“So this is the Crown Prince’s palace? Taking a stroll in the imperial palace with Sister Elizabeth feels like a dream.”

Susan smiled, cupping her flushed cheeks.

The 16-year-old girl was as fresh and vibrant as a newly bloomed hydrangea.

The unchanging affection sparkled in her brown eyes as she looked at me.

“Seeing Susan gives me strength too.”

“How are your wounds?”

“They’ve healed quickly thanks to Susan’s ointment.”

“You must have been in a lot of pain?”

“It was a minor wound. I’m embarrassed for making such a fuss.”

“We can’t let your beautiful body be marred… If I meet that villain, I’ll punch him with this fist!”

Susan waved her tiny fist in the air like a cotton doll.

At some point, Susan seemed to go beyond liking me to almost worshipping me.

Like a child admiring a cool older sister type of idol?

“Wounds aren’t flaws, Susan. And there’s no such thing as eternal beauty.”

“But Sister Elizabeth, you’ll be beautiful forever, no, for eternity! I guarantee it!”

“Is there a flower that blooms without swaying? Even a small fruit contains several typhoons and thunders.”

I recited a verse from a poem I read in high school.

Susan clasped her hands and parted her small lips.

“Such a touching poem! You’re talented in literature too, sister!”

“It’s just something I picked up somewhere.”

“Can just anyone recite like that? My brother recommended I try a few times, but I just couldn’t do it.”

“You should do what you’re good at. Isn’t the apothecary work hard?”

“The chief healer Jeffrey is very considerate. And I haven’t had any seizures lately.”

“Don’t overdo it.”

“I’m trying. There are so many rare research materials in the imperial palace that I can’t resist. Jeffrey said he’s never seen such a passionate apothecary as me. Hehe.”

Susan stuck out her pink tongue slightly, filled with pride and shyness.

‘There won’t be any problems for a while. Susan is in her healthiest state ever.’

The green smoke was calm, as confirmed by the eyes of Morasinsia.

As if willing to accommodate Susan, who was developing at an astonishing rate while absorbing knowledge like a sponge.

“In a few years, a genius apothecary who will go down in imperial history will be born! I’ve also been greatly inspired by Susan. Thank you for recommending Susan, Miss Elizabeth.”

The imperial palace’s chief healer repeatedly bowed his head.

Susan was a talent that exceeded my expectations.

Could Susan develop a famous medicine that would save the people?

But there was an unknown bomb of green smoke hidden in Susan’s body.

‘It would be nice to have other abilities besides knowing the name of the disease. Where is the second divine object? What special privileges does that divine object have?’

I had been threatened by the white light.

That if I didn’t find Morasinsia’s divine object, my soul would perish.

Whether my liver had grown or my guts had become bolder, I wasn’t as impatient as before.

‘If my soul disappears, who will collect the divine objects? They won’t easily get rid of me, who is useful in many ways. Especially not an omnipotent god.’

Rushing unnecessarily could ruin even things that would have gone well.

I intended to search for the divine object with a broader perspective.

It’s not just any treasure, but the divine object of the goddess of healing, isn’t it?

Protecting my soul and gaining new privileges.

I can’t miss such a sweet opportunity!

“Sister. It seems we have a visitor.”

Just then, Susan clung to my arm with a stiff expression.

“That lady is glaring at you with a terrifying look.”

A woman was approaching, rustling her luxurious orange dress.

Reddish-brown hair like dried chili peppers.

Flashy but inconsistent accessories like diamond bracelets, ruby necklaces, sapphire earrings.

I felt like I knew who she was without an introduction.

Rose Brenden.

The only daughter of Marquis Brenden and Simon’s younger sister.

‘Is it finally time for the Empress’s appearance?’

The maid standing behind Rose pointed out in a stern voice.

“You should pay your respects when you see the Empress!”

“We, we greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

A startled Susan bowed her head.

I also showed proper courtesy.

Rose looked me up and down, covering her mouth with a lace fan.

‘Staring at others is also a big discourtesy. These nobles, really.’

I realized after the possession.

Not a single person who talks about manners is actually decent.

Incompetent nobles with nothing to boast about except their lineage were even worse.

They always pretended to be refined while only wanting to be revered.

‘Talking about manners in front of someone from the land of etiquette. Meeting such people makes me want to show them a taste of their own medicine.’

But the other party was Nikolai’s wife.

She was the daughter of a family that would soon be kneeling before me.

“What brings you to the Crown Prince’s palace, Your Majesty?”

“I just happened to stop by on my way.”

Rose replied in an indifferent tone.

Saying it was a coincidence after coming wrapped in luxuries like an animal bristling its fur?

She glanced at the distant rear palace and smiled softly.

“I would have come if you had called.”

“Do you think someone like you can come and go in my quarters?”

“Then you’ll have to stop by coincidentally in the future as well.”

Rose’s gaze towards me became even more vicious.

“I suppose I must endure that much trouble to meet His Majesty’s lover.”

“I am merely the Crown Prince’s education officer. Please disregard such rumors.”

“A hundred-year-old fox, they say. It seems the street gossip isn’t entirely false.”

Susan’s fair face turned pale at Rose’s sarcasm.

