The next day.

As promised, I boarded a carriage with Ascan and headed toward the Empress’s Palace.

Zen also followed on horseback, but since the location was the Imperial Palace, his access as a non-noble was inevitably limited.

I opened the carriage window first and spoke to Zen.

“Ascan and I will go inside. Don’t worry—wait for me outside.”

Zen silently stared at Ascan. His eyes were full of caution, but having no better option, he didn’t object.

“Understood. If anything unexpected happens, please use the signal flare. I’ll ride straight to wherever you are.”

Perhaps still unsettled by my injury from the needle prick at the previous imperial banquet, Zen had handed me a signal flare before we arrived here.

When fired skyward like a firework, it could be seen even from afar.

I doubted today’s meeting would require using the flare, but recognizing his concern for me, I nodded.

“I will. Don’t worry.”

Only then did Zen bow his head with a relieved expression, offering a formal bow.

Ascan, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, frowned. Somehow, he seemed displeased with the content of our exchange.

“Do you always have conversations like this with your bodyguard wherever you go?”

Caught off guard by Ascan’s unexpected question, I shook my head in denial.

“No, not at all. It’s just that lately, I’ve caused Zen a lot of worry.”

“Worry? Between master and servant? There should only be one who commands and one who obeys.”

Ascan wasn’t wrong. His words seemed directed not just at me, but also meant for Zen to hear.

But Zen, acting as if he hadn’t heard anything at all, spurred his horse forward. Though not outright disrespectful, his behavior clearly conveyed disregard toward Ascan.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, I quickly closed the carriage window.

Ascan remained inside the carriage with me, while Zen rode outside—effectively separating their line of sight.

This was a precaution to prevent any potential friction between them.

Ascan fixed me with a displeased gaze and spoke.

“You wouldn’t dare defend your bodyguard in front of me, would you?”

“Of course not.”

“Didn’t you tell me last time not to lay a finger on a single hair of his?”

“Why are you still holding onto that?”

“…Because I dislike you being kind to anyone other than me.”

His blunt statement caught me slightly off guard.

He seemed sulky, so I hurriedly spoke to soothe him.

“Don’t misunderstand. Zen isn’t just any ordinary bodyguard. I’ve known him since childhood—he’s practically family.”

“That’s a dangerously naive thought. How can someone who isn’t family be ‘practically family’?”

Upon reflection, he had a point. Despite my good intentions, I seemed to have only worsened his mood.

“It’s not like that… It’s more like how you care for Bill. You might perceive it differently because of gender differences.”

I knew from the novel that Ascan and Bill shared a bond as close as blood brothers.

My explanation seemed to work—for the first time, Ascan’s expression softened.

“…What if I still dislike it?”

Though he was the fearsome villain of the novel, hearing him say this made him seem endearingly childish rather than intimidating.

Perhaps I was already hopelessly smitten.

“Of course I won’t do anything you dislike. I’m grateful to Zen in many ways, but he originally belonged to my father—I plan to return him eventually.”

At my words, Ascan kept his brows furrowed but smiled faintly.

“Did you think saying that would make me go soft?”

“No. I meant it sincerely.”

“There’s no one else who can control my emotions like you do.”

“Is that a compliment?”

Ascan’s gaze toward me grew tender. Even without anyone explaining, I could clearly sense the affection in his eyes.

“I’ll overlook it if he’s like family to you. Even if you keep him beside you as you do now, I won’t mind—as long as he doesn’t cross the line I set.”

“Line?”

“No physical contact.”

“Pfft, obviously!”

His unexpected remark was so absurd I burst out laughing.

Even as he continued to look at me tenderly, Ascan spoke firmly.

“Don’t be too nice to him either.”

“Isn’t that too subjective?”

“It can’t be helped. When I get jealous, just treat me with love like you’re doing now. Then… even if it annoys me, I’ll try my best to endure it patiently.”

I couldn’t help but keep giggling.

Though I didn’t like feeling restrained, it was natural for anyone to feel possessive toward someone they loved.

