“Your Majesty the Empress. Are you really sure this is alright?”

“Yes. There’s no problem.”

All the way to the Empress’s Palace, Cecilia asked several times if it was really okay. Lynette, who was following behind, thought it looked just like a baby bird following its mother bird.

“But this is unprecedented. Even though you used your right of final decision, you may be held accountable later, Your Majesty…”

“Miss Cecilia.”

Ilarid finally stopped walking and turned around. Now that she looked, Cecilia was quite tall for her age. Standing between Ilarid and Lynette, she felt like a lone coniferous tree towering above.

“Don’t worry. This decision was made after carefully reviewing Miss Cecilia’s entrance exam scores and everything else. If you didn’t have the skills, I wouldn’t have even brought this up.”

Of course, it was obvious that the Imperial Guard would raise issues. They would strongly object, saying that having a lone woman mixed in would interfere with dormitory arrangements and training methods.

“If it’s a matter of lodging, we can resolve it at the Empress’s Palace. As the Imperial Guard, it wouldn’t be out of place to designate her as the Empress’s personal guard. As it happens, I’ve been needing a dedicated guard since the last incident.”

And fewer empty rooms means fewer awkward situations are likely to occur. Ilarid inwardly swallowed a sigh. She had to overlook the Emperor and the ‘shadow’ fooling around in the empty rooms of the Empress’s Palace all this time.

‘There’s nothing better than having my palace filled with my own people.’

That was certainly how it started. Those who wrote letters after hearing about the ‘May Day’, along with Lebel, Alice, and Cecilia. She had vowed to make them all the Empress’s people.

But now she had moved a bit away from that mindset. She hoped these people could find even a little happiness. Even if she couldn’t be a strong backer for them, she hoped to at least be a resting place along their journey.

Ilarid spoke clearly to Cecilia, who was still hesitating:

“Looking at your practical exam scores, you easily beat even the children of notable noble families.”

Even if the officers raised issues, the captain was Kailem Western. And Kailem was someone who unconditionally carried out imperial orders.

He wouldn’t reject Cecilia just because of her different gender. Glancing at Kailem’s reaction, he actually seemed pleased to have such a capable new member join.

“There won’t be any problems. I believe in Miss Cecilia’s skills, will, and convictions.”

The power of saying you believe in someone was special. Cecilia’s wavering gaze finally steadied. She immediately knelt on one knee and bowed her head.

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress. I will serve you with all my heart.”

**

But their joy vanished as soon as they saw Alice.

“Miss Alice, your cheek…”

Lynette quickly ran over to check Alice’s condition. It was clearly a swollen mark from being slapped by someone. But the actual victim waved it off as if it were nothing.

“It’s nothing. I just messed up my cheek makeup this morning…”

“Who would do such a thing to a maid of the Empress’s Palace!”

Though she should have greeted her happily at their reunion, Cecilia immediately expressed concern upon seeing Alice.

“Miss Cecilia. I want to hear something else from you, not those words.”

As if her swollen cheek didn’t hurt at all, Alice smiled brightly at Cecilia.

“I’m so happy we can meet again at the Empress’s Palace.”

It was a smile that only those who had plotted and achieved something together could share. Though they couldn’t bring themselves to smile in the face of another’s injury, they couldn’t ignore it either.

“I am honored as well.”

“And please don’t worry about this. Someone kindly gave me an ointment, so the swelling has gone down a lot since earlier.”

“…How unpleasant.”

As Alice tried to somehow dispel the heavy atmosphere, Ilarid’s coldly settled voice was heard. The three people around the Empress froze in place and turned towards where she was standing.

“What fearless person in the palace dared to raise a hand against a member of the Empress’s household.”

Though the weather was bright and in the midst of rushing towards summer, a chilling cold swept between them.

Ilarid slowly approached Alice and gently placed her hand on the swollen cheek. Though ointment had been applied, there was still a lot of burning sensation remaining.

“Harming my people is the same as pointing a gun at me. Who was it?”

It was a calm but powerful voice. When Alice lowered her gaze and avoided answering, Ilarid’s eyes narrowed.

“It was the Imperial Consort.”

It was insubordination. How dare the Imperial Consort raise a hand against the Empress’s maid.

From the beginning, arbitrarily hitting others was forbidden within the palace.

It was a rule imposed after Ilarid’s ascension as Empress. Hadn’t she confiscated and burned even the canes that the head maid and housekeeper carried around to discipline the girls under them?

‘Since the Imperial Consort’s Palace came under the Emperor’s Palace, they probably turned a blind eye even if they knew about it.’

The Empress’s green eyes began to glow fiercely. The emotion hidden in that light was clearly anger.

“I’m not interested in repaying in the same way. I intend to pay it back several times over.”

Lynette looked at Ilarid with a bewildered expression. She seemed a bit different from her usual self. Her friend who had always endured and persevered seemed to have retreated for a moment and was nowhere to be seen.

“So tell me. If Miss Alice gives permission, I will immediately bring down the iron hammer on the Imperial Consort’s Palace.”

“…The Imperial Consort’s Palace is not the problem.”

Alice murmured quietly. She knew well, having seen it since childhood. Her only sister, with whom she once shared a bed and read fairy tales. It was the adults who encouraged Selina, telling her that power and beauty were everything.

Especially her father, Count Diobe, who pushed Selina more than anyone.

Whenever it seemed Selina had gained even a little weight, he would bring up the young ladies of the capital and spout verbal abuse disguised as advice.

And that wasn’t all. Didn’t he go on and on with all sorts of nonsense, saying her sense of aesthetics was unsophisticated, to put aegyo in her voice, that men like it when the corset is tightened more?

The iron hammer should fall on that person first.

