“She wishes to request an audience?”

Ailie, standing on the terrace, asked coldly.

When the maid Breni confirmed it, Ailie let out a long, weary sigh.

‘I warned her clearly, never show her face in the palace again.’

Count Seidler and his second daughter, Donata Seidler, had requested an audience with Empress Ailie.

She had expected Donata wouldn’t give up her position as the emperor’s mistress after a single warning but she hadn’t expected the woman to come crawling back in just one day.

And to request an audience on the same day without even the barest formality? The audacity made Ailie’s mood twist unpleasantly.

She might have brought her father along, but even so, how could she be this shameless?

“Your Majesty, does the idea displease you?”

“No. I simply let my thoughts wander. Tell them I will make time.”

Ailie answered with perfect calm.

After Sirion’s examination the previous day, she felt stronger than ever. This life was very different from the one she had lived before her regression. Perhaps it was because she had acted boldly. Or maybe it was because she had stopped shouting things that no one would believe. Whatever the reason, things were unfolding far more favorably than before.

Breni was still on her side — for now. Instead of the irritable old physician, Sirion had earnestly vowed to earn her trust.

‘All I have to do is endure like this, quietly waiting for my chance to strike back.’

If possible, she should try to increase the number of people supporting her. They would certainly come in useful later on.

At the very least, she would survive longer than them — but not this time. Ailie was determined to survive until the very end, no matter what.

“Tell them that I am available to see them immediately. They should come at once, rather than making me wait.”

With that, Ailie stepped out onto the terrace.

She walked towards the reception room, passing her bedroom, with no hint of hesitation.

Having decided to cut out the root of the problem, she was determined not to avoid anything.

Donata Seidler should have been the one trembling and fleeing, not daring to meet her gaze.

***

Donata and Count Seidler arrived at the reception room not long after that. The maid had just finished preparing the tea.

Ailie greeted the father and daughter with a warm, benevolent smile. Her appearance was flawless, not a trace of disturbance visible.

For a brief moment, Donata’s brows twitched together.

“I’m pleased to have the chance to speak with you, Count Seidler.”

Ailie took the lead in greeting them.

“It is an honor to stand before Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Thank you sincerely for granting us your time, Your Majesty.”

The Count greeted her with practiced courtesy. A moment later, Donata followed, her expression already transformed, her lips curved into a perfect smile.

‘Quick to change masks.’

She suppressed the bitter laugh that nearly escaped her.

Who would have thought that the emperor’s sordid mistress was the second daughter of the respectable House Seidler?

When she had first heard the name, she had been too shaken to truly grasp it. Only now did the weight of the truth truly sink in — and it was entirely unexpected.

Did the count know what kind of woman his daughter truly was?

Judging by the affectionate, almost devotional way he looked at her, he likely had no idea.

“It is the first time I’ve seen you up close since the last banquet. Have you been well?”

“I’ve been quite well, thanks to Your Majesty’s grace. And… this must be your first time seeing Her Majesty, my dear?”

Ailie smiled brightly and prodded Donata deliberately.

Her rose-coloured eyes shone with a faint, polite warmth — the way one looks at someone they have just met.

Ailie assumed the empress would ignore her throughout the audience and certainly wouldn’t address her directly.

She scoffed inwardly as she watched the flicker of confusion cross Donata’s pale face.

‘Surely even the empress of the empire wouldn’t completely ignore a guest.’

Donata forced her stiff lips to curve up and, a beat late, finally spoke.

“…Yes. It is my first time greeting the wise Empress, Mother of the Empire.”

“And your name is?”

“Donata Seidler.”

“Lady Seidler, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Ailie’s voice was gentle and warm, as though she were offering a blessing.

Yet although her smile shone like sunlight, her thoughts were cooling rapidly.

A faint nausea churned in her stomach.

The woman seated opposite her was not the emperor’s mistress – not here, not now. She was the second daughter of House Seidler.

This did nothing to quell the urge to seize her by the hair at that very moment, but…

Empress Ailie was not so foolish.

Even Empress Ailie, naive as she had been before her regression, had clenched her teeth and endured. She had never acted without thinking.

Ailie lifted her teacup and let her thoughts settle in silence.

‘I’m not here to cause a scene. That would be disgraceful.’

But she also had no intention of letting Donata leave with that same brazen face.

“You must have many worries these days, Lady Seidler.”

“…Pardon?”

“The glory of House Seidler isn’t quite what it once was, after all.”

At those words, Count Seidler who had been glancing at his daughter with a broad, foolish smile—suddenly froze.

Donata, too, bit down hard on her flushed lower lip, face tense.

“Ah…”

“…”

Yet no one voiced any protest.

Anyone with even a passing interest in imperial affairs knew that House Seidler’s position had begun to waver. The reason was simple: extravagance.

No matter how vast their inheritance had once been, no fortune could withstand their spending habits. Even the necklace now around Donata’s neck was proof of this.

The dark purple gemstones, weighed down with diamonds and the finest amethysts, appeared more oppressive than beautiful — more of a burden than an adornment. If Ailie were to commission several such necklaces every day, the imperial treasury would eventually be drained dry, even in an empire.

On the brink of collapse, House Seidler had scraped together an excessive dowry in a final, desperate gamble, succeeding in marrying their eldest daughter into a ducal household. With the duchy’s backing, they were just about managing to keep their name afloat.

