So far, they had been able to converse amicably with the Emperor because the conversation involved Chloe.

No matter how frivolous she was, she shouldn’t have been so in a conversation between just the two of them.

“I’ve noticed your accomplishments.”

“My accomplishments?”

“The delightful prank you pulled off at the princess’s party not long ago.”

There was much omitted or wrong information.

For instance, the party was not for the princess but for a duke’s wife. It wasn’t delightful but rather a mean prank.

But putting everything together, Kuhn narrowed down the target he intended to talk about.

“Ah!”

It pointed to the shame Lelianne had caused the protagonist at Helena’s birthday party.

“You saw that, Your Majesty?”

“Indeed, I would’ve regretted not seeing it.”

Lelianne felt a sense of pride at the tone of praise. It also reminded her of that day.

Helena’s embarrassed expression, of course, and how laughable she looked, being humiliated in front of everyone.

It was insufficient as retribution for tormenting her friend, but it was satisfying in its own right.

“So, I have a favor to ask you. And also of your friend.”

“A favor?”

“Let’s discuss it discreetly when the princess is absent. If you help me, you can also get what you want from me.”

Whatever the reward from the Emperor, it would be sweet. It was a tempting offer regardless of the size of the reward.

Yuri, sensing the situation, quickly spoke.

“Even if it’s not for the reward, if Your Majesty needs us, we will wholly assist you.”

“Good. Then I can trust you.”

Of the three resolving, Chloe was the only one left out.

Chloe, who was sipping her drink alone, suddenly wondered,

‘…Can they discuss plans to deceive me right in front of me?’

The sun was slowly sinking beyond the horizon.

The four people returned to the imperial palace to find the coachman. The coachman also seemed to have anticipated their return, as he had finished his preparations.

The carriage was spacious, but if it had been an ordinary carriage, it would have felt cramped with just one extra passenger.

Kuhn was a knight, appropriately large in stature. From his seated height to his legs.

His height was so much more than others that it hardly felt real, but when you saw him up close, his muscular frame stood out.

Sitting next to Chloe, who was slim and small, he looked like a giant.

The journey from the capital to the imperial palace took as much as two hours. The sun gradually faded, and the beautiful sunset had turned pitch black.
Considering the time needed for bathing and grooming, they decided to return to their respective rooms once the schedule was over.

Lerianne and Yuri Hsien followed the maids to their assigned rooms.

Just as Chloe thought she too was included in the maids’ summons, and was about to step forward,

A large, rough hand gripped Chloe’s wrist. Oddly, the huge hand exerted no pressure.

“The princess should have separate quarters.”

She sighed at the question, as if asking if she had forgotten so soon.

“……Ah.”

Her expression showed that she finally remembered.

“I thought it would be a different room since I was invited with friends.”

“If you’re going to be with one friend, it’s sad to abandon another.”

“……I have never abandoned Your Majesty.”

“It’s sad to feel left out, too.”

“…….”

Almost fooled by the Emperor’s sentimental tone, Chloe quickly regained her composure. Realizing that his actions had become a familiar jest, she subtly let out a ‘Kun’.

Thereafter, Chloe arrived at her room, guided by Kun.

With the help of her separately assigned maid, she enjoyed a foot bath and changed into pajamas for a good night’s sleep.

After dismissing the maid, she took care of Jane, who was soundly asleep in the secret room.

Time passed quickly, and before long, the owl began to hoot.

‘Time to sleep, perhaps….’

Chloe, who had just covered Jane with a blanket, stretched and walked into the living room.

As she approached the window to draw the curtains, she noticed a small life form she hadn’t seen earlier.

“Is that the pigeon from earlier?”

Though pigeons looked similar and were hard to distinguish, a blue ribbon tied around the pigeon’s leg gave her certainty.

Then that ribbon, which had been tied like a ring on Kun’s little finger, was….

‘His Majesty really was certain.’

It seemed he had tied it beforehand, certain of Chloe’s forthcoming response.

She smiled faintly as she opened the window. A note was tied to the opposite leg of the pigeon that flew in.

Sending a letter via pigeon even though he was just next door.

As if he wanted to remain ‘Kun’ while sending the letter.

The bird’s leg felt cold, probably from the chilly weather. Chloe gently covered it with her hand as she took the note.

“Hello, Princess.

How about stepping outside for a moment for your friend?

For our secret rendezvous.”

Kun’s playful tone was captured in the note.