A chill ran down Ilarid’s spine. The worst possible script imaginable had fallen before Lynette and Ilarid.

Their eyes met. They were probably thinking the same thing.

“It can’t be.”

“Surely not…”

If it was Cledius, he would be well-versed in secretly disposing of a few people. It would be believable if they were buried under some grand tree in a separate palace.

Moreover, if there were no remaining family members around, like with the daughter of Count Darent, disposing of them would be easier than flipping one’s palm.

Ilarid tightly grasped Lynette’s hand beside her. Her palm was damp with tension.

It had been over a full decade since Ilarid began staying at the imperial palace. Even as an empress, she was merely the emperor’s wife and could not reign above him, making it all the more difficult to interfere in matters the emperor was concealing.

“Could there be areas in the imperial palace that we don’t know about?”

If Cledius set his mind to it, there might be secret passages or hidden safe houses within the palace. It was a moment that lent strength to the hypothesis that there were areas within the imperial palace unknown to them.

“I’ll look into it further.”

“No, if you dig deeper, you’ll end up getting entangled too.”

“Your Majesty. Despite appearances, I’ve drunk the same water as Your Majesty and the imperial palace.”

Lynette enveloped Ilarid’s trembling hand. She was just as tense. Cases of disappearing without a trace in the imperial palace ultimately led to death.

“You must be careful, understand?”

The desire to not lose any more people around her came trembling in small waves. Lynette intentionally spoke in a bright voice to reassure Ilarid.

“Yes. Of course, Your Majesty.”

**

The weather was getting warmer. It was a sign that summer was approaching.

Near the capital of the empire, it was hot but dry, so sitting still in the shade was bearable enough.

However, for those who continued to use their bodies and move around, it was grueling weather. Ilarid began signing several documents.

During the hot season, the empress would pay additional wages to the palace’s menial workers who worked outside as encouragement. She also didn’t forget to set times for them to take sufficient rest during the hottest hours.

“The weather has gotten much hotter. I just walked a little quickly, but I feel sweat gathering on my back.”

Lynette, who had just come back from outside, entered while fanning herself. Ilarid, who had just finished signing, quietly looked at the calendar placed on the desk in her office.

Come to think of it, quite some time had passed since the mercenary group entered the imperial palace.

“The north must still have spring weather…”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, because of the mercenary group… Since they all stayed in the north, I thought they might not be used to the southern heat.”

“Still, it’s quite livable if you stay in the shade. Speaking of which, that captain hasn’t been around much lately? He said he’d come often.”

Ilarid recalled the last time she saw Lebel.

‘I hope you’ll consider this scene today… as something you didn’t see.’

And then he left without looking back. If only she had held Lebel back then and confided in him, could she have lightened the heavy weight on her heart even a little?

Ilarid felt as if the stiff expression she had worn that day was etched onto her cheeks once again.

‘There was no need to be that cold…’

It was because the expression and tone she had so strictly controlled, fearing that her hidden desire for revenge might be discovered or that her weaknesses might be exposed, had become a habit.

She hesitated to meet him again. It felt like she wouldn’t be able to look Lebel straight in the face.

Ilarid hesitated once more, then put down the pen she was holding.

“Lynette, I have a favor to ask.”

Lynette headed towards the location where the Rikas mercenary group was stationed. Behind her, maids in charge of clothing alterations lined up. Lynette, holding a light package in her hand, was walking quietly but lost in thought.

‘It’s definitely not an atmosphere of dislike or aversion.’

They say people exchange hearts and share thoughts by looking into each other’s eyes. The look in Lebel’s eyes when he gazed at Ilarid was like that of a fiercely burning beast.

But Lebel didn’t express his instincts outright. Rather, it was more like a dog suppressing itself and pressing against its owner.

‘It’s a bit sorry to compare a person to a dog, but… thinking about it, it’s like that.’

Strangely, Lebel didn’t keep an extreme distance from Lynette. Maybe it was because of her position assisting Ilarid. But he didn’t give much space to others and maintained a wary atmosphere.

Only in front of Ilarid did he loosen his hardened expression and even smile.

It was awkward in many ways, as she couldn’t outright ask Lebel, ‘Do you have feelings for Her Majesty the Empress?’ Even if he did have feelings, that would be a problem in itself.

While Lynette was deep in thought as she walked, the sight of the encampment appeared in the distance.

Perhaps they were in training, as the robust shouts of men could be heard even where Lynette was standing. As she approached quietly, maybe because of the heat, about half were shirtless.

“Oh my!”

“Why are you all being so dramatic? Is this your first time seeing shirtless men?”

“Yes…”

The maids behind Lynette covered their eyes with their hands, while some peeked through the gaps between their fingers to observe the men.

“Goodness, really… I’ll have to go myself.”

“Aren’t you scared, Head Maid?”

“Why would that be scary?”

What’s there to be scared of some sweaty men? Lynette walked towards the training members, leaving the maids behind.

Who should she call first? She should start with the captain, right? She gathered her courage and was about to call out to the men.

“…Excuse me.”

“Ahhh! You startled me!”

Lynette, surprised by the sudden presence when there had been no one around, plopped down on the ground. The members, hearing her scream, turned one by one.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

“A damsel in distress screaming from somewhere!”

