A few days later, Cledius casually summoned Lebel.

“I am here to see Your Majesty the Emperor.”

Given that he had called an uncomfortable opponent to the imperial palace, it must be about the upcoming special zone in the North. Lebel steeled himself before facing Cledius.

Since that night, Cledius had not sought out Ilarid. It could be that he was forcibly keeping his distance, but it was closer to avoiding the mistake he had committed.

“Welcome.”

Cledius greeted his wife’s lover as if nothing was amiss. There was one more person in the reception room. It was a man whom he had only briefly made eye contact with on the night of the ball.

As Lindein rose, the metal ornaments on his head jingled with a clear sound. Unlike his pretty appearance and seemingly gentle eyes, the light in his eyes as he looked at Lebel was similar to that of a predator just before hunting.

“So I finally meet the man of rumors. I am Lindein Lachman, ambassador of Pegeia.”

“It is an honor to meet you. I am Lebel, commander of the Rikas Mercenary Group.”

When greeting, it is natural to meet eyes. Just in case, Lindein tried to read Lebel’s inner thoughts, but black smoke writhed and warned him.

‘Do not approach.’

That must be a curse. It looked just like the shape of approaching death.

Lindein deliberately ignored the ‘eyes’ in the black smoke that he could neither hear nor see. The instinctive fear of witnessing something raw began to wrap around his legs.

Where had the sharp glare from when their gazes briefly met gone? Lebel realized that the ambassador from the Eastern Continent was avoiding his eyes.

The characteristic of those who cannot properly meet the other’s gaze is that they are hiding something.

He’s more difficult and irritating than expected. Lebel quickly concluded.

Cledius’s languid voice cut through the suspicion that had been building up.

“Those who will work hard for our northern expansion have gathered together.”

He leaned back loosely on the sofa with an invitation to sit. It was the composure and power that only an emperor could show. Lebel offered a formulaic word of thanks before sitting across from Lindein.

“Even Ambassador Lindein must have heard about the Rikas Mercenary Group’s exploits so much over the past few days that his ears are calloused.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. There were even operations that penetrated the rugged terrain of the North. I can only admire Your Majesty’s foresight in welcoming such talent.”

The fluent and honeyed words continued. But it was praise that uncomfortably constricted the inside. Lebel silently focused only on the patterns of the table and the porcelain placed in front of him. Here, it would be wiser to just answer the questions asked.

The man who could become an enemy to an enemy and perhaps another hostile force in the future spewed out adequately fabricated words and schemes.

“I’d like to ask for your thoughts, what do you think?”

Lebel’s hands, quietly resting on his knees, curled inward slightly. Cledius noticed his hesitation and spoke again.

“I’m thinking of bestowing upon Lebel, commander of the Rikas Mercenary Group, the title of Marquis of the Valentium Border.”

Disdain dripped from the gracious word ‘bestow’, ill-fitting. The dam of contempt that had been barely held back burst with a pop.

“I’m surprised you’re hesitating. Was your bold request for a title and territory before me last time just a whim?”

Cledius slowly wiggled his crossed leg. Though it was an attitude of looking down on the other, Lebel showed not even a hint of agitation.

It was something he had prepared for. He slowly rose and approached Cledius. Then without hesitation, he knelt to express his utmost gratitude.

“…What words could I dare add? I will repay Your Majesty’s heavenly grace with loyalty.”

“Your loyalty is already a well-known fact.”

The detestable performance continued within the scripted scenario.

Lindein quietly observed the confrontation between two men over one woman.

A glance confirmed that Cledius’s inner thoughts had long since burned black. He thought it might be resignation, but flames rose again from the ruins. Now it seemed his hatred for his rival had grown greater than his love for the empress.

‘The one consumed by hatred was someone else.’

Though they say he can read people’s minds, it was still hard to understand.

It also deviated from predictions, and he couldn’t understand why someone would have such feelings in this situation. It would remain the greatest unsolvable mystery even after hundreds of years. Lindein smiled faintly.

“I’d like the mercenary group and the imperial army to go out for field training together soon. How about a hunt, as the weather is good?”

