“Your Majesty, a report has arrived from the Owl.”

Duke Ludwig brought a neatly folded envelope on a silver tray.

Parnes scraped off the wax seal bearing the Owl emblem with a knife and unfolded the letter inside.

It detailed all the information provided by Marquis Clemens and Marchioness Clemens, who had come at Isabella’s introduction.

Bennet, the head of the Owl Guild, known for secretly gathering information and compiling gossip sheets.

People thought of her as a shady informant living off the dirty money of nobles.

But in truth, she was one of Parnes’ loyal vassals, quietly infiltrating the populace under his orders.

She uncovered the truth behind rumors, dug up threats to the imperial family, and ferreted out hidden traitors.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty. Isabella Rudo requests an audience.”

As if on cue, a guard outside announced her arrival.

Parnes, delaying his response, finished reading the letter and carefully folded it into his inner pocket.

“To the side room.”

He rose from his seat and moved to the adjacent parlor used for receptions.

Isabella, crossing the threshold, flashed a lively smile like a blooming marigold and gave a slight curtsy.

At her impeccable greeting, Parnes offered a seat without adding unnecessary words.

“I hope my sudden visit hasn’t displeased you. If I’ve intruded, please forgive my rudeness.”

“No need to worry.”

“Thank you.”

Isabella sat across from him, taking a few short breaths before sipping the cold tea that had just arrived.

Parnes gazed at her, tilting his lips into a slight smirk.

Beyond her smile, Isabella couldn’t help but be surprised that Parnes hadn’t yet asked about her purpose for coming.

Normally, he would ask her business as soon as she sat, hear her response, and dismiss her.

But today, Parnes seemed to wear an expression suggesting he found this moment rather pleasant.

Gaining a bit of confidence, Isabella asked in a warm, friendly tone,

“Why do you smile like that?”

“It just struck me that we’ve known each other for quite a while.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected remark, Isabella was startled.

Today, the Emperor lacked his usual icy demeanor, his face faintly glowing with a friendly smile.

They say he’s in a cold war with the Empress—perhaps he’s trying to fill his mind with other thoughts.

Or maybe he wants advice on the matter, Isabella speculated.

She saw this as a golden opportunity to get closer to Emperor Parnes and let out a shy smile.

Under her mother’s harsh guidance.

She had practiced that beautiful smile thousands of times in front of a mirror, meticulously crafted despite its natural appearance.

“Wow, that’s amazing. I was just thinking the same thing—how fortunate I am to see Your Majesty so closely for so long.”

“Is that so?”

“But lately, I’ve noticed a hint of worry on Your Majesty’s face.”

“On my face?”

“Oh, I know it’s presumptuous of me to say. But if you ever need to talk, please tell me. If I could be of any help to Your Majesty, I’d feel like I’ve gained the whole world.”

A heavy silence, thicker than the sweltering heat, filled the room.

Isabella frantically reviewed her words, wondering if she’d said something wrong or made a mistake.

Should she have spoken more cautiously? Was she too hasty?

Did it sound like frivolous flattery?

The thought of being slapped and thrown out by her mother if she slipped up made her unconsciously press her nails into her palm.

“Is that really all you wish for me?”

Parnes, leaning his chin askew, asked with a glint of sharp curiosity in his eyes.

As if sizing up how to skin a freshly caught prey.

A chilling flicker seemed to cross his face for a fleeting moment.

But when she blinked, he was back to his usual languid imperial self, making her wonder if she’d imagined it.

“All I wish is for Your Majesty to always be healthy and happy. Nothing more.”

“You’re remarkably consistent. I haven’t said it before, but in truth, I’ve often thought of you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. With you, I feel I could bring up more personal matters. Like the strange rumors circulating lately.”

Parnes’ voice, probing subtly, was like a clear droplet sliding over smooth satin.

Isabella’s breath quickened with excitement.

She rejoiced that her painstaking practice was paying off.

At the same time, she was certain the rumors of discord between the Emperor and Empress were true.

His friendly smile toward someone he usually barely noticed.

And his desire to discuss the ominous rumors surrounding the Empress.

