Sabine answered with a somewhat gloomy face.

“No, it seems no one really knows about him.”

“Really?”

“Yes, no one knew where he’s from or even how old he is. His name too… it doesn’t seem to be his real name.”

“Hmm. I knew he was thorough and strange.”

Nothing known about his origin, age, or name.

“…Perhaps only His Majesty or the high priest might know.”

“What should we do now?”

“If we can’t find out this way, we’ll have to ask him directly.”

I gave Sabine a calm smile.

❀❀❀

The next day, I waited all morning for my lunch with Ainberg.

I wanted to barge into his office, but there were too many watching eyes, ears, and mouths there.

After sending Sabine several times to spy on whether the Emperor was alone, the bell rang three times, and finally the time to meet the Emperor arrived.

‘Since I’ve met High Priest Millean before and we have a childhood connection, bringing him up shouldn’t seem too random.’

Besides, it fits well with the image I’ve built so far.

My personality of saying whatever I want and not being able to contain my curiosity.

‘I need to speak as soon as we meet. His aides will keep coming in during the meal.’

Just as I entered the banquet hall with complete determination,

“……?”

What? Where did he go?

I stared at the empty table with a dumbfounded expression.

Food was prepared on the table as usual, but Ainberg was nowhere to be seen.

“Your Majesty.”

Even the maids carrying food and arranging plates were gone.

I slowly walked across the spacious banquet hall to where Ainberg usually sat.

“Did I come too early?”

Just as I lightly touched his chair, a dull footstep sounded from far away.

“My lady, I apologize.”

A man who entered the banquet hall late spoke to me while catching his breath.

It wasn’t Oz, the aide who always accompanied the Emperor.

“Where is His Majesty?”

“He went to Sutton today due to an urgent schedule.”

“Ah.”

I had so much to say but couldn’t meet him.

My shoulders drooped as I felt disappointed.

“…My lady, are you alright?”

“……?”

“You seem very disappointed.”

No, I’m not disappointed about not eating with the Emperor, I’m just frustrated that I can’t tell him what I wanted to say.

Of course, I wouldn’t say that.

“Ah, I feel so upset. I really wanted to see him today since I won’t be able to meet him for lunch tomorrow.”

I muttered, exaggerating my disappointment.

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes, I’m scheduled to visit Lord Viper’s mansion for lunch tomorrow.”

He blinked a couple of times, showing his confusion.

“You’re going to Lord Viper’s mansion?”

“Yes, I’ve made an adorable new friend.”

Telling the aide wouldn’t spread rumors in social circles.

Anyway, the more people who knew about my closeness with Soniel, the better.

I changed the subject and called out to him again.

“…By the way, aide.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Why did His Majesty go to Sutton?”

He seemed to hesitate for a moment, wondering whether to tell me.

“If it’s difficult, you don’t have to—”

“A band of thieves under warrant was arrested near Sutton. His Majesty went urgently because he wanted to interrogate them personally.”

“Ah.”

Sutton was on the outskirts of the Empire, near the border.

He went quite far, so it would take time to return as well.

As if reading my thoughts, the aide spoke again.

“It will probably take quite some time before he returns to the palace.”

“I see, thank you.”

“Then I’ll escort you back.”

“No, I’ll go alone.”

If it had been Oz, he would have followed me all the way, but this unfamiliar attendant simply left for somewhere else.

After leaving the banquet hall, I walked down the corridor with a deflated expression.

‘He went to interrogate thieves?’

Given that it’s a band of thieves, it wouldn’t be just one or two people, but quite a large number.

Isn’t that dangerous?

“Whether it’s dangerous or not, what does it matter to me? He’ll handle it himself.”

I raised my voice unnecessarily and swung my arms back and forth, but then my steps slowed again.

…No, couldn’t he just send soldiers to capture them? Why go personally?

What kind of amazing interrogation does he plan to conduct?

He’s so strange.

“A week? Or even longer?”

