Cynthia’s eyes trembled.

But her opponent was the Emperor. As he said, it was an issue where the guard knight could cut off her head right here and now.

Not wanting to lose, she bowed elegantly with proper etiquette.

“I will do so.”

Upon receiving a proper answer, the Emperor rose from his seat.

“Chief Chamberlain.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Until Kaisel wakes up, arrange for that woman to be unable to enter.”

“I will follow your command.”

Emperor Luest glanced at Cynthia and furrowed his brow again.

After the Emperor left, Cynthia bit her lip while gathering her trembling hands.

Blood immediately burst from her dry lips, having not eaten well for days.

Count Nuden and the guard knight approached Cynthia in this state.

“By imperial command, please leave the bedroom now.”

Cynthia took heavy steps, looking at Kaisel’s face one last time.

“Miss Cynthia, I will escort you to the cottage.”

Mila supported Cynthia with a worried face. She smiled faintly.

“……Thank you.”

The heavy rain didn’t stop until she returned to the cottage.

❀❀❀

It rained until dawn.

Cynthia straightened her mind that felt like it might collapse, ate her meals properly, and endured the day.

The mansion viewed from the cottage was as quiet as before.

Knock knock.

At the sound of knocking, Cynthia put down her herb-related book and opened the door.

“Miss Cynthia.”

“Countess Moridge?”

The surprised Cynthia gestured for her to come in and opened the door wide. The Countess took her hand and asked in a worried tone.

“I heard that His Majesty the Emperor made a secret visit to the grand ducal residence yesterday and rushed here as soon as dawn broke. Are you alright?”

“Please come in first.”

Cynthia, after confirming that there were no listeners, entered the cottage with the Countess.

When Cynthia handed her cool water, Countess Moridge thanked her and finally let out a sigh of relief.

“I know His Majesty the Emperor isn’t the type to harm people privately, but I was still worried. The anger of those in power is difficult for even nobles to bear.”

Countess Moridge, who had been fiddling with her cup, hesitated for a long time before continuing.

“……You’re thinking of leaving the Empire, right?”

Realizing she already knew that much, Cynthia let out a faint laugh.

“Yes. But it’s okay. The contract period with His Highness is ending, and I was planning to leave the Empire someday. I wanted to see the Duchess have a baby, so that’s a shame.”

Countess Moridge grabbed Cynthia’s hand with a regretful expression.

“Don’t say that. Actually, my sister and her husband’s relationship has improved a lot. These days, they’re so passionate……”

“What?”

“No, that is not it. At first, I was unsure as well, but it seems they grew closer by having tea together, sharing drinks, and spending more time in conversation.”

“That’s great! I’m glad!”

It was at least good news that their rigid relationship had loosened, which had been weighing on her mind.

Countess Moridge told her maid waiting outside to bring in what they had prepared.

“Take this.”

And she held out a gift box to Cynthia.

Opening the box, inside were a delicate fan with subtle pink decorations and an embroidered handkerchief with a similar pattern.

“They’re so pretty.”

“It’s nothing special, but it’s a gift.”

When Cynthia picked up the fan, she saw an envelope with the guild’s seal underneath. Her body momentarily stiffened.

Cynthia carefully pushed the fan and handkerchief aside and opened the envelope.

Inside were all the materials about Iris’s movements that she had requested, along with information she had been curious about.

After reading the final document, Cynthia’s face turned cold.

“Iris and Prince Felix are lovers?”

Countess Moridge nodded with a troubled expression.

“I’m not sure if they’re accomplices or lovers. The last document was provided by Head Maid Mila.”

“What?”

“Normally guilds don’t collaborate, but this time we helped each other because it was urgent. And Prince Felix’s womanizing is well-known in social circles.”

“……”

“At the banquet, the Prince forcing Taras mango juice on me was also part of their scheme.”

“Iris knew about your food hypersensitivity.”

The real purpose behind Iris and Felix trying to use Countess Moridge was clearly to target the military supply business of the Adria information guild and Duke Lenox, along with control over the Imperial Knight Order.

To plot such evil using someone’s illness.

“Yes. And Lady Blewitt was indeed the one who used hallucinogens on me. I won’t be getting close to that woman in the future. The same goes for the Prince.”

Countess Moridge’s expression hardened as she exuded a terrible chill.

