The autumn breeze blew gently, cooling the summer heat. After getting out of the carriage and going to the counseling office, I checked that the sign was properly attached, then opened the front door and went inside.

I’d called someone to clean yesterday, so the inside was extremely clean. After putting the documents I needed to process in the organizer, I went to the counseling room and sat in the chair.

I could feel that the hot summer had passed when I encountered the cool air in the morning.

Several months had passed since Luden and I decided to have a child. A child didn’t come easily, but we weren’t anxious. We had many conversations and spent good times together. I believe those times will also become meaningful later.

I was brewing and drinking tea when I heard a jingling sound. Today’s first appointment was Kajiian. He opened the door and came in, smiling at me.

“It hasn’t been that long.”

“We saw each other yesterday.”

“If I don’t come even for a day, thorns grow in my mouth.”

He was a regular customer of the counseling office. Today too, he chose to come to the counseling office, postponing the noble council meeting by an hour.

When the war ended and I said I was quitting my job as an imperial palace counselor, he respected my wishes. That’s why I also regarded him like another father.

“I’ll take that to mean this place is that comfortable.”

I said that and brewed him the tear-inducing tea. After drinking the brewed tea and shedding tears, he looked at me and asked what he was curious about.

“Did they return safely?”

Mesriten, Sella, and Igol, who had been at our house, left a while ago. Mesriten said he’d stay by their side for the time being so Sella and Igol could tour the human world after a long time. 

Mesriten choosing Sella as his mate had apparently become a huge issue in dragon society. Even more so because Mesriten hadn’t taken a mate for a long time.

“They returned safely. I told them to definitely let me know if they need help.”

“But you’ll hardly have any occasion to ask for help.”

He said that and leaned back in his chair.

“After much consideration, I decided to hold the reception on a ship. Reytan’s mother liked riding ships. She and I often rode together.”

He looked at me while talking about old memories.

“You don’t get seasick, do you?”

“Of course not.”

he laughed quietly.

“Don’t receptions usually happen in halls? Envoys from other countries will come too.”

“The envoys will participate too. Since the navy will protect us during the wedding, it’ll also be an opportunity to show our military power to other countries.”

Then it would be a fairly good reception.

“Will it be okay with so many guests?”

“We’ll prepare a huge ship. That many people can all fit.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I smiled. Hearing about the wedding first made me look forward to it. A wedding on a ship—it seemed truly romantic.

“But Lorina will also attend the wedding.”

“Well, that’s…”

“Millen will attend too.”

“Ah…”

Right, he was also the Duke’s cousin. So naturally he was someone who would be invited. I couldn’t avoid seeing him just because I disliked him.

“I understand.”

I nodded. Then Kajiian raised one corner of his lips slightly and asked what he was curious about.

“You’re not asking me to keep him from coming.”

“I’m not the kind of person to ask for such things.”

“That’s right.”

Kajiian knew well what kind of personality I had. Still, he checked my actions like this every time. Not because he didn’t trust me, but because as Emperor, he always acted cautiously. So I didn’t really mind.

Being in that position, he’d have to think about many things.

“I hope you don’t change.”

Kajiian said that and leaned back in his chair with a warm smile.

“There’s no place as comfortable as this.”

“I won’t change.”

Everyone viewed me favorably like this. I also liked my current self.

“On the wedding day, I’ll arrange the positions on the ship myself.”

“Thank you.”

I like this kind of consideration. I smiled and responded to his words.

* * *

Reytan was organizing documents before Kajiian returned. Because of the unconventional move of holding the reception on a ship, they had to hold the wedding at the imperial palace and then take the Warp to the river. 

It was troublesome, but it was also necessary to show off military power so no more wars would break out.

“He’s really making good use of it.”

He understood why Father had power. Because he worked this well, people flocked to him, and his power didn’t disappear.

He also wanted to become a capable Emperor like his father.

“Are you done with the work?”

Kajiian opened the door and entered. At his words, Reytan quickly stood up and bowed his head.

“I’m almost done.”

“Let me see for now.”

Kajiian carefully examined the documents Reytan had processed. He’d handled the work neatly without a single error. Satisfaction appeared on Kajiian’s face.

“You’ve improved a lot.”

“Thank you.”

When Reytan first looked at documents, he was somewhat clumsy. But now he was truly like the Crown Prince of an empire. Now he had high public support too. His reputation among nobles was also famously good.

To have such a son. His shoulders filled with pride.

“Did you meet Annelia well?”

“Well. Always the same.”

Reytan noticed that Kajiian had given high praise and smiled. He knew well that it wasn’t easy for the words “always the same” to come from Kajiian’s mouth.

“I should learn from Annelia.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean not changing even though she holds power.”

Then Kajiian chuckled.

“You haven’t changed easily either. Even after becoming Crown Prince, your attitude is the same as before.”

“Father.”

“That’s why I evaluated you even more highly. Honestly, I wasn’t without worries.”

