On my way back to my room, I kept looking behind me several times.

I was afraid Millean might reappear and say we should forget our conversation.

‘But why specifically send a letter?’

Judging by how cautious he remained even after sending everyone away, he clearly had something he couldn’t discuss right away.

‘Well, with the Empress lying unconscious for over a year, it’s obviously not a simple matter.’

Anyway, the priests’ appearance at that moment was heaven-sent.

Thank you, High Priest Tetis!

But it seems suspicious that he gave in so easily.

Surely he’s not planning to escape with more nonsense again.

‘He’s certainly capable of it.’

I couldn’t gauge what he might say, so I couldn’t prepare.

While thinking about this as I climbed the stairs, I spotted Sabine standing in front of the door.

“Ah, Miss.”

Sabine, noticing me approaching, wiped her hands on her apron and walked quickly toward me.

“Miss, your brother has arrived.”

“My brother?”

“Yes.”

Sabine looked somewhat anxious.

“Did something happen?”

“I’m not sure. But the young master doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.”

When I opened the door and entered, Brother Allentain was sitting on the sofa drinking tea.

“Leonora.”

“It’s been a while, Brother.”

I smiled brightly, happy to see him, but as Sabine had said, Brother Allentain didn’t look pleased.

Just as I was about to ask what was wrong, my brother spoke first.

“Where have you been?”

Ah, this is a bit complicated to explain.

Originally, I went to have lunch with the Emperor but got stood up, then happened to meet Millean, had a squabble with him, and came back.

I was explaining about the canceled meal with the Emperor and how he had gone to the border for urgent business when my brother’s expression darkened even more.

“Yes, I heard he went to Sutton.”

“Yes, but… Brother, is something wrong?”

When I asked cautiously, my brother put down his teacup.

“Leonora, how do you find staying here?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I hesitated briefly.

“Well… it’s nice.”

No, that’s not right.

This isn’t the atmosphere for answering with ‘Well, it’s nice.’

“I mean, not just nice, but really wonderful.”

“……”

This isn’t enough either.

Think of a reason why you need to stay here!

“I feel healthier with each passing day here.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I listen to good music and eat only good things.”

Of course, that was true at the ducal residence too.

“Um, the food is delicious. You wouldn’t believe how much more I’m eating. Don’t you think I’ve gained some weight?”

I made a gesture of pulling my cheeks outward with my hands, and my brother smiled awkwardly.

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“And His Majesty treats me so well. As you know, he even held a ball for me.”

Yet Brother Allentain’s expression seemed even darker than when I first entered the room.

“…You know that too, right, Brother?”

Just as I dropped this hint while watching his reaction, my brother, who had been quietly listening to me, spoke heavily.

“Leonora, I want you to return home.”

“What?”

What kind of bolt from the blue is this?

“You’ve surprised me. I’m doing so well here.”

Brother Allentain remained silent for a moment.

He was a good person and loved Leonora as much as our father did.

But unlike Father, who would do anything I said, he was a man with clear principles and strong convictions.

That’s why his silence felt even more frightening.

“Brother, has something happened at home?”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Father for several days and hadn’t heard any news from the Chadmon family.

Could something bad have happened?

I waited anxiously for my brother to speak.

“No, it’s not that.”

“Then why so suddenly?”

Oh no, I can’t go back to the mansion now.

This is really troublesome.

On one side, they’re making a fuss about taking the Empress away, and on the other, they’re telling me to go home!

Meanwhile, didn’t Millean tell me to stay put until he sends a letter?

No, I can’t go home so futilely from here!

“I don’t know how to bring this up, Leonora.”

“……”

My brother touched his lips a couple of times before speaking with difficulty.

“I don’t want you to get hurt anymore.”

What?

What nonsense is this?

“You don’t want me to get hurt? What hurt—”

My brother rubbed his face with a more troubled expression and gulped down his cold tea.

Then he spoke in a tone suggesting he could no longer postpone this conversation.

“Leonora, I simply cannot tolerate you being treated this way.”

Please explain so I can understand.

“What do you mean? Treated how?”

“Leonora, His Majesty is making you suffer.”

Suddenly?

“What? I’m not at all—”

“He’s playing with your feelings. I… can’t stand it anymore.”

What is he talking about?

Blinking at these unexpected words, I quickly opened my mouth.

“What are you saying? Playing with me? Brother, I don’t think that at all—”

“I thought this time would be different. I heard he was a good person… I thought he had finally settled his heart.”

Brother Allentain kept sighing with an agonized face.

“I think there’s some misunderstanding. His Majesty treats me very well.”

“……”

“Of course, I know there used to be talk about His Majesty’s womanizing.”

Perhaps because I’d spent quite some time in Leonora’s body, saying such things no longer felt as awkward and difficult as before.

“But that’s not the case now. I know because I’m always watching him closely. He sincerely cares for me.”

Am I defending Ainberg right now?

I didn’t like this situation, but I wasn’t defending him—I was trying to survive.

“Leonora.”

“Yes.”

“By now, everything should have been decided.”

Brother Allentain continued in a firm voice.

“But seeing that there was no announcement at this ball either,”

“……”

“His Majesty has no intention of making you Empress.”

At my brother’s words, I felt stunned, as if I’d been hit on the head.

When I showed no reaction, he spoke in a more agitated tone, as if he had made up his mind.

“He sends you dresses, expensive jewels… has meals with you—I know all of this from what I’ve heard.”

“……”

“But that’s all there is to it. His Majesty doesn’t move beyond that.”

Come to think of it, that’s true.

Despite spending time with me until now, he never mentioned anything publicly.

Not even at the ball.

‘…That’s strange. He acted like he would put me on the Empress’s throne right away.’

Ah, wait a moment.

Could it be thanks to my efforts to avoid becoming Empress?

Maybe he thinks someone as willful as me can’t possibly sit on the Empress’s throne.

Then that’s good, isn’t it?

That’s what I wanted.

“His Majesty is just using your tender feelings. I can’t stand by and watch you waste your emotions like this anymore.”

Brother Allentain spoke in an increasingly agitated voice.

No, wait.

I understand what you mean now, but that’s not it!

“But Brother.”

“A man doesn’t make the woman he loves wait, never!”

“B-Brother. No, it’s not like that… I think he just considers it premature for now.”

“Premature? You’ve been in the palace for days already, how is that premature?”

“Maybe he wants to observe me a bit more.”

“No, how can he drag out time like this when it concerns someone as kind and beautiful as you!”

I need to calm my excited brother down.

I can’t go home now.

I’m just starting to find some clues!

That annoying man told me to wait quietly!

“Brother.”

After taking a calm breath, I spoke again.

“I understand what you’re worried about. But now is not a good time.”

“……”

“Let’s think about it after His Majesty returns.”

“Sigh.”

“It seems inappropriate to have this discussion while His Majesty is absent.”

Only then did my brother’s face soften somewhat.

“Yes, you have a point.”

“He might have something to say when he returns.”

Only after much coaxing and persuasion did Brother Allentain finally rise from his seat with a heavy face.

“Even if the Emperor changes his mind… are you confident you won’t be hurt?”

“Yes, Brother. I’m stronger than you think.”

What are you saying?

I’d be dancing with joy.