Clea was in Admund’s office.

Even as Admund lay collapsed, work kept pouring in.

Among them were quite a few urgent matters that couldn’t be delayed even for a day.

‘There’s more than I thought.’

Clea sighed as she looked at the documents neatly piled on one side of the desk.

She intended to handle some of it, hoping to lessen the burden when he woke up.

As she began reading the first one that came to hand, she couldn’t help but smile.

“So this is the business you’re undertaking as Crown Prince.”

As the heir apparent to succeed the next generation, he too could propose systems or policies.

Of course, it wasn’t mandatory, and since Odin was still healthy, there was no need to take risks by forcibly proposing things, but.

Since everything was experience, Crown Princes would do it at least once.

And it was customary to focus on that policy after becoming Emperor.

Everyone had been watching with interest lately to see what kind of business Admund would undertake, and coincidentally, documents related to that caught Clea’s eye.

“Completely changing the Academy selection method to an exam, huh.”

Previously, nobles were unconditionally required to attend the Academy.

It was to keep the children of local nobles in the capital while simultaneously increasing the pool of talent that could be obtained.

So they could enter the Academy without having to take an exam.

Just knowing how to read and write made them manpower that could be used throughout the administration.

The empire was vast, and an enormous workforce was needed to govern its territories in all corners.

But now even that had stagnated.

How else could even the stupid and ignorant villainess Clea from the original story proudly graduate from the Imperial Academy?

‘That’s why past emperors tried to create a way for commoners to attend the Academy too.’

They gradually increased the quota to allow commoners to attend the Academy as well.

But there were clear limitations. They couldn’t increase it any further due to opposition from the nobles.

“It’s a good policy.”

Clea liked the idea of having everyone take the exam regardless of status to determine admission.

It could cause the entire nobility to rise up in opposition, but considering the events of the latter part of the original story, it was an absolutely necessary policy.

Lloyd, who ascended to the position of Grand Duke and became the core of the empire.

And Aria, who became Empress and the de facto power of House Hersher.

Finally, Steve, who became Duke Odoi without any ability, steeped in gambling and drugs.

‘It truly boggles the mind the more I think about it.’

The thought of them leading the empire was truly disheartening.

The original only covered beautiful content, so it didn’t deal with the process of the empire’s collapse.

Clea couldn’t help but laugh hollowly thinking of the helplessness the original Admund must have felt.

“I wonder if I can tweak it a bit.”

As she looked over the content Admund had drafted, Clea began to organize the proposal that would bring about reform to the Academy bit by bit.

The parts that needed to be prioritized, the parts that seemed lacking in what he had already organized, and content that would be good to add.

Clea organized it step by step.

And after some time, two familiar people appeared before Clea.

“Your Highness, we have completed the task you assigned.”

Oberon and Rupia had returned.

“You finished quite quickly indeed.”

Oberon’s expression was the same as usual as he entered the office.

In contrast, Rupia’s expression beside him was darkly sunken.

Clea had a general idea of what had transpired.

She first asked Oberon.

“How are the nobles reacting?”

“Although I clearly told them they could think it over before answering, most expressed their intention to attend as soon as they received the invitation.”

Despite being able to exchange some greetings at the banquet, its early conclusion seemed to have left them eagerly anticipating.

Originally, Clea was far from the position of Crown Princess. Few people had approached her trying to get on her good side, as she had been abandoned by her family.

So now many families were trying to make up for the past and become her confidants.

Of course, there were also those who simply wanted to get on the good side of the future imperial couple.

“What about the families close to House Hersher?”

“You needn’t worry about them. Most have already sent mountains of gifts addressed to you, Your Highness.”

It seemed this gift offensive worked well on House Hersher.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have revealed their change in stance in such an overt manner.

“Since it’s just a place to exchange greetings anyway, there’s no need to prepare so lavishly.”

As it was the first gathering held after becoming Crown Princess, it could have been held grandly.

When initially planning the meeting, everyone had advised her to do so.

But Clea had no intention of preparing so troublesomely.

It was a waste of budget to spend on such things, and the preparation time was considerable.

Since it was just a place to weigh someone’s fate, it was enough as long as she wasn’t disrespected.

