Hertian is not here.

Even though it’s time to have an audience with the Emperor, he hasn’t shown up.

By this point, I started to think that Hertian wasn’t simply avoiding me.

He’s not the type of person to ruin an important plan over a momentary unpleasantness.

After finishing my preparations alone, I hurriedly left the palace. Strangely, the palace courtyard was empty.

I couldn’t see the Blanditia knights who came with me, nor Hertian, nor Osen who was supposed to arrive early in the morning. Along with the feeling of being left alone in the middle of the forest, anxiety crept up my feet.

‘Hertian couldn’t have been harmed.’

He’s the one who has lived under the shadow of death since birth. He’s not someone who would fall for the Empress’s schemes.

Then where on earth did he disappear to?

“Your Highness the Grand Duchess. Are you ready to depart?”

The carriage I called to go to the Emperor’s palace had arrived. There wasn’t enough time left until the audience to look for Hertian.

‘It would have been nice if anyone was here.’

Although we came with a small number of knights, to think they would all disappear like this.

Even in this situation, I couldn’t just grab anyone and ask about Hertian’s whereabouts. If the fact that Hertian was absent spread, I might lose the chance to meet the Emperor.

At that moment, someone’s voice flashed through my mind.

‘I’m Eleanor Crea, deputy commander of the 2nd Imperial Knights. Introducing myself as a comrade sounds too dry, but I’ve been close to Hertian since before he became Grand Duke. We received the same training under Calix.’

Eleanor was in the Imperial Palace!

Of course, I could have looked for my father, who is the Imperial Administrator. But there wasn’t enough time to go find him and explain. Moreover, if the fact that Serdis and the Empress were involved in this matter came to light. It’s uncertain what decision my father would make.

‘First, I need to go to Eleanor and ask her to find Hertian.’

“Let’s depart.”

“Are you going alone?”

“The Grand Duke will come separately.”

The palace where the Emperor is and the training ground where the Imperial Knights are located are not that far apart.

‘I should have enough time to make a quick stop.’

After checking the time, I turned my steps. As I did so, I felt my aching body lighten. Unlike my comfortable body, this unpleasant feeling. As expected. I saw familiar blonde hair.

“Anette!”

I had forgotten for a moment.

That there was someone who would pop up unexpectedly anywhere and turn my mood upside down.

“Your Highness Serdis. We meet again.”

He was the one I least wanted to encounter.

‘No doubt he came knowing we were going to have an audience.’

I’ll have to postpone going to Eleanor for a bit. Serdis might use Hertian’s absence as a pretext.

“I heard you came to the Imperial Palace. But I didn’t see you. I thought you were hiding somewhere, but I guess not.”

Serdis’s eyes narrowed. I glibly responded.

“Why would I hide? We must have just missed each other.”

“Is that so? Then I don’t need to feel hurt. I was upset thinking you were keeping your distance even after getting married.”

That’s only natural. Even if not an ex-lover, he’s someone who even bought a wedding ring for me, so how could I be comfortable around him?

As if reading my mind, Serdis added.

“Anette, you said it yourself last time. That we’re family now. Family should be open with each other without secrets.”

He talks about family.

He doesn’t acknowledge Hertian as family but considers me family?

You might as well say the sun rises in the west.

“Yes. I’ll do that.”

Soon, someone approached from behind him. Shimmering silver hair and pale skin. A man with clear green eyes. A face I’ve never seen before.

As I gestured in that direction, Serdis immediately introduced him.

“Ah, this is Michael. He’s the Viscount of Valosone and has temporarily agreed to be my assistant. Anette, is this your first time seeing him?”

I looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Michael Valosone.

He was a character that never appeared in the original story. If he was the assistant to the protagonist Serdis, even if temporary, he surely would have had at least some minor role. I had no memory of him at all.

‘Is this also a change because I altered the original story?’

Since that was a possibility, I stopped my suspicions.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Anette Blanditia.”

He slightly raised the corners of his mouth at my greeting.

“It’s a great pleasure to meet you, Lady Anette.”

“He’s so exceptionally skilled that rumors about him are widespread. It took quite some time to bring him in.”

Come to think of it, I vaguely remembered hearing rumors that the Valosone marquis family was a family of geniuses for generations. Though information was scarce since they were such a reclusive family.

“I know Lady Anette very well.”

“You know me well?”

He nodded lightly.

“Aren’t you curious how I know Lady Anette so well?”

With a somewhat dangerous-looking smile.

“Um. Not really.”

But it wasn’t enough to catch my interest. As always, reality was too pressing.

“Why not? Usually people are curious.”

“Because there are quite a few such people around me. I was quite popular, you see.”

I answered glibly while brushing my hair. Usually, this makes them sulk quickly.

I’ve met many such people when I was at the academy. People who creepily claimed to know me because they liked me.

I wondered why Michael felt unsettling, but I guess it was because of that peculiar creepiness.

“Then I’ll be going.”

Michael didn’t sulk or look disappointed. Regardless, I turned my back on him, cutting off my attention. I didn’t have the leisure to chat with someone I just met. Now it was really time to go see the Emperor.

“Are you going to meet His Majesty the Emperor?”

Serdis asked.

“Yes.”

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

He inquired subtly.

“Hertian received an urgent message about his territory and went out for a moment. It seems the matter hasn’t been resolved yet. I should at least see His Majesty by myself.”

