Elizabeth’s condition was uncontrollably serious.

Even the best healers all shook their heads and left.

Everyone except Douglas sensed Elizabeth’s impending death.

“Elizabeth. Don’t speak such weak words.”

“Don’t contact my parents. They’re traveling the continent and I don’t want to disturb them.”

“I will do as you say. You’ll recover soon anyway.”

I wanted to believe that.

What other option was there?

The crimson hair that had enchanted men lost its luster.

The white hands that never put down wine glasses became so thin they seemed they would break if touched.

The alluring smile and arrogant eyes faded and withered day by day.

The men who used to visit Elizabeth with flowers and gifts abruptly stopped coming.

Douglas found this very sorrowful, and a tiny bit joyful.

“Why do you come every day, Sir Douglas?”

“Because I want to see Elizabeth.”

“Looking like this? You really have strange tastes.”

“Does it displease you?”

“I’m used to it now. You’re just like a book, Sir Douglas. Foolishly kind. And only loving without return.”

“A book? What do you mean?”

“You’ll understand if you read that book. But not now. Later… when I truly become a different person, read it then. If it’s bothersome, throw it away.”

“A different person? Why do you keep saying such things?”

“Ah. I’m thirsty. Stop making noise and bring me some wine.”

Elizabeth changed the subject.

Douglas handed Elizabeth a glass of water.

“You need to abstain from alcohol for now. It would be better to quit entirely.”

“You’ll regret it later, you know?”

“I won’t.”

“If you truly loved me, you would regret it.”

“My feelings will never change.”

“…I hope that’s true.”

It was truly strange.

Elizabeth had always found Douglas’s affection tiresome.

She despised and mocked him for chasing after her even after being jilted.

But that day was different.

The black eyes looking at Douglas were full of fear and desperation.

As if she knew her own fate.

“Promise me. That you’ll love me to the end, even if I change.”

“I’ll love you to the end, but people don’t change easily.”

“What have you been listening to all this time? Do you think I want to live as a drunkard forever? I want to be reborn!”

“Then I will support Elizabeth’s transformation.”

“Good. Now swear to me.”

It was puzzling, but he couldn’t refuse her request.

No, he was overjoyed to be able to make the vow.

Douglas placed his right hand over his heart.

Wishing for his soul to be poured into his voice.

“I, Douglas Nettleton, swear to love Elizabeth as I do now, no matter what form she takes.”

Seemingly satisfied, Elizabeth slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

And she extended her hand.

It was the first time she had reached out to Douglas.

“I didn’t entirely dislike that aspect of you.”

“Elizabeth?”

“You should go now. I’m too tired!”

After that, he couldn’t see Elizabeth.

Even when he went to visit after hearing rumors of her miraculous recovery, he was turned away at the door.

A month passed slowly.

Even being buried alive wouldn’t have been as agonizing as that time.

When Elizabeth finally allowed a visit, Douglas’s heart swelled as if he had been reborn.

Elizabeth walking into the reception room was dazzlingly beautiful.

But clearly, she was not the Elizabeth of before.

It was evident in her gaze, her gait, her aura, even the gesture of tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Elizabeth. Is there no chance you would reconsider the broken engagement?”

He asked as if he knew nothing.

As if the conversation that day and the old book had never existed.

“You still haven’t given up on me? Aren’t you tired of being mocked?”

Elizabeth’s red lips fluttered.

Though her voice was cold, the sharp atmosphere the old Elizabeth exuded was gone.

Her eyes shone more clearly with wisdom.

Douglas was the only one who noticed the subtle change.

Can a fever change one’s gaze?

Or had Elizabeth fulfilled that wish?

Douglas placed his right hand over his heart once again.

‘I will remember my vow until this heart stops beating. For Elizabeth is Elizabeth, nothing more.’

Douglas fell in love anew with the new Elizabeth.

He only deeply regretted not handing her a well-aged wine when she lay sick in bed.

When he began reading the book Elizabeth had given him, his regret reached its peak.

The story began like this:

“There was a woman.

She died helping the poor and sick.

God gifted her with a new life.

Even if it was the life of a depraved villainess who played with a tyrant.”

[This is the timeline separator]

“Congratulations. You’ve become the Empire’s most famous celebrity.”

Franz clapped sarcastically.

He seemed upset that I had been absent for a while.

Rumors that the heiress of Emster Trading Company had been kidnapped by thugs spread throughout the Empire.

Wherever I went, uncomfortable gazes poured down.

It was quite awkward, but I had to endure it.

It was something I had brought upon myself.

“The minstrels are extremely busy, they say. Singing about Elizabeth and His Majesty’s love story.”

“You little rascal. Where do you hear such rumors?”

“It’s all the maids and servants talk about.”

“I’ll have to re-educate them.”

“They say His Majesty launched a massive crackdown operation? That the imperial dungeons are packed full of criminals?”

Franz’s lime-green eyes sparkled.

If he studied with such enthusiasm, he’d be guaranteed top marks nationwide.

I wonder what our child wants to be when he grows up?

“An emperor rushing into enemy territory to save his lover. So cool!”

“Enemy territory? Is there a war somewhere?”

“It’s just like a romance novel protagonist. I can understand why the people are excited, you know?”

“Are there no rumors about a tyrant going berserk, bewitched by a villainess?”

“Why would there be such rumors when he only punished criminals? Rather, it seems public sympathy for Elizabeth is rising.”

Franz spoke proudly, as if he had created such public opinion himself.

