I stood still, staring blankly in the direction where Foil had disappeared.

His parting words lingered as a strange afterthought, shaking me.

‘My lady, you must become the Empress.’

What is that guy saying now?

He wouldn’t be giving me his blessing.

“……”

Become the Empress? What does he mean?

Foil had even adopted a daughter with the intention of winning the Emperor’s heart.

Yet now he tells me to become the Empress?

It gives me chills.

“Wait a minute……”

He’s targeting Ainberg. I don’t know how much power he’s been building behind the scenes, but ultimately what Foil wants is to bring down the imperial family.

‘Is telling me to become part of the imperial family some kind of warning? Is he saying he won’t leave me alone either?’

That’s interesting.

Very interesting.

“Do you think I’ll back down because of that?”

I have no intention of becoming Empress, but I won’t let things go your way either.

I clenched my fist tightly and headed toward Ainberg’s bedroom.

As I entered, he was predictably sitting with documents piled high on the table beside his bed.

“……!”

But upon seeing me, he reflexively put down what he was holding and flashed an uncharacteristic smile.

I almost thought it was cute.

No, it’s not cute. Don’t think that.

I instinctively lowered the corners of my mouth that had nearly curled up and asked a question.

“Your Majesty, how are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

“That’s good, but you shouldn’t overexert yourself.”

I plopped down on my chair, which had become as familiar as a reserved seat.

“Yes, but I like that you worry about me.”

Did he attend some academy while I wasn’t looking?

I smiled awkwardly and changed the subject.

“By the way, Your Majesty, I just saw Lord Viper leaving.”

As I said this, I carefully observed Ainberg’s reaction.

Ainberg’s memory hadn’t returned yet. If Foil discovered this during their conversation, it would be disastrous.

“…May I ask what you talked about?”

“You’re worried I might have said something thoughtless.”

Seeing that he understands what I’m concerned about, he must be fine.

“Nothing special was said. I just listened to Lord Viper’s complaints.”

“Complaints?”

“You already know.”

At Ainberg’s words, I shrugged once.

“Did he ask about Miss Viper?”

“He asked how she was doing, if she had made any mistakes.”

I was curious about how Ainberg had responded, but I held back and said:

“He seems anxious that she hasn’t met Your Majesty yet despite entering the palace.”

“……”

But Ainberg still wore an indifferent expression.

Then he tilted his head and stared at me intently.

What’s with that burdensome expression?

When I subtly averted my gaze, Ainberg spoke again.

“You don’t seem to mind me being with another woman?”

What’s with this out-of-nowhere question?

I forced an awkward smile and replied.

“She’s just a child.”

“According to Lord Viper, I like young children.”

I couldn’t maintain my composure at those words.

I barely managed to keep my brow from furrowing.

How many women has he been meeting for such rumors to circulate?

Countless rumors never ceased: that he had hidden a woman in the temple, that he went out at night to meet his lover, and so many more.

…Meanwhile, he never once glanced at me, his Empress.

Not even a glance, nor did he ever come looking for me.

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but I don’t know about such matters.”

“So I gave Lord Viper specific instructions.”

“……?”

“I told him if he intended to offer someone to me, he should bring an even younger child.”

“Pfft.”

At this point, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

So this was why I felt uncomfortable—because of this conversation.

Then Ainberg gave me a languid smile and said:

“Lord Viper seemed displeased, but you seem to like my answer?”

“You’re being mischievous.”

“I dislike being led around by someone with obvious intentions.”

I could somewhat understand what Ainberg was thinking.

But it would be problematic if he continued like this.

If Soniel couldn’t meet Ainberg, Foil might take her back to the mansion.

‘What should I do? I don’t know how to change this stubborn man’s mind.’

Being honest might make things worse, and trying to evoke sympathy or pity wasn’t a good idea either.

This man doesn’t have feelings of concern for others in the first place.

Just then, Ainberg spoke to me in a languid voice.

