I'm not a monster, I'm a fool

A part of her wondered what the point of bathing was when she just stood out in the rain anyway. 

Threatening letter or not, she was still the empress, and she had to leave the castle to perform her duties around the town.

Apparently there was a section of the town which had burned down a few months ago and no one had inspected it before due to the chaos of her mother's passing. So she rode out now on a horse alongside Tenshi, some royal guards, and Archibald, to determine the damage.

It was horrible.

There had been numerous buildings completely destroyed, burned to ash and charred piles of rubble. The ground itself was scorched, and even now, months later, this downpour caused soot and ash to flow out into the streets.

Even though she was prepared for it, she couldn't help but gasp in shock when they came upon the wreckage of what used to be a family home.