The letter only contained a warning that “he would come,” without specifying “when” exactly.

Because of this, most people, including myself, vaguely assumed the Emperor would arrive around tomorrow.

Even with sudden notice, they usually give at least a day’s preparation time, or up to a month at most.

“What the……”

It was truly an unprecedented visiting time, and I momentarily had to hold back the curse that was about to escape due to my surprise.

I wasn’t the only one taken aback, as Cromwell greeted Emperor William with the following,

“I thought you were coming tomorrow.”

Meaning, why are you here already?

“Ho ho, then instead of you, a servant would have sadly greeted me with news that you had returned to Wellem.”

……Surprisingly accurate.

Emperor William spoke as if Cromwell was in the palm of his hand.

“……”

Perhaps he had hit the nail on the head with his benevolent smile, as Cromwell didn’t refute.

I observed the new character while listening to the conversation between the two.

♡PROFILE♡

Name: William Blastos

Viewing Level: 10

Status: Emperor

Favorability: Please raise your level to view favorability.

Special Notes: Please raise your level to view special notes.

‘So far.’

Level 10? That’s too much.

It’s a profile window that makes you lose your fighting spirit.

‘I guess it’s better than Cromwell’s, which is completely private……’

The Emperor looked quite different from what I had seen in the game.

In the game, since we usually met in the imperial palace, he was always wrapped in expensive clothes, but now he wore attire that would be considered modest for someone of imperial status.

In a good way, he looked more like a rural lord than the Empire’s Emperor.

‘I’m not suffering from any status effects either.’

Perhaps that’s why I wasn’t trembling from intimidation as I had when I saw Cromwell.

I bent and straightened my fingers again as if to check. No problems moving.

“This must be the lady!”

Emperor William asked, looking at Anastasia whom Cromwell was holding.

“Uh……”

“Haha! How cute.”

Hearing her babbling, he spoke in a voice that seemed to melt.

“What’s her name?”

“……Anastasia, Your Majesty.”

“Anastasia, she was an excellent woman.”

Everyone knew that the ‘Anastasia Cromwell’ he was referring to wasn’t the infant in the Duke’s arms.

Unlike the Emperor, who was reminiscing about an old friend, Cromwell didn’t seem to share the evident joy.

“Being in Lernia means the adoption is proceeding steadily. Congratulations. I wanted to connect you with a lady from a good family… but I see you already have a guest.”

The Emperor’s eyes, looking at me standing a few steps behind, showed genuine human affection.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

He gently admonished Cromwell.

……He seems to see me as Cromwell’s lover or fiancée.

I’m experiencing a lot of awkward situations today…..

“……She is the child’s nanny. She accompanied us to Lernia because we needed help.”

Cromwell corrected the misunderstanding just as he had done earlier today.

“It is an honor to meet Your Majesty. I am Lorelai Keith.”

“Ah, I made a mistake.”

Emperor William offered an apology without reservation.

Perhaps having envisioned the future possibility of introducing him to a suitable daughter, his face, which briefly showed disappointment, soon wore a meaningful smile.

‘With so many people around wanting Cromwell to get married.’

Like Marchioness Dyners earlier (though that didn’t end well).

“Are you hungry?”

“I’ve been traveling since lunch.”

“Would you like to dine together?”

“The Duke is inviting me first like this. I’ve lived long enough to see it all.”

Emperor William happily accepted the conventional invitation.

“Ah, the lady should join us too. This is an opportunity for her to get closer to her great-granduncle.”

When I was about to leave to allow the Duke and Emperor some private dining time, Emperor William kindly invited me to join.

He seems to have a lot of positive interest in the lady, just like in the game.

‘Tasha’s favorability with him is… probably around 4.’

I estimated the number based on the data I had accumulated so far.

This was good for future progress.

The food on the table was more than adequate to serve an emperor. Thanks to the chef who had prepared the best for the Duke visiting after a long time.

Anastasia’s baby food was also prepared on the dimly lit table.

