He was an emperor who was very healthy despite being over 60 years old.

Yet to die so meaninglessly like this!

People clicked their tongues as they read the article in the extra edition. As he was an incompetent emperor who was indifferent to the welfare of the people, no one mourned his death.

They were just surprised by the sudden news of his passing.

Moreover, the news that only Madam Brien, the concubine who was with him, survived was enough to become fodder for people’s gossip.

“A fire where the emperor was? That’s impossible. What were the guards doing?”

“Isn’t it suspicious that the emperor died but only the concubine survived? Something smells fishy.”

“The princess also died in a fire, and now the emperor dies in a fire accident too! It’s chilling.”

People talked about the emperor’s death all day long.

Meanwhile, Veronia was shocked to hear the news of the emperor’s death. For a moment, her whole head rang as if she had been hit on the back of the head with a hammer, leaving her dazed.

There was no sadness or grief. After all, the emperor was a person who had abused or neglected to prevent the abuse of Veronia, his own daughter, since she was young.

However, as it was an unexpected tragedy that befell a character from the original story, she couldn’t just brush it off lightly.

‘Not executed as in the original story, but a fire accident… It’s as horrible a death as execution.’

According to the original story, he was a character who should have died long ago. Thanks to the twisted plot, he had managed to stay alive for now, but it seems that doesn’t mean he would live a long and healthy life.

‘He may have avoided execution, but does it mean he’ll end up facing an equally horrible death?’

Unfounded thoughts kept chaining one after another. As they weren’t particularly pleasant thoughts, Veronia became depressed.

Killian stayed at the imperial palace all night along with other nobles.

Everything from investigating the circumstances of the emperor’s death to subsequent measures was carried out under Killian’s direct command.

He had to dispatch an investigation team to the scene, prepare for the national mourning, and also prepare for the new emperor’s coronation.

Even in a situation so busy that ten bodies wouldn’t be enough, Killian thought of Veronia.

‘Of all things, another fire accident… I’m afraid Her Highness Veronia might feel unnecessarily depressed.’

It was inevitable since an event that could remind her of an unpleasant past had occurred.

But he hoped she wouldn’t be too depressed, and that someone by her side would soothe her heart well.

It was quite frustrating that he couldn’t be that person.

‘To think there’s nothing I can do… Just wishing from afar like this…’

He felt quite pathetic about his situation.

He was very displeased with the current situation where he didn’t know where she was or when he could meet her again.

But now was not the time to be lost in thoughts. People were flocking to ask for his opinion, and documents requiring his signature were piling up neatly.

Huu, after letting out a short sigh, Killian picked up his quill pen again.

The national mourning period this time was set for 3 days.

Compared to the 10-day national mourning for the late princess, it was an absurdly short period, but the imperial family pushed for a 3-day mourning, citing the stability of people’s livelihoods as the reason.

It was a decision based on the calculation to end the mourning briefly and make the new emperor’s coronation long with festivities.

On the last day of national mourning, Killian was working late in his office at the separate palace.

It was already dark night when he finished his work and left the office. With a hopeful heart, he moved towards the staircase construction site.

‘Ah!’

Veronia was there. Although she was wearing a robe, he could recognize her at once.

Last time, he just gave a light greeting and passed by to avoid suspicion. He thought she might get suspicious and tense if he suddenly closed the distance.

He couldn’t approach her rashly, worried that she might get scared and run away.

That was something he had to prevent at all costs.

So he planned to slowly circle around her, suppressing all desires and impulses. He intended to naturally blend into her new background.

But today, he thought it might be good to strike up a conversation. Killian approached Veronia.

“It’s been a while, Nia.”

“I greet you, Your Excellency the Prime Minister.”

She greeted him politely.

“I’d like to ask for your advice on magic tools. Do you have time?”

Veronia seemed surprised at the sudden request.

But since there was no commoner who dared to refuse the Prime Minister’s request, there was only one answer she could give.

“Yes, of course. I’ve just finished checking the site anyway.”

“That’s good. Then shall we walk for a bit?”

“Yes.”

Veronia followed Killian, who led the way. The place they arrived at was the rear garden of the separate palace.

Killian asked in a light tone.

“I heard you’re a talented individual with excellent planning skills for magic tools. I’m curious if you have any magic tools you’re currently conceptualizing.”

“……”

Veronia was at a loss for words.

