Seruna twisted her face in anger, almost to the point where it seemed her rage reached the tips of her hair.

“Brelof Young Lady, are you trying to threaten me now? According to rumors, you don’t trade weapons for trivial reasons, abandoning your beliefs?”

It was true that I had tried to stay out of conflicts between factions as much as possible. Knowing the lethality of my magical engineering weapons, I couldn’t use them indiscriminately. That’s why I introduced a leasing system and started handling transactions directly.

However, the content didn’t apply to situations where someone like Seruna, who was targeting my life, was concerned.

Sorry, but I wasn’t such a kind woman.

“While it’s true I tried not to interfere in minor matters, I can’t just sit back and let the Empress continue to try to kill me.”

“Brelof Young Lady, willingly become the Empress and engage in a power struggle with me…!”

“Hold on a moment.”

I interrupted Seruna’s words in the middle. I didn’t need to listen to the end because I could anticipate what she was trying to say.

“Whether you believe me or not, I have no intention of becoming the Empress of the Kalua Empire. Soon, I plan to officially reject the proposal as well.”

Seruna looked at me with a suspicious gaze.

It was evident that she didn’t believe my words at a glance.

“Are you telling me to believe that now? You know how good the conditions offered to Brelof Young Lady are. Anyone would accept it…”

“Yes, most probably would. But I won’t.”

I had to cut Seruna’s words again. I couldn’t continue listening to nonsense when Askan was waiting outside.

As a formidable empire, anyone would covet the position of the Empress of the Kalua Empire. Moreover, Helsion promised to make my child the Emperor. Regardless of whether it was a son or daughter, it didn’t matter.

That wasn’t all. If, for some reason, I couldn’t have a child, he even promised to make my adopted child the successor.

It was the best condition Helsion could offer. It meant that he would do whatever it took to ensure a bright future for me.

However, it wasn’t enough to move my heart.

I had already experienced death once. So, I realized that life could be short and fleeting.

Rather than taking a path where I could have more, I wanted to go down the path where I could be happy.

Seruna looked at me with a puzzled expression, asking,

“Why? Do I need to know the reason to understand and agree with you?”

“There’s no grand reason. We all go empty-handed when we die. My current life is affluent, and I just want to make choices that will make me happier.”

Until now, my thoughts on marriage were vague.

But gradually, a specific figure was taking shape. The first face that came to mind when thinking of the word “marriage” was Askan.
Seruna’s expression turned incredulous. Then, as if she had heard something absurd, she burst into laughter.

“Ho ho ho, Brelof Young Lady. I don’t know what’s on your mind, but if you’re sincere, it seems you haven’t matured yet.”

“Well, I don’t plan on maturing any further.”

Having said what I wanted to say, I stood up.

I had conveyed everything I wanted to Seruna. There was nothing that would change with prolonged conversation.

“Empress, think carefully and make your decision. If Your Highness leaves me alone from now on, I will quietly disappear. But if assassins continue to be sent, I won’t endure it any longer.”

The events that followed were entirely Seruna’s responsibility. I would handle it according to her choice.

As I walked to leave the room, Seruna’s unexpected voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Brelof Young Lady, there’s one thing you’re overlooking.”

Without realizing it, I stopped walking. I couldn’t understand the meaning of her words.

Turning my head, I looked back at where Seruna was sitting. She was looking at me with a calm expression.

“The Emperor Consort is more frightening than you think. Since I proposed the position of Empress to you, I’ll make it so you can’t refuse.”

Upon hearing those words, Helsion’s face naturally came to mind.

With a masculine appearance and a slightly crumpled smile, Helsion didn’t seem as terrifying as Seruna made him out to be, no matter how much I thought about it.

It seemed like Seruna was exaggerating too much.

Turning back to Seruna, I said again, poking her in the back.

“Don’t worry; I’ll take care of myself. Whether Empress turns me into an enemy or not, please decide only that.”

With firm steps, I left the room as confidently as when I entered it.

Upon opening the door, I saw Askan standing in the same posture as before, fists clenched.

His indifferent eyes found me, and affectionate emotions appeared.

Without realizing it, I smiled at him while looking back.

“Have you been waiting long?”

Askan nodded. It was a simple gesture, but it felt different when he did it.

“No. I came out faster than I thought.”

“Good. I was worried about you.”

“I told you I’m fine.”

Rather than words, I grabbed Askan’s hand first. Then, briskly walking ahead, I pulled him along.