It was what he had hoped for. Cledius heard Lebel’s affirmation and rose from his seat with a satisfied smile.

“Keep the fact that I’ve bestowed a title on you a secret for now. There’s a lot to prepare to quell dissatisfaction.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“By the way… Are you unwell somewhere? Your complexion looks quite pale.”

Even a hint of laughter could be heard in the words asking about his physical condition. Lindein looked at Cledius’s eyes in puzzlement, and immediately became suspicious of him.

The emperor was genuinely delighted. It was pure joy to the point where nothing else could be heard. Did he stab that mercenary with poison or something?

“…It’s nothing.”

“Your health is important for our future northern expansion plans to proceed without a hitch. I hope you’ll always be mindful of it.”

Cledius gripped Lebel’s shoulder firmly without looking at him. It was an action to suppress his boiling emotions while hiding his excitement for what was to come.

Lindein, who had grasped the situation, stood up following the emperor.

An emperor blinded by jealousy using poison. A mercenary commander poisoned by the emperor, and an empress who loves that commander.

Lebel had received his death sentence. Even if he endures, it would be difficult to last more than a year. Was the black smoke ominously flickering behind him a curse eating away at Lebel’s life?

But what does this have to do with Pegeia? Lindein barely organized his noisy thoughts. The objective was steadily progressing.

This matter was just part of a plan that would eventually swallow not only the northern part of the Western Continent but the entire continent in the future. He had no intention of getting involved in their love triangle.

Just as they were about to leave the reception room:

“Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”

It was truly welcome news. As soon as the servant’s words ended, Cledius looked at his rival’s face.

Unexpectedly, he only lowered his gaze with a calm face. Is this because it’s a public place? Cledius sneered inwardly as he let the empress in.

Was it an auditory hallucination? As Ilarid approached, the sound of a second hand ticking could be heard. It was the same symptom as when he first encountered Lindein. Cledius felt an unpleasant sense of dissonance and unconsciously put his hand to one ear.

And when Cledius saw Ilarid, all his thoughts came to a halt.

“I see you have guests.”

Ilarid, bathed in bright light, surprisingly entered wearing white clothes. His heart beat in sync with her footsteps.

Hadn’t she always wandered through life in sorrow? Ilarid usually avoided bright clothes. Especially clothes with a white hue.

The white clothes in question weren’t even that fancy. Is this the white outfit she said she wore for walks? Compared to the dress Cledius had gifted her last time, it looked plain, even rough.

But it suited her well. She looked comfortable with every fragment of exhaled breath and stable with every step taken.

Cledius wanted to put his hand on Ilarid’s waist, pull her into his arms, and check. Despite what he had done last time, the desire stained at the bottom ultimately did not let him go.

He wanted to unbutton the front and see Ilarid inside. If he were to completely ravage her until nothing remained in the end, what expression would you make, Ilarid? Would you reject me until the very end?

Just before being consumed by desire, Cledius barely managed to utter a word.

“…It suits you well.”

Ilarid did not waver.

“You flatter me.”

Lindein had inadvertently become caught in a three-way confrontation. It was also a big headache with only people who found it difficult to make eye contact gathered together.

If anything, the calmest among the three was the empress. He looked at the file of documents in the empress’s hand. Don’t they usually have maids do such tasks?

‘Could it be that she knew that commander had entered the imperial palace…’

A storm was raging inside the empress’s emotionless eyes. It only seemed calm now because they were passing through the center. Lindein realized his guess was correct and bowed his head slightly with a smile.

“I shall take my leave now.”

There was nothing to be gained by continuing to stay in this uncomfortable situation. First, he had to return to Anent Palace and contact Awen. If he reported that the plans for the northern conquest of the Western Continent were progressing more smoothly than expected, today’s mission would be over.

Ilarid lightly brushed past Lindein. A faint scent of roses mixed with her breath. Lindein closed his eyes as he left the reception room.

And he concluded that the empress here was a dangerous person in many ways.

As the sound of the door closing was heard, Cledius approached Ilarid. There were always overflowing words he wanted to say.

