“Your Majesty.”

He was alone, without attendants or aides.

I briefly hesitated about whether to enter. For a moment, I’d forgotten I was wearing a mask in front of Ainberg.

While I was lingering at the entrance, Ainberg reached out and grabbed my wrist.

“……!”

He pulled me toward him, and just then, I heard the footsteps of guards behind me.

“……”

The footsteps faded after a while, but Ainberg didn’t let go of my hand.

Our gazes locked through the darkness.

With the subtle pressure still on my wrist, I lowered my head to avoid showing any discomfort when he spoke first.

“Lost your way again today?”

I shrugged at Ainberg’s casual question.

“The palace is complicated.”

After my nonchalant reply, he turned his head back toward the garden.

“I’ll call a maid. Return to your room.”

“Just a moment.”

“……?”

“You remember promising to grant me a favor next time we happened to meet?”

Before he could answer, I continued.

“I’ve finished all the books I brought from home…… and I’m bored. I’ve heard the imperial library has many remarkable books. May I visit?”

The imperial library wasn’t open to just anyone.

It housed not only ancient texts but also preserved the entire history of the imperial family.

“I believe Chadmon has an excellent library as well.”

“The books there are already—”

I stopped myself from lying that I’d read almost everything there.

No appearing intelligent. The intellectual image is out.

“I heard only those with Your Majesty’s permission can enter the library. I want to be special.”

After my brazen response, Ainberg bowed his head and slowly shook it.

“I’ll send Oz tomorrow afternoon.”

“So you’re allowing it!”

The moment he nodded, I clasped my hands together with an excited “Wow!”

Ainberg chuckled and said, “It’s as if you set a trap and waited for me here.”

“That’s right.”

How about that? The more you see me, the more insufferable I am, right?

But again, he dismissed the atmosphere with just a small laugh.

Why isn’t he getting angry?

I felt confused. Shouldn’t he normally issue orders in a low voice, then leave with an arrogant expression?

He silently turned his gaze back to the garden.

“……”

Perhaps because of the late hour or his somewhat downcast face, I forgot I needed to annoy Ainberg with another absurd comment and instead followed his gaze to look down at the garden.

“Didn’t Your Majesty say you don’t open this place?”

Because it was too beautiful, and moreover, because it was a space his lover cherished.

Right, did he frolic here with that “lover”?

Or is he here now to meet that mysterious lover?

When I was Empress, he managed to avoid me quite skillfully.

‘If I had encountered him here long ago, if that had happened……’

I clenched my fist tightly, but truthfully, even if I had witnessed the Emperor meeting another woman, I wouldn’t have been able to say a proper word.

That’s how I was in the past.

“Your Majesty.”

But not anymore.

“I’m curious about something.”

Not only did I not need to be cautious, but making the Emperor sick of me was my life’s goal.

‘If luxury and men don’t work by force, there’s one more method.’

Obsessing over his women issues.

“Didn’t you say your lover loved this small space?”

Ainberg turned his head to face me.

Perhaps I’d become immune by now.

I was no longer afraid to meet his eyes.

“I’m curious about her.”

I felt I could provoke him even more.

As I stared intently at Ainberg, he spoke first.

“You.”

“……”

“You seem quite interested in my lover.”

Though only hatred remained, I couldn’t help my expression hardening at the words “my lover.” I tried to move the corners of my mouth, but only an awkward smile appeared.

I hoped he wouldn’t notice these complicated feelings.

“Should I consider it affection?”

Ainberg asked, giving me a persistent look.

“Do I appear that way to Your Majesty?”

“Didn’t you say last time that you wanted to visit the ailing Empress?”

I thought this might be my chance.

The expectation that I might be able to visit “myself” with the Emperor without waiting until my birthday tomorrow or the day after.

I decided to push him a little more.

“Since I’m interested in Your Majesty, isn’t it natural to be curious about your past lovers?”

“Past lovers.”

Ainberg uttered in a low voice, then gazed at me thoughtfully.

What? Why?

Are you uncomfortable because I asked about your old flames?

“Yes, someone as splendid as Your Majesty must have naturally received much affection.”

Though I meant it as a joke, Ainberg didn’t laugh this time.

I awkwardly touched my cheek and continued.

I needed to keep talking about the Empress more naturally.

“Besides, she’s been ill for so long that I feel sorry for her.”

Just when I was elaborating on how heavy my heart felt about the Empress’s condition, how I wanted to do something, and how I hoped to meet her and wish her well…

“So you want to meet Sienna for that reason?”

Sienna.

It was the first time the Emperor had called me by name.

I thought he didn’t even know my name, but apparently that wasn’t the case.

I barely managed to hold back a bitter smile.

“…So is the Empress the lover you mentioned, Your Majesty?”

I couldn’t understand why I was asking such a question.

Perhaps because I was shrouded in darkness, or because I was in a place that had always comforted my heart.

“It feels strange discussing you and Sienna.”

Ainberg didn’t answer my question.

Which also meant the Empress wasn’t his lover.

“Did you come here together?”

I wanted to hear any answer.

Whether it was his detestable voice calling me his lover, or even naming someone else.

Perhaps I wanted to gain more justification to run away even harder and better than I was now.

“Not once.”

Ainberg took his eyes off me and spoke in an emotionless voice.

But his expression—his gloomy expression—was worthy of an acting award.

‘This is ridiculous.’

I despised his pretense of sentimentality.

No, it wasn’t just despicable—it was unbearably loathsome.

So even though I knew saying this wouldn’t help…

“I’m not a member of the imperial family, and having been bedridden for so long, I don’t know much about palace affairs.”

Even though I knew I should stop here…

“…But there’s a rumor even I’ve heard that I’d like to ask you directly.”

“A rumor?”

“Is it true that Your Majesty lives separately from the esteemed Empress? They say you completely ignore the women you’ve already won.”

I couldn’t stop myself despite knowing better.

It was quite enjoyable to witness Ainberg’s changing expressions.

“……”

“Is it true? You asked me to stay by your side, but if I come to you, will you turn away from me too?”

It was incredibly disrespectful.

But I didn’t regret it. I’d said what I wanted to say, and with this kind of clingy behavior, Ainberg would surely change his mind.

‘How do you like a woman who not only loves luxury but changes her mind as easily as flipping her palm?’

Isn’t it dreadful—a woman who digs up your past relationships and obsesses over them?

Just as I smiled innocently as if I knew nothing, the corridor suddenly became noisy, and heavy footsteps started coming from all directions.

Soon, I could tell they were all looking for Ainberg.

“Your Majesty!”

The one who walked onto the balcony was none other than Oz, the aide.

His face was pale as he kept catching his breath.

“Your Majesty, how could you disappear without a word?”

Ainberg made no particular response to Oz’s words. He walked forward and gestured lightly to me.

“This place is easy to get lost in. Make sure to walk with a maid.”

In the end, I didn’t get any of the answers I wanted.

I was thoroughly annoyed but obediently bowed my head. At that moment, Ainberg spoke to Oz in a low voice.

“See Sienna back.”