Sweat ran down the backs of the unit members.

Of course, it was quite different from her actual appearance. She was probably far more beautiful than this painting, surely.

The unit members began to look again, wondering if it might be someone else.

But the more closely they examined it, the more it was indeed the Empress they knew.

Aside from her social position as Empress, she was the object of the commander’s affections. Though no one said it aloud, they had all already guessed.

This was definitely not something that could be ended with a mere apology. To have dared to lay eyes on the half-naked state of the Mother of the Nation. It was an enormous discourtesy not only to the commander, but to the Empress as well.

Lailo and the other unit members quickly averted their gaze and folded the booklet in half.

“Everyone keep your mouths shut before the commander arrives. Be sure to offer apologies in your hearts to Her Majesty the Empress. We’ll burn this immediately. We didn’t see anything…”

“What did you see?”

Their commander had approached without a sound. At this moment, Lebel was closer to an executioner than a commander.

The gathered unit members promptly prostrated themselves on the ground.

“Unit member Lailo, I’ll bow my head in advance.”

“…I’ll bow.”

“Strike our heads! We’ll forcibly erase our memories!”

This was something that, even if seen, absolutely must not have been seen. And it was none other than Her Majesty the Empress. How could our vision have been so narrow?

The unit members collectively sighed and blamed their wandering eyes.

“Get up.”

Lebel silently issued the order and took the problematic magazine still in Lailo’s hands.

As a bonus, he struck Lailo’s back once for struggling not to let it go.

It wasn’t surprising since Lebel already knew about it. The scandal of the Empress and a man presumed to be a mercenary commander. His eyebrows trembled slightly when he saw Ilarid’s picture, but he soon regained his composure.

“We’re sorry, Commander. We didn’t mean to look, but…”

The unit members fidgeted and watched Lebel’s reaction. They were even prepared to humbly accept the commander’s fierce fists if they came flying.

But Lebel showed no reaction and quietly walked away, still holding the magazine.

It was an unfamiliar sight. Ilarid embracing Lebel with a flushed face. Her nightgown slipping off, revealing half of her white skin, was etched into Lebel’s eyes.

Lebel’s lips parted slightly as he gazed at the picture.

To be honest, it wasn’t as if he had never imagined it at all.

The Ilarid who occasionally appeared in his dreams was far more explicit than this.

The young lady who clung to him on the bed like a summer breeze. Her name, whispered like a heat haze. The moment she exhaled hot breaths matching his movements came vividly to mind.

But dreams are just dreams. It was a fantasy that tormented him differently from nightmares.

‘It must be a delusion.’

Lebel rolled the magazine into his palm. What shameful thoughts was he having? His expression crumpled like the paper booklet in his hand.

He had just met Ilarid and heard about what happened today. How could he have such imaginings so soon after seeing her?

It took quite some time to calm his heated heart. Now. This feeling must be due to the intensified sunlight, he tried hard to convince himself.

Lebel was unfazed even after hearing about Selina’s confinement. Wasn’t it a natural punishment? There was no way she could be viewed favorably when she constantly antagonized and irritated Ilarid.

And the white cloth. The vivid image of the cloth Selina had deliberately dropped, pretending it was an accident, staining in the muddy water.

He wanted to completely shatter her innocent voice that had spoken so impertinently before Ilarid. Though she had now tripped over her own feet, it wasn’t a complete downfall.

If Selina were to get another chance to rise, she would sharpen her knife bitterly and lunge at Ilarid.

‘I can’t leave it like that. Absolutely not.’

I cannot let the one who tainted your light go unpunished. It is enough if only I am covered in filthy sewage and terrible blood.

Will there ever come a day when Ilarid can naturally wear white? White suited his young lady so well. It was the color of purity that made her beautiful green eyes shine even more.

On the day Ilarid’s portrait as the Crown Princess arrived at the Melpiram mansion, Lebel had secretly lifted the cloth at night to peek.

It was the first time in his short life that he truly felt the expression “breathtaking”. So this is how dazzling white could be.

They say light reveals all flaws, but not for Ilarid. Rather, she absorbed it and made it her own, wearing it perfectly on her body.

Should I give her clothes as a gift? White, if possible. Remove all excessive decorations, make it comfortable to move in. So that each natural breath she takes…

“Um, Commander.”

Lost in thought for a while, Eddie cautiously approached and spoke.

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry. Though it was a mistake, we dared to see such an image of Her Majesty the Empress…”

As he apologized with a deep bow to the waist, Lebel unknowingly let out a chuckle.

If the unit members heard about the incredible sights Lebel had been dreaming of and thinking about all this time, they would probably all faint, grabbing the backs of their necks.

“And I came to check on the most important thing. Are you feeling better after taking the medicine?”

“Well…”

“You hate ambiguous answers the most, yet you’re giving one… Even if it doesn’t work right away, at least take it consistently.”

“You’re starting to resemble Lailo.”

“Do I look like I won’t nag? Anyway, I saw a necklace similar to what you were looking for when I went out briefly today. With a green gem.”

At the word ‘necklace’, Lebel’s eyes, which had held a hint of emptiness, lit up.

“Where?”

“I’ll accompany you on the next outing. When I asked the owner, he boasted that it was only for display and would never be sold, but…”

Judging by the commander’s expression, he seemed ready to steal the necklace if necessary. Eddie inwardly made a firm resolution. If such a thing were to happen, he would stop him even if he had to knock him unconscious.

**

The Imperial ball was fast approaching.

It was said that a new delegation from the Eastern Continent would also arrive within a few days according to schedule. The capital quietly bustled with preparations to welcome the foreigners.

Interest also grew regarding the merchant group said to be arriving with them.

