Nikolai regretted it.

Looking back, it was cowardly to involve Franz.

Though it was to monitor Douglas, he was too young to play the role of a spy.

“Leave it to me!”

Franz wanted to prove himself in any way possible.

He was desperate to the point of being pitiful.

Nikolai had always said it was fine, hoping his half-brother would be more at ease.

That attitude may have fueled Franz’s inferiority complex about not being the legitimate crown prince.

‘Elizabeth told me to observe carefully and think from his perspective.’

Following her advice, he looked deeply into Franz’s lime-green eyes.

When he met the gaze sparkling with enthusiasm, he realized it was something he had missed so dearly. That sparkle.

“I’m counting on you, Finch. The only person I can trust is… you.”

The only person I can trust is you!

It was something the usual Nikolai would never have said out loud.

“Just trust in me, Your Majesty!”

Was it because it had been a while since he was called by his nickname?

Was he happy to be trusted?

Franz’s bright smile rather stimulated Nikolai’s sense of guilt.

It was because this child had only wanted something very small, and he once again realized how inadequate a guardian he had been.

‘Appointing Elizabeth as education officer was the best decision.’

Nikolai felt pride in his decision.

Even though it was Careth’s idea, and Elizabeth herself had wanted it.

It was also an achievement to have modified the contract and reached an amicable agreement.

She had even accepted the demand not to associate with others.

Though she seemed completely unaware that Nikolai had been excited because of that.

‘She was sincere about having no relationship with Douglas. But I must be careful. To win the game of seduction, even small habits mustn’t be revealed.’

Since that day, Nikolai carried the contract with the small handprint wherever he went.

A faint cherry blossom scent wafted from the paper, which was starting to wear at the folded parts.

Though not as strong as when with Elizabeth, it was enough to soothe his tired sense of smell.

Of course, it must be an illusion.

Just as no flower blooms eternally, the body scent on the paper surface should have long since disappeared.

Yet Nikolai kept her name, written next to his own, close to his heart.

It might seem like a ridiculous obsession, but he didn’t care.

As long as he wasn’t caught.

‘It was a proper meal after a long time. I still couldn’t taste it, but at least it didn’t feel like drinking sewage or chewing on rotten bark.’

For Nikolai, eating was just a bothersome process of stuffing in nutrients the body demanded.

It was the first time since his ascension that he felt a meal with someone was enjoyable.

But Elizabeth had barely eaten anything.

That bothered him.

It would be even more problematic if Nikolai alone had enjoyed it.

For it would mean Elizabeth was one step closer to victory.

‘This won’t do. I need to win Elizabeth’s heart as soon as possible.’

Nikolai didn’t know that the desire to possess someone’s heart and the desire to seduce them were fundamentally different.

He was just anxious.

None of the methods the wolf had urged worked.

It was fortunate if he didn’t earn her contempt.

The gift offensive didn’t work either.

Elizabeth was as wealthy as any great noble.

Unlike in the past, she didn’t seem to be enthusiastic about luxury goods.

Her attire, only slightly better than commoners’ everyday clothes, was evidence enough.

“Her Majesty Queen Rose Brenden has requested an audience.”

Careth reported.

It was time to return to reality.

“Refuse her. It’s surely about her brother’s issue again.”

“Is it alright not to appoint a new fencing instructor?”

“For now, let the education officer have her way.”

“The Brenden Marquis family won’t sit still. I don’t distrust Lady Elizabeth, but…”

Careth, who had returned to being Elizabeth’s follower, trailed off.

“It’s better than harming the crown prince’s health. If the Marquis family rebels, tell them I’ll hold Simon responsible for not properly caring for the crown prince.”

“I will comply.”

“Elizabeth will do well. I instructed her personally.”

When Elizabeth asked to be taught beginner-level fencing training methods, Nikolai couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

It wasn’t because her questions were strangely sensual.

‘Finch is inherently unsuited for the sword. No matter how much blood and sweat he sheds, he won’t achieve the success he desires.’

He knew, but kept quiet.

He thought he shouldn’t dampen Franz’s enthusiasm.

He believed that was the best he could do for Franz.

“Oh please! What grand ambitions would a 10-year-old have to train so desperately? He just clung to it because everyone said he should. To receive praise, to not disappoint, to not be abandoned.”

Elizabeth’s words had a point.

That’s why it made him even more furious.

In just a few days, Elizabeth had seen through everything about Franz.

Something Nikolai himself had never succeeded in doing.

“Your Majesty. Did you really have to appoint Marquis Nettleton as the literature teacher?”

“What’s the problem?”

“Public attention is focused on Lady Elizabeth. She might get caught up in unnecessary rumors because of her former fiancé.”

“She’s not a woman to be swayed by such rumors.”

“The elders seem to believe the Nettleton Marquis family will rise as a new power.”

“They’ll be tense and wary. They’ll struggle not to lose the power they have.”

“They might act more blatantly.”

“What, like treason?”

Nikolai twisted up the corner of his mouth.

Careth seemed worried about his master’s excessive nonchalance.

Rebellion. Usurpation. Blood. Death.

Not one of them was easy to say, yet he spoke without hesitation.

But it couldn’t be ignored either.

“Should I hide in fear of mice? Is that the kind of emperor you want me to be?”

“Your Majesty.”

“Stop worrying about me and find those who targeted Franz. I won’t kill them gently.”

Careth bowed his head as if apologizing for his incompetence.

