Vellian opened his mouth slightly as if in a panic.

He himself must have been surprised to realize he had suddenly returned to speaking rudely with her after being so respectful until now.

Astelle rebuked him in a calm but clear tone, “How can you be so disrespectful in front of me, the empress of the empire, and defend a sinner without a foundation? Did the person serving the emperor not learn imperial etiquette properly?”