I wondered what Levi wanted to ask of me.

“Sir Merten, tell me anything you’d like.”

After my repeated urging, Levi finally spoke.

“When His Majesty’s interest completely disappears, don’t forget to look my way.”

“……”

“I’m not as good or kind a person as you think.”

“How can you say that?”

“The reason I stepped forward to enter a fake marriage with you without asking questions was entirely for my own happiness.”

The atmosphere feels a bit strange.

Slightly exaggerating, it sounds almost like a confession…… Should I keep listening?

I hesitated, unsure what expression to make.

Meanwhile, Levi continued speaking calmly.

“Let’s call it an extension of what I did for you in our younger days.”

“Yes, like a miniature piano you could play on your lap.”

Not wanting the air to become too soft, I spoke lightly, making Levi burst into laughter.

“Exactly.”

“Let’s just say that ultimately failed.”

“Len.”

Despite my efforts, Levi wouldn’t back down.

“This time, I won’t fail.”

“Sir Merten.”

“I’ll stop here. I don’t want to burden you too much right now.”

Hey, it’s already incredibly burdensome.

“Rest. And think slowly about how we’ll proceed with our plan.”

Levi left a lingering smile and walked out the door.

Click.

Left alone in the bedroom, I touched my face once.

“……”

Wow, he said he’d ask just one thing.

I felt like I’d been saddled with enormous emotions.

It’s already overwhelming just thinking about how to handle the Emperor.

But as he said, we’re not talking about right now.

I decided to push aside the feelings Levi had left behind.

“So I’m supposed to act?”

Launch an offensive of affection and obsession, he said.

Levi expressed it elegantly, but he basically meant making the Emperor so sick of me that he’d run away.

The thought of doing such a thing was truly dreadful, but it was clearly better than running away myself.

“No…… so now I have to follow him around instead? Wow, seriously.”

Having to cling to that insufferable man.

What kind of cruel joke of fate is this?

“Even if it’s just acting, I don’t want to do something like that.”

I buried my head in the pillow and closed my eyes again. My entire body felt heavy like water-soaked cotton, and my head throbbed.

I must have pushed myself too hard without considering the original body owner’s condition.

Though we hadn’t talked for long, my body felt heavy and drowsiness washed over me.

I need to rest a bit.

❀❀❀

I’m not sure how long I dozed off.

“So anyway.”

“Lady Elberry got that kind of reputation, what can she do?”

“The lady was too naive.”

I opened my eyes to whispering voices chattering away. Maids had entered at some point and were tidying the living room.

But what was naive?

“Inviting His Majesty, sending love letters…… she must have thought these things would actually work.”

“It’s what he hates most. He may like women, but he doesn’t even glance at those he hasn’t personally selected.”

“Exactly. She didn’t realize that the more she pushed, the further he’d distance himself. Poor thing.”

“Even if she tried, she’d end up as just a one-night companion.”

“Shh.”

“Don’t you think Lady Chadmon will take the Empress’s position?”

“Probably. Who would have thought she’d act so cunning?”

“They say she spent her whole life bedridden, where did she learn such tricks?”

“Must be natural talent.”

“Pfft!”

“We’re done with the floor, let’s go.”

“Be careful.”

At that moment, I slowly opened my eyes.

“Wait.”

“……!”

The maids turned around, startled.

I thought Levi’s idea made sense, but I hadn’t decided if I should really act that way or how to do it. But after hearing their conversation just now…

If I stay like this, things could get really bad.

‘D*mn, do I really have to pretend to like that guy?’

Get it together.

What matters now isn’t my meager pride.

To break Ainberg’s stubbornness, the only way is to make him leave on his own.

But since he’s suspicious by nature and might find it strange, I should approach cautiously at first.

‘Then act like a completely bizarre woman.’

But first, there’s something I need to do.

I need to set the stage.

“Wait.”

“My lady.”

The short maid with a young face turned pale and her lips trembled. Meanwhile, the brown-haired maid beside her spoke in a sweet voice.

“My lady, you’re awake? Is there something you need?”

Hearing her voice, she seemed to be the one leading the conversation.

She should be blushing with embarrassment, but her calm smile suggested she was no ordinary person.

“What’s your name?”

I slowly sat up, looking straight at the maid.