Cromwell was not a gracious host even in empty words.

He didn’t initiate the light conversation one might make out of courtesy, and his mouth opened only to answer what the Emperor said.

As if accustomed to the conversational gaps, Emperor William cut his meat.

“Boo—”

Although my goal for this first meeting with the Emperor was to quietly observe and make a reasonably good first impression, Anastasia continuously sought attention.

‘Isn’t she hungry? It’s her mealtime.’

With food right in front of her, she wouldn’t open her mouth, so I worriedly looked for the cause and soon realized I was the reason.

‘I always go “ah” with her……’

She seems to want me to do it today too.

In front of Cromwell, it was something I did every day, so it no longer fazed me, but the thought of doing it in front of others, especially the Emperor, made my vision go dark.

‘But she needs to eat……’

I swallowed my tears and opened my mouth.

“Ah, like this, ah, shall we try?”

When I opened my mouth with an “ah—” Anastasia finally followed suit and ate the baby food on the spoon.

The intermittent conversation stopped. Cromwell and Emperor William watched me, who had become the only entertainment at the table.

‘Only about twenty more spoonfuls to go.’

“My Eugene was like that when he was young too.”

Finding something in my appearance, Emperor William spoke as if lost in memories.

From the context, Eugene seems to be his son.

‘If he has a child……’

Then Cromwell wouldn’t be the first in line for succession.

What could the story be?

Various questions surfaced, but I couldn’t voice them.

“It brings back old memories.”

“……”

Even if I were of a status to ask, I would have left it as a question seeing the Emperor’s bitter expression when speaking of ‘Eugene.’

“Should I take the adoption of the child as an indication that you’re considering inheriting the throne?”

Emperor William returned to his original self so completely that his brief display earlier seemed like an illusion.

A hint of expectation could be heard in his voice, which had casually changed the subject.

“……No, I am not.”

‘Why!’

Grateful for the Emperor asking on my behalf, but only momentarily, Cromwell provided the same unchanging answer.

Emperor William openly displayed his disappointment at the response that left no room for alternative interpretation.

“There must be someone more suitable.”

He said.

Though not a specific answer like ‘Marquis Dyners,’ it was clear from the context that he was referring to him.

The Emperor, who also understood this to mean Marquis Dyners, didn’t seem pleased with the answer.

“He concerns me.”

“……”

Cromwell appeared to agree somewhat.

Is it because of the Marchioness?

Or is it purely out of favoritism for Duke Cromwell that he has developed ill feelings toward the publicly beloved Marquis Dyners?

“What does the nanny think? Your name was… Lorelai Keith, correct?”

Why do you remember my name? We did exchange greetings earlier.

The Emperor created a comfortable atmosphere, but… there was an insurmountable wall of status between a duke and a nanny.

I was in no position to say whether I liked him or not.

“I heard the Marchioness is pregnant.”

So I mentioned only objective facts that couldn’t be picked apart.

“Has the rumor spread all the way to Wellem?”

“We encountered them at the temple.”

Cromwell explained on my behalf.

“And that’s a difficult question to answer. Let’s refrain.”

“I simply cannot understand what the central nobles see in Marquis Dyners. Strangely, the Dyners family just… doesn’t appeal to me.”

Emperor William waved his hand as if tired of the subject.

‘Is it okay for an Emperor to be this biased?’

It is. That’s why there are imperial factions, moderate factions, and noble factions, aren’t there?

“My uncle was truly a good person, but Christopher Dyners… tsk tsk.”

He shook his head.

As if having spoken his mind to his heart’s content, he wore a relieved expression.

As I watched Emperor William down his drink in one go, I checked the button in my pocket.

“……”

I was checking just in case, but.

A faint light flickered from the pattern on the button.

The light was weaker than in the game, but it was still light.

I quickly closed my pocket before anyone else could see.

‘Why is it glowing now……?’

Just as I was startled.

“Miss Lorelai Keith, haven’t we met somewhere before?”

Emperor William asked, looking at me.