The next day, just as Ainberg predicted, the imperial palace was turned upside down.

Foil Viper didn’t deviate from expectations. When his name began circulating in connection with the Empress’s disappearance, he reacted strongly.

He claimed he would find the source of the rumors and that he had nothing left to fear, having already lost his precious daughter who had fallen into a coma and disappeared without a trace.

Of course, this reaction from Foil was exactly what Ainberg had hoped for.

I kept completely out of sight and remained quiet.

“My lady, are you really alright?”

“Yes, of course.”

Soniel looked anxious the entire time.

I had explained in detail what would happen next, but she still seemed afraid.

“I hope everything goes as you said, but I’m scared I might have to return to the Viper household.”

“That won’t happen.”

And shortly after, as if following a script, Foil Viper came looking for me.

“Miss, Lord Viper requests to see you.”

Thinking that the inevitable had arrived, I felt a little tense.

But I calmly lay in bed and pulled the covers up just below my nose.

“I’m sorry, but tell him I’m not feeling well and cannot meet him.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Sabine gave me and Soniel a determined look before withdrawing.

“He’ll probably come in anyway.”

When I muttered in a low voice, Soniel silently nodded.

And as expected, Sabine knocked on the bedroom door with an uncomfortable expression, accompanied by Foil Viper.

“Miss, he says it’s important and urgent. Would you come out for a moment? Or should I contact the master?”

“I suppose I have no choice.”

I deliberately made a groaning sound and left the bed.

With Soniel supporting me, I went outside to find Foil standing in the middle of the reception room with a flushed face.

“Father.”

Soniel respectfully greeted him first, but Foil didn’t even glance at her.

“Forgive me for this intrusion.”

“What brings you here to see me?”

After clearing my throat once, I asked, and Foil began speaking heavily.

“I believe you already know.”

Unlike his usual self, he skipped the light conversation to set the mood and went straight to the point.

“What do you mean? Surely you’re not coming to discuss the Empress’s disappearance with me.”

When I took the initiative, Foil’s expression turned cold.

“Not exactly, but it’s true that the imperial palace is in disarray because of it.”

I nodded a beat late and opened my mouth.

“Yes, I think it’s a bewildering and unfortunate situation.”

Foil’s hands trembled as if he was suppressing his rising emotions.

From his perspective, he must feel wronged.

But isn’t it a bit funny to feel wronged when you were planning to kill someone anyway?

“Anyway, due to that unfortunate incident, our family situation isn’t good, so I need to take Soniel back.”

At Foil’s words, Soniel bit her lip with an expression that said the inevitable had come.

“Take Soniel away?”

Though I had anticipated this, I feigned ignorance and asked again.

“Something might happen to her too, you see.”

Foil finally glanced toward Soniel and continued.

“I cannot lose another precious daughter.”

Precious daughter.

With each word he spoke, his anger seemed to rise, and his voice became more intense than before.

“I’m afraid of what else I might hear if I leave her here any longer.”

Foil seemed to have completely forgotten everything he had done.

This is all from seeds you planted.

I took a deep breath and spoke quietly.

“I understand how you feel, but for the sake of the Viper family, I think it’s better for Soniel to stay here.”

Foil stared at me intently, his eyebrows twitching.

“His Majesty no longer needs assistance, and with the family situation being poor, is there any reason for Soniel to stay here?”

“That’s precisely why she should stay with me.”

If I backed down here, I would have to send Soniel away.

If he thinks she’s no longer useful, who knows what he might do to her.

“As you can see, I haven’t been feeling well lately. I’ve been receiving a lot of help from Soniel.”

“……”

“His Majesty is also well aware of her attentiveness and kind nature. But if you suddenly take Soniel away.”

I brushed back my fallen hair and continued.

“I don’t think it would help your reputation.”

Foil looked at me with cold eyes.

I was a bit scared, but I had no intention of backing down.

No lengthy explanation was needed.

With just the word “reputation,” Foil would understand what I meant.

“Do you think I care about such ridiculous rumors?”

“Not at all. To show that you have nothing to do with this matter, keeping Soniel by my side seems much more natural.”

Foil’s expression didn’t change, but I could feel him tensing his body.

Don’t hesitate, just go.

Even if you try to take her, I won’t let you.

“I hope you recover soon, my lady.”

He looked back and forth between Soniel and me before turning away with a hardened expression.

After Foil left, Soniel collapsed where she stood.

“My lady.”

“I told you everything would be fine. Even if he brings soldiers to drag you away, I will never let you go.”

I hugged Soniel, who was still trembling.

❀❀❀

Due to my self-imposed isolation at Ainberg’s request, the only way to receive news was through Sabine.

What Ainberg had asked of me was to pretend to be gradually falling ill and then naturally leave the imperial palace.

Thanks to the letters I sent in advance to my brother and father, no one came looking for me.

I wondered how things were going now.

“Sabine, did you find out what’s happening?”

When I asked, Sabine approached with a somewhat flushed face.

“A considerable number of soldiers have moved to Lord Viper’s castle.”

“Soldiers?”

I unconsciously tensed at the news of soldiers being sent.

“Yes, but Lord Viper seemed to welcome His Majesty sending troops.”

Sabine sighed heavily and continued.

“Though I’m not sure if that’s genuine or not.”

“It must be genuine. Other nobles will think His Majesty’s actions are excessive, and that’s what Lord Viper is hoping for.”

The more negative public opinion is toward the Emperor, the more advantageous he’ll think it is for him.

Just as Ainberg considers this the final trap, Foil must also see this as the most crucial moment.

He might have anticipated that the Emperor deliberately removed the Empress and tried to pin it on him.

‘Yes, Foil is certainly capable of that.’

What if he’s deliberately acting as Ainberg expects?

When I clutched my head, Sabine raised her hands in surprise.

“Miss, are you alright?”

“Mmm, I’m fine… No, I’m not sure.”

But even if he predicted it, Foil has no way to escape.

Ainberg said if he couldn’t find evidence, he would “create it.”

Moreover, they’ve captured the men who attacked Ainberg recently.

If they link the fact that those men have no connection to the Sutton bandits with evidence found at the Viper household.

‘There’s no way to escape the charge of treason.’

Just as I exhaled slowly, Sabine spoke with a face similar to mine.

“Everything will work out as it should, Miss.”

“Yes, as it should.”

“Of course. So please don’t worry too much.”

Right, sitting and worrying won’t make things go wrong or prevent problems from being solved.

“Thank you, Sabine.”

“Miss, I know how to calm your mind at times like this.”

In truth, the most effective way to clear my mind when it was complicated was simply walking.

Especially walking barefoot on soft grass or among densely grown trees could help me forget all my thoughts.

But leisurely garden strolls while Ainberg’s army was on the move?

That wouldn’t be right.

With such thoughts and little expectation, I blinked my eyes, and Sabine spoke to me in a spirited voice.

“Make a gift for His Majesty.”

“……”

“What do you think? Good idea, right?”

Then she hurriedly went to the back and returned with needles and a mountain of yarn she had prepared.

“Whoa, what’s all this?”

“Yarn. I didn’t know which color would suit His Majesty, so I brought everything.”

“……”

“We need to make it before the weather gets cold. I think we should start today, Miss.”

“But my mind is too complicated right now to do this.”

“What are you saying? This is perfect for times like this.”

“Can I learn something new when my mind is so cluttered?”

When I hesitated, losing confidence, Sabine opened her eyes wide.

“Of course! Just imagine His Majesty wearing a muffler you made yourself.”

Oh…

That’s awkward even just to imagine.