In reality, though a secret, Gallahan had approached the Silver Rose Duke, who was equivalent to a king in the north, several times for a marriage alliance. But every time, it ended in rejection.

Sending her to a lower-ranking family didn’t appeal to him because he had invested so much in raising her.

However, if there were no Empress…

“If I become the father of the Empress!”

While he had always harbored ambitions, his heart had been pounding more than usual lately.

Whether lying down, standing, or sitting, the thought kept coming to him.

“I need to resolve this before my daughter gets any older.”

Gallahan continued the meeting, concealing his desires.

Somewhere in his soul, there was a burning sensation.

“She took the bait.”

As I observed Gallahan closely, I raised an eyebrow.

I hadn’t noticed it at first glance, but when I scrutinized his eyes, I could see something deep within that had not been visible before.

“Her soul has already been devoured. Probably the work of Bellifor.”
Bellifor had a nasty and peculiar habit of eating the souls he marked.

He adorned it with the plausible term ‘predation,’ but my sisters and I found it rather strange.

What on earth did he do with the souls he devoured?

My second sister treated Bellifor as a somewhat inadequate person and suggested leaving him alone.

It seemed like Bellifor might be someone behind one of my officials.

I didn’t know exactly what desires he harbored, but Bellifor must have amplified the Foreign Minister’s desires multiple times, and maybe that was why he was trying to kill me.

In the midst of contemplating, I waited for the right moment during the meeting and threw in a proposal.

“With the arrival of the bountiful season, I propose hosting a palace banquet.”

“That’s a good idea. Since we didn’t have a separate banquet this summer, everyone will be looking forward to it.”

There was generally an agreeable atmosphere since there wasn’t any reason not to hold it.

With a small smile on my lips, I looked around at the officials.

“Additionally, how about creating an opportunity for young people to socialize and reconcile? It could also be a place for newly formed lovers.”

Older officials were likely to have unfavorable thoughts about young people meeting and dating at banquets.

It was amusing to see their thin lips murmur, perhaps wanting to give a lecture about not meeting the opposite sex recklessly.

“But the young ones in their prime want to find lovers.”

No matter how much the parental generation insisted on marriage with predetermined men or women and discouraged free dating, it was useless.

“Since I brought the officials together, the young nobles should also be able to quench their thirst for excitement. That way, my popularity will rise.”

Especially among the Emperor’s faction nobles, who were known for being stiff and old-fashioned, there were objections.

They argued for a calm banquet giving thanks to the gods for the prosperous autumn.

Listening half-heartedly to their opinions, I opened my mouth, pretending to be unbeatable.

“If you agree, this banquet will be entrusted to the saint.”

“What?!”

“Considering your opinions, it seems appropriate for the saint to oversee the banquet. However… I hope that it remains a place for young people to get to know each other. I’m sure the gods wouldn’t disapprove of forging connections.”

Outwardly, it seemed like I was offering a compromise with an embrace, but that wasn’t my true intention.

I intended to grant Helene the authority to host the banquet under the guise of showing mercy at this point.

But would the nobles, who had enjoyed my banquets for so long, be satisfied with Helene hosting them?

“Well, I think Empress’s words are right.”

“I agree.”

Nobles who had been maintaining a close relationship with the temple without any regard for my secular policies readily voiced their support, leaving me with a sense of irony.
On the other hand, the nobles from the noble faction were displeased, but as Duke Ahillo didn’t say anything special, they all kept quiet.

“How does the Emperor feel about this?”

Ignoring those nobles, I turned my attention towards Enrique.

Helene no longer receives favor from Enrique.

Nevertheless, she still occupies the White Lily Palace.

I wasn’t pleased with that.

“The banquet is something the Empress oversees at the Empress’s Palace, so feel free to handle it as you wish.”

“Well, if you don’t mind, I won’t decline. Since my health hasn’t been good lately, it would be great if the saint could take care of my duties.”

That’s when it happened.

“You’re not feeling well? Have you seen a doctor?”

Enrique suddenly showed interest in me.

It was the first time in years.