Clop, clop-

Veronia and Onyx rode horses side by side towards home. Onyx glanced back. Felix, who stood in front of the carriage, was still looking this way.

“You seem to be getting entangled with the prime minister often. Are you okay? We shouldn’t increase the risk. He’s a perceptive person and can do anything.”

“I know. But it was unavoidable due to the work at the magic tower laboratory. I can’t suddenly quit the magic tower laboratory now either.”

“That’s true.”

Onyx nodded as if agreeing with her words.

“Were there any strange signs? Like him recognizing your true identity?”

“No. Not at all.”

Veronia shook her head at Onyx’s worried question.

As she did so, she recalled that day she spent with Killian.

In the rainy garden, he readily took off his robe and covered her body. Concerned her shoes would get wet, he told her to step on his feet to cross the puddle. The hand he held out was rough but warm.

‘Killian is naturally gentle and kind. That’s why he did that. Not because he recognized me or had any other intentions.’

As if peeking at the memories floating around in her head, Onyx asked with a dubious look.

“Are you sure?”

Onyx’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her.

He thought she might be wrong. There were many cases where sharp senses became dulled by old feelings. So she might not be reading the atmosphere properly.

“Yes. But why? Do you see something strange? Is there something that bothers you…?”

“Yeah. That person has been hovering around you and Jediel ever since he accidentally saw Jediel. But well, I don’t have any confirmation either.”

Killian only hovered around Veronia without taking any other action. But it still bothered him that he was constantly hovering around using his position and power.

‘Does he know something and that’s why he’s doing this? Or is he doing this without knowing anything?’

Onyx glanced back again. The carriage carrying Killian was slowly moving.

“Anyway, don’t let your guard down and be careful, Nia.”

“I will.”

A shallow sigh burst out from both of their mouths simultaneously.

That night, Veronia was tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep easily. The conversation she had with Onyx during the day deepened her worries.

‘Now I’ve even gotten entangled with the fire suppression device installation project… Is this really okay?’

Especially since this project was her own proposal presented directly to Killian, it was impossible to back out now.

‘Ah… Why did it turn out like this?’

Even though she hadn’t been discovered, having so many encounters was dangerous. The more face-to-face meetings, the higher the risk would be. As Onyx said, being careful and cautious was the right thing to do.

‘But how?’

As she continued tossing and turning, knock knock, with a small knocking sound, the door opened and Jediel came in.

“Jediel?”

“Mom!”

Pitter-patter, the child ran barefoot and climbed onto the bed. Cuddled in his mother’s arms, Jediel mumbled.

“I came because it seemed like Mom was missing Jediel.”

“You didn’t come because you had a scary dream?”

She asked while wiping the tears gathered on Jediel’s eyebrows. But the child shook his head.

“No. I came to show Mom my face. Really.”

He spoke in a seemingly confident voice, but Jediel couldn’t meet her gaze properly, as if feeling guilty.

Looking at Jediel intently, Veronia chuckled and hugged the child. The child who fit snugly in her arms was warm and soft.

“Thank you, Jediel. Mom couldn’t sleep either, so it seems our son somehow knew and came to help Mom sleep.”

“Why couldn’t Mom sleep? Did Mom have a scary dream too?”

“Too? So Jediel had a scary dream?”

“No… That’s not it…”

Realizing his mistake belatedly, Jediel burrowed deeper into her arms with an affectionate voice.

“I guess I’m tired because work has increased a bit lately.”

“I like that Mom has a lot of work, but I don’t like that you’re tired.”

“You like that I have a lot of work?”

At Veronia’s question, Jediel nodded his head vigorously.

“Of course. Mom does work that helps people in the world.”

“…”

Veronia was momentarily surprised when unexpected words came out of the young child’s mouth.

“Grandma said so. That making magical tools and treating sick children are all good deeds… So it’s good that Mom does a lot of work…”

It seemed to be what Luisa had said to soothe the child who was whining while waiting for his mother who came home late from work. Still, hearing such things from the child’s own mouth was a new experience.

‘I’m doing work that helps people in the world. I’ve never thought of it that way before.’