I didn’t know how strong Ascan’s possessiveness was, but the fact that he was willing to endure discomfort for my sake made me feel strangely touched and warm inside.

He looked at me curiously.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Because you’re adorable. You said you’ve been thinking lately about how to earn my affection—and truly, you’re only doing adorable things.”

Ascan’s eyes flushed slightly with embarrassment. It was obvious he was delighted by my praise, which made my heart ache sweetly.

He was simply lovable.

There was no other word for it.

Could there really be someone whose emotions shift so dramatically from just one word I say?

The murderer of Charles, severed contact with Orland, Helsion’s unexpected proposal—

Lately, my head had been full of troubling matters, yet with Ascan beside me like this, I could still smile and carry on.

Ascan pinched my cheek playfully and shot me a teasing glance.

“Don’t flatter me. No matter how sweet your words sound, I still can’t stand seeing so many men around you.”

But he seemed to have misinterpreted my sincerity entirely.

So absurd was his misunderstanding that I raised my voice without realizing.

“That’s not what I meant at all!”

At the entrance of the Empress’s Palace stood Yuella, who had come as a messenger to our mansion yesterday.

She glanced briefly at Ascan standing beside me, then bowed politely.

“Commander of the Royal Guard, I was under the impression today’s meeting was arranged solely between Her Imperial Majesty the Empress and Lady Brellof.”

“I have no intention of intruding. I’m here only to ensure Lady Brellof’s safety, under direct orders from His Imperial Majesty.”

Helsion’s imperial command to protect me had conveniently served as my alibi in multiple situations.

Yuella bowed her head in acknowledgment. But when she thought no one was watching, I caught her subtly frowning.

Thus, Ascan and I entered the Empress’s Palace. Only after walking for quite a while under Yuella’s guidance did we finally reach our destination.

“Her Imperial Majesty the Empress awaits inside. Commander, if you’d kindly wait in the reception room just beside—”

“It’s fine. I’ll wait right here.”

Ascan stood with his arms crossed. Though he made no dramatic gesture, he appeared as immovable as a stone statue.

I had no idea how long my conversation with Seruna would take. I looked up at Ascan with concern.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Yes. I don’t particularly want to grow accustomed to waiting for you, but it’s probably one of the things I do best.”

I chuckled and nodded.

It was a talent in itself—making me feel, every single moment, how cherished I was.

With him, no matter the place, my heart always felt at ease.

“Then wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”

Yuella, overhearing our exchange, gave me a suspicious look—but as I stepped forward, she quickly snapped back to attention.

She hurriedly opened the door and announced loudly,

“Your Imperial Majesty, Lady Brellof has arrived.”

Clack, clack—I walked confidently into the lavishly decorated room.

The interior was extravagantly ornate to the point of excess. Everything was gilded in gold, adorned with glittering precious gems.

It felt like a room designed solely to flaunt wealth to others.

Sitting gracefully at an antique tea table, Seruna looked up and smiled gently as I entered.

“You must have had quite a journey getting here.”

Even at the party, I’d noticed—Seruna possessed an innocent, fragile beauty, as if a mere breeze might carry her away. At first glance, no trace of malice could be found, even if you searched thoroughly.

I slightly bent my knees and bowed respectfully to Seruna, the Empress.

“I humbly greet Her Imperial Majesty the Empress of the Calua Empire.”

“We’ve met before—no need for such formality. Please come and sit over here.”

Seruna elegantly gestured toward the seat opposite her. I nodded and sat down in the chair she indicated.

Soon, palace maidservants entered carrying an exquisite tea set.

Steam rose from the teapot, indicating the tea had just been freshly brewed.

Seruna poured tea into my cup first and spoke.

“This tea was presented as tribute from another kingdom. Since it’s said to be exceptionally rare, I prepared it especially for you.”

“Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty.”

I smiled innocently, as if completely unaware—but inwardly, I was anything but naive.

I’d already sensed something strange during the imperial banquet.

That day, suspecting something might be slipped into my food, I deliberately ate nothing—but people kept approaching me, persistently offering various dishes.

