No matter how seductively his violet eyes wavered, no matter how vivid the sensation his lips left behind still was.

She mustn’t cling to such a paltry thing as love.

“I’m taking this path to become empress, not His Majesty’s wife.”

She couldn’t run away. She didn’t want to die in vain either.

“Until the day I can live freely with my own strength…… I intend to fight.”

She wanted to fully enjoy the life given to her, even without Rockfort’s favor.

Having already died once and returned to life, she felt entitled to wish for at least that much.

“We are always on your side, Miss.”

“Yes, of course.”

A softer smile spread across Elia’s face, which had hardened with determination. She gently took both their hands.

“Now you two are my only family.”

In her previous life too, only these two shared Elia’s pain and humiliation. They willingly shouldered burdens that neither her birth parents nor her blood sister Cecilia shared.

“So from now on, think of me first in everything you do and say. Your words and actions are my words and actions…… they must always be careful and right.”

“Yes.”

They answered simultaneously. Seeing their determined expressions, she felt no need for further instructions.

“And promise me you won’t hide anything from me.”

Even without hearing their answer, she could see the sincerity in their eyes.

Now she was truly ready to enter the imperial palace.

“This is just the beginning.”

Elia looked at the splendid noble mansions through the carriage window.

“Soon, I’ll meet them all.”

The nobles who had looked down on and mocked the empress who received neither respect nor love; the young ladies who dressed up and frequently visited the imperial palace to catch the emperor’s eye.

She could vividly imagine them all gossiping about Elia’s palace entry procession, and somehow it made her smile.

“I’ve seen enough of the capital now. Dain, tell them outside that we can head to the imperial palace.”

“Yes…… My lady.”

Elia nodded at Dain’s changed form of address. She had been called “Miss” all her life, but now a more official title was needed.

“And I’m a bit tired.”

“When we arrive, I’ll instruct the maids to postpone other schedules, my lady.”

Fortunately, both Hannah and Dain were as thoughtful as their mistress. Right now, they were the only inheritance left from her parents.

“Thank you.”

Perhaps thanks to them, the path back to the imperial palace, once filled only with pain, no longer frightened her.

Elia entered the imperial palace proudly through its largest main gate. It was a gate that only the emperor and empress, and the former emperor and empress dowager could use.

‘So, I’ve returned after all……’

Some scenes were familiar, others were not.

While Elia was lost in thought, the carriage continued for a while longer before entering the inner palace.

Normally carriages couldn’t enter this area, but it seemed there was an imperial order for Elia, who had physical difficulties.

“We have arrived.”

The carriage stopped, and servants and ladies-in-waiting bowed their heads at the door.

When Elia nodded, Dain opened the door and stepped out. With a quick glance, he saw they were at a palace building far from the empress’s quarters.

“We will escort the lady.”

Following the head chamberlain’s instructions, several strong ladies-in-waiting came to carefully move Elia to a chair.

It was another wheeled chair, but much more luxurious than the one she had used at the ducal residence.

“This palace building is where the princess was born and raised before her marriage…… it is the most precious place in the inner palace after the empress’s quarters.”

She thought the scenery seemed unfamiliar—it was Princess Leticia’s residence, who had left for the Grand Duchy.

Elia had never met the princess in person, but the story of how she had left for the Grand Duchy crying because of a political marriage was famous.

“I feel uncomfortable staying in the princess’s quarters. Is there no simpler place?”

Elia’s manner of speaking blended naturally into the imperial palace.

Hannah felt her worried heart being replaced with pride. She was extremely proud of Elia, who gave each command elegantly even while seated.

“I apologize, but His Majesty commanded us to serve you, my lady, who has completed the engagement ceremony, in the most precious place in the inner palace.”

“Indeed. This place is the largest and most noble in the inner palace after the empress’s quarters. The garden is beautiful too, which would be better for your recovery……”

Servants and ladies-in-waiting who looked somewhat familiar were desperately bowing their heads, trying to make a good first impression on Elia.

“If it’s an imperial command, there’s no choice.”

When Elia cut off their words somewhat coldly, their flustered expressions were clearly visible. Unfortunately for them, Elia’s memory was too good for their career advancement.

