Carlos suggested to her that it might be good to put aside her thoughts for now and rest until a response to the secret letter arrives.

That it would also take time to choose a teacher.

Mercedes, too, knew that while she was curious about the repercussions the secret letter would bring, there was nothing more she could do, so she decided to accept his suggestion.

So she ate well and slept well.

Since the Emperor had told her to experience how Cromwell lived, she also tried to live lazily and negligently like him.

However, she still had nightmares every time or woke up early in the morning. For her, relaxing her mind was unimaginable.

About a week passed since the secret letter left for Shame like that.

Carlos called for Mercedes.

When she entered the office, Leopold was also there.

“You called for me.”

“Come in.”

The Emperor welcomed her and told her to be comfortable on that long sofa as usual, but she sat with her back straight.

She didn’t want to show any flaws in front of Leopold. If she had known that aide would be here, she would have come dressed in a neat dress.

“The reason I called you today is because Leopold has something to tell you.”

“Is it about Shame? What impact did the secret letter have?”

Mercedes asked, looking fiercely at Leopold. Leopold nodded.

“Duke Rohas has started to move. He’s sending people around, focusing on the cities mentioned in your secret letter, and spreading rumors among the nobles as well.”

“Really?”

Joy bloomed on Mercedes’ face as she heard the news.

The two men watching her fell into different emotions.

Carlos was satisfied, thinking she was getting better little by little, while Leopold was surprised.

Because it didn’t look like the face of someone who was always expressionless and indifferent.

“Is it because of the secret letter I sent that the Duke moved?”

Mercedes asked as if to confirm.

Leopold nodded.

“Yes. Seeing him move despite the uncertain information, it seems the Duke was quite anxious. It was a good idea. And since I polished it up at the end before sending, there were no problems.”

“Ah…”

The eyes that had been fiercely staring at Leopold were covered by her eyelids.

As if the tension in her body had eased a bit, her back rounded.

She blinked a few times. Then the fierceness disappeared and a clear light appeared in her eyes.

Her eyes, which had been a deep green like the leaves of an old, tired, sick tree, changed to a subtle light green when they caught the light. Like a newly born sprout.

Mercedes took a deep breath and greeted with a trembling voice.

“…Thank you.”

Leopold opened his mouth, slightly avoiding her eyes. It was strangely awkward to face her.

When negative emotions or fierceness appeared, it wasn’t much of a problem, but eyes shining happily as if relieved… It made her seem like an ordinary girl, not a murderer, so…

“But the secret letter is just a temporary measure. It only stirred things up a little inside, and just extended the period the King will leave the Crown Prince’s position empty. If you want to kill Cromwell, you’ll have to think of other methods.”

Looking at Leopold, who was giving sincere advice even while avoiding her eyes, she suddenly thought.

It would be nice if her teacher could be someone like Leopold.

Someone capable, with diverse knowledge enough to oversee all departments.

Because Mercedes was an utterly lacking person, she hoped that at least her teacher would be great.

Lost in thought, Mercedes’ gaze lingered on Leopold. Leopold didn’t look that way, and being insensitive to others’ gazes, he didn’t notice this fact.

On the other hand, Carlos watched Mercedes’ gaze with interest.

“Room… seems like a good place. Although I’ve only seen outside the Imperial Palace.”

“Pardon?”

Perhaps because she was a little excited by the news about the secret letter.

She suddenly opened her mouth.

“The office where you stay, sir, was very large. People of all ages and genders were gathered there, and it was full of energy. And Leo, you became one of the people overseeing that big place at a young age. You must have been selected solely because of your outstanding abilities. A place where one can demonstrate their abilities regardless of gender or age.”

“…”

“I, I too… if I learn, even if not as much as you aides… I might be able to… change— Ah, I think… there might be a chance I could change.”

Mercedes’ voice, which had been a little louder than usual, became small again.

It was a voice that seemed to have lost confidence. As soon as she finished speaking, she regretted it, inwardly reproaching herself for bringing up unnecessary talk.

It seems she’s been doing many things unlike herself since coming here.

Meanwhile, Leopold thought that he was being quite flustered today. This woman was naturally praising him and the Emperor’s aides, the entire Room, without seeking his favor.

Mercedes had simply spoken what she thought was the truth, but Leopold’s feelings became strange.

Watching the two of them, Carlos had to inwardly suppress the laughter that was about to burst out for some reason.

Mercedes seemed precarious, but also interesting. Her etiquette and demeanor were perfect for a noble, but when it came to having a proper conversation, in other words, communicating, she always acted clumsily.

Either unable to lie and keeping her mouth shut, or noticeably changing the subject. Or having no reaction at all.

Until now, he had only seen those… but now, as if her emotions had filled up, isn’t she being excessively honest without filtering?

Carlos thought that witnessing this new side of Mercedes would be helpful for his future plans.

“That’s right. There are many good teachers in Room. Especially since I ascended to the throne, they’ve been working even harder to demonstrate their skills.”

At the mention of many good teachers, Mercedes’ eyes sparkled brightly. Her embarrassed appearance disappeared once again.

