Father consulted with Nathaniel and then left, asking him to please prevent any contact from those troublesome people.

“Hmm.”

The Grovan family was more proactive than expected. Moreover, it was strange that the Emperor remained silent about this matter.

‘The raccoon-like man wouldn’t be expecting us to do anything.’

I thought that when Nathaniel returned from helping the Bill family, I should talk seriously about this matter.

A few days later.

During that time, rumors spread in society that the Grovan Marquis had suffered a great deal by requesting the marriage of his younger brother and the daughter of a minor duke from the Winter’s Duke. The story went around that they even returned all the gifts they had sent.

I grumbled to Nathaniel with an unhappy face as I passionately knitted.

“Emperor’s mind must be unstable. No, how can he bring his government into our house?”

“Even without that, trying to meet Father because of calling the Grovan Marquis, it seems it won’t be easy to see him.”

Since we had evenly divided the main tasks between Nathaniel and me, the work didn’t pile up. The problem was the apparent favor shown to the Grovan Marquis, which came from above.

It was not the first time the Emperor had shown dissatisfaction with the government.
Most of them were from mixed Korean-American families, but it was the first time such favoritism had occurred.

“And there’s something strange.”

I stopped knitting and looked at Nathaniel as I spoke.

“Empress, even when silent, is too quiet.”

As I imagined what would unfold in the future, the Empress had no reaction, as if waiting for something.

“Both sides are too suspicious.”

“Well, meeting the Empress comes first… I’ve been curious for a while, what on earth is that?”

Nathaniel pointed to the cloak with pink yarn.

“Not embroidery or knitting, it’s rare for a noble to engage in knitting.”

“Oh, this? Well…”

I felt embarrassed and avoided eye contact.

If I told the truth, it seemed he would definitely get angry…

He would probably refuse to wear it.

Nathaniel sighed, and once again opened his mouth.

“Answer.”

“Well… I thought it might be cold if it turns into a dragon.”

“…”

“I also made a regular black sweater!”

I quickly added an explanation, but Nathaniel’s expression remained unchanged.

“I will not wear it.”

With a firm declaration, I rolled my eyes to appease him.

“Reptiles generally struggle in winter. I thought it would be good to keep warm.”

I began to extol the virtues of the sweater.

While he seemed to agree on maintaining body temperature, he showed no sign of accepting the classic design.

“Your sense of aesthetics is questionable.”
“Consider it my sincerity.”

Nathaniel sighed deeply.

The thought of winning brought a subtle smile to his face.

Imagining Nathaniel sitting in a fluffy sweater, the hands knitting accelerated.

Anais sighed deeply. It was because of Henry, who had been unusually excited for the past few days.

Watching Henry fantasize like he was dreaming, Anais was tortured by guilt.

She knew that their mother would never let Henry go willingly. Moreover, although not certain, there was another worry.

For now, Henry was young, and they got along well, so they could get by like this. But if there were ever a cause for concern…

Considering various factors, it seemed wise to build a friendly relationship with Kilian.

She cautiously spoke up.

“Lord Beaumont, could you perhaps arrange a meeting with Sir Kilian?”

“Sir Kilian? Wasn’t it uncomfortable for him last time?”

Jaena, surprised by the unexpected suggestion, looked at Anais with wide eyes.

Anais extended her hand and explained as if making an excuse.

“Henry seemed interested.”

“Ah…”

Jaena nodded. After a brief hesitation, she asked,

“I might be too busy to attend together… Is that okay?”
“Yes. I’ve never seen you so excited before. It seems like you dream of studying abroad every day.”

Jaena looked at Anais with a warm smile. Anais responded to her gaze by tilting her head.

“Why are you like this?”

“You look much better than before.”

“Do I? It seems no different from usual…”

“In the past, you hesitated even to express your wishes.”

“Ah…”

Anais’s face turned slightly red.

It was because she recalled pushing away Jaena, who was trying to help her.

“I’m always grateful to you, Your Highness.”

“What did I do?”

“No, it’s not that. Since Your Highness came, I, Henry, and even my brother have changed a lot.”

In response to Anais’s praise, Jaena smiled modestly and scratched the back of her head.

When they first met, she thought Jaena would be a haughty noble lady, but it was completely different.

Jaena had rescued families isolated in their respective palaces in the splendid and solemn hell-like imperial palace.

“Hahaha, suddenly praising me, feeling embarrassed?”

Anais laughed lightly.

She hoped that someday she could also be of help to Jaena.