Suddenly becoming Crown Prince and receiving the Emperor’s attention, the pouring power, people’s gazes, and numerous temptations—Reytan had all of that too. But Reytan maintained his mental balance well in it all. That’s what Kajiian thought.

“Especially since you’d been ignored, I thought you’d be even more precarious.”

“I suddenly feel impressive.”

When Reytan agreed, Kajiian laughed silently and patted his shoulder.

Reytan felt like he might cry for a moment. He wondered if this was what it felt like to be acknowledged by someone.

Annelia had said that at the counseling office. That he was a decent person.

And when his father said that, he liked himself as he was even more.

“Finish the document work. I have to go to the noble council meeting.”

“Understood.”

Kajiian nodded and quickly put the documents in one place.

* * *

Lorina was walking down the street, looking around. She moved with quick steps to reach the meeting place without an escort, having left the imperial palace without anyone knowing.

The place she arrived at was a shabby inn. Since it was an inn Alsellon personally operated, it was a place beyond Luden’s notice.

If it’s here, I won’t be caught.

She opened the door and entered. Inside, several women stood with expressionless faces, waiting for Lorina. Lorina quickly showed them the pass she’d brought from the imperial palace.

“You just need to take this.”

It was a pass that imperial palace maids carried. Since it was used by the imperial family, the head chamberlain managed it, but Lorina had secretly taken it.

At Lorina’s words, they bowed their heads. With this, they could freely come and go from the imperial palace.

Lorina gave them what they needed and quickly left the inn. Seeing these people who seemed emotionless felt unsettling.

On the way back to the imperial palace, the evening air was chilly.

Returning to her room, she quickly took off her robe and burned all traces of her outing in the fire.

They were all people prepared to die. Their faces showed no hope for life—no, not even life itself. She honestly felt no guilt about using them.

It was something they’d chosen themselves, and she was actually helping them.

What she and Millen had conspired and plotted when he approached her long ago was now beginning.

“Annelia Rosaline.”

She had no interest in Luden now. Should she say that the wonderful appearance that had excited her had become boring? Just Luden’s reputation, appearance, and the Charlot family’s halo had made her flutter, but not anymore.

Now only hatred for Annelia remained.

Her very existence was interfering with her future. She was truly sick of her existence, which had taken away everything she had, and she wished she would die.

Alsellon said to take Luden when he fell.

But he had no charm if he wasn’t Marquis Charlot.

What Lorina wanted most right now was to see the unhappy Annelia cursing the world. She found her detestable—counseling people, treating everyone kindly, pretending to be without greed.

Why does she act so superior alone?

“I’ll tear off that mask.”

What expression would she make if she fell into the abyss alone?

Lorina’s heart hurt too much from not getting what she wanted. Even her father didn’t understand her heart, so she became twisted.

What would happen to Annelia?

Lorina’s eyes cooled coldly.

* * *

The day of Reytan and Laysia’s wedding arrived. After worrying about what dress to wear, I chose a brown dress. 

White was what the bride would wear, so I couldn’t wear it, and after choosing moderately, I decided on this color. When I chose brown, Luden also concluded to wear a brown suit.

Going to someone’s wedding was a pleasant thing. I smiled while getting dressed, and Lella also made a satisfied expression beside me.

“You seem to have become more beautiful, my lady.”

“I was always beautiful.”

“Well, of course.”

I looked in the mirror and checked my smile. The peaceful-looking smile seemed to express my state. Life gave me peace like this, seemingly compensating for my difficult past.

That’s why I like the present.

I held up a hand mirror and examined my eye makeup.

“Lella, your makeup skills improve daily. I’m curious how long they’ll keep improving.”

When I praised her, Lella straightened her shoulders and said confidently.

“They’ll keep improving in the future too.”

“You’re truly capable.”

“So you can’t have any other personal maid besides me!”

“Of course not.”

I agreed with her words.

Lella also did my hair beautifully, so I left the room looking even more beautiful today. Luden looked at me, his eyes wavering, then turned his head slightly. His ears were burning.

“Annelia is beautiful whenever I see you.”

“Luden is truly handsome too.”

My handsome husband—I quickly took his hand. Luden and I affectionately got into the carriage.

The carriage slowly began moving toward the imperial palace.

The wedding would be at the imperial palace and the reception on a ship.

We’d decided to follow along to the reception too, so we had to board the ship. The spare clothes and servants and maids had gone to the ship in advance to wait. So Luden and I could move comfortably without luggage.

“The wedding will be splendid, won’t it?”

“I’ve never been to a wedding held at the imperial palace either, so I don’t know well, but Mother said it would be splendid.”

Did he ask Anan?

“Annelia, even if there’s a handsome man there, just look.”

At Luden’s warning words, I lifted his chin.

“I don’t want to just look at Luden.”

Luden is also a handsome man.

“Seduction is forbidden.”

No, this isn’t seduction… Or is it seduction?

I thought carefully and tried to move slightly away from his side. But he quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me close.

“I’m going to kiss you.”

Right, if I ignited my husband’s desire, I have to take responsibility.

I closed my eyes and accepted his lips.