This could not be considered a favorable time for them by any measure.

‘So Lady Donata’s chosen method of survival was to become the emperor’s mistress… that’s how it is.’

Ailie set her cup down and drew in a deep breath. Her stomach lurched again.

“That is why, as the future head of the house, you must be all the more careful with your conduct, don’t you agree?”

“…That is correct.”

Donata answered with her eyes widened in offense. Ailie held that insolent golden gaze without blinking as she continued.

“If not that, then it would be wise for the young lady to marry into a respectable household for the sake of your family.”

“I appreciate Your Majesty’s advice, but that is… beyond our means.”

“You mean you have no dowry, is that it?”

“…”

“If you wish, I could introduce you to a suitable match. An arrangement prepared by the empress—what heir would dare refuse?”

Of course, that “suitable match” was a lie.

Aylie had no intention of letting Donata go off to a happy, healthy marriage. She wanted her to live the rest of her life bearing the weight of her sins, trapped in a future she could never escape—to live without allies, without comfort, without peace.

Just as Ailie herself had lived before the regression.

“Unless, of course, you already have someone in your heart.”

Ailie smiled sweetly, as if making a harmless joke.

Surely Donata wasn’t foolish enough to declare the emperor her lover in front of the empress especially in an official audience with her father present.

“Tell me, Lady Seidler.”

“…”

“There is no one special that you care for… is there?”

‘Go on. Say it.’

Silence filled the receiving room.

Donata swallowed hard, unable to answer, though her golden eyes glared at the empress with venom—despite being incapable of saying a single word.

Ailie was just about to remark that, since Donata had no lover, she would personally arrange a match…

“Your Majesty.”

Count Seidler, who had been silent until now, suddenly intervened.

Both pairs of wary eyes turned sharply toward him.

“What is it, Count Seidler?”

“My apologies, Your Majesty, but House Seidler has only one heir—Donata. If she does not inherit, the title will pass to a distant branch, and I do not desire that outcome…”

“Then that’s perfect.”

Despite the abrupt interruption, Ailie did not waver.

A rather good idea came to her.

“Let the young lady inherit the house as she is. As for the financial issue, she may simply marry a wealthy commoner, can she not?”

Donata’s brows twitched violently.

“Bring in a son-in-law. That solves both the dowry problem and the matter of succession.”

“Ah…”

“In that case, the count wouldn’t have any objections, would he?”

“Well… yes, that would indeed be acceptable.”

It was a humiliation like no other for Donata. She was a woman greedy enough to covet a throne she had no right to approach.

Her pale hand trembled violently as she lifted her teacup. The faint clatter of porcelain tapping against porcelain filled the quiet room.

Ailie smiled, her eyes curving.

“And you find this agreeable as well, Lady Seidler?”

Her voice was gentle, considerate, as though she sincerely wished for the revival of House Seidler.

Ailie had only realized after her regression that she was far more talented at wearing masks than she had ever imagined.

Had she known sooner, she wouldn’t have lived her previous life being endlessly trampled.

‘Poor Ailie… you nearly died without discovering how fun this could be.’

Count Seidler looked helplessly between his daughter and the empress, lifting and dropping his hands, reaching to pat Donata’s shoulder only to pull back again.

Donata seemed unable to comprehend anything at all—her mind blank from shock.

‘She certainly didn’t expect to walk in here intending to trouble me… only to be the one struck down instead.’

‘She still hasn’t recovered from the slap, it seems.’

Unfortunately for her, Ailie was no longer the foolish empress who simply endured everything.

She had already died once. There was nothing left to lose.

A woman like Donata could no longer pose any threat at all.

“…Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ll… do as you say.”

At last, Donata spoke, her voice trembling with barely contained rage.

‘What are you so resentful about? This is the place that belongs to you.’

Ailie gently placed her hand over Donata’s shaking pale fingers and smiled with her eyes.

“I’ll be waiting… for the marriage proposal.”

“Yes, look forward to it.”

That cold, ice-like hand flinched faintly. Would it be even slightly warmer than Benate’s hand, which she had never touched?

After that, Ailie exchanged light conversation with Count Seidler. Until they left the reception room, Donata kept her head bowed, unable to say anything.

She had finally realized that anything she said would only put her at a disadvantage.

“Ha…”

When she returned to her bedroom, Ailie let out a long sigh.

She was exhausted. Her stomach churned and her cheeks ached from keeping up that unbroken smile.

But her heart felt refreshed.

The marriage arrangement could be dealt with later. For now, Donata certainly wouldn’t dare approach the palace again.

“Breni, don’t let anyone else in for the rest of the day.”

“Yes, Your Majesty looks very tired. It would be best to rest early.”

“Right, I should. You may go back as well.”

As soon as Breni left her quarters, Ailie collapsed onto the soft bed.

And just as her heavy eyelids began to flutter…

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked from outside.

Breni must have forgotten to relay her order to the chamber maid.

‘I said—no one is to come in.’

Ailie sighed softly and rose from the bed.

She moved toward the door and—

‘No…’

A terrible premonition ran through her mind.

A chill raced down her spine. Her heart began to pound painfully. Her palms grew damp and her nerves bristled all over her skin.

‘Impossible. No, it can’t be…’

In all her life, Emperor Benate had not come looking for her even once.

“…Empress, are you inside?”