Killian beckoned to the people to leave, and held Julietta in his arms.

"Your Highness?"

"Let's take a break and think about it. Too much work came at once, so it's overloading me." She came back from Vicern and couldn't even get a good rest. Julietta didn't bother to talk it out, but Killian noticed her thoughts.

"I have to see Christine when she's arrested."

While speaking so, Julietta rubbed her cheek against Killian's chest. Then Killian kissed her head lightly and asked, "Are you going to make a deal with Christine over Phoebe's work?"

"That's right. You already know what I'm thinking."

"But the stupid Lady Anais will only be thinking of making an issue of Phoebe over the suspicious maid."

"That's right. In addition, she would think it would be better if she could make an issue of me, too."

"I'd like to hand Phoebe over to them, but you'd never say yes."

"You know I can't do that."

"That's why we should rest when we can. It's been a long time since we've been together."

"A long time? Your Highness, there were only two days in Vicern."

"I couldn't hug you even after I came back." When Killian looked at her with his smoldering eyes, Julietta's cheeks turned red.

"You know this isn't the time to do it." Julietta's dissuasion was very quiet.

"No, now is the time."

"I thought Your Highness was really considerate to let me have a good rest."

"Of course, I'll give you a good rest, after having a little fun before that." Killian's voice was very deep...

---

Killian quietly walked out of the bedroom while watching Julietta's sleeping face. Ian, who had been waiting with a nervous face for a long time, came along quickly.

"Your Highness, from the main castle..."

"Has it finally started?" Killian turned to Maribel, who stood confidently next to Ian. He had told her to get rid of Lady Anais, and she had even killed Prince Francis. That might not have been Maribel's intention, but it was clear that she had done a good job of executing his orders anyway. "You did a good job."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Let Julietta rest a little more. Lady Anais will have already talked about Phoebe, so I'll go and calm that down first."

"I'll get rid of Phoebe, if it is needed."

At Maribel's cold reply, Killian's gaze glanced into the bedroom. "It's something Julietta doesn't want. Don't forget that doing so is the last option."

"Yes, Your Highness."

------

After Killian left the lounge, Maribel decided to take a moment to consider Julietta's safety. She ordered her maid to bring tea.

It was as Prince Killian had predicted. Christine was captured by Francis's knights and talked about nothing but the white-haired witch until she came to the Imperial Castle. Seeing her muttering as if she was half-crazy, people talked in whispers that she was mad.

Right now she was out of her mind, but she would soon come to her senses. If she was in prison for a day or two, she would face up to the reality and name Lady Pauran, the maid of Princess Kiellini and cousin of Count Valerian.

Maribel looked regretfully at the empty teapot. She was sorry that the poison of the Kiellini family was unsuitable for Lady Anais in prison. However, if Lady Anais was poisoned here, the suspicion would fall on Prince Killian.

If she wanted to work easily, she would have some problems. So, even though it was complicated and exhausting, she had to deal with things one by one.

After she set the teacup down, she got up and headed for the bedroom. Her dear would check over everything in person, so she thought it would be better to wake her up and let her know the current situation. "Julietta, wake up. It's been a long time since His Highness left for the main castle."

Julietta would not open her eyes easily, because she had been tired enough. Still, it was fortunate that she had slept soundly, without being interrupted like yesterday.

Vera followed her and prepared a bath in the bathroom. At the sound of the water falling in the bathtub, Julietta, barely alert, asked cheerlessly, "What about Christine?"

"She was sent directly to the underground prison. The Marquis of Anais came, but was denied access from the Asta Palace. I heard you ordered that."

"I didn't expect this to happen, but I think it was a good choice. I never want to see him in the future."

Maribel nodded. If there was a parallel line that could not converge for life, it was better not to meet.

"As His Highness Killian went straight to the main castle, the Marquis followed him right away, so I wonder if he may be begging for Christine's life again."

"I'll have to put the Marquis under probation for a while. I don't want him to see Christine. Did Christine tell you about Phoebe?"

"She seemed to be shocked, and told them that a white-haired witch killed Prince Francis. But she'll soon come to her senses."

Julietta agreed with her. When they finished preparing, she headed with Maribel to the underground prison in the northernmost part of the Imperial Castle. She could meet Christine on the pretext of visiting her maternal cousin.

------

"Lady Anais."

Christine was sitting in a corner, her face blank, and turned to Julietta. Christine frowned because she couldn't see her well because of the light inside, and jumped up. "You're behind it. You abetted that white-haired witch."

Julietta approached Christine who already seemed sane, unlike Maribel's words. "I don't know what you're talking about. Wake up. Are you really crazy? If you a.s.sa.s.sinated Prince Francis and insist that it was the work of a white-haired witch, your sins will not go away."