The basic aim of the orphanage was to provide as many children as possible with a place to sleep and train them to at least be able to farm.

But his thinking was far removed from what Ermedillin envisioned for the orphanage.

Her goal was, as Pellio had said, to provide new opportunities to children left alone.

“The expanded space will be used for educational purposes. Gongja is looking for teachers who can provide instruction in basic subjects,” Ermedillin interrupted.

Upon hearing Ermedillin, Pellio slowly turned his head and stared at her intently with his blue eyes.

“What did you just say? You’re going to educate the orphans?”

“Yes, I am…”

Before Ermedillin could start her answer, Anri turned his head towards Pellio.

“Is what the empress said true?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Do you not think it is excessive to provide education to orphans? ”

‘Why are you asking Pellio?’

An irritated Ermedillin stepped in front of Pellio and spoke pointedly.

“That’s my opinion. That’s what I told Gongja.”

“What?”

“Since the event in the garden, more donations have been received than expected. There are also nobles who have promised regular support.”

“Don’t you think it would be better to admit more orphans with the increased budget? And education? Why waste resources on children who will end up as farmers?”

It seemed impossible to reason with him.

After all, even Lunim had tilted his head as if he didn’t understand upon hearing the plan; what could be expected from Anri?

Ermedillin felt as if an invisible wall was cutting between her and Anri. When she fell silent for a moment, this time Pellio interjected.

“The Empress doesn’t just want to keep the orphans alive. She wants to allow them to live the lives they want, so they won’t pass down their harsh lives to their children. I also believe that the Empress’s thoughts are ultimately correct.”

There was nothing wrong with what Pellio said.

At that moment, Anri also felt the invisible wall and closed his lips.

And he felt his head grow cold with the realization that on this side of the wall was him, and on the other were Ermedillin and Pellio.
In this place, arguing that education for orphans was a luxury and a waste of budget would only make one look petty.

Henri was a clever ruler who could easily read the room.

In reality, whatever the case may be, externally one had to appear stern to the strong but lenient to the weak.

“Interesting. It’s a new yet innovative idea. Go ahead and execute it as you see fit.”

Ermedillin knew that Henri was reluctantly saying this, but once again, she respectfully expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you for understanding.”

The driving force behind the establishment of the orphanage was entirely Ermedillin. Most of the budget also came from her own money, even though donations were received.

There was no need for Henri’s understanding for something that wasn’t even a royal orphanage.

However, Ermedillin humbled herself before Henri.

The ultimate goal of all this goodwill was to leave the palace alive, so what harm could come from appearing unfavorable to the one who held her life in his hands?

Yet Pellio felt disturbed again upon seeing Ermedillin fawn over Henri.

Even if they were a married couple, Pellio understood that an emperor and empress were clearly on different levels of power. He also knew that it would be distasteful for them to behave informally, but he still felt uneasy.

Lately, he felt as irrational as a petulant child.

Coupled with that, an overwhelming sense of powerlessness.

He had always thought he had good control over himself, yet he couldn’t manage this one emotion.

No, rather than control, he felt swept away by this surging emotion.

He simply surrendered himself to this unknown wave.

Not knowing where this wave would take him.

After Henri left for the palace, Ermedillin spoke warmly to Pellio.

“Your Highness, thank you for siding with me earlier.”

A new opportunity, the choice of words, everything seemed exciting.

“Side? I simply did what I thought was right.”

Pellio was delighted that his ‘right’ coincided with Ermedillin’s, but he consciously tried to keep a straight face.

“Ah, I’m sorry for before.”

An apology out of the blue?

Wondering if the topic of his mother’s curse would come up, Pellio’s shoulders tensed.

“Before getting to know you properly, I thought you were too … well …”

It didn’t seem to be about his mother.

Pellio exhaled a small breath of relief and replied in a sullen voice.

“Just say it comfortably.”

“Ah, it’s just that… I thought you were kind of boring, but upon closer look, you’re actually a pretty decent person.”

Clearly, Ermedillin meant it as a pure compliment.

Yet, Pellio’s heart felt like it was on the brink of exploding, causing it to race wildly.

“Raised in a noble home yet humble, scholarly but also wise, and above all, a fair person. You even defended me when everyone else was calling me a witch.”

Ah, if this is what flying feels like?

Pellio felt as if he were floating off the ground, almost like he could break through the clouds.

However, her next words brought him crashing back to earth.

“Certainly, the woman who will become your wife in the future must be wise and compassionate.”

While Ermedillin simply intended to compliment Pellio, now of marrying age, his heart began to bleed as if struck by a stone.

Just moments ago, his heart had been soaring in joy; now, it was bleeding and cooling in dreadful pain.
A single word could elevate one to the brightest spot in life, and likewise, a single word could drag one down to the abyss adjacent to death.

The epitome of control.

With great difficulty, Pellio could only muster this single word in a feigned calm voice.

“Thank you.”

Meanwhile, at the palace, Valliere was meeting with his halfsister Orabi Bierre.

“That woman is gaining popularity among the people these days. Of course, most are still wary, but the number of people openly despising her is diminishing! What are you doing in the palace?”

As always, the halfsiblings began their meeting with unpleasant talk.

‘Ah. Just wait till I become Empress. I will deal with you, too.’

Irritation welled up within him, separate from the tranquil smile that emerged on Valliere’s face.

He had a secret request to make to Bierre, an unavoidable circumstance.

“Yes, I know. That’s why I called you, sister. Please deliver this to him…”

“Again? Didn’t you fail last time?”

Bierre lowered her voice and glanced around as she whispered.

“The curse was repelled, wasn’t it?”

“This time, it’s not that. Just deliver this to him.”

The venom in Valliere’s eyes silenced Bierre, who left the palace without asking further questions.

‘What is this?’

Unable to contain her curiosity, she unfolded the paper, revealing a blueprint of a building.

‘What is this? A building blueprint? What’s it for?’