This was because the ruffian who caused the unexpected accident just now was none other than Duke Cabelased Cardia.

“Look straight… What’s next?”

Cabelased’s voice was pleasing enough to settle gently on the eardrum.

A faint smile lingered on his lips, making him appear gentle and noble at a glance.

However, apart from that, his eyes looking at the servant burned like those of a fierce beast.

“……”

Cabelased nodded to the servant who was gaping and stammering.

Understanding it as a sign to continue if he had something to say, the servant prostrated himself flat.

“I, I have committed a capital offense, Duke Cardia.”

“A capital offense… Not a commonly used phrase. Unless one has truly committed a great sin.”

A low voice echoed through the empty corridor.

“You and I have met for the first time today, I believe. I’m somewhat curious as to how you’ve committed a capital offense against me.”

“…Pardon? Th-that is, just now, because I failed to properly watch where I was going, I committed the great rudeness of bumping into Duke Cardia as he was approaching, I bow my head once again in apology.”

The servant apologized repeatedly, and Cabelased slowly shook his head and spoke.

“Ah, that was an accident. Not a one-sided mistake by either party. Isn’t that right?”

Duke Cardia smiled gently.

Perhaps due to the smile added to his beauty that could captivate even men, the servant stared at him with his mouth slightly open before quickly collecting himself.

‘He’s forgiving me? So easily?’

Cabelased Cardia, Duke.

His outstanding abilities were worthy of respect. The servant acknowledged this a hundred times over.

But until now, he had always thought that a person’s abilities and personality were inversely proportional.

This was because rumors circulated that the duke was such a tyrant that it was difficult to determine superiority between him and the emperor.

Naturally, he thought Cardia would punish him for colliding with his noble body. And yet…

The servant was greatly shocked to see Duke Cardia personally start picking up the scattered documents in the corridor.

“I, I will do it.”

The servant said, quickly gathering the papers strewn on the floor, but Duke Cardia paid no mind and picked up the remaining documents.

Then he neatly organized the scattered papers and handed them to the servant.

“I’ve caused you trouble.”

“I simply thought it would be faster if two did it rather than one.”

Saying so, Duke Cardia slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

‘Wow….’

The servant marveled as he watched Duke Cardia’s retreating figure, already far away.

He too was a proper nobleman born into a noble family. But the family’s power was weak, and he was the youngest of four brothers.

This meant he couldn’t rely on the family’s influence.

So he chose to enter the imperial palace to work.

At first, it was fascinating to see the great nobles.

When he went outside, he would boast about being acquainted with those amazing nobles.

But as he became jaded by his long years in the palace, he realized.

Though a nobleman, his position here was no different from that of a servant in a manor.

The influence of the Cardia ducal family had risen so high that it was said to rival the emperor’s after the engagement with Duke Amaterasu’s daughter.

Such a person personally picked up fallen documents and handed them to him.

This was certainly nothing short of a major event.

The urge to boast suddenly rose, but the servant forcefully suppressed that emotion.

This was because he thought rumors shouldn’t spread about the great Duke Cardia picking up dust-covered documents.

Just then, the irritated voice of the head servant was heard.

“What are you dawdling for? His Majesty the Emperor is looking for you. Hurry up.”

Judging by his coming all the way here, it seemed there had been an angry order from the emperor.

“Yes, yes!”

Preciously clutching the documents that Duke Cardia had personally picked up, the servant made his way to the emperor’s office.

“Would you please open the door?”

Arriving at the office door, the servant requested of the head servant standing nearby.

He felt that if he let go, he might drop the documents Duke Cardia had personally picked up for him again.

“Do you not have hands or feet?”

Grumbling, the head servant opened the office door and snatched the documents from him.

Then he set the documents down on one side of the large desk inside the office.

“Is that the report related to Baron Cypress?”

The emperor asked without taking his eyes off the document he was reading.

“Yes, it is.”

“You may leave now.”

Only after watching the head servant bow deeply to the emperor and exit the office did the servant feel relieved.

Though he had to continue working overnight, he even felt a bit proud at the thought of safely completing the work within the deadline.

But that was short-lived.

After passing the office and taking just a few steps, the servant realized that the documents were all mixed up.

After Cabelased had picked up the documents for him, the head servant had appeared right away and rushed him, causing him to momentarily forget.

‘What should I do…?’

It was then, as he glanced nervously at the head servant with a troubled face.

