Franz also looked at me with pitiful, kittenlike eyes.

I wrapped my throbbing head with my hand.

“What do you think, Knight Shade?”

I turned around with the thought that even if he couldn’t speak, he could express his will.

But Shade had already disappeared.

“Why didn’t anyone notice the person who was here is gone?”

“Don’t be curious, Elizabeth. It will take some time to get used to it.”

I involuntarily sighed.

Franz and Suzanne exchanged secret glances.

“Shade seems to be preparing for the outer guard, doesn’t he?”

“If not, he wouldn’t just disappear.”

“Elizabeth wouldn’t likely permit it.”

“Sister Elizabeth is a generous person. If we sincerely ask, she will not refuse until the end.”

“You are more astute than a praise from Duke Nettleton.”

“I’m embarrassed, Your Highness.”

Hello?

I’m still here, you know?

I grumbled, seeing Franz and Suzanne engrossed in their own world.

“Did you two just meet? You look like little lovers.”

“What, what are you talking about. Don’t be rude to Lady Nettleton!”

“Although there is an age and height difference, time will solve that. You two look good together.”

I teased subtly.

Embarrassed, Franz dodged the topic.

His ears, and even the nape of his neck, turned red; he seemed genuinely pleased.

Suzanne suddenly chimed in.

Her face was also blushpink.

“I am a servant who will only serve His Highness.”

“Is that all?”

I asked.

Suzanne smiled and answered.

“His Highness is so adorable. I also want a son as adorable as His Highness.”

Afterwards, a stifling silence ensued.

All I could do was ignore Franz’s twisted face of bewilderment.

(This is a time separator.)

Nikolai remained silent as ever.

The rumors naturally spread.

“The Emperor is tired of Elizabeth, you say?”

“He’s known to be a philanderer, so it can’t be helped.”

“She had a very complicated past, didn’t she? Elizabeth ruined the lives of several men.”

“They were all fussing over her, pretending to be a victim. Now the wicked woman pays the price. It’s too late.”

Even the commoners turned against me.

My beauty, wealth, and power, let alone my love life, became objects of envy, and they turned their backs on me in an instant.

‘Is this selective anger? It’s unavoidable to be discriminated against by the nobility, but they can’t tolerate special treatment for a commoner?’

The shrewd Duke Brenden exploited the psychology of the commoners.

He spread malicious rumors about me, backed by hefty bribes.

I also spread similar rumors along with Owen and Douglas.

It was because the impact was great.

Villainess, tyrant, doomsayer.

The dark shadow of the original story enveloped the empire.
If Claudia could not find a new path, a third party might have been able to ignite the revolution.

“I need to create a force that will take my side. For that, Boritz’s help is essential.”

She cast her gaze at Boritz.

Today, too, Boritz had his face covered with a large hood.

She couldn’t see his expression, but she felt he enjoyed Susan’s visit.

Between the two people who had put their heads together, there was a pot of purple flowers.

“My condition suddenly worsened, which is saddening… I’ll have to slow down its growth by reducing sunlight and nutrients. Thank you for the advice, Susan.”

Boritz spoke with respect.

Susan blushed and chuckled shyly.

“The illness of a healthy person often worsens more rapidly.”

“Indeed, no one can match the wisdom of Susan.”

“I, too, receive great help from you, Boritz.”

“Pl… please lower your words. You are a noble young lady, and I am but a mere farmer…”

Boritz stammered.

Recognizing his familiar reaction, Susan looked at Franz.

“What do you think, Young Master? Will the flower revive?”

The term “Young Master” made Susan squint.

Franz, who had not yet recovered from his shock, suddenly snapped back to reality.

“It will revive. The agricultural god Teratoris will look after Boritz and your efforts.”

Was he pleased just because Susan had spoken to him?

Franz’s green eyes flickered.

When Susan turned her back, they lost their light again.

Franz followed Susan’s departing figure with clouded eyes.

“Who would’ve thought our Franz would become such a character. Keep it up, buddy.”

Her nose tingled, but she couldn’t forget today’s objective.

I asked Boritz.

“Boritz, are you still researching crops these days?”

“…Huh?”

Startled, Boritz dropped his trowel.

Such a reaction from merely striking up a conversation.

Unlike Susan, I was still uncomfortable.

“I want to cultivate things that will help the poor. Herbs are too expensive. It’s a pipe dream with my capabilities.”

Boritz responded in a crawling voice.

“Boritz, is there a need to belittle yourself to such an extent?”

“I’m just a farmer touching the soil. I’ve never studied properly like Susan.”

“Not every farmer thinks for the benefit of the poor, you know?”

“I do it only because I know the suffering of poverty…”

Boritz lowered his head and shrugged his shoulders.

He seemed ready to dig into the earth and hide.

“Being hailed as the hero who saved the people, he’s too timid. Boritz will develop famine crops only after the revolution. But there’s no time to wait.”

I had to awaken Boritz as quickly as possible.

To contribute even a spoon to the meal that Boritz was preparing.

To elevate my reputation as Boritz’s sponsor, a special strategy was needed.

Even if I had to fully exploit my villainous tendencies.