The two days I expected to be torturous passed in an instant.

I watched the grand festival taking place beyond my window.

‘This is like… a red bean bun without the red bean filling.’

The scale was smaller than usual, of course. It would have been difficult to make it too lavish and grand for the birthday of an Empress lying unconscious.

‘Still, everyone looks happy.’

After the Empire’s important events, including my birthday celebration, ended, Millean calmly withdrew from my quarters.

The interesting part was that until the very end, he never performed any blessing or took any measures for me.

“Then, my lady, I’ll see you next time.”

When leaving, he bowed politely just as he had when entering, which seemed absurd after his consistently arrogant behavior throughout his stay.

‘Yes, though I’m not sure if we’ll meet again.’

Hiding my true thoughts, I returned his courtesy, and Millean smiled.

“As the doctor said, you’re simply of weak constitution, nothing to worry about. Feel free to move around as you wish from today.”

A priest skilled in lying and slippery as an eel.

Though I probably wouldn’t see him again once I left the palace, I couldn’t help but shudder.

“I seem to have grown accustomed to this lifestyle while resting. I think I’ll lie down a bit longer.”

I created a clumsy smokescreen just in case, but as soon as he left, I called for Sabine.

Sabine approached with an anxious face.

“Miss, where are you planning to go?”

“I need to meet a librarian.”

“A librarian?”

“I need to visit the library today.”

“If you tell me what books you need, I’ll bring them for you.”

“No, I don’t know what I’m looking for.”

“Pardon?”

“That’s why I need to go see for myself.”

“Will you be alright? You just said you were going to lie down longer.”

“I’m perfectly fine. Let’s go.”

If asking people yields nothing, I’ll have to search in books, as Millean suggested.

Looking into transmigration in detail might provide some hints.

I must find out why I transmigrated into Leonora’s body and whether she’s safe inside my body.

“You’ll know soon. So don’t try too hard.”

I suddenly recalled dream Leonora telling me not to do anything, but…

‘I can’t just sit still and risk being dragged back to the Emperor.’

Just as I was about to pull the hesitant Sabine out with me—

Knock knock.

Someone was knocking at the door.

“Shall I let them in?”

“Who could it be?”

After I nodded, the door opened and a rather plump woman with a glossy face entered.

“Hello, my lady.”

The woman smiled brightly and greeted me politely.

Though this was an unexpected visit, asking who she was seemed pointless.

I had already encountered this woman several times during my days as Empress.

Young men hurriedly followed her into the room.

“My lady, I am Celloni Torsico. I work for important and special people.”

Celloni was extremely elegant in both bearing and voice.

She lowered the end of her sentences respectfully and didn’t dare look me in the eyes—habits naturally ingrained from dealing with nobles, as I well knew.

“Nice to meet you, Madam Torsico.”

She was quite a renowned jeweler. After her husband died, she took over his business, and since Celloni took charge, it had flourished even more.

Her eye for selecting jewels and her sense were exceptional.

‘But she’s not exactly a welcome sight for me.’

During my time as Empress, once she realized the Emperor was cold toward me, she subtly disrespected me.

Whenever new items arrived, she would send the list to other noble ladies first and to me last.

“Nice to meet you. But… what brings you here?”

Doubting my father or brother had sent her, I nervously swallowed once.

“His Majesty sent me for the beautiful lady.”

Oh, my.

I almost grimaced when I heard Ainberg had sent her, but I managed to control myself.

He practically confined me to prevent incidents on my birthday, and now he suddenly sends a jeweler?

‘Is he giving medicine after causing the illness?’

His thoughts and actions couldn’t be more irritating.

While I was thinking this, a man carrying a leather case slowly opened his bag.

Inside was a necklace that appeared incredibly delicate and beautifully crafted at first glance.

As I stared blankly at the sparkling item, Celloni began explaining in an elegant voice.

“The center gemstone comes from Shielzburg. We emphasized its uniqueness by maintaining its color while adding intricate and unique patterns to the surface. And this border is entirely decorated with diamonds.”

Even without Celloni’s explanation, I could tell at a glance it was a special necklace.

I would have liked it better if the Emperor hadn’t sent it.

I inwardly smacked my lips and nodded.

Celloni looked into my eyes once and continued speaking excitedly.

She must have thought I liked the necklace.

“This necklace will help you command an overwhelming presence wherever you are. Isn’t it beautiful? I couldn’t find a worthy owner for this precious piece until now… today I finally met one.”

Then Celloni put on white gloves and carefully lifted the necklace.

Sabine came over and held my hair back, and I felt the cold, heavy weight around my neck.

“How do you like it, my lady?”

It was a necklace that required more than the word “beautiful” to describe.

‘He must have sent this because he feels bad for neglecting me for days?’

Then I remembered our conversation on the balcony not long ago.

‘I love sparkly things too, can I buy jewels as I please?’

He must have remembered how I said I wanted to change clothes dozens of times a day and wanted diamonds as big as my fist.

Was he trying to appease my potentially sulky mood and win my favor by sending jewelry?

I quietly reached out and touched the intricately crafted jewel.

“Is this all?”

When I looked at Celloni with an indifferent voice, she seemed momentarily flustered.

But like a professional, she quickly composed her expression.

“Yes, my lady.”

“How boring.”

At my comment about it being boring, Celloni’s face instantly hardened.

This was probably her ultimate weapon. No wonder she was shocked when I called such an item boring.

“My lady. This necklace is incomparably more precious than other jeweled necklaces—”

“I know that.”

“This necklace isn’t something just anyone can buy even with a lot of money. The person who commissions it and the person who receives it—”

“Yes, yes, I’m sure. But I can’t help being disappointed by His Majesty’s generosity. All that talk about diamonds as big as my fist was just empty words. Only one necklace?”

When I complained like a child, the woman’s face began to redden.

“My lady, you don’t like this necklace?”

Though I’m not particularly knowledgeable about jewels or valuables, I could tell at a glance it was extremely expensive.

I just wanted word of my arrogant rejection of such a jewel to reach Ainberg’s ears and make him angry.

Celloni pressed her lips together once and then spoke calmly.

“My lady, this necklace couldn’t be bought even if you sold a decent mansion. It’s worth far more than ten ordinary necklaces.”

“Then please tell him to buy me ten necklaces of similar value.”

“Pardon?”

“He’ll understand if you say it like that.”

At that, Celloni suddenly collapsed to the floor.

“Oh, my lady.”

“Madam Torsico, what are you—”

Though I didn’t feel the slightest bit sorry seeing her on her knees, I feigned a panicked voice.

“His Majesty ordered me to select something suitable for the beautiful lady to make you happy. But I’ve failed to properly carry out His Majesty’s order, so now I… sob, sob!”

She suddenly began wailing. When the woman burst into tears, the men standing behind her also became flustered and confused.

“My goodness, please stand up, madam. The necklace you brought—”

“Sob, my lady.”

“It’s somewhat to my liking. Let’s say it’s passable.”

At my gesture, Sabine and the maids rushed over to help the woman up.

“Yes, it’s at a level where I wouldn’t be embarrassed wearing it outside. So next time, bring a more carefully selected collection. Ten pieces. Understood?”

I smiled and called Sabine.

“Sabine, please remove this heavy thing.”

The quick-witted Sabine approached, lifted my voluminous hair, and skillfully unfastened the necklace.

Celloni hurriedly extended both hands to receive the necklace.

“Now go and relay my message exactly.”