Every time Ermeldilin met Henri’s eyes, her gaze was irresistibly drawn to his beautiful blue eyes. However, she felt primitive fear and aversion as if falling into the deep and dark sea that revealed nothing to anyone.

Indeed, an appearance with a majestic aura that is beautiful but instinctively awe-inspiring.

Added to that, a fair personality that does not easily yield, and a need for advice from the enemy, the Empress. Above all, a pure-hearted romantic who has only looked at one woman since childhood.

Certainly, as a male protagonist who has been loved by readers, he is flawless.

But that is only when seen from the perspective of the reader.

Now, no longer a reader but Ermeldilin, she knows that Henri used her to kill his stepbrothers and rise to the throne.

In Ermeldilin’s eyes, who has learned about his true self behind the original work, he is just a man who acts as an imposing emperor, burdened with guilt and frustration.

“Go and come back.”

After a long pause, Henri, seemingly very willingly, allowed Ermeldilin’s obvious right with an excessively light voice.

‘Annoying. I’m going to my house, why do I have to get permission? People from Valliere’s house come and go into the palace with ease.’

Although Ermeldilin could not openly protest, as the Fransoir Duke had committed a crime, she couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

The next morning, Ermeldilin met Felio and Bellest in front of the magic circle.

Since they planned to look around briefly and return, there wasn’t much to prepare.

“Please take good care of Empress.”

Roonie, who was saddened by not being able to go together, bowed to Felio and Bellest, shedding tears.

“If someone sees, they might think we’re going to die. I’m going to my house! Moreover, Your Majesty said that the guards strictly guard the castle, so nothing will happen.”

Ermeldilin, wrapping her arms around Roonie’s shoulders, poked the plump cheek on the opposite side with her other finger.

“Still. When you fainted at the orphanage inauguration, I thought you were dying.”

The sight of a suspicious man approaching with a dark aura, vomiting blood, was indeed a sight worthy of fainting.

“Ugh. In the end, nothing happened that day.”

That’s right.

Only Duke Fransoir died.

“Yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll perfectly protect Empress this time too.”

Felio, wanting to boast through comforting, squeezed in with his bragging.
Seeing Ermeldilin proudly nod her head with a face that seemed to say, “Believe in yourself even after arguing with her,” it seemed quite proud for him to have protected Ermeldilin from the Fransoir Duke, at least from his perspective.

“Hmph. If it were me, I wouldn’t have let you see such a dangerous situation at all.”

And, of course, Bellest did not appreciate Felio’s cheekiness.

‘Ah, if only Roonie were with us, the party would be truly cute. What a pity.’

“Yeah. Don’t worry. Lord Felio and Lady Bellest will surely protect me.”

Although Roonie seemed uneasy, judging by her swollen cheeks, she eventually nodded, releasing her grip on Ermeldilin’s sleeve.

“Alright, let’s go!”

The magic circle was in the shape of a circle with inscriptions difficult to decipher carved into the white marble floor.

The diameter was approximately 2 meters? When Ermeldilin received her title and inserted a small stone carving she had received along with it into the center of the magic circle, the magic circle began to emit a white light.

Witnessing the mysterious sight for the first time, Ermeldilin was on the verge of opening her mouth wide and losing her mind. However, she managed to control her lips by looking at Felio and Bellest, who seemed too nonchalant even for such a mystical scene.

Flash, the white light completely obscured the view in front of her and, after a moment, the sight was clear again.

A strange sight she had never seen before.

In just a few minutes, they had moved to a completely new location.

“Greetings, Empress.”

As Henri had said, the magic circle in the Fransoir Duchy’s castle was also guarded thoroughly by guards.

‘It seems Henri received a hint in advance.’

A small communication magic circle is a precious item, but Emperor Henri owns one that can be used when needed.

Ermeldilin nodded slightly and replied to the guards’ greetings.

‘Is that the staircase going up there?’

The magic circle of the imperial palace was installed deep underground for defense. From the looks of it, the magic circle of the Fransoir Duchy was also located deep underground.

The only difference from the imperial palace was that even though it was underground, the imperial palace was surrounded by clean marble and white bricks, whereas this place had dark rock walls and floors, all directly carved from dark rocks.

Since she was nominally visiting her home, Ermeldilin had to act as naturally as possible.

Fortunately, there seemed to be only a few narrow stone stairs in the passage.

‘As confidently as possible. Plead like it’s my house.’