Closing her eyes, Liz felt the warm touch enveloping her lower belly. His breath tickled her ear, and their hearts beat as one.

Immersed in the exciting yet comforting sensation, Liz forgot about her worries that Hersis might enter the birthing room.

If childbirth was like this, she felt like she could do it a few more times.

“….!”

Her belly rippled like waves. The slight movement, a bit more pronounced than usual, felt similar to when a cat comes out into the sunny yard and flips its body.

“Seems like you’re in a good mood.”

“How did you know?”
Liz found it fascinating that he knew the emotions of a child not even conceived within her.

“Just by intuition.”

“Ah…”

She knew he was a sensitive man, but she didn’t expect him to be sensitive in this aspect as well.

Liz felt admiration beyond amazement.

During their conversation, there was another ripple, and both of them focused on the third fetal movement.

It was a happy day, only for Liz and Hersis.

For most people present there, it was a bittersweet day.

Liz learned about this fact a few days later through a letter accompanied by handmade baby socks sent by Mirabel.

“Husbands are blaming the Emperor and causing a commotion. They say he doesn’t understand how much he’s tormenting the wives. He has set the expectations too high for the wives. From now on, they plan to bring their husbands to the birthing education. Are you really planning to bring the Emperor into the birthing room?”

“Ah… Right!”

Liz slapped her forehead.

She completely forgot about it. What should she do?

He’s the type of person who carries out what he decides.

Liz thought it would be better if he went hunting or was in a meeting when labor pains came.

⭐⭐⭐

It was a clear spring day.

Sprouts emerged in the flowerbed, and spring flowers began to bloom one by one.

The air, which had been heavy, gradually rose as the warm surface heated up, and the cold, marble-like wind became as soft as down.

Liz strolled through the garden, enjoying the spring day.

Rosha and the maids followed her, and five guards trailed behind. Considering the unseen guards, there were probably even more.

“Your Majesty, aren’t you tired? Should I bring a wheelchair?” Rosha asked quietly.

“No, I’m fine. I can walk a bit more. The doctor told me to walk more now.”

Otherwise, it might lead to a real miscarriage.

Deciding to go a little further, Liz thought about what to do.

She decided to go outside the main palace, revisit the old residence, then turn towards the canal shore. That’s when it happened.

About six people appeared with brisk steps toward another intersection, accompanied by the sound of shuffling feet.

They seemed unaware that the Empress was nearby, not far from their busy path.

To get a closer look, Liz squinted her eyes.

There were two council elders and about three high-ranking nobles.

Rather than figuring out who they were, Liz paid attention to the direction they were heading.

“The council hall? What’s happening there today?”

As she entered the last month, Liz dedicated herself solely to prenatal education, occasionally receiving minor documents about the palace affairs. There was nothing urgent.
I also asked Hersis if there was anything special, but he just said everything was going smoothly.

Liz believed his words like steel. There was no reason not to believe, as all the significant events from the original work had either been resolved or disappeared.

However…

‘Why do I feel so uneasy?’

Suddenly, an indescribable sense of unease subtly stimulated her mind. Moreover…

‘Something is destined to happen.’

Why do these words suddenly come to mind again?

Liz couldn’t stay still.

“Rosa.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Rosa took a step forward.

“Could you find out what discussions are going on at the council hall?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will inquire as ordered.”

With a neat and tidy attitude, Rosa obediently accepted the command and left the crowd of commoners.

The space she vacated was quickly filled by another commoner. Liz’s leg was starting to ache a bit, so she requested one arm from the woman who came forward and, leaning on the offered arm, slowly returned to the main palace.

Four hours later, Rosa returned.

“It took quite a while.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

There was no trace of any anxious signs in Rosa’s words.

Thus, Liz could ask with relief.

“Alright, what happened? What was discussed in the council hall?”

“There was an election for the Chancellor.”

“Chancellor? If it’s the Chancellor…”

“It refers to the highest official position except for the Emperor, Your Majesty.”

With Rosa’s sincere explanation, Liz narrowed her eyes and said with a sigh.

“Also, it refers to officials brought in to check imperial power. I didn’t ask because I didn’t know.”

The system of the Chancellor had disappeared with the end of the ancient era, 513 years ago when the empire replaced the kingdom.

As the land expanded, and feudal lords scattered widely, the importance of imperial power became more prominent, leading to the natural extinction of the Chancellor’s system.

“Why are they electing the Chancellor now, who disappeared hundreds of years ago?”

It didn’t seem like a particularly good omen.

“I don’t know well either. I heard that some council elders and some high-ranking nobles wanted it. And Your Majesty finally approved.”

“His Majesty?”

It was still puzzling, but if Hersis approved, it didn’t seem to be a matter worth paying much attention to.

Clearly, if he was confident, those who were dissatisfied with themselves and couldn’t check themselves would have agreed to the proposal.

Liz settled her excited emotions and asked in a relaxed state.

“Well, have you also found out who the Chancellor is?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Who is it?”

“His Excellency Damian Montaner.”

For a moment, Liz’s violet pupils shook violently.

‘What? Why him of all people…?’