Martha immediately sent a letter to the Emperor after hearing my words.

She claimed to be very close to one of the doctors who examined the Emperor (though she merely bought his name with money), and said that he had personally consulted with her.

She recommended that His Majesty consume rosemary leaves, as his symptoms appeared similar to those of someone poisoned by dark magic, and she enclosed a few leaves with the letter.

After anxiously waiting, a few days later….

“What you said was true.”

Martha, who had called me to her office, spoke as soon as she saw my face.

On her desk lay stationery that seemed to be from the imperial family.

“His Majesty reported improvement in his symptoms after drinking rosemary leaf tea.”

I chuckled, as if to say, ‘See, I was right.’

“If this is true….”

Martha muttered to herself, resting her chin on one hand.

Her eyes, as she looked at me, gleamed sharply.

“Then the other things must be true as well.”

“Yes!”

“That to completely lift the curse, we need to find the shaman who escaped?”

“I don’t lie.”

I met her gaze confidently.

“I told you because I respect you, Martha.”

“…Well, fine. I’ll believe you for now.”

Martha replied indifferently.

Then she took something out of a drawer and handed it to me.

“This is your share.”

“……!”

What she handed me was a check with a string of zeros.

“Martha…?”

“His Majesty sent three carriages full of gifts in return.”

Martha spoke leisurely, her fingers interlocked.

“Honestly, the goal was to gain His Majesty’s trust rather than money, but this additional profit isn’t bad either.”

…Considering the Emperor’s gifts would all be tremendously valuable, the fact that she received three carriage loads and was so nonchalant about it showed just how bold Martha Cayenne was, befitting the greatest schemer in the story.

“Anyway, I succeeded in gaining His Majesty’s favor and increased my wealth, so it’s only right I repay you.”

As bold as she was, she was also cool.

‘How many zeros are there? One, two, three, four….’

“By the way, I heard from Arkle that your advice helped succeed in the mine deal. This is your payment for that as well.”

No wonder the amount seemed excessive.

“But I already received payment from Arkle for the consultation….”

Faced with a number I had never seen before, my mouth moved before I could stop it.

I thought maybe I shouldn’t have said anything, but it was too late.

“Really?”

Martha tilted her head and asked.

“Well… since there’s no time to reassess the price, just take it.”

I will be eternally loyal, dear heroine.

My respect for her was truly skyrocketing.

‘If I just take it quickly, it’ll seem too obvious….’

“Oh my… to receive my first gift from the Martha I admire. I’ll treasure it forever without spending it.”

I spoke with what seemed like genuine emotion and carefully tucked the check away.

Martha quietly watched me.

“We’re done here. You may leave now.”

Her tone was as cold and composed as ever.

She turned her attention back to the documents.

‘She really lives a busy life.’

Well, having caught the Emperor’s eye through this matter, it was now time to gradually eliminate the forces opposing the Cayenne family.

And the rosemary leaves sent to the Emperor were only a temporary measure; to truly cure him, they needed to locate the shaman who had escaped….

‘There’s a lot to do.’

I wasn’t worried because Martha was diligent and prompt, but I decided not to take up more of her time.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

I gave a light bow and quietly left the office, but….

“Wait.”

Martha stopped me.

When I turned to her with a puzzled look, she spoke without taking her eyes off the documents.

“I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

I looked at her, feeling a bit tense.

Could it be that she still doesn’t trust me…?

“You said you respected me, right?”

“Yes, sincerely.”

I answered as calmly as I could, and Martha lifted her head to look at me clearly.

“Explain in detail what you find so great and respectable about me.”

“…….”

“What are you doing? Come back and sit down. This is purely necessary for me to receive a report. Hearing an objective evaluation will help me know what to improve or supplement.”

“…Ah, yes, of course! Naturally!”

I was a bit taken aback, so my reaction was delayed by about zero point one seconds, but I quickly put on an innocent smile and sat down.

‘Isn’t it already not an objective evaluation if she only wants to hear what’s great and respectable…?’

I was questioning it internally, but I maintained a pure smile on my face.

“But Martha, aren’t you busy with work right now…?”

“Of course, I’ll also be working. I’ll look at the documents, and you give the report.”

I’m not Han Seok-bong, so what is this?

It’s not like I’m slicing rice cakes while you write letters….¹Han Seok-bong (한석봉) was a renowned calligrapher from the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. His mother would test his calligraphy skills by having him practice in the dark. To make it even more challenging, she would slice rice cakes next to him, and he had to maintain his focus on writing without being distracted by her actions. This practice was meant to hone his concentration and skill, leading to his eventual mastery.

