Tbh I believe she was the one that set it up to begin with to get rid of the one threat to her in this case, Charti.
Nah I'm pretty sure it was the empress. Why else would she leave Irene at Sati's mercy? I'm also guessing Irene didn't know about the whole dragon fiasco because when the empress left Irene seemed scared. Had she known about the dragon she probably would've looked a little more composed.
I don’t know. But...I think that Irene did know about the dragon. Irene and Charti have been going at each other relentlessly but discreetly. Charti won the first challenge. By now, I’m sure that, despite her immaturity, Irene has learned how Charti can play. Her only issue is that she can’t beat it. So what does she do? She plots, schemes, and lies.
When the Empress emphasized on the “no deceiving” part directed at Charti, I’m sure that this warning scared Irene. Charti did what she had to do and stay low. Although the Empress is supporting Irene, she still doesn’t like deceiving, conniving people who’d bring misfortune and whatnot on her son. So if there’s a possibility that the Empress discovers Irene’s true personality, she’d immediately drop her. I think that’s why Irene seemed “sad” when the Empress left. Because she had already prepared the dragon and used magic to target Charti out of all the aristocrats.
But it’s whatever. Just a theory. ╮(￣▽￣)╭
Hmm i think she already dropped Irene though. Like the Emperor the Empress only shows favorability to Irene when Charti is around or when others are around. However, if i remember correctly after Irene lost to Charti when they were governing one of the fief the Empress straight up told Irene that she was an idiot who damage the fief and she (the Empress) doesn't fvcks with idiots.
am i the only one that hoped irene would've got eaten i mean like she just be getting on my nerves a lot recently and i kinda ready to just slice her neck ya know?