Noah assessed Annette in the following way:

A person who has nothing to lose, except for their life.

“Recall what your sister told you about when Annette Martinec drove out the maids.”

Thanks to Mabel’s detailed explanation, Simoren knew fairly well what had happened then.

[When Helen spoke with a nuance suggesting we won’t be safe if we treat her like this, it didn’t work at all. Annette asked, ‘Are you going to kill me, or will you report to His Majesty?’]

Mabel had said that she never saw Helen, who usually had a strong presence, back down so easily. Listening to Mabel’s story beside Simoren, Noah was certain.

“Normally, one does not immediately resort to talk of killing in such situations. Usually, it would be… ‘What can you do about it?'”

Noah recalled his encounter with Annette. She had indeed spoken to him in that manner. Although he had known about her assertive nature, her words then had revealed more.

“Most don’t lightly talk of risking their life over trivial matters. That’s a statement of someone who only has their life to gamble.”

“Isn’t that an over-sensitive interpretation? She might have said it just to threaten.”

“In any other situation, that might be true. Even if things go wrong, their necks wouldn’t literally be at risk. But this is the imperial palace, and Annette Martinec is already out of His Majesty’s favor.”

Despite Peter’s warnings, her actions remained bold. Some might see this as bravery, but Noah knew that bravery didn’t always equate to courage.

“Annette Martinec has nothing to lose. And in a card game, those who have more to lose inevitably do.”

Therefore, she should be left alone for the time being.

At that moment, Noah earnestly advised Simoren. Simoren understood Noah’s concerns but had a different view.

“Noah said that Annette Martinec has nothing to lose. Therefore, we shouldn’t move rashly until we know what she wants.”

“My opinion is the same. Do you wish to propose a different view?”

“No. However, if we cannot act because we don’t know what she wants, shouldn’t we make an effort to find out?”

Above all, Simoren sensed that Annette was not entirely a safe person.

“It seems she could harm my younger sister, so I wish to observe her closely for the time being. Please grant me permission.”

“…….”

After Simoren finished speaking, silence fell in the room. Peter, deep in thought, just stared at Simoren, not speaking first. At that moment, Peter was almost amazed at Simoren’s judgment.

Not because Simoren had made a wrong judgment. His judgment was logical and rational.

What made Peter almost chuckle was the behavior of Annette that led to such a logical and rational judgment.

‘I thought I was the only one being played.’

On the last day he confronted Annette, he had warned her.

[Live quietly. If you wish to preserve that neck a little longer.]

It was Peter’s sincere intention. He intended to use Annette as a shield against other nobles, not to keep her by his side to control his madness, as she had suggested. He just wanted her to preserve her life in a corner of the palace until he achieved his goals.

However, with just a few words, she had rapidly increased her presence in the palace.

Noah feared Annette, Monique couldn’t resist her curiosity and sought her out, and Simoren volunteered to stay by her side.

Annette, who Peter had intended to make an invisible presence, had completely thwarted his plans.

If her existence couldn’t be erased, then perhaps, as Simoren suggested, it was better to find out what she wanted.
The problem right now is that it’s impossible to gauge Annette Martinec’s intentions.

“Annette Martinec is definitely setting up a game, but what she aims to gain from it, I can’t figure out.”

If it had been another noble, their desires would have been clear.

Martinec, though a noble family, stands apart. It’s like managing a newly settled territory in the north. They became the managers of the underworld, Operetta, in return for their loyalty to the empire. And since most of Martinec’s interactions occur within Operetta, they have little interest or ambition in the social circles outside.

‘That’s also why I chose Martinec over other candidates.’

Now that it has come to this, it’s troubling not to know her intentions.

This means I’m completely dancing to Annette’s tune.

Peter, lost in thought for a moment, spoke up.

“I grant the permission. From this moment, you are responsible for Annette Martinec’s escort.”

“Thank you!”

“There’s no need for thanks; it’s surveillance. But there’s something I need you to do.”

I have no intention of being played like this.

If a bomb is bound to explode, it’s better to detonate it immediately rather than live in fear. Now that I know Annette is orchestrating something, I plan to expand her game and blow it up.

And I have just the pretext to escalate the situation. Peter pulled out two sealed envelopes from a drawer and handed them to Simoren.

“Send these invitations for a banquet to the former Empress and Annette Martinec.”

“The banquet? You mean next week’s Thilemann memorial?”