Judging by the mention of honorifics, it was clear that things were proceeding according to the original work.

Honorifics were a basic skill that nobles should possess. Although Floria used honorifics properly, the queen, who disliked everything about her, deliberately nitpicked, causing her to lose her voice later.

‘Thank goodness. I don’t need to worry.’

Nodding in relief that the flow of the original work hadn’t changed, I refocused on the conversation between the two as the queen continued speaking.

“There must not be even the slightest mistake at this banquet celebrating the 1st Prince’s victory. Every word and action of the Princess Consort will reflect on my son Eric. Make sure to learn perfect honorifics by then.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Because Eric is so pure, he chose love over what would benefit him. You must make up for the Prince’s shortcomings caused by you.”

The queen kept sighing as she scolded Floria. When reading the book, I had cursed at the queen while identifying with Floria, the protagonist, but now,

‘Scold her more, more!’

I was actively cheering on the queen. Though she was pretending to have a flustered expression, Floria’s cheeks twitched as if she was finding it hard to endure as the nagging continued, and I couldn’t help but feel satisfied. Even though I wasn’t directly scolding her, it felt like some of the resentment I had endured was being relieved.

After a long lecture about the dignity of royalty, proper conduct, and the duties of a wife serving her husband, the queen put down her teacup with a displeased face.

“By the way, how can that tenacious life be so persistent? It’s amazing how he always returns unscathed after rolling around on the battlefield so many times.”

The way she bit her lip as if she was upset that he hadn’t died was not behavior befitting someone who had just been going on about dignity and etiquette.

‘Even if Floria is Eric’s person, how can an Empress speak so carelessly like that?’

I could understand her having ill will towards the 1st Prince since he was in opposition to her son for the throne, and Floria couldn’t even compare. But even so, speaking so directly in a place where someone might hear was extremely reckless behavior.

‘She must see Floria as an innocent girl who knows nothing.’

I shook my head at the sight of the queen, who didn’t know who the truly naive one was.

“Just thinking about how arrogantly he’ll strut around with that smug face is already giving me a headache.”

The queen frowned and rubbed her forehead.

After going on for a while with curses against the 1st Prince and warnings not to be overwhelmed by him, the queen left.

Floria, who had been bowing towards the queen’s back, tossed aside the hem of her dress she had been holding as if dusting it off once the queen was completely gone. Then she plopped down in a chair and ran her hand through her hair.

“That old hag with a loose tongue.”

‘Wow.’

I covered my mouth at the sight of Floria revealing her true colors. Her face with its sneering expression was hard to believe was the same person who had just been cowering before the queen with innocent eyes. Though her face was the same, she was a completely different person.

“Every other word is son, son, son. I can’t stand her bragging about a son who isn’t even that great.”

“Your Highness, it would be best to lower your voice. I’m concerned someone might overhear.”

“The queen herself dismissed all the palace staff. And if anyone is there, you can erase their memories, Shana.”

Floria seemed on edge, perhaps due to being constantly criticized by the queen.

“As I’ve told you before, the amount of magic I can use is limited. My magical power hasn’t fully recovered since I took Reneola’s heart as collateral earlier. Please be considerate.”

“Fine.”

Floria waved her hand as if annoyed and rested her chin on her hand. Then she lowered her voice further and asked.

“You said that with just that thing you mentioned before, you could break the limits of magical power, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then there would be nothing you couldn’t do, right?”

“Yes. And there would be nothing Your Highness couldn’t do either.”

Floria’s eyes gleamed greedily at Shana’s firm answer.

“I’m looking forward to it. When that day comes, the first thing I’ll do is sew that old fox’s mouth shut. I’m going crazy from her constant nagging every time we meet.”

“The Marquis of Ebwood’s influence will be a great help while the 2nd Prince’s foundation is not yet firmly established, so please endure a little longer.”

“I know. That’s why I’m quietly listening to that irritating voice.”

Floria sighed and leaned back, crossing her arms.

“Why did the 1st Prince have to win a victory now of all times? Because of that, the royal wedding has been postponed.”

Floria set down her teacup with a clatter, as if displeased, and suddenly asked with a curious expression.

“Is he really as vicious as the rumors say?”

“Those who have met him on the battlefield all say the same thing. That he’s a man more terrifying than a ghost.”

