
Irene is literally so desperate at this point. Not only was she just insulting FL with every bad rumors she hears- she's plain d u m b. She literally took desperate measures and blackmailed, ran to the empress and straight up being two-faced infront of everybody. Not to mention the IRONY of when they talk about fairness then proceed to mock and make her leave without even giving her a chance to talk. All Irene has been doing was hide behind people.
The way the king treats her reminds me of a close relationship between a father and a daughter kinda relationship.