‘If Duke Hersher prepares thoroughly, he might be able to escape safely.’

For that to actually happen, one would need to know Aria’s true face better than anyone else.

The numerous evil deeds she had committed.

There was no way Aria would have told anyone else about that first.

So the Duke himself would have to find out, but does he really know his daughter well?

“Rupia.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Did Duke Odoi receive the letter?”

Now all that remained was the Odoi ducal residence.

He will certainly attend. Considering where his precious child is now.

“The letter was delivered. However.”

“However?”

Rupia seemed to find it awkward to speak.

Clea waited for her to finish answering.

“He tore it up as soon as he saw the letter.”

“Ha.”

Even he shouldn’t have been able to carelessly tear up a letter bearing the imperial seal. It was an act that could be considered an insult to the imperial family if done wrong.

However, Clea had no intention of putting him on the chopping block for such a trivial matter.

While she could have frowned like Rupia who furrowed her brow as she spoke, Clea exercised patience and said quietly.

“How was the atmosphere at the mansion?”

“It was the worst. They seem to have drastically reduced the number of servants, as the large mansion didn’t appear well-maintained.”

Rupia continued with her story beyond that.

The servants’ gazes toward Grit were disrespectful, the ducal family’s retainers approached Rupia to ask about Clea-related matters.

Grit, who should have been tightening internal discipline, had stripped the butler of his authority and was neglecting the mansion.

‘That’s all he could have done.’

That was all he could do. Because if he did anything unnecessary, who knows what would happen to his precious son.

‘He must have known that doing anything more would be crossing the line.’

Clea could well imagine what kind of expression Grit would be making right now.

His insides must be boiling, wanting to weed out and chew up to the bone those who betrayed him, but in the end he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

“Wouldn’t it be better to arrest him?”

Rupia suggested making an example of him for insulting the imperial family.

Though that was a tempting proposal, Clea shook her head.

“Wouldn’t it lower credibility if the most important witness becomes a criminal here?”

“Ah.”

The first target was Duke Hersher.

Since the incident took place at the Odoi ducal residence, there was no witness more important than Grit.

Of course, if he refused to cooperate until the end, they could just get testimony from others.

“Do you know how Admund’s treatment is progressing?”

She hadn’t been able to visit Admund even once, busy with a hectic day.

Though she could have dropped by briefly when passing nearby, Clea didn’t do so.

Because she felt her feet wouldn’t be able to leave if she saw his condition.

Only now that things were somewhat settled did she finally ask about him, and Oberon answered.

“According to the Archbishop, the detoxification is progressing, albeit slightly.”

Hayden had been by Admund’s side for nearly a day working on detoxification.

Since they didn’t know exactly what poison was used on Admund, they were trying everything possible.

They were doing all they could, from injecting various antidotes into his body to using methods commonly used in temples to purify poison.

“Although he’s still unconscious, I think he’ll wake up soon.”

“Yes, he must wake up.”

As she longed for the moment Admund would wake up, she looked around.

‘I’ll take care of as much as I can before you wake up.’

Only then would they be able to have time as a couple, she thought hopefully as she shifted her gaze to the pile of documents on the desk.

‘And I need to break my curse as soon as possible.’

To prevent something like this from happening again, she needed to resolve her weakness quickly.

Clea thought of Aria.

‘I’ll have to go find her soon. A way to break the curse.’

* * *

‘Damn it, damn it, damn it!’

Grit, who had been holed up in his room ever since returning to the ducal residence, was smashing expensive items he had purchased.

Normally someone would have come to dissuade him, but now no one approached him.

It wasn’t as if he had ordered them not to come.

“Such insolence!”

When there was nothing left to throw, he recalled the letter Clea had sent.

The contents of the letter were very concise.

There were two demands written in the letter.

One was to testify about what happened that day if he wanted to save Steve.

And the other was…

‘How dare someone like you think you’re worthy of inheriting this family!’

It was to designate her as the successor to the ducal family.

And at the end, there was only a message to think it over carefully.

She must have written only that much to infuriate him more.

Grit couldn’t stand it and tore up the letter bearing the imperial regent’s seal, but nothing changed.

He was at a crossroads.

Whether to hand over the family and save his son, or to give up his son and keep his pride.