Once all the guests had left, the Adenauer mansion was enveloped in a familiar silence. As usual, Aneta sat alone and began her meal.

From the thick mushroom soup with a rich texture to the golden, perfectly baked croissants, soft scrambled eggs, and finally, the salad filled with colorful fruits and vegetables—nothing was prepared without care. Still, perhaps because it was morning, her appetite didn’t quite awaken.

However, she couldn’t ignore it. Aneta glanced at Isabel. Her maid, standing rigidly, sent a determined gaze her way. It was clear she was keeping watch.

Unable to resist Isabel’s pressure, Aneta finished her plate by plate. She could only set down her cutlery after eating the last piece of fruit.

“I’ve finished.”

Aneta had never particularly enjoyed eating since she was young. However, she always ate regularly, thanks to Isabel’s efforts, as she does today.

As Aneta set down her empty plates, Isabel looked satisfied with her work, successfully managing her mistress’s bad habits.

“Ah. I’m going to propose to Carlos today.”

“Understood. Then, shall I prepare accordingly… Excuse me?”

At those words, Isabel’s eyes widened in surprise. Aneta, dabbing her mouth with a napkin in a ladylike manner, had shocked her with her statement.

“I’m sorry, could you say that again?”

“I’m going to propose to Carlos today. But before that, I need to get His Majesty’s consent.”

Without Russell’s approval, she could not marry Carlos. It wasn’t that they couldn’t part ways or reunite without his permission—it was their choice, their matter. Even Russell would not impose such issues on them.

Still, Aneta insisted on negotiating with Russell due to the Marquis family. She wished to keep her title and surname after marriage, just as before.

“To do that, it seems ordinary compensation won’t be enough.”

Isabel immediately understood the meaning behind Aneta’s words without elaborating further. The tumult of emotions caused by the sudden bombshell had calmed down, like a peaceful ripple across the water.

“Right. So I think I need to visit the annex quickly.”

“Please wait just a moment. I’ll bring the keys right away.”

Isabel hurriedly left, returning shortly after. Aneta, now accompanied by Isabel, headed toward the annex.

Since Russell always kept his promises, he would undoubtedly ensure the corresponding compensation. So, as Isabel said, ordinary measures would be of no use.

Aneta’s steps were unhesitating as she made her way to the deepest part of the annex.

As soon as Aneta thought about offering compensation that would satisfy Russell, one thing immediately came to mind. She opened the safe to retrieve it.

Inside was a silver velvet case.

“My Lady, are you truly planning to offer this to His Majesty?”

As Aneta took it out, Isabel asked in surprise. As the head maid of the Adenauer family, the item inside was something she couldn’t possibly be unaware of.

“If I want to win His Majesty’s favor, there’s nothing better than this.”

What Aneta had taken was kept in the safe, unlike other items casually displayed around the annex. The case had its keyhole, clearly indicating how carefully it was stored. The only key to open the case was kept by Aneta; not even Isabel knew where it was.

Aneta fiddled with the key in her pocket.

She didn’t feel the slightest bit of regret. Isabel, who always respected her wishes, didn’t try to stop her.

With the item in hand, Aneta headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

However, even for someone like Aneta, the Emperor wasn’t a person who could be seen just by asking. She didn’t head to the Imperial Palace, but to Lennox, where she could handle paperwork until the appointed time for the meeting.

As usual, Carlos had arrived before her. After exchanging greetings, Aneta spoke before sitting down at the desk.

“Carlos, there’s a place we need to go together later. Do you have time?”

“Don’t worry. If it’s with you, I’ll make time and go anywhere.”

Aneta smiled at Carlos’s confident words and sat down. Her hands quickly became busy with her work. Meanwhile, Carlos finished his paperwork and came over to sit beside her.

“You’re done already?”

“If I want to take in even a little more of you, I need to finish the paperwork quickly.”

“Then wait just a little longer.”

Perhaps wanting to stay by her side while she finished, Carlos casually sat on her desk. Aneta glanced at the time. It was nearly time for the meeting.

Just as she turned her head, thinking she needed to hurry, she noticed Carlos’s face was oddly flushed. His gaze was fixed on the case she had brought in.

Just that was enough for Aneta to sense what Carlos was thinking. The case containing the item to be presented to Russell was similar in size to a ring box. So, it was obvious what he might be thinking.

Although she could have told him the truth, Aneta decided against it. She wanted to surprise him rather than reveal it beforehand. Moreover, even though what was inside was not a ring to share with him, she ultimately planned to do what he desired.

