“Shouldn’t we quickly return to the palace to check this out? We need to find out who these intruders are exactly! Ah, once we identify them, we can train to throw ourselves for the Empress’s sake.”

Chedeff Kye deliberately exaggerated his words.

It was because the Deputy Commander’s cold and silent demeanor was terrifying.

However, Derek didn’t offer any response.

Chedeff, feeling awkward, soon shut his mouth.

‘What’s going on here?’

Actually, he had been feeling something unusual today as well.

In the past, he would have rushed back to the Empress as soon as his mission was over.

However, Derek didn’t do that today.

Instead, he gave half-days off to the knights, citing that they had worked hard.

‘And then he took me for a drink…’

Derek was never an easy person to approach.

The members found the Deputy Commander challenging, and in between them, mediating was Chedeff’s role.

So when Derek suggested going to the tavern today, Chedeff thought it was a good idea.

Getting overly drunk and venting grievances could strengthen their bond and help colleagues understand each other better. How wonderful it was.

It was a good thing to see a Deputy Commander leading a righteous life falling apart at least once.

‘Should I take him to a different tavern?’

In fact, something had felt off since the Empress sent them away, saying there was no need for the special envoy.

Derek seemed absent-minded, but still, he managed to finish the job well, so it seemed okay.

‘Well… I mean, did the Empress get angry? Is that why he’s acting like this? Feeling rejected? Originally, the Deputy Commander stayed by the Empress’s side, almost like part of the government.’

Chedeff scratched his head.

In his head, there was only one way to think about it.

But even if expressing displeasure about the government was heartbreaking, he couldn’t show it openly in front of the Empress.

Why did the Deputy Commander of the Knights want to fall apart?

It was an ungrateful thing to reveal one’s feelings.

In the end, he could only swallow it alone.

However, Chedeff was a bit puzzled.

Wasn’t it much better now than when he stayed only in the bedroom?

“Empress, you seem to be in much better health.”

“…Yes.”

When I threw in a casual remark, this time, there was a response.

It was a tone with a slight hint of discomfort, something that only those who had been close to Derek could pick up.

“I remember when the Empress appeared with a wooden sword for the first time. After that, you really trained every day. I didn’t realize then that the Empress was someone who, if she decided to do something, would do it every day.”

“If I decide to do it…”

Oh, did I touch on something wrong?

Although I thought the Empress would like words praising her, Derek lengthened his words and fell silent again.

‘Please save me. Let me off work. I hate overtime like this!’

In the end, Chedeff couldn’t find anything more to say and gave up.

He wanted to return to the palace quickly.

The next morning’s breakfast was with Merem.
Made with minced lamb, shepherd’s pie, stir-fried walnuts, and fish dish with buttercream were placed in front of us, and we silently focused on the food.

“I asked.”

“Huh?”

Merem was the one to open his mouth first.

Wondering what he was talking about, I squinted my eyes, and in response to his subsequent words, I chuckled.

“Here. Something pretty is buried.”

“What?”

“Haven’t you heard this before? Don’t governments do this kind of thing?”

Merem, who ran his thumb over my lips, asked with a somewhat triumphant look.

Where did he learn such lines, seriously?

I chuckled and pinched Merem’s cheek.

“Yeah, there’s handsomeness buried here too.”

“Thanks for the compliment. I know.”

Merem shrugged his shoulders. Then he took a big bite of the shepherd’s pie. He seemed to enjoy the taste.

“Pybel is closely investigating their backgrounds. If anything suspicious comes up, we’ll imprison them immediately.”

“Someone among the three is an assassin?”

“Probably not Therion. If the author who is currently in my palace bedroom turns out to be the real Therion Oclaire, then that’s a different story.”

In my eyes, all of them seemed suspicious.

Gabriel, who was physically weak but performed surgery, and Sukrel, ambitious and with calloused hands, not to mention nowhere to ‘return.’

“I hope they’re assassins.”

“Why?”

“So I can kill them with my own hands.”

Merem casually said, brushing his hair aside.

His nonchalant tone made me think he should have another piece of shepherd’s pie.

“Oh. Jealous, are you?”

“Of course. It’s weird if you’re not.”

“Even about Shaila?”

“But still, I can’t help feeling anxious.”

A flush appeared on Merem’s dazzling skin.

It was a sufficient physical reaction to notice that he was suppressing quite a bit of anger.

“Then… should I teach you how to dance? What do you think? Dancing with me.”

“Sure, but isn’t it taking away your time for no reason?”

“I was planning to take a break until today. Dancing lightly might bring some vitality.”