The members rushed over all at once. Lynette was instantly surrounded by large, dark-skinned men.

To an unknowing observer, it would have looked like a pitiful young lady caught by ruffians. Lynette momentarily lost her words at this incredible sight and froze in place.

“Oh, Luth. I told you to make some noise! I’ve always said that. You scared the lady here.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Our boy moves quietly, there are some circumstances… He’s a kind-hearted and good child, please understand.”

“Aren’t you the Head Maid of the Empress’s Palace? What brings you here?”

“Oh my, I’m sorry. You seem quite startled, how can we help…”

They could have spoken one at a time, but with everyone gathering like this, it was impossible to understand what anyone was saying. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Lynette shouted.

“Everyone, quiet! That’s enough!”

In an instant, silence fell. How could such a clear, ringing voice come from such a small frame? The members simultaneously gulped, waiting for the Head Maid’s next words.

She sprang up, dusted off her muddy skirt, and greeted them.

“First of all, hello. I’ve come from the Empress’s Palace. I’m Lynette, the Head Maid.”

The members who were bowing along with Lynette suddenly realized their state of dress.

“Eek!”

“We’re half-naked in front of a lady!”

A commotion ensued among the members. It was problematic that they had casually taken off their shirts, using the heat as an excuse. Some of the shirtless members covered their chests while letting out high-pitched screams.

Lynette watched the scene of these huge men making a fuss with a dumbfounded expression.

“Who should be screaming ‘eek’ right now?”

She grumbled about them making a fuss over nothing, crossing her arms with an indifferent face.

“Don’t you have any sense of shame, young lady?”

“I’m grown up, so no. Despite how I look, I’ve seen all sorts of things in my life.”

Seeing Lynette’s shrugging shoulders, Lailo let out a hearty laugh. Do people naturally come to resemble their superiors when working under them? Her bold gaze was just like the empress she served.

Ignoring the men who were hurriedly putting on their shirts, Lynette got straight to the point.

“I’ve come to see Captain Lebel.”

“Ah, please wait a moment. Captain!”

Eddie waved towards the training ground. A man who was just wiping his face with a towel looked up towards where the members were gathered.

Even from a distance, Lebel immediately recognized Lynette’s face. His expressionless face lit up the moment he saw Lynette.

He probably thought Ilarid had come.

‘No matter how I think about it…’

Lynette was certain her guess was correct. Lebel likes Ilarid.

But whether that ‘like’ was a simple attraction towards a beautiful person, or a deep respect welling up from within, she couldn’t tell.

Perhaps it was even more than that. If it was similar to Cledius, a dangerous and destructive desire to possess at all costs, Lynette was prepared to dissuade Lebel immediately.

Lebel, who had approached right in front of Lynette, had a face full of excitement. A soft sigh escaped involuntarily. That pure and devoted appearance was breathtaking.

“Head Maid. What brings you all the way here?”

“Her Majesty the Empress sent me on an errand.”

Lynette straightened her posture to carry out Ilarid’s order. Soon, the men gathered around.

“You’re all having a hard time with the southern heat. Her Majesty the Empress said she would prepare separate casual clothes for you all. She instructed me to take measurements in advance, as she’s unsure of your body types.”

“I thought she had come with you.”

“Her Majesty the Empress is very busy.”

Lynette cut him off sharply. Lebel’s expression darkened instantly, as if he had really been expecting it. She added, carefully observing Lebel’s reaction.

“Everyone thinks Her Majesty the Empress only focuses on the social season and charity events, but she manages all the big and small affairs of the imperial family. She even takes care of the menial workers in the palace, so even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough.”

It was something that could have been overlooked, but Ilarid always extended her hand to even small matters. She would always be on edge, saying that she should do her best so that nothing would be carelessly erased.

A gloom that Lebel couldn’t quite hide passed over his face. Although he quickly erased the expression, it didn’t escape Lynette’s sharp eyes.

Sometimes he seemed like a beast without blood or tears, but when it came to matters involving Ilarid, his expressions became quite diverse.

‘I’ll watch a bit more.’

In truth, Lynette couldn’t tell Ilarid what to do. If Ilarid had called Lebel to carry out her will, she would probably try to use him.

But the Ilarid that Lynette knew wasn’t accustomed to treating people like tools. Even now, she was probably wavering back and forth, thinking ‘I should use him, but I shouldn’t.’

Rather, it seemed that Lebel was fully prepared to follow Ilarid. Lynette decided to observe for just a little longer, giving them some more time and distance.

“You lot, how long are you going to dawdle back there? We need to finish quickly and return.”

At Lynette’s soft reprimand, the maids who had been hanging back cautiously sprang forward briskly.

When they had finished taking all of Lebel’s measurements, Lynette casually asked Lebel about the fact she was most curious about.

“By the way, you haven’t been showing your face at the Empress’s Palace lately.”

“Her Majesty the Empress has entrusted me with a task.”

Did she give him some hint not to come close? Lynette’s eyes filled with curiosity, but it soon faded.

It was because Lebel’s eyes looked terribly lonely.

Ilarid’s words and expression as she left the gravesite. It was an unspoken request and order saying ‘Don’t try to know too deeply.’

How could one get close when faced with a secret? Lebel decided to take a step back. He decided to wait until she was okay, until she calmed down.