Though he claimed to be Chloe’s friend, the two are separated. And the man in front of her was the current head of the empire.

Chloe bowed her head in despair and apologized.

“Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty.”

“Let’s not be stiff between us.”

“…”

“I’m actually thankful you came to see me. I owe a lot to the princess, you see.”

At his continuing generous forgiveness, she slowly lifted her head.

“So if there’s anything, call me anytime. I, humorously enough, wish for the princess’s happiness.”

His repeated sweet voice. His eyes warm as the sunlight on a spring day.

In the Emperor’s strange and alien demeanor, someone else overlaid. The friend who, from the first meeting, audaciously promised great things.

‘Ah…’

There, Chloe might have seen the Emperor’s sincerity.

Whether it’s from a sincere desire to repay a debt or another secret motive.

The man is helping Chloe pursue happiness.

“So, then…”

Having recognized that the Emperor and her friend are no different, the hesitant Chloe began to gather her courage.

It might be the Emperor’s intention to approach Chloe in disguise, making her become familiar first with another Koon so she couldn’t recklessly approach the Emperor.

“Helena’s report coincidentally matches the content of my lost report. The time she spent writing and the time I lost mine overlap as well. I requested permission from the assembly for verification, but was denied due to lack of authority.”

“So, you want me to give you the authority to read the final decision?”

“I dare not ask for that. However, I would like Your Majesty to check one thing when reading her report.”

Koon stared ahead without reacting, an unspoken pressure to continue speaking.

Under the table, her hand softly resting on her dress clenched into a fist. The hand grasping her dress clenched with resolute determination.

“It’s a reference. Please check whether the report mentions any referenced books or newspapers.”

Today was the last day of the meeting.

According to the schedule, it should have proceeded for another one or two days, but decisions had already been made at higher levels, so there was nothing more to revise.

The planning was done, now only things needed for the plan were to be considered. Preparations for the upcoming festival were sufficient with the empire’s people.

“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we were able to successfully finish the design. The empire will prepare the best festival to ensure your hard work is not in vain.”

The assembly leader came forward to greet. A brief applause followed to celebrate each other’s efforts.

“We also thank Helena for her excellent proposal. We plan to host the festival based on Helena’s report.”

At the summons of the servant, all eyes turned toward Helena.
The subject of interest shyly bowed her head. After calming down a bit, she discreetly smiled.

Chloe also followed the crowd in applause. Then, her eyes accidentally met those of another person.

Proudly locking eyes, a pair of pink-tinted eyes. Contrary to her blush-tinted cheeks, the rising corners of her mouth revealed arrogance.

Considering Helena’s personality, if she had really stolen Chloe’s proposal, she wouldn’t appear so confidently.

Even if she didn’t want to be caught for what she’d done, at least she would have behaved less confidently.

Was it really a coincidence?

Or…

“Could it be… She doesn’t know that I am the owner of that report?”

After all, she took it from the library, so it’s possible she doesn’t know the owner.

“With this atmosphere, it will be difficult to bring it up later.”

If possible, she wanted to raise an objection before the meeting completely concluded.

However, because Koon was not attending the breakfast, she couldn’t hear the answer to what she had asked the day before. In other words, she had no solid evidence right now.

There was no way she could win against Helena, who had the actual report.

“And with that, we conclude the meeting…”

The chairman, having nothing more to say, announced the end of the meeting.

If the chairman’s final remarks had not been abruptly buried, everyone who had stayed in the meeting room would have disbanded immediately.

Calis and Helena, who were making preparations to leave the crowded meeting, and the servant who was organizing the paper that recorded the chairman’s words.

And Chloe, who had been sitting upright, staring into space, all stopped what they were doing and followed the source of the sound.

Thump, thump.

The sound of footsteps roaming the meeting room.

Dignity emanated from even the basic act of taking a step.

Though he breathed the same air on the same earth, the man’s surroundings appeared exceptionally special.

When he reached the center of the meeting room, the Emperor finally stopped.

His gaze, which had been thoroughly scanning the surroundings, finally settled on a woman.