As she entered the tea room, she saw the Emperor sitting at a table placed by the window.

Edwin, leisurely drinking tea in the sunlight, was beautiful like a painting. She suddenly understood why the ladies of the empire were so enthusiastic about the young Emperor.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

As Roen paid her respects formally, a smile appeared on Edwin’s lips.

His handsome face shone in the sunlight.

“Come, sit here.”

Roen sat in the seat Edwin offered and raised her black veil with both hands.

Edwin raised his hand to stop her.

“No, there’s no need. I don’t have a hobby of enjoying your discomfort. But it’s a pity. Since that accident, I haven’t been able to see your beautiful eyes directly.”

Edwin spoke kindly, as if recalling his time as crown prince rather than Emperor.

Roen didn’t understand why he was trying to show their closeness by mentioning memories from over 10 years ago.

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”

After seeing Roen’s scars at a party she attended after the accident, the nobles hoped she would never remove her veil under any circumstances.

They even feared that her veil might be accidentally lifted by the wind, revealing her scars.

The Emperor Edwin would be no exception.

“Isn’t it uncomfortable? It seems difficult to always cover your face with that.”

“I’m used to it, so it’s fine. Sometimes it’s even convenient.”

“True. Everyone has at least one person they find awkward to face.”

Edwin laughed in agreement, seeming to understand the meaning behind Roen’s light joke.

“I’m surprised that Your Majesty has such people too. I thought such concerns only applied to me, since you’re loved by everyone.”

“I’m no exception.”

“I’m curious. Who makes Your Majesty uncomfortable? Surely not me?”

“Hahaha, absolutely not, so rest assured.”

Edwin burst into cheerful laughter. Only then did the tension in Roen’s shoulders ease.

Edwin, who had been laughing pleasantly, suddenly seemed to remember something and adopted a more serious expression.

“By the way, about your scars. Can’t they be concealed with cosmetics or magic?”

“Unfortunately not. The scars cover too much of my body…”

Edwin simply nodded and didn’t mention the wounds further.

Instead, he brought up something else.

“How is your health? I heard you were ill two months ago? With such a weak constitution… I’m a bit worried.”

For a moment, she couldn’t hide her displeasure.

Fortunately, she was wearing a veil; had Edwin seen her expression, she might have been imprisoned for disrespect.

In fact, two months ago was when the assassination attempt had occurred at Uriel Square.

Did he really not know? Or was he pretending not to know?

Well, it didn’t matter either way. She didn’t want pity because of that incident.

But the more she thought about it, the more unpleasant she felt. Such blatant pretense of ignorance was shameless.

Roen realized once again:

Despite acting kindly like a friend, the Emperor was not someone to be trusted.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. But I’m fine. I was fortunate this time too.”

Roen sarcastically referred to her good fortune.

Edwin looked gloomy for a moment, then put on a sympathetic face.

“There seems to be some misunderstanding, Duchess of Roxburgh. I wasn’t trying to mock you; I just thought it might be uncomfortable to mention the incident directly, so I spoke indirectly.”

For a moment, Roen almost burst into laughter.

‘It’s not like a cat caring for a mouse. He calls that consideration.’

It was absurd.

But what bothered her more was why the Emperor, who had been pretending not to know all this time, would suddenly mention her assassination attempt now of all times.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I seem to be overthinking things. My health is fine. As I said, I was truly fortunate, as always.”

When Roen spoke in a more conciliatory voice, Edwin’s expression softened as well.

“That’s good to hear. I haven’t been able to look after you properly until now, but I intend to change that. That’s why I called you here today.”

Edwin lifted his teacup and smiled at Roen.

Her brow furrowed at his gentle smile and the warmth in his deep blue eyes.

Roen had never been more grateful for wearing a veil than she was today.

Seeing Emperor Edwin suddenly change his attitude made her increasingly wary.

‘Could it be that he’s displeased with my public proposal to the Duke of Reushden?’

That had to be it. The reason for the Emperor’s change in attitude.

The union of Roxburgh, the ‘Unbending Pen,’ and Reushden, the ‘Unbreakable Sword.’

It would certainly be a threat to those who held power.

Roen keenly observed Edwin’s mood. Then she recalled the behavior of the ladies who gathered around him.

And she began to act according to the plan she had prepared in advance.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Actually, all this time…”

Roen let her voice trail off, making it tremble slightly. She pretended as if she was too overcome with emotion to continue speaking.

Sure enough.

As she expected, she saw the corner of Edwin’s mouth lift slightly as he drank his tea.

“It seems you’ve had a difficult time, Duchess of Roxburgh.”