In my already wary state, their behavior didn’t raise mere suspicion—it confirmed my certainty.

There was undoubtedly something unusual in the food.

‘Likely, something’s been added to this tea too.’

Even if not specifically for hypnosis, it was highly probable they’d included substances to place me at a disadvantage.

Having experienced this once at the banquet, I’d anticipated something similar today.

Just before leaving the room, the palace maidservants who brought the tea set casually lit an incense burner.

A faint musk scent tickled my nose. The fragrance wasn’t unpleasant, but it reminded me of what Ascan had once told me.

─Actually, the idea for that perfume came from the Emperor. After allying with the Manoko family, the first thing the Emperor extracted from them was this mysterious incense burner.

At the party, Luphilmo had attempted hypnosis using perfume—so it was entirely possible they planned the same trick with incense.

In the past, this would have been dangerous—but now, thanks to Ascan’s perfume, I’d developed immunity to hypnosis. Their efforts would be useless.

I smirked.

Today, Seruna’s hidden intentions were glaringly obvious.

Seruna looked at me curiously.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because it’s amusing.”

“Amusing? While drinking tea, do tell me what’s so amusing. I’m curious whether it’ll suit Lady Brellof’s taste as well.”

“Certainly.”

As I reached for the teacup, Seruna’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Suppressing my inner laughter, I deliberately dropped the cup onto the floor.

Crash!

The teacup shattered instantly into pieces.

The unidentified, steaming hot liquid inside spilled across the floor.

Anyone could see it was deliberately dropped—I made no effort to feign an accident or make excuses.

Seemingly caught off guard, Seruna spoke with mild surprise.

“What on earth… is this behavior?”

“Oh my, my hand just slipped.”

Wanting to tease her, I exaggeratedly covered my mouth with my hand. Seruna’s face hardened even further.

“Lady Brellof!”

“My hearing is perfectly fine—you don’t need to shout.”

“How dare you act so insolently before me, the Empress of the Calua Empire? Are you in your right mind?”

“On the contrary, I’d like to ask Your Imperial Majesty—how long do you intend to keep sending assassins after me?”

Even with my blunt question, Seruna showed no visible emotional disturbance.

She stared at me with eyes burning with suppressed anger and spoke softly.

“What evidence do you have to dare speak such words before me? I have never sent assassins after Lady Brellof—”

“Ah, there’s someone waiting outside, so I have no intention of prolonging this conversation. I came here today because I have something to say.”

I never expected to have a sincere, open conversation with Seruna.

She would never admit her crimes herself, and as a noble from another empire, it was impossible for me to uncover the truth here.

I came only to deliver a final warning.

“Listen carefully, Your Imperial Majesty. I have my limits too. Though entangled by your unexpected proposal, we hold no personal grudges—I’ll let it go if you stop here.”

Seruna stared at me wordlessly. Her expression was unreadable, but she didn’t offer the transparent excuses she’d made earlier.

She seemed curious about what I would say next.

Whatever thoughts churned in her mind were irrelevant to me—I continued speaking what I’d come to say.

“Currently, the Manoko family wields power as imperial relatives—but that doesn’t mean the Calua Empire is free of internal enemies.”

As the Manoko family’s influence grew, so did the number of those opposing them.

Though currently suppressed under the Manoko’s authority, if I supported them with my magical engineering weapons, the balance of power could shift.

“If you send another assassin after me from this day forward, I intend to distribute my magical engineering weapons to your opposition faction.”

In other words, every weapon I created would be aimed squarely at Seruna and the Manoko family.

Seruna’s pupils, previously calm, widened visibly.

Naturally. Whether the opponent was an empire, the royal family, or nobles—it was an undeniably forceful, uncompromising response no one could ignore.

Looking at Seruna, who appeared deeply flustered, I smiled sweetly.

“And I’m not speaking of just one transaction. For the rest of your life, until the day you die, I’ll lend weapons to your enemies.”

You’ve underestimated me far too long.

Now, it’s time to show you the power I hold.