Seemingly nonchalant, but her cheeks were slightly flushed. I chuckled and playfully asked her.

“Do you miss Kilian?”

“What? Oh, no! That’s not true.”

Anais, denying with both hands, looked cute in her attempt to deny. I decided to pretend not to notice.

“I’m not sure exactly, but he’ll probably be back around the New Year’s festival.”

“Ah.”

Even though she pretended not to care, a smile appeared on her face.

‘I guess she wouldn’t mind Kilian as a marriage partner.’
Due to her older brother’s arbitrary breakup, she suffered a disgrace. Consequently, it wasn’t easy for her to marry within the empire. Marrying a foreigner presented its own challenges, even if their social status matched, the age often did not.

“There are mostly either very young or very old people left….”

Perhaps the Empress, who was blind to power, might have sent her as the elderly Emperor’s successor to seek external support.

In that regard, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to quickly arrange Anais and Kilian, who seemed to have mutual affection.

“Kilian is a good person.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Although his personality is a bit peculiar, he didn’t seem to have ill intentions. While not of very high rank, the unique position as the Matapju would adequately satisfy the Emperor’s greed and leave room to spare.

“If you like him, shall I mention it to Her Majesty?”

“But, we don’t know what Kilian thinks.”

Hmm.

It seemed they hadn’t properly talked to each other yet.

Suppressing the urge to burst into laughter at Anais’s cute appearance, I said, “Ask Kilian directly when he returns this time.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“But, I’m a woman… Wouldn’t it be strange to ask such things?”

“So what? If it doesn’t fit, we should settle it quickly.”

If they hesitated and missed the timing, things might get awkward.

Since I couldn’t give this advice to Kilian, it was better to encourage Anais.

“I guarantee, Kilian will never reject.”

I reassured Anais to boost her courage.

“Fortune favors the bold! Haven’t you heard?”

She nodded slowly at my words.

Still blushing, but her eyes were sparkling with hope.

After Henry and Anais left, lying on the bed, we looked up at the familiar ceiling and felt comfortable.

“My father called me and said he wants to pass the imperial throne to me.”

“Your Majesty?”

Why would he suddenly want to pass the throne, which he didn’t do even in the original work?

“He felt disillusioned with life after being kidnapped, and now he wants to spend more time with his family.”

“Oh… He had such thoughts.”

Although he seemed to have enjoyed life too much to feel disillusioned, the decision to spend more time with family was a good one.

“When does he plan to pass it on?”

“After the New Year’s festival, a month later.”

“So soon?”

“Yes.”

Since the Emperor decided to pass the throne to Nathaniel, the Empress would probably not remain silent. She was already raising soldiers near the capital.

“Shouldn’t we be cautious about the Empress’s family right away?”

“I haven’t found evidence yet. It’s not an issue to touch lightly… I asked Martin to investigate, but it’s not easy.”

“We need a different deterrent method.”
“Well, it would be quicker for me to go and suppress them all. Without soldiers, they can’t start a rebellion.”

“You’re not going to tell the Empress, Your Majesty?”

“He seems to be looking forward to retirement too much.”

“Ah…”

Although his attitude seemed overly casual, the Emperor seemed to consider Milia as ‘genuine’ love.

If Nathaniel secretly deployed soldiers with his power, the Empress might not have any other thoughts and might quietly let it pass.

“You were thinking about your father.”

“Yes.”

I smiled slightly and brushed his cheek.

Nathaniel, gently bumping his lips against my forehead, whispered, “When he talked to me about having a child back then.”

“Ugh.”

A sigh involuntarily escaped me at the embarrassing story.

Nathaniel, after briefly stifling laughter, continued speaking.

“That was when I first thought I could become a father. And Father came to mind. Even though he might have been busy with other women, at least he accepted me as I am.”

“I told you. The Empress truly loves Nathaniel as her child.”

“I sometimes thought that might not be the case.”

“There were a few things more important than love for family. But considering the person in the throne, there was no choice.”

Nathaniel bowed his head and stared into my eyes.

Then he asked, “What if I were to change like that…”

“Nathaniel will never be like that.”

Suddenly burdened by sitting in the Emperor’s place, was that why Nathaniel looked particularly vulnerable today?

I reached into his embrace and took a deep breath.

A sweet scent filled the air.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Nathaniel is different from the Empress and others. And I’ll be by your side. What is there to worry about?”

To ensure he doesn’t change and doesn’t stray down the wrong path, I will be by his side.

“When you’re unsure, we can think about it together.”

If he faces difficulties, I can share and solve them together.

“If anyone bothers Nathaniel, my father and I will take care of them.”

Even if nobles try to shake his position, I will support him using the Marquisate, if necessary.

“So don’t worry. I am your wife.”

In the darkness, his red eyes sparkled slightly.

Under the moonlight, his eyes shone even more brightly than usual.

I reached out and embraced his neck.

Nathaniel had already become the center of my life.

Therefore, to ensure he doesn’t collapse or fall, I will give my all.

“I love you, Jaina.”

A short sentence, bursting with intense emotions. I pressed my lips against his smooth lips and whispered.

“I love you too.”

As if I had everything in the world.