That night was a mistake and an accident. How should he convey these pathetic words? Cledius barely opened his mouth.

“…Empress. That night…”

“I am here to report to Your Majesty about the events to be held this month.”

The barely started conversation was unceremoniously cut off.

I came for the report, not to listen to your excuses. The hidden words clawed past Cledius. Ilarid pretended not to hear and held out the file of documents.

Normally, he would have received it from Ilarid and passed it to a servant right away, but this time was different. Cledius immediately flipped through the file of documents right there. It was as if he had been very interested from the beginning.

The charity event was an annual event that the empress, armed with a spirit of service, personally held. What’s there to worry about going out in broad daylight to prepare for the event? But an unusual activity caught his eye.

“…To the Gloria Foundation’s orphanage?”

“Despite being an organization that receives budget support from the imperial family, I have been negligent. If I take the lead directly, private organizations’ support and people’s interest will grow even more.”

Ilarid always quietly participated in volunteer activities. Occasionally, there were even eyewitness accounts of people who didn’t realize she was the empress.

It seemed that the highest person in the world quietly moving for the sake of those at the bottom gave quite a big resonance to the people.

But what wind has blown for her to even seek permission from the emperor?

It was like the small flutter of wings of a bird that had lived its entire life in a cage trying to escape outside. Cledius quietly closed the file of documents. He wanted to ruin her progress and peace. Not borrowing anyone else’s hands, but with the pure power of the emperor.

Only then did he realize that the clothes Ilarid was wearing bothered him.

He wanted to give her an order right away. Turn around and put your hands on the wall, Ilarid. And what if I stand behind you and pull the corset strings myself?

Ilarid did not scream during unification or at any moment. Probably because of her pride.

Perhaps only a dull moan trying hard to hold back would be heard even at the moment when her breath was cut off. The red marks of pain that would be engraved below her back and bones. I would pretend not to notice and kiss over them.

This is just imagination, so it doesn’t matter.

It would be an insult to Ilarid, but it was desire for Cledius.

He wanted her to live but also to beg at the same time. Cledius barely regained his reason, suppressing the emotions that were rushing in chaotically.

“…Since the empress is going out, I’ll attach elite troops from the imperial guard.”

“It would be a waste to unnecessarily expend the imperial forces. Cecilia is with me, so please don’t worry.”

“Are you trying to face some other calamity by letting the empress go out alone? You’ve already experienced an assassination attempt and a disappearance.”

“Are you afraid I might enjoy a secret rendezvous with the ‘Shadow’ outside? I am not Your Majesty the Emperor.”

It was not something that could be said in front of the emperor, but it was a fact that hit the mark. Didn’t he go out of the imperial palace without permission to enjoy passionate secret meetings when Selina was the ‘Shadow’?

And that day was the first anniversary of the child’s death.

To go out to do such a thing on a date that cannot be forgotten no matter how hard one tries, he was still a beast far from becoming human after all.

No matter how much he tried to provoke Ilarid’s jealousy, there is a line that should be kept as a person. Cledius had crossed that line by far.

To leave a wound that the other person cannot recover from and now not know what to do. A sneer automatically filled her lips.

“Don’t worry about me, and please visit the empress consort once more. Though it is said that laughter is blooming in the empress consort’s palace, one step from Your Majesty the Emperor would be even more helpful.”

“…Ilarid.”

“As this is an official place, please refrain from calling me by name in such a personal manner.”

Ilarid bowed lightly and withdrew. It was before Cledius could find a pretext to stop her.

The empress’s ‘Shadow’ did not seek out his master even though she had moved away. Is it confidence that he can reach her at any time? Strength entered Cledius’s hands. He threw the file of documents onto the table and said as if grinding his teeth.

“You should go out too. Aren’t you the empress’s ‘Shadow’?”

It was an atmosphere that would naturally make one’s flesh tremble, but Lebel paid no heed and bowed deeply to the emperor.

Only Cledius was left alone in the splendid and magnificent reception room. It was too bright for shadows to suit, but it was utterly desolate.