Behind the ladies entering the Empress’s Palace, a rectangular object wrapped in white cloth was visible. Though I couldn’t see it up close, it looked like a large canvas or frame.

‘A work of art? Could it be some kind of bribe?’

Lynette had never heard that Selina was interested in art. While Cledius supposedly owned expensive artworks for the sake of imperial dignity, Selina didn’t seem to have much appreciation for it.

Perhaps she was trying to take an interest in art to match the Emperor’s tastes. But even for that, the way the artwork was being brought in looked quite suspicious.

‘I’ve never even heard of her patronizing artists…’

A suspicion flashed through Lynette’s mind.

It was said that among the nobility, using artworks to secretly funnel money was a common practice. This was something she had overheard from the Countess while at the Melpiram mansion.

‘They mix illegal assets with legitimate transactions. They launder it clean so you can’t tell where it begins or ends.’

The nobles, and Cledius, were likely to use the Empress’s Palace in such a way.

With a naive young girl becoming Empress and monopolizing the Emperor’s affection, everyone would be trying to curry favor.

‘Should I look into it?’

Lynette shook her head to dismiss the sudden question. She still hadn’t made any progress on the task Ilarid had quietly requested.

She still hadn’t been able to find the whereabouts of the missing head maid from the Empress’s Palace. Had the Darrent Count’s daughter really vanished from the palace? She had expected her to be somewhere in the palace, but there was no trace.

There might still be secret spaces in the palace that Lynette and Ilarid didn’t know about. Had the Emperor really disposed of her quietly? Because she had offended the favored Empress?

Moreover, the Darrent Count’s daughter had no strong backing. She was in a position with no family or protectors. Though Ilarid had recommended her, she had lost her influence long ago.

In short, she was someone easy to dispose of secretly.

Goosebumps rose on Lynette’s arms. The fine hairs on her arms seemed to stand stiffly on end. She quickly turned and headed towards the Empress’s Palace.

**

The white cloth was slowly removed from the canvas placed before Selina. Soon, a canvas covered in vibrant paint appeared.

One of the noble ladies exclaimed in admiration, making a fuss.

“Look, Your Highness. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“It’s perfect, perfect.”

Viscountess Geminia, sitting next to Selina, put down her teacup and clapped her hands. Her eyes were moist, as if she might shed tears of emotion at any moment.

What on earth was painted? Selina had a complex expression as she looked at what must have been the umpteenth painting.

“The painter’s anguish and contemplation are clearly visible. I hear they spent several years in the Eastern Continent? They’re depicting our fleeting lives while watching the sun set over the mountain range.”

Was that yellow dispersing shape supposed to be the sun? It became even more incomprehensible. Selina silently sipped her tea while staring blankly at the abstract, if not downright baffling, painting.

Noticing Selina’s boredom, Viscountess Geminia quickly interjected.

“This is by an artist who’s becoming popular in galleries these days. It has high investment value, and is certainly worth collecting. What do you think, Your Highness?”

“Yes… it’s lovely…”

Selina forced a smile as she looked at the noble ladies sitting in a row beside her.

In truth, she was utterly bored. Though she was meeting them on her father’s introduction, it wasn’t interesting at all.

Boasting about their art collections and crafts every day and discussing them failed to capture Selina’s interest.

“Think about it carefully. Even His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t mind supporting young artists. If Your Highness takes an interest in such artworks, His Majesty will surely be pleased.”

As the Viscountess whispered, the gathered noble ladies chimed in with a word or two. Every time “His Majesty the Emperor” fell from their lips, Selina’s shoulders twitched.

She had been envying the difficult and profound language that the ladies poured out like flowing water. It seemed to point out that she was still lacking as a companion for Cledius.

Perhaps if she showed interest in this area, Cledius might see her differently. Having common interests tends to bring people closer together.

“Yes, that’s good. I’ll arrange such gatherings more often in the future.”

At Selina’s affirmation, the faces of the gathered noble ladies lit up. But Selina failed to notice the subtle mockery and glee hidden behind their bright expressions.

When the Melpiram family was at the height of its power, they had eagerly lingered around the Empress’s Palace trying to establish connections. But Ilarid, perhaps sensing their dark intentions, had turned away everyone who came with paintings.

The Empress was far more naive than they had expected. She was markedly different from the previous Empress, who had not been so easily swayed.

The establishment of a foundation using the Diobe Viscount as a smokescreen was also proceeding smoothly. The tides of the world were all flowing towards the nobility, like an impregnable fortress that would never crumble.

**

As Lynette approached the Empress’s Palace, she noticed a group of maids huddled together.

A mischievous thought crossed her mind and she crept up quietly, only to realize that their gazes were fixed on one spot.

“What are you all doing?”

“Oh my! Head Maid!”

The maids hurriedly bowed and then put their fingers to their lips. What on earth were they looking at that they would immediately hush her?

“Why, what’s going on?”

As Lynette whispered, the maids pointed to a spot with their other hands.

At the end of their fingertips was the mercenary captain in question. He was standing in front of the Empress’s Palace, quietly looking up.

At the end of his gaze was Ilarid’s office. A “huh” escaped Lynette’s lips.

“How long has he been standing there like that?”

“For quite a while. He’s been standing there ever since you left, Head Maid.”

