The atmosphere felt different from usual while eating and receiving schedule reports from Viscount Catano.

Though it was a very subtle difference, someone sensitive like him couldn’t miss it.

“Why is the palace atmosphere like this today?”

“Pardon?”

“Everyone seems strangely excited…… What’s going on? Did something get left out of the report?”

“Nothing, Your Majesty. Would you like some peppermint tea if you’re still feeling fatigued?”

When he nodded, servants entered with the prepared tea.

While drinking the tea and reflecting on last night, one concerning thought made him serious.

‘Surely…… She didn’t notice that I was interested in the story? I’ll have to be extra careful next week. But that story really stirs people up…… Those utterly despicable people — I’d sweep them all away right now if they were in front of me!’

And so Charte unknowingly dipped his feet into the swamp of watching dramas.

* * *

“Her Majesty the Empress is tired from lack of sleep, so quickly bring tea good for recovering fatigue  and tell the head chef to take special care with breakfast.”

“Oh my! Madam, those words……”

She saw Madam Peggy and the maids exchange glances with pleased smiles, but didn’t understand why.

Unaware of such dark thoughts, she hated and cursed herself for drinking the tea Madam Peggy offered while complaining about being tired, completely oblivious.

‘Who can I blame…… It’s my own carelessness…… But how would I know without having been married before. This situation!’

“Today you must receive formal greetings from the central nobles and officials. Once that schedule is finished you can rest, so please endure a little longer. Today…… you are truly beautiful, Your Majesty.”

What? When I haven’t even washed up yet? Already calling me beautiful!

Even if Leila is beautiful, this is too much. Tired and exhausted with dark circles under my eyes and an oily bare face…….

Hey! Madam! Why are you dabbing tears with such a moved expression?

This is really driving me crazy. I can’t follow these people’s emotional flow.

What is with this stream of consciousness!

* * *

While no one knew the bloody details of Yun-ah’s her first night of life-and-death, the palace was being dyed pink.

And the rumors instantly spread to Prime Minister Whyman and the officials who had arrived for work.

The Fourth Annex Palace where the officials’ offices were located was already packed with people, leaving no room to sit in Prime Minister Whyman’s office.

“Indeed, our lady — no, Her Majesty the Empress is different.”

“The true empress of the Oneroad Empire has finally arrived.”

“My my~ His Majesty the Emperor has changed.”

“His Majesty must have recognized that she lacks nothing in family background, appearance, intelligence, and character.”

After three years of hearing news about his celibacy, the officials were busy trying to win Prime Minister Whyman’s favor.

Until now he had either killed them, imprisoned them, or completely ignored them, but to spend such a tiring first night, and for Emperor Charte who was famous for his iron constitution…… Neither Nathan, Leila’s father, nor anyone else had expected such an outcome.

While everyone was excited with rosy thoughts, only Ivester’s office, the Minister of Economy, was filled with deeply settled darkness.

He looked so dark that this place might be hell itself if hell existed.

“Leila……”

Ivester only mumbled her name, mixed with despair, frustration, and anger.

When he arrived at work and heard about their first night, it felt like the sky was falling.

He nearly collapsed right there, completely unprepared for this.

He wanted to go back home, forgetting about greetings or anything else.

But he couldn’t leave. He wanted to see Leila even like this.

The one who loved more was always the weaker one.

“Minister Pahorder, you must move to the First Main Palace.”

The Oneroad Empire palace consisted of several buildings: the First Main Palace where the emperor handled affairs and held political meetings, the Second Annex Palace where the emperor resided, the Third Annex Palace where the empress resided, the Fourth Annex Palace where administrative officials worked, the Fifth Annex Palace where the knights worked, plus the Sixth Annex Palace for banquets, the Seventh Annex Palace where diplomatic corps stayed, the Eighth Annex Palace where servants and maids stayed, and more.

The administrative officials from the Fourth Annex Palace moved to the First Main Palace to greet the new imperial couple.

The emperor and empress’s seats could be seen on the high platform in the grand banquet hall of the main palace.

All the officials who entered the grand banquet hall lined up on both sides according to rank and waited for the emperor and empress in a cheerful atmosphere.

* * *

Being her first event as part of the imperial family, the empress wore a dignified dress and cape in deep blue, the imperial color, with elegant silver thread accents, along with the empress’s tiara adorned with brilliant jewels.

“You are beautiful, Your Majesty.”

Now that compliment sounds sincere, Madam Peggy.

