Meruem seemed hesitant, but then, as if making up his mind, he picked up a soft bread roll, cut a small piece like a bird’s feed, and brought it to my mouth.

“Ah, open up.”

“Huh…?”

“I’ll feed you. Otherwise, you won’t even touch the bread.”

Though he appeared embarrassed, he had a slight blush on his face.

It was so adorable that I burst into laughter.

‘Ah, I laugh a lot when I’m with this kid.’

Quietly opening my mouth, the bread entered. I chewed and swallowed it, allowing my weak stomach to accept it. Then, a juice made from freshly squeezed oranges was placed before me.

“Drink.”

“Aren’t you going to feed me this?”

“How can I feed juice… Ah, never mind.”

I only joked, but Meruem frowned and then picked up an unused spoon and scooped the juice.

I never imagined drinking juice in such a way, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Open up.”

Meruem flicked the spoon, carefully not spilling a drop of the juice.

I opened my mouth, and the tangy orange juice filled it.

“You’re eating well.”

“I was planning to raise you.”

“Say that after you can eat steak at least.”

Meruem continued to feed me various things. He patiently waited for me to swallow each bite and offered more.

His patience was evident in this act.

“I’m full now.”

“Just a piece of bread…”

“It’s a lot for me, more than usual.”

Hearing this, Meruem sighed and picked up a napkin.

“Come here.”

“I can do it myself.”

“Planning to collapse again?”

“No, I can… Ugh!”

My goodness.

This is a bit different from what I thought.

I thought I would be the one raising Meruem.

But look at this.

Every time I tried to do something, Meruem frowned at me. Was seeing me unconscious that shocking?

‘Derek always acts humbly when doing something for me, but Meruem doesn’t. It feels a bit more comfortable.’

Feeling full, I immediately became drowsy, especially with the warm sunlight.

‘Is spring already here?’

Counting the days, I realized that in just two more weeks, it would be early spring.

‘A season perfect for clearing out the old and welcoming the new.’

I decided it was time to change the maids in the Empress’s Palace.

“Hey, call Mrs. Bertolt over.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Shortly after my brief instruction, Mrs. Bertolt appeared.

“Susan, how is the task I assigned you coming along?”

“I’ve compiled a list. There are 67 people who have even the slightest suspicion.”

“Good timing with spring approaching. Inform the Internal Affairs Department to initiate job reassignments for everyone on that list.”

“I will do so.”

Mrs. Bertolt politely responded and glanced at Meruem, seemingly unsure whether such conversations were appropriate in his presence.

I deliberately stroked Meruem’s head gently while speaking to her.

Meruem frowned again at my touch but didn’t push my hand away. He just clenched his fist resting on his thigh.

‘So innocent.’

He reminded me of a young predator whose fangs had yet to fully grow. Aware of his strength, yet choosing to hide his claws. A genuinely good and upright nature.

That’s why I found myself paying him more attention. It felt as if, once out of sight, he might be betrayed or harmed.

“It’s okay. I trust Meruem.”

“I will comply.”

“It might be hard to build trust immediately since he’s new, but try. For both of you. It’ll be hard for me if you two, who are closest to me in the palace, don’t get along. This is a request.”

I would need to talk to Mrs. Bertolt later, separately. Explaining how much Enrique would be annoyed by Meruem’s presence in the Empress’s Palace would likely make her more accommodating.

“Then, Your Majesty, what shall we do about the vacancies?”

“The people we’re dismissing now are not from the Ahilo family, right? They were newly brought in for palace management?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“We’ll need to bring in new staff… perhaps change the approach this time.”

After some thought, I decided to leverage the image built from the recent banquet.

“Susan, it means more work for you, but can you help?”

“Certainly. Just tell me what you need.”

“Then let’s do this. Announce nationwide that the Empress’s Palace is recruiting maids. Selection will be based on merit, regardless of age or region of origin.”