I lay in bed with a dazed expression.

It was peace found after a long time, following a storm.

“……”

Well, could this situation really be called peace?

Immediately after confirming the dispatch announcing Foil Viper’s arrest, Father and Brother went straight to the palace.

Though I knew Foil’s end was approaching, when it actually happened, my feelings weren’t entirely pleasant.

‘Is this how it ends?’

Part of me wanted to see his downfall. I also wanted to witness with my own eyes his vileness exposed to the world.

I wanted to confirm the final moments of the man who had tried to kill me and Ainberg.

But ultimately, I chose to remain at the mansion.

‘What good would it do to see more of his ugliness?’

It would be troublesome if I couldn’t control my emotions and showed an emotional reaction.

Foil, backed into a corner, would try to bite anyone.

I thought it better not to give him any excuse.

Late afternoon passed, and night fell on the Chadmon household.

Just as I was turning my head to look out the darkening window, I heard careful footsteps, followed by the sound of someone setting down a tray on the table.

“Miss, I’ve brought you some warm milk.”

I sat up and faced Sabine.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

The warmth transferred directly as I picked up the cup of warm milk. While I took a sip, Sabine was organizing books on the sofa.

“Sabine, have Father and Brother returned?”

When I asked, Sabine shook her head heavily.

“No, not yet.”

They might not return for a while.

‘I wonder if all of Foil’s evil deeds have been revealed by now. If it comes to light that he raised soldiers and tried to kill Ainberg disguised as Sutton bandits…’

He probably wouldn’t survive.

That was the natural course of events, and not something to feel sad or sorry about.

But I still worried about Soniel.

‘I must protect that child no matter what.’

Surely Foil wouldn’t be so cowardly as to use his daughter as a shield to escape this situation.

“What is Soniel doing?”

“I’m going to bring her some warm milk shortly. I’ll check how she’s feeling and let you know.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Of course.”

Though Sabine was smiling gently, I could clearly sense she was different from usual.

What’s wrong?

Feeling concerned, I called her back.

“Sabine, come here and sit down for a moment.”

Sabine carefully sat down, clutching the tray she was about to take out.

“Do you have another task for me?”

I shook my head and looked at her.

“Sabine, is something wrong? You don’t look well.”

“No, nothing’s wrong.”

Then she opened her eyes wide and added.

“Don’t worry about me, Miss.”

“What are you saying? How could I not worry?”

“You’re already troubled enough. No, you’re in a difficult situation.”

“Even if I’m troubled and major events are unfolding, what’s happening with you right now is more important.”

“Miss.”

“So tell me. Is the work too hard?”

I thought she might be having a hard time adjusting here again after spending quite a long time with me at the imperial palace.

At the palace, all she had to do was attend to my personal matters, but now that we had returned to the Chadmon household, she had to perform her duties as a maid.

“No, not at all. I’ve never thought that way.”

Sabine waved her hands in surprise.

“Really. It’s not because of that.”

“Then what?”

Sabine relaxed the corners of her mouth.

“I know I shouldn’t be thinking this.”

She hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“I keep getting sad at the thought of parting with you soon. But don’t worry about it. Just forget what I just said.”

“Sabine.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Ah, so that was it.

I could understand Sabine’s feelings.

We had grown close over the year, and I had received a lot of help from her.

Thinking about it, she was the one who believed in me, the first person I could confide my secret to, and always the first to help me.

‘I always believe in you, follow you, and respect you, Miss. I’ve thought something was strange about you for a while. I couldn’t tell exactly what, but I had a feeling there was some problem.’

‘Haha, a problem?’

‘I could pretend not to notice today, but you’re too important to everyone. Not just to the Chadmon family, but to me too.’

‘……’

‘So if you have any problems, I’d like you to tell me. I’m always working for you. I’m ready to do anything for you. I hope you’ll trust me just as I trust you.’

Sabine and I had a relationship beyond the trust that normally builds between a personal maid and her mistress.

“I’m sorry, Miss. You’ve always been so kind to me that I had such presumptuous thoughts. Please forget what I just said.”

Sabine was trying hard to maintain a calm expression.

But I had similar thoughts to hers.

Soon I would return to Sienna’s appearance and live as the Empress again.

I would be surrounded by children of nobility, and Sabine would remain here to take care of Leonora.

Would I only see her when Leonora comes to the palace?

My mood sank endlessly at the thought that we might rarely meet again, despite understanding each other well and growing close over the year.

“Sabine, as you probably guess, I’ll soon return to my original self.”

Sabine nodded slowly.

“Yes, Miss. That’s truly fortunate.”

“Yes. It is fortunate.”

“You’ve always been frustrated, so I’m glad this is being resolved.”

“Yes, it’s certainly fortunate for all of us.”

“……”

I dropped my shoulders and muttered.

“I feel sad thinking about parting with you.”

“Miss.”

Sabine seemed moved by just those words, with tears welling up in her eyes.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and spoke.

“Thank you so much for saying that. I’m grateful for your kindness and care. I’ll always cherish the grace you’ve shown me.”

“Grace? What have I done?”

When I scratched the side of my head, Sabine sniffled and said.

“You treated me not as a maid but almost like a friend. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”

“Sabine.”

Just then, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

“Sabine, I had a very important moment in my life recently.”

“…An important moment?”

“Yes, I had an opportunity to reflect on my life as if I were facing death.”

When I followed Millean into that secret, deep place, I had recalled the people I knew one by one, as if leaving a will.

Gratitude I couldn’t fully express to Brother and Father, worries about Soniel’s future, my poor cat, and words I never got to say to Ainberg.

And among the people I wanted to say farewell to was Sabine.

“It was a promise I made to myself, but I resolved to find a good match for you.”

As I spoke, recalling that memory, Sabine blushed.

“Miss.”

“When the time is right, that is. I’m telling you this so you don’t misunderstand—not right away. I need you now.”

When I added playfully, Sabine nodded with her face still quite red.

“I didn’t know you were thinking about that.”

“I told you. You’re important to me.”

“Miss……”

“Thank you. I mean it.”

Just as Father had done for me, I opened my arms and embraced Sabine.

Preparing for a farewell is really not an easy thing.

The sniffling sound from over my shoulder almost made me cry too.

“I’ll always pray for your health and happiness.”

“Are you saying goodbye now?”

“No, just… just because.”

I patted Sabine’s back and sighed.

“I don’t know what to do. You’re clever, capable, and diligent. I know you’ll be a great help by Leonora’s side.”

“……”

“Knowing that, I still want to take you to the imperial palace.”

“Miss.”

“Sabine, what do you think? Would you like to come with me?”