Recently, such words circulated in social circles:

‘His Majesty the Emperor has fallen for some woman.’

In truth, most didn’t believe this. Emperor Verheigen was someone who had shown no change in expression even before the sparkling eyes of countless beautiful young ladies. Surely he couldn’t have suddenly fallen in love like this.

But from the moment that woman’s identity was revealed, the situation began to flow differently.

‘His Majesty the Emperor has completely lost his mind, head over heels for Lysith Gronevelt.’

The rumors spread in an instant.

In fact, many had already tilted their heads at how she showed no signs of leaving the palace. Though the poison she took then certainly seemed serious… did it require such long treatment from the imperial physician?

But if the reason she had stayed in the palace for almost a month was because the Emperor was holding onto her and wouldn’t let go, then it made sense.

But how did this happen?

Many kept their senses sharp regarding her status, but the palace remained utterly quiet. As if completely uninterested in the rumors circulating in social circles. Though this response was natural if anything, those who had hoped for some kind of reaction clicked their tongues in disappointment.

While the social circles were abuzz with the scandal between the Emperor and the former Grand Duchess, people gathered cozily at a party held at a marquis’s residence eagerly brought up the topic.

“Well, you see, my daughter’s friend’s friend’s younger sibling works at the imperial palace.”

“Oh my, what did they say?”

“……His Majesty sleeps in the same bed with the lady every day.”

The countess’s voice was as careful and quiet as an ant’s footsteps, like she’s telling a secret that must never be discovered.

The ladies of similar age gathered around all fluttered their fans upon hearing her words. Surely the most interesting stories in the world are gossip about others, love affairs, or matters of the heart!

So would the position of Empress go to Lady Gronevelt?

As if to further fuel the interest of the ladies fluttering their fans with sparkling eyes, the countess spoke again.

“Moreover, I heard the Tower Master also stayed at the palace for a while.”

“Oh my, oh my. That’s right, he did.”

“The Tower Master seemed quite fond of the lady.”

So… is this a love triangle now?

Gazes carrying such meaning quickly passed between them.

However, one lady who cut off those gazes in between whispered and added:

“Don’t you think His Highness the Grand Duke has been acting strange lately?”

“Now that you mention it……”

Naturally, they recalled Grand Duke Clonair’s recent appearance. Though he definitely used to have a cold, cool, and indifferent face before, lately he somehow looked a bit tired and somewhat strained.

Though he should be well-versed in maintaining his expressions, he seemed to lack the energy to do so.

The turning point for that change was clearly……

“……He’s been strange since His Majesty’s birthday celebration. I was nearby then, and he just stood there like a stone statue.”

“At the birthday celebration.”

“When the lady took poison.”

At her words, the sound of fluttering fans grew faster. Their expressions clearly showed they could barely contain their excitement.

How did Lady Gronevelt end up monopolizing the love of such distinguished men? Until before her divorce, she was a woman with nothing enviable about her except for her beautiful face and position as a ducal lady.

Anyway, they were delighted to have more interesting topics to discuss. After all, social circles thrived on such gossip being abundant.

* * *

“Word has spread throughout social circles. Though they’re not saying it openly.”

“I see.”

Verheigen responded casually to his aide’s words while mindlessly flipping through documents.

As if rumors originating from the imperial palace would just spread on their own.

Everything was spreading under his implicit approval. Or rather, they were rumors he wanted spread.

To begin with, those who would carelessly leak what happened in the imperial palace couldn’t even enter this place. Though occasionally there were such people.

Of course, the current situation wasn’t like that, and everything was flowing as he wanted.

While flipping through and processing the mountain of documents, when that mountain had almost revealed its bottom, Verheigen threw a question at Serul.

“My Lysith.”

“……Using a possessive adjective for a person……”

“My Lysith.”

“Yes…… She woke up around 11 o’clock. Had lunch at noon, and is currently taking a bath.”

Only after getting a proper answer after simply ignoring Serul’s jab did Verheigen stretch his lips in satisfaction.

Facing that expression head-on, Serul grimaced.

Though this was the situation he desired, somehow actually seeing it happen was irritating. Would he have to see that face for the rest of his life? Would he have to make such reports for the rest of his life? Just imagining it made his vision go dark already.