Of course, unable to speak her true thoughts, she simply gave Madam Peggy a bright smile before hurriedly following Grand Chamberlain Dalton.

But what’s the point of just me hurrying and taking quick steps! That emperor disease is late again. Late again. He never arrives first, not even once.

Though she had complaints, since it’s natural for the boss to be later than employees, she greeted his tardiness with a business smile.

Of course, she was naturally ignored.

‘Ugh, this jerk! Even fake couples need to be in sync!’

“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress is entering.”

When the doors opened, the nobles lined up on both sides rose and bowed as the emperor and empress passed.

Pride began filling Yun-ah’s face as she received greetings as second in rank.

To think so many people, including administrative officials and nobles with territories, waited to greet me.

In Korea, I would have been among the people lined up to give greetings.

She felt a strange thrill, a pleasure.

So this must be why people desperately try to succeed.

Who knew I was such a power-oriented person!

According to Madam Peggy’s explanation, starting with the Prime Minister, they would greet in order of rank, then give words of blessing and lightly kiss her hand.

Though the hand-kissing felt a bit uncomfortable, she figured she’d have to endure it since work couldn’t always be what she wanted to do.

“Prime Minister Nathan Whyman of the ducal family.”

Seeing Leila’s father formally kneel in greeting made her want to bow back, but she held back by telling herself ‘I’m the empress!’ and ‘He’s the prime minister!’

“Your Majesties, I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage. I pray that your love and trust grow stronger and firmer with time, and that the Oneroad Empire’s peace and prosperity share in the glory of your love.”

After his blessing and kissing her hand, the father’s gaze toward her was warm.

Of course, he wasn’t looking at her but at Leila, but still, feeling a father’s warmth nearly made her burst into tears.

And then she remembered.

Mom, Dad, Yun-seo…….

They must be so worried about me right now…… While her soul briefly visited the other world thinking of her family, a scratchy sensation on her hand brought her back to reality.

An ugly old man with a mustache was greeting her hand.

Ugh. I really can’t get used to this greeting custom. By this point, isn’t this more like a public hand rather than my hand…….

When she started feeling bored of the continuing words of blessing — even nice flower songs get old after hearing them once or twice — he appeared.

Since Ivester wasn’t yet head of his family, he had to greet according to his rank as administrative minister.

“Ivester Pahorder, Minister of Economy from the ducal family.”

About 180cm tall, with champagne-colored hair and violet eyes.

Though not quite matching my husband — no, my boss — this man standing before her with burning eyes was undeniably handsome by anyone’s standards.

That, that…… what’s with those dangerous eyes?

Was I perhaps dating another man but accepted this marriage because a better position came along?

Leila! What’s the deal with this man!

“I pray that at your end…… you will be with the one you truly love.”

Hmm….. That was a slightly strange thing to say.

Depending on the intention, it could mean different things about whether Emperor Boss and I would be together at the end.

If she hadn’t seen Ivester’s eyes, she probably wouldn’t have thought about the meaning and just assumed it was a fancy way of wishing them a long happy marriage befitting someone sophisticated.

And when he kissed her hand, while most people had done it so lightly she could barely tell if they touched, Ivester was different.

Though brief, the feeling was too intense and clear.

It felt less like a greeting and more like a proposal, or at least a confession.

Startled, she looked at him with slight surprise.

But he looked so sad that she couldn’t even reproach him with her eyes.

Who are you! I understand you’re not an enemy but…….

Phew, worried that there might be things to be careful about even in the palace, she unconsciously sighed, and felt the gaze of Emperor Boss who had seemed uninterested in her all along.

She received greetings for three more hours after that.

And for those three hours, Ivester’s gaze never left her once.

“We will begin the lunch banquet.”

Viscount Catano approached and guided us to a separate room.

“I’d like to dine with Prime Minister Whyman and Minister Pahorder.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will relay that.”

What? If it’s Pahorder…… isn’t that the man who was staring intently at m-me — no, Leila…….

He noticed. He noticed. Something between that man and her. I’m going to choke on my food.

To think I’d have to eat between my current husband and a man who may or may not be an ex-boyfriend…….

For me, who’s never even dated, to be caught up in such a situation fitting a drama……

Though it felt sexy being like a femme fatale, not knowing their relationship made it awkward since she didn’t know how to act.

She certainly didn’t have the ability to walk a tightrope between two men…….

But looking at it carefully, her husband was just an employer, and she had never even met that man.

Thinking of them all as strangers made her feel somewhat relieved.

And then a thought occurred!

‘Leila. It seems your face is the guilty one.’