“Don’t be too heartbroken, Elizabeth. It happens often.”

Franz said nonchalantly.

It seemed like comfort but was not helpful at all.

Bill added indifferently.

“He usually brought back one or two people whenever he returned from trips. It’s been less frequent since Lady Elizabeth arrived.”

My efforts to understand Nikolai were shattered.

I felt a headache coming on, thinking I had been played in his palm again.

Is it normal to want to hit someone when feeling ashamed?

Huh? I kind of want to beat someone to a pulp.

“As the Crown Prince, I must examine the potential new Empress!”

Franz scurried to the window.

I wanted to follow but held back.

A teacher must maintain some dignity.

“He’s riding a horse with a woman! Why is His Majesty doing this?”

Franz exclaimed, his body half out the window.

It seemed an unfamiliar sight even to Bill, who was well-versed in the harem affairs.

“This is unusual. The woman’s appearance is quite unique too.”

“Ah. I’m disappointed in His Majesty’s taste.”

“Has his preference changed?”

“He never had a consistent preference. Look how he appointed someone like you as my tutor.”

Franz gestured towards me with his chin.

Normally, I would have pinched his cheeks until tears formed, but I didn’t even feel like doing that.

I was too busy standing straight and listening intently to Bill’s voice.

“She’s a relative of Empress Rose Brenden and Lord Simon Brenden.”

“You mean she’s of marquis blood? She doesn’t look it at all.”

“The other madams are on edge, I hear. They’re worried that the concubines’ power might shift to the Brenden marquis family.”

“Those women always gossip uselessly behind others’ backs. What a waste of national treasury!”

Bill, who had been whispering with Franz, turned his head towards me.

“What do you think, Lady Elizabeth?”

“I’m not particularly interested.”

“You might run into her sometime.”

“Should I take a look then?”

I stuck to the window at lightning speed.

Nikolai was riding a pure black stallion without a single mixed hair.

The horse was so well-groomed that its coat gleamed from head to tail.

Behind him, the Imperial Guard followed in two columns.

Nikolai marching under the fluttering banners was impressively majestic.

If he weren’t with a strange woman, I might have been lost in admiration too.

‘Can two people ride one horse? Isn’t that a traffic violation? At least animal abuse?’

Crunch, I snapped out of it while biting my thumbnail.

What does it matter to me what Nikolai does?

I’d only hurt myself by caring!

I sat back at the desk and flipped through the documents from the Information Guild.

“Franz. I’ve found an art professor. You’ll love him.”

“That woman doesn’t look like a noble lady, more like a skinny boy. She’s wearing worn-out pants like a farmer. Her short hair is more straw-colored than blonde.”

“We shouldn’t judge appearances.”

“Are you really not interested in the new Empress, Elizabeth?”

“My interest is solely in His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“But Elizabeth is very very very close to His Majesty.”

Franz’s gaze was meaningful as he looked at me.

I wonder how much this kid saw in the canary room?

Though I felt somewhat guilty, I played dumb.

“No way. His Majesty and I are just parent and educator, nothing more, nothing less.”

“You seem hurt though?”

“Franz. Have you finished your math homework?”

“Who cares about math now? Elizabeth might get dumped.”

Franz said quite seriously.

I pinched and stretched the cheek of this unnecessarily perceptive kid.

“Ow, it hurts!”

“Why don’t you do your homework?”

“I have a bad feeling. I think that woman will cause trouble!”

“Want me to cause that trouble right now?”

“Ow, I said it hurts!”

Franz’s cries didn’t reach my ears.

My mind was already occupied with the word ‘dumped’.

‘What dumped? We only kissed once. Had dinner twice.’

I wanted to believe it.

That he’d be a better man than the original tyrant.

That the one before my eyes was real, regardless of what others said.

I wavered at times, and suddenly felt flutters.

I even tried to confide my secrets.

Because I thought he would believe me.

But Nikolai was just Nikolai.

The original story was progressing predictably.

Which meant Elizabeth’s life had less than half a year left.

−Relationships with other members of the opposite sex are prohibited. Falling in love is also considered a relationship.

It was Nikolai himself who added such a clause to the contract.

My stomach burned as if I had swallowed a hot iron.

‘Dating is not allowed, but marriage is? I even avoided running into Douglas. This is clearly a breach of contract. That’s why I’m angry!’

If it was because of the violated contract, my anger was justified.

There was no reason to hold back my anger either.

I stood up abruptly.

Franz looked up at me, startled.

“Elizabeth. Where are you going?”

“I have something to formally protest.”

“To whom?”

“Who else? The villain of villains who treats promises like dog bones.”

[This is the timeline separator]

“His Majesty is resting from the journey’s fatigue.”

Careth blocked my path.

I snorted in front of the tightly closed office door.

“What an unusual way to rest. I saw various ministers coming and going.”

“Please return today, Lady Elizabeth.”

“I know he’s inside, so open the door.”

“That’s not possible.”

“I only need a moment.”

“Not even for one second.”

Careth was being rigid.

Wondering if his charm had worn off, I threw a wink + hand kiss combo.

It was useless.

“His Majesty has prohibited Lady Elizabeth’s approach.”