“But I’m sorry that due to some urgent matters, I still haven’t been able to properly select someone.”

The reason for calling Mercedes was also because of those ‘urgent matters’. Carlos naturally led the conversation in that direction.

“It’s fine. You must always be busy, as the sun of the Empire. I’m grateful just for your consideration.”

“Thank you for understanding. Now, about that busy matter…”

As if reluctant to speak of it, Carlos furrowed his brow.

“You’ll need to move to a different palace for a while. I apologize that it’s a shabby separate palace in a secluded area, but it’s been cleaned thoroughly, so you shouldn’t be uncomfortable.”

“A palace?”

“Yes. And don’t leave that place at all. Until I call for you.”

She nodded impassively.

It seemed she wasn’t even curious about the reason.

“Yes, I will do so.”

“Aren’t you curious about the reason? It’s rather unreasonable to suddenly move you to a shabby palace.”

“I assume something has come up that requires my absence. I suspect that I have become a source of scandal for Your Majesty. I’m confident in keeping a low profile.”

Mercedes spoke calmly.

She’s quite perceptive in these matters, isn’t she.

Carlos nodded.

There seemed to be no need for further explanation. Above all, Mercedes didn’t appear particularly interested in this matter.

“Very well. Make sure to stay only within the separate palace.”

“Yes, I understand.”

It was an easy task for Mercedes.

She didn’t want to meet people anyway, and she had nothing to do until a teacher was assigned.

So, using the excuse that she might be bored, she managed to get some books from Carlos. He muttered, “You’re quite stubborn yourself.”

The books were very basic.

They were titles like ‘The Founding Myth of the Room Empire’, ‘100 Years of International Affairs’, and philosophy books by renowned scholars from long ago.

It wouldn’t be bad to familiarize herself with them in advance, since she’d be learning anyway. She wasn’t sure if she could finish reading them all even if she read for a whole week.

So, being confined to her room was rather welcome news to her.

* * *

The imperial palace was turned upside down due to none other than the news of the Empress Dowager’s visit.

The Empress Dowager had been stressed as Carlos ascended to the throne and won conquest after conquest, and when Carlos became a perfect emperor, she became furious to the tips of her hair and left to stay at a distant seaside villa.

It was understandable.

Carlos, born to the fifth concubine, had become emperor, surpassing her son, the eldest legitimate heir, so her anger was justified.

It was said that she had wept for days to the late emperor, insisting that her son should be the crown prince.

Since it was the late emperor who had designated Carlos as emperor, her anger directed at Carlos was somewhat unfair.

In any case, even an emperor couldn’t ignore the elders of the imperial family, so her visit had to be welcomed.

The Empress Dowager had a reputation for being extremely strict during her time in the Empress Dowager’s palace. As a result, maids spent all day sweeping and cleaning the palace, while court ladies received etiquette training again and checked various things.

The preparations were so nerve-wracking that it felt as if a war was brewing in the palace.

“That woman seems quite intent on finding fault with me.”

Carlos muttered irritably, weary of the tension in the imperial city.

“You must be careful, Your Majesty. Although the Empress Dowager has gone to a distant villa, it hasn’t been long. Her influence in social circles cannot be ignored yet.”

Franz, the loyal head chamberlain, calmly advised.

“I know.”

After all, the current emperor’s authority was higher than at any point in the long history of the Room Empire. He had stolen the hearts of the people and rendered the nobles powerless.

But the higher the authority, the more someone wants to find flaws.

Carlos made thorough preparations according to the message the Empress Dowager had sent in advance.

Also, he reluctantly dressed in his formal attire, which he usually avoided.

“I feel like I’m suffocating. Am I not an emperor if I don’t wear formal attire? Even when visiting neighboring countries, I felt like I was going crazy from the discomfort.”

As the day of the Empress Dowager’s arrival came, Carlos became increasingly sensitive and kept grumbling.

“People place importance on appearances.”

Franz calmly replied while continuously enduring the grumbling and adjusting the emperor’s attire.

The old head chamberlain’s touch was more delicate and precise than that of any maid.

“Now, shall we go to greet her? Word has come that she’s passed through the city gates.”

“…Haa. Alright, let’s go. Let’s go.”

Carlos had grown up rolling around with knights and roaming battlefields during his time as a prince. He became so strong and even mastered the legendary aura, which led the late emperor to designate him as the successor.

As a result, his behavior was often too free. He decided he needed to be tense for a while, reciting etiquette and walking as gracefully as possible, adhering to formalities.

And so he went to greet the Empress Dowager.

In the distance, a bright red carriage could be seen approaching, escorted by guards in front and behind. Red was the symbolic color of the Empress Dowager, who loved to show off.

Soon the carriage stopped, and a middle-aged noblewoman, dressed elaborately like a red rose from head to toe, stepped out.

Carlos quickly approached and escorted her with his gloved hand.

As soon as she got out of the carriage, the noblewoman looked at Carlos and said,

“Well, where is that murderer girl?”

As expected, she came to find fault, that damned woman.

Carlos couldn’t help but think that inwardly.