Although she knew it wasn’t her place to intervene, she seemed to have difficulty containing her anger.

I should quickly get her out of here.

“Surely you didn’t come here to say such things?”

“Are you telling me to get straight to the point?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting.”

“You’ve become quite arrogant, riding on the Crown Prince’s back. Do you think the imperial palace is your home?”

“If my words have offended you, I apologize.”

I bowed my head gracefully.

Rose snorted loudly.

“It seems a lowborn wench has learned some imperial etiquette somewhere. Even a monkey’s imitation would be better than yours.”

“……”

“How dare you challenge our family. You’ll regret it, crying and wailing. My brother and father will……”

I let Rose’s words go in one ear and out the other.

It was amazing how long she could keep talking when no one was listening.

She was impressive in some ways.

Drowsiness came over me, having not slept well last night.

I strained my eyes trying to hold back a yawn.

I decided to focus on Rose’s reddish-brown hair swaying busily.

‘It’s exactly the same color as sun-dried red pepper powder.’

Noticing that I was distracted, Rose asked sharply.

“What are you thinking about right now?”

“Empress Rose’s hair is exactly like dried peppe… I mean, it resembles a plant I love.”

I made an indirect excuse.

A strange light flashed in Rose’s eyes.

“What kind of plant?”

“It’s a precious plant that only grows in my hometown. It’s red, shiny, proud, and fiery.”

“Hmm. Is it called pepper?”

“It’s a plant loved by everyone. It’s even revered as an indispensable existence.”

Peppers are indeed indispensable on Korean tables.

Aren’t we a people who eat peppers dipped in gochujang and consider kimchi with plenty of red pepper powder a necessity?

“Hmm. I suppose it’s a beautiful flower like me?”

Satisfied with the unintended compliment, Rose lifted her chin.

“Flattery won’t help you. My brother Simon will win. My brother is the strongest in the empire.”

“I believe Lady Claudia will also do her best.”

“Talking back… But your real specialty must be bedroom skills, right?”

The smile disappeared from my lips.

I was going to let it go nicely today.

But there are always people who hasten their own demise wherever they go.

“It’s the first time His Majesty has been so close to a woman, how impressive must your skills have been to captivate His Majesty?”

“Sister Elizabeth isn’t that kind of person……”

Susan, who had been quiet, trembled her lower lip.

Rose glared at Susan with fierce eyes.

“And who are you?”

“I’m Susan Nettleton, the imperial palace apothecary.”

“Nettleton? Ah… That household full of gamblers, quack doctors, and wannabe novelists!”

Rose hurled fierce insults.

Susan’s small body staggered as if greatly shocked.

But only for a moment.

Susan replied in a bold voice.

“It’s the Nettleton Marquis family. One of the five great families that received divine objects from the first Emperor.”

“How long has it been since you were expelled, and you’re still saying such things? The empire only has four great noble families.”

“But……”

“They say you’ve gone completely bankrupt, but you’re still nobles in name. Don’t you have any pride? Following around a lowborn woman calling her ‘sister, sister.'”

“Sister Elizabeth isn’t the kind of person Your Majesty is describing.”

“How pitiful. To fawn over a woman who treated my brother like a discarded dog bone.”

A tear that had been barely held back rolled down Susan’s cheek.

At that moment, my patience snapped.

I don’t tolerate people messing with me, but I really can’t stand anyone messing with our child.

I won’t tolerate it either.

“You’re going too far, Your Majesty the Empress.”

An icy cold voice flowed from between my lips.

“Finally showing your true colors?”

“You said you were just passing by, so please pass by quietly. Don’t regret it later.”

“Impertinent wench!”

Rose raised her hand to strike me.

This scene seems familiar from somewhere?

But the situation was very different from the time with Countess Kensing.

Because I had no intention of forgiving Rose.

– Slap.

A sharp sound rang out.

Just as Rose’s right hand was about to strike my left cheek.

I slightly raised my left hand, pretending to cover my mouth.

So this sound was actually the sound of palm hitting palm.

But I collapsed to the side with a thud.

Not content with that, I rolled around.

“Aagh!”

I didn’t forget to let out a clear scream.

Susan burst into tears.

“Sister Elizabeth! Are you alright?!”

“Su, Susan……”

“Your face is so pale! Sob sob.”

If I had really been hit, it would have turned red.

What I needed now was a bit of shamelessness and confident acting skills.

“I’m, I’m fine.”

I leaned on Susan with a pitiful expression as if I might blow away in the wind.

Susan cried loudly as if I had been given a terminal diagnosis.

“Why are you making such a fuss when you weren’t even hit properly?”

“How could you hit someone? Will Your Majesty the Empress take responsibility if something happens to Sister Elizabeth?”

Susan looked up at Rose with quite fierce eyes.

Rose’s tone softened, startled by Susan’s momentum.

“Oh my, look at this child. Anyone who hears would think I swung a club or something.”

“You’re swinging a club? Are you trying to kill our sister?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“The wounds from when she was kidnapped haven’t even healed yet. I think they’re starting to bleed again, sister!”

Susan raised her voice, tensing her lower abdomen.

The entire Crown Prince’s palace rang out.

It was a sound that could pierce a man’s eardrum and more.