Michael did not sulk or look disappointed. Either way, I turned my back on him. I didn’t have the time to chitchat with a stranger. It was really time to go see the Emperor now.

“You’re going to see His Majesty the Emperor?”

Serdis asked.

“Yes.”

“But are you going alone? What about that guy?”

He subtly probed.

“Hertian received an urgent message from his fief and left for a while. It seems the issue hasn’t been resolved yet. I have to see His Majesty alone.”

I vaguely skirted the issue. Just then, a servant from the real world came out to guide me. However, Serdis naturally followed me.

“Let me join you.”

“Your Highness too? Why?”

He grinned and lightly put his hand on my shoulder.

“I have to be a strength to you who are alone. You’ll ask His Majesty today to stop Hertian from participating in the war, right?”

He directly asked, as if he knew all my plans.

“Yes. But does that mean Your Highness will help stop the Duke from participating?”

“Why not? Though he may be so, you look distressed. Actually… this participation was encouraged by my mother and my maternal family.”

Hearing it directly from him made me feel an intense aversion.

It was strange that he knew and still helped me. I tilted my head and asked.

“That’s strange. I thought Your Highness would want the Duke to participate.”

I thought he had encouraged participation. To Serdis, Hertian would have been an eyesore. At my words, Serdis frowned as if hurt.

“That’s too much, Anette. I’ve always been worried about you. How heartbroken you would be if he went to war? You’re newlyweds and get along well; of course, you’d struggle. I just don’t want to see you suffer.”

“Does the Empress Mother know Your Highness will help me?”

“I wonder. She might be upset if she knew. But I’m on your side over my mother. I’ll take the scolding later.”

He blinked his eyes at me.

His eyes were completely unreadable.

“Was everything from the abandoned palace to the maidservant really a solo act of the Empress?”

I had more than one question.

It wasn’t a simple act to win my favor. He definitely had another plan. I couldn’t continue to push him away to find out.

“Let’s go together.”
If Serdis really did prevent Hertian from participating in the battle, then it would be a good thing for me, even if it simply made me look good.

The door to the real world opened.

At the end of the stairs, the face of the Emperor, who was sitting on the throne, appeared.

The Emperor’s indifferent appearance looked a bit cruel.

‘Even if it’s difficult to go against the Empress’s words, isn’t Hertian also your child?’

He was a person who, even in the highest position, couldn’t protect his one child.

“I greet Your Majesty, the Emperor.”

I gave the incompetent Emperor a minimal courtesy. The Emperor looked no different than the last time I met him. He was not remorseful or sorry for not being able to protect his son.

“It’s been a while.”

So I could also exclude any trivial emotions.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I didn’t expect to greet you this soon.”

As I spat out the thorny words, the Emperor asked in a stiff tone.

“You look like you have a lot to say. Skip the pleasantries and speak your mind.”

That’s what I wanted.

I lifted my bowed head and spoke towards the Emperor.

“Do you remember a promise I made with you before?”

“Of course I remember.”

“I would like you to fulfill that promise now.”

The Emperor lifted his chin and looked at me. The person who was standing next to Serdis whispered something to him. Serdis looked at me and grinned, lightly shaking his fist. It seemed like he was cheering me on.

“What do you want?”

Soon, the Emperor’s permission was granted.

“I would like to receive one of the treasures you received from Turan in the past as a gift.”

“Turan’s treasure?”

“Yes. It’s one of the treasures sent from Turan to the empire a long time ago.”

I asked the Emperor for the treasure as planned.

“So you must need it given your abilities.”

“Yes.”

“You must also be looking at me favorably because of those abilities. Really desirable skills.”

“They are mere tricks.”

The Emperor commanded his servant to find the treasure and deliver it to me. Then he looked straight at me again.

“But it’s surprising.”

“Because I didn’t ask you to prevent the Duke from participating in the battle?”

“You knew all along.”

“Asking that would put Your Majesty in a difficult position.”

“Wasn’t that your purpose for coming here?”

The Emperor asked while furrowing his brows. He seemed curious.

Of course, that was why I came. That’s also why I requested the treasure.

But there was no need to reveal my hand now. Especially because Serdis was here.

“His Highness Serdis has agreed to take care of that matter.”

I immediately turned my eyes towards Serdis.

‘Didn’t expect me to mention it directly, did you?’

He seemed to be subtly trying to interfere, but I was not such a soft person.

I must exploit every advantage I can get.

“Serdis, is this true?”

The Emperor, full of doubt, called out to Serdis.

The Emperor must have been curious about why I appeared with Serdis, especially when Hertian was nowhere to be found. So, it was only natural to clarify his curiosity.

“Your Highness Serdis. You haven’t forgotten the promise you made earlier, have you?”

I had no expectations.

I know Serdis.

There was no reason for Serdis to defy the will of the Empress, who wanted to seat him on the throne.

Moreover, the Empress had set up the palace herself and even sent maids.

To blur the purpose of my visit.

Would he ruin the Empress’ effort? It would be difficult for even Serdis, who values his own position more than anyone else.

‘The words he said to me were merely for appearances.’

It was just him trying to cling to me now that Hertian was absent.

Even if he backed out here, it didn’t matter. I had a backup plan.

I looked at Serdis with eyes full of gratitude.

“You have no idea how reassured I feel because Your Highness cares so much for family.”

It was subtle manipulation.

‘Well, if you’re going to back out, do it now.’
After you leave, I will officially negotiate with the Emperor.

Finally, all eyes were on Serdis. Then, after pretending to consider for a moment, Serdis spoke.

“Please rescind the order to join the war. I will take care of the aftermath.”