“You must know that Count Diobe holds the position of representative for the ‘Gloria Foundation’. Your Majesty the Empress, please investigate that foundation.”

Alice recalled the Marquis and Marchioness of Zeminia who had entered the mansion, and the scene of the suspicious transaction. Count Diobe would not be operating the imperial foundation normally. It was probably related to the black money of the Marquis and Marchioness somehow.

Her swollen cheek no longer hurt. The same yet different green gazes clashed amidst the midday sunlight.

**

There was considerable agitation inside the Imperial Guard’s break room as well.

“Is it true? Is that ‘Cecilia’ really joining the Imperial Guard?”

“Her Majesty the Empress used her right of final decision. How did she manage to impress her so much? After causing such a big incident.”

Amidst all sorts of speculation flying around, Jin sat with his mouth firmly shut. Now he really had to face Cecilia.

How on earth did that girl catch the Empress’s eye? And why did the Empress put the second daughter of Icastel into the all-male Imperial Guard? They grumbled with dissatisfied expressions.

“I’m against it. Let’s say the lodging issue is resolved at the Empress’s Palace. But she’ll have to share the break room with us too. We can’t even relax sprawled out like this anymore.”

“You think that’s up to you? The full authority over the Imperial Guard has passed to that tiger of an old man now. That guy welcomes anyone as long as they have skills. He’ll probably welcome her with open arms.”

Both the selection and training processes for the Imperial Guard could now be overseen by Kailem Western. In other words, it meant slacking off in the Imperial Guard would be absolutely impossible from now on.

“Men, assemble immediately!”

Kailem’s thunderous shout was heard from outside. No, it’s over starting today. The Imperial Guard got up from the break room with groaning sounds. Jin headed towards the training ground, unable to shake off his heavy heart.

On the way out, a colleague pressed close to Jin and spoke as if threatening him.

“Hey, Duke Icastel. Keep your sister in check. If she interferes with training because she’s a woman, we won’t stand for it.”

Since when did you care so much about training that you’re suddenly so passionate? And if anyone would cause problems, it would be the current Imperial Guard, not Cecilia.

Jin immediately grabbed the other’s collar and pulled him down. A choked gasp and a strained voice telling him to let go and talk were heard, but he paid no attention.

“…Keep your mouth shut before I discipline you first.”

The direction of his anger was clear. At himself who had always only avoided things, and at everything that disgraced the person dear to him.

Jin glared at the crumpled shirt collar under his hand. Perhaps this was what he wanted to do to his own wishy-washy and pathetic heart, he thought.

**

Whenever the Imperial Consort’s Palace was in an uproar due to the Imperial Consort’s caprices, the maids had to suffer greatly.

Even when furnishings were broken and smashed, they had to clean up quietly without a word of complaint. If they accidentally upset the Imperial Consort’s mood, she would berate them, saying they couldn’t even clean up one thing properly.

But they couldn’t say anything. Even if they were slapped and shoved by the Imperial Consort, they had to keep their mouths shut. How dare they talk back to a noble, and the Emperor’s beloved concubine at that.

The maids also knew how the young lady of the Derant Count family had disappeared.

Since the Imperial Consort’s Palace came under the Emperor’s Palace, they would have let the Imperial Consort handle it as she wished. Or perhaps the Emperor had erased her from the world without anyone knowing. The maids’ hands trembled faintly as they cleaned up the broken teacups and teapot.

“…You all.”

The maid who was carefully picking up glass shards jumped up in shock. Blood seeped from her finger due to the sudden movement, but there was no time to feel the pain.

“Yes, Your Highness the Imperial Consort.”

“Why are you so scared? What do you think I’m going to say?”

Biting sarcasm that had been thoroughly suppressed approached along with the Imperial Consort’s footsteps. The maids stood with their heads bowed low, waiting for the Imperial Consort’s next words.

“Tonight, go to the Empress’s Palace and call the girls who work there. As quietly as possible without anyone noticing.”

Selina’s soft words tickled their ears. Where had the anger that was shouting loudly and throwing teacups just moments ago disappeared to?

But if they couldn’t bring the Empress’s Palace maids, it really seemed like disaster would strike. Perhaps they would vanish without a trace within the palace, like the former head maid. They simply bowed deeply, not knowing what to do.

“Ah, understood, Your Highness the Imperial Consort.”

After the maids left, Selina slowly sat down on the bed. How many days had it been since the Emperor visited the Imperial Consort’s Palace? The bed that she thought had been engraved with countless nights had long since lost its warmth.

“Your Majesty the Empress. There is something I learned in the capital’s social circles.”

Words with no listeners fell onto the milky white bed sheets.

“For me to survive, I must bite my opponent.”

Selina decided to bare her teeth. No matter how perfect the Empress was, she must have at least one weakness. And they said there was a man coming and going from the Empress’s Palace. If she could just find out that person’s identity, the initiative would pass to the Imperial Consort’s Palace.

Image is something that’s hard to build up, but easy to crumble. If people found out that the wise and virtuous Empress brought in a lover every night, how would the commoners who trust and look up to her react?

And what expression would the Emperor make?

Your Majesty the Emperor, please be enraged when you realize this fact. Selina collapsed onto the bed with an ominous laugh. Her curled up body began to shake along with her giggling voice.

**

Lebel’s visit was expected, but sudden.

It was just as she had adjusted the light of the bedroom lamp. A familiar silhouette was visible outside the window.

Ilarid approached with a welcoming heart, but Lebel had a dark expression as if he had some worry. As she hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should ask first, Lebel began to speak.

“Your Majesty the Empress, was I… not trustworthy to you?”

Seeing Lebel’s expression, Ilarid’s words got stuck in her throat. He was looking at her with eyes that seemed like they would cry if touched lightly.