“Erity, my lady.”

“Which section do you belong to?”

“……”

“Didn’t you hear me? I asked which section you belong to.”

“The eastern Ahila section, my lady.”

“So you came here because of me after being stationed there.”

Erity blinked her large eyes and bowed her head as I muttered to myself.

“Yes, I’ll do my best to ensure you’re comfortable, my lady.”

At that point, I almost laughed.

You’ll make me comfortable while gossiping behind my back?

“How is Ahila?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking what it’s like there. Isn’t it a place where many distinguished guests come and go?”

Erity seemed to find my question strange and answered with an odd expression.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“You must be busy.”

Again, Erity smiled awkwardly.

It must sound strange that I speak as if I know the place well when I don’t even live in the imperial palace and was reportedly bedridden in the ducal residence all this time.

“Still, I’m happy to work in the imperial palace, my lady.”

“I see. Of course you’d be happy. Where else could you dare to gossip about high society?”

“M-my lady.”

Erity politely clasped her hands together and bowed her head deeply.

“I apologize, my lady. We thought you were asleep when we misspoke.”

“Yes, you thought I was sleeping.”

“We were wrong.”

“We’re sorry, my lady.”

Then she sat down on the floor and began to sob.

The maids were excessively frightened and trembling, but I hadn’t called them to harm them.

Of course, I was annoyed that they gossiped while I was asleep.

I should ease up and get to the point.

“Lady Elberry can’t be the only woman sending love letters to His Majesty, right?”

Erity bit her lip once before answering my question.

“I wouldn’t know, my lady.”

“My, you learn quickly.”

“……”

“Alright, get up. What’s your name?”

I looked at the trembling maid next to Erity.

“Livy, my lady.”

“Fine, now get up.”

Only then did the maids slowly rise, watching me cautiously.

“I wanted to warn you to be careful with your words in the imperial palace. But not now.”

The maids raised their heads as I spoke in a much softer voice than before.

“Do you know what’s just as important as being careful with your words in the imperial palace?”

“……I don’t know, my lady.”

“It’s knowing which side to take.”

Was that too modern an expression?

“Anyway, with so many people coming and going, you must hear a lot from various places.”

Erity glanced at me once and gave an awkward smile.

“Was that your own thought or something you heard elsewhere—that I would take the Empress’s position?”

A strange silence fell briefly.

Erity seemed to be considering how to answer.

Did I scare her too much at first? I thought she was bold, but she’s more timid than I expected.

After waiting a moment, Erity spoke.

“There’s a rumor…… that His Majesty showed special interest in you at the banquet.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Hmm, if I use these girls well, I might not need to act so hard. A satisfied smile spread across my face.

“I think so too.”

I continued with a grin.

“His Majesty even sent me a dress after the banquet.”

“Oh my.”

“A very, very beautiful dress.”

“My lady, then it’s not just a simple rumor.”

Erity covered her mouth with both hands in surprise.

“Yes, the rumor will soon become reality. I will become the Empress one way or another.”

I continued speaking with the most haughty expression I could manage.

“That’s why I’m in the imperial palace now. Understand? So you know…… who you should impress?”

The maids nodded with blank expressions.

“I heard His Majesty will come soon, so you may go now.”

“Yes, my lady. Please rest well.”

Now that you’ve heard everything, go outside and spread the rumor far and wide.

And be sure to mention that I said it myself.

The maids, having heard my ambitions, left the bedroom with somewhat flushed faces.

When this eventually reaches the Emperor’s ears, what will he think?

I really hope he considers me a presumptuous and rude woman.

‘If he thinks I’m a fickle woman who changes her mind like flipping a palm based on ambition, I couldn’t ask for more.’

I’ve never seen the Emperor’s disgusted expression before, but the thought that I might see it now made me feel good.

‘I hope Erity and Livy play their parts well.’

Surely they won’t actually keep quiet as I warned them to.

I didn’t know about Livy, but Erity seemed like she couldn’t hold back.

“Well, whatever happens, happens.”

Alright then, should I take another nap on this imperial bed?

So I stretched out my legs fully and spread out, when—

I heard the heavy sound of shoe heels from afar. I listened carefully……

Soon the door opened—

Emperor Ainberg walked in, leading a crowd of people.