Tap, tap.

Once again, Oz and I walked in silence.

Of course, we had no particular business with each other, nor did I have anything specific to discuss with him.

‘Is something wrong?’

His complexion seemed darker than usual, and he didn’t look well.

Just as I was about to ask if he was sick or busy with work—

“My lady, did you find the book you wanted in the library?”

I was about to answer that I neither wanted nor was looking for any specific book when he spoke again.

“I didn’t realize you were such an avid reader.”

“What? An avid reader? Not at all. I don’t like reading letters. Books make my, my head hurt.”

I waved my hands awkwardly with a forced smile. Oz looked at me quizzically.

“Then why did you go to the imperial library?”

“Oh, I just went out of curiosity. Since… I heard not just anyone could go there, I was curious.”

I grinned sheepishly and said whatever came to mind.

But Oz seemed to barely hear my words and made an unexpected comment.

“The book you were reading is one I quite enjoyed as well.”

When did he notice the title?

“Oh, really? I just picked up something random while I was there… haha, what a strange coincidence.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, the title looked impressive.”

Whatever Oz sees and hears would likely reach Ainberg’s ears.

‘The image of a well-behaved, dignified lady sitting in the library reading books isn’t good.’

It would be fatal to my image as a money-obsessed woman with no substance.

“Were those stacks beside you also just pulled out randomly?”

“Ah, those.”

He must have seen the books the kind Iris had brought me.

I thought he was just quick-witted, but his eyes were sharp too.

“I just piled them up to rest my head when I got sleepy.”

When I answered with a silly grin, Oz nodded slowly.

“I see.”

“Yes, it worked surprisingly well. You should try using books as pillows sometime, Aide. Choose the thickest ones.”

Though I was talking nonsense, Oz nodded seriously as if we were having an important conversation.

…He doesn’t seem to be mocking me, but it feels strangely unpleasant.

“Aide. By the way, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“Yes, my lady. Please go ahead.”

“About Priest Millean Hartmann.”

When I mentioned Millean’s name, Oz’s expression subtly changed.

“Yes?”

“What kind of person is he?”

My question must have been unexpected, as one of Oz’s eyebrows twitched.

“What kind… of person?”

His slow voice was clearly meant to buy time to think. When I nodded, he answered with a gentle smile.

“Well, I don’t know him well since we don’t interact.”

Come on.

“Really? He’s quite famous, isn’t he?”

“I focus exclusively on imperial affairs, so I don’t know people from the temple.”

“Isn’t he too well-known for you not to know?”

“If the lady of the Chadmon family doesn’t know him, how would I?”

Of course, I hadn’t expected to get any information from Oz.

I just wanted him to know I was paying attention to this matter.

“Haha, anyway, he was easier to talk to than I expected.”

I watched Oz’s expression while saying something I didn’t mean.

“I heard he blessed me when I was young, so I thought I might seek his help in the future if needed.”

“Doesn’t the Chadmon family have close relationships with other priests?”

“Yes, but I might soon become a precious person, so wouldn’t it be better to be close to someone special?”

Even Oz couldn’t maintain his poker face at this. But he quickly composed himself and responded kindly.

“Yes, I suppose that could be the case.”

Oz would respond with a gentle smile to anything I said. There needs to be give and take to discover anything.

I glanced him up and down once more and asked another question.

“Aide, I have another question.”

“I hope I can resolve your query this time, my lady.”

“Isn’t it difficult working as His Majesty’s aide?”

“No, it’s merely an honor.”

Again, he gave a brief answer with a kind smile.

After this strange battle of wits and smokescreens, we found ourselves in front of the office.

“My lady, I’ll inform His Majesty of your arrival.”

“Yes.”

When the guard who spotted Oz opened the door, Ainberg was sitting at his massive desk.

I bowed my head politely with a well-behaved expression, and I heard him put down his pen.

‘Hasn’t Madam Torsico visited yet?’

When I raised my head, Ainberg was looking at me with dignified eyes.

Hmm, he doesn’t look like someone upset about having his gift rejected.

“Did you miss me already?”

I smiled and took a step forward.

“I heard you didn’t like the gift I sent.”

Oh, she’s already been here.

And that direct manner of speaking without beating around the bush!

It was the only part of this man’s personality I actually liked.

“My, has Madam Torsico already been here?”

I covered my mouth with both hands and feigned an apologetic expression.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I tried to accept it since it was from you, but—”

As I spoke, Ainberg simply tilted his head slightly to the other side, his expression unchanged.

“But then I thought… it’s a gift from Your Majesty, isn’t it? People will surely ask about it, and I was worried they might criticize Your Majesty’s taste.”

“My taste?”

“Actually… I also thought about accepting it since you sent it, and then either lying that someone else gave it to me or honestly saying it was terrible and asking you to take it back.”

I continued speaking while carefully watching Ainberg’s reaction.

“In any case, I simply couldn’t wear a necklace with such a boring design.”

A fake cough came from somewhere, and Oz bit his lips inward and bowed his head.

‘How about that! I’ve irritated you enough that you must be angry now?’

I suppressed the smile that kept trying to emerge and waited for Ainberg’s response.

“It was my oversight for not checking before sending it. I thought they would choose well.”

His voice was calmer than I expected. Then he raised his hand to call his aide.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Bring me a new list.”

“…Understood.”

What list was he asking for?

While I was wondering why he suddenly said this in the middle of our conversation—

“Cancel all remaining contracts with Torsico.”

Ah, a list of jewelers.

Of course, when I sent Madam Torsico away, I wasn’t completely unprepared for this situation.

I remembered how she collapsed to the floor and wailed when I rejected the necklace. She must have anticipated this outcome.

Having fallen out of the Emperor’s favor, this news would quickly spread throughout society.

I don’t know how many contracts she had left, but nobles would likely stop buying from Torsico as well.

“I hope to please you next time.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”

“However.”

Ainberg stared into my eyes once and very slowly raised his eyebrows.

Unconsciously, I touched around my neck.

Oh no, after claiming to be obsessed with jewels, I was walking around without a single earring, necklace, or ring.

“For someone with deep appreciation for shiny things, your attire is quite modest.”

This sharp bastard.

“Ah.”

I smiled awkwardly and ran my hand through my hair once.

“I’ve been lying down and resting all this time. I can’t lie down wearing a necklace, can I? You know how fragile I am.”

Though I tried to sound casual, the corners of my mouth kept twitching awkwardly.

‘This is such an obvious lie! I was just at the library until moments ago and came here with Oz!’

“Is that so?”

Was it my imagination, or did I sense a faint smile from Ainberg?

“Yes, I rested all day and only briefly visited the library. I, I was leaning my head on a stack of books even there.”

I looked at Oz as if seeking his confirmation. He cleared his throat once and added:

“Yes, the lady even… recommended books suitable as pillows to me.”

Afraid he might ask what books, I quickly changed the subject.

“And Your Majesty, I believe gifts should be proportional to affection.”

When I spoke haughtily with my chin slightly raised, Ainberg looked at me with an intrigued expression.

“Proportional to affection.”

“Yes, not just me, but most women think that way, don’t they?”

“Then I should give you the greatest gift I can.”

His sudden statement made me a bit frightened.

Worried I might have spoken carelessly again, I tightly gripped the hem of my dress.

By then, Ainberg had approached me and extended his hand.

As I nervously took his hand, he lightly kissed the back of it and made an unexpected statement.

“I’ll hold the most splendid and special banquet for you.”