“Fine, rest. Rest a bit, and if you have any questions, ask me later.”

“Huh?”

Questions? Since she didn’t even have the energy to ask, Ru just left her as he placed her back on the bed.

“If you’re doing homework. Then, wasn’t it inappropriate to ask me questions again? Until tomorrow?”

Instead of answering, Ru just laughed. Was she a model student?

“Oh, you’ve already done everything since you’re a model student.”
“I’ll ask you when you come back. It’s mine, so be sure to wear it well.”

Her finger pointed directly at the completely bare upper body of Hayden. Without clothes, his body looked much more imposing and robust than when he was dressed, showing no traces of fat. He laughed as he covered her with a blanket.

“Of course. If someone proposes, I’ll make sure to reject them with my dignity.”

“Excellent. Admirable.”

The man, whose every inch of his pristine inner skin bore his traces, lightly swept his hand over, closed Ru’s eyes, and then got up from the bed.

Red marks that faded over the strong muscles, spread like wings on both sides of his straight spine. The emperor, who had no intention of treating the nail marks on his side, shoulders, and forearms, put on his shirt and buttoned it up.

Countess Plachet Youngae is not visible. And the emperor, who disappeared in the middle, reappeared with a smiling face. Catherine Lamber covered her trembling hands and lowered her eyes.

Lady Alanka, who grew up without lacking anything, had rarely been so cautious. It was unheard of for a lady who was not afraid of anything to be so afraid in Perseita.

Yes, it’s unheard of. Catherine slowly stepped back, trying to stay as far away from the emperor as possible.

“I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. Although you all already look happy.”

The young gentlemen and ladies gathered around laughed at the emperor’s words.

“It would have been nice if Your Majesty had been with us.”

Even in the midst of this, Svenya Viscount Youngae spoke without fear. Even if she had inherited the blood of the bold and ambitious Kalling family, it was something that could not happen in Perseita.

Yes, it couldn’t happen. Catherine hoped that she would not reach the line where the emperor, who was generous and lenient, ‘protected’ her.

“I also had a pleasant time. Was tomorrow the banquet?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I hope the connections made today will continue in the future.”

The emperor did not cast a single glance at those considered to be great beauties. He simply gave them no room for lingering, just smiling without showing any interest.

Catherine hoped that she, who was somewhat observant, would at least be spared the ‘protecting’ line, literally from a predator. She hoped that the formal smile would not reach her.

“Then, let’s see each other again tomorrow, everyone.”

The emperor disappeared again without giving any attention to the numerous ladies, including Catherine. Literally, he only exposed his face. In other words, he had no interest in choosing an empress from here.

Catherine let out a sigh of relief unnoticed by others as soon as the emperor turned away. Today passed as well. If she endured until tomorrow, it would be fine.

“It seems Lady Alanka was there.”

Staring at the emperor’s back with a somewhat regretful expression, Ivonne, who was slowly approaching, discovered Catherine as she prepared to return.
The two ladies were also famous as beauties in the east. Catherine, who inherited the characteristic blonde hair of the eastern people, and Ivonne, whose beautiful black hair shone like silk. However, when the Alsmone Alliance began to shake, in the end, the only thing left was the affiliated family.

“Where have you been?”

Ivonne looked at Catherine with an expression that seemed to ask, ‘Where on earth were you.’ In gatherings like this, they, as the prominent nobles of the east, were expected to lead the atmosphere. However, Catherine had been strangely passive since yesterday.

“…Surprising, Catherine.”

Ivonne came closer and said. They had seen each other often since childhood, and they had built up friendship even more to strengthen the Alsmone Alliance. Because of that, they had some understanding of each other.

“I thought I would be facing you for the first time.”

“I don’t particularly think that way, Ivonne.”

Catherine said it clearly. There was no more sincerity outside of her words. Yes, she didn’t think that way.

“Why? It’s the highest position for women.”

Is she crazy? Catherine looked at Ivonne with an expression of disbelief. Because it’s the ‘highest position for women,’ she aims for the position of empress? Oh, right. The Kaling family was originally famous for its overflowing ambition.

“That’s the position we should compete for. Isn’t that right?”

Moreover, Ivonne seemed to enjoy the competition itself with Catherine. Usually, Catherine would have found it quite amusing and sincerely engaged in the competition. However, the opponent was not Ivonne but the emperor.

“That’s necessary for us to have a fair competition, isn’t it?”