“But working hard alone isn’t enough. You need someone who treats their master’s affairs as their own and takes pride in their work to last long.”

“So that’s why you told us to find a maid with a clean apron and appearance? Because no matter how busy they are, they’ll make an effort to keep their appearances neat out of consideration for their master’s reputation?”

Elia nodded. In some ways, her opinion showed more experience than the former duchess, Lorelaine.

“I knew you were intelligent, but I didn’t realize you were this wise.”

This kind of sense couldn’t be learned from others. Learning was fundamental, but experience and personal insight were most important.

It was simply amazing that Elia, who had grown up only in the ducal residence, possessed such qualities.

“At first I was worried about how things would turn out…… but seeing you now, all my concerns have vanished.”

Until now, Hannah had seen Elia as someone to protect and safeguard. But that was no longer the case, as Elia herself was demonstrating.

Blooming like a flower in spring, Elia was no longer a young and innocent lady.

“Hannah, give the maid we found earlier the authority to oversee all servants and maids of these quarters and make her the head maid. Let her choose someone to manage the male servants.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea. She was a middle-aged woman, so she should be quite capable of managing the servants.”

There was still a year until the wedding. Until then, this place would be Elia’s home and forward base.

“The wind is cold. You should go inside and rest now. The imperial physician is coming again tomorrow morning.”

Elia slowly nodded. The fresh scent of grass and flowers was refreshing, but spring days still remained.

And this spring would be the busiest spring of Elia’s life.

* * *

Perhaps because it was an unfamiliar place, she woke up particularly early in the morning.

“Ah, this is…… the Imperial Palace.”

The scenery outside the window and even the chirping birds were different, making her truly feel that she had left the Theon ducal residence.

Elia enjoyed the birdsong for a moment before ringing the bell beside the bed. Hannah, now dressed as the Imperial Palace’s head lady-in-waiting, entered and gracefully bowed.

“My lady, are you awake?”

“Yes. The new clothes suit you well.”

“An attendantfrom the Internal Affairs Department came early this morning and brought a few necessary items. Ah, I’ll prepare water for you to wash your face right away.”

While Hannah busily moved about, Elia thought about life in the Imperial Palace. Although a neglected empress wouldn’t receive such care from the Internal Affairs Department, she knew the basics of what was required for palace life.

“Did you sleep well through the night? Aren’t you tired from being in an unfamiliar place?”

“I’m fine. More importantly, did the attendant from Internal Affairs just leave the items and go?”

“Ah, he said to call him whenever you need anything……”

The Internal Affairs Department was truly the most perceptive and cunning group in the palace. Those they favored were people with power and the emperor’s affection, and one could tell when someone was falling from grace simply by observing the department’s attitude.

“Are they testing me?”

Elia muttered quietly to herself. No matter how high one’s status was, without showing behavior befitting that status, one couldn’t receive proper treatment.

“What would you like for breakfast? I can prepare several options.”

“Tea with milk will do. For today.”

Perhaps because she had returned to the palace, her mind felt clear and refreshed.

What she needed to do also came to her clearly. These were the things Elia had failed to do in the past.

“What time did the imperial physician say he would come?”

“He said he would come as soon as we send word after you wake up in the morning.”

“Then first, call the attendant from Internal Affairs.”

“Pardon? Do you need something?”

Elia looked around the large bedchamber.

“Yes.”

No matter how splendid the quarters, if the head lady-in-waiting had to scurry about carrying washing water, it diminished one’s dignity.

“I need many things.”

Elia smiled brightly. The ghosts of the past whispered that Elia was nothing, but the current world was kind to her.

Even if it was all due to Rockfort’s whim.

“When you have power, you must get what you need.”

His burning eyes might change. Someday those hot lips might desire another woman instead of her.

For now, he said he wanted Elia…… but that was because she was different from others.

Because she was a lady who spoke frankly to the emperor without fear, and performed truly outrageous and insolent acts.

“Hurry.”

Therefore, she must not be deluded. His vows and promises would scatter like dust once his heart departed.

Elia would not expect his heart. That was the vow she had made to herself.

