Bluebell was not at all happy to see the gift boxes that filled the room. It was no match for the gift she received after the wedding. But rather than being happy, she was afraid knowing that all this was due to her own lies. It seemed that she was about to pay for the lie soon.

What should I do?

Bluebell paced the room nervously, biting at the tip of her fingernail.

Its not too late to tell the truth

Only two people know that her pregnancy was a lie. The nanny and Carl.

The nanny asked her to tell the truth even now, but Bluebell didnt listen to her. Shes already come too far. Its too late to reveal that it was a lie.

Your Majesty the Emperor has come.

Bluebell and the nanny looked at each other with white-pale faces. He was the last person she wanted to meet right now. The one who knows her false pregnancy, and the one by whom she doesnt want to be caught the most.

Carl strode into the living room. Bluebell didnt even make eye contact with him. She was afraid of what kind of criticism she would hear.

He was clearly aware of her lies. They didnt have sex, but she got pregnant it was nonsense if it wasnt a miracle.

Bluebell bit her lips and lowered her head. And waited when Carl would put out the fire.

Did you have lunch?

But Carl asked in a usual tone. Of course, she thought he would be angry. She thought he would be angry because she told such a lie, but he didnt even bring up anything about pregnancy.

Youve lost a lot of weight.

Carl held Bluebells hand. Bluebell was glad that Carl seemed to understand why she had to tell such a lie. She looked up at him, convinced that Carl cared about her. But he was looking down at Bluebell with a look that he was looking at something very pathetic.

Bluebell shook off his hand. She shook it off so fiercely that Carl looked at her with a surprised look.

Dont look at me like that!

The time Bluebell had seen Carl was never short. She could read his feelings just by looking into his eyes. Carls sympathy felt like an intolerable insult to her.

Am I pathetic?

Why do you say that?

Do you feel sorry for me, then?

Carl gave no reply to Bluebell, who spoke with a venomous look. His face turned cold as if he knew the answer he wanted would not come back.

Then you shouldnt have brought me here. You shouldnt have let me lie.

Bluebell accused Carl violently.

Do you know how I feel when I hear from my husband that he doesnt see me as a woman? Do you know how humiliating it is?!

Thats

Why didnt you tell me a lie? Why didnt you fool me with other sweet words instead of saying that I am like your sister and couldnt sleep with me?! Then I wouldnt have been this miserable.

Carl frowned at Bluebells accusation. She was pregnant by false pretenses, but she was blaming himself for the rumor as if she had done nothing wrong.

If youre here to coax me into honestly telling that its a false pregnancy, youre in vain.

Normally, she wouldnt have been able to convey her feelings properly because of her tears before she could have even finished talking, but today, strangely enough, Bluebell couldnt shed tears.

Youd better be honest before it gets too late.

After listening to Carls advice, she clearly expressed her intention.

No. Im never going to tell anyone that my pregnancy was a lie. That wont happen even if you rip my mouth off. Id rather hang myself or throw myself out of that window if I am ever forced to do so.

Bluebell threatened Carl. Not only Carl but also Bluebell herself did not know that this wickedness was hidden inside her. But now she couldnt stop or hide it.

I am not pregnant yet, but we can make it true. If Im really pregnant, what I said would not be false.

You are insane.

Its you who drove me crazy.

Carl turned from Bluebell and left. It wasnt the same girl he knew. It wasnt Bluebell that he wanted to take care of because she was small and vulnerable. It was doubtful whether she was the one whom he knew for so long.

You did this to me! His Majesty the High Emperor!

Over the door came the screeching sound of Bluebell.

*

A few days have passed after the argument with Carl. Bluebell regretted yelling like a madwoman that day. She couldnt forget Carls expression. He had a look of disgust as if he had witnessed something terrible.

Im sure he has no feelings of any sort left for me now.

Bluebell was on edge. He has completely turned away from herself and it was a matter of time that he would reveal the secret.

It was such a big lie. If this fact became known, she would not be able to remain in the empress seat. She didnt know how to handle this.

She went out into the garden because she couldnt stay in the room alone, feeling stuffy. A laughter was heard over the pond. When she turned her eyes, there were Carl and Sienna. They were watching the pond together, unaware of the existence of Bluebell.

She gritted her teeth.

I was only seeking your favor I had given up all my pride!

Carl hasnt even glanced at Bluebell since that day. She once visited his office to ask why he didnt come to her palace, but she was kicked out.