The merchant group named ‘Zahar’ was quite renowned even within Pegeia. Until now, they had only operated in the Eastern Continent, but it was said they were visiting to establish formal trade with the Western Continent.

Naturally, ‘who would be the first to contract with the Zahar merchant group’ became a topic of discussion among the nobles.

As rumors spread that the owner of the Zahar merchant group was quite young but quite strict, the nobles made a fuss while inspecting their subordinate merchant groups.

Amidst everyone’s busy schedules, the Empress’s Palace encountered a new problem.

“All of these formal dresses are impossible?”

They had taken out all the formal dresses to inspect the attire, but the shocking result came that they could not be worn.

“Your Majesty the Empress. Your wounds have not yet fully healed.”

Lynette added with a faint sigh. It was still too much to tighten the waist with a corset.

All the formal dresses worn until now only came to life when wearing a corset. There were even dresses that could only be worn by tightening the waist.

“It’s like we have to cram a person into clothes.”

The subject and object were reversed beyond measure. Ilarid grumbled briefly.

“How about getting a new dress for this occasion? There’s still budget left, by the way.”

“Where should we go… I’d like to look for a new atelier, not the usual place.”

They needed an atelier that could make formal wear that didn’t require wearing a corset. Ilarid, lost in thought for a moment, raised her head with an “Ah.”

Come to think of it, there was someone who had sent a letter along with Marsha.

‘If you ever need new clothes, please contact me anytime. From your Gabi.’

She recalled the short anonymous letter that had been enclosed with the letter sent by Marsha. This ‘Gabi’ person never wrote letters alone. It was as if they wrote letters while with Marsha.

‘Telling me to contact them without leaving contact information…’

It was a predicament. In the end, there was no choice but to write to Marsha again.

**

To my dear Marsha,

…I regret to inform you of only half a success. I hadn’t anticipated Count Diobe becoming a variable. It was my mistake. I feel very sorry that your efforts didn’t shine as much as they should have, given how hard you worked.

The Gloria Foundation is expected to continue operating as is. It will probably become even more closed off, which worries me.

…And could you pass a message to the person called ‘Gabi’? I’d like to order a formal dress needed for the upcoming ball.

P.S. I’m enclosing the ball invitation again. I hope you’ll attend this time. If it’s because of status issues, I’ll be your shield.

**

To Her Majesty the Empress,

…Please don’t worry too much. This incident could drive a wedge between the pro-Emperor nobles and the Emperor.

It’s tantamount to blocking the money laundering of the Viscount and Viscountess Geminia, so it must be quite painful from their perspective as well. I dare say, they might even be feeling resentful towards His Majesty the Emperor right now.

And ‘Gabi’ works at an atelier called ‘Le Chela’ in the capital. She’ll probably be overjoyed to receive Your Majesty’s contact. Though she may seem stiff and cold, she’s likely very much looking forward to your letter.

P.S. from me as well. The merchant group from the Eastern Continent will be staying at the Wenley Hotel. I’m in a position where I need all the help I can get. I’m very sorry that it will be difficult for me to attend. I hope to see you at the next charity event without fail.

**

It had been a while since leaving the Imperial Palace for personal business.

Lebel and Eddie were walking through the shopping district frequented by nobles.

With the ball not far off, the noble young ladies alighting from carriages were in a state of excitement and tension.

Eddie, who had been staring blankly at that scene, looked at Lebel beside him.

“Commander, aren’t you going to the ball?”

“I have no reason to go.”

“Ask Her Majesty the Empress for an invitation. Who knows? You might even get to dance with Her Majesty once.”

Dance, of all things. How could he do something he had never even learned? A bitter smile spread like paint across Lebel’s lips.

If he could always just watch from afar, would the world end just because he couldn’t dance once?

But when faced with reality, regret blocked the way. Why is the human heart so fickle? The handful of happiness obtained was never enough to quench the thirst.

“…It’s laughable.”

“Huh? What is?”

“Nothing. Where’s the jewelry store?”

“It’s in the shopping center up ahead.”

Perhaps because there were shops and teahouses mainly used by nobles, the surroundings were neatly organized. In contrast, the mercenaries walking on the road were as drab as could be.

Those alighting from carriages glanced at Lebel and Eddie, whispering words they couldn’t understand. But it wasn’t anything new. The two men hurried their steps without minding.

Just as they thought they had almost arrived, a splendid carriage passed in front of them. The carriage stopped right in front of the jewelry store they were heading to.

“Ugh, why do they drive carriages so roughly in the Western Continent?”

“That’s why you should have taken motion sickness medicine.”

“I hate medicine. It’s too bitter.”

“Then you have to endure it, what else can we do? You were in such a hurry to arrive a few days earlier…”

Unfamiliar language flowed from the strangers. The man’s hair stood out as he got out of the carriage while pressing his temples. Had they ever seen such a brilliantly red hair before?

He approached the jewelry store, chattering incessantly with another man beside him.

His long red hair, loosely tied up, swayed lightly with his movements. The elaborate ornaments stuck in his hair, whether to his own taste, were also eye-catching.

“Commander. They’re Pegeians.”

“Sorcerers?”

“Maybe. They say most people from the Eastern Continent use sorcery.”

As soon as Lebel opened the door of the jewelry store and entered, his gaze fell on a necklace displayed on the counter.

“Oh, that’s it. Is this what you were looking for?”

“…Found it.”

The brilliant green gem that Ilarid had unhesitatingly offered to save Lebel over a decade ago lay before his eyes.

But Lebel wasn’t the only one with his eyes on the necklace.

“Just looking at it, it’s top grade… No, at the very least, high grade. This is quite rare, isn’t it?”

The red-haired man was bending down to his waist, examining the necklace closely.

His eyes were shining brightly, making it clear that he too was after the same necklace.