That she would never again suffer because of that man.

* * *

Several remarkably peaceful days passed. As if all the stormy events had been a lie, a new daily routine began.

The palace quarters, which had been without an owner for a long time, became lively, filled with the vitality of people coming and going.

“Fortunately, your tibia bones have started to bond well. Since this is the process of new bone growing and connecting, you need to eat nutritious meals.”

Alec, the imperial physician who examined Elia’s legs, spoke calmly. Entering his later years, Alec was famous for his distinguished medical skills throughout the empire.

“Of course, I will provide medicinal herbs and nourishing foods that will help. From today, you may wrap the splint and bandages only below the knee.”

That was the most welcome news. Just thinking about being tied to the bed with bandages tightly wrapped from the thigh down still made her feel suffocated.

“His Majesty has also commanded us to do our utmost to aid your recovery.”

Her improved mood sank again.

Rockfort’s intentions were obvious. Having declared he would make her his empress, he needed to hold the wedding, and he wouldn’t want her limping during the ceremony.

“Will I…… be able to walk properly?”

For the first time, Elia asked the physician a real question. Until now, she had been afraid of the answer, but now she needed to know.

“I want you to be honest with me.”

Alec looked into Elia’s blue eyes and nodded.

“You will be able to walk.”

“……Properly?”

“That I cannot guarantee at this moment. Although you’ve been fortunate that the bones are healing well, whether they will heal completely as before…… with my current medical knowledge, it’s impossible to predict.”

Perhaps because she was somewhat mentally prepared, it was easier to accept.

“So, only when I can stand up…… will we know?”

“Yes. I will do my utmost to assist with your rehabilitation, so please don’t worry too much and focus on improving your nutrition for now.”

“Could you teach my head lady-in-waiting how to reapply the bandages and splint?”

“It’s not difficult, but I will be coming every day……”

“I want to bathe.”

At Elia’s honest words, the physician let out an “Ah.”

Although Hannah had diligently washed her body, Elia could no longer resist the urge to immerse herself in a bathtub.

“Is that allowed?”

“You must be extremely careful when the bandages are removed. As long as you don’t apply pressure or shock…… yes, it’s possible. I’ll teach your head lady-in-waiting before I leave.”

“Thank you.”

Elia’s elegant manner already made her appear like an empress. For Alec, who had once served Cecilia in the empress’s quarters, it stirred quite mixed feelings.

Even Cecilia, who had actually occupied the empress’s quarters, had never displayed such noble bearing. This time, it seemed the position had finally found its rightful owner.

“Then, I shall see you again tomorrow.”

Alec withdrew with a bow, contemplating his mission that had grown heavier than before. Hannah, who had been present, followed him out.

Of course, Elia was no longer alone even without Hannah.

“Mona, bring the tea.”

“Yes. I’ll prepare it with the tea leaves you praised yesterday.”

“Cyril, open the curtains. I want to see outside.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The attendant from the Internal Affairs Department had granted Elia’s request for proper ladies-in-waiting too easily. Thanks to that, Elia gained two young ladies-in-waiting and two male attendants, and was able to increase the number of servants and maids to match the time when the princess had stayed here.

“My lady, is this enough?”

“Good. Now go tell the grand chamberlain to properly see the imperial physician off.”

“Yes, I understand.”

She thought giving orders so confidently would feel awkward, but contrary to her worries, everything went smoothly. It was proof that she had steeled her resolve during the time she was bedridden.

When one’s heart completely changes, the person can also change. Of course, this was only possible after enduring pain that nearly led to death.

“Finally, I can bathe in a bathtub……”

Just that fact alone made her feel like she could fly with happiness.

“Nothing in this world is guaranteed.”

Walking in the garden and taking a bath were merely ordinary parts of daily life. She had never particularly felt grateful or happy about them.

But now, all of those things had become desperately precious to Elia.

* * *

After finishing a simple council meeting, Rockfort decided to stroll through the garden to clear his stuffy mind.

“It’s bothersome, don’t follow me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Dozens of people moved together whenever the emperor took a single step. There was no way a walk could be peaceful like that.