Are you really not going to see me?

Bluebell asked Carl, standing far away beside Sienna. Even though he couldnt answer this question, Bluebell felt cold-hearted about the silent Carl.

I shouldnt have done that then.

I should have just knelt down and pleaded.

-I was scared. I was afraid I would lose my position as Empress, and I would lose my seat next to Carl. I should have begged him to save me. She gave a deep sigh.

What brings you here, Your Majesty?

Bluebell turned to the sound of calling herself. There stood Arya with her knights.

Empress Arya.

Arya looked at Bluebell with questions in her mind. A woman who always ran around like a puppy was looking at herself surrounded by a cruel and depressing atmosphere and Arya wondered what was going on. She even had an emperors child, so she should go from place to place to show off her pregnancy, but it was also suspicious that she was too quiet.

Ive heard that you have the Crown Prince. Your Excellency.

Yes.

With Aryas greetings, Bluebells face became more somber. Arya saw Sienna and Carl together over her shoulder. Aryas lips slightly raised.

Dont worry. The true power of the Empress comes from the Crown Prince, not from the Emperor.

What?

Bluebell looked up at her with an incomprehensible face.

Arya leaned down and stroked Bluebells stomach. With such a sudden touch, Bluebell missed the time to pull back.

There is everything the Empress should have in your womb. Its no match for the Emperors love.

Bluebells expression hardened coldly. If Bluebell really had Carls child in her belly, as Arya said, would she have felt like she had everything she wanted?

But there was nothing in her belly. It was just full of twisted jealousy of an unloved woman.

And youd better be careful. There are many different kinds of plants planted in the garden. I dont know, but I heard there are herbs that can make one miscarry children. So you have to be careful. Its time to be careful of your posture so that the prince in your womb can be healthy.

Her words thrust into Bluebells head.

A herb that causes miscarriage?

Yes, Ive heard that theres a medicine that doesnt affect the average person, but when the mother takes it, she falls into a deep sleep and loses her child.

It doesnt work on a normal person? Youre not going to die?

Arya again doubted Bluebells question, but nevertheless kindly answered Bluebells question.

Of course, there are poisonous plants that kill people. Theres also a miscarriage drug. There are many different uses of herbs than I thought.

I see. From now on, Ill have to be careful while taking a walk.

Bluebells face, which had been dark until now, was reddish. She hurried back to her place, leaving Arya behind. Then she called her nanny.

Nanny! Get me the herbs that can miscarry a child! Something thats okay for ordinary people to eat, but harmful for mothers to eat.

What do you mean a miscarriage herb?

The nanny asked Bluebell back with surprised eyes.

I heard theres such a thing. Id prefer it if its not smelly and tasteless.

What are you going to do with it?

If I ask you to bring it, just bring it.

Recently, Bluebell was in conflict with her nanny about everything. Every time the nanny told Bluebell to be honest with herself in the admonition, she was annoyed.

Your Majesty the Empress, what fearful thing are you trying to do? Dont strive for foolishness and just be honest. Its not too late now. Then the Goddess of the Earth will forgive you.

Bluebells eyes grew fiercer.

These days, a growing number of people in the empire believed in the goddess of land. Since Leipsden did not encourage people to believe in a particular God, so religious belief was personal freedom. But Bluebell was unhappy that her nanny believed in the goddess of the earth.

-Why is she believing in the goddess of the earth among so many gods?

The temple that helped Sienna gain support from the people was the Goddess of the Earth. The goddess of the earth was like a demon to Bluebell.

Bluebells nanny had been going to the temple for a long time. Thanks to it, she had no ill feelings for Sienna. Rather, she believed Sienna was a good person.

So Bluebell didnt like the idea even more. It seemed that Sienna had taken all of her people. Both Carl and her nanny seemed to have sided with Sienna, which made her angry.

Ill let you regret it, Sienna. Ill let you know what the price is for taking mine.

Bluebell shouted at the nanny in an irritated voice.

Shut up! Just get that herb.

Your Majesty the Empress!

Only

Nanny! If you dont get it, Ill kill myself. Ill hang myself, jump into the river, or cut my wrist and die.

The nanny replied with a pale look at Bluebells words.

How can you say such a scary thing?

So just get it for me, okay? You are on my side. The nanny should be on my side.

Of course, Im on your side. But

This is the only way I can get out of the situation. This is the only way

Bluebell said desperately to the nanny.