Having one grumpy Emperor Boss is already exhausting enough, but now there’s also the Prime Minister Dad who seems to know Leila too well, and this person called Ivester who keeps giving longing gazes like an ex-boyfriend……

She felt this would become the most uncomfortable meal ever, and her ominous premonition proved absolutely right.

Should she describe it as a deadly silence where even breathing couldn’t be heard?

Whether because they were royalty and nobility, the sound of cutlery, the sound of eating…….

Not a single sound could be heard as they simply enjoyed their meal with elegant appearances.

Feeling conscious of everyone’s watchful eyes, she couldn’t tell if the food was going into her mouth or nose, so she spoke to the one person who might show her the most goodwill.

“How’s the food, Dad?”

The Emperor Boss and the longing-gaze man immediately turned their gazes toward her.

“Yes. The imperial chef’s skills are exquisite as always.”

“We’re no longer in a position for such informal speech. Have you forgotten the proper etiquette, Empress?”

When Charte spoke with a frowning face, she looked at him with a puzzled expression, and Prime Minister Dad quickly intervened.

“My apologies, Your Majesty…… It was my oversight.”

What? She only said one thing, but what did she do wrong again?

Unable to grasp what the issue was, she kept glancing around until her eyes met with Ivester’s.

Ah! Really! Why are you looking at me with that expression again?

“Except for childhood, she hadn’t called me that in 20 years, so when she suddenly did, it reminded me of the past and made me happy…… So that’s why you showed consideration to this lonely father.”

Was it because she called him Dad? Such formality! Instead of worrying about others’ etiquette, worry about your own manners!

“Lei— I mean, Your Majesty the Empress’s filial piety is indeed admirable.”

Huh? What’s with the ‘admirable’? Ivester, why are you suddenly looking moved? What’s with this flow of expressions! This is truly a disgusting festival of chaos.

“The Minister of Economy seems quite fond of the empress.”

“Yes, I’ve been close with Lei…… Her Majesty the Empress since childhood.”

“Were you extremely close?”

“Because I was close with Duke Pahorder, they often see each other since childhood. Our families are friends across generations.”

“Hmm, it seems deeper than what the Prime Minister mentioned……”

Huh? Is she being misunderstood right now? Why dig into the past? Is this jealousy? You’re single yourself. That’s quite outrageous for someone who’s just a boss, not even a husband.

“They grew up like siblings. Her Majesty the Empress was introverted, so the Minister of Economy was her only friend.”

Ivester wasn’t an ex who couldn’t forget her, but he had been close friends with Leila.

Either way, he remained someone to avoid. But was he really just a friend? Why are his gazes so clingy! It’s burdensome!

The uncomfortable meal, made worse by the strange atmosphere between Charte and Ivester, ended without incident thanks to Nathan’s efforts.

Then Charte left urgently for his next schedule, and Yun-ah was about to hurry out following Grand Chamberlain Dalton.

“Leila.”

Grand Chamberlain Dalton’s face immediately stiffened, and she quickly moved him behind her.

Not knowing how to respond, she just stared at him blankly.

“Duke Whyman, I have something to say to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Minister Pahorder, this is the palace. Mind your manners.”

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

Prime Minister Nathan nodded and looked at Yun-ah.

“Dad……”

“You must stay strong. That’s what being an empress means. Minister Pahorder, don’t be late for the afternoon meeting.”

Dad, don’t go…… Don’t leave me alone with this clingy friend. She gave her dad pleading looks.

However, her dad left with Grand Chamberlain Dalton before her thoughts could finish.

When left alone, the clingy male friend took one step forward, and she took two steps back.

Then he spoke with a sad, or rather pained expression.

“Leila, I haven’t forgotten what you said last time.”

For a moment, her eyes wavered in shock and confusion, but she managed to stop them.

What were Leila’s last words to him…….

“Don’t forget that I’ll always be on your side.”

Leaving only these words, Ivester left like the wind.

No, hey, young man! So what words? It might be memories for you, but it’s a threat to me!

While lost in complicated thoughts, she felt Grand Chamberlain Dalton enter and observe her.

“Hahaha…… We’ve been friends since childhood! Childhood friends! Really close~”

* * *

Actually, she thought being an empress meant living an easy life, but the empress  of the Oneroad Empire had lots of work.

This workaholic karma followed her even after switching bodies…….

Is this karma! She regretted not thinking more deeply about the incentive system when signing the contract.

From the day after the wedding, she had been receiving congratulatory greetings for days according to rank — from central nobles and officials, followed by knights, provincial nobles, those with only titles, those with only territories, and so on.

