“Yes, the Empress is a kind person who cares about others more than herself.”

“Ah, um… well…”

Stymied by Pellio’s uncharacteristic and heartfelt praise, Ermedillin couldn’t find the words to respond.

“I’m not that kind, but… um… well… so…”

“Yes, you are not the type to burden others with your problems.”

“Then… if you know that well… why…”

“It’s because I’m the same way. I just happen to be smarter and more proactive than the Empress. I learned about Count François’ plan in advance and took care of it myself.”

Again, and again.

This shameless selfpraise. Not a change in facial color.

Normally, Pellio’s demeanor would seem absurd yet endearing, but now was not the time for that.

Ermedillin, who didn’t want to get entangled with Pellio, put on a solemn expression.

“Is this a joke to you?”

“It’s not a joke. If you’re upset, then beat me to it next time?”

His lips curled into a provoking smile.

The complex emotions of guilt and gratitude that tormented Ermedillin moments ago dissipated instantly at the sight of Pellio’s playful smile.

‘Ah, I really want to slap him.’

“Next time, I will definitely surpass you. No! If you are in danger, I’ll risk my life to protect you!”

Pellio was about to say that it wasn’t necessary, that if something happened to Ermedillin, it would be the end for him too, but instead, he grinned smugly.

“Ah, but I was one step ahead again this time.”

“What?”

“Count François spread flyers claiming that the Empress deflected the curse he cast on the orphanage.”

“What?!”

Upon hearing that flyers had been distributed, Ermedillin forgot why he was angry in the first place.

After Pellio left, claiming to have urgent business, Ermedillin chuckled at the absurdity of the situation.

“Really shameless, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I could never praise myself like that!”

Loony nodded, agreeing with Ermedillin, while looking in the direction Pellio had left.

“And he’s so warm.”

Seeing Loony’s reaction, a gentle smile crossed Ermedillin’s lips.

Loony was about to question what was warm about such a brazen man, but seeing Ermedillin’s smile, changed her mind.

“Yes. That’s true. He made the Empress smile, who has been so serious since yesterday.”

“Yes. He’s warm and kind.”

Valérie, who had just woken up late in the morning, felt a moment of disappointment.

For Henri and the original Valérie, it was just another night among many, but for this Valérie, last night had been the first night of her life.

Yet the man with whom she’d spent the night was nowhere to be found. A cold, empty space greeted her in the morning.

As Valérie sat up, staring blankly at the spot where Henri had lain, a maid tried to cheer her up.

“His Majesty always gets up early for state affairs. So, don’t be too upset. A large basket of flowers will be delivered this morning.”

“A basket of flowers?”

“Yes. He always sent them whenever you spent the night together. The place will be a sea of flowers!”

Although Henri had recently grown colder, he used to be quite affectionate towards his lover.

“Right. My favorites…”

“He will probably send daisies or baby’s breath!”

‘Daisies? Baby’s breath?’

This Valérie preferred extravagant flowers like roses, peonies, or ranunculus, but it seemed the original owner of this body liked simple ones.
Vallière couldn’t understand why she liked baby’s breath flowers given with roses, but it wasn’t something she could make a fuss about.

“So true. I’m looking forward to what flowers will come.”

However, even as morning turned into late afternoon, Henri’s flower basket had not arrived.

Vallière had spent the whole day outside, startling at every footstep and openly waiting for the flower basket, causing the maids to be extremely tense all day.

“It must be because the founding ceremony just ended. You must have other matters to deal with, like issues related to Duke François.”

At the maid’s mention, Vallière recalled that Duke François had died yesterday.

A name she had erased from her mind thinking about her first night.

‘That useless kid. Died due to his own magic?’

“What are people saying?”

“Excuse me?”

“What are people saying about Duke François’s death?”

“Ah, well, they say that the Duchess had harbored ill will towards the Empress and cast a curse, but the Empress deflected it with her own magic.”

“What?”

Vallière’s brow furrowed horribly, knowing that within Ermedillin’s body resided not a sorcerer but an ordinary person.

“The newspapers have been spread all over the streets since morning!”

“Who believes such a thing?”

“Of course, everyone. The Emperor’s seal was on the newspaper.”

“The Emperor’s seal?”

“Yes.”

It’s fortunate that my name hasn’t been tarnished due to the Duke’s death.

Sending a note to immediately kill the maid who had brought the plans had had its effect.

But the Empress deflecting a curse?

Even before, she might have unconsciously deflected curses due to bodily instincts, but this was a curse not directed at her but at the orphanage grounds.