“Didn’t that woman cause the epidemic in the first place? It happened because of that witch! Why is this my fault?”

“It’s unfair! It’s so unfair!”

Valliere spent the entire night blaming her misfortunes on others and contemplating what excuses she could give Anri, but the door to her bedroom never opened again.

“The social season will begin soon, won’t it?”

“Hm?”

While reviewing documents related to finance, Ermedillin lifted her head at Luni’s words.

“The National Spirit Memorial Day event is in two weeks, and the social season will officially kick off then! I haven’t seen it because I haven’t been in the palace long, but I hear the spring ball at the palace is fantastic?”

“Ah… National Spirit Memorial Day… ball…”

“I remember that in the original work, the social season really began from National Spirit Memorial Day. The Imperial Palace also held many balls. Looks like I’ll have more to worry about from now on…”

“Anyway, won’t Valliere handle it?”

“I’d honestly like to shove all such bothersome things onto her.”

Facing the necessity to avoid a scandal and bearing the unknown variable called Ferdant, Ermedillin really didn’t have the luxury to pay attention to the social season.

“Usually, Valliere… or rather, Count Bellian handled it. But this year, the Emperor asked for the Empress’ opinion during the founding day.”

“That’s true, but Valliere’s proposal was accepted, wasn’t it?”

“But now people who serve Count Bellian are terrified due to the epidemic spreading in the provinces. They say things break daily.”

“What? Things are breaking?”

“Yes. The Count has become very irritable and keeps smashing whatever he gets his hands on. So, this is your chance, Your Majesty! You could plan the National Spirit Memorial Day events and the ball well…”

“I won’t.”

Contrary to Luni’s enthusiastic tone, Ermedillin’s voice was nothing short of icy.

“What?”

“I said, I won’t.”

“Why?”

“We don’t even know what will happen with the epidemic in the provinces. What events are you talking about? Everything should be canceled.”

“Ah, but I really wanted to see that ball…”
Lunie, who had been eagerly imagining a beautiful spring ball, wore a face of genuine disappointment, but Ermedillin’s stance didn’t change.

“If the event is so close, I should consult with His Majesty.”

Amidst Count Halstein and other nobles, Henri appeared genuinely busy, scowling while listening to reports and signing documents.

Words like ‘border’ and ‘soldiers’ seemed to be mentioned.

“Ah! The Empress. You’re here?”

Though she didn’t want to disturb him, as Ermedillin was considering how to announce her entrance, Henri noticed her outside the door first.

“You seem busy, I will come back later.”

“No! Please come in. If the Empress has come personally, it must be important.”

For some reason, Henri greeted Ermedillin with evident delight.

Upon entering Henri’s office, the gazes of the nobles present immediately fell on her.

Their eyes were polite, in the manner of seasoned politicians, but their true thoughts were inscrutable.

With great tension, Ermedillin approached Henri.

“The national commemoration day is approaching…”

“Ah! Right! I completely forgot due to other matters! Please, Empress, take charge this time! Count Halstein can help you…”

“I came to suggest cancelling the commemoration event.”

“Cancellation?”

At Ermedillin’s statement, not just Henri but all the nobles in the office sharpened their gazes in an instant.

Especially Count Battistian looked most displeased.

“You’re aware I am overseeing sewer work?”

“Yes. How comforting to know the Empress cares for the capital’s sanitation!”

Henri exaggeratedly praised Ermedillin, as if for the nobles to hear.

“I’m only doing my duty as the Empress. However, I’m worried about the spreading epidemic. Why not skip this year’s event, and celebrate grandly once the epidemic is under control?”

Ermedillin humbly expressed her opinion, meeting Henri’s blue eyes without flinching.

It was impossible to tell what lay behind those deep blue eyes.

“Do you really wish to cancel the event? I had planned to make our entrance together this year.”

“Entrance? What entrance?”

Confused but pretending to understand, Ermedillin said, “Yes, please cancel it.”

“For next year, have a grand celebration with another woman. Without me.”

“Understood. Then we will cancel this year’s commemoration day and ball.”

At Henri’s simple response, visible discontent surfaced on the faces of Count Halstein and the other nobles.

“This is the beginning of the social season, is it not? At least let the ball proceed in the afternoon…”

“Count Halstein.”

Henri softly called his loyal Count.

“Do you propose to announce to the citizens that the commemoration day is canceled due to the epidemic, while we nobles gather in the palace for a ball?”

None could answer Henri’s pointed question.

“Very well. It’s canceled this year. Are you satisfied, Empress?”

“Yes, I am… and one more thing.”

“?”

Henri paused to allow Ermedillin to speak.

“What about using the budget for the event to support the temples and clinics in the epidemicstricken regions?”

Seemingly pleased with Ermedillin’s idea, Henri looked around at the nobles with a face full of confidence.

“Ah, truly an Empressworthy, generous thought.”
Standing beside him, Count Halstein reluctantly responded to Henri’s unspoken pressure as a chief steward, but felt a strong urge to wash his mouth immediately for using the word “generous” after the title of Empress.

Needless to say, the faces of the other nobles who heard the remark also hardened.

“Very well. This year’s National Spirit Memorial Day budget will be used as such.”

“Yes, thank you.”

After Ermedillin left, a heavy silence descended upon Henri’s office.

Only Henri was grinning pleasantly, while the rest of the nobles looked as if they had eaten spoiled food.

The major nobles were mostly appointed from among those loyal to the Emperor, but regardless of party affiliation, those who harbored resentment against Ermedillin were among them.

Most had lost a close one due to the curse magic of the Fransoir family.

The reason they had endured Ermedillin until now, uniting to make Henri the Emperor, was because they were convinced that Henri would eventually depose and execute her to avenge them.

‘A pawn to be discarded after use.’

Henri had assured them exactly that, accepting Ermedillin as Empress against all their objections.

However, Henri’s behavior had been quite unusual lately.

Feeling an unsettling sense of unease, Count Batistian, representing the nobles, opened his mouth with a solemn expression.

“Do you trust the sincerity of Empress Ermedillin?”