“And back then, Toby wasn’t even born yet. My wife was so excited about being pregnant before we set off.”

Alicia thought of Toby, whom any grown man would call ‘dad.’

“When I went to tell Mrs. Eugenie about his death, she didn’t cry or blame me. I was the one who ended up crying. It was ridiculous.”

“So you started helping Mrs. Eugenie?”

“Raising a child alone as a commoner woman is no small feat.”

“True.”

“Plus, who knows what will happen to me and when. Best to do what I can while I can.”

Eric’s voice and gaze were calm, but Alicia thought his heart must feel otherwise.

Just how many subordinates’ deaths had he watched so far?

It hurt to think about it.

So she quietly held Eric’s hand.

“What’s this all of a sudden?”

“It’s consolation.”

“Ah.”

“I’m serious.”

Eric looked at their clasped hands for a moment.

How could such a small, frail hand be so warm?

Would he have recovered sooner had Alicia consoled him like this back then?

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“······.”

Hearing Alicia’s mumbling, he felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him.

Alicia wearing the same expression as Mrs. Eugenie back then?

He hated it.

Eric let go of Alicia’s hand.

“?”

“Nothing will happen during our contract period.”

“What about after it ends?”

“Don’t you remember the clause? No reason to meet or contact each other. You won’t even know if anything happens to me—[dash].”

Pfft[Dash].

Out of the blue, Alicia hit Eric with a cushion, and he looked at her in stunned disbelief.

“What clauses? If something happens to you, the whole empire will know. How could I not? That’s a real violation, you know? Just try making me find out that way. I’ll sue for damages.”

“······.”

“Go ahead, get into trouble without me. I’ll find out and claim all the damages. You think I can’t?”

Eric stared at the assertive Alicia with an odd expression.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Huh? Me?”

“I’m pissed off, and you’re smiling?”

Eric covered his mouth in surprise, realizing Alicia’s admonition.

‘I’m actually smiling.’

He lowered his head briefly, hiding his face from the indescribable emotion, and then lifted it again.

And then he opened his mouth in a joking tone.

“Guess I’ll have to survive until the end. Seems like you’ll pick me clean down to the lint and cast me out naked.”
“Of course. I know all about the assets.”

“Ah, right.”

Eric’s chuckling laughter ultimately made Alicia laugh as well.

But inside, she couldn’t laugh.

Just the thought alone made me feel so pained and overwhelmed that I couldn’t help but tear up.

‘It’s strange.’

Alicia wasn’t usually an emotional person.

Since misunderstanding Eric and Eugenie, her emotions had been fluctuating wildly, and now, even a single word from Eric made her emotions leap around.

‘I don’t know what to do whenever this happens,’

She was troubled.

Never having experienced this before, she didn’t know how to control her feelings.

Just as her confused heart was about to sink into worry, Alicia snapped back to reality at the sudden sound Eric made.

“Oops.”

“What is it?”

“I forgot I have a meeting.”

Eric scrunched his face and messed up his hair.

He had intended to briefly explain something to Alicia and then immediately go back, but he lost track of time.

“Shouldn’t you go quickly?”

“It’s already too late. Even if I go now, it’ll be over. Allen will have taken care of it.”

Can I trust Allen?

Understanding the meaning behind Alicia’s expression, Eric chuckled briefly.

“That guy’s capable. Besides, it’s not a very important meeting, so he’ll handle it fine. More importantly—”

Suddenly, Eric chirped up, turning to Alicia.

“So what should we do today? We still have plenty of time.”

“Is it okay if I don’t go in?”

“It’s fine. Let’s consider it as having clocked out, okay?”

“It must be nice being the director. Clocking out whenever you want.”

“I worked hard up to this point.”

Smiling, Eric’s teasing manner made Alicia nod her head as if she had no choice.

(This is a time separator.)

‘Damn it. There really was a meeting in the palace.’

Allen, who had entered the palace in place of Eric, was rolling his eyes as he sat in the conference room.

Only then did he find out about Eric’s schedule after his deputy’s confirmation, and when the time came and Eric didn’t appear, Allen carelessly walked into the conference room only to find the Emperor sitting there.

‘It’s my fault for not fully understanding the director’s schedule and the meeting agenda, but—’

‘How could I have known that a meeting presided over by His Majesty?’

Allen touched his forehead, a mixed expression of trouble and irritation on his face.

Finally, as the brief meeting concluded, the Emperor finally asked.

“How is Count Russel?”