“Hannah.”

Her short, concise voice rang clearly. No matter how different this life was, she wasn’t merciful enough to give career opportunities to those who had ignored and disrespected her when she was a powerless empress.

“Yes, my lady.”

Hannah seemed to have read Elia’s mind from her cold tone. Seeing Hannah’s straight back as she stood before Elia made her feel reassured and refreshed.

“The lady is tired from the sudden journey, so postpone other schedules and guide her to the bedroom immediately so she can rest.”

Hearing Hannah’s voice, gentle yet appropriate to her station, made Elia feel that returning to life wasn’t all bad.

“What? Yes, of course.”

Seeing Hannah and Dain, who had always moved about like criminals, now holding their heads high in this imperial palace made a part of her heart swell with emotion.

“This way, please.”

Looking at the servant’s fawning face, she felt her first order was already decided.

Dain carefully pushed Elia’s chair and entered the building.

As it had belonged to the princess, care was evident everywhere. The bedroom in particular had been meticulously prepared despite the sudden schedule—everything looked clean and neat, making a good impression at first glance.

“The lady will rest now, so please withdraw.”

When Dain spoke in a stern voice, the servants and ladies-in-waiting withdrew with disappointed expressions.

The perfect finish was the sound of the bedroom door closing.

“Both of you…… are doing so well?”

She threw out a comment to break the tense atmosphere, and both of them exhaled deeply.

“Actually, I was nervous.”

“Me too……”

The same was true for Elia.

“It’s alright, no one seems to know. You did well.”

These two had such proud and splendid sides to them. She felt sorry for having forgotten this fact for so long.

“Miss…… no, my lady, you were so elegant and dignified that I was inwardly amazed.”

“Yes. So was I.”

Even Dain, who usually spoke little, added his thoughts, so it seemed Elia had done well too.

“Did I look alright?”

“Of course! You looked like someone who had lived in the imperial palace all her life. When did you learn the imperial etiquette so well?”

“I was just imitating.”

The tension she had felt inside was released all at once.

This wasn’t something she had learned in her past life. What good was living as empress for over ten years when she never had a day of comfort or dignity in the imperial palace?

But now that a day like this had come, it felt like time was finally flowing anew.

“Would you like to lie down on the bed?”

“No, I’m tired of lying down now.”

While Hannah arranged Elia’s hair, Dain examined various parts of the bedroom.

Soon, he discovered a golden-tinged letter placed on a beautiful table.

“My lady, I think this is…… a letter from His Majesty. Looking at the seal, I’m certain.”

“Bring it here.”

“Yes.”

Elia received the rolled letter tied with a purple ribbon.

In the middle of the purple ribbon, a seal mixed with gold powder was clearly visible. It was undoubtedly from Rockfort, as only the emperor could use that color.

“The imperial palace is certainly luxurious……”

Despite Hannah’s admiration, Elia casually broke the seal.

From experience, seeing this seal had never brought anything good, so it was an unconscious action.

Since when were they on a first-name basis?

She felt annoyed, but somehow couldn’t take her eyes off his handwriting.

<If you are reading this letter, you must remember that you are no longer merely a lady of House Theon.>

As expected, he was authoritative.

<This is a fact that not only you, but everyone in this empire must remember.>

But…… for today at least, she didn’t hate it.

<I hope you like the quarters where you will stay until the wedding. Besides the head lady-in-waiting and head chamberlain you brought, I grant you the authority to choose and command whomever you like among the inner palace servants, and to govern your quarters.>

So that’s why the palace servants were desperately trying to make a good impression earlier.

<While staying in that palace building as my fiancée, you may do as you wish if there is anything you want.>

Had Rockfort always been such a generous man?

Probably not. People don’t change so easily.

<As you confidently said, there will be no problem if you demonstrate your qualities to become a gentle empress.>

As expected, he was testing Elia again. This was no longer surprising.

<If you, who still lack experience and maturity, have any difficulties, I will certainly help, so you need not worry.>

“Ha……”

Elia let out something between a sigh and a laugh.