Facing the recent changes in Velia, Henri took time to reflect on his own actions.

Hadn’t he himself undergone a significant change since becoming the Emperor?

Hence, he wanted to absolutely avoid having his feelings change because of his lover’s transformation.

So, he pondered.

He searched for a way to solidify their relationship while going through numerous concerns and assumptions about Velia’s change.

But even among these numerous thoughts, there was one thing he had not considered,

That was the changing of Velia’s feelings towards him.

Henri had not considered that if his feelings could change due to Velia’s changed appearance, Velia’s feelings could also change due to his changed appearance.

It was an egotistical perspective that only cared about himself.

However, the real reason Henri put that thought aside was not such a selfcentered reason.

Simply thinking that his lover’s feelings had changed was as painful as his heart being torn apart.

Neither the cowardice of a mother who handed over the decision of life or death of her son to others for her own survival on the brink of death, nor the cruelty of a father who told him to survive on his own among stepbrothers who threatened to kill the son who had attempted suicide, hurt Henri this much.

It felt like his heart might stop at any moment from the pain, but there were still stacks of documents waiting for his decision.

Henri gritted his teeth and read the documents in front of him.

He thought about the need to distance himself from Velia and sort out his thoughts for the time being.

For the past few days, Ermedillin has been quite busy.

She had to hire reliable mercenaries to find the father who wanted to kill her, and she had to prearrange matters related to the newly started orphanage.

In this hectic situation, Pellio’s presence was very comforting to her.

He was a person who greatly helped in preparing for the upcoming trial related to the attempted assassination of the Empress and in handling the rest of the matters.

The trial defense cost was paid by Henri, and Pellio refused payment for the orphanagerelated work, saying it was merely fulfilling his noble duty.

He was also voluntarily helping with Helen’s matter, saying that a sorcerer who cursed and killed people could not be allowed to roam freely.

So Ermedillin was accumulating emotional debt to Pellio.

“How about this? It’s not too different from your usual taste, is it?”

Ermedillin held up a highquality gray cloak made of the finest material, asking.

“No way. It looks just right for your honor, doesn’t it?”

“Ah? Dull?”

She had chosen it because she thought it was luxurious, but after hearing Luny’s words, it somehow seemed dull.

“Yeah. He always wears colorless clothes, so there’s no need to add more.”

Ermedillin and Luny were currently visiting the largest and most luxurious boutique in the capital.

To buy a thankyou gift for Pellio, who had refused a fortune.

Initially disliking Pellio for his arrogance, Luny seemed to have warmed to him lately and willingly helped choose the gift.

“How about this?”

What Luny pointed to was a deep, vibrant blue sapphire brooch that shone brightly.

“Oh, it’s similar to his hair color?”
“Yes. And I think it will match well with the plain clothes that the prince usually wears.”

Certainly, the design would form a decent harmony with the white and gray cloak that Pellio prefers.

“Wow! You choose these things well?”

Ermedillin looked at Loony with admiration in her purple eyes.

“Hehe. I have a bit of a sense for these things.”

Loony’s cheeks puffed up with joy at the praise.

Looking at her plump cheeks, an unmistakable nineteenyearold girl.

‘She’s adorable indeed.’

Ermedillin happily looked at Loony and remembered another young woman who just turned twenty.

The woman who would now be called a college student if she hadn’t died, known as Ballier.

‘How can they be so different? Loony, who came in as a maid to that terrifying villainess empress, maintains such a warm and gentle heart, while the other grew up as a thirdgeneration chaebol? Of course, an early death might be unfair, but how did she grow such a personality in such a good environment?’

“Your Majesty the Empress! Shall we go with this?”

Ermedillin, momentarily lost in thought, was brought back to reality by Loony’s question.

“Yeah. Let’s do that. And…….”

“?”

“Choose one for yourself too. Since you helped pick a gift for the prince, I must reward you too…….”

“Ah! No! My job is to serve Your Majesty the Empress! That’s ridiculous!”

Ermedillin was slightly mischievous at the sight of Loony, who knew how to refuse modestly, but then jumped and protested.

“Hmm, so you’re saying you don’t like it?”

When she deliberately narrowed her eyes and glared at Loony, Loony’s face gradually paled.

“No! No! It’s not that I don’t like it! It’s just that the products here are too extravagant for me…….”

The softhearted Loony trailed off, afraid that her refusal might hurt Ermedillin’s feelings.