She didn’t have any magic tools she was conceptualizing. Her daily life was busy managing two jobs, and lately, she had been feeling a bit depressed.

But she couldn’t give an insincere answer like ‘I don’t have any’ to the Prime Minister’s question. So she just voiced the first thought that came to mind.

“Fire.”

“Fire?”

“I thought it would be good to have a magic tool that could help suppress fire accidents in the early stages.”

“Ah, I see.”

Although it was just something she had made up on the spot, Killian, unaware of this fact, nodded while listening attentively.

Veronia looked up at him.

Perhaps due to the confidence that now neither Killian nor anyone else would be able to discover her true identity.

She neither pulled her robe down deeply nor lowered her head with downcast eyes like before.

For a moment, their gazes collided briefly in the air.

Silence fell.

It was too close. Within arm’s reach.

She never imagined she would end up making eye contact with him at such a close distance. But now it was happening.

As Veronia’s heart started to flutter, Killian’s heart pounded as if in resonance.

Captivated by each other’s gaze, they completely forgot what they had been talking about until now. Moreover, they stood there not knowing what to say next.

Plop, plop.

Suddenly, heavy raindrops began to fall.

“Ah…!”

Killian quickly took off his cloak and put it over Veronia’s head. She stammered in surprise.

“I, I’m wearing a robe, so I’m fine, Your Excellency. Why don’t you cover your head instead?”

“But then won’t your robe get wet? If your robe gets wet, you might catch a cold.”

In the pouring rain, their gazes entangled again.

‘This is too close!’

Veronia cried out inwardly. Yet she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Her heart trembled at his gentle gaze. And at the same time, she felt nervous.

‘A rainy garden and close proximity. I feel like I’ve been in this situation before…’

Veronia stood still, feeling a sense of déjà vu about this scene.

“Let’s take shelter from the rain over there for a moment.”

There was a small tent where Killian pointed. The two of them walked quickly, almost running, and arrived inside the tent.

Veronia took off the cloak she was wearing and handed it to Killian. He received the cloak and spoke, looking at her still wearing the robe.

“Your robe is wet too. Why don’t you take it off for a while? I’m worried your body temperature might drop if you keep wearing wet clothes.”

Veronia hesitated at those words.

Even though she had changed her appearance with the magic stone, it seemed a bit dangerous to take off her robe in front of Killian. She didn’t want to take any risks right now.

“It’s because of the scars. I don’t like people’s gazes focusing on my scars, so I’ve gotten into the habit of wearing it all the time.”

It was a polite refusal. Killian understood that as well.

But he couldn’t bear her continuing to wear the wet robe. He should have stepped back and endured it, but he couldn’t.

Because it was a matter related to her health.

“It’s dark here, so it should be fine. And I like watching raindrops glistening in the reflection of the lanterns. I plan to keep watching the rain.”

Killian turned his body, which had been sitting diagonally towards her, to face straight ahead.

She pondered for a moment between the risk of taking off the robe and revealing her face and the risk of refusing the Prime Minister’s suggestion twice. But the deliberation didn’t last long.

After all, Nia the commoner wouldn’t refuse the Prime Minister’s suggestion twice.

Veronia, who had been staring at his side profile fixated on the pouring rain, finally took off her robe.

As she was hanging the removed robe on the back of the bench, Killian’s voice was heard again.

“Did it hurt a lot?”

His gaze was still fixed straight ahead. Veronia answered while stroking the fake scar she had created.

“I don’t remember well. It was when I was very young.”

“…I see. That’s somewhat fortunate. At least you won’t be hurt by terrible memories.”

Silence fell for a moment.

Plop, plop, only the sound of rain hitting the tent roof resounded loudly.

‘Ah, that’s right. I sat like this with Killian on a rainy day before too.’

The faint memory became vividly alive.

It was strange. Her name, face, and place of residence had all changed, but it felt as if all that was meaningless, as everything seemed exactly the same right now.

It felt like she and Killian, sitting side by side watching the falling rain, remained the same, with only time flowing and flowing to reach this moment.

Emotions that couldn’t be put into words swirled inside her.

A low-pitched voice resonated quietly.

“About the magic tool for quickly suppressing fires. Could you explain it in more detail?”

Ah, Veronia swallowed dry saliva. She felt tense about having to speak plausibly about a plan she hadn’t thought deeply about.