“Yes. I had no friends in society. Shamefully, I was practically alone because of my appearance. So I kept my distance from Your Majesty and other nobles.”

When Roen spoke with a weak voice, Edwin’s expression softened considerably.

“I can imagine. You must have had no one to trust. But Duchess of Roxburgh! I’m very curious about how you came to know my cousin Jean.”

Today, Emperor Edwin’s concept seemed to be pretending to be friendly. Judging by the artificial warmth he was displaying.

“I see Your Majesty has read the newspaper as well.”

Roen lowered her head as if embarrassed.

She also made sure to fidget with her clasped hands and twist her body as if uncomfortable. These were actions meant to convey her emotions to Edwin, who couldn’t see her expression behind the veil.

Her concept today was ‘a fragile lady overwhelmed by love.’

It was also a strategy to evoke sympathy.

“That’s right. I was quite hurt when I saw that newspaper. I had no idea the Duchess had feelings for my cousin Jean. So? Have you received an answer to your public proposal from Jean?”

From Edwin’s suspicious question, she realized this was the real reason he had summoned her to the palace.

“I haven’t received any answer. Actually, it’s embarrassing to admit, but it was a one-sided affection on my part.”

Roen shook her head as if troubled.

‘Stories of ladies harboring secret loves for handsome knights are common.’

As a specific example, Carlisle was currently suffering from Jean Reushden fever.

The moment they saw the knight emanating a cold and dangerous aura while passing through Uriel Square, all the ladies of Carlisle fell in love.

According to society’s informants, rumors were spreading quickly that ladies who had fallen for Jean were lovesick.

Edwin must have heard these rumors too and would consider her one of them.

‘Plus, I’m a monster with hideous scars not just on my face but all over my body.’

A hideous monster who should never desire Jean Reushden.

In such a position, she had even made a public proposal in the “Great Moment.” It was something no one would do unless they were insane.

It was the worst scandal, throwing her already rock-bottom reputation into the gutter.

Probably both Edwin and the nobles would think that Roxburgh’s monster had gone mad with love when they saw this scandal.

‘Though I didn’t plan this from the beginning, seeing how the situation is turning in my favor, it wasn’t a bad choice after all.’

No, it was an excellent choice. She could easily gain sympathy from Edwin who was right in front of her.

“I’m not sure I understand. So you’re saying you alone have fallen for Jean and are in one-sided love? And the public proposal happened because you couldn’t contain those feelings?”

Edwin could be seen pressing his lips together as if he might burst into laughter at any moment.

He seemed to find it amusing that a monster would desire the Duke of Reushden.

“It’s true, Your Majesty. I happened to see the Duke of Reushden during the Victory Commemoration Parade and fell in love at first sight. Given my situation, I tried to hide my feelings, but not knowing when I might die from another assassination attempt, I wanted to at least convey my heart.”

She made it clear that it was merely the impulsive action of a woman blinded by love, with no intention or purpose behind it.

“Oh my. This is troublesome. Jean has a bad habit of drawing his sword first when something displeases him. I’m worried he might turn the Roxburgh duchy into a sea of blood.”

Though he was pretending to be concerned, Edwin looked extremely pleased.

‘He’s definitely a sadist.’

Roen was taken aback as Edwin’s attitude was somewhat different from what she had expected.

However, there was something not quite right about Edwin’s attitude to simply label him a sadist.

He was excessively delighted at her misfortune.

‘What if the object of this excessive interest isn’t me, but Jean Reushden?’

Suddenly everything became clear. Edwin was pleased that Jean had been caught up in a scandal with her.

‘What kind of situation is this? Could it be that the Emperor is wary of Jean?’

As one man to another.

It was entirely possible without thinking too deeply.

All men on the continent of Taran both revered and feared Duke Jean Reushden.

Edwin would be no exception.

‘Wait, what if the root of Edwin’s wariness is inferiority?’

A meaningful smile appeared on Roen’s lips for a moment.

If her guess was correct, things were getting interesting.

“Actually, I was so happy when Your Majesty summoned me. I had an urgent favor to ask of you.”

At the mention of a favor, Edwin, who had been sitting loosely, straightened his posture and leaned forward.

“You may ask anything. Considering the relationship with the Roxburgh duchy that has continued since previous generations, I would like to grant it.”

Looking at Edwin, who had now completely let down his guard, Roen felt relieved.

But she couldn’t afford to relax until the end.

“Your Majesty! If you would do this for me, I am willing to give you whatever you desire.”

Roen spoke with a trembling voice and took out an envelope bearing the emblem of the Roxburgh ducal family from inside her coat and handed it to Edwin.

“What is this?”

“My will.”