Foil tried to say something, but Ainberg raised his hand to stop him.

“Go on.”

“I mentioned this to you before.”

I was about to continue but hesitated for a moment.

Whether it was a joke or not, something seemed off about Ainberg right now.

When he first opened his eyes, he clearly said he couldn’t remember anything and asked for an explanation.

I was about to execute an important plan, but what if Ainberg ruined it by being clueless?

In situations like this, showing is better than explaining.

“Your Majesty, do you remember this?”

I quickly grabbed the letter I had placed on the table before Ainberg could speak.

How fortunate that I hadn’t disturbed the Emperor’s belongings.

It would be troublesome if he claimed not to remember.

“I once mentioned this to Your Majesty in a letter.”

“……”

Ainberg slowly accepted what I handed him.

While anxiously waiting for him to speak, trying to hide my nervousness.

“Yes, I remember now.”

Contrary to my worries, Ainberg gave the perfect answer.

“Yes, that’s the very child I meant.”

During our conversation, Foil watched us with extremely uneasy eyes.

“You said she was bold and clever. She seems to have won your approval.”

“Your Majesty, forgive my interruption.”

At that moment, Foil stepped forward with a forced cough, unable to contain himself any longer.

“I believe it’s improper to make decisions about matters directly affecting Your Majesty’s health without proper discussion.”

He spoke with tension visible in his eyes.

Ainberg turned his head languidly and replied.

“Are you suggesting that even if it’s your own daughter, her qualifications must be strictly scrutinized?”

“…Pardon?”

Only then did Foil seem to grasp the situation, immediately softening his expression.

“Your Majesty, I was merely…”

He rubbed his face once with his hand, then continued in a dignified voice.

“I had heard that the lady was gracious enough to look kindly upon my inadequate daughter.”

My, he changes his tune faster and more easily than flipping his palm.

“I never expected you to think so highly of her.”

But I needed to humor him for now.

The important thing was to separate Soniel from this madman.

This was virtually the only way she could leave the mansion proudly, away from Foil’s watchful eyes.

I put on a benevolent smile and said to Foil:

“Not at all. Though Miss Viper is young, she’s thoughtful and has many admirable qualities.”

“Hearing you say that makes all my efforts in her education worthwhile.”

Foil nodded with quite a satisfied expression.

‘His face really irritates me, but I’ll endure it.’

This wasn’t the time to upset him with unnecessary words.

I maintained an expression similar to his.

“I think Miss Viper would be a great comfort to His Majesty during his recovery period… What do you think, Duke?”

When I asked, Foil answered while forcibly pulling down the corners of his mouth that were curling upward.

“Of course, this requires various discussions and procedures, but above all, His Majesty’s wishes are what matter. I will simply follow His Majesty’s decision at the council.”

He showed signs of taking a step back with appropriate words.

‘He must know what a great opportunity this is, yet he’s choosing not to act rashly?’

Then Ainberg put down the letter and spoke.

“From today, you will be the one by my side.”

He glanced in my direction once and languidly continued.

“Do as you wish.”

Ainberg’s words implied many things.

Watching Foil’s expression subtly change was enjoyable, but this wasn’t the time to feel smug about it.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After I answered, Ainberg closed his eyes again.

While I stepped back briefly, doctors checked the Emperor’s temperature and pulse.

“Everything is normal.”

Sighs of relief erupted once more from all around.

I was still facing Ainberg with his eyes closed, but I wasn’t anxious or impatient like before.

Perhaps because I knew he could open his eyes again at any time.

Anyway, the day when we could have normal conversations again would come soon.

“From now on, three court physicians will take turns examining His Majesty daily. Please remember that rest is most important.”

After the doctor finished his examination, everyone else left as well.

Oz and I were the last to remain, waiting until Ainberg fell asleep.

“He looks peaceful.”

I nodded at Oz’s words.

Nothing had changed except for the fact that Ainberg had awakened.

The gloomy atmosphere and ominous smell that had permeated the bedroom were completely gone without a trace.

“Now you should go upstairs and rest a bit too, my lady.”

Perhaps it was because I now knew he was no longer in danger.

It felt like all the fatigue I had never experienced before was rushing in at once.

Leonora’s stamina was already at rock bottom, and I had barely been maintaining it through tension.

“I’ll escort you.”

“Who will watch over His Majesty tonight?”

“The bedroom attendants are here, so you needn’t worry.”

“Are they trustworthy people?”

I hadn’t meant to say that.

I regretted it immediately, but Oz was already looking at me with puzzled eyes.

“Is there a reason you’ve been trying to stay by His Majesty’s side, even at the cost of your own health?”

I wondered just how trustworthy Oz really was.

He was like Ainberg’s arms and legs.

He was one of the few people closest to the Emperor who could also offer honest counsel without fearing for his life.

But doesn’t that also make him the most dangerous person?

If he ever changed his mind, Oz would become more threatening to Ainberg than anyone else.

‘Ah, to think I have to suspect an innocent person like this.’

This was all because of that d*mn Foil Viper. If he hadn’t raised an unexpectedly large private army and brought in an adopted daughter to scheme…

“My lady?”

When my silence lingered, Oz asked me with a more rigid expression than before.

He too had become sensitive due to Ainberg’s injury, just like me.

“…No one can take care of His Majesty as well as I can.”

But Oz didn’t relax his expression.

“Though I haven’t known you for long, my lady.”

“……”

“I believe you are a very honest and sincere person.”

No, even if you fish like that, I’m not going to say anything right now.

The only certainty was that Foil Viper was raising more soldiers than the imperial family permitted; everything else was merely my speculation.

That he intended to stab Ainberg in the back with those soldiers, that he was planning treason—all just my conjectures.

And such important and serious matters couldn’t be spoken of based on mere speculation.

Especially not to Oz, Ainberg’s most loyal aide.

“I also firmly believe that you care about His Majesty and the Empire more than anyone.”

“……”

“Just as the Chadmon family has done for generations, just as the Duke has always been loyal to His Majesty.”

Of course, I wouldn’t simply stand by and do nothing. I had no intention of sacrificing myself for the country’s peace or defending Ainberg.

But wrong is wrong, isn’t it? Ainberg might not be a virtuous ruler, but I couldn’t just watch and let Foil take his place.

If Oz thought the same way…

“My lady.”

“I must be too tired.”

I added in a somewhat firm voice.

“People become sensitive when they’re tired, don’t they? I haven’t been sleeping properly since His Majesty has been bedridden. So…”

“……”

“So I think everything looked suspicious to me. I’ve made you uncomfortable with my rash behavior. I’m sorry.”

Whatever Oz’s true intentions were, he would help us as long as Ainberg and I trusted him.

Of course, I hoped the situation wouldn’t escalate to the point where we needed his help.

Oz stared at me blankly and then smiled.

“I understand, my lady.”

“Then I’ll go upstairs and rest.”

“Let me escort you.”

Just as we were about to walk out the door, a rustling sound came from Ainberg’s bedroom.

Oz reflexively turned his head, and I followed his movement.

Ainberg, who had somehow awakened, was looking at us with melancholy eyes.

“Your Majesty, are you uncomfortable? Should I call the doctor?”

Oz quickly moved and asked Ainberg in a respectful voice.

He was trying to slowly raise himself up.

Whether he was displeased with lying down all the time or there was something uncomfortable, his brow was furrowed with irritation.

“Your Majesty.”

Just as Oz carefully supported Ainberg.

He gave an order in a somewhat subdued voice.

“Summon Millean Hartmann.”