The reading sessions at Siscreek began around late spring.

Time flowed like a rushing stream, and before they knew it, summer had arrived in full bloom.

However, summer in Siscreek was different from summer in the capital. There was no stifling heat to be found.

By the time even the servants of Siscreek Castle began looking forward to Leticia’s reading sessions, news from the capital arrived.

“The Emperor has completely lost consciousness, it seems.”

Though he had been bedridden for some time, the Emperor had occasionally been conscious enough to involve himself in state affairs.

But now, the news was that he was so critically ill that it wouldn’t be surprising if he passed away soon, and the atmosphere in the imperial palace was said to be tense.

The Emperor’s two children regarded each other as nothing more than passing insects.

“And this is more rumor than news, but there’s talk that the Crown Princess might be infertile.”

Callius mentioned it casually, but it wasn’t a trivial piece of news.

It had been several years since Milona became the Crown Princess. Yet, no news of an heir had been heard from her.

While it might have been due to Mathias’s debauched lifestyle, the blame always fell on Milona rather than him.

“They must be feeling desperate.”

Mathias’s position was already unstable. Not having children would only make it worse.

“You’ll likely hear from him soon.”

Callius spoke with certainty.

But Leticia also thought it was inevitable that Mathias would reach out.

Feeling desperate, Mathias would try to keep Callius close to him as quickly as possible.

He would want to show that the Emperor’s favor was still with him, no matter what.

Similarly, Kelsior didn’t have much time.

Thus, Leticia also needed to act faster.

Of course, Callius already wanted to kill Mathias, but if things continued as they were, he wouldn’t keep Leticia by his side even after everything was over.

Not keeping her by his side would, in the worst-case scenario, mean Leticia’s death.

The thought was chilling, and Leticia felt nauseous.

However, she tried not to show it and focused on continuing the conversation with him.

“So, I’ve been thinking. It’s about time we made a move.”

“What do you mean?”

“They say the enemy of my enemy is my ally.”

Leticia was slightly surprised that she immediately understood what Callius meant.

“…Are you talking about Princess Kelsior?”

“There’s no one better. We can be certain she wants Mathias dead.”

But she hadn’t expected him to suggest aligning with Kelsior first.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean I intend to trust her completely.”

Leticia felt the same way.

“That’s why you mustn’t mention anything related to my lover.”

“Of course.”

There was no need to reveal Callius’s vulnerabilities to Kelsior as well.

“But if I don’t mention that, she might doubt whether I truly want to kill Mathias.”

“That’s true.”

Leticia nodded in agreement but was already thinking of a solution.

In truth, there was only one way.

She needed to play along with what Kelsior wanted—make it seem as though Callius was deeply infatuated with Leticia. That way, it would appear that he was betraying Mathias and aligning with Kelsior according to Leticia’s wishes.

“Can you do that?”

When he asked her if there was no other way, Leticia didn’t understand what he meant at first.

“I think I can do it.”

“So….”

“Anyway, I have enough reason to.”

Callius’s gaze slowly traced Leticia’s features.

Then he abruptly turned his head. It seemed as though looking for too long made him feel guilty.

“If it goes like this, I don’t think you’ll be able to say you can do it.”

Though he said he could, his eyes wavered slightly.

Whenever he felt that he was seeing the woman he loved in Leticia, he would be tormented.

“Can you really do it?”

This time, Leticia asked him instead.

“I can.”

That’s why she was able to speak with more confidence.

His wavering gaze as he looked at her would serve as proof that she had succeeded in seducing him.

No matter the reason, Kelsior would interpret it in her favor.

He frowned slightly, resting his chin in his hand, as if dissatisfied with her statement.

“I have to.”

“There’s still time, so you can practice.”

When she suggested that he could practice as if it were something that could be improved with effort, he let out a small laugh.

“Who said there’s time?”

“Has news come from the capital?”

Had Mathias already contacted him without her knowing?

Leticia asked in surprise, but he shook his head.

“Not from that side. From the other side.”

The other side…

As she thought about it, Leticia unconsciously furrowed her brow.

“Do you mean Princess Kelsior?”

He nodded.

“She’ll arrive in about a week.”

He spoke as if delivering a notice and then got up from his seat.

“But.”

“There’s no point in hesitating. Besides, the longer we wait, the more cautious Mathias will become. By then, it’ll be impossible for the Princess to come to Siscreek.”

He made so much sense that Leticia couldn’t argue back.

She had no rebuttal.

Even though he was the one less prepared, for some reason, Leticia felt more anxious.

“A week is enough.”

“What makes you so sure?”

How did he plan to erase the guilt-ridden expression he wore whenever he looked at her?

Kelsior wasn’t a fool.

She needed Callius, but if necessary, she wouldn’t hesitate to ensure Mathias couldn’t have him either.

Summoning her here might turn out to be the worst mistake.

“If you’re so worried, we can start practicing tonight.”

Leticia had no idea what “practice” he was referring to.

Instead, he spoke more nonchalantly, as if trying to shake off his guilt.

“You, on the other hand, must make sure not to act like you’ve fallen for me.”

Leticia thought he was worrying unnecessarily.

Of course, he was quite handsome, but that was all.

“Alright. Let’s start practicing tonight.”

Leticia said this, then stood and left the dining hall before him.

It was still just after breakfast.

The night, when the supposed practice would begin, was still far off.

—

“You’ve been having a lot of conversations lately, haven’t you?”

“I suppose so.”

Christine, who had been looking as though she had something to say, finally spoke.

Leticia thought her curiosity was only natural.

No matter how generously one viewed them, Callius and Leticia didn’t seem like a married couple.

Moreover, Callius had avoided Leticia for most of his time in Siscreek.

Christine, who had spent the most time by Leticia’s side, knew this better than anyone.

It was only natural for her to question the sudden change in circumstances.

Leticia wondered what she could say to satisfy Christine’s curiosity without revealing the whole truth.

Christine, who had initially seemed fierce due to her reddish hair, no longer gave off that impression.

She was now sitting across from Leticia, enjoying her favorite apple cookies made by Nora.

Occasionally, the sound of her crunching cookies could be heard.

Christine, munching on cookies, seemed far from fierce.

“I always thought Lord Maxis was hiding something, but I never imagined it was a lover.”

“Did you?”

Well, Christine had met him before Leticia did, so perhaps it was natural.

“And I never would have guessed that this situation would bring you and Lord Maxis closer.”

Christine furrowed her brow, as if she couldn’t understand it herself.

“This isn’t really getting closer….”

Leticia trailed off, unsure how to explain.

After all, it was true that they had grown closer. She couldn’t deny it.

But it wasn’t the kind of closeness Christine imagined.

Leticia was still suspicious of whether he had been involved in Rearbon’s downfall.

She was simply trying not to think about it.

Perhaps her expression darkened as she thought about it, because Christine put down her cookie and studied Leticia’s face.

“Don’t worry. If Lord Maxis tries anything foolish, I’ll stop him.”

“He won’t do that.”

But Christine didn’t seem convinced. Perhaps she trusted him even less than Leticia did.

“Of course, but just in case.”

Christine picked up another apple cookie.

The sound of it crumbling echoed softly as she took a bite.

Leticia checked the clock once again. It was only two o’clock.