I threw a heartfelt ‘wink and double hand kiss’ at Careth.

The fact that I could seduce him again even after the effect wore off was quickly revealed.

“The divine object is on Your Majesty’s desk in the office. Your Majesty is in an audience with ministers, so now is the chance.”

Careth, who had returned as a fervent follower, replied with dreamy eyes.

How many days will it last this time?

It seemed I needed to conduct a few more experiments.

[This is the timeline separator]

The Emperor’s office on the 3rd floor of the main palace was heavily guarded.

But there was no need to worry.

With one wink, the knights became gentle lambs.

“You must be tired, please go rest. Have some nourishing food with this too.”

“Thank you, Lady Elizabeth.”

The knights disappeared with the money pouch I handed them.

Since they took a bribe, they wouldn’t be able to talk back even if the magic wore off.

At first I was a bit surprised, but it was much more convenient for the effect to disappear.

‘I can use it more often! I hesitated thinking I might change someone’s life. Let’s not make unreasonable demands for later!’

Lord. Please allow me to become a righteous thief!

Though an atheist, a prayer came out spontaneously.

I had to steal none other than the Emperor’s possession.

I rubbed my slippery palms on the skirt of my dress.

I grasped the door handle carved with a golden lion.

As Careth said, the Eye of Morasinsia was carelessly placed on the desk.

For once, I was glad for Nikolai’s insensitivity.

“Found it! It was worth coming all this way!”

I felt happy and urgent thinking I could help Franz with this.

Just then, a chilling voice came from behind.

“Do you feel a sense of accomplishment while stealing?”

I turned around startled.

Nikolai, who should have been in the audience chamber, was leaning on the door.

A drop of cold sweat that had formed on my forehead rolled down.

“Why did Your Majesty come out from there?”

“Is this a place I cannot come to?”

“How did you know I was here?”

“I couldn’t help but know. Your scent is vibrating.”

Nikolai took a deep breath. As if he could smell my scent just with that,

Am I smelling? Even though I bathe morning and evening?

My cheeks flushed hot.

The emerald eyes looking at me were coolly subdued.

It wasn’t anger, but I felt an even more dangerous flicker.

Nikolai approached.

I stepped back hesitantly, but there was nowhere to escape.

I reflexively closed my eyes tight while gripping the desk with both hands.

‘I told you to do skinship elsewhere…!’

The trembling wouldn’t subside.

It wasn’t because of fear.

Now I too could sense the clean yet warm scent emanating from Nikolai’s firm body.

When did I reconsider the seduction game before becoming the education officer!

Nikolai had messed up my heart again.

Just by taking a few steps closer.

“Remember, Elizabeth. That you can never escape my eyes. That I will follow you wherever you go.”

His breath scattered precariously.

His gaze was fully conveyed, but the distance wasn’t unbearably close.

Of course, he could reach me if he extended his hand.

But he didn’t touch me without permission like before.

‘Did he choose to be indifferent rather than flirtatious? Or is this some new strategy?’

I bit my lip.

My opponent was a tyrant who enjoyed kidnapping and confinement.

He was also a heartless person who ignored reports of his son being sick.

He would never understand consideration.

“Your sense of smell is keen. It would have been better if your hearing was more developed than your smell.”

“Why is that?”

“Don’t play dumb. You received reports about your son’s health issues.”

“…Franz is sick?”

Shock overlaid Nikolai’s face.

It was a surprised look that I couldn’t doubt was genuine.

“You’re reacting like it’s the first time you’ve heard this?”

“Tell me in detail. What happened to Pinch?”

Nikolai grabbed my arm.

He gripped so tightly that tears almost came out.

I shook off his arm and retorted.

“I’ll tell you without you threatening me.”

“Ah, sorry.”

Nikolai was so out of it he didn’t even realize he had grabbed me with such brutal force.

It didn’t seem like he was putting on another mask, or acting out paternal love.

The look in the eyes of someone afraid of losing a precious person could never be faked.

“I’ll summon the Crown Prince’s doctor immediately. I’ll hear the rest as we go.”

“You should have done that earlier. The Crown Prince has been refusing treatment.”

“Why did he do such a thing?”

“How would I, who’s not even the education officer, know? Even the father doesn’t know.”

Nikolai bit his lip.

It was an expression of unbearable guilt.

I was confused.

Nikolai had refused all reports regarding Franz.

I heard it had been quite a while since the two had met.

I thought he was a typical bad parent who neglected his child, but Nikolai’s reaction was different.

What kind of problem was there between Nikolai and Franz?

‘The servants wouldn’t have been able to say anything. They would have been silenced by Franz. But what about Simon? Saying Franz is the future of the empire?’

I wanted to step on Simon’s smooth face with my shoe, the one who told me to just trust him.

As if there was no time to waste, Nikolai reached out his hand to me.

“We must hurry, Elizabeth.”

It was the first time since meeting him that I wanted to grasp that hand.

It might have been the first time since possessing Elizabeth that I wanted to run somewhere relying on each other.

I looked anew at the man with large, warm hands.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Simon. Did you send a letter to the southern border?”

The woman with the hood pulled low moved her red lips.

Though her face wasn’t visible, her figure in the moonlight was incomparably elegant.

Simon knelt on one knee before her.

“Good news will arrive soon, Your Majesty.”

“You’re thoroughly isolating the Crown Prince, right?”

“Do not worry. I am the only one the Crown Prince trusts and relies on.”

