Chloe seemed taken aback as she mulled over her servant’s words.

“May I inquire about the details? I would also like to know what was decided.”

“You still have much enthusiasm. Of course, since you participated in the meeting, albeit briefly, I should inform you.”

The servant, with a slight grin, briefly recounted what Helena had presented in the meeting.

‘My goodness.’

The more Chloe heard, the more she could only be aghast.

The servant’s account of Helena’s presentation and the report Chloe had written matched perfectly.

In the speeches, both the Emperor and Callis, who had previously contributed to the war effort, would participate. Moreover, all participants in the speeches would wear the armor of the homeland.

Special performances of plays popular in the kingdom would premiere in the empire during the festival period.

Furthermore, for the nobility, an opera would be staged; although the story would remain the same, the lyrics would be reinterpreted by the empire.

Even the minor events that had been prepared were identical in every way.

Moreover, the argument that the festival encompassing the cultures of both the empire and the kingdom would increase mutual sentiment between the two nations, which were politically connected only, was also present.

‘Coincidence?’

Chloe didn’t want to act hastily based on personal feelings.

Petty emotions could only bring confusion to what should be a business matter.

‘No, it’s not a coincidence.’

But even from an objective viewpoint, Helena seemed suspicious.

Anyone other than Helena would have thought the same.

‘That she wrote the exact same thing as my lost report.’

That Helena, who was not particularly active in the meeting, had prepared such detailed material in just one day was suspicious.

‘If she also went to research, she must have gone to the imperial library.’

Moreover, that day just happened to be the day Chloe had lost her report.

“Could I possibly see the final version of Helena’s report?”

“I apologize. Personal reports can only be viewed by me, the coordinator, and His Majesty the Emperor.”

It would be all settled if she could see Helena’s report, but it was frustrating that the law prevented it.

If only she could have her report compared, how great would that be? She lamented as she looked at her report, recorded only in her memory.

‘I need to check that report.’

Chloe did not want her hard work over several days to be stolen, especially not by Helena.

Of course, Chloe was to blame for not managing it well, but if Helena hadn’t taken it, there wouldn’t be a loss in the first place.

‘But if I don’t have the authority…’

Only two people had the authority to read the report.

One was the chairman of the meeting, the other was the Emperor.

Having been denied by the chairman, now only one person was left to ask.

‘Would it be impertinent to ask His Majesty…?’

But could she really ask him for such a thing?

Strictly speaking, the royal family only had to adopt opinions; Chloe’s issue was more than just personal, it was individual.

‘…Let’s think of him as Koon.’

Chloe looked at the Emperor as if he were her close friend.

They had exchanged trivial letters and inquired about each other’s well-being from afar.

The man seated at the high table exuded a lonely atmosphere. Even his movements as he sliced the meat with a knife were filled with a dignity nurtured from birth. Nothing seemed different from the usual, almost to the point of annoyance.

His movements looked no different from when Koon and he were eating together at a sandwich shop.

Chloe suddenly realized that the two were the same person.

“Go on, speak. Princess.”

“…Pardon?”

“It looks like you have something you want to say, don’t you?”

Behind the mask, a gaze, a subtle uplift of the corners of his mouth showed faint kindness.

Even in the changed tone of voice, the warmth of a friend could be felt.

Maybe because of that, Chloe’s tension melted like snow.
Yes. The Emperor, who is the idol of everyone, is a close friend of mine.

“Today, I visited the assembly. I heard that Helena’s report has been adopted as the final decision.”

“That female patron you speak of. What happened to your report?”

“I… lost it.”

“It’s surprising that even the princess can make such a mistake.”

Chloe’s white cheeks flushed at the returning insult. She was already ashamed to mention such a beginner’s mistake.

“Don’t misunderstand. I was saying even a princess who pursues perfection seems quite human. So, what do you want to ask me?”

“Huh?”

Chloe dumbly repeated.

It’s a bad habit to keep asking, but in front of the Emperor, every word feels new, so I unknowingly ask again.

“Didn’t I initiate the conversation because I needed something? If you’re the princess I know, it’s definitely the case.”

“Ah…”

Her cheeks turned into fire at his malicious jest.

On reflection, Koon was right. Chloe only actively tried to converse when she needed something from someone.

“Um, that…”

In front of the most courteous person, she was infinitely selfish.

It’s the same now.