“!”

“I’ve tried to persuade him several times, but His Majesty is adamant.”

“What’s the reason?”

“It’s better if you don’t know.”

“…It’s because of the new Empress, isn’t it.”

I wanted to sound as normal as possible, but my voice cracked at the end.

Careth answered by keeping his mouth shut.

‘Does this mean I’m not worth meeting? Is he saying the special treatment is over?’

I tried not to care, but how could I not know that I was receiving all sorts of privileges?

The Emperor was the master of the empire, an absolute ruler above the law.

Even the high nobility considered a private audience with the Emperor an honor for their family.

If someone acted carelessly like me, they would surely lose either their tongue or their head.

‘Many people disapprove of me. I’m not even a noble.’

Only the first time did I grovel at his feet begging for my life.

I treated him as a man, not an emperor.

He treated me as a woman.

By stamping our handprints on the contract, we became even more equal.

Despite being able to take me anytime, he set aside his lofty authority.

Thanks to that, I could freely mock, tease, and seduce him.

But the problem was Nikolai’s fickleness.

It was devastating that the man who shook what I thought was a firm heart was inside, and I had to pace outside the door and leave.

The fact that it was because of a new woman made me even more miserable.

“Fine. The nuisance will withdraw.”

“I apologize.”

“Careth. It’s troublesome, but could I ask you to relay a message?”

“Please say anything.”

“Unilaterally breaking the contract or violating its clauses is considered losing.”

“…Pardon?”

“Just pass that along. He’ll know what it means. If not, then so be it.”

[This is the timeline separator]

The next day I took a vacation.

Even Franz’s sulking couldn’t stop me from boarding the carriage.

The Crown Prince’s education officer was provided with various conveniences.

Free access to the Imperial Palace and vacations were among them.

Careth’s backing also helped a lot.

“Please take me to the Nettleton Marquis residence.”

“Understood, miss.”

The Nettleton Marquis residence was completely different from my previous visit.

Every window had been replaced with expensive clear glass, and the garden was neatly arranged.

There were no broken parts or peeling paint.

I reunited with Susan, welcomed by servants in neat uniforms.

“Sister Elizabeth!”

Susan threw herself into my arms.

“I didn’t expect you to come so quickly. I’m so happy.”

“When you say you’ll show me research results, I have to rush over right away.”

“I made up an excuse because I missed you so much. I thought that might make you come.”

Susan stuck out her tongue slightly.

She was such an honest young lady, even though she could have played it cool.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t write. I kept receiving painkillers and ointments.”

“Please don’t say that! I’m happy just to be of help to you!”

“Thank you. The new abrasion ointment prototype Susan sent is really effective.”

“Really?”

“The palace healers were amazed. They couldn’t believe a 16-year-old girl made it through self-study. When I said it was Lady Nettleton, they finally nodded.”

“It’s thanks to my grandfather who was the royal pharmacist.”

“It’s thanks to Susan’s effort and talent. The Nettleton family has always had many pharmaceutical geniuses, right?”

“Without you, I would have stopped studying. I’ll repay this kindness for sure, so please wait!”

Susan showed her enthusiasm with clenched fists.

I was excited to see what results this genius girl, acknowledged even by palace healers, would show.

Susan’s true intention would be to marry me off to Douglas though.

‘The original Susan takes her own life at the end of this month. After suffering from severe depression.’

As a result of my interference, Susan never met Nikolai.

She couldn’t even start her unrequited love, and thus avoided the worst choice.

I felt proud thinking that I had saved Susan, if nothing else.

It felt like I had finally lived up to the name of a righteous deceased.

“Thank you for being alive, Susan.”

“That sounds like a confession, my heart is fluttering!”

“I want to keep seeing Susan in the future. Promise me you’ll never give up on life, no matter what happens.”

“?”

“Can you promise?”

I held out my pinky finger.

Susan, who had been puzzled, smiled brightly and hooked her finger with mine.

“Of course! I’m so so happy. More than birthdays or festivals!”

‘She really is such a cute and clever young lady. The invitation must have been Susan’s idea too. If only she were a bit healthier, it would be perfect.’

There were two reasons I came to the Nettleton mansion today.

First, to check the research results as Susan wished.

Second, to examine Susan’s health with the eyes of Morasinsia.

There was a third reason too… but I couldn’t guarantee results.

“I’ll show you my lab. It’s a bit messy.”

Susan’s lab was filled with various medicine bottles, flasks, and test tubes.

The bookshelf contained plants and minerals of unknown identity, neatly stored in bottles.

There were also papers with complex formulas and books that looked centuries old.

Everything was tidily organized, reflecting Susan’s personality.

“What’s this book about? I don’t think I could even interpret it.”

I fiddled with a well-worn book while speaking.

Of course, I wasn’t really interested in the book.

I was just looking for an opportunity to take out Morasinsia’s eyes.

“Would you like me to read it to you if you’re curious?”

Susan turned the pages for me.

Not missing the chance, I hooked the copper monocle on my right ear.

A mysterious white light slowly scanned Susan’s frail body.

For a moment, I doubted my eyes.

‘No, what is that?!’