Just as he was reading the neatly organized titles, an unexpected book entered Astrian’s field of vision.

“A grimoire…?”

The purple spine with two gold lines drawn on both ends looked familiar.

He felt like he’d seen this appearance somewhere…

‘No way.’

Astrian recalled a completely unexpected place.

The Marquisate of La Voletta. The family head’s room—he’d seen a book with a similar design there.

The empress and the marchioness were half-sisters.

The marchioness had loved the Marquis of La Voletta, and though the marquis didn’t love her, the two married shortly after.

If the empress had influenced that…

It meant the empress could interfere with the Marquisate of La Voletta.

‘This book probably didn’t come from the family head’s room.’

He felt like he was sinking deeper into the abyss. The more he dug, the more he learned things he didn’t want to know.

“You there.”

“Yes?”

“What’s your name?”

The maid who’d been diligently searching for toys while indulging Zedion looked up.

Judging by how skillfully she assessed Zedion’s condition and kept the playroom neatly organized, she seemed to be a maid who’d worked here quite a while.

“It’s Aina, Your Highness.”

“Your surname?”

“I don’t have one.”

Even commoners had surnames. So Aina likely grew up in an orphanage.

“Mother really goes too far.”

“…”

Though that was how this imperial palace operated, he always realized its cruelty when the fact hit him personally.

Aina would be disposed of the moment things went wrong.

If she cared for Zedion while living isolated in the Rose Palace with no family, she wouldn’t have many acquaintances either.

She was perfectly suited—someone who could disappear immediately without causing problems.

“Aina, I’d like to make you a proposal.”

“A proposal…?”

Aina had also seen and heard things, so she must know she could be eliminated at any time.

So if he guaranteed her safety…

“It won’t be a bad offer.”

He might be able to extract information from the empress’s study.

Aina, staring at Astrian, gulped.

A dangerous yet attractive proposal. The choice was hers.

Meanwhile, someone called out to the empress as she leisurely walked through the garden after leaving the Rose Palace.

“Sister.”

“Diana.”

Only one person could address her with such familiarity.

Only her younger sister Diana.

‘Anyway, she’s better than that child in every way.’

They were on different levels. Unlike someone who’d married above her station, blinded by love, and now lived precariously, unable to protect her family.

A direct descendant of Count Sor House. Diana, who resembled her—purely beautiful and outstanding.

The empress greeted her sister with a smile as she approached with a bright face.

“Why have you gotten so haggard? Did something bad happen?”

“It’s not that. I’ve just had a lot to worry about lately.”

A lot to worry about. The empress’s face hardened slightly, catching what Diana meant.

“…You’ve been through a lot.”

When she patted Diana’s shoulder, Diana rubbed her cheek against the empress’s hand in response.

She’d always been a quiet but affectionate child.

That made her worry more. Wouldn’t something made from pure materials be better than something mixed with impurities?

“If you need help, tell me anytime. Understand?”

“Yeah, thanks. Sister.”

Only when Diana wore a gentle smile did the empress finally relax. If major problems arose in that area, she’d be the most troubled.

The empress took Diana and entered through the Rose Palace’s back door.

“Can’t we do this outside?”

“There are too many people. We can enjoy tea time inside just fine, so bear with it a little.”

“Tch…”

Every time she had to deliver that, they always had to hide for tea time, which seemed to displease her.

Coaxing and placating Diana, the empress entered one of many rooms in the secret space and turned on the lights.

“You decorated it nicely?”

“You said you liked Gothic style last time, so I tried it. Do you like it?”

“Yeah, I like it.”

Unlike before when the room’s ceiling was flat, it now expanded into an arch, and the higher it went, it looked like the interior of a pointed tower.

While Diana’s gaze was captured by the ceiling, the empress began brewing the tea she’d prepared.

It was special tea from the East, prepared especially for her cherished sister.

Though the empress was doing what a maid should do, Diana familiarly placed her bag on the side table and sat in a chair.

“Did you bring it?”

“Hmm? Which one?”

“…You know without me saying.”

When Diana pretended not to know, the empress spoke in an awkward voice.

That thing—a new product recently developed by the Duke of Arpi’s house.

“Ah, the perfume?”

“…Yeah, that.”

Though it only came in perfume bottles on the outside, the two called it perfume.

Utterly enchanting, beautiful perfume that would send them to a new world.

Using the perfume, the empress could feel comfort she’d never felt before and blow away accumulated stress.

That’s why she absolutely needed it.

