The next day, I headed to the classroom to catch up on my missed lessons.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

I couldn’t keep using the same excuse, and if they called a physician for a thorough examination, they’d find out I was faking. So I reluctantly arrived.

‘A day really is too short. I should have asked Hecate to delay it for about a week.’

I had multiple regrets, but avoiding it too much would look like I was running away, which hurt my pride. So I decided to go as stoically as possible.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, my weakened body tires easily.”

Lise Marsen couldn’t possibly be unaware of why yesterday’s lesson was canceled. Hence, I suspected she’d mock me about being ill someday. Her origin being a serpent, her gestures, words, and expressions all seemed malicious.

“Is there anything you’d like to ask before the class starts?”

Lise Marsen grinned as she added that she sensed I had a question.

“Just hand over the military book. There’s no reason for you to have it anymore.”

I took it just like that.

In my three-year-old body, unable to do much, I repressed my irritation.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Very well.”

There were no issues with getting the book back.

“Now it’s time to address Your Highness’s curiosity.”

“Hold on. I’ll think and then ask.”

Don’t rush into lessons; it’s bothersome to keep being prompted to ask questions. I grumbled to myself while thinking. Although the current situation was inconvenient, it also provided a way to leisurely spend class time. So I had to think of a complicated and difficult question.

‘Yes, after years of clandestine investigation… I’ve barely caught a lead.’

I suddenly recalled words spoken by Duke Fleur while I was hiding in the bushes yesterday.

‘He was indeed one of those who look unfavorably upon Bergamot, Your Majesty.’

‘I’m carefully storing all the evidence I’ve gathered.’

‘It will be useful when Carlisle comes of age and seeks the rights of Bergamot.’

Being aware of each other’s identities, there’s no need to deliberately lower the level of conversation with Lise Marsen.

“Um…”

So, thinking I’d question her again about the power struggles that had emerged after my past life as the emperor, I began to discuss my teatime with Fleur.

“I happened to overhear a conversation during teatime with Fleur yesterday.”

With a wry smile, I looked at Lise Marsen who was attentively listening.

“The instigators of the poisoning were those who disapprove of Bergamot.”

Initially, I chose a difficult topic to waste class time, but I ended up becoming somewhat serious.

“I found that claim credible.”

Despite strange aspects and conjectures, and even if definitive evidence couldn’t be found due to evidence tampering, it was my ‘sense’ from having lived for hundreds of years.

“Furthermore, I thought that those who disapprove of Bergamot were the followers of Vladimir.”

From this point, it was speculation and hypothesis. Still, I was confident that if Lise Marsen got involved in sorting and explaining her own opinions, a couple of hours would easily pass.

“Of course, I considered the opposite case as well.”

Having thrown out one idea, I promptly added another.

“What if Vladimir, as the only Duke, is maintaining his enormous power and support by engaging in these actions?”

My impromptu acting was not my specialty, but it flowed surprisingly smoothly.

I also laid out why it was strange to introduce Sasha as a friend, when children from families suspected of being the culprit were politically linked to the royal family.

And so, a new suspicion arose.
While everyone was still a child, things might work out, but as they grew, doubts sprouted about whether their friendships could remain pure.

“You do have complicated thoughts.”

Meanwhile, Lise Marsen waited without interrupting until I stopped speaking.

“Just because I look three doesn’t mean my brain is three, you know?”

Knowing that I’d been through thick and thin, her comment turned my goodwill upside down.

“Oh my, how scary~”

Covering her mouth with one hand and chuckling, Lise Marsen half-heartedly apologized when she saw my grimace.

“So, what you’re asking is whether Vlady Akkad Tzepes might be involved in the assassination?”

“Yes.”

It was an improvised topic, but Lise managed to catch the core of the matter.

“I can’t say no. He’s certainly on the list of suspects, but…”

As I agreed, Lise Marsen nodded and her expression turned serious. Her gaze seemed to wander, as if recalling the time of the assassination incident.

“Without conclusive evidence, even the imperial family can’t interfere with a ducal house.”

That makes sense. I nodded, sighing.

Because although the imperial power is strong, we can’t carelessly mess with a ducal house with a strong support base. So we had no choice but to watch each other’s moves.

“The investigation back then must have been inconclusive.”

“You’re exactly right.”

I leaned back in my chair and made a fat face.

“But rest assured, Your Highness.”

“What?”

Startled, I jerked at the sudden closeness of Lise Marsen.