Their shallow scheme had instead made an enemy.

“However, I’m scared thinking that after you leave, she might use hallucinogens again.”

“Most of the hallucinogens Iris uses have antidotes. And drinking holy water sold at the temple about once a week will prevent easy addiction.”

“I didn’t know there was such a method! I’ll secretly tell my close friends to get tested and treated for addiction too. ……If you ever need help after leaving the Empire, please contact the guild.”

“I will.”

Cynthia gave the Countess a faint smile, reassuring her.

❀❀❀

After seeing the Countess off, Cynthia couldn’t contain her anger.

She calmly organized her thoughts and prepared answers so that Iris couldn’t escape no matter what excuses she made.

Then she headed to the mansion to meet Iris.

Her puzzlement at the somewhat chaotic atmosphere was brief.

“Mila, what’s happening?”

“Well……”

Mila sighed deeply with a miserable expression.

At that moment, the voices of the imperial physician, priest, and Count Nuden, who had been guarding Kaisel by the Emperor’s command, rang out loudly.

“See that! Wasn’t I right?”

“It’s all thanks to Lady Blewitt. Quickly report this news to His Majesty the Emperor. His Highness the Grand Duke has awakened.”

Cynthia staggered backward at the voice coming from Kaisel’s bedroom.

Mila caught her as she nearly fell from her strength giving out.

“Miss Cynthia, are you alright?”

“……Did Kaisel really wake up?”

Mila nodded with a bitter expression.

“Yes. But he fell asleep again soon after. As soon as he woke up, he looked for you first……”

“Thank goodness.”

Tears that Cynthia had been holding back flowed down her cheeks. Watching this, Mila silently embraced her.

The warm touch patting her back was a great comfort.

If Kaisel could survive, that was enough.

She felt she could now leave without any lingering attachments.

Though disgust welled up at the fact that Iris might be lovers with Felix, nothing was more important than Kaisel being alive.

Cynthia wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and pulled away from Mila’s embrace.

“Mila, I have one request before meeting Count Nuden.”

❀❀❀

That night.

Thanks to Kaisel briefly regaining consciousness, Iris was able to stay by his side while receiving lavish treatment from the imperial servants.

Iris, forcibly looking at Kaisel’s chilling face, sighed regretfully.

“You must wake up again, Your Highness. His Majesty the Emperor is very worried.”

“Lady Blewitt.”

Mila, watching this scene, spoke in a stiff voice.

Mila was still wary of Iris, not having forgiven her for using hallucinogens on her.

“You must be tired. Why don’t you rest for a while?”

“I’m fine.”

“It would be troublesome if Lady Blewitt collapsed after my master.”

At Mila’s firm words, Iris slowly nodded.

With news of the Emperor’s visit, she hadn’t properly changed her dress or eaten comfortably.

“Then I’ll quickly wash up, change my dress, and come back.”

“Miss, I’ll hurry to prepare a meal.”

“Do that.”

Loretta left the bedroom first, and as Iris was about to leave, she turned back with a bright smile while turning the doorknob.

“Mila.”

“Yes, speak.”

“Next time, I’d like you to address me properly as grand duchess instead of Lady Blewitt. With proper respect.”

“……”

As if not needing to hear Mila’s answer, Iris slowly left Kaisel’s bedroom.

Iris covered her mouth with her hand to suppress her bursting laughter as she crossed the eerily quiet corridor.

She thought it fortunate that there were no people in the grand ducal residence. Today of all days, it seemed impossible to hide her expression.

Iris was intoxicated with a sense of victory, thinking of Cynthia who was having a private audience with the Emperor.

Stupid and dull woman.

Since childhood, she had been bothered by her grandmother’s affection for the exceptionally smart girl, but she was indeed a foolish wench.

Iris calmly recalled her childhood.

To her, who had everything—a wealthy family, lineage, and outstanding beauty—the one curious existence was her younger sister Cynthia.

Unlike her parents who detested Cynthia, Iris didn’t hate or dislike her sister.

Rather, she thought it quite cute how Cynthia would roll over like a puppy with just a little kindness when she was scared.

But as the neglect and *buse from the Viscount and Viscountess worsened, sympathetic gazes among the servants increased.

At first, she simply disliked Cynthia having people who craved affection.