“There’s no need to call it a favor. Saving you was just an impulse, a mere whim.”

I wasn’t that kind.

I didn’t want to live just being kind either.

If Nisa hadn’t reported Rose, I wouldn’t have cared what happened to Rose’s maid.

But Nisa didn’t bend her will.

“Nobles ruin people’s lives for trivial reasons. But Lady Elizabeth’s whim saved my life.”

I sighed as I looked at Nisa with her upright posture and sparkling eyes.

“Haa… Why don’t you look for another job? I heard you graduated top of your class at the academy?”

“I’ve decided to serve Lady Elizabeth for life.”

“If it becomes known that you, a baronet’s daughter, are serving a commoner? You probably won’t be able to marry?”

“I can just not get married. If it weren’t for Lady Elizabeth, my life would have ended that day.”

“His Majesty is not that cruel.”

“Would His Majesty have fully forgiven me, Rose Empress’s closest aide?”

“……”

“I may have kept my life. But my family would have been stripped of our title and driven to the slums.”

Nisa replied in a crisp tone.

‘The fact that her master was exiled means Nisa’s future was also in danger. She had to actively find a way to survive.’

Despite being able to find other jobs, Nisa chose me.

It was no different than starting a gamble with her future.

As if reading my mind, Nisa smiled.

“I heard from all the Crown Prince’s staff. They say Lady Elizabeth pretends to be cold, but is actually warmer than anyone.”

“Phew. I can see why you caught Rose’s eye.”

“I was recognized even with fake loyalty. I’ll give only sincerity to Lady Elizabeth. I’m confident I’ll be of help.”

“Is that all? Is that reason enough to bet your life?”

As if struck at her core, Nisa’s face reddened.

“I also thought that Lady Elizabeth will surely succeed. I admit I thought that if I became a close maid, I would someday see the light too. I’m sorry if I offended you.”

Nisa bowed deeply.

Looking at her, I burst into cheerful laughter.

“Why are you so nervous? I like it even more.”

“…Pardon?”

“If you had insisted you were doing it to repay a debt, I would have been more suspicious. You never know when people’s feelings might change.”

“Lady Elizabeth…!”

“But I’m relieved that it’s a decision you made calculating your own benefit and future. As you said, I plan to do even better!”

Nisa was a clever girl.

Moreover, she knew when to be honest.

The more she learned of my abilities, the stronger Nisa’s loyalty would grow.

‘I needed an informant in the palace anyway. I should thank Rose.’

After a moment of silence, Nisa asked in a moved tone.

“Aren’t you afraid, Lady Elizabeth? Marquis Brenden won’t stay still.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. I have it all planned out.”

“Lady Elizabeth, you really are special. I completely understand why His Majesty has fallen for you.”

Even the clever Nisa seemed convinced that I was ‘His Majesty the Emperor’s lover’.

Well, he did kneel on one knee before me, so it’s understandable.

‘But it’s all just an act. He plans to use me to change the empire’s power structure. A commoner who’s neither empress nor noble. I’m the perfect puppet Nikolai wanted.’

I said I’d be the protagonist in the play you set up.

I said you could use me as much as you wanted.

That’s how our relationship started.

Yet I found myself falling into delusions without realizing.

‘Could he really like me? This gaze couldn’t be a lie, right? At least his cherishing me must be real…’

I bit my lip and shook my head.

Holding onto hope would only bring back bitter emptiness.

My heart swayed like a sailboat in a storm at his every gesture, every breath.

But at the moment of the kiss, Nikolai avoided me.

Why?

Because of his honey-blonde first love?

Because I’m just a tool to be used, a contract partner?

I couldn’t be certain of anything.

Every time he acted kindly, one delusion bred another.

Doubts grew dozens of times larger.

When anxiety choked me, I admonished myself as if surrendering.

Don’t get hurt anymore.

Don’t beg for his love.

‘If he’s just using me… why is he so intent on winning this game of seduction? It seems more than just competitiveness…’

As I was lost in thought, Nisa spoke.

“Marquis Brenden is someone who uses any means necessary.”

“That’s perfect. I’m that kind of person too.”

I shrugged nonchalantly.

Then I asked.

“Rose Empress has been imprisoned, but why is everyone so quiet?”

“It is strange. Could it be because there are many people like me who see House Brenden as enemies?”

Nisa answered, swallowing her unabating anger.

I nodded, my back sunk into the armchair.

“That might be part of it, but they’re probably trying to check the Marquis’s power from growing further. They’d want to eliminate at least one candidate for Empress.”

“Come to think of it, the heads of other houses are all quiet too.”

“A 1 in 3 chance is much better than 1 in 4, right?”

Even if Rose was famously ill-mannered.

Even if Nikolai truly loved me.

It was unimaginable for a noblewoman empress to be imprisoned for hitting a commoner.

Knowing this, Nikolai still handed down an excessive punishment.

‘Nikolai was testing the nobles. To see if they’d collectively oppose or just observe from behind.’

