Surprisingly, the tea brewed directly by the emperor was excellent. Most men prefer outdoor activities, so they don’t usually brew their own tea, but he was skillful. His ability to regulate water temperature and his posture while pouring tea were better than most noblewomen.

“It seems to suit your taste. I’m relieved. I was worried, because the lady is deeply interested in tea.”

“I’m not that good.”

“Rather than being modest, it would be nice if you could say that you’ll brew it yourself next time.”

“……”

“If I’m used to being used to catch a mere duchess, it means that we’re quite close, right?”

“She has been my husband’s concubine for a long time, and so we were close. She would know a lot. I just thought it wouldn’t hurt to catch her.”

I spat out the answer I had prepared in advance and gulped down the tea.

But the emperor’s thinned eyes did not easily widen.

“Even so, she’s just a concubine.”

“She’s competent enough to facilitate my meeting with Duke Pieren. I couldn’t do it without knowing my husband’s schedule perfectly.”

“That’s not a compelling answer either. If you want to know about the schedule, you can find out from my side as well. It doesn’t mean you can use her as a source of information.”

As the emperor said, capturing Margaret wasn’t an efficient move.

But it wasn’t a loss either.

The emperor, despite his status, couldn’t move easily due to the power he held. Like a chess king who can only move one square, he could exert his powerful influence only within the boundaries that didn’t shake the power structure.

And above all, I wanted those eyes.

Those eyes filled with curiosity.

The emperor was not my savior.

We just happened to be in the same interest group and were temporarily holding hands; this relationship wouldn’t last forever. I could be used and discarded at any time.

Whether I became a clown or proved useful in other ways, I had to work hard not to be discarded.

“Do you have other intentions?”

“Why would I?”

“Ah, you can’t tell me?”

“It’s not worth your highness’ concern.”

“Sounds like you’re telling me not to get involved.”

Despite his soft smile, the eyes peering between his curled eyes seemed more like observing a rare animal in a cage than being affectionate.

I avoided his gaze, feigning ignorance while savoring his curiosity.

I couldn’t fully trust the emperor yet to lay all my thoughts bare.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t escape from his cage now.

The emperor was as provocative to Bake as Duke Pieren was.

“So, how about this? The story of a man who said he would take the place of a father who abandoned his child.”

“……”

“There must be a reason for saying that. Isn’t it?”

“……”

“What happened then?”

The problem is that the emperor doesn’t just provoke Bake.

Against the emperor, who was gleaming his eyes like a child unbecoming to his size, I finally put down my teacup.

“I was just trying to survive.”

“Who?”

“……”

The quickwitted man quickly caught the tail.

I exhaled slowly.

I didn’t want to recall those memories, but when I saw those eyes, I naturally remembered the past.

Back then, the one sitting at the highest place looking down at me had the same color eyes as the emperor. And he sent me a warm smile, just like now.

“Lady Creighton is quite beautiful. Looking at you from head to toe, it’s harder to find a flaw, you look so perfect. But, you know. I remember you differently.”

“……”

“That day, the woman dragged here didn’t seem to have any will to live. No, it’s not about the will. She just seemed to want to die.”

So, it’s natural to be curious. What is the reason for you to lie?

The emperor shook his head. The situation now seemed to be an amusing game for him.

I pondered on what to say, slowly taking a deep breath.

I did not wish to dig up the story I had planned to bury for a lifetime.

But seeing those eyes, I was moved.

Even though it was not a sweet curiosity for me personally, I had to continually stimulate the Emperor’s interest.

Above all, I was not in a position to hide anything. I, who had nothing but the name of the Duchess of Craiton, had to use anything I could to bring down Beike.

“A long time ago, I made a deal with the previous Emperor.”

“A deal? What kind of deal?”

“Are you curious?”

“If I weren’t curious, I wouldn’t have brought up the story.”

The Emperor smirked immediately. He was apparently quite curious.

“Then, give me assurance.”

“…Assurance?”

“If you want to get what you want, you have to pay a price.”

“Do you want to deal with me following my father?”

“If you wish.”

It was an impertinent remark, and the attitude to show the emperor was even more so.

Nevertheless, I calmly continued.

“The secret I have is a story that Duke Pieren must never hear.”

“It’s easy to promise silence.”

“Promises are easy, but you don’t know if that promise will be kept.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“Even now, Your Majesty has not told me any private stories with Duke Pieren. The opposite could happen just as easily.”

Seeing the Emperor’s expression as if he had been stung, I opened my mouth again. My words were not over yet.

“Of course, I will not say that it was a mistake if you break your promise. I think it would be a wise choice.”

“….”

“Isn’t Duke Pieren more valuable to you than me? It’s natural to choose the valuable side. There won’t be many people who can open their mouths knowing that.”

“….”

“So, there is only one proposal I can make now. Give me assurance. If you do, I will tell you the secret you are curious about.”

Although he was uncomfortable, he did not readily refuse.

Rather than rushing the Emperor, who was agonizing over whether to take on the trouble, I quietly waited. There was nothing regrettable for me, no matter what answer he came up with.

“…So, how do I get this assurance? After all, isn’t the standard for assurance vague?”

“I have a very clear standard.”

Vengeance for my daughter. There was nothing that could give me more assurance than that.

The Emperor stared at me quietly and finally realized what was in my heart and gave a dry laugh.

“So, you’re saying you’ll tell me after you’ve fulfilled all your desires.”

“It’s not a disadvantageous condition for Your Majesty, is it? It’s just getting additional rewards after doing what you have to do.”

The Emperor’s curiosity about my past is just a minor interest. If I set a tremendous condition, the deal will not be concluded.

After all, this deal was nothing more than a bit of seasoning added to the alliance we made.

The Emperor also, knowing that fact, did not say anything else.

I looked at the Emperor staring intently at me and picked up the teacup I had put down with a smile.

That’s when it happened. The Emperor’s closed lips opened again.