“It would have been better if he had died in the war. Even if he’s a Sword Master, he couldn’t be unkillable if dozens of people rushed at him, right?”

“They say a single swing of his sword takes down at least a dozen men.”

“If it weren’t for the war, I could have seduced the 1st Prince… Prince Eric is too weak and stupid.”

“But that makes him easier to control, doesn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

I leaned against the wall, leaving behind the giggling Floria. Just imagining her tormenting me with that face made my skin crawl.

“By the way, what is this ‘thing’ they’re talking about?”

From listening to their conversation, it seemed to be the main reason Shana was cooperating with Floria, but I didn’t remember reading about it in the original work.

‘Damn, I should have read the side stories.’

I had bought the side stories, which were said to be from the perspective of characters around Floria, but put off reading them. I didn’t know I’d regret it like this.

Putting the story together, it was clear that the ‘thing’ Shana and Floria were looking for was an object that enhanced magical power. The two seemed to have made some kind of deal over it, and judging by Shana following Floria into the castle, it must mean what they’re looking for is inside.

I felt the worth of all the money I’d spent on romance fantasy novels as the pieces clicked together in my head.

‘I need to find what those two are talking about. If worse comes to worst, I can trade my heart for it.’

If I keep watching the two of them, I should be able to figure out what they’re looking for.

‘And I need to be more careful of Shana.’

Just imagining that she could even erase memories was terrifying.

I was about to slip away before being discovered, having gained unexpected information, when my name came up in their conversation.

“By the way, did you check the note found in Lady Reneola’s room?”

‘I knew it!’

I clenched my fist. There had been something in Ginger’s hand as she left the room that day. It was the note I had written about the flow of the original work. As expected, it seems she’s not just Floria’s follower, but her arms and legs.

“Yes, but I couldn’t decipher it at all. It wasn’t ancient language, nor a dead language, nor a language from another continent.”

Of course you couldn’t decipher it. I wrote it in Korean.

‘I’m not stupid enough to carelessly leave something important lying around while sharing a room with someone hostile to me.’

I had a feeling they would search my belongings at least once. So I wrote it in Korean just in case, which turned out to be an excellent choice.

“It’s clearly a code, given that there’s a consistent pattern. I’ll look into it more.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to just kill her now? Then we wouldn’t have to worry about it.”

Gasp, no! Please worry about it! Please!

I clung to the wall and shouted internally. My heart raced at Floria’s expression that seemed to say it was bothersome.

“Let’s observe a bit longer. Every time she acts badly, praise for Your Highness increases, so she’s still useful. There’s already talk among the maids and servants, isn’t there?”

Oh, to think there would be a time when that Shana would be helpful to me, I was about to feel slightly grateful.

“But every time I see her face, I get so angry. It’s no fun that she seems to be living too comfortably in the castle.”

“Then how about we do this?”

“Do what?”

“Among the 2nd Prince’s secretaries, there’s the Viscount Palong, isn’t there?”

“Ah, you mean that scoundrel?”

“Yes. We could pair her with him.”

What? If you’re talking about Viscount Palong, do you mean that crazy Gavis Palong? You’re going to pair me with that pervert?

“You mean marry them? That’s a very good idea.”

I internally screamed as I watched Floria giggle as if it was amusing. It seems I have one more reason to escape this damn original work as soon as possible.

Splash!

As I was diligently scrubbing the stairs, trying to forget the disturbing sounds I had heard in the garden earlier, I froze at the sudden drenching.

“Huh.”

As I looked down at my clothes, now wet and clinging to me, I raised my head to see Ginger looking down at me with a triumphant expression.

“Oh my, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were there.”

I stood up from my crouched position at Ginger’s ridiculous words and mocking smile.

‘You’re pouring cold water on my already uneasy mood?’

This wasn’t the first time Ginger had resorted to such crude bullying, but today it particularly grated on my nerves.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

I glared at her as I pushed back my dripping hair.

“No. Why would I spill water on purpose?”

“Why? To torment me, that’s why.”

As I climbed the stairs with such momentum that I looked ready to grab her by the hair at any moment, Ginger flinched and stepped back. Just as I was about to reach out to her,

“What’s going on?”

Floria’s voice came from behind me.