“Head servant!”

It was the emperor’s voice. Judging by the somewhat raised tone, it was certainly not a good thing.

As the head servant looked at the servant with furrowed brows, the emperor’s voice was heard again.

“…Head servant!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Glaring sharply at the servant as if to say he wouldn’t let it go if something had gone wrong, the head servant hurried into the office.

The servant’s face hardened.

‘…What should I do?’

At this rate, the head servant would surely receive a severe scolding from the emperor.

He couldn’t take a step in either direction.

“So, how satisfactorily did she perform her duties?”

At Marquis Antares’ question, the Empress nodded with a faint smile on her lips.

“Though her personality is peculiar, she’s learned from Duchess Blatnik and handles matters quite capably.”

The young Marquis Antares’ eyes widened slightly at the Empress’ response.

“Isn’t that extremely high praise?”

“Indeed it is. Even Marchioness Ratse couldn’t adapt for half a year and just floundered about, didn’t she?”

Agreeing with his son’s words, Marquis Antares smiled.

Though they said this much, in truth, the Duchess of Blatnik was performing her lady-in-waiting duties quite satisfactorily.

It could be said she was on par with Countess Minster, who was second only to Marchioness Ratse among the ladies-in-waiting.

Considering that Countess Minster had served by the Empress’ side for well over a decade, the Duchess of Blatnik’s perceptiveness could be said to be a hundred times greater.

But instead of adding such praise, the Empress dismissed the upcoming compliment.

“That doesn’t mean she’s perfect. I’m just saying she seems like she’d be quite good if taught properly.”

Nevertheless, the smiles on the faces of Marquis Antares and the young marquis showed no signs of fading.

For the Empress, who was sparing with praise, to give an “okay” evaluation was no different from acknowledging someone as quite outstanding.

“It’s certainly true that the future is unpredictable. It seems like just yesterday we were anxious about the news of Cardia and Amaterasu’s alliance, and already we’ve gained the Blatnik ducal family…”

As Marquis Antares trailed off, raising the corners of his mouth, his son, the young Marquis Antares, continued.

“I believe Your Majesty the Empress is also aware that the Duchess of Blatnik and the young lady of House Howard are on such close terms that they frequently visit each other’s residences.”

Instead of adding more words, the Empress simply nodded lightly.

However, the raised corners of her mouth showed no signs of lowering.

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together, and the Howard marquis and his wife were no ordinary couple either.

Marquis Howard was also no less stubborn in nature than the Duchess of Blatnik.

Marquis Antares had been steadily making contact for some time, but only time had passed without receiving any definite answer.

And now, not only had the Duchess of Blatnik bent her will, but the Howard marquis family had also come rolling in like a pumpkin on the vine, so smiles wouldn’t leave the faces of the three people.

But as always, when there’s good news, there’s also bad news.

Knowing this well, the Empress calmed her heart. And she quickly brought up a matter that needed to be handled.

“By the way. What’s become of the Baron Cypress situation?”

“It seems the documents we’ve compiled about Baron Cypress were delivered to His Majesty the Emperor today. We’ve taken care of things in advance, so Your Majesty the Empress need not worry.”

The Empress nodded at the young Marquis Antares’ reliable answer.

As long as the surveillance of the Emperor and Duke Cardia continued, it would be difficult to meet and persuade Baron Cypress directly.

She had been anxious about this at times, but evidence took precedence over testimony anyway.

Having succeeded in fabricating evidence, it was fine even if Baron Cypress said something different from the evidence in court.

All they had to do was make his words untrustworthy.

“Then, how about we enjoy a leisurely lunch together after a long time? How is your time, gentlemen?”

When Marquis Antares nodded readily at the Empress’ suggestion, it happened.

A knock sounded at the door. And soon followed the voice of Marchioness Ratse, sounding somewhat urgent.

“Your Majesty the Empress. I apologize for interrupting, but there is something you should know.”

The previously warm atmosphere cooled instantly, as if cold water had been poured over it.

And before the Empress could answer, the sound of multiple footsteps began to be heard in the corridor.

It seemed the Empress wasn’t the only one who thought something had gone wrong. The expressions of Marquis Antares and the young marquis also hardened in real-time.

“Come in.”

As soon as the Empress gave permission, the door opened.

Beyond the door, Marchioness Ratse stood with a troubled expression, looking inward, and behind her were several more people.

It was the captain of the imperial knights and his subordinate knights.