In a grand mansion in the southern part of the Renel Empire.

A pair of butterflies with slightly different sizes fluttered around inside a glass greenhouse, as if dancing.

The flowers blooming in the flower beds were in full bloom, as if they had fulfilled their role sufficiently with just their beautiful appearance, despite their extremely low practicality.

Amidst them, a middle-aged woman was savoring the peace of a quiet afternoon, sipping herbal tea.

Listening to the chatter of nobles as if it were music, without having to fan herself.

“I hear that a young lady from the Khan Kingdom will soon enter the country with His Majesty the Emperor. And there’s a strange rumor that this young lady might become the next empress.”

“Don’t such rumors often circulate without basis? His Majesty selecting an empress? It’s hard to believe.”

“What do you think, Duchess Lyudo? Do you believe there’s any truth to this rumor?”

The gazes of the noble ladies seated around the tea table converged on one side.

The high society of the Renel Empire, infamous for being far more strict and exclusive than the Khan Kingdom.

At its center was Duchess Katarina Lyudo, called the butterfly of high society.

Everyone liked her.

Everyone wanted to be part of the salon she hosted.

Now in her fifties, she had lost some of the vitality and charm of her youth, but her attentive consideration for those around her and her unique spirited gaze remained unchanged.

“An empress.”

As Duchess Lyudo briefly held her words, the noblewoman who had asked the question belatedly realized her mistake.

The precious only daughter of the Lyudo ducal family.

Everyone knew that Lady Isabella Lyudo was flawless as a candidate for the next empress, and had been the most likely candidate until Katharine appeared.

“Ah… I asked an unnecessary question. Of course, it must be just a baseless rumor.”

“Well. How things turn out depends on the mind of His Majesty the Emperor, our sun and sky.”

“Please don’t say that. We are all waiting for the glorious moment when Lady Isabella Lyudo ascends to the position of empress. After all, the young lady is unmatched in both her beautiful appearance and outstanding talents.”

Everyone agreed, chiming in from here and there.

Duchess Lyudo smiled slightly and said.

“She might not just match, but surpass.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m talking about that young lady entering the country with His Majesty the Emperor this time. She’s no ordinary person. Someone who met her said that the phrase ‘a woman of many talents without any shortcomings’ seems to exist just for her.”

The noble ladies were at a loss for words, unable to quite understand Duchess Lyudo’s words.

To far surpass even that Isabella Lyudo.

It seemed like excessive modesty.

Duchess Lyudo continued.

“So shouldn’t we keep a close eye on her? To ensure that nothing tarnishes the lofty reputation of His August Majesty the Emperor.”

After diligently traveling for about ten days, the carriage carrying Katharine entered Granger, the capital of the Renel Empire.

Befitting its reputation as a center of art and trade, massive galleons were lining up to enter the port, and noble ladies with parasols were leisurely enjoying morning walks in the imperial park.

Although it wasn’t her first time in the Renel Empire, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had stepped into a place where she shouldn’t have.

She even had the strange doubt whether all those people walking on that street truly accepted her becoming the empress.

“Does it feel unfamiliar?”

Farnese, who had astutely read the cautious look that appeared on Katharine’s face, asked.

She honestly nodded.

“Yes. For now. I think it will take quite some time to get used to it.”

“You don’t have to force yourself. I’ve lived here all my life and I’m still not used to it.”

“Your Majesty.”

“There’s only one thing you need to know before entering the imperial palace. No matter what anyone says, you are the companion I personally chose.”

That’s all you need to remember.

Farnese said casually and then fixed his gaze back out the window.

Katharine nodded quietly with a slight smile.

Meanwhile, the carriage had already passed through the city square and climbed the winding hillside, and at last the familiar yet unfamiliar silver spires of the Renel Imperial Palace came into view.

The gates, which had been tightly closed like an iron fortress, opened with a heavy rumble as if they had been waiting only for their master’s return.

Hearing a crisp sound of military boots from somewhere, she peeked out the window slightly and saw an amazing sight.

Knights bearing the banner of the double-headed lion, symbol of the Renel Empire, were lined up on both sides, paying respects to Farnese’s return.

“We greet His Majesty Farnese Escalo, the sun of the Renel Empire!”

Amidst the overwhelmingly loud welcoming greetings, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

She had wondered why there were so many people in front of the central palace today, and sure enough, noble officials and attendants had gathered without exception.

The surprising rumor that the emperor had personally chosen a candidate for empress from the Khan Kingdom had already spread widely, so everyone had come out to confirm if the rumor was true.

“Your Majesty. We sincerely congratulate you on your safe return. I hope your august body was not harmed during the journey.”

“Yes. Was there anything unusual in the imperial palace while I was away?”

“No. There were no particular special events. I will report the details to you right away.”

Farnese, who had first stepped out of the carriage and received brief greetings from the attendants, now extended one hand towards Katharine as if it was her turn.

Katharine carefully stepped out of the carriage, taking his hand.

The gazes of the nobles, who had been pretending not to know anything, all focused on her at once.

Katharine knew those gazes all too well.

The unique sharp look of observing an unfamiliar guest visiting their comfortable home – not hostile, but not entirely friendly either.

What impression does her appearance give? How graceful is her gait and how composed is her posture, how stylishly is she dressed and does she have extravagant tastes?

Only after observing Katharine as a person from head to toe did they politely greet her.