“Of course I brought it. But there was a bit of a problem this time, so there’s only a small supply.”

“What problem?”

“A rat snuck in.”

“…A rat?”

The empress paused when such rough language came from her sister’s innocent-looking mouth.

“Yeah, but I resolved it. Since I found it early.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Though she sometimes used expressions that didn’t match her image, the empress pretended not to hear.

Such trivial details weren’t important at all to their relationship.

“What’s your brother-in-law doing these days?”

“Holed up in his lab. He’s full of enthusiasm, saying he’ll try something new since you like it?”

“Tell him thanks.”

Though she doubted whether anything could be more effective than this perfume, he always brought new successes, so she believed without question.

“Oh right, how’s Siana?”

“Attending the academy. She takes care of everything herself, so there’s nothing for me to do.”

“Daughters really are better.”

The empress sat in her chair, grumbling as she thought of her two sons.

“Sons are useless no matter how you raise them.”

“Why?”

“They don’t say anything affectionate. They don’t even come visit, saying they found something to do. I have to call them directly, and they come with rotten faces.”

“…Really?”

“At least Zedion is by my side. Rian takes after his father—no affection at all.”

Diana smiled awkwardly at the empress’s complaints. Her favoritism was quite famous not only in the palace but throughout the capital.

Though nobles only whispered about it, everyone knew the empress only doted on the Second Prince.

“But Rian is capable. His Majesty also finds Rian reliable.”

“What’s so good about capability? I’d be grateful if he just didn’t cause trouble.”

“…”

Diana quietly looked at the empress, who was blatantly harsh.

When Diana fell silent as the empress continued her complaints, the empress finally changed the subject and poured tea into cups.

“It’s ready. Try it.”

The freshly brewed tea emitted white steam, asserting its presence from the teacup.

“It smells good.”

After smelling the tea’s aroma and savoring a sip, sweet yet bitter flavors swirled in her mouth.

A slight umami flavor added to it, whetting her appetite.

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah. It’s so good? Where’s it from?”

“I imported it from the East. They said some medicinal herbs are in it. Wait a moment.”

After personally checking the tea’s brand name, effects, and ingredients, then explaining them, Diana’s eyes sparkled.

“I love it. Can I take one? I’ll have my husband buy some.”

“Sure, take it. I’ll pack two more for you.”

“Really? Thanks, sister.”

When she added that she’d tell a maid to deliver them later, Diana smiled broadly with delight.

“…So when can you give me that?”

When the empress carefully mentioned the perfume, Diana said she’d forgotten and rummaged through her bag.

“Here it is. Like I said before, you can only use it once a day. No more than that.”

“The effects seem to be weakening…”

“Then rest at least a week before using it. Your body’s gotten used to it.”

A whole week’s rest. The empress’s face filled with despair.

“I’m telling you to take care of your health, sister. You must follow this, understand?”

“…Alright.”

Frustrating, but what could she do? She couldn’t say anything unpleasant to Diana, who deliberately came all the way to the Rose Palace for her sake.

The empress forced a smile and spent tea time.

Still, she was fortunate to receive perfume when her supply was running out.

“When can you come next time?”

“I’m not sure. Probably a little less than a month.”

“…That long?”

“You know, sister. I’m trying my best.”

“That’s true, but…”

A whole month to wait. The amount Diana gave now was woefully insufficient for that period.

Following Diana’s words, she’d need to rest two weeks—a week twice—and use the perfume to have enough to wait.

“Can’t you give me a little more?”

“Hmm…”

When Diana paused, seemingly pondering, the empress clenched her fists anxiously.

If she let Diana go now, she wouldn’t see her for another month.

If she could get even a little more, she had to.

Diana, watching the empress’s reaction, crossed her legs and leaned forward.

Tilting her head slightly left as she looked, Diana had an enigmatic gaze like a fox.

“Rina’s been quiet lately—did something happen?”

“…Rina?”

“Yeah, she asked for something, but I haven’t heard from her at all.”

This was it. The empress’s eyes sparkled, reading what Diana wanted.

“I’ll contact her. What should I tell her?”

“Ask her to send a letter to the Duke of Arpi’s house. Thanks, sister.”

I’ll send the gift through someone.

Hearing the answer she wanted, the empress’s face finally relaxed.

“I’m more grateful. Go safely.”

“Yeah, see you in a month.”

Walking to the Rose Palace entrance, the sisters bid each other farewell.

It was a satisfying tea time where each obtained what they wanted.