“It won’t work. I have to stop this. Anyway, will you call Zen? I have something to say about what happened yesterday.”

“Yes, miss.”

Jerin quickly left the room. Soon after, Zen came in with her.

Maybe Zen had been waiting nearby to protect me.

I pointed to the round table in the room and said seriously, looking at both of them.

“Sit down for a moment, both of you.”

After I took my seat, Zen and Jerin sat in turn.

Looking at their faces, I spoke with a solemn voice.

“I already told Jerin, but I was proposed to by the Kalua Emperor yesterday. He said he wants me as the empress. Do you happen to know about it, Zen?”
Zen looked slightly surprised. Soon, he raised his head and replied.

“No, I didn’t hear about it. I periodically report on Miss’s affairs, but I’m not aware of what the lord is involved in.”

“First, make it known that I received such a proposal directly. Keep an eye on the situation with Father. And if there are any signs of trouble, do whatever it takes to help.”

“Miss’s words…”

“I’ve said it before, but I’m worried about Father’s safety. If anything seems off, I intend to help in any way possible.”

“Understood.”

Zen readily agreed. Looking at him, I cautiously added one more thing.

“Father may not appreciate my concerns. Can you keep the report on his affairs a secret?”

Zen hesitated for a moment, but soon nodded with a determined expression.

“For the lord, I will.”

“Good. That’s all I have to say.”

Zen got up from his seat. Facing me, he greeted with a confident tone.

“I’ll inform the lord that Miss has been proposed as the empress.”

“Sure. Oh, by the way, did anything happen yesterday?”

Zen made a complicated expression without answering. Then, in a subdued voice, he replied.

“There was a group aiming for Miss. The entire guard took care of it.”

“Oh, I see.”

I accepted it without much concern since Helsion had ordered the guards to protect me.

“There is a suspected culprit. It seems that with the Kalua Emperor proposing to me for the empress position, I might be targeted by the Hwang-hu and the Manoko family.”

With my words, a stern expression appeared in Zen’s eyes. In a lowered voice, he said with determination.

“I’ll be more cautious.”

“Good. You can leave now.”

Zen bowed and left the room.

Having read the original work, I didn’t doubt Zen’s loyalty. However, Zen was not on my side; precisely, he was a person from Oland.

If Zen were to find out about my pursuit of Kains, a former mercenary, regarding the death of my mother Shal, he might report it to Oland.

Since I had no intention of reporting uncertain matters, it was still a secret from Zen.

Looking at the remaining Jerin, I opened my mouth again.

“Are there any reports from the informants?”

“Well, since I arrived last night, there is one I intended to show you.”

Jerin took out a hidden paper. I quickly read it.

[Kains retired from being a mercenary about 20 years ago and lived a luxurious life. He then fell into gambling, faced financial difficulties, and recently was seen near the capital…] If these words are true, I’m not far from where he is. Perhaps we might meet soon.

I lit a nearby match and burned the paper after confirming that there was nothing to be seen by others.

“Jerin, instruct the informants to continue tracking the whereabouts of a former mercenary named Kains. If they find his residence, I’ll go meet him myself.”

“Understood, Miss.”

Jerin nodded with a determined expression. Having long served as an intermediary in the exchange of information with the Kalua Empire’s informants, Jerin knew more about my activities than anyone else.

While talking with Jerin, we heard a knock on the door from outside.

Jerin got up first, asking with a look seeking my opinion. I nodded.

“Come in.”

“Yes, Miss.”

When Jerin opened the door, Bishop entered.

“I heard you were heavily intoxicated yesterday. Are you feeling okay now?”

Bishop’s question was kind, but considering the mischief I caused yesterday, I felt a twinge of irritation on my face.

“Oh, I’m fine. But why…”

“I’ve prepared a hangover cure. I came to escort you to the dining room.”

“No, thank you!”

Although I had meals in the dining room every day since arriving at the mansion to have a chance encounter with Ascan, today was not the day.

“Please bring the meal to my room.”

Bishop looked surprised at my unusual attitude.

“To the room?”

“Yes. For a while… I’ll have my meals in the room.”

“If that’s your intention, understood.”

“Also, about yesterday, I seem to have caused a disturbance unintentionally. I’ll make sure to compensate for the damage to the mansion.”

“Such matters should be discussed with the master.”

While Bishop suggested talking to the master, it was the person I least wanted to meet right now.

Awkwardly, I smiled and said, “I’ll talk to the Count, but first, we can’t leave it as it is, so let’s proceed with the repairs.”

“If that’s what you say… understood. I’ll call in experts for the repairs.”

“Thank you.”

With my words, Bishop gave a gentle smile and left the room.

Unintentionally, I glanced at the pillow on the bed. It was the one I had thrown down while thinking about Ascan.

I couldn’t figure out how to see his face.

“Sigh.”

It was a headache.

Days passed.

Since the reunion with Ascan, I tried every day to see him, but things changed completely after visiting the Kalua Imperial Palace.

I stayed hidden in the mansion, fearing that I might run into Ascan. I had meals in my room every time, and for the repairs of the mansion, I secretly met with the experts, rarely going outside.
I couldn’t possibly live without seeing him for a lifetime, but I wanted to avoid it until I was emotionally prepared.

“Miss, the repairs are finished. Would you like to see it for yourself?”

However, Bishop said something unexpected.

I absentmindedly looked out the window at the mansion. Although Ascan’s mansion didn’t have a formal garden, feeling sorry for damaging the few flowers and trees, I planted various plants in that space.

I could confidently assert that, among the surrounding buildings, Ascan’s mansion would be the most beautiful, having invested a considerable amount of money.

I hesitated to leave the room, still worried about running into Ascan, but I also wanted to check up close if everything was properly restored.

‘Wait, could I possibly run into him?’

I had made every effort to see Ascan during this time, and it had been quite a challenge to catch a glimpse of him.

No matter how much I thought about it, the chances of seeing Ascan in a situation where I was avoiding him were almost nonexistent.

Determined, I nodded at Bishop.

“Well, I suppose I should go down and see.”

“Yes, please do.”

I headed towards the place where the repairs had been done quietly, fearing that it might attract attention if I went with others.

Even from a distance when looking through the window, the landscaping was beautiful, but up close, it was even more pleasing to the eye.

The place filled with plants had a unique, refreshing air. Unconsciously, I took a deep breath, forming a faint smile.

Step by step, at some point, I heard footsteps behind me.

Curious, I turned around, thinking, but…

Ascan, whom I had struggled so much to find before, was approaching me as if coming towards me, who was previously invisible.

Quickly, I turned my head forward and pretended not to know anything, continuing to walk.

The plan was to avoid Ascan like this. However, the footsteps following me did not stop. On the contrary, they only got faster.

“Ugh!”

In an instant, Ascan, who had overtaken me, blocked my path. Then, somehow, he looked down at me with a fierce gaze and said.

“Are you trying to run away, by any chance?”

“M-Me? When?”

Ascan’s eyes narrowed. Apparently, he didn’t quite believe my words.

Then, he inexplicably smiled menacingly and muttered softly.

“I’m starting to want to catch you.”