“Humans are animals with self-control, and if they can’t control their momentary lust, they’re worse than beasts……” 

 At my muttering, Cedric stopped stroking my back. 

 “I meant to tease you.” 

 “I’m pretty sure I saw your hand twitch earlier though.” 

 “That was beyond my control.” 

 He smiled gently and sat me down beside him. I inwardly sighed in relief while trying to cool my reddening face. 

 ‘Can’t control it!’ 

 Where did you learn such words? My heart felt like it would jump out of my chest, but I barely managed to calm myself down. 

 At this rate, I might even develop a religion. 

 “We should get a response tomorrow, right?” 

 “Yes. While the Emperor is interested in unknown people, he dislikes those who are talked about more than himself.” 

 Well, Father came to hate Cedric because he feared he would receive more praise than himself. That meant Cedric’s achievements were overflowing, but that wasn’t important. 

 He was wary that Cedric might be after his position. If he wouldn’t give everything even to his daughter Isabelle, why would it be different for a Grand Duke? 

 Moreover, Cedric didn’t even have collateral bloodline ties, so he disliked him even more. 

 Actually, Father probably would have hated him even if Cedric were the Grand Duke’s true bloodline…… 

 “What do you plan to do with the restraints?” 

 “I need to use them to gain Isabelle’s freedom. That’s the only way to avoid complications.” 

 “Do you think the princess will return to the imperial palace?” 

 “I’m not sure. But as long as she has her ability, Father won’t let her go.” 

 I just needed to handle what I could. What happens after would be her problem to solve. 

 “At least I can keep holding Father back.” 

 When I return now, a different life will be waiting. The kind and warm Father won’t be found anywhere. 

 Come to think of it, both Isabelle and I didn’t have mothers. I heard she died when I was young, so I only saw her face in a portrait. 

 “Cedric, have you ever heard stories about my mother?” 

 “……If you mean Lady Borset, I don’t know much, but I have heard some things.” 

 “Really? I don’t know anything about my mother.” 

 A daughter of the Borset baronial family, and an unremarkable imperial concubine. The only thing I inherited from her was my purple hair. 

 The Borset baronial family wasn’t particularly powerful within the empire. My mother was beautiful and caught the Emperor’s eye, forcing her to become his concubine. 

 It was an unavoidable choice for the family, but my beautiful young mother died after giving birth to me, her body growing weak. 

 “The baroness collapsed and died from illness, and the shock caused Baron Borset to disappear.” 

 An entire family was destroyed because of the Emperor. If mother were alive, she would probably hold great resentment towards the Emperor. 

 “I see, that’s why there were no stories or information about her.” 

 “The Emperor doesn’t leave his flaws exposed.” 

 I agree with Cedric’s words. Father was more meticulous than I thought. 

 His only flaw currently was me. Though I had no ability, there was more than just the possibility of manifesting abilities that made him keep me, a concubine’s child, by his side. 

 Father’s reputation, others’ gazes, the image he’d gain by keeping me alive… That must have been why. 

 Even when I was meant to be pawned off to an old count when I came of age, the nobles would have said I should be grateful despite my status. 

 Seeing my gloomy expression, Cedric carefully took my hand. 

 “Wife, if you have concerns, please tell me.” 

 “……Isabelle said my mother is alive.” 

 “Lady Borset is alive, she said?” 

 “Yes, she said I’d find out if I go to the imperial palace. While I don’t fully trust her words, somehow that particular statement didn’t feel like a lie.” 

 Maybe the person who wants to meet me could be mother? 

 It seemed impossible. The woodpecker coming to find me meant someone must have asked the birds. 

 “Now that I think about it…… I believe I heard the Borset family had a strong ability to communicate with animals.” 

 “……What?” 

 “Your ability might have been influenced by that as well.” 

 Then perhaps what I’m thinking isn’t completely impossible. 

 “Your Highness, maybe mother wants to meet me.” 

 I looked at him with disbelief. Not only was my mother, who I thought was dead, alive, but she wanted to meet me. 

 “It seems there will be many events at the imperial palace this time.” 

 Cedric extended his hand to me as he got out of the carriage. I took his hand and landed lightly on the ground as I spoke. 

 “That’s why I’m even more excited.” 

 ❖ ❖ ❖ 

 The Emperor frowned upon receiving the letter. Just as he was relieved that someone appeared to trade magic stones, the proposed amount was too outrageous. 

