Regardless of my astonishment, Nathaniel continued speaking without a change in expression.

“I’ll probably be the only one who knows this fact. I received confirmation from Matap, even a guarantee about Anais’s origin.”

The imperial family couldn’t easily accept a child born outside without proper verification procedures.

Of course, with Matap’s help, Anais passed the test and became part of the royal family.

Deceiving sorcerers was almost an impossible task.

But…

“Yeah, if it’s the DS Knights, they might be able to disguise themselves as the Emperor’s legitimate daughter. I didn’t even know until I confirmed that Anais couldn’t learn magic.”

Nathaniel’s words made everything clear.

Why the Empress disliked Anais.

How much the sin he committed must have bothered him, going back and forth right in front of his eyes.

“It’s actually better this way. If she marries into a noble family or a foreign royal family, it might cause an even bigger problem when the truth comes out.”

Marrying into a relatively loose-status country seemed much better.

Moreover, the other party was not a noble but a Matap person, so there was much more freedom in terms of status.

“Do you think Kilian is a good person?”

Nathaniel asked with a complex expression. I recalled Anais and Kilian whom I had seen so far.

Anais, who was fragile and easily breakable, became strong enough to raise her voice to protect Henry. And Kilian…

“Kilian is a bit strange, but he seems like a good person. Besides, Princess Anais likes him.”

“In that case, it’s fortunate.”

“And the princess has an uncle who will soon become the emperor. What’s there to worry about?”

I said, poking him in the side.

Nathaniel nodded soon after.

“Yeah. Anais and Henry are both my siblings.”

And he whispered to me with a smile.

I tapped my head lightly against his broad chest. The hand that embraced my back was big and warm.

“Don’t cause trouble while I’m not around.”

“Who caused trouble? Just stay quiet in the temple with Nathaniel.”

It was the first time we had been so far apart after marriage. Perhaps that’s why it felt even more tender.

The warm body temperature that descended from the forehead to the eyes and cheeks was sweet.

“Oh, it’s still daylight…”

“We have to stay apart for a while.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“After working so hard all this time, you can take a break today.”

I couldn’t help but give in to the persistent gaze.

“Only for today.”

“Willingly.”

Nathaniel smiled satisfactorily and took my hand.

It must be my imagination that I felt a sense of relief.

Maximilian, who heard the news of capturing a spy from Damon in the ducal mansion, felt relieved.

“I guess we have to go back.”

He blankly remembered what happened at the Hera villa.
After Jaina left, he had many thoughts. He wondered if his actions, always prioritizing Theresa, were too one-sided.

And what impact his behavior had on Theresa.

“Even if I’m hated, it doesn’t matter.”

He felt like his breath would stop at Theresa’s occasionally cold gaze.

Nevertheless, he was happy that she was by his side.

Just living in the same space made him happy.

But humans are greedy.

Maximilian constantly wanted recognition from Theresa.

“Pitiful.”

He buried his face in both palms.

Due to restless dreams for the past few days, he couldn’t sleep properly.

“Phew…”

A headache surged. His health had deteriorated rapidly lately with increased sensitivity and added stress.

Maximilian processed all the documents brought from the castle and lay down on the long sofa.

Thinking that he should close his eyes for a moment.

Theresa, who was taking a light walk with the maids, also heard some good news.

“A letter came from the castle?”

“Yes, Lady Theresa.”

There was only one reason for the contact. It was probably news of capturing a spy.

Theresa couldn’t help but be excited.

She had been eagerly planning to decorate the greenhouse in the ducal mansion, but coming to Hera suddenly was disappointing.

What she wanted to do was in the ducal mansion.

‘I want to go back soon.’

She decided to talk to Maximilian directly, who was contemplating.

“Where is the Duke?”

“He is probably in his office.”

“I see.”

She headed to the office to inquire about future plans and see Maximilian.

She knocked on the door, but there was no answer.

After knocking a few more times, Theresa, with a slight sense of unease, opened the door.

“Ah.”

Through the slightly opened door, the perfectly organized office looked bleak.

Theresa called Maximilian once again.

“Max?”

Even though she called him by the nickname that used to stick to his lips, there was no response. After hesitating, she opened the door and went in.

As she slowly entered, she saw Maximilian lying horizontally on the sofa, hidden behind the bookshelf.

His serene face looked lifeless, much like that of a dead person.

“Was he always like this?”

Theresa suddenly felt like it had been a long time since she properly saw Maximilian’s face.