There was nothing special about the woman’s appearance. She looked like a commoner at best. If there was anything special about her, then it would be the cloak made of unknown material.

Nevertheless, the woman didn’t look humble or low-born in the lightest. No, the woman looked more noble and dignified than any other royal family members and nobles that Adelaide had seen before. 

Adelaide was staring intently at the woman because it was so strangely remarkable. 

Swish.

The woman felt Adelaide’s gaze and turned her head.

“Ah…”

The moment she met the woman’s gaze, Adelaide trembled as if she had been struck by lightning.

When she met that clear gaze, it felt like she had been thrown in front of people, stripped naked.

Adelaide wanted her head to turn and avoid that clear gaze, but even that wasn’t easy. No matter how much she tried, like a butterfly caught on a web, she couldn’t look away from the woman’s gaze. 

The woman’s lips parted.

“Did you say you wanted to be the Empress?”

It was a soft whisper, but to Adelaide, it was louder than thunder. 

“I, I…”

She had forgotten about the fugitives’ plight for a moment, but now she remembered it. Only then did Adelaide realize how she must look as she spoke of her ridiculous hopes and wishes in front of people. 

Her face burned with humiliation. If there was a mouse hole somewhere, she wanted...