up at him, but he slowly lifted his eyes, revealing purple irises from underneath his soft gold eyelashes. It was captivating.“If Prince Heinley was a woman…”“Hm?”“The Emperor would fall in love with you. Your eyes are gorgeous.”“What a peculiar way to give a compliment.”He stared at me for a moment then burst into laughter, then brought his cup to his lips.“If I were a woman, I would become the Queen’s lady-in-waiting.”“My lady-in-waiting?”“We can stay together all day.”“Do you wish to be my lady-in-waiting?”“Not that. Focus on the part after that, Queen.”There was laughter again. After hearing the news about the baby, I was happy to find relief with Prince Heinley, though I knew it was a temporary prescription and I would feel nauseous again after he left. As I was about to bring up the topic about the bird Queen, Countess Eliza knocked on the door again.“Your Majesty, Duchess Tuania is here.”Duchess Tuania?“Bring her in.”What was she doing here at this time? I had a good relationship with the duchess, but there was no occasion for noblewomen to visit me in the evening without an invitation, not unless they were my ladies-in-waiting. I was just as surprised as I knew she was loaded down with her problems. Was there something she needed me to do for her?When Duchess Tuania came in, her eyes were wet.“I’ll take my leave, Queen.”Prince Heinley sensibly realized it was not a conversation he should be involved in, so he gave a nod to the duchess and left. I took the duchess’ hand and led her to sit on the couch.“What’s wrong? Are you alright?”Duchess Tuania’s back was straight and her posture was graceful, but she looked more worn than usual. As soon as she sat on the couch, she took both my hands in hers. I waited for her to speak instead of prodding her, and finally the duchess managed to choke out the words caught in her mouth.“Your Majesty, I am so ashamed to ask you this, but…please save Viscount Langdel.”