Once every three months. Exactly 30 minutes.

The time the Emperor allocates to members of the imperial family related to him by blood or marriage.

‘Previous emperors used to do this useless thing twice a month for over two hours, so I should endure this much. That’s what makes a wise ruler, isn’t it?’

Maxwell thought as he looked at the eight imperial family members gathered in the second reception room of the imperial palace.

With a faint smile on his lips and cold red eyes that, as always, revealed no emotion, he greeted them.

Those gathered today had been passionately discussing one topic for over 20 minutes as soon as they sat down on the reception room sofa.

Usually, during the short 30 minutes, they would be busy vying for the Emperor’s attention, but this time they were united in clamoring about one issue.

“He’s a nobleman not even part of the regional noble elders’ council. How incompetent must one be to hold a position yet not own even a single house, let alone a domain?”

“What about the young lady’s uncle’s family? The Kander baronial family has been ostracized and ignored in noble society. To think that the whole family is living as dependents…!”

“Have you heard? They say she couldn’t even have her debutante coming-of-age ceremony. Because the pigs they were raising got sick with an epidemic, ha! How poor must one be to not hold that common ceremony just because some pigs fell ill?”

“What about the debutante? They say she didn’t even take Madame Bozel’s etiquette classes that all upper-class noble ladies should complete. Can she even dance properly at a banquet? If the Empress who should represent the Empire has never attended a proper banquet, it’s obvious she’ll become a laughingstock of other kingdoms.”

“Forget about ballroom dancing, they say she can’t speak a word of the Agurte language used by ladies from upper-class families. The Kingdom of Agurte has long led the continent’s art and culture. If the Empress doesn’t know the language, they’ll look down on her as culturally ignorant. How will she lead the fashion trends of noble ladies and young ladies and spread art? She’s truly an unthinkable candidate.”

“She’s not fit to be Empress. She’s not of the caliber to assist His Majesty the Emperor.”

Without answering, the Emperor cast a languid glance at the teacup before him. Then, the Empress Dowager, wearing a mask full of benevolence, spoke up.

“I’m sure His wise Majesty has a deep reason for personally choosing Lady Arabel. However, we’re expressing our concerns because she pales in comparison to the ten young ladies who should compete in the finals. If Lady Arabel were to give up out of shame during the competition… it could tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation, so wouldn’t it be better to quietly remove her before the competition begins?”

“The Empress Dowager’s words are correct, Your Majesty. Selecting an Empress is not about private emotions between a man and woman, but about choosing the Empress of the Empire. It would be far more beneficial for the young lady to give up now rather than face humiliation once the competition starts. Given the effort she’s made to come this far, it would be good to send her back to her hometown with a generous reward.”

Even Caroline le Sang, the Grand Duchess who was at odds with the Empress Dowager, agreed with her words. Of course, she didn’t forget to put on the expression of an aunt sincerely worried about her niece.

Those in the reception room were busy disparaging the eleventh Empress candidate, reassured by the Emperor’s faint smile.

However, too absorbed, they made the mistake of not noticing the very subtle difference as the corners of his red lips twisted slightly into a sneer.

Creeak, as the large armchair was pushed back, the slender long legs that had been folded stood up straight.

“I can’t express how pleased I am that all of you have attended without exception, showing your faces despite your busy schedules.”

Exactly at the 30-minute mark, the Emperor rose from his seat.

“I’ll see you in three months.”

“Then, will you consider our advice regarding Lady Arabel?”

When Count Kebes, the eldest grandson of his great-uncle, asked, the others also nodded and looked at the Emperor.

“Advice, is it…?”

The Emperor raised one eyebrow amusingly for the first time since today’s meeting. Tilting his head slightly and lifting his chin, his gaze naturally lowered.

“Words given to those who ask for opinions are called advice… but to those who neither ask, want, nor care, it’s just noise like a dog barking. Just like now.”

The moment his frozen red eyes were revealed, the air in the room became chillingly cold.

“The winner of the competition will become Empress according to imperial law. I will marry the lady who remains until the end, and it doesn’t matter who that is.”

Looking around at the relatives who had all fallen silent, the Emperor sneered as if finding them ridiculous.

“So don’t waste your energy here, go back and focus on the issues you each need to solve. I’m saying this out of concern because there’s a mountain of problems that the people gathered here need to resolve, like inheritance issues related to illegitimate children, premarital pregnancies, tax embezzlement, and so on. This is what you call advice.”

Passing by the Empress Dowager who was trying hard not to erase her smile, the Emperor whispered softly.

“Especially since you need to care for your delicate son who’s suffering from aphasia due to the shock of the recent kidnapping incident, yet you came in person. It seems he’s not as ill as rumors suggest. That’s fortunate. Your brother needs to recover quickly so he can go to the battlefield for the glory of the Empire.”

The Empress Dowager’s lips twisted in anger as she watched the Emperor’s back as he leisurely walked out the door.

After finishing the operation to subjugate the Northwest Allied Countries with each representative commander, the Emperor, still not taking his eyes off the documents, opened his mouth while reviewing the final paperwork.

