Henry made the face he always made when he relayed unreasonable orders from Lenisha.

Linday gritted her teeth.

It was clear that Lexus was up to another nonsensical act.

Furthermore, the bags Henry was carrying were unsettling.

“What’s the commotion?”

Lenisha revealed herself from the stairs above.

Henry’s eyes shone.

It was Lenisha, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Lenisha came out, not diminishing her past grandeur at all.

Rather, it was Lexus, who had abandoned her, who was falling apart.

Lenisha seemed quite comfortable with her life here.

Lenisha narrowed her eyes and came down to the first floor.

“Duchess.”

Linday bowed her head.

“An unexpected guest has come…”

“Head servant. What brings you here? Has the Empress sent you?”

“……The Empress said there was a vacant butler position overseeing the mansion, and sent me.”

Lenisha raised her eyebrows.

At the sudden commotion, everyone on the second floor peered down.

Casius was no exception.

Casius leaned his hands on the railing and looked down.

His glittering golden eyes stared directly at Henry.

Henry smiled, trying to hide a shiver.

If Henry were to harm Lenisha, those eyes would not remain idle.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Taking care of this mansion is now my responsibility. It’s not something the Empress should worry about.”

“True, but, madam.”

Henry smiled calmly and put down the things he was holding.

‘Cling to Lenisha, beg if you must. You must find out what that woman is doing, so get in there, Henry. This seems to be my last command to you.’

If he failed to fulfill the command, he would be killed or driven away, and if he succeeded, Henry would follow Lenisha to Hilosha.

Henry, understanding the Emperor’s words, had no choice but to pack up and leave.

Anger and resignation were mixed, but time had gifted Henry with patience.

He could endure Lexus’s antics once more.

“If I cannot enter here, I will die.”

Henry slowly knelt. Saliva flowed from the servants’ mouths.

“Please accept me, madam.”

“……Henry.”

Lenisha stroked her chin.

Henry was cunning.

If she let him in, Henry would report Lenisha’s movements to Lexus.

Accepting Henry was a nuisance.

However, looking at the reaction, he was made to become a ghost in this house.

It was just like Lexus.

‘What lingering attachment do you have to me? Or do you suspect that I might do something?’

The latter was more credible.

Lingering attachment from Lexus? Lenisha laughed coldly.
“I have no particular interest in your life. I wouldn’t miss you even if you were to die as a guest right now. Our deal only had value when I was staying at the Imperial Palace. You gained as much as I did. But, what can I gain from you now?”

That was the expected response.

Henry revealed the hand he had been holding.

“As you suspect, I cannot leave the Imperial Palace. However, please remember what I have done to help.”

“What you have done to help?”

“I was the one who collected the corpses of the former Duke and Duchess of Rotera.”

Lenisha’s expression grew cold.

Lenisha could only face them when it was time to leave the Imperial Palace.

Two boxes, adorned with gold and ivory, were laid side by side in a black velvet case.

And inside them would be the Duke and Duchess.

Lenisha had resolved to take them to Hiloshain.

Hiloshain was akin to the source of Rotera.

Only there could the Duke and Duchess rest peacefully.

“Do you understand what you are saying?”

“Yes, ma’am. But I swear I am only speaking the truth now. I collected their corpses and cremated them, ma’am.”

“Ha.”

“I have worked for His Majesty all my life, but I pride myself on never having harmed Rotera.”

“And now you will harm Rotera.”

Henry slowly raised his head.

Lenisha’s spring flowerlike eyes were smiling, but they were not warm.

“…The former Duke of Rotera entrusted Lady Lenisha to you. I have kept that promise, ma’am.”

“… ”

That was an undeniable fact.

Although working for the Emperor, Henry had always helped Lenisha in critical moments.

“Please consider it one more time, ma’am.”

Henry bowed his head.

Linday looked at Lenisha with an anxious face.

Henry was openly volunteering for treachery.

But if Henry were rejected, who would come next? And after that?

Lexus was a man who always got what he wanted, and he would certainly force her into submission.

Perhaps it would be better to accept Henry, the most moderate among them.

Lenisha sighed.

It seemed that she would have to negotiate various things with Henry.

Lenisha nodded briefly.

“Come in.”

Henry finally lifted his head.

At that moment, Henry’s eyes met Casius’s.

He was slightly leaning forward, gripping two railings, a threatening pose.

For some reason, Henry felt that Casius might charge at him.

But Casius turned away obediently.

Henry touched his throat with his fingertips.

Fortunately, his throat was still in place. Contrary to his worries.