The office of Veronica in the imperial palace.

Trian, the empress’s guard, carefully reported the results of his surveillance to his master.

“I thoroughly investigated Vivian Schmidt, but concluded that she is not the serial handsome man kidnapper.”

As always, his tone was calm, but there was a strange discomfort in his voice.

It was because things had not gone according to his lord’s wishes.

“Hah……”

Veronica unconsciously sighed while rubbing her forehead.

Vivian Schmidt had been suspicious in many ways, but for Trian to say such a thing. It seemed there was definitive evidence.

“What’s the basis for her not being the culprit?”

“While I was tailing the suspect, another handsome man kidnapping occurred elsewhere. Due to the boldness of kidnapping in front of an investigator and the pattern of the crime, it appears to be the same perpetrator.”

It meant that Trian had directly confirmed Vivian Schmidt’s alibi at the time the handsome man kidnapping took place.

In other words, there was no possibility that Vivian herself was the culprit.

As Veronica’s expression immediately darkened, Trian carefully added.

“Your Highness, isn’t there still a good chance the culprit is the Belvedere Marquis? Wasn’t that why you suspected those two in the first place?”

However, the consolation was of no help to her at all.

Because Dietrich was not the culprit either.

“Coincidentally, at the time the kidnapping occurred, the Belvedere Marquis was also in the imperial palace. Many servants witnessed him.”

She explained that Dietrich also had a solid alibi and thus was not the culprit.

The case had once again fallen into a deadlock. All of Veronica’s numerous efforts so far had come to naught.

Up until she had speculated that Dietrich was a suspect, she thought things were going well.

‘Was the inference that he had some connection to the handsome man kidnapper wrong from the start?’

Further investigation was needed. However, if she tried to tail him with his senses keener than a beast’s, he would come to strangle her neck.

It was not for nothing that Veronica had tried to investigate his surroundings rather than Dietrich himself.

‘In the end, we’re back to square one…’

Somehow she needed to solve this case and get back in the emperor’s good graces.

Only then could she become the next emperor.

Veronica grew anxious.

At this rate, she might be pushed out by Siegfried.

She always tried to maintain composure, but today it was especially difficult to control her emotions.

Trian, full of loyalty, carefully opened his mouth while observing her mood.

“……There is something I have long wanted to humbly ask.”

Veronica, who had been staring blankly at her desk, slightly turned her head to shift her gaze to him.

“Speak.”

Even with permission granted, Trian could not ask immediately.

He instinctively knew that Veronica would not like this question.

“……Are you not the only child of Her Majesty the Empress? Of course, your abilities are outstanding, but by birth, it is natural for you to become the Crown Princess. So why do you strive so hard?”

Trian, who had always guarded Veronica’s side as her escort, had always been curious.

No matter how much Siegfried was climbing up by recruiting nobles, Veronica was the Empress’s only child.

Given her legitimacy and the Empress’s full support, it seemed to him that her becoming Crown Princess was nothing short of a natural course.

Moreover, she had achievements she had built up over time.

It would be fair to say they were enormous accomplishments that could not be discounted just because she failed to catch one kidnapper.

‘As long as you don’t make any major mistakes in the future, you will surely become Crown Princess.’

There was no way the intelligent Veronica did not know this fact.

Yet strangely, she put her all into everything to the point of being precarious.

And she worked compulsively like someone who could lose her position at any time.

She strived to the point of ruining her health, afraid of creating even the slightest weakness.

At first, he thought she was just trying to become a wise ruler out of care for the empire’s people.

But the more he watched by her side, the more he could vaguely sense that there was a deeper reason behind it.

As a subject, he had pretended not to know until now, but now he wanted to know the reason.

When he finally blurted out the question, complex emotions appeared on Veronica’s face.

She mumbled her lips for a moment, as if trying to choose her words.

At last, the words she barely managed to utter were of a kind Trian had never thought of.

“……Her Majesty the Empress does not support me.”

“Pardon? What do you mean……”

“She may pretend to support me outwardly for now, but when the crucial moment comes, she will change.”

Veronica was the Empress’s only child born from her own womb. Yet to say they were not on the same side was incomprehensible to Trian.

“……It’s not the right time yet, so I’ll let you know at an appropriate time later. For now, what I can tell you is……”

She trailed off. She usually delivered her thoughts clearly, but today’s princess had many moments of hesitation.

“Trian, do you know why I want to become emperor?”

“Is it not because you care for the empire’s people? I think it’s natural that you want to become emperor since you were born with the qualities of a wise ruler.”

He thought it might be flattery, but Trian’s expression was serious, as if insisting it was sincere.

Veronica’s expression, which had been dark until just now, softened a little.

“I can’t say that’s not true, but… there’s a special reason beyond that.”

“What is it?”

Veronica paused the conversation for a moment and reached for the teacup on her desk. She took a sip of the cooling tea and put it back down.

‘It is to protect this empire from the devil.’

Veronica wanted to say it honestly, but she couldn’t.

Instead of answering, the princess gave a meaningful smile.

Only a handful of people in this empire knew about the existence of the devil.

It was a story that would be hard to believe even if suddenly revealed.

Trian would surely believe her words, but…

She couldn’t open her mouth carelessly because there were devils even within this palace right now.

That Siegfried was actually a devil, and that her mother had fallen into a coma and become his subordinate.

She wanted to tell him the truth that only she knew, but if she did, Siegfried might go after Trian.

Carrying the truth that only she knew alone in her heart, Veronica was enduring another day like that.

The newly risen sun was bright, and the wildflowers were dyed a beautiful green.

The sky was clear without a single cloud, and birds were chirping.

It was truly the perfect weather for a picnic.

As promised on the day Ren fixed my dress, today he and I were going out.

“Where are we going now?”

When I looked at Ren with eyes full of anticipation, he gave a faint smile.

“You’ll see when we get there. I’ve found a place that Miss Vivian will like in advance.”

As expected, he’s so sensible. When did he have time to look for such a thing when he must have been busy?

Judging by him telling me to wear comfortable clothes, we’re probably going to an active place, right? I followed behind him.

After some time had passed, the place we arrived at was none other than Lake Senubont Park.

It was a hot spot that had recently gained popularity due to the circular lake surrounded by walking paths and the vast forest encircling it.

It was even more popular because it was rare to be able to enjoy a lake and forest together so close to the city center.

Even I, who was busy kidnapping handsome men, knew the name, that’s how popular it was.

I stood at the entrance and poked Ren’s side with my elbow.

“Wow, you brought me to a place like this? That’s impressive.”

While it was a park that many families visited, it was mainly a popular spot for couples.

I thought he was busy with work, so it was surprising that he knew about a place like this.

But looking again, something seemed odd.

Despite it being a weekend, there were strangely few people.

No, beyond that level, there was no one at all.

“What’s going on? Is it not open?”

“That doesn’t seem to be the case. The caretaker is gesturing for us to come in.”

We stepped inside, following the caretaker.

Aside from the beautiful lake visible in the distance, it really seemed like there wasn’t a single shadow of a person besides us.

“Is it okay for us to go in here?”

Come to think of it, I had heard that Senubont Park sometimes rented out the space.

There were famous stories of wealthy nobles renting out the entire park to enjoy dates.

If that was the case, surely we wouldn’t be able to enter either, right? Worried, I kept staring at the caretaker, but he just gave a gentle smile.

“You’re lucky. To come on such an empty day.”

What’s this? I heard it was an extremely popular place, but was that not the case?

Well, let’s just enjoy this opportunity to the fullest!