The tea placed in front of the two people was slowly cooling down.

Could there be a more awkward tea time than this? Only silence remained, circling around inside the resting space.

Even though it was bright daylight, Lebel still remained in the shadows. Darkness suited him well. As if he was born that way.

Lebel showed no interest in the tea and snacks placed on the table. He looked only at Ilarid, as if she was the only person existing in this room.

It was a half-impulsive decision. Whatever business or favor he came for, it was an opportunity to have a conversation with him.

Although the contract was extended and she would stay in the imperial palace for a long time, it was unknown when she would leave again. Using others while pretending not to know was still uncomfortable, but Ilarid steeled her resolve once again.

Even if Cledius were to find fault, there were sufficient reasons to counter him.

This was the Empress’s palace. Once Lebel set foot here, he became a guest who should be welcomed and sent off properly.

Above all, officially, Lebel was someone working for the imperial family on the Emperor’s orders.

There are those who do worse things in broad daylight, so what’s wrong with offering a cup of tea and sending him off? Ilarid decided to be a little shameless.

When she picked up her teacup, her eyes met Lebel’s again. Although she had just resolved to be brazen, she still wasn’t used to that fervent gaze.

Had she ever received such a gaze from others since coming to the imperial palace?

Whenever she went out for inspections, she always received the welcome of the people. There were admirers of Ilarid everywhere. They always greeted her with eyes mixed with longing and welcome on the streets.

But Lebel’s gaze was clearly different.

A look hanging precariously on the edge of desire. An infinite affection seething blue. Can such feelings arise between people meeting for the first time? Ilarid’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.

Inwardly, she hoped he would break the ice first. But he remained silent, maintaining his gaze only on Ilarid.

What should one say first when talking to a strange man? Asking about basic well-being seemed cliché, and suddenly opening up about daily life was burdensome.

It was strange. She didn’t get this nervous when meeting other nobles or during inspections. All words flowed out naturally, and it was possible to smile gently with ease.

But in front of Lebel, she awkwardly stumbled. Her lips kept drying out and her tongue seemed to get tied.

“In the imperial family, it’s considered rude to stare at someone in front of you without saying anything.”

In the end, only a strange remark disguised as advice came out. Could this be considered the start of a conversation? She had made a proper mistake.

‘This has never happened before…’

She tried to hide the overwhelming awkwardness while picking up her teacup.

“I apologize, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Although he should have been offended, Lebel was smiling slightly. But unlike before, his eyelids were lowered.

“I’m still unfamiliar with imperial etiquette.”

Before he entered the imperial palace, Lebel had to face Ilarid only through portraits drawn in newspapers. He was secretly disappointed. Surely the real person was much more beautiful than these drawings.

The grown lady now before Lebel’s eyes was shining, holding all the light of the world.

This moment of being able to face her was like a miracle. So he didn’t want to miss even a single gesture of Ilarid’s.

Was it a problem that he stared too openly? Since she said it was rude, it must have been something he shouldn’t do.

He was a tool and loyal dog for Ilarid alone. Lebel resolved to gladly become an obedient dog.

The leash had already been handed over to the Empress since last time. Of course, Ilarid didn’t seem to have noticed at all.

“Is it alright for you to let me into the Empress’s palace?”

“Yes.”

“Is there no problem with me sitting in a chair?”

“What do you mean…?”

“I thought you would naturally have me sit on the floor, as I’m meeting such an exalted person.”

More precisely, kneeling with head bowed to the floor.

For a slave, obedience was the principle. If Ilarid told him to kneel on the floor, he was prepared to do so. If that wasn’t enough, he would even kiss her feet, showing the utmost submission possible.

Of course, the Ilarid he knew would never do such a thing. As he expected, Ilarid looked at Lebel with a serious expression.

“Who told you that?”

“Every client I’ve met so far has done so.”

“That’s terrible.”

“There are those who always consider the worst to be natural.”

Ilarid recalled the previous party. The behavior of Cledius and the nobles surrounding him. There were always people everywhere who arbitrarily looked down on others for being of lower status or having nothing.

“The imperial palace… is also full of such people.”

You would know from experiencing it already. Ilarid swallowed the rest of her words along with the tea.

“Most people here are kind. But there are many who are just waiting for weaknesses and flaws to appear. Don’t believe things as they appear.”

“I think Your Majesty the Empress would be an exception.”

“Thank you, but there are no exceptions. It would be better for you to maintain a minimum of doubt and distance with me as well.”

Because I’m trying to use you for revenge. Ilarid quietly moistened her lips. The bitter aftertaste of the tea began to constrict her mouth.

“At least I hope you’ll be safe while you’re here. As I said last time… Be careful with all your words and actions. No one knows how words might be distorted as they spread.”

“There’s one way not to be caught out.”

Lynette, who had been sitting behind Ilarid, suddenly cut in and stood up slowly. Lynette had a somewhat mischievous expression, as if she had something in mind.

“Lynette?”

“Let’s learn proper greetings first. Starting with the basics.”

