I did not eat the spicy pepper that Douglas had given me as a gift.

I did shake the pepper in the crystal bottle.

Crunch, crunch.

I imagined Claudia while listening to the sound of the dried grains colliding.

‘The knight commander’s uniform will suit her like a painting. The tight sword at her waist, and her silver hair fluttering in the wind.’

I was sincere in wanting to see Claudia.

I was curious about my favorite character in real life.

It was terrifying, but if it was fate to meet her, I no longer wanted to avoid it.

‘Claudia never mentioned that she likes spicy things. Has the story changed, or is there a hidden setting in the original?’

A lot had changed since I became possessed by Elizabeth.

Susan risked her life, and Douglas wrote the Croit romance novel earlier.

I became an educational administrator, not the empress.

But the love triangle between Douglas, Claudia, and me remained.

Claudia would have been greatly disappointed to know that he had gotten the pepper to gift to me through her.

In her eyes, I was nothing but a wicked woman ruining Douglas’s life.

She might have even wanted to execute the empire’s greatest Casanova and femme fatale right then and there.

‘Love is this dangerous, everyone. Let’s read about romance in books! Couple hell, solo heaven!’

I felt like picketing in front of the palace.

Unaware of my thoughts, Douglas handed a prepared book to Franz.

“I found it in a used bookstore. I thought Your Majesty would want to read it quickly, so I came despite the breach of etiquette.”

On the cover of the book, covered with blue leather, the title ‘The Lost Prince and Magic Paint’ was embossed.

Franz rolled his light green eyes, trying to hide his delight.

“You’ve worked hard, Duke.”

“The Lost Prince series is one of my favorite works too. Did you know the author is both a novelist and a painter?”

“He’s also a great illustrator.”

“He didn’t gain popularity with the masses, but he left many great works.”

Douglas led the conversation to match Franz’s level and interests.

Franz seemed fascinated by Douglas, who was knowledgeable in various fields but not authoritative like ordinary professors.

‘I was worried about his appearance at first, but they get along well. There’s nothing to worry about in literature class.’

The problem was not Franz, but Douglas’s hot gaze at me.

When the book conversation was coming to a close, Douglas asked for permission.

“Your Majesty, may I have a private conversation with the education officer?”

Franz’s face changed as if he never laughed before.

“The Duke really likes to be ‘alone.'”

“Did I ask this before?”

“Anyway! If you have something to say, say it here.”

“It won’t take a moment?”

“You know, Miss Elizabeth doesn’t like to leave her seat during work hours. Am I right, Miss?”

Franz asked playfully.

Even when with Nikolai, he used honorifics.

Though I wanted to slap Franz for naturally changing his tone depending on the situation, I held back and replied kindly.

“Yes. I mustn’t leave my seat for even a moment.”

“Elizabeth.”

“Speak comfortably, Mr. Douglas. Whatever you say, His Majesty will understand.”

It meant that Franz should not say anything he wouldn’t understand.

‘May I take courage from the fact that your tastes have changed? As you know, Elizabeth, I am a foolish and frustrating man.’

The suffocating silence once again choked my throat.

Douglas was indeed a good man.

Kind, warm, honest, and handsome.
More than anything, he loved Elizabeth just as she was.

How many men like that could there be?

“Nikolai acts gentle but suddenly becomes violent, seems moist but unexpectedly goes to meet a new woman? There’s no honesty, and he’s utterly unpredictable. Besides, he’s full of prejudices about me!”

Anger surged again.

Nikolai’s indifference when he slapped her remained as a stain that wouldn’t erase.

Rather than fading with time, it darkened day by day.

How could she erase the hatred growing like poisonous mushrooms?

Was that even possible?

“Elizabeth, are you uncomfortable?”

Douglas, who was examining my complexion, asked.

“I’m fine.”

“Please take it easy. I worry that you might hurt yourself.”

Douglas always thought from my side in any situation.

I didn’t want things to become awkward with him.

‘Enduring Claudia’s wrath is even worse. The only way to survive is to build an iron wall…….’

But if time would allow me.

If I have to live in this world to become an old grandmother, will I meet a man like Douglas again?

Will I grow old and die without ever having loved in this world?

“Is it perhaps because of me that you are uncomfortable?”

“Of course not. I’m happy to have such an excellent literature professor as you.”

“……Thank you.”

“If you need anything for the lesson, please feel free to ask.”

The words were cutting, indicating that any subject outside of lessons was uncomfortable.

Douglas’s face was tinged with bitterness, understanding the hidden meaning.

“I’ve given you the book, so I will leave now.”

Douglas stood up.

Franz was more surprised than me.

“Leave quickly. We’re very busy.”