“And why are you all hiding here like this?”

“Well… it’s the first time we’ve seen such a handsome man…”

The maids covered their mouths in embarrassment and nudged each other’s shoulders. Their ears, which they couldn’t hide, were visibly flushed.

Lynette had to admit it. That captain was undeniably handsome.

Not only were his features distinct, but his tall stature also played its part. His broad shoulders falling below his neck were enough to put one’s mind at ease just by looking.

Above all, that strange melancholy that seemed to hold a story was intriguing. Lynette found herself muttering almost unconsciously.

“He is good-looking…”

“Right? You think so too, don’t you, Head Maid?”

Was it because she had read too many romance novels for Ilarid earlier in the day? It felt like a strange energy was clouding her vision.

“You’ve all had your fill of looking at the handsome man, right? Now return to your positions.”

The maids couldn’t hide their inner disappointment as they dispersed. Even as they left, they couldn’t tear their eyes away from Lebel.

Lynette approached Lebel, who was standing like a statue in front of the Empress’s Palace.

“Why don’t you hide your presence like last time?”

“Ah…”

Had he noticed the dozens of gazes fixed on him? Lebel turned to look at Lynette, who had approached, with calm eyes.

“What brings the mercenary captain all the way to the Empress’s Palace?”

The words “I wanted to see her” lingered on the tip of Lebel’s tongue. That he had been dreaming of Ilarid every night for days, that if he could see the young lady just once, it might ease his troubled heart a little.

But reason quickly blocked Lebel’s path. He held back what he wanted to say and managed to open his mouth.

“Last time, Her Majesty the Empress said I could meet her if I made an appointment in advance. Would you help me with that?”

“And if it’s difficult?”

Though unintended, the words came out sounding slightly confrontational. As if he had expected it, there was no significant change in Lebel’s expression.

“I’m truly sorry, Captain Lebel, but I need to know why you’re trying to enter the Empress’s Palace and meet Her Majesty.”

“If weapons are the issue, I’ve left them all behind.”

“Even if you’re not targeting Her Majesty the Empress, the Empress’s Palace is already being watched from all sides. There must be limits to that special ability of yours. We can’t know who might spread rumors about Her Majesty the Empress with ill intent.”

If Ilarid had been in a normal situation, how would it have been? It might have been dismissed as just someone admiring the Empress. If she liked what she saw while observing, she might have even taken him in as a ‘shadow’ on her own.

In the history of the Astrid Empire, the Empress’s ‘shadows’ had appeared several times. Most were men, and they were rarely recorded. It must have been troublesome for the Empire as well.

“It’s difficult to explain everything… but Her Majesty the Empress could be put in an awkward position.”

It was quite a petty thing to say while holding a bundle of romance novels, but it was true. If they mistakenly let in a mercenary captain of unclear origin into the Empress’s Palace, it was bound to cause headaches.

“Please return for today.”

The Empress’s Palace was certainly not a place one could barge into at any time. Even though the conservative atmosphere had been reformed compared to before, if they started accommodating one or two, there would be no end to it.

Lynette bowed to Lebel and entered the Empress’s Palace. As she glanced back while entering, he was still standing still like a statue.

“Here they are. Appropriately steamy romance novels.”

To think she’d really buy them when asked. Ilarid, wrapped in the packaging, burst into a soft laugh.

“You’re really incorrigible… How’s it outside?”

“The same as always. Oh, someone named Marcia Wenley is opening a hotel.”

Marcia Wenley. She was one of the newly rich who had recently come up from the provinces. Unmarried, she had inherited her father’s business and was planning to open a hotel in the capital.

Above all, she was one of the people who had sent a letter of cooperation to the Empress. Ilarid suppressed the smile that was creeping up and asked casually.

“And, anything else?”

“Pardon?”

“It seems like there’s something you’re not telling me.”

As expected, a friend of ten years couldn’t be fooled. Mixed in with Lynette’s hesitation was a glance towards the window.

“Did someone come outside?”

Ilarid rose from her chair and headed to the window. And there, she met eyes with the man who had been standing outside all along.

The cool window pane suddenly became hot. Ilarid stepped back in surprise, as if she had burned her hand on a hot kettle.

“How long has he been there…?”

“He’s been standing there ever since I left, they say.”

Sighs were dissolved in the beginning and end of Lynette’s answer. Ilarid approached the window again. Lebel was still looking up at where Ilarid was in the same posture.

“He says he came directly because he heard he could meet Your Majesty if he made an appointment in advance.”

Ilarid recalled what she had said last time. She had certainly said that with her own mouth. If she sent Lebel away like this, she would become someone who couldn’t even keep a simple promise. That was something she wanted to avoid at all costs.

“Lynette. Call him in.”

“Your Majesty, but…”

“At least the Empress’s Palace is my space. Even His Majesty the Emperor openly brings in ‘shadows’, can’t I receive one guest?”

“If others were to mistakenly report this to His Majesty the Emperor, it could cause great trouble.”

“Yes. I’ve anticipated all that and decided to let him in.”

Lynette’s eyes widened at Ilarid’s words.

“Our encounter with the mercenary group during the festival was absolutely not a coincidence. I called him to the Imperial Palace. So call Lebel in. Tell him I’ll see him right now.”