“Does she know about those rumors?”

“No. She doesn’t.”

“Good.”

Serul inwardly apologized to the lady who would have to live with such a man stuck by her side for life. After that, he debated whether to report what he’d heard right before entering the office.

It was about how a butler from her mansion had come saying he needed to deliver something directly to her.

Normally he wouldn’t have thought His Majesty would care about such things, but seeing how he’d been acting lately, he felt certain it would bother him. After ten seconds of deliberation, Serul decided to exact a small revenge on his superior.

I won’t tell him.

From what he’d heard, that butler was quite handsome. Even if the lady had no feelings for him, and he felt the same, his superior wouldn’t think so.

This was the revenge of an aide who got pushed around and rolled over every day.

As for what would happen afterward…… Well, surely he wouldn’t kill him. It was an act born of liver sticking out of his belly¹간이 배 밖으로 나왔다/a Korean phrase often used when someone recklessly pushes forward with something without fear.

* * *

As mentioned before, discretion was a virtue for the imperial palace’s maids. That meant they showed no reaction even when seeing the red marks scattered all over her body.

Lysith, receiving their assistance in the bath, was wondering if this situation was better or not.

She thought it might have been more embarrassing if they had squealed “Kyaah!” excitedly like Eve. After all, this was her first time receiving assistance with such marks. Until recently she’d bathed alone out of embarrassment, but for some reason the maids had clung to her starting today.

Despite her saying she would do it alone.

‘What was it, they asked for the honor of serving an esteemed person?’

Though it was strange, they approached so humbly that it was a bit hard to refuse. In the end, Lysith was melting languidly into a different kind of comfort than when bathing alone while receiving their assistance.

Looking up at the ceiling then briefly lowering her gaze, the marks on her arms caught her eye first.

‘Ugh.’

This was the first time she’d had so many kiss marks. Well, to begin with… it was also the first time she’d had s*x like this every day.

Even besides that, Verheigen particularly obsessively left his marks on her body. The ones on her neckline, collarbone, and chest were obvious, and even her wrists, inner arms, waist, and inner thighs were all mottled with marks he’d left.

She couldn’t see her back directly, but since they’d done it from behind too, it was obviously a mess.

Ashites had only left marks on her neck, and Penchev had extremely avoided leaving marks on her body, so such reddened skin felt quite unfamiliar. Thanks to this, despite the sultry weather, she’d ended up unable to wear anything but dresses up to her neck.

Moving her gaze back to the ceiling, Lysith continued her thoughts while receiving careful assistance.

Anyway, as for how the sub quest clearing had gone during this time.

‘I couldn’t do anything……’

If she were to make an excuse that wasn’t really an excuse at this point, their relations generally happened suddenly. Meaning it was hard for her to bring it up first. When she went ‘Huh?’ she’d find herself crying under him, and when she went ‘Hmm?’ she was too tired to think about quests or anything else.

Moreover, given the content of the next sub quest, she felt a bit cautious about doing it with the Emperor.

[Sub Quest Prepared For You]

‘LV.7 – Try Putting Your Partner Below You!’

TIP! Sometimes, you need to know how to take the initiative.

‘It’s telling me to put the Emperor below.’

On one hand, thinking of the current Verheigen, she felt he probably wouldn’t be too displeased. Well, it’s not like she’d really put him below, it was just about positions during s*x.

While continuing such various thoughts, Lysith tilted her head slightly at a sudden thought.

‘I wonder how Penchev is doing.’

Naturally, Lysith didn’t know well how he was when she wasn’t around. From what she’d heard from Eve last time, setting aside the feeling when making eye contact, he was somewhat scary.

Moreover, since she couldn’t help but know how much he cherished her, it worried her more. Even without recalling the confessions that had poured like rain into her ear during their last encounter……

Though he probably heard the general situation, his mistress and the mansion’s owner had collapsed from poison and was receiving treatment at the imperial palace. He couldn’t help but worry.

In truth, even if she’d returned to the mansion, she wouldn’t have done much besides lazing around like an unemployed person, but it would be right to rest at home.