One year later.

Siara Richards was once a precious Archmage of the Kingdom of Estain. Now she was planting sugarcane at the edge of the garden with the Emperor’s imperial guards.

“Is digging the soil this deep enough?”

“Yes. That’s perfect.”

She had pulled out all the withered roses and planted sugarcane in their place. Yet no one stopped her. Who could stop the Empress when the Emperor himself didn’t? Only the Empress Dowager, who had come out to drink tea, was horrified.

“My, my roses…!”

As she clutched her neck and nearly collapsed, her lady-in-waiting supported her. Siara grinned at the Empress Dowager.

“Edible sugarcane is better than roses you can’t eat. Sugar costs a fortune these days, so let’s make some money.”

“…”

The Empress Dowager was speechless. The beautiful rose garden had been completely transformed into a sugarcane field. Not only was it unattractive, but the plants were so tall that one could barely see ahead.

“…Why does an Empress like you need to make money? Hmm?”

Siara had already accumulated considerable wealth by selling non-melting ice. Her fortune far exceeded what Marquis Marcel had possessed during his lifetime.

“I’ve decided to build more schools and hospitals.”

She had been using her earnings to establish schools and hospitals for commoners, and now needed more funds as she expanded to other areas. This drove Siara to constantly develop new business ideas.

The Empress Dowager shook her head.

Tax exemptions and benefits should be given to nobles, not commoners. What would temporarily feeding the poor bring in return? Still, the improved reputation of the imperial family thanks to Siara wasn’t bad. The commoners’ attitude had definitely become more favorable.

“Tsk, you should focus more on benefiting the imperial palace instead. Why are you so thoughtless?”

“The Empress Dowager and His Imperial Majesty already take care of that.”

“…You should at least support your husband properly. Tsk, tsk. But I’m curious about something.”

“What is it?”

Siara found the Empress Dowager’s lingering presence somewhat uncomfortable. Usually she just clicked her tongue and walked away, but today she seemed to have a lot to say.

“I heard your real name is Siara Richards…”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Which noble family does Richards belong to? Weren’t you the illegitimate daughter of Duke Rowan Light?”

“…”

Though this wasn’t her original body, everyone knew her as Siara Richards. This was because Diego had given her the new name Siara Richards during her investiture as Empress.

“The Ducal House of Richards. It’s so ancient you probably wouldn’t know it. It might be in the genealogy records, but…”

Would a family from a country wiped out by plague still exist in the records?

“Is that so? Oh my, I must be going now! Hoho. Work hard!”

The Empress Dowager turned and walked away quickly.

Watching her leave, Siara narrowed her eyes. She would likely search through the genealogy records in the imperial library.

‘What a waste of time…’

After digging in the soil for a while, Siara straightened her back and heard a cracking sound.

“Aaagh!”

Her back hurt so much she couldn’t move at all. With no other choice, she was supported by the knights to her bed in the Empress’s palace.

“…I’m still young, yet my back hurts.”

She had worried about not aging, but unlike her previous body, Annie’s body was aging steadily.

Upon hearing about her back injury, Diego hurried to find Siara.

“Siara…!”

He rushed into the room and gently touched the cheek of Siara, who was lying down.

“I told you to let others do such strenuous work, didn’t I?”

“…Do you want to die?”

“…”

Diego was at a loss for words when Siara glared at him with fierce eyes.

“Who was it that kept thrusting into me countless times yesterday? Thanks to you, my back is ruined!”

“…But you have a duty to produce an heir. I appreciate your work as Empress, but I wish you’d take better care of your body.”

“You’re the one who cares least about my body.”

Diego felt extremely wronged. After dismissing the other attendants and maids, he whispered in her ear.

“…You were the one asking me to thrust deeper.”

“That’s…!”

Siara bit her lip. Diego smiled slightly and gave her lips a quick kiss.

“I wish you’d be a little more honest.”

“…”

“So, do you dislike me?”

A small vein popped up on Siara’s forehead.

‘This kid. Would I be here if I disliked you? Huh? I could go to another dimension and live comfortably doing what I love…’

Anyway, since Diego would sulk for a long time if not told explicitly, she needed to make it clear.

“…No.”

Though her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, Diego heard it clearly.

He lowered his head to lick her ear and whispered.

“Then do you like me?”

“…”

Siara’s face turned bright red.

Just then, countless arrows rained down toward the imperial palace.

The arrows approaching the couple froze in mid-air and fell heavily to the floor.

Diego whispered in Siara’s ear.

“…Looks like Isaac has attacked. I’ll take care of it and come back, so rest well.”

“I want to go too!”

Siara jumped up. Despite the cracking sound from her back, she couldn’t leave everything to Diego.

There had been intelligence that Prince Isaac would stage a coup.

He had sent assassins after Diego several times, but after failing, he now seemed to be planning an all-out war. He wasn’t alone—Marquis Jenkins was certainly behind him.

Diego looked down through the window. The arrows coming through the window turned to ash before even reaching him.

“He asked for foreign help, and I can see the emblem of the Kingdom of Dran on their armor. Isaac is commanding from the very back. What a coward. Tsk.”

Siara smiled at Diego like she had a good idea.

“Why don’t I just dimensionally transfer Isaac and Marquis Jenkins? That would end this war.”

“That’s…”

Diego had sealed the book containing the dimensional transfer formula with magic so no one could see it, then hidden it where no one could find it. Only Diego knew its location.

However, this was useless since Siara, a once-in-a-millennium genius, had already memorized the formula. Diego, aware of Siara’s brilliant mind, looked at her anxiously, fearing she might disappear again.

“Siara.”

“Yes?”

“…Do you like me?”

“Of course. Why else would I be here if I didn’t like you?”

Diego felt somewhat reassured by Siara’s confident answer. He fiddled with her ear and soon whispered softly.

“Then you can use it. …But only today. Not twice.”

“Got it.”

Since this would be her first time using dimensional transfer on people, Siara was very excited. These people were dissatisfied here anyway, so they might actually live better in another dimension.

Siara whistled cheerfully. Before leaving the room, Diego kissed her.

“Don’t overdo it. I won’t let you off tonight.”

“Uh…”

“We need to create an heir, don’t we?”

Diego’s knee moved between Siara’s legs. Just then, one of the imperial guards urgently reported.

“Marquis Jenkins’ private soldiers are entering the imperial palace! Your Majesty!”

“…I understand.”

When Diego withdrew his leg, Siara finally felt relieved.

‘I’ve been feeling bloated and having indigestion for several days now, which is strange, but it’s probably not the right time to mention it?’

She thought it best to wait until after dealing with Isaac and his group.

Perhaps it would be the good news they both hoped for.

fin.