The conversation with the Empress Dowager continued late into the night.

“Liana wants to introduce you to the imperial social circle.”

“That’s an honor.”

It’s best to live inconspicuously, but when three out of four royal family members are involved, remaining unnoticed is no longer an option. Accepting my involvement in the imperial social scene was inevitable, so I simply murmured in agreement.

“Yes, I agree with the idea of introducing you to society. You’re the first friend Melchi has chosen. If we keep you hidden, it might just lead to strange rumors.”

‘Agree with the idea’ implies disagreement on other matters.

“So, the Empress Dowager wishes to personally introduce me.”

The Empress Dowager smiled brightly.

“Yes, but not right now.”

It was obvious. What social circle for a 3-year-old? Even the social circle of the hostages was something I had deliberately turned into a casual gathering.

But the specificity of her words made me anxious. Hesitantly, I asked.

“Does Her Majesty the Empress intend to present me to society immediately?”

The Empress Dowager’s smile deepened. It was true. I looked down quietly.

“You might have guessed, but the Empress… she grew up very sheltered. Raised in a noble house with much love and having never faced real hardship, she doesn’t think about timing or circumstances. She just finds you adorable and can’t resist showing you off to her acquaintances.”

Hearing this assessment of the Empress, I wondered how things would be when she eventually takes over the palace’s management.

Initially, my impression was of an Empress who controlled an emperor with tyrannical tendencies. Turns out, it might have been a meeting of similar minds.

“Normally, debuts in this place happen around 17, or at the earliest, 15. Direct royals can attend parties with peers, but it’s not a proper debut. So, if you’re presented at a party, it’ll likely be under that pretext.”

The Empress Dowager paused and sighed deeply.

“But currently, everyone knows that the Empress introduced you to Melchizedek. If you appear at a party now, all the nobles will be convinced you’re part of the Empress’s faction.”

In reality, the Emperor decided to pair me with Melchizedek, but I kept silent. Silence is golden, after all.

“That’s why I want you to lay low for a year or two, until everyone forgets that the Empress introduced you to Melchizedek. Meanwhile, I’ll make a show of our closeness. I want the impression that you’re not just part of the Empress’s faction but have connections throughout the royal family. Only then will I introduce you at my party.”

I had a plan too, and fortunately, it aligned somewhat with the Empress Dowager’s intentions.

I feigned a sudden realization and spoke.

“Oh, then how about in three years?”

“Three years?”

“Yes.”

I raised my head to meet her gaze. In those seemingly delicate and tender golden eyes, I saw a burning desire, one I had often seen in my past life. A desire not for the riches and honors that power brings, but for power itself.

Was she about the age I was when I became a high-ranking general? By rights, now should be her prime time to wield power, just as I am too young to take the stage.
“I happened to acquire a fine colt and thought it would be good to present it to Her Majesty the Empress. However, it will take about three years for the horse to grow.”

The Empress Dowager is on the stage, and I am below it. We both want to hold our ground in our respective places. I explained my plan to her, who seemed most likely to empathize with me among the royal family.

“In three years, you, the Empress Dowager, will personally host Her Majesty the Empress’s birthday celebration. I hear you are currently managing the palace’s affairs, right? I’ll present the horse there myself.”

In three years, I will still be six years old. No one would believe a six-year-old raised and presented a horse, so it would seem like the Empress Dowager, hosting the banquet, indirectly gifted the horse using me, a child the Empress adores.

This should dispel any suspicions of hostility between them.

Seeing that she understood even the unspoken parts, the Empress Dowager looked at me with interest-filled eyes.

“Liana might not know this, but… you really do have some traits similar to Melchi.”

This comment deepened my suspicion that the Grand Duke might also be a reincarnate with memories. Should I prepare a fake identity in case he becomes aware? Revealing Yibaekryeon’s name directly might unnecessarily raise guards.

“Alright, let’s adopt your suggestion. We’ll introduce you at Liana’s birthday in three years.”

“I will frequently visit for preparations.”

This would naturally showcase the closeness between the Empress Dowager and me.

“Good. Then, using you as an excuse to meet with the Empress and the three of us together will be fine, to soften the public opinion.”

I felt a suspicion that, despite being the Grand Duke’s playmate, I might end up spending more time with the Empress or the Empress Dowager.

“Then I understand.”