“Do you have anything more to say?”

“Well…”

After the commanders left, Kyle, the assistant who remained alone with the Emperor in the office, answered cautiously while gauging the situation.

“It seems that Lady Arabel is being ostracized. This morning, it’s presumed that she wasn’t informed about the etiquette class that would help with the competition… The person managing the schedule claims they told the young lady’s maid, but the maid insists she never received such a report, resulting in an argument.”

Despite Kyle’s words, the Emperor continued his work, moving the quill pen busily with an undisturbed face. Wondering if the Emperor hadn’t heard well, Kyle leaned his head close to his ear and reported.

“Upon discreet investigation, it appears that many small and large incidents have occurred in the five days since she arrived at the imperial palace. Of course, the young lady is on the receiving end. Shall we plant our people in the annex? It’s difficult because the competition committee is blatantly favoring Lady Grace and Princess Lilibet, but… if Your Majesty shows just a little interest, the situation could quickly be reversed.”

“Why should I do that?”

When the Emperor lifted his head from the documents and asked, a flustered Kyle stammered an answer.

“W-well… because the young lady You personally chose is facing difficulties… sir?”

‘Why,’ he says… Doesn’t bringing her as an Empress candidate mean he wants her to be selected as Empress? Could it be that His Majesty has a strange hobby of enjoying others’ suffering?

As Kyle stood awkwardly, unable to grasp the Emperor’s intentions, the Emperor spoke briefly.

“Why should I intervene when she hasn’t even asked for help?”

The Emperor’s brow, which had momentarily furrowed as if displeased, soon smoothed out as he rose from his seat.

“Isn’t it time to inspect the Imperial Guard? We’ll have a sparring session this time, so prepare.”

The workaholic Emperor carried out his tightly packed schedule flawlessly today as well. It seems the young lady he brought to the annex is now completely out of his concern.

Kyle thought as he hurriedly followed the Emperor, who was heading to the Imperial Guard training ground with long strides utilizing his tall legs.

Imperial First Guard training ground.

“Huff, huff, huff.”

“Yaaah!”

“Ughh…!”

The sandy sparring arena was filled with the rough breathing of the knights.

Despite the cold late autumn weather, the young knights’ bodies glistened with thick sweat from the intense sparring.

Today’s finale.

A realistic sparring match between the Emperor and the three youngest, most vigorous knights from the Imperial Guard.

While Peter, the vice commander, was the overall best in the Imperial Guard, that applied when fighting with sword and spear according to chivalric etiquette. Now, their bodies were their only weapons.

Sweat droplets flowing down the Emperor’s bronze upper body, which had discarded its shirt, shimmered in the sunlight. It was a body contrasting with his intelligent and dignified handsome face.

The densely packed triangular upper body, tightly woven with lean muscles, exuded a wild charm with every movement. Even the training pants couldn’t conceal the silhouette of the firm muscles of his long legs, creating an intimidating presence.

‘I told her to ask for help if needed…! Yet she hasn’t sought me out once since returning to the annex.’

In the carriage returning to the palace, he had subtly informed Arabel.

‘If you need my help, don’t hesitate to say so. If you tell Berita, I’ll be contacted immediately.’

She had just smiled faintly without answering, so he naturally thought she understood.

“Hyah…!”

The Emperor’s jaw clenched as he tripped and lifted a knight of his age who seemed twice his weight, then planted him into the sandy ground.

‘I gave such clear hints during those days of lessons. Yet she didn’t understand at all. No, even if she understood, she’s not applying any of it!’

He had deliberately given examples, telling her to avoid direct answers about her family, and explained in detail how to whitewash her status, but it all seemed to have been in vain.

Thinking about it now, it seems she might have thought it wasn’t related to her at all.

‘How can she be so honest… Even after being treated like that, does she think everyone is like her? This isn’t innocence, it’s deficiency. It’s like baring her neck for others to bite.’

As he recalled her round face with reddened eyes, unable to shed proper tears,

“Uaargh!”

The Emperor grabbed the shoulder of a large man charging at him mercilessly, struck his abdomen with his knee, then flipped and threw him over.

‘And yet… she doesn’t ask me for help. Even though I clearly told her how to contact me.’

The blue veins on the Emperor’s neck throbbed with uncontrollable emotion as he swung a strong fist simultaneously with the last remaining knight.

A serene lotus garden as the sun sets.

Right now, the ten candidates were practicing social dances with the top choreographer from the Kingdom of Chantel in Lady Grace’s annex.

Passing by the pond where the annexes were gathered, the back of the garden surrounded by dense, tall trees revealed itself.

In front of Arabel’s feet as she walked alone on the gravel path obscured by trees… a yellow ginkgo leaf fell.

Taking another step forward without thinking, another leaf fell in front of her feet, and then another, repeatedly. As if showing her the way.

‘Come to think of it, there are no ginkgo trees in this garden…’

The thought suddenly occurring to her, Arabel raised her head to look up at the tall trees.

A yellow ginkgo leaf fell through the cherry tree branches, brushing Arabel’s lips before falling to her feet.