Bruno’s words went against the code of chivalry.

However, it was clear that he truly cared for them, and his words were not wrong considering the Count’s attitude towards his soldiers. Did he not think of them almost as objects to boast about?

“You all need to know the truth. The rumors circulating among you about fighting in a territory war. It’s true. But your skills are still lacking,” Bruno said calmly.

“So let me make this clear. I will not blame anyone who runs away or grits their teeth to survive. Live. That’s what I sincerely want to say to you all. During my time on the battlefield… His Majesty always told me the same. That life should not be thrown away thoughtlessly.”

“……”

“I know what I’m saying goes against the code of chivalry and the way of the warrior. But I wanted to say it.”

Bruno lifted his sword and stabbed it into the ground. Regardless of his appearance, his stance exuded dignity and a sense of justice.

“This is the end of my monologue. From now on, I will speak as befits my role. You are knights, so go and claim victory in the territory war and bring glory to the Count’s family.”

His solemn voice echoed.

The soldiers could not respond. They were conflicted between the will of their respected mentor and the honor of being soldiers with a liege lord to serve.

However, they knew Bruno had their best interests at heart.

Some soldiers’ eyes turned misty.

Bruno gazed at them without changing his expression. And he smiled inwardly.

Everything he said was a kind of script Mercedes had written in her letter, stating, “If it is true that the King intends to use the soldiers to fight in a territory war, you must unsettle their minds. Make them show a shameful display in the territory war and run away if they must.”

He was relieved it seemed to work very well.

* * *

With one week left until the coronation day, Mercedes had to attend the Empress Dowager’s palace almost daily.

She listened to various decided matters, had her dress refitted several times, and received advice from the Empress Dowager.

All the while, she acted like a shy woman who felt she was growing closer to the Empress Dowager. Although the Empress Dowager always kept a suitable distance and did not approach her beyond that, it was not a problem for her acting.

After all, she just had to show a foolish, pure innocence as if starved for affection.

And the Viscount also visited every day.

The Empress Dowager often left the two of them alone, saying she was tired and that it would be good for Mercedes, who had no close noble friends, to share a friendship with the Viscount.

It sounded as if she was doing it for Mercedes’ sake.

But in those moments, Mercedes found it very annoying.

“There is deep concern on your face, Lady Mercedes. Is something the matter?”

“What? Not at all. I think I’m just nervous about the coronation.”

The Viscount always asked such probing questions.

“May I have this handkerchief? I greatly enjoyed my time with you and wish to cherish the memory.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. That handkerchief is very precious to me… I’ll give you something else later.”

“I see. How disappointing.”

And he would deliberately spill tea and try to receive her handkerchief.

“I’m sure your first dance at the banquet will be with His Majesty the Emperor. Could you promise me the second dance?”

“Oh my! It would be such an honor. But I don’t know how it will turn out. His Majesty expressed great regret at not being able to escort me himself. Mercedes likes His Majesty so much, she wants to spend that day only with him!”

He even requested a dance in advance, going overboard. Wanting to escort and even dance with her on the day of the Empress’ coronation?

It was not something to be criticized for, but it would unnecessarily entangle her. So Mercedes had to reject the dance in a cutesy tone, using the awkward third person that didn’t suit her mouth.

That way, he would not view it strangely.

“Lady Mercedes, when escorting you-” Oops!”

Moreover, the Viscount made visible advances. In the first place, all she had to do was place her arm on his and walk when being escorted. It didn’t require that much practice, but he called her over…

The Viscount deliberately fell over while practicing or pretended to accidentally pull her close and hold her.

‘I can tell he’s a playboy, but do people fall for these kinds of advances?’

Most of them must have fallen for this man’s handsome face. Regardless of how obvious his moves were.

Of course, the Viscount was indeed handsome. But for Mercedes, who faced Carlos’ intense looks every day, she could only think, ‘He has a well-sculpted face,’ and nothing more.

The Viscount also made unnecessary mistakes to lean in close to her or shower her with honey-like sweet compliments. He even seemed to deliberately create witnesses, having maids come to the room at odd timings. His moves were too obvious.

Mercedes pretended to be naive and deflected them all.

By the end of the week, the Viscount seemed anxious and a bit irritated.

Of course. Any other woman would have easily fallen for him. Plus, many nobles knew of her past as a courtesan, so he must have thought she would be easy.

But Mercedes, who was already very wary of men and had deliberately approached the Empress Dowager, found it laughable.

In the end, the shadow knight Carlos assigned to her was not even needed. The Viscount’s tricks were shallow.

And so the day of the coronation approached.

* * *

The Empress Dowager came to see Mercedes, who had finished getting ready and was waiting in a room next to the grand banquet hall for the ceremony to begin.