“I wonder how long I have to stay like this.”

“You must feel very confined.”

“I want to feel the joy of walking and running.”

He murmured softly, looking out the window.

“Did you ask when you could move around?”

“Well, the physician always talks about the worst-case scenario.”

I quietly looked at the somewhat gloomy Ainberg.

Even though I didn’t like him, seeing him so dejected wasn’t particularly pleasant.

There must be some solution.

Then something occurred to me.

‘Wait, why didn’t I think of that?’

There would be differences from modern technology, but with good design, it shouldn’t be too difficult.

The principle is simple.

“Your Majesty, I’ll solve your confinement problem.”

❀❀❀

I rushed straight back to my room.

Instead of diligently taking notes, Soniel was sitting quietly reading a book.

“Soniel, are you good at drawing?”

When I threw out this question as soon as I entered, she opened her eyes wide.

“…Drawing?”

Soniel closed the book she was reading and stood up.

“All I know about drawing is what I learned at the Viper household. That was also the first time I tried it.”

“You’re still better than me. I’m… completely hopeless with my hands.”

When I dusted off my hands and made a comical expression, Soniel giggled.

“I wasn’t good at it, but learning to draw was fun.”

“Oh, that’s perfect then.”

Meanwhile, I called Sabine to bring paper and pens.

“Sabine, go to the dressmaker’s and borrow a measuring tape.”

“A measuring tape?”

“Yes, and if there’s a wooden ruler, bring that too.”

“Yes, Miss.”

As Sabine went outside, Soniel asked me.

“My lady, what are you planning to do?”

“I’m going to make a special chair for His Majesty.”

“A special chair?”

She repeated my words and tilted her head.

“Do you know how to make chairs too, my lady?”

“No, I’m not making it myself. I’m just going to design what shape it should be.”

“Ah.”

I enthusiastically explained to Soniel what it was for.

“His Majesty seems frustrated being confined to bed.”

“Yes, I can imagine.”

“So I’m going to try making a moving chair.”

What I had in mind for Ainberg was a chair with wheels.

“How?”

“There are carpenters in the imperial palace who can make anything. If we give them a design, they’ll whip it up in no time.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.”

Soniel clasped her hands together with an excited face. Then suddenly, with moist eyes, she called out to me.

“My lady.”

“Yes?”

“I think I understand why His Majesty fell for you.”

I pretended not to hear, cleared my throat loudly, and made a show of spreading out the paper neatly.

“Now, hold this pen. Soniel will do the drawing. Let’s start by drawing a chair.”

“Yes, my lady.”

We put our heads together and began drawing earnestly.

“Rather than keeping the chair upright, wouldn’t it be better if it could recline slightly?”

“Yes, it would be nice if the angle could be adjusted. I wonder if that’s possible.”

“Let’s note it on the side for now. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”

After adding a footrest and handles at the back, it started to look quite plausible.

“Now we just need to have this made.”

After that, everything progressed much faster than I had anticipated.

I thought it might take about a week.

After seeing the design, Oz immediately began production, and it took less than two days for what had only existed in my mind to materialize.

“You made this yourself?”

“Of course not. I just came up with the idea.”

As I answered with an awkward smile, Oz, standing beside me, added:

“We simply manufactured it based on the lady’s design.”

At Oz’s words, Ainberg looked up at me thoughtfully.

“You possess remarkable talent.”

“You flatter me.”

Ainberg gazed at me quietly, seemingly quite moved.

His gaze was so intense, and with so many people around, my face flushed.

And now was a good opportunity.

“Your Majesty, I didn’t do this alone.”

“Not alone?”

“Miss Viper drew all the pictures. The ideas for the footrest and the lower part came from Miss Viper. She provided the greatest help in creating this chair.”

So why don’t you meet Soniel now?

As I grinned and clasped my hands together, Ainberg slightly shook his head and opened his mouth.

“I have no way to counter you.”

A smooth smile spread across the Emperor’s lips.