Chapter 31

The Emperor thought of Katrin Elemoer, who had just left his office.

On his desk lay a document—another gift she had brought him, containing the accusations she had reported.

Along with it was the note stating that she had appointed Etias Clyde as the investigator.

Pisik- (a scoffing chuckle)

The Emperor’s lips twisted into a vile sneer.

Then, bursting into a booming laugh, he raised his voice in wild amusement.

The attendant trimming his nails flinched and hunched his shoulders, but it wasn’t unusual enough to surprise him greatly, so he continued his work.

“How astounding.”

Katrin Elemoer. The Black Rose of Elemoer, they called her, yet her handwritten note was rather cute.

In it, she had written the reason for designating Etias Clyde as the investigator:

“By making a suspected traitor of high crime conduct the investigation himself, he will feel the weight of the charges and be struck with fear. So that in the future, he wouldn’t even dare to dream of treason.”

Last time, she had openly ridiculed Etias by putting poorhouse flyers into his carriage.

Now she seemed intent on warning and threatening Etias a step ahead.

“You truly raised your daughter well, Duke Elemoer.”

Like a rose covered in thorns—beautiful yet brimming with venom—that face.

The girl who resembled Duke Elemoer’s fierce features would undoubtedly become a great asset to the Empire in the future.

“There’s nothing more to say. Give Katrin Elemoer your full support.”

“Understood.”

The Emperor’s snake-like eyes gleamed with trust towards Lady Elemoer.

Unlike the so-called loyal retainers who merely pretended to torment Etias for appearances before the council, Katrin Elemoer was a true vassal.

Thinking of Etias trembling in fear under her viper-like pressure while he personally indicted traitors for dreadful punishments filled the Emperor with delight.

“I merely wish, for the sake of the Empire’s security, that those who threaten its stability would reflect on themselves and awaken through this matter.”

His lips moved slightly as he spoke in a cold voice.

“The Empire’s security, huh.”

His deep eyes wavered.

“…Certainly, there is no one who poses as much of a threat as I do.”

Then, with a voice rougher than before, he asked me:

“Is that why you gave me this task?”

I gave him a noble smile and nodded once.

My real intention was to have Etias investigate Fadelmon’s affairs, thinking it would make it easier for him to confess the charges entangling him.

“That’s right. His Majesty sees Your Highness as a potential threat, and he liked the idea of me ‘teaching you a lesson.’”

“‘Teaching me a lesson,’ huh.”

His piercing eyes gleamed coldly like a beast’s, making my heart pound, but I raised the corners of my mouth.

Arrogantly, challengingly.

No imperial faction noble ever dared get close to Etias.

But I was already entangled with him in trying to help, and I planned to continue assisting him, so it was better that he knew the publicly villainous reason for my actions.

So that if anyone asked about me, he would never answer in even the slightest positive way.

“That’s just like you, Lady Elemoer.”

From between his lips came a sound like a cold sigh.

‘Being a villain… it’s what I’m used to.’

I held back the tears that threatened to spill as I left the government office.

Well, I could only offer Etias an explanation like that too.

“You’d better conduct a thorough investigation. Imagine the fate of those greedy enough to covet what isn’t theirs.”

My chest ached at the memory of Etias’s face turning cold at my words, but if he realized I was an ally, it would endanger both of us.

It was also a way to keep that brilliant man from suspecting me.

‘But that expression….’

Perhaps it was the glare of the polarized lamp.

His turned face seemed to harden slightly.

That cold expression stirred something deep within me.

Seeing him framed against that wretched, shabby room hurt as if my chest was being torn apart.

Then, from between his dry lips, came his husky voice:

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

‘Etias… Etias, Etias, Etias….’

Hiding the tears flowing endlessly in my heart, I took heavy steps toward the waiting carriage.

Before getting in, I looked back wistfully at the government building.

‘Somewhere in that windowless room… Etias must be there.’

My tightly clenched fist trembled again.

“Heros.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Heros, who helped me into the carriage, looked at me brightly.

“Did your conversation with His Highness go well?”

“Mm. The indictment shouldn’t be a problem. The problem is….”

I pressed my forehead as if I had a headache.

“I might have to visit a few more times, but Etias’s office is so cramped and stuffy.”

“Ah, then I will immediately request the government office to relocate him to another room. I’ll say the young lady finds it unbearably inconvenient.”

I nodded with an annoyed expression.

“And he doesn’t even have a secretary. Handling all that work alone could harm his health.”

His desk had been piled high with documents—probably left unfinished by other officials.

Even dealing with the revolutionary army was enough to work him to death. If he had to handle government affairs on top of that, I worried he might collapse.

“I will request a secretary as well. If I say the lady was furious that the investigation she entrusted to the prince is being delayed by other duties, they will certainly take it seriously.”

“Good.”

I shrugged my shoulders and let Heros escort me into the carriage.

Leaning back against the plush seat, I let out a small sigh.

Ah… I really did so much today.

As Heros watched me quietly, he spoke in a low voice.

“Talis leaves are good for easing fatigue and restlessness… but—”

He lowered his upper body slightly and looked at my feet.

“Nothing is better than a foot massage. Would you allow me to take care of your feet?”

My eyebrows twitched at his words, and I looked at him.

If I had truly been his captive because of debt, I might have refused, but he worked willingly out of affection, so this probably wasn’t an act to curry favor.

“You know how to do it?”

“Of course.”

He carefully lifted my foot from between my dress layers and began pressing my sole slowly with his strong fingertips.

Soft, cooling, and pleasant.

Feeling the carriage begin to move, I slowly closed my eyes.

Entrusting this task to His Highness was just my way of tormenting him to gain His Majesty’s favor.

‘What was I expecting?’

I couldn’t even muster a hollow laugh.

The burning, smoky soot of Cambute Palace, and the man who looked at me with that cold face.

His face overlapped with Katrin’s cold expression from earlier.

Pisik, a sneer twisted his lips.

It seemed he had been briefly mistaken.

Whether it was the villa in Presla’s frozen lands, or this matter she had entrusted to him—it was clear both would benefit him.

Having turned her back on the imperial faction nobles, he wondered if perhaps… just perhaps, she harbored different intentions.

As his fierce eyes reached out to organize the papers on the table—

“……”

His gaze stopped on the document bearing Katrin’s signature, and his hand froze.

With a furrowed brow, he slowly picked up the paper again and looked at it.

His red lips parted slightly.

“This is……”

Katrin Elemoer.

He recognized her signature immediately.

This handwriting was unmistakable.

Etias pulled out several notes he had kept and lined them up next to Katrin’s signature.

His pupils trembled.

“Ha.”

From between his parted lips came a ragged, shaky breath.