Serves you right.

Ramier's brows raised with his statement. From the tone of his voice, he knew that this 'dear ' friend of his was listening to gossip again. There must be something he found interesting with the whole situation. He nodded at Dimitri and turned his attention back to the documents, his brows still in the same position. He was predicting his next words would be something like, he found something new or he heard something 'interesting'—

"And I've heard some interesting news going around the Palace.. Want to hear it?" he smiled mischievously waiting for Ramier's reaction.

Oh... here it was.

He only looked at him indifferently,writing on the papers he was holding with a fountain pen. Dimitri felt like he was talking to air. He grew a bit annoyed seeing that his friend wasn't paying him any attention. But still, he stood his ground on pestering him. Sooner or later, that no-care-don't-care expression of his would break.

"Well, I didn't expect this but.."

"What?" he furrowed his brows in irritation.

"Who would've thought that of all people to receive a blood shower, his Majesty, the Esteemed Emperor had the privilege to perform one."

Ramier glared at him. This was what he came here for? Was he serious?

"Haha. Very funny." he said sarcastically.

"Don't you see that? No one does that and gets away with it." Dimitri said amused. "I really have to commend the Legacy for doing that. I can't wait to meet her."

Ramier only replied with a 'tch'.What was he even doing here? Why bother him on such a hectic day?Dimitri always had his way in ruining his day. Well, they would have been best of friends if he hadn't. But he only kept his status as a friend, because he was annoying.

What happened the other day wasn't a trivial matter but considering his status as the Emperor, it was a big deal for others. He already forgave her as it was unintentional on her part.

Dimitri was about to speak once more when a knock interrupted them. It was one of his subordinates. The subordinate looked like he was in a rush as he looked panically at Dimitri. Dimitri, seeing this, froze in his seat. It was obvious that he was in a hurry since he was panting heavily and beads of sweat trickled down his face. The situation he was dying to report must be very serious, for him to end up in that disoriented state.

"Y-Your G-Grace!"

Dimitri stood up and looked alarmed at his shout.

"Speak. What's the matter? " he said. This time his whole aura changed, making one forget that he was the playful person Ramier was talking to minutes ago. He stood dignified but one can sense his restlessness. He was thinking of the worst possible scenarios that had led to this.

"I-I'm sorry you grace. I-I just ran all the way from the r-residence.*pants*" he explains. "The lady! She... She's in labor!"

"What?!" Dimitri shouted as his reply and he himself panicked on the spot. His eyes widened and his facial expression turned anxious. Sweat was forming in his forehead! He didn't know what to do and just glanced at Ramier, who immediately raised his hand to acknowledge his departure, before dashing off his office.

The door closed with a bang. But he didn't mind. After all, the situation needed urgent attention.

Well...

That was shocking.

He wanted to laugh at his friend's stupidity but that was a serious matter so he'd rather not. He ridiculed Dimitri for bragging how he wasn't worried about his wife's pregnancy because it was their 'second child' and just dashed off like a mad man when he heard of her labor.

'Serves you right..' he let out a small laugh and returned to attend to his paperwork.

After a few hours of working; reading and signing documents, he realized that he needed to take a break.

He went outside his office and walked around without any destination in mind. However, He found himself walking to the direction of the building where Ashley's room was located. He decided to pay her a visit since he knew that she was probably bored inside her room.

He passed by some servants and they stopped on their tracks and bowed with respect. He just nodded in response to their greetings and paced to her room.

He halted his steps when he was in front of her door and knocked slowly. After a few seconds of knocking there was no response. He suddenly wondered if she was asleep. He decided that it was best to just leave her alone and return to his office.

Just as He was about to walk back to his office, he couldn't help but eavesdrop at a group of servants conversing. Though they were far away, Ramier had exceptional hearing; it wouldn't be a problem listening to them unintentionally.

"Did you see the legacy today?" one of the maids whispered looking left and right, afraid that someone might hear them.

"Yes... I can't believe she just went to the Rose Garden!" the other responded.

"That's right! How could she go there?! Didn't she know that place was—" said the other maid who was cut off when the head court lady came in between the three of them.

"I believe the Royal Palace didn't employ you servants to gossip all day." she said strictly and all the servants rushed to attend their tasks once again.

The head court lady scoffed and looked at Ramier's distant figure. She knew that he must've heard the servants for him to slow down his pace like that.

Her feelings towards the Legacy just went downhill to a whole new degree. How could she go there without anyone's permission? Doesn't she know what that place meant for his Highness?

Ramier composed himself and started to resume his pace. He didn't know what to feel at the moment. His face turned cold and he walked towards the Rose Garden. He wanted to see her as soon as possible and forbid her from going there ever again.

That place—

His hand clenched into a fist.