Tap. Tap.

The sound of Kai’s long fingers rhythmically tapping on the desk echoed.

Upon reflection, the things happening around her weren’t ordinary. Seeing the invisible earth fairies, the crops she cultivated being unusually sweet and delicious, even Will hovering around her.

Even while working, thoughts of Stella crossed her mind occasionally. The reasons for thinking about her were diverse. When feeling hungry, memories of the carrot pie she had given came to mind, and then a sweet, smiling face followed.

As she gazed outside where the sunlight poured through the window, a garden that seemed perfect for little earth fairies to frolic unfolded.

In these moments, she’d remember Stella’s voice, the one who would carry a little earth fairy on her shoulder and chatter away. Even when trying to focus on documents, the sparkling face would suddenly invade Kai’s concentration.

Whether they were together or just in proximity, she was an incredibly annoying woman. Eventually, Kai closed the documents she had spread out.

Deliberately looking for something else to focus on, Kai realized that she hadn’t seen Will for a few days. She was genuinely pleased to find a different distraction.

“Harang.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Why haven’t I seen the teacher lately? Could it be that he has left the palace again?”

“Yes. Duke Will is said to be staying inside the royal library every day these days.”

“The teacher reading books?”
Duke Will reading books in the library. It was as absurd and mismatched a combination as if he were sewing in front of a loom. Books and Duke Will.

“You’re not practicing using a sword to split books, are you?”

“If it’s Your Grace, you might as well.”

Harang, who knew Will’s personality better than anyone else, responded with a fairly serious expression. Kai looked at Harang, who made such silly remarks, with disbelief and chuckled.

“I heard that Your Grace is currently reading books related to magic.”

Harang, well aware that the Emperor had a keen interest in Duke Will, had already investigated what Will was doing in the library.

It was partly to answer the Emperor’s questions immediately, but also because it really seemed strange for Duke Will to frequent the library.

“Books related to magic?”

As the second-highest-ranking figure in the empire, Will could read all the imperial books except those classified as top secret. Honestly, Kai had little interest in reading books.

She had read books reluctantly only as part of studying imperial studies, and she didn’t genuinely have a hobby for scholarship.

Having scholars like Krot around her was also a reason. If she had no interest in scholarship, having someone with such an interest around her was enough.
The teacher has been quiet lately, and it turns out he’s reading books in the library, magic-related books at that.

Kai was about to go straight to the library but called Harang and discreetly instructed her.

“Look into Princess Stella of Verudra Castle.”

“Are you referring to Princess Amalun?”

“How do you remember that?”

Kai’s voice involuntarily sharpened at the thought that Harang might be meeting Stella separately.

“How could I not remember? Haven’t you seen her recently? She left a deep impression even at the gift-giving ceremony.”

Harang, looking at Kai with surprise, asked more astonished. Kai, feeling caught off guard, quickly changed the subject.

“How Princess Stella lived in Amalun, what her relationship was like with her family, everything.”

“Why suddenly ask about Princess Stella… Oh! Could it be!”

“Don’t start imagining strange things on your own. Just find out. But keep it secret from others.”

“Yes, understood.”

Though the Emperor made it clear that it wasn’t, Harang’s eyes were already gleaming with excitement.

During the long time he had been guarding the Emperor, there had never been an occasion where Kai specifically instructed him to find out about a particular woman.

Though it was a bit disappointing that it wasn’t Duchess Mila, from Harang’s perspective, any princess from another country was considered good enough.
No, he was delighted at the Emperor’s interest in women itself.

Kai shook his head with a gleeful expression, seeing Harang’s steps become as light as a child going to buy a birthday present.

In his mind, there were already thoughts of me and Princess Stella having a wedding ceremony.

“Daggers are often used in assassination. If an assassin draws a dagger and attacks quickly, most people can’t even draw their swords. So, more than anything, self-defense techniques are crucial.”

“I want to learn how to use a sword.”

“You should be able to protect yourself to be able to attack. If you don’t like the way I teach, you can quit.”

With Kai’s firm attitude, Stella quickly changed her tone to a polite one. No matter how low her status was, she was now a teacher, so she had to listen to her teacher.

“Self-defense is crucial. So, where should we start?”

While Stella was changing her stance at the speed of light, Kai smirked, but since it was such a fleeting moment, Stella didn’t catch it.