“When did I say you were the one who killed Amber?” Tanya’s lips curved into a mocking smile, her fair skin glowing softly under the candlelight, forming a graceful, luxurious arc. “What I meant is, I’m surprised that my dear sister can kill Daisy and still speak so brazenly in His Majesty’s presence.”

“As for what you said, that I accused you of killing Amber—perhaps it’s just your guilty conscience making you believe my casual remark,” Tanya continued, her tone dripping with disdain that stung Evelyn’s pride.

“Your Majesty…” Evelyn’s body softened, and she fell to her knees before Heliam. “I beg Your Majesty to judge fairly. Evelyn is too foolish and clumsy to compete with my sister’s sharp tongue.” She lowered her beautiful eyes, her long lashes quivering slightly with each trembling word, making her appear pitiable.

Heliam’s wickedly handsome face showed a hint of impatience as he waved his sleeve. “It’s all trivial words from small-minded people. Vivienne wasn’t targeting you, you’re just taking it too seriously.”

Upon hearing this, Evelyn’s eyes flickered with worry, fearing that Heliam would punish her. She quickly moved forward, bowing even lower.

“Evelyn understands her mistake. It’s all Evelyn’s misunderstanding. It’s just that I wonder… how will the King of Southland think about this when he hears of it?” Evelyn’s voice was light and airy, subtly using the King of Southland as leverage to force Heliam to show her some consideration.

“Ridiculous!” Heliam, easily angered by nature, had already lost his favor for Evelyn, and now his displeasure was evident. “Evelyn, what do you mean by this?”

Evelyn slowly stood up and bent her back even lower. “Evelyn has no other intention. But Your Majesty has repeatedly favored my sister, Vivienne, over me. I worry… during the meeting with the King of Southland in a few days, how will the King react if he learns that Evelyn has been confined in the palace?”

A faint smile tugged at Evelyn’s lips, causing Heliam to frown deeply.

“Evelyn!” His voice rose sharply. “You’re merely a lowly consort. Granting you the rank of consort was already giving you face. Even if I were to kill you right here, do you think that Southland would be able to lay a finger on me?”

Perhaps his fury had reached its peak, as Heliam’s body visibly trembled. “You’ve schemed against consorts in the palace, and I’ve already given you enough face. Don’t think for a moment that your petty tricks could escape my eyes.”

Evelyn’s expression shifted, but she quickly returned to her calm demeanor, her gaze steady and unflinching. “Evelyn does not understand what Your Majesty means.”

Heliam’s initial anger subsided upon hearing Evelyn’s light response, replaced by a chilling gaze as cold as glacial ice—one that brimmed with murderous intent.

Taking a deep breath, a cruel smile played on Heliam’s lips. “Eunuch Belmont,” he called out. Eunuch Belmont immediately straightened up. “Your servant is here.”

“Convey my decree: That wretched servant Amber, after slandering Vivienne, committed suicide out of guilt—her death is well deserved. Have her bones ground to dust and scattered at Evelyn’s palace gates as a warning to the lowly servants of the inner court!”

Heliam stepped down from the high platform, his long robe fluttering slightly, causing a breeze that rustled the loose strands of hair beside Evelyn’s ears.

“And furthermore, at tomorrow’s assembly, I will bring Consort Evelyn and Lady Vivienne with me!” He announced, his gaze lingering on Tanya momentarily before shifting away swiftly.

“This matter is concluded. Should I hear any gossip or rumors within the palace, all involved will be executed, along with their nine generations!”

Everyone present stiffened, bowing low. “We humbly obey Your Majesty’s command.”

Heliam stepped up to Tanya, his gaze wandering over her fair, porcelain-like skin. His lips parted as if to say something, but he ultimately remained silent.

Tanya’s almond-shaped eyes shimmered like rippling water, lifting to meet Heliam’s, capturing the softest part of his heart.

“Take care to rest well,” he said deeply after a long pause.

Tanya raised her chin slightly, her eyes devoid of any emotion. Facing Heliam, she bowed respectfully.

“As Your Majesty commands.”

Heliam’s reply was a long, lingering sigh.

Thus, the matter came to a close. Comments in the chat window scrolled rapidly, most of them expressing shock at Heliam’s sudden change of character and claiming that Evelyn got what she deserved.

There were a few unique comments that began speculating on Heliam’s intentions:

**[Fan] Mist in the Snow:** “Heliam’s temperament is quick to anger, but if he’s keeping Evelyn around despite her provocations, he’s probably using her as a pawn to balance against Southland.”

**[Fan] Green Lotus:** “That may not be the case. There’s a big difference between the live broadcast and the original novel. Maybe in this version, Southland really is a powerful nation that even Heliam has to be wary of, and what he said was just a tyrant being vain.”

Tanya lowered her eyes, the fans’ comments weren’t entirely wrong. Heliam’s temper was increasingly difficult to read.

But for now, at least, he was standing on her side—which, all things considered, wasn’t a bad outcome.