It was just a livelihood that I happened to be doing because the opportunity arose. But Jediel thinks what I do is helping people in the world. Tears suddenly welled up.

Veronia whispered in Jediel’s ear.

“I’m tired, but I’ll try my best. I’ll work hard to help the world.”

“…”

But there was no response. Instead, the sound of even breathing could be heard. Veronia smiled softly and gently hugged the child’s small body.

‘That’s right. Let’s work hard and properly finish the fire suppression device installation project. Because it’s for the world. And then think about the next job after that.’

Even if I end up leaving this place, if I finish well, I think I’ll be able to leave without regrets or disappointments.

Veronia closed her eyes and focused on the child’s quiet, even breaths as she tried to fall asleep.

The next day, Killian’s expression was not good as he entered the office. Windler noticed right away. It seemed the meeting with the woman called Nia yesterday did not go well.

Windler swallowed a sigh and steeled his resolve. He reminded himself of his duty as the chief aide.

‘I will definitely help you, Your Excellency.’

As the meeting time approached, other aides entered the office one by one. Soon the meeting began and reports were made carefully one by one.

Finally, it was Windler’s turn. Ahem, clearing his throat, he spoke in a calm voice.

“How about proceeding with the fire suppression device installation project as a large-scale project under the pretext of commemorating His Majesty the Emperor’s accession to the throne? I believe His Majesty the Emperor will gladly approve of this timely plan.”

Killian, who had been nodding while focusing on Windler’s story, finally opened his mouth.

“His Majesty the Emperor installs fire suppression devices throughout the empire in memory of the late Emperor’s unfortunate death… It seems like a good plan. I like it.”

Windler’s face brightened at the praise he had heard after a long time.

Killian immediately headed to the Emperor’s audience chamber. Jonathan, who had heard his report, seemed quite satisfied and laughed heartily as he said,

“That’s a very good idea! Prepare thoroughly so that it can be announced at the coronation ceremony.”

“I will obey your command, Your Majesty.”

Having said what he needed to say, Killian bowed politely and left the audience chamber. But he ran into Sandra right in front of the door.

Her eyes widened in surprise at Killian’s unexpected appearance, then quickly returned to their normal size. Killian bowed his head.

“I greet the Empress Dowager.”

“Yes, Prime Minister. You’re working hard.”

Sandra briefly acknowledged the greeting and immediately slipped into the audience chamber. Thud, as the door closed, Killian hurried his steps with an expressionless face.

Meanwhile, Sandra, who had entered the audience chamber, displayed her displeasure without hiding it.

“You have come, Mother.”

“It seems you have quite frequent private meetings with the Prime Minister.”

“There are many things to take care of in preparation for the coronation ceremony. We must be thoroughly prepared.”

Jonathan spoke lightly as if it were no big deal. But Sandra did not change her expression and continued speaking.

“Among the current administrators and nobles, there is no one who can match Killian. You know that it’s true that the Prime Minister’s presence is greater than that of the Emperor who has just ascended to the throne.”

Jonathan’s eyebrows twitched at her words that hit the mark.

“This mother is only afraid that the Prime Minister will gain even more power than he has now.”

“Don’t worry too much, Mother. For now, he’s just a useful, competent dog. Let’s think about that issue after the coronation ceremony is finished.”

Sandra’s mouth twitched nervously on one side. She was displeased that Jonathan still seemed to trust Killian.

“Don’t forget that among dogs, there are those that bite their masters. Once bitten, it’s already too late. You must train them thoroughly by striking first before getting bitten.”

“…”

“Don’t forget that the situation is very different from before when he could have been embraced as a member of the imperial family, Emperor.”

Sandra continued her admonition until the end.

After leaving the imperial palace, Killian headed to the Great Temple. Unlike the imperial palace located at the northern end of the capital, the Great Temple was located in the exact center of the capital.

As soon as Killian entered, the High Priest with long white hair greeted him.

“Welcome, Prime Minister. We’ve been waiting.”

“I greet the High Priest.”

The High Priest immediately guided Killian to the prayer room. Seated, Killian seemed impatient and went straight to the point.

“Is there a way to confirm a child’s biological father? I know there’s a method secretly used by the imperial family. What is it?”