Aneta had never considered the possibility of being rejected. From what she knew of Carlos, he was the kind of person who would pull her into marriage at a moment’s notice.

“Carlos.”

Aneta drew Carlos’s attention, still looking at the same thing. She gestured for him to come closer, and although he seemed puzzled at first, he bent his upper body toward her. Soon, he felt the force of her pulling on his tie.

It was a trivial force that he could easily resist if he wanted, but Carlos willingly surrendered to her lead.

The reward for this was like a refreshing rain falling on parched earth.

Holding the end of the cloth tied around Carlos’s neck, Aneta pulled him closer and pressed her lips against his.

Smack.

A small sound intentionally made by Aneta rang in his ears.

Before Carlos could react, Aneta let go of the tie and leaned back.

Carlos was dazed by the sudden kiss, knowing that if he left it, she would surely jump on him. Aneta, anticipating this, spoke first, pointing to the sofa.

“Go sit there and wait quietly. If you sit there, I’ll be too distracted to focus.”

Almost hypnotized by her words, Carlos stumbled to the sofa and collapsed onto it.

“Really, this is unfair.”

“So what if it’s unfair? I heard that in love, fair play isn’t necessary.”

Aneta responded while looking at her paperwork.

“I wonder who said that.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to give that person something.”

“That’s silly.”

Aneta smiled and returned to her work, but Carlos was serious. If he felt this way right now, he might even want to carry around that unknown person, whoever they were.

After that conversation, Carlos quietly spent his time, respecting Aneta’s focus on her work.

Luckily, Aneta managed to finish her paperwork before the scheduled meeting time.

“Let’s go.”

After tidying up, Aneta stood and began to walk. Carlos, following her, was puzzled when they didn’t head toward the Imperial Palace entrance but instead took a familiar path.

“Aneta. Is the place we’re going the Emperor’s office?”

“Yes. Are you disappointed?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Carlos denied it, but it was clear from his expression that he was, in fact, a little disappointed.

As she stepped into the Imperial Palace, Aneta suppressed the laughter that threatened to escape and pretended not to notice. Perhaps because she had made an appointment in advance, only a few servants were inside. After exchanging brief greetings with the steward, they followed him to Russell’s office.

When the steward announced their visit, Russell allowed them to enter as if he had been waiting. Once inside, they greeted him and then raised their heads.

“So, what is it this time, Marquis Adenauer?” Russell asked as soon as they sat down, already sensing that Aneta had business with him.

“Do you have a request for a deal with me?”

“Yes.”

Russell gave an expression that seemed to say he had expected this. He could guess Aneta’s purpose because of the case she was holding.

Even if it was expensive jewelry, it was rare to store it in a case that required a separate key. Whatever was inside, it was clear that it must be valuable.

“It seems you’ve come fully prepared,” Russell said, gesturing toward the case Aneta was holding. She placed it on the table before speaking.

“I’ll get straight to the point. I hope you will grant permission for our remarriage.”

The words she spoke were almost unbelievable to Carlos, and his eyes widened in shock. He quickly turned his head to stare at her.

However, Aneta was too busy focusing on Russell’s gaze to notice his reaction.

Russell stared at Aneta silently for a long time. His sharp eyes seemed like they might pierce through her inner thoughts at any moment, but Aneta did not avoid his gaze.

“What if I oppose it?” Russell asked, raising an eyebrow.

“The Marquis couldn’t be a good partner for my brother. The family’s glory is no longer what it once was, and the value of that name cannot compare to the past.”

No one had ever spoken of lost glory or lowered the family’s name before her, but the Emperor was different. Russell was more than willing to look down on her, placing her beneath his feet.

“Why should I send my dear brother to such a Marquis?”

Smiling sarcastically, his arms crossed in front of his chest, he tried to dominate Aneta.

“Your Majesty.”

“Stay silent, Carlos.”

Carlos tried to interject, but Russell shut him down, his eyes fixed on Aneta.

“Answer me, Marquis Adenauer.”

Russell urged Aneta to respond.

Despite his tone, Aneta was still confident he would not oppose their remarriage. If he were someone who would oppose it, he would have refused without even testing her response.

Carlos surely knew this as well. However, he had probably tried to intervene because he worried Russell’s words would hurt Aneta’s pride.

Despite the concern, Aneta was unbothered. What Russell had said was merely the truth.

She had never expected him to give his approval easily, but she didn’t believe he would outright oppose it either.

Rather than feeling insulted by Russell’s words, Aneta thought about what strengths she could show to counter him and then opened her mouth.