So far, things were going according to plan.

As my wounds were healing, I called for Owen and Douglas.

‘I asked the two of them to subtly spread word of this incident. If rumors were bound to circulate anyway, they should be favorable to me.’

The masses loved Cinderella stories.

They were also very interested in the private lives of high-ranking nobles.

What if the emperor, believed to be above the heavens, fell in love with a commoner woman?

What if that commoner woman was oppressed by the great nobles?

In Douglas’s hands, the story was reborn as a poignant love story.

Owen, living in hiding as an escaped convict, knew many people in back alleys and slums.

Such places tended to be especially sensitive to rumors and stories.

Thanks to Douglas and Owen, I completely shed my villainess character.

The title of ‘His Majesty the Emperor’s lover’ made me blush, but I could endure that much for my goals.

“If Elizabeth gets kidnapped one more time, they might make an opera about it?”

“Is that what you say to your teacher who nearly died?”

“Well, you should have taken me along!”

“You wanted to be kidnapped in pairs?”

“I would have stopped the kidnappers. I’m so quick-witted, you know.”

“Of course, of course. The quick-witted Crown Prince would have protected me.”

I lightly pinched Franz’s cheeks, which had filled out quite a bit.

Franz grumbled.

“Stop making me worry! When Elizabeth is away, I can’t focus on studying.”

“Ah. So that’s why you didn’t do your homework?”

“……”

“Franz. Do you know what this is?”

I held up high the pile of letters on the desk.

Franz awkwardly averted his gaze.

“It’s a petition from the professors saying the Crown Prince’s study attitude is the worst!”

“I can hear you without you shouting. Are you showing how unrefined you are?”

“Will you come to your senses if I beat you refined-ly?”

“Aack, the red wolf has appeared!”

Franz fled to the corner of the room.

I lifted my cumbersome skirts to catch Franz.

Just then, a servant knocked on the door.

“Lady Elizabeth. His Majesty the Emperor summons you to the audience chamber now.”

[This is the timeline separator]

At the end of the red-carpeted stairs sat a golden throne.

Nikolai, occupying the throne, crossed his long, slender legs.

Below him, Marquis Brenden and Simon bowed their heads.

‘Those guys wouldn’t stay quiet. Thanks to Susan’s special ointment, my wounds have almost healed.’

I reflexively examined Nikolai’s brow.

Deep wrinkles were etched as if carved with a knife.

It meant his mood was very unpleasant.

“It’s regrettable that an unsavory incident occurred. But we can’t wait any longer.”

Marquis Brenden spoke with dissatisfaction.

Nikolai asked,

“What’s the rush?”

“The honor of House Brenden has fallen to the ground. Rumors are rampant that we bet our entire fortune, entangled with a mere commoner woman.”

Marquis Brenden raised his voice, his jowls quivering.

I was also the one who spread those rumors.

‘They must have been shocked, having been excited at the thought of taking my fortune easily. Rumors of defeat spread before the fight even began.’

I hoped they would be flustered and agitated.

The more they were, the more advantageous for me.

“Calm yourself, Father. His Majesty the Emperor is present.”

Simon pretended to be composed as he restrained his father.

Marquis Brenden grasped his son’s hands.

“Simon! We must wash away this disgrace as soon as possible. If you win, those baseless rumors will disappear!”

“How can a knight fight against a frail woman?”

“No, what are you saying, Simon!”

Marquis Brenden asked theatrically.

It seemed they had scripted this, but the acting was terrible.

Simon’s lines were somewhat bearable.

“It was an impossible bet from the start.”

“Explain in detail what you mean!”

“If I cross swords with that woman, I’ll be criticized as a coward first. If we compete in needlework, I’ll become a laughingstock. Elizabeth has made it so I can do neither this nor that.”

“Are you saying she proposed a bet that you had no choice but to forfeit? Isn’t that fraud!”

Marquis Brenden looked up at Nikolai with a triumphant face.

Nikolai was expressionless as a statue.

He didn’t even turn his gaze towards me.

It seemed he would observe the situation as a third party.

I had asked him to be the judge, but I was suspicious.

He wasn’t a man to stay quiet.

“Did you think we would fall for your scheme?”

Marquis Brenden glared at me with a smug face.

I smiled without avoiding his gaze.

“It’s true that this bet is disadvantageous to House Brenden.”

“Now you confess!”

“What do you want me to do, Marquis?”

“You mocked me and tarnished our family’s honor, so pay compensation!”

What? The goal was just money?

How can they be so predictable.

“How much do you want?”

“Hand over half of Emster Trading Company. I’ll forgive you generously.”

“That’s not a very generous amount.”

“Did you think the crime of insulting a great noble family was light? If you were afraid, you shouldn’t have used such wicked tricks!”

Marquis Brenden raised his nose as if he was already sitting on a pile of money.

Simon tried to lecture me.

“Be grateful there’s a way to be forgiven.”

What gratitude.

Cowards tucking their tails and running away.

“It must be fortunate for Sir Simon. You can escape the shame of defeat.”

“You still run your mouth recklessly to the end.”

“I feel like I’m facing extortionists and blackmailers.”

“Extortionists and blackmailers?”

“You’re trying to rob me of my fortune with a few words, aren’t you? Kidnapping and threats… Living as a lowborn is truly difficult.”

“You compare me to criminals?”

“If you don’t like it, fight fair and square. What will you do? Sir Knight who only watches his father?”