“We greet Lady Katharine Roberfon. You must have had a tiring journey coming all this way.”

“Not at all. Thanks to the care of His Majesty and many others, I had a very comfortable journey. Thank you for your concern.”

The expressions of some nobles visibly softened.

It seemed that her initial greeting and basic attitude had passed their standards for now.

It would probably be good to memorize the Renel Empire’s noble directory from today onwards to better understand people in various ways.

This was because there were cases where they purposely didn’t reveal their own names and later induced an answer, or intentionally gave wrong information about other nobles as if by mistake to cause embarrassment.

While there were many good people in high society, there were just as many who played such childish tricks.

One of the noble ladies stepped forward, seemingly intending to guide Katharine, preparing to say something.

But before she could utter a word, Farnese moved close to Katharine and gently grasped her hand.

“The long journey must have taken a toll on your body. I think it would be good to have the court physician examine your condition.”

“I’m fine, Your Majesty.”

As Katharine hesitated and spoke, Farnese sighed as if displeased and lightly stroked her thin cheek.

“You’re not fine. Don’t try to deceive my eyes, even if you can deceive others.”

Katharine blushed unknowingly at his touch, which somehow seemed to have become more intense, but she was also flustered.

The surrounding nobles, without exception, couldn’t hide their surprise and blankly looked back and forth between the two.

They had certainly expected the emperor, who never cared for or worried about anyone, to head straight to his office to attend to the backlog of state affairs upon arrival.

They never imagined he would show such behavior.

“Your Majesty, you must be tired. Wouldn’t it be better to rest first? We will take utmost care of Lady Katharine Roberfon…”

“No. I will personally attend to her. Bring the court physician to the imperial palace right now.”

“Pardon?”

The nobles froze, all doubting their ears.

She doesn’t attend to the emperor, but the emperor attends to her?

As the nobles were confused and bewildered, not understanding the situation, Farnese calmly stared at them with a cold face that seemed to ask if he needed to explain any further.

Realizing the meaning of that gaze, the nobles had no choice but to stop evaluating Katharine with sharp eyes and quietly lower their gazes and step aside.

“There’s some mild malnutrition and symptoms of a cold, but fortunately it’s not severe.”

Lord Leon, the chief court physician of the Renel Imperial Court, handed a prescription to the court pharmacist and continued speaking.

He was the one who had previously looked at Katharine’s injured leg, and he had a paler complexion than most patients and gave a somewhat fragile impression that was hard to place.

It was also difficult to guess his age from his appearance.

Considering his position as court physician, he certainly couldn’t be young, but he didn’t seem to be over forty either.

Judging from the scratches on the ring on his ring finger, one could only guess that he had been married for quite some time.

“However, it would be best to refrain from strenuous activities for the time being and focus on resting. Light walks or sunbathing would be good too.”

“I’ve noticed these past few days that she doesn’t sleep deeply, groaning and tossing and turning in her sleep.”

Katharine looked at Farnese with wide eyes like a rabbit.

How did he know about her insomnia?

Lord Leon glanced back and forth between Farnese and Katharine with slightly surprised eyes, then politely replied.

“It’s probably because you’re mentally and physically exhausted. I’ll prepare medicine to help with sleep and energy recovery, so please take it with meals every day. You should recover quickly.”

“Thank you, Lord Leon. You also diligently treated my leg before. I’m indebted to you.”

“Not at all. It’s just my duty. Please call for me anytime if you need anything.”

As the examination ended, Duke Ludwig, who had been quietly standing behind the sofa, quickly gave silent eye signals to the servants and maids.

They all rushed out as if they had busy schedules, and the room left with just the two of them was again filled with an awkward silence.

Katharine neatly folded her knees and smoothed her already tidy skirt for no reason.

Perhaps she was the only one who got nervous for no reason whenever they were left alone, as he spoke in a more businesslike voice than ever.

“It’s going to get busy. Officially announcing the royal marriage, holding the engagement ceremony and wedding, and before you know it, the social season will begin and hectic days will follow. We have many things to discuss in various aspects going forward, so rest well today.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It was starting to feel a bit more real now.

That she had come here to have a political marriage with him.

That complicated emotions typical of newlyweds were not necessary between the two of us.

Thinking simply and clearly made her feel like her mind was clearing up, so Katharine lightly rose from her seat.

His gaze followed a beat late.

“Then, I’ll take my leave now. Your Majesty needs to rest too.”

Just as she was about to take a step after giving a slight bow, the tips of his fingers touched her long sleeve.

Turning around, there was Farnese with an expression that seemed to be hesitating about something, while also showing an indefinable strange thirst.

He slid his hand down and brushed Katharine’s hand, especially the protruding bone part, and dug between her narrow fingers.

Looking down at the two hands smoothly intertwining in the stuffy silence, Katharine unknowingly held her breath.

“I shouldn’t dislike letting you go from my arms so soon.”

“Your Majesty…?”

“Really, this has become troublesome.”

Was it just a feeling that his words, whose meaning was incomprehensible, sounded seductively irresistible yet dangerous on the other hand?

For some reason, she couldn’t take her eyes off the sight of his eyes, reminiscent of intense topaz, being hidden and revealed repeatedly by his long eyelashes.

Just as she was about to ask again what he meant.

Someone lightly knocked on the door from outside.

“Your Majesty. Duchess Katarina Lyudo requests an audience.”