“What about that wench Elizabeth?”

“She acted above her station as a commoner. She’s a vulgar woman who runs wild relying on her pretty face.”

“She must be very beautiful.”

Though there was laughter in the woman’s voice, Simon hurried to make excuses.

“How can a rare diamond be compared to the marbles street urchins play with? She’s just cheap trash not fit to touch Your Majesty’s feet.”

“Never compare that wench to me again.”

“I-I’m sorry!”

“I heard she has a thing for handsome men. Simon, you could seduce her, couldn’t you?”

“I’ve laid some groundwork. But wouldn’t I be caught if I touched a woman the Emperor has his eye on?”

“So you’re saying you’re afraid?”

It was a tone as sharp as frost.

Did he know what would happen if he incurred the woman’s wrath?

Simon’s face turned pale.

“I’m not afraid! Please leave it to me!”

“Don’t disappoint me, Simon.”

“What shall we do about the Crown Prince?”

“It would be best to get rid of him.”

“!”

“Then His Majesty will take me, won’t he? The empire needs a new heir. A true heir inheriting His Majesty’s noble bloodline.”

The woman chirped as if delighted.

Simon swallowed dryly while looking around.

No one would come to the secret garden, but if discovered, it wouldn’t end with just death.

“If that wench receives His Majesty’s favor, it will become very troublesome. You know what I mean, right?”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

“There’s no need to deal with the Crown Prince right away. Prepare so you can break his neck anytime.”

“I will await your orders.”

“I don’t believe in goddesses, family, or fathers. The only one I believe in is you, Simon.”

The woman traced Simon’s chin with her white hand.

Simon, who had been trembling, replied with emotion.

“Only Your Majesty can have Hartmann’s heart.”

“I think so too. But what if His Majesty doesn’t make me Empress?”

“We’ll have no choice but to enthrone a new Emperor.”

“No, the man I choose will become the new Emperor. It could even be you!”

“Your Majesty!”

Leaving behind a seductive laugh, the woman departed.

Simon watched her retreating figure with a flushed face.

A blood-red storm was approaching the imperial palace.

[This is the timeline separator]

The old royal physician examining Franz smiled kindly.

“There’s nothing particularly wrong. It seems you’ve accumulated fatigue.”

Franz, who had been resisting fiercely, lay on the bed with a sullen face.

He didn’t forget to glare at me with resentful eyes from time to time.

It seemed I would have to give up on becoming the education officer.

“If you drink the medicinal decoction, you’ll recover quickly.”

“Watch the Crown Prince without taking your eyes off him for even a moment. And report directly to me.”

Nikolai spoke in a dry tone.

His shoulders were still stiffly tense, but he was acting tough in front of his son.

Unable to bear it any longer, Franz protested.

“I don’t need medicine!”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

“Your Majesty doesn’t trust me.”

“I don’t trust you?”

“You must think I’m a weak child who collapses at the slightest thing.”

“I’ve never thought that.”

“Then please withdraw the order to take medicine.”

Throughout the conversation, Franz and Nikolai did not look at each other.

I carefully observed the boy with his head lowered and the Emperor maintaining his dignity while pretending to be indifferent.

“I’m just worried about the Crown Prince who will succeed me.”

“I’m sorry I’m not the more reliable heir you wanted.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

“I’ll try my hardest.”

“You don’t need to.”

Franz’s face darkened considerably.

Wrinkles formed between Nikolai’s eyebrows as if he didn’t understand why.

He seemed to have no idea what his son was thinking.

There were problems with Franz’s attitude too.

‘They’re both messed up. If left alone, they’ll dig in opposite directions. And they’ll never meet again.’

After heaving a deep sigh, I raised my hand.

If the two had disliked each other, I wouldn’t have intervened like this.

“Excuse me, but may I interject?”

Nikolai and Franz shook their heads simultaneously.

“No.”

“No.”

Like father, like son indeed.

Well, it’s not like I’m the type to give up just because they say that.

“What Your Majesty just said sounds like ‘I don’t expect anything from you, so stay quiet.'”

“That can’t be.”

“To convey Your Majesty’s good intentions, it would be better to say ‘You’re good enough as you are now, so don’t push yourself too hard.'”

“…”

“Franz, it would be even better if you added that you were worried sick about him.”

I advised while imitating Nikolai’s voice.

Nikolai’s mouth twitched as if displeased.

Franz had a dumbfounded look.

“Your Highness, stop being so suspicious too. Please accept His Majesty’s concern sincerely.”

“I-I wasn’t suspicious!”

“Then it must be an inferiority complex. Seeing how you twist whatever His Majesty says.”

“!”

“You two need special training. To understand each other and take a step closer!”

Franz opened his olive-green eyes wide.

Nikolai’s blue-green eyes shone sharply.

Both were showing interest.

“If you’re fine as you are, I won’t interfere.”

“…”

“But if you both want, I’ll help improve your relationship. What do you say?”

“What kind of special training are you talking about?”

“If you’re curious, pay the tuition first.”

“Tuition?”

Nikolai’s voice flipped.

I had always wanted to return these words to him.

“Did you think it would be free?”

Nikolai chewed his lips. He also fidgeted his fingers anxiously.

These were common symptoms shown by customers hesitating over an impulse purchase.

‘He took the bait? Then I should push harder!’

I decided to help Nikolai open his wallet wide.

I couldn’t miss this rare chance for a windfall.