 “Your Majesty, I really don’t think we should trade at that price.” 

 “What would you know.” 

 The Emperor didn’t care about the price. He wondered what kind of person could handle such quantities of magic stones. 

 He had requested help since the person was from Kvarando. However, Kvarando confirmed Levenia Bowell’s identity. 

 They said it was due to her business acumen that someone so young possessed that many magic stones. 

 “Ah, Your Majesty. Today there were rumors about her in the city.” 

 “About Levenia Bowell?” 

 “Yes, a woman led her subordinates and swept through two famous salons in Rivelland Street.” 

 “You mean Haul and Bomenta?” 

 The advisor nodded and said. 

 “They say she spent at least 200,000 gold.” 

 “……Hmm.” 

 It was confirmed they had money. Moreover, the two salons didn’t sell to those whose identity wasn’t verified. 

 The Emperor’s curiosity about Bowell grew. He needed to meet them in person. 

 “Bring the one who wants to trade magic stones before me.” 

 “I will carry out your order.” 

 “You’ve done something pleasing after a long time.” 

 The Emperor didn’t hold back praise for his advisor. Now that their identity was confirmed, they just needed to trade the magic stones comfortably. Though the price per magic stone wasn’t small, the Emperor didn’t mind. 

 After the advisor left, the Emperor turned to look at Clarira. 

 “Once the ship is built, you’ll be moved along with the divine beast.” 

 “……Just kill me instead.” 

 “My, it seems you still haven’t given up hope.” 

 The Emperor clicked his tongue and stroked Clarira’s chin. She jerked her head away in defiance. 

 “Don’t touch me. It’s disgusting. Why should I suffer such pain because of a useless child?” 

 “That’s a parent’s duty. To cover up their child’s faults.” 

 Clarira bit her lip. 

 She recalled the small child she once held in her arms. She missed her daughter, whose growth she didn’t even know about. She hoped the child didn’t resemble her so she wouldn’t recognize her. Perhaps she thought she might not be able to protect that small and fragile child until the end. 

 Though the Emperor hadn’t wanted the child, it wasn’t just her child alone. However, the Emperor was thoroughly separating himself when he spoke. 

 Clarira’s gaze soon turned to the bottom of the wall. Her eyes widened at some small black movement. 

 ‘A mouse?’ 

 It was rare to see mice in the imperial palace since it was cleaned daily. 

 Clarira’s eyes quickly followed the mouse. At that moment, the Emperor rose from his seat. 

 “A mouse? Seems a little rat has snuck in.” 

 The Emperor who read Clarira’s thoughts quickly scanned the audience chamber. However, it was too fast to be seen. 

 ‘Did I see wrong?’ 

 Clarira also tried to find the mouse but couldn’t see it anywhere, as if she had seen an illusion. 

 “You really must be going mad.” 

 Those golden eyes scrutinized her sharply before turning away. 

 “Remove this woman quickly. I need to prepare to receive guests.” 

 Knights seized Clarira. The place where she stayed was underground, away from others’ eyes. 

 There was only a palm-sized window that barely let her breathe outside air. If even that hadn’t existed, Clarira might have truly gone mad as the Emperor said. 

 “Soon I’ll bring your daughter too, so don’t die. Don’t you want to at least see her face?” 

 “……” 

 “So live tenaciously and become a useful woman to me. Isn’t providing pleasure your duty after all?” 

 Clarira didn’t answer the Emperor’s words. She just blinked blankly like a fool. 

 The Emperor, seeming to have lost interest in her appearance, waved his hand dismissively. Clarira was dragged away by the knights’ hands. 

 In her vision that had been staring blankly into space, she saw another illusion. 

 ‘Have I really gone mad?’ 

 She blinked again. The mouse she saw earlier was staring intently at her from under the armor statue in the corridor. 

 ‘Why does it seem to be looking at me?’ 

 Clarira found herself laughing at this thought. 

 ‘How silly to think I could talk to mice when I’ve only ever spoken to birds……’ 

 She found herself ridiculous. 

 However, soon several mice emerged from between the walls and began shaking the armor from below. 

 Soon after, with a loud noise, the armor statues set up in the corridor toppled towards the knights. 

 “Aaaaagh!” 

 “W-what is this!” 

 But unlike before, she no longer found those thoughts of hers ridiculous. 

 Because of one mouse that approached her.