If I had known this would happen, I should have studied geography a bit.

No, well… I’m just curious, that’s all. I should ask Sabine about it.

Again, my steps slowed down.

“Besides, he hasn’t even established a successor yet. What if something suddenly happens to him, huh?”

Isn’t he being too reckless?

I mean, I’m concerned about the peace of our Empire.

I’m not worried about Ainberg himself, but if the Emperor acts so recklessly and has an accident, the foundation of the Empire could be shaken.

“And even if he goes far away, he still needs to eat. He’s the one who suggested lunch first.”

Did he really skip meals before leaving?

Well, it’s not my business. He probably took a chef with him or packed a lunch.

I was grumbling to myself as I walked when—

Huh?

A familiar silhouette caught my eye in the distance.

“High Priest?”

Oh, what luck!

When I called out and walked quickly, the man hesitated briefly before starting to move faster.

Is he running away now?

Feeling challenged, I lifted my dress and began to run.

“High Priest! High Priest Millean, is that you?”

But no matter how much I called, the man didn’t look back.

By this point, I wondered if I had mistaken the person.

‘Wait, is that not the high priest?’

He clearly seemed to notice I was following him, and he began to walk even faster than before.

It almost felt like he was running.

‘No, that brown hair is definitely…’

Just as I thought that, the man walking ahead pulled his hood over his head.

Ha, I knew it.

“High Priest Millean!”

I deliberately shouted loudly and began to run quickly.

If it weren’t for this dress, I would have caught up long ago!

At that moment, the man stopped abruptly and turned around.

Eyes as transparent and mysterious as glass.

“High Priest.”

Millean narrowed his eyes and greeted me.

“Hello, my lady.”

His behavior was absurd, acting as if nothing had happened just now, but instead of confronting him, I chose to play along.

“It’s been a while, High Priest.”

That would be more advantageous for continuing the conversation.

“Indeed it has.”

“Are you going this way? Let’s go together.”

He wore a friendly smile, but his eyes revealed he didn’t actually want to talk.

Millean waved the thick book he was holding.

“I’m truly sorry, but I’m quite busy.”

“My goodness, you don’t read while walking, do you?”

When I smiled brightly, Millean mirrored a similar expression.

“I’m busy enough that I need to do so. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Millean opened his book and began walking forward again.

Ha, really.

“High Priest, I visited the library recently.”

I followed behind Millean and continued speaking.

“You know the imperial library, right? There really isn’t a book that doesn’t exist there. It seems like every book in the world is there.”

“……”

“Do you know what I found there? Should I tell you which books I looked at?”

“……”

“There was quite a lot written about transmigration and souls.”

“I see.”

“You didn’t know either, did you? Should I tell you?”

“No.”

“Descendants of demons can use spells to switch souls.”

When I said that, Millean stopped walking abruptly.

“My lady, may I say something to Duke Chadmon’s lady?”

“No, I would appreciate not just one thing but many things from you.”

I responded impudently, but Millean spoke with all humor gone from his voice.

“It would be better for you to stop being interested in such dangerous matters.”

“I’m just telling you knowledge I saw in books.”

“Not everything in books is the truth.”

“Didn’t you teach me the importance of books, High Priest?”

“My lady, if you need someone to talk to, I can introduce you to a talkative and leisurely priest.”

“But I want to talk with you, High Priest Millean.”

“Ah! Did I tell you? I don’t particularly want to converse with you, my lady.”

What an arrogant bastard.

So that’s how he wants to play it.

“But I want to.”

“……”

Millean stared at me silently with an expressionless face.

His blank face was quite chilling, and I unconsciously hesitated.

“Hahaha!”

What? He’s laughing?

Millean suddenly laughed loudly like a madman, then stopped as if a switch had been flipped.

“My lady, just tell me.”

His reaction was eerie, but I looked straight at him and opened my mouth.

“High Priest, you know who I really am, don’t you?”