I was dumbfounded, but what could I do?

Since I’m living off someone, I had to do whatever I was told.

Besides, having made it to the best comments several times with my flattery skills, this was a piece of cake for me.

“Martha, your aura is no joke.”

“Hmm, explain in more detail.”

“Just by sitting there, you exude competence and intelligence. You’re already good-looking, but especially when you work…! I almost fell for you seeing you write those documents so decisively. You have incredible charisma, befitting the eldest daughter of the Cayenne family.”

“Is that so? Well, I have heard a few times that I handle tasks well.”

“Of course, of course. When I said, ‘Raise your hand if you think Martha is cool,’ half the empire folded, and I almost fainted!”

“No way, not to that extent.”

Though she said that, the corners of Martha’s lips were already twitching upward.

“I guess it was necessary to hear an objective evaluation. I already feel more efficient at work. Continue.”

Thus, I had to keep flattering Martha with things far from objective until she finished all her paperwork.

“See, I told you, I’m definitely more efficient. It was meaningful to reflect on myself… I’ll ask you again from time to time.”

Martha spoke with satisfaction, looking at the pile of finished documents.

“Of course!”

Though my head hurt a bit thinking I should prepare some flattering material in advance, I also felt relieved.

‘Does “from time to time” mean she won’t kick me out right away?’

Fortunately, it seems I’ll be able to stick around the Cayenne family a bit longer.

❖ ❖ ❖

That evening, in the dining room.

Martha, who always stayed holed up in her office, decided to dine with me, Arkle, and Naran.

It was my first time seeing the three Cayenne siblings gathered together.

‘Come to think of it, it must have been a long time since these three saw each other….’

Sure enough, Juan, who stood by the table, spoke with a sense of nostalgia.

“It seems it’s been almost six years since the three of you dined together.”

‘They lived in the same house, and yet it’s been that long?’

These siblings are remarkable in many ways.

‘If it’s a meal after six years, shouldn’t they have some conversation? But why is everyone….’

Only looking at me!

Naran, sitting across from me, was smiling brightly at me, and Martha, seated at the head of the table, wore a disinterested expression but was clearly observing me.

‘I’m going to get indigestion.’

But the most concerning was….

“…….”

Arkle, who sat next to me.

Quietly gazing at Naran and Martha with a subdued look, Arkle suddenly dragged his chair closer to me.

Screeech—

The sound of the chair scraping the floor earned Arkle annoyed looks from both Naran and Martha.

“What’s with the noise—”

“Second brother, did you perhaps eat your table manners with your soup?”

Regardless, Arkle spoke to me without a care.

“It’s rather noisy today. Don’t mind it, wife, and enjoy your meal.”

Emphasizing ‘wife,’ Arkle’s words made Martha chuckle briefly in disbelief, while Naran glared at him, grinding his teeth.

Not to be outdone, Naran took some meat from his plate and placed it on mine. With an angelic smile, he said,

“Lize, you must be hungry. Eat more of this.”

“You’re doing something you’ve never done for your brother and sister in your life, youngest.”

Martha said, sipping her wine, as if she’d seen it all.

“So, do you want me to do it for you too, Martha?”

“No. Don’t ever do it; it’ll upset my stomach.”

“What am I supposed to do….”

When Martha answered calmly, Naran muttered in disbelief.

“Pfft….”

Arkle, quietly cutting his meat, let out a low chuckle.

For a moment, I thought I heard a ‘snap’ from Naran.

“You little—!”

Naran, with veins popping on his forehead, stood up and glared at Arkle.

“Are you picking a fight?”

“Youngest.”

“But Martha…! That guy is the only one sitting next to Lize—!”

I looked at Naran, who seemed to be pleading his case with misty eyes.

‘Is that why you’re mad…?’

Before Martha could say anything, Arkle spoke with a sly smile.

“Well, Lize is ‘my’ wife, after all.”

“Ugh—so annoying, I could die!”

“…That’s quite unsightly.”

Despite the cold criticism, Arkle continued eating with a satisfied expression.

‘…….’

While reading <Red Moon>, I often imagined the Cayenne siblings gathered together and conversing….

‘As the strongest villains in the world, I thought they’d exude overwhelming charisma.’

Charisma? Rather, it was an overwhelming mess.