Oh, how exciting!

I swung my arms back and forth as I walked down the corridor.

I kept picturing Celloni leaving with her face in a mess from sobbing.

‘My lady, please. One last request. Couldn’t you just say you liked this necklace?’

‘You bring me something boring and now ask me to lie?’

‘Oh, my lady!’

‘If you’re afraid to tell His Majesty, I can do it myself.’

‘No, no. I’ll tell him.’

‘Then leave now. Don’t keep a busy person waiting.’

She probably enjoyed gossiping about me with other noble ladies behind my back.

I vividly remember how she would circulate the list to other ladies first, then laugh at me for thanking her while selecting from the leftover necklaces and earrings.

I found myself humming a tune when Sabine, walking a step behind me, cautiously spoke up.

“Miss, are you alright?”

“Of course. More than alright. I feel like I could fly!”

By now, Celloni must be standing before Ainberg.

I wonder if she properly conveyed my message about sending at least ten necklaces.

She should also relay that I found her precious jeweler’s carefully selected necklace barely passable.

Hmm, I hope that fox-like woman isn’t lying. Maybe I should have sent Sabine to verify.

“…But why are you smiling to yourself like that, Miss?”

“I’m curious what His Majesty will send next.”

No man would like a woman who returns a gift demanding more.

Ainberg’s mind must be quite confused now. He probably thought I was joking, but I was completely serious, and he must be thinking he can’t handle my extravagance.

‘Yes, I’m a terribly ill-mannered person who never shows gratitude and throws tantrums for more when given something, so stop paying attention to me!’

“Miss, did you truly… not like that necklace earlier?”

Sabine asked carefully.

“Well, it looked too heavy. I felt like my neck would break if I walked around wearing it.”

When I answered playfully, Sabine chuckled.

“But Miss, do you really intend to receive ten necklaces?”

Looking at Sabine’s anxious face, I almost revealed my true intentions.

But I couldn’t do that.

Though I trust Sabine, secrets are better kept when fewer people know them.

“Sabine, I want even more than that. It’s about His Majesty’s heart.”

Sabine stared at me with feigned surprise.

“As the Emperor of a nation, he should show at least that much sincerity.”

“I’m not sure if I should say this, but…”

Sabine hesitated and then closed her mouth again.

“Never mind, Miss.”

“Hm?”

What’s this? Making me curious and then stopping.

“I don’t know how you’ll take my words. I’m not sure if I should even speak about this.”

Sabine hinted with a complex expression and then shut her mouth again.

“Sabine, tell me whatever it is.”

Her pace slowed slightly, seemingly deliberating whether to speak.

Without rushing her, I matched her pace and walked slowly. Finally, Sabine cautiously began to speak.

“I think there’s no better mistress than you.”

Huh? Suddenly?

“I’m grateful to serve you, and I’m always happy because of you. Truly.”

“Th-thank you for saying that.”

“You’re probably the only lady who thanks her maid.”

As I smiled awkwardly at the sudden shower of compliments, Sabine rolled her tongue a couple of times and then said something unexpected.

“But… I wish you would return home as soon as possible.”

Confused by this seemingly disconnected statement, I didn’t know how to respond. Then Sabine continued.

“The Miss staying here doesn’t seem like the person I’ve served all this time. I thought you were kind, gentle, and thoughtful to everyone.”

Though anxious, clenching her fists and watching my reaction, Sabine finished what she wanted to say.

“…But you’re somehow different at the imperial palace. Of course, you’re still kind and good to me, but… I’m sorry, Miss. Please punish me!”

Then she collapsed to the floor and knelt down.

“Punishment? Don’t talk nonsense and get up quickly.”

When I grabbed her arm, Sabine looked up at me with tearful eyes.

“Miss.”

“That’s enough, get up. This isn’t the Chadmon household. There are many eyes watching, and you’re making me look like a villain.”

At my muttering, Sabine finally stood up with a startled face.

“I’m sorry, Miss!”

Sabine sprang up from the floor like a coil. I carefully chose my words while brushing off her crumpled skirt a couple of times.

I understood what she was worried about.

“Sabine, I can’t tell you the details, but…”

She must find it strange that I once tore dresses to shreds saying I hated the Emperor, but now I’m here acting like I want to be Empress.

On top of that, demanding more gifts, sneaking out at night, and with all the strange rumors circulating in the palace, it’s natural for her to worry.

“Sabine, it might be hard to understand, but… I’m trying to get back home right now.”

“Miss.”

“Sometimes what you see isn’t everything.”

Sabine wiped her tears with the back of her hand and nodded.

“This doesn’t explain everything, but I’m sorry.”

“I believe in you, Miss. You’re saying that what I’m seeing now… isn’t all there is?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Thank you for telling me. But now I have another worry. I’m concerned that you might be in a difficult situation, or possibly even in danger.”

“It’s nothing like that. Don’t worry.”

“I won’t ask any more. Thank you for telling me even this much, Miss. And please let me know if you ever need my help.”

“I will.”

Only then did Sabine begin walking with a somewhat relieved expression.

On our way to the imperial library, we encountered quite a few people.

Most exchanged brief nods and passed by, but some ladies whispered as soon as I walked past.

“She’s quite bold for her young age, isn’t she?”

“I didn’t know the Chadmons were that kind of family.”

“I heard she was bedridden since childhood, but that must have been a lie too.”

“Shh.”

Sabine turned around with a reddened face, but I held her back.

“Sabine, let’s go. It’s an honor to access the imperial library, isn’t it?”

I spoke loudly enough for the ladies to hear.

“Oh, I’m so excited. Though I don’t have anything specific I want to see, I should look around considering His Majesty’s affection.”

As Sabine pressed her lips together, I put on a cheerful expression.

❀❀❀

“From here to here, you say?”

When I asked with a dumbfounded look, the librarian answered politely.

“Yes, my lady. This is everything you asked about.”

“Everything? This looks like at least 500 books!”

I had known the imperial library’s scale for a long time. With dozens of people managing the library and even more in the transcription room, it was truly enormous.

I had looked around during my time as Empress when I wanted to know the secrets of blessing, but I never expected to return in Leonora’s body.

I came to the library wanting to learn about transmigration, but isn’t this too many related books?

I stood still for a while, not knowing where to start.

Unlike when I thought I might discover something here, now that there was too much to read, I instantly lost all motivation.

“I wonder if the answer is really here.”

I picked up a thick book and shook it around.

With no way to directly see my body, no one to ask, and no one to consult, this was my only option.

I came to the library hoping to learn about the methods or reasons for transmigration, but—

“Sigh, even reading one book a day would take years.”

As I grumbled, the librarian glanced at me sideways and approached.

“May I ask exactly what you’re looking for?”

“Ah, well.”

I spoke to the librarian in the lightest voice possible.

“I want to know about human souls. Like when a sleeping person’s soul leaves the body… or enters someone else’s body. Whether this is possible. Are there any books or materials collecting such cases?”

The librarian thought for a moment and then calmly replied.

“If that’s what you’re looking for, I think I can help you.”