Nikolai wasn’t just a playboy surrounded by flowers.

He was calculating and meticulous.

But only a select few knew this fact.

“The House of Peers formally expressed concern, but didn’t actively petition for Rose’s release. Only Marquis Brenden and his lackeys keep seeking an audience with His Majesty.”

“They just end up losing face every time they get kicked out, right?”

“The Marquis’s reputation is plummeting mercilessly too.”

“I heard Lady Elizabeth is in contact with those indebted to Marquis Brenden. Is that true?”

Nisa asked carefully.

This time, even I couldn’t help but be surprised.

“You really do have quick information. How did you know?”

“There were many palace staff in similar situations to mine.”

“I arranged to pay off their debts through Emster Trading Company. We won’t charge interest.”

“Like with me?”

“But I added the condition that they provide labor. It would be best if they came voluntarily like you.”

Money is overflowing anyway.

The money that flowed to Marquis Brenden will be recovered anyway.

Now was the time to gather capable talent.

Show generosity, and gather forces.

It was like killing two birds with one stone.

“The Marquis is spending massive amounts of gold to get Rose released. It means he can’t use the strategy of deliberately preventing debt repayment.”

“You’re truly amazing, Lady Elizabeth.”

“It’s far too early to be amazed.”

“But what if you get kidnapped again? The culprit still hasn’t been caught, right?”

Nisa seemed afraid her new master might come to harm.

“Didn’t you hear the Dark Guild thugs were dragged to the underground prison?”

“It was a bit strange. Even with His Majesty’s imperial order, they still haven’t found the culprit.”

“The real criminal must be losing sleep, not knowing when they’ll be arrested.”

“Could it be they’re deliberately not catching them?”

“The mastermind behind the kidnapping is quite a big shot. If we corner them without solid evidence, we could face retaliation.”

“So you’re creating an atmosphere and closing in the net since there’s no definitive evidence?”

“You’ll find out in due course.”

Noticing my expression, Nisa quickly changed the subject.

She seemed to realize I was holding back.

Nisa really was on a different level from other maids.

“I’ll bring some tea. You must be thirsty.”

Her tea brewing skills were also superb.

As I was taking a breather with the fragrance of tea leaves, a servant announced.

“Duke Nettleton requests to see you.”

Today wasn’t a literature lesson day.

Was it because of Owen?

Or Susan?

Wondering, I replied.

“Please show him to the reception room.”

“He said he would wait in the Crown Prince’s backyard.”

“Did His Grace come in person?”

“No. He gave a letter to be delivered to you, Lady Elizabeth.”

Why does he want to meet somewhere else?

It’s obvious I’ll be pestered if Nikolai finds out.

Douglas had never once summoned me.

Both curiosity and suspicion rose simultaneously.

“May I examine the letter?”

I scrutinized the letter the servant handed over.

‘It’s the stationery Susan and Douglas use. The ink smell is the same too. The seal is also beyond suspicion. But the handwriting…’

I tilted my head, then made up my mind.

With Rose locked in the Ice Tower, there shouldn’t be anyone to pull tricks on me now.

Unless it was someone who didn’t care for their life, or was confident they wouldn’t get caught even after harming me.

There was one person standing at the appointed place.

As expected, it wasn’t Douglas.

With every step, my heart pounded against my chest.

Sky-blue silver hair rippling in the wind.

A lonely gaze like a hawk soaring alone through the sky.

She whom I had faced every night stepped into reality.

“Claudia…?”

What should I say?

That I missed her?

That I liked her?

To spare my life?

My lips froze as if thrown into a midwinter lake.

Fog rolled in from somewhere, obscuring my vision.

I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t even form proper thoughts.

Was it fear, anger, or resentment?

Or was it longing?

Claudia gazed at me with her clear blue eyes as I stood petrified from the heart out.

A woman exuding inapproachable dignity, beautiful as a porcelain doll crafted by a master.

A genius prosecutor who overwhelms opponents with her flawless demeanor alone.

My favorite.

Elizabeth’s enemy.

‘You’re the one who brought her into the palace! You designated her as your proxy, didn’t you?’

I thought I was prepared.

I vowed I wouldn’t be alone, that I wouldn’t run away in fear.

But just facing Claudia left me drenched in cold sweat.

“It’s been a while, Lady Claudia.”

I tried to stay calm, but my voice cracked from the start.

My cheeks flushed hot.

I wanted to turn and run away right then.

But where could I go?

How could I shake off the strongest female knight?

Claudia’s expressionless face wrapped around me like a thorny rope.

The blade of a guillotine gleamed behind her.

“I’m sorry for deceiving you. I thought you would refuse if I asked to meet.”

“Ah, n-no. How could that be? I’m the one who should apologize for involving you in a needless quarrel.”

A forced smile caused my cheeks to twitch.

I kept regretting, even knowing it was useless.

‘There were so many ways to win that bet! Idiot, fool, dumb dog…’

Then Claudia opened her mouth.

Her indifferent voice with little inflection flowed out.