Nikolai didn’t want to torment his loyal subject any further.

“What’s the situation with Worden?”

“We’ve received news that the Queen of Worden has taken control of state affairs. They say the King is now just a puppet of the Queen.”

“Don’t slack on surveillance. The former empress of Hartmann has become queen of an enemy country.”

“She’s a terrible woman. And she hates Your Majesty more than anyone.”

Nikolai chuckled.

The word ‘hate’ couldn’t fully express Penelope’s emotions.

Even words like anger or vengeance felt neutral and vague.

Before being driven out of the imperial palace, Penelope had left these words:

“I will destroy you with my soul, Nikolai. The only reason I live is to tear your flesh to shreds and drink your flowing blood! Wail, Nikolai. Towards the doom that awaits you!”

Every time he pronounced the name Penelope, he felt a skull-splitting headache and nausea simultaneously.

When Nikolai was 12, 20-year-old Penelope became his stepmother by taking the place beside the former emperor.

She was the daughter of a noble family, praised as the most beautiful in the empire.

Even young Nikolai was captivated by his new mother’s beautiful figure on the day of her coronation.

He didn’t know that death would always linger around her, and that he would eventually drive her out with his own hands.

“If there’s anyone communicating with Worden, they’re likely to have connections with Penelope.”

“Do you see the Queen of Worden as the mastermind behind the crown prince’s assassination attempt?”

“If that woman had targeted Franz, he would no longer be in this world.”

“She’s more than evil enough for that.”

“There will be a major troop movement in two months. Tell the garrison commander not to give Worden any excuses.”

“Do you mean General Claudia Rosroyce?”

Nikolai’s eyebrow twitched.

He recalled a word Elizabeth had mumbled in her sleep.

“I thought it was Radia again.”

Despite thoroughly investigating Elizabeth’s surroundings, no one named Radia existed.

Could it have been a nickname?

‘Is General Claudia Rosroyce the being Elizabeth fears even in her dreams? But why? She’s just a childhood friend of her former fiancé.’

Questions kept following one after another.

What always remained at the end was Elizabeth and Douglas’s shadow looming over her.

He desperately wanted to know Elizabeth’s true feelings.

He wanted to repeatedly confirm that she didn’t love Douglas, that they were just friends.

Elizabeth didn’t know, she really didn’t know.

He wanted to make her directly feel the overwhelming difference between the emperor and the head of a fallen marquis family.

Isn’t it impossible to compare himself with a man who just writes romance novels?

Nikolai looked over his reflection in the mirror.

‘Excellent today too. Flawless.’

Why does only Elizabeth fail to see the beauty that everyone, young and old, male and female, praises endlessly?

Has she seen enough handsome men?

‘Douglas is a man who manipulates people’s psychology with his cunning tongue and clever writing. I need to watch him with my own eyes.’

Grind, a sharp sound came from Nikolai’s molars.

He was often haunted by visions of Elizabeth, fallen for Douglas’s vague charm, stabbing him in the back.

It was followed by imaginations of Douglas secretly taking her fragrant lips and embracing her waist that wasn’t even a handful.

He had to win this game as soon as possible.

So that she wouldn’t look elsewhere.

So that she would look only at him.

“We must hurry.”

Nikolai muttered without realizing.

Careth understood differently.

“I will send a messenger to the Inted Islands immediately.”

“That matter should be hurried too.”

“Pardon?”

“A messenger is too slow. Summon Claudia Rosroyce to the imperial palace. I will order it personally.”

It wasn’t in the plan, but it seemed necessary to meet Claudia.

The imperial library was empty again today.

The guard was nodding off at the entrance.

Even the librarian was busy scribbling something with his head on the desk.

It was quite beneficial for me who needed time to concentrate.

“I really can’t face it. I need to find the second sacred object.”

The collection of the imperial library was beyond imagination.

The bookshelves made of the finest oak were so high that looking up made my neck ache.

The feeling of being overwhelmed was sky-high too.

“I should also choose children’s theology textbooks that Franz would find interesting. Though I don’t know where anything is.”

I planned to change fencing training to basic physical education, and increase art and theology classes.

Franz, who I thought would be happy, pouted.

“His Majesty said theology could be learned later.”

“There’s no harm in starting early. Let’s begin with Morasinthia theology.”

“I hate that even more.”

“Why?”

“I just hate it. Why do I need to learn it when I’m not going to be a priest?”

Why? Of course, to find the second sacred object!

But how could I confess?

That I would use the crown prince’s small hands because I had limitations on my own.

“She’s the great goddess of healing. Didn’t the late emperor defeat the plague with the goddess’s power?”

“It’s all lies. I don’t believe it.”

“We won’t do boring theory studies. We’ll uncover the goddess’s legends and secrets. Isn’t that exciting?”

“Not at all.”

“We’ll explore temples too! And interview priests! How educational would that be?”

Franz, who had been staring at me, suddenly asked.

“Elizabeth. You have some other ulterior motive, don’t you?”

As expected of Nikolai’s son, Franz hit the nail on the head.

I had no choice but to postpone my plans with tears in my eyes.

I pulled out a thick theology book from the bookshelf.

“You guys have it tough too. The emperor is busy playing with women, and the crown prince is making a fuss about not wanting to.”

A cough burst out due to the fine dust accumulated on the spine of the book.

“Cough, cough.”

At that moment, a neatly folded handkerchief was held out in front of me.

Who could it be in the empty library?