Carlos was determined to escort her today, but it had to be done without the Empress Dowager’s knowledge. It was obvious that if the Empress Dowager, who had arranged the coronation, met the Emperor who intended to go against her, there would be a confrontation. It could cause unnecessary commotion.

So Carlos was waiting in another room. He said he would come find her after the Empress Dowager left.

“I had a necklace made for you. It took time to craft, so I’m giving it to you on the day of,” the Empress Dowager said, having a maid bring a large box.

As the velvet-covered box opened, Mercedes’ eyes widened.

“Goodness! It’s so beautiful, Your Majesty!”

“Indeed. It’s a very precious treasure.”

Inside the box was a lavish necklace that looked extremely expensive at a glance.

A large emerald was embedded in the center, covered with delicate silver craftsmanship. The necklace chain was also studded with beautiful gemstones, making it dazzling to the eye.

It was luxurious enough to overshadow the plainness of the dress, and the design was not gaudy but gave a sense of nobility rather than extravagance.

It was already public knowledge that the Empress Dowager had taken charge of the coronation preparations. So everyone would recognize this necklace as a gift from the Empress Dowager as well.

‘But… did she really prepare such a gift?’

This was as good as the Empress Dowager truly acknowledging her as the Empress.

“It suits you so well. It’s perfect for you. From now on, shine like this necklace as the Empress.” The Empress Dowager smiled affectionately as she gave her blessing.

Mercedes lowered her head, feeling a strange sense of dissonance.

“I am truly, truly grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”

She then made her voice tremble as if she were about to cry. The Empress Dowager patted her shoulder a couple of times.

“It’s only natural since we are family. Viscount, you too, put effort into escorting her today.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And-”

Strangely, the Empress Dowager continued speaking, unlike her usual self. They were words an elder would say, so Mercedes had no choice but to listen attentively.

Before she knew it, there was not much time left until the coronation ceremony. The maid behind her whispered, and the Empress Dowager nodded.

“You must be busy with the schedule, but I have delayed you too much. Then I will see you at the coronation.”

With that, she left the room.

As soon as the Empress Dowager left, Rhonda exchanged glances with Mercedes and disappeared in a flash to call Carlos.

“You are truly beautiful today. You have always been beautiful, but today… you really are.”

The Viscount, left behind, gazed at Mercedes in a daze.

“Viscount?”

She didn’t like feeling as if she had become a spectacle. Mercedes forced a smile and called out to him.

The Viscount then seemed to come to his senses and blushed, smiling sheepishly.

“Ah. Oh, yes. I apologize. You were just so beautiful.”

“I look the same as usual.”

Today, she wore a dress made only of thick, elegant silk that covered her entirely except for the neckline and had no decorations.

Following the Empress Dowager’s advice, she neatly styled her hair and applied moderate makeup.

Even so, it was the coronation ceremony. Rhonda had grumbled that it was too plain, saying the Empress Dowager was mischievous.

If that was the case, this reaction was probably… thanks to the added necklace.

She smiled.

“It must be because of the necklace.”

“No, Lady Mercedes. You truly shine today.”

Mercedes, who was about to stand on the official stage soon, could not break her long-standing habit and had returned to her usual self to some extent.

Straight posture, resolute gaze. Dignity and nobility. Different from the woman who always smiled brightly and chatted innocently with the Viscount.

Of course, Mercedes didn’t care whether the Viscount felt that way or not. She just stared at the door.

The Empress Dowager had stalled for too long. Was she worried Carlos would do something? Had she guessed her intentions? Anyhow, he needed to come quickly.

“Lady Mercedes, you need to get up,” Patricia said, arranging her dress and looking after her.

“Yeah. I know.”

Mercedes stood up for now, pretending to be calm. Her face was composed, in contrast to her anxiously burning insides.

And as she walked side by side with the Viscount and opened the door-

“Oh, what a coincidence. Mercedes, I arrived just in time.”

Carlos greeted her with a smile.

“Your- Your Majesty? What brings you here?”

Mercedes acted as if she knew nothing.

“Greetings to the Sun of the Empire.”

The Viscount also paid his respects while flustered.

“No matter how much I think about it, I really hate the idea of my woman being escorted by another man.”

Carlos lightly grasped Mercedes’ hand and pulled her towards him. Mercedes also let go of the Viscount’s arm and was drawn to him.

“Viscount, go inside as a spectator.”

“Pardon? But, but the Empress Dowager…”

“It is an imperial order.”

“… Ah. I… yes. I understand…”

What could he do if it was an imperial order? The Viscount, unable to hide his confusion, stammered for a bit before finally heading to the grand banquet hall first.

“I thought you would be late.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect the Empress Dowager to stall for so long. I was also very anxious coming here. But Mercedes…”

Carlos frowned as he looked at her. Was something wrong?

“Why are you wearing that lowly necklace?”

Lowly… necklace?

Mercedes’ eyes widened in surprise at Carlos’ intense choice of words.