The epidemic will eventually come to an end once it reaches its peak. Your Majesty and the administrators are working hard to prevent further spread, so don’t worry too much. Focus on preventing the next outbreak.

Pellio misinterpreted Ermedillin’s vacant gaze on his cheek as concern for the people.

Of course, as the empress, Ermedillin was concerned about them as a human being, but Pellio felt guilty for his misunderstanding.

“Right, prevention. What we’re doing is important too…”

The word ‘we’ slipped out unintentionally as he was speaking.

Though it was just a word Ermedillin let slip, it lodged deeply within Pellio’s heart.

‘We. She said ‘we.”

Pellio strained his face to stop the emerging smile at the corners of his mouth.

However, as soon as he corrected his mouth, his cheeks started to twitch.

“We have a canal, but the drainage is too weak. We’re using clean water from the source, but the sewage doesn’t drain quickly, causing water to accumulate and pollution.”

“Then the first thing to do is to work on drainage?”

Certainly, modern sewage facilities would be ideal, but for now, doing our best within our capabilities is important.

“Yes, so I’ve compiled a list of artisans with experience in largescale construction.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Ermedillin took the list of artisans and examined the documents carefully.

‘If it’s canal construction, it’s quite a big project… we will need different types of artisans…’

Her focus sharpened on every written word, grateful for Pellio’s meticulous planning.

And Pellio watched Ermedillin’s side profile as she nodded occasionally, lost in her concentration.

Now, his father, the Duke of Batistein, barely spoke to him.

Frustrated by his son’s incompetence, he had declared that he would look for another way.

It seemed there was a limit to beating and abusing his son.

Now Pellio found himself in a situation where he had to protect Ermedillin even from his own father.

He may have to oppose everyone around him for loving a woman despised by the world and riddled with sins.

Yet, Pellio felt simultaneous despair and a joy that seemed incompatible with it.

It was a feeling born from possessiveness, knowing that he alone could stand by her side and protect her.

It didn’t matter how many enemies increased.

Whether those enemies were his friends or even his father, it didn’t matter.

If he could be the last one by your side, everything else was irrelevant.

‘You will certainly be protected by me.’

Having given all the necessary instructions, Henry, the Duke of Halstein, remained alone in his office.

Just as they were beginning to control the epidemic in the capital, it looked like it was starting to spread to the provinces.

The only reason he wasn’t storming to Valier and yelling was because he feared he might raise his hand against her.

Henry tried to cool his anger alone for a long time, but it didn’t easily subside.

Right now, it’s only a few people, but who knows how many more there will be.

If the current symptoms are the end, then it would be more than welcome, but from experience, he knew this epidemic was not so easy to contain.

The memories of love were increasingly stained with disappointment and anger.

He feared that only hatred would remain in the end.

“Earl.”

At Henry’s call, Earl Halstein, who was waiting outside, immediately entered the office.

“I know it’s early, but shall we have a drink?”
Anri’s decision to drink during work hours was unprecedented since he became Emperor.

Count Halshtein silently retrieved the strong liquor that had been sitting in one corner of the office.

As the glass was poured, Anri hesitated not and gulped it down all at once.

Though the strong liquor scorched as it went down his throat, causing his handsome face to crumple in discomfort, it was nothing compared to the pain in his heart.

Count Halshtein wanted to advise him to banish Valliere to his own territory right then and there.

He wanted to advise him to cut her loose, asking if he hadn’t done enough already.

But he, who had sworn to follow Anri before he became the Emperor, knew well.

He knew of his seemingly cold but not cruel disposition toward his own people.

Initially, it was his sincerity toward his own relationships that had led him to follow Anri.

Count Halshtein’s lips, filled with much to say, tightly closed as he refilled Anri’s empty glass.

Valliere trembled in terror.

Even the chilliness Anri had shown after they spent the night together, which had left her disappointed, now seemed like a happy moment.

“Damn it. We were outdoors! Is taking off my mask for half a day enough to cause an infection?”

Hunched in the corner of the bed, no matter how much she tore at her hair, what had happened couldn’t be undone.

“Why the hell is this happening only to me? That damned woman becomes a hero for saving orphans from the Count’s curse! Why only me?”

“It was the day of the ceremony! The day I should have shined the most! Was showing my face for a moment such a big mistake? Did I force the public to take off their masks?”