She wished they could just congratulate her in their hearts.

In the end, she spent busy days without a single day of rest.

Time passed like that, and a week had gone by, and it became the night he would come.

While writing thank-you cards, she entered the bathroom at Madam Peggy’s insistence and was startled by the overwhelming flower fragrance.

When she came to her senses, she noticed the flower petals weren’t just floating in the bathtub but seemed piled up.

“What’s the special occasion today?”

“It’s your night with His Majesty.”

“Ah, that……”

Sigh, they don’t understand others’ feelings.

Don’t look at me with such strange expressions. Today is just like a reporting day to Boss.

It’s like getting a one-week life extension approval if the report goes well.

Come to think of it, she felt like a terminal patient and a swan frantically kicking underwater beneath the surface, making her feel melancholic…….

Despite her miserable feelings, her appearance with light makeup and loose waves looked lovely.

This felt more like going out again rather than going to sleep…….

“Is it necessary to dress up this much at night?”

Everyone blushed and looked at Madam Peggy.

Why are you all blushing? You perverts! What are you thinking!

“Though it’ll soon become unnecessary…… still, showing Your Majesty the Empress’s beautiful appearance to His Majesty is our duty.”

Then the maids in charge of dressing approached with what appeared to be a nightgown.

“Is that dress a nightgown?”

“Perhaps it’s too modest for your taste?”

Modest? In Korea, something like that would be worn as a wedding dress!

The dress was a cream-colored empire silhouette with lace sleeves, decorated with gold thread accents that conveyed both luxury and loveliness.

It was the kind of dress she could never afford even as a wedding dress in her circumstances.

Yet the maids were on their knees begging as if it were a crisis.

“That’s not it…… I asked because it’s so beautiful. Thank you. I really like it.”

At her words, the maids’ expressions turned emotional, and they began preparing even more aggressively.

She felt tired before even meeting the boss.

For now, she decided to focus only on thoughts of walking out of this room on her own feet tomorrow morning.

Without being dragged out by soldiers.

Now, where did we leave off last week…….

Emperor Boss also appeared with a tired face from recent events and work.

His slightly wet bangs fell naturally, suggesting he hadn’t styled his hair after washing, and it suited him quite well.

Our boss even possessed an innocent charm.

Indeed, a face completed everything.

“Anyone who didn’t know better would think we were actually consummating our marriage.”

“Ah…… it’s too much, isn’t it? This will all go into operating expenses too. I’ll save money from now on.”

He looked at her briefly before speaking with an indifferent expression.

“Hmm, your face is the face of the empire, so there’s no need to worry about such things, Empress.”

“Yes, thank you. While I generally avoid unnecessary spending, I’ll maintain appropriate consumption for the empire’s dignity.”

Wow! Boss, I’ll serve you faithfully. The scale of royalty is indeed different.

Getting employed at a place where the boss has a diamond spoon means not having to worry about operating expenses.

“Well, now it’s time to fulfill the contract.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Besides the story, I’m curious whether I’ll be able to see you next week or not, Empress.”

“You must see me. For a very, very long time.”

Annoyingly! Irritatingly!

He sank into the armchair, closing his eyes.

Making someone talk while showing such posture…….

That emperor disease! His face makes my heart soften, but his actions make my blood boil.

Then he opened his eyes, and those jewel-like blue-green eyes stared at her intently.

Nearly losing her mind captivated by those mysterious eyes, she barely grabbed hold of her senses and hurriedly began speaking.

“You remember where we left off last week, right?”

He nodded.

“I’ll do it. I’ll try. I’ll give it a shot!”

When she spoke seriously with a determined expression, his gaze turned to her.

Successfully capturing his attention with this!

These words were not only Eun-hee’s famous line but also words to herself.

I’ll definitely succeed and live a long life according to the script!

* * *

“Shouting the three combinations of positivity and enthusiasm, Eun-hee makes desperate efforts to be reborn as Song-hee. She learns swimming to overcome her fear of water, masters dance despite being uncoordinated, speaks five languages, and gets a job at ‘Min Beauty Salon.’ She even adds a beauty mark under her eye for an external transformation.”

While speaking faster than usual to maintain his attention, Yun-ah developed a dry cough.

Just when she thought she was in trouble due to the unstoppable coughing, an unexpected voice was heard.

“This Eun-hee woman is more capable than expected…… Quite an enviable talent. Overcoming trauma isn’t easy…… Does dying and coming back to life really make people capable of anything?”

“Pardon?”

Unfortunately, due to her coughing, she couldn’t properly hear Charte’s voice.