As Lebel and Ilarid just stared blankly, Lynette suddenly left her seat and came back holding a long wooden ruler.

“Let’s start right away.”

Ilarid immediately realized what Lynette was trying to do. Lebel looked at the two women alternately with a tense expression.

“As someone who uses their body, I believe you’ll understand well.”

Lynette’s expression became strict, like that of an instructor, as she tapped the wooden ruler on her palm.

Honestly, with Lebel’s level of appearance, he could probably be forgiven even if he just nodded his head rudely while passing by.

But this was the imperial palace, and there would be men jealous of Lebel’s handsome face and outstanding abilities. Rather than getting into troublesome situations by encountering the wrong people, it wouldn’t be bad to educate him while they had the chance.

‘If we train him properly… it might not be bad?’

Judging by his attitude towards Ilarid, he seemed to have basic manners. If he had been ill-mannered from the start, they would have blocked the entrance to the Empress’s palace from the beginning.

And Ilarid had deliberately brought him into the imperial palace. He must be a man who would carry out important tasks for her plans.

If they polish him well, couldn’t he properly become Ilarid’s person someday? A bit of expectation rose in Lynette’s heart.

But a few minutes later, that expectation was shattered miserably.

Lebel was much stiffer than expected. Stiff to the point where ‘creaking’ would be an appropriate description.

It was even questionable how he could have gone to the battlefield and carried out missions with such a body.

Lebel sent a pleading look towards Ilarid. He looked like a puppy fallen into a ditch, which made her heart soften helplessly.

“Um, Lynette. It’s his first time visiting…”

Lynette, as if sensing Ilarid’s thoughts, didn’t let it pass casually but raised the ruler straight again. The way she carefully checked even the angle showed that she had been waiting for this moment.

“Oh no, you’re bending your back too much here. While slightly rising… Wait a moment, you’re too stiff! Gently and smoothly, and slowly…”

It was when all the tea in the teapot had cooled that the words “acceptable” finally came out of her mouth.

Lebel staggered and grasped the chair. He felt it might be better to do sword training non-stop instead.

“To be tired from just a few greeting practices. How did you manage on the battlefield being so weak?”

“I think military training would be easier than this.”

“Haha, in my day, we learned while getting our hands hit! They found fault with everything, saying the angle of the feet was wrong, or the bowing was too stiff… How they bullied the newcomers…”

When Ilarid and Lynette had just entered the imperial palace, it was a time when the Empress Dowager’s momentum was sky-high. The maids of the Empress Dowager’s palace were extremely strict, and Lynette, who had just started her education as a maid, had no end of hardships.

As if recalling those memories, Lynette pretended to hold back tears and fanned herself. Ilarid turned her head, covering her rising smile with her hand.

Who would have thought there would come a day when she could smile comfortably and naturally in the Empress’s palace.

“Now it’s time for the real thing. Director Lebel, show your respect in front of Her Majesty the Empress.”

Lynette’s voice was strict. The way she clasped her hands and spoke with a resolute gaze showed that this was definitely not a joke.

Lebel slowly approached Ilarid. And he performed the movements Lynette had taught him dozens of times accurately and smoothly.

“I greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

It was a formal greeting she received every time she appeared at official events. But the greeting from Lebel somehow felt poignant.

He slowly raised his waist and looked at Ilarid. This time, she didn’t avoid Lebel’s eyes either.

A suitable distance, neither too far nor too close. The darkness viewed under the afternoon sunlight was incongruous but beautiful.

The person in front of Ilarid seemed more like a statue made of bronze than plaster. There was a sense of solidity that felt as if it would remain in one place, holding a blue light even if it rusted and faded.

For a moment, Ilarid had the urge to reach out and caress Lebel’s cheek.

Would it be cold? The touch of the bone gently protruding above his eyebrows seemed like it would feel cool immediately. The curves of the lines continuing over the sharp bridge of his nose naturally created appropriate shadows.

Strangely, she thought that even the shadows cast over his face were beautiful.

“Your Majesty.”

At Lebel’s single word, Ilarid withdrew her hand, realizing her mistake. If she had been a moment later, she might have actually touched Lebel’s face.

She barely opened her stiffened mouth to utter words of praise.

“Well done.”

“It’s thanks to the Head Maid.”

“The crash course wasn’t bad, right?”

Lynette shrugged her shoulders. This level of progress was faster than expected. Except for being a bit of a klutz, that is.

Ilarid didn’t miss this atmosphere.

“Sometimes, if you’re not busy with mercenary work… Come to the Empress’s palace. It’s been lonely without new people around.”

As if it was unexpected, Lebel’s eyes gradually widened.

He could meet Ilarid. And up close at that. He no longer had to watch from afar, but could look at her from nearby. One of the desires hidden in his heart suddenly sprang up.

“When should I visit…”

Before Lebel could finish speaking, the sound of someone running down the corridor was heard. Barely knocking, a young maid burst in. Her breathing was rough, as if she had been running for a while.

“What’s the matter?”

“The, the Emperor is on his way here!”