I made up an excuse. Just then, a servant came out from the audience chamber to guide me. However, Serdis naturally followed behind me.

“Let’s go in together.”

“You too, Your Highness? Why?”

He smiled gently and lightly placed his hand on my shoulder.

“I should be there to support you since you’re alone. You’re going to ask His Majesty to stop Hertian from participating in the war today, right?”

He asked bluntly. As if he knew all of my plans.

“Yes. But why are you saying this? Does this mean Your Highness will join in to prevent the Grand Duke’s participation?”

“Why not? It might be fine for that guy, but you look troubled so I should help. Actually… this participation was encouraged by my mother and her family.”

Hearing it directly from his mouth gave me a strong feeling of rejection.

It was strange that he would help me while knowing this. I tilted my head and asked.

“That’s odd. I thought Your Highness wanted the Grand Duke to participate.”

I thought he was the one who encouraged participation, beyond just wanting it. Hertian must have been a thorn in Serdis’s side too. At my words, Serdis drooped his eyebrows as if hurt.

“That’s harsh, Anette. I’ve only been worried about you. How painful would it be for you if that guy goes to war? You two are close and newlyweds, so of course it would be hard. I just want to help you because I don’t want to see you suffering.”

“Does the Empress know that Your Highness intends to help me?”

“Well. She’d probably be upset if she knew, right? But I’m on your side more than mother’s. I’ll just deal with her scolding later.”

He blinked his eyes while looking at me.

Eyes whose depths were impossible to fathom.

‘From the abandoned palace to the maid. Was it really done solely by the Empress?’

There were more than one or two questions.

This isn’t simply an act to gain my favor. He clearly has a separate plan. To figure that out, I couldn’t keep pushing him away.

“Let’s go together.”

And if Serdis really does prevent Hertian’s participation, it would be good for me. Even if it’s just to look good in my eyes.

The doors to the audience chamber opened.

At the end of the stairs, I could see the Emperor’s face sitting on the throne.

The Emperor’s nonchalant appearance looked a bit resentful.

‘No matter how difficult it is to go against the Empress’s words, isn’t Hertian also your child?’

He was someone who couldn’t protect even one child despite holding the highest position.

“We greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”

I showed only minimal courtesy to the incompetent Emperor. The Emperor looked no different from when I last met him. He showed no signs of guilt or regret for not being able to protect his son.

“It’s been a while.”

Because of this, I too could set aside personal feelings.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Although it’s been a while, I didn’t expect to come greet Your Majesty so early.”

As I spoke with a hint of sharpness, the Emperor asked in a rather stiff tone.

“You look like you have a lot to say. Skip the greetings and say what you want to say.”

It was what I wanted.

I raised my lowered head and spoke to the Emperor.

“Do you remember the promise you made with me before, Your Majesty?”

“Of course I remember.”

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

The Emperor lifted his resting chin and looked at me. The person standing next to Serdis whispered something to him. Serdis looked at me with a grin and shook his fist slightly. It seemed he was cheering me on.

“Tell me what you want.”

Soon the Emperor’s permission came.

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

“A treasure from Turan?”

“Yes. One of the treasures sent from Turan to the Empire long ago.”

I asked the Emperor for the treasure as planned.

“I suppose it’s an item you need given your ability.”

“Yes.”

“Your ability to always look at me straight must also be because of that power. It’s truly an enviable ability.”

“It’s just a trivial skill.”

The Emperor ordered a servant to find the treasure and deliver it to me. Then he rested his chin again and stared at me.

“But it’s unexpected.”

“That I didn’t ask you to stop the Grand Duke’s participation as my wish?”

“You know everything.”

“If I made that request, it would put Your Majesty in a difficult position.”

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

The Emperor asked, twitching his eyebrows. He seemed curious.

Of course that’s why I came. That’s why I asked for the treasure too.

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

“His Highness Serdis said he would resolve that.”

I immediately turned my eyes to Serdis.

‘You didn’t think I’d mention you directly, did you?’

He seemed to have been planning to subtly help from the side, but I wasn’t such a soft person.

I had to thoroughly use any part that could be used.

“Serdis, you say?”

The Emperor called Serdis with full of doubt.

The Emperor must have been curious about the situation, seeing me appear with Serdis while Hertian was nowhere to be found. So I had no choice but to personally satisfy his curiosity.

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

I had no expectations.

Do you think I don’t know Serdis?

There was no reason for Serdis to go against the Empress’s will to put him on the throne.

Moreover, the Empress personally set up the palace and even sent a maid.

To blur the purpose of coming here.

To thwart the Empress’s efforts that went to such lengths? It’s difficult even for Serdis. Especially for him who values his own position more than anyone.

‘What he said to me was just lip service.’

Just words trying to cling to me now that Hertian is gone.

It didn’t matter if he backed out here. I had a backup plan.

I looked at Serdis with eyes full of gratitude.

“I don’t know how reassured I feel that Your Highness cares so much for me as family.”

It was a subtle urging.

‘Come on, if you’re going to back out, do it quickly.’

Once you leave, I’ll start negotiating with the Emperor in earnest.

Finally, everyone’s gaze turned to Serdis. Then Serdis pretended to contemplate for a moment before opening his mouth.

“Please withdraw the order to participate. I’ll handle the aftermath.”