“I need another trap this time. I’ll become the bait myself and hunt him down.”

Feliol’s silvery eyes emitted a cold light, sharp and gleaming.

There was a small disturbance in the palace.

Leopold came to the palace and caused a commotion, likely due to information leaking from somewhere.

“Is this all the mighty Trivian Empire has to offer? How lax must the security be for a skirmish during a march and an attack on the Empress’s castle?”

Angry, Henri pressed his temple with his finger, his eyes tightly closed.

“Why should the Duke care about whatever happens? Isn’t it irrelevant to the Duke?”

“How can the Duke not care? The Empress is also Her Majesty’s family, isn’t she? Naturally, I’m concerned.”

“I didn’t know the Duke cared so much about family. I appreciate the sentiment, but I’ll handle my family matters myself.”

“If it’s because of a shortage of military funds, I’ll lend you some! It’s about hiring mercenaries, at least.”

A generous offer wrapped in mockery from Henri.

Leopold, with a relaxed smile on his face, awaited Henri’s response.

No reaction should be given here.

Leopold shouldn’t sense any fear, and there shouldn’t be an impression of a shortage of military funds.

This is the palace garden, too many eyes and ears are present.

Leopold’s face also revealed a relaxed smile, much like Leopold’s, as he awaited Henri’s response.
“I appreciate Duke Gonza’s generous offer, but I can sufficiently protect my family. Don’t worry. I have already taken measures to increase security.”

“Then, I’m relieved! I only wish for the safety of this palace, which holds memories of my father, and my family.”

As if lowering his tail, Leopold looked around the garden.

He had somehow ended up on the second-floor corridor overlooking the garden and made eye contact with Ermendillin, who was anxiously watching from below.

Surprised, she immediately hid behind a pillar, but Leopold was satisfied with that.

After all, the purpose of causing all this commotion was simply to ensure her safety.

Although he earnestly desired to see and feel her up close to an almost desperate extent, now was not the time.

Until her safety was secured, merely confirming that she was alive and well under the same sky was sufficient.

‘Henri is the one who rose to the throne with your curse magic. It’s absurd for all arrows to turn toward you. This doesn’t make sense! I will definitely seize this palace and make you the happiest and safest woman in the world.’

There was no shame like this shame.

It was intentionally created to stir up trouble while the deputies were in the palace, and that, too, in the garden.

Moreover, even though many had witnessed the pitiful sight of the Empress and her companions, news of the incident in the palace reached Leopold’s ears within a day.

If Henri had completely blocked his entrance or ordered the servants to be cautious of Leopold, such an incident might not have occurred. However, he couldn’t act in a way that seemed like he was restraining him.

Knowing that his imperial power was not that strong, he shouldn’t reveal it to others.

At times like this, seeking help from someone else might be wiser than resolving it with one’s own strength.

“Count Halstein. Is there an outbreak in the capital?”

“There hasn’t been any since the last check.”

“Keep an eye until next week and then declare its termination.”

“Yes, understood.”

“And prepare for a ball.”

“A ball?”

Suddenly, a ball? A faint line appeared on Count Halstein’s forehead.

“Yes. Celebrate the end of the epidemic by holding the ball that was canceled on the National Harmony Day.”

“Yes, understood.”

“And…”

Henri paused, glancing subtly at the slightly open door of the office.

It was a signal for a secret instruction.

Halstein closed the door of the office and stood near Henri, bowing his waist.

“Spill no words. I will soon abdicate the Empress and raise the next Empress.”

“What?”

“As you know, it’s still risky. Even if Ferdant is in my hands, hearing the word abdication directly from me might trigger an unpredictable reaction from the Empress. However, rumors have been rampant for a few years anyway.”

“So, are you asking me to spread rumors as if the news has leaked from the palace?”

Henri smiled meaningfully at Halstein, who quickly understood his intentions.

“Yes. Quietly spread them in salons or cafes where noblewomen gather. Then everyone will…”

“Target the position of the next Empress.”

“That’s right. No matter how rich Leopold is, in the end, he will need the cooperation of the nobles. But if a family aiming for the next Empress is involved, they can’t align with Leopold.”

“Indeed. It seems like the dukes will be keeping an eye on each other. I understand. I will execute your orders as instructed.”

After Count Halstein left, Henri leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh.

Since the moment he decided to become the Emperor, there hasn’t been a single day when he lived in peace.

Now, he had come to the point where he had to use his next-door seat, even if it was only for bait.

The suspicion of an illegitimate child without a legitimate birthright, who had not spent a day in peace since becoming Emperor.

“Hoo.” A deep sigh escaped his lips.
The epidemic, having been barely contained, now presents disturbances along the borders with the enemy. Moreover, brothers, who might even be eyeing the next throne, have appeared. At times like this, Henri, who always found solace by Valier’s side, had nowhere else to go. Can he not call his mother, who was expelled overseas, severing the ties of blood? ‘My child. It’s enough if my child is born safely! Then, I will finally have a real family.’ Silent days passed. Ermeldine showed no signs of stopping in her efforts at the orphanage and sewer construction, and Valier, too, remained confined to her abode, unwilling to come out. However, this silence was only superficial; in reality, it was more complicated than that. Ermeldine, fueled by a vengeful spirit every time she recalled Fellio’s dying appearance, dedicated herself to the research of curse magic. Fellio, in turn, prepared traps to lure Ermonde, who dared to kill Ermeldine. Henri anxiously monitored Leopold every time he had meetings with the nobles and struggled to find evidence to exile him. Valier, initially delighted by the gifts, became more anxious, especially when the public turned against her due to the woman she had requested assistance from during the march being killed. As a result, everyone avoided her, and her only interaction became occasional visits from Countess Elion, bringing gifts and engaging in small talk. Nobles, in their own ways, tried to verify the truth of the rumors circulating from the palace, weighing Henri and Leopold against each other. Throughout all this, not a single person in the capital showed symptoms of the epidemic during the time that should have been tormenting Trivian until Ermeldine’s execution due to the curse magic. Thanks to the disappearance of the curse magic and the thorough implementation of quarantine policies, the epidemic ended sooner than expected. Finally, a considerable time had passed since any patient appeared in the capital. Henri declared the end of the epidemic.
The nobles, in their own way, sought to ascertain the truth of the rumors flowing from the palace, weighing Henri and Leopold. And during all these events, not a single person in the capital showed symptoms of the epidemic. According to the original story, the epidemic, which should have tormented Trivian until Ermeldine’s execution, ended faster than expected due to the disappearance of curse magic and the implementation of thorough quarantine policies. Finally, a considerable time had passed since any patient appeared in the capital. Henri finally declared the end of the epidemic.

“To celebrate the end, I will host a spring welcoming ball at the royal palace!”

Finally, proper social activities began.