In the Name of Empress-Chapter 475 - 317: I Couldn’t Hold Back and Slapped Her_3

Chapter 475: Chapter 317: I Couldn’t Hold Back and Slapped Her_3

Is that so?

Alina let out a sigh of relief and teased with a smile, "Yes, if you die, I have to be buried with you. You naturally have to take responsibility."

"By the way, the recent incident was Madam Elaine misjudging my words and acting on her own. I’ve instructed her to reflect behind closed doors."

Alina noticed Roland’s unnatural expression and quickly confessed everything about Elaine’s actions.

She didn’t shove all the blame onto her subordinates but took it upon herself.

"You can’t entirely blame her; it’s my fault for not being clear in my words, which led to her misjudgment. If punishment is needed, let it fall on me."

Alina looked at Roland calmly, her tone steady.

Roland lightly slapped the table, startling Alina.

He was indeed angry; alas, this matter would affect his relationship with Sylph, and even if she stood up to take responsibility, forgiveness would be difficult.

However, Roland’s next words left her stunned.

"If there’s any fault, it’s mine. It’s my inability to control myself."

"Alina, don’t say anything more. If a man makes a mistake but lets a woman take the blame, he’s not worthy of being called a man."

"Let me handle it, okay?"

Though somewhat bewildered, Alina still nodded obediently.

Roland’s evasive eyes seemed a bit embarrassed, but the way he stood tall to make a statement...

was quite handsome.

She murmured impulsively, "Roland, maintain this pose; I want to make a painting of you."

Ah? Roland’s head was a bit foggy.

Though he didn’t understand girls, wasn’t her thinking too whimsical?

While complaining, he wouldn’t resist Alina’s wish.

Being a model, then. As for the appearance fee... It was already paid last night, and excessively so.

The painting continued until the afternoon and was finally completed.

Looking at the scroll depicting a proud and ambitious young noble, Roland hardly recognized himself.

Is this handsome young man on the painting really me?

Never mind, if Alina thinks so, then it is.

Just as Roland and Alina were sharing dinner, an unexpected visitor arrived.

Lisa, dusty and hurried, traveled overnight to reach Xidai as quickly as possible.

As she stepped into the West Palace, she couldn’t even spare a moment to wipe the sweat off her brow.

The Palace Guard Captain recognized her and dared not neglect, immediately leading her to the small dining room.

Lisa walked into the dining room, and Alina greeted her with a smile.

"Miss Lisa, the journey must’ve been exhausting. I suggest you have dinner first, then take a shower and rest well. Whatever it is, we’ll discuss tomorrow."

Lisa didn’t refuse Alina’s kind offer but felt that Alina seemed a bit off.

She sat in the middle section of the long dining table, quickly realizing the issue.

The chair she sat in was warm.

It’s February now, and an unoccupied chair should be relatively cold, not warm.

In other words, the place she was sitting in had just been occupied.

Lisa’s heart skipped a beat, as if capturing some key message, and she smiled as she stood up, moving to the opposite side of the long dining table.

"I think I’ll sit here, closer to the fireplace."

She casually found an excuse to change positions.

Once she settled, she felt that the chair was warm too.

The two chairs were on opposite sides of the short edge of the long table and very close.

Before she entered, these two chairs had been occupied, implying that someone didn’t want her to see them temporarily change seats.

If there’s nothing to hide, why change seats?

Lisa instantly lost her appetite, numbly ate a few bites, and then put down the cutlery.

"Sorry, I’m a bit tired and wish to rest early. I’ll stay next to Roland’s quarters."

With Lisa saying this, Alina naturally couldn’t oppose and summoned a maid to arrange accommodations for Lisa.

Lisa asked Roland to leave with her.

Watching the two leave, Roland glanced back at her as he exited the dining room door.

Alina’s eyes showed slight panic, but Roland gave her a firm "leave it to me" look, which somewhat eased her tension.

Could it be a problem with some aspect that Lisa noticed?

Alina’s heart was racing.

After all, she came later, the shameful third party, inevitably feeling guilty when facing the main wife...

Wait, that’s not right!

Alina suddenly realized that even if caught in the act, she had no reason to be so frightened in front of Lisa.

Lisa wasn’t Roland’s wife, even in dealing with infidelity, it wouldn’t involve her.

...

Lisa certainly didn’t know what Alina was thinking; she only felt disappointment and anger.

Returning to Roland’s chamber, Lisa barely maintained a calm expression, observing the details of Roland’s demeanor with her peripheral vision.

"Sif misses you, the kingdom needs you. When do you plan to return home?" Lisa’s slender hand rested on Roland’s shoulder, asked with a smile.

Roland similarly smiled and countered, "And you? Do you miss me?"

"You sneak, joking with your elder sister?"

Lisa teased half-jokingly, "Is it the Jin Yuan Kingdom’s beauties are too romantic, making you not want to return home?"

Roland was silent for a few seconds and softly said, "Sister, I made a mistake."

He had prepared a good excuse, but seeing Lisa’s eyes, he knew he couldn’t lie.

Having been companions for so many years, Lisa was the one who understood him most.

Since it couldn’t be concealed, he might as well be forthright.

Lisa stared blankly at Roland; she feared Roland might lie, but once he confessed, she realized a lie sometimes causes less harm.

"Why?"

"I couldn’t resist, I made the mistake every man makes."

Embracing a reckless transparency, Roland recounted the events simply.

Of course, he didn’t mention the issue with last night’s drink, instead using a romantic excuse.

"Blame it on the beautiful moonlight last night, and having had some drink, I couldn’t resist for a moment..."

"Fainted." Lisa interrupted Roland calmly.

Under Roland’s surprised gaze, Lisa gently added, "Remember clearly, you didn’t have anything happen with Alina. Last night she attempted to seduce you, but although drunk, you firmly refused her."

"As she intended to persist, your drunkenness overwhelmed you, and you fainted."

"In short, you didn’t betray Sylph, absolutely not!"

Lisa’s face was frosty as she spoke firmly, word by word.