Isabella lowered her face, feigning ignorance with a troubled expression.

“I’ve heard some things. I hesitate to speak of it—it’s such a dreadful rumor. Who could spread such unsettling talk?”

“But we can’t just ignore it. I want to know the truth behind those rumors.”

“The… truth behind the rumors?”

Isabella asked cautiously, masking her surprise.

She had come to comfort him and make a good impression, seizing the chance to exploit his doubts about the Empress.

She hadn’t expected the conversation to go this deep.

It was a good thing.

It meant a dark seed of distrust was sprouting between the Emperor and Empress.

“Regarding those rumors, I’d like you, who are quite active in social circles, to look into them. And report back to me at the next ball.”

“Am I, of all people, fit for such an important task?”

“You’re the only one I can ask.”

“Oh…”

Isabella struggled to contain her excitement from spilling onto her face.

She hadn’t expected things to progress so smoothly.

If this went well,

She was certain the Emperor would promise her the position of the next Empress.

Of course, it felt odd that the usually stoic Emperor was suddenly showing such warmth, but it wasn’t entirely implausible.

Isabella had always maintained her graceful demeanor in front of Parnes.

She had consistently shown her sincere loyalty to the imperial family.

Surely, he remembered her devotion.

“Can you do it, Isabella?”

“Of course. I’ll follow Your Majesty’s command without fail.”

Parnes curved his lips into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

Captivated by his striking beauty, Isabella failed to notice what lay hidden behind that smile.

“Then, I’ll see you at the ball.”

After giving Parnes a polite farewell and leaving the parlor, Isabella slipped into the deserted back corridor, finally letting out a trembling breath.

The Emperor’s sculpted face, smiling wistfully as he said she was the only one he could ask, was still vivid in her mind.

As she calmed her racing heart, the sound of lively footsteps approached.

“Miss Isabella.”

It was the Empress.

Surely she wasn’t unaware of the rumors growing wilder by the day, yet she was leisurely strolling.

For a moment, Isabella wondered what would happen if she held her head high and didn’t bow to Kasallin, a childish curiosity bubbling up.

Lightly mocking herself, Isabella gave Kasallin a respectful greeting.

“I greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

“This is the path to His Majesty’s parlor. You must have had business with him.”

Kasallin gestured to her escort knight to step aside for a moment.

After confirming the knight’s withdrawal, Isabella shook her head calmly.

“Nothing particularly important. I occasionally visit to check on His Majesty’s well-being. Today, despite his busy schedule, he spent a whole hour with me.”

One of Kasallin’s eyebrows arched briefly before settling.

“Spending that much time with you is rare. His Majesty must think highly of you.”

In the past, Isabella might have demurred with modest denials.

But now, with the Empress’s downfall almost certain,

Isabella wanted to grasp the hand of “rebellion,” which had been temptingly beckoning her.

“I was a bit surprised too. Today, His Majesty shared some rather personal matters with me. He told me to keep it a secret between us.”

Lowering her head as if shy, Isabella stole a glance at Kasallin’s expression.

And she was slightly taken aback.

Kasallin showed no trace of anxiety or jealousy, instead wearing a relaxed smile.

As if casually saying, “Good for you.”

Isabella felt both admiration and disdain for her.

“Your Majesty the Empress.”

“Yes?”

“To be honest, I’ve always wanted to be Empress.”

Only then did Kasallin’s gaze turn cold.

But Isabella knew there was no need to feel intimidated or shrink back.

After all, the Empress was soon to fall.

The fact that someone once so unreachable was struggling to keep up appearances sparked a strange thrill in Isabella.

“Wanting to be Empress. Why tell me now about a dream you haven’t achieved?”

“Why not? There’s no rule saying I can’t achieve it in the future.”

Isabella smiled beautifully, showing her white teeth as always.

Hoping to pierce the Empress’s unshakable composure and reveal her true nature.

But her expectations were off.

Kasallin bit her lip to suppress a small laugh, nodded, and said, “I see.”

“Good luck with that.”

Turning away, Kasallin walked off with a perfectly poised stride, disappearing around the corner.

For some reason, Isabella couldn’t take her eyes off her retreating figure.