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Chapter 36
She seemed to be trying to look cute in her own way, but unfortunately, with her fierce beauty, it only came across as insincere and affected.
“Your letters were nothing but repetitive nonsense, a waste of paper, Emperor dear. That’s why I didn’t bother replying.”
My eyes opened faintly.
I had been accepting the Emperor’s touch without much thought when suddenly, a small arm stretched out and pushed between us, separating me from her.
“Your Majesty, I have urgent matters to discuss regarding Grand Duke Baharman.”
As stood in front of me, blocking the Emperor.
It was a flawless, impeccable excuse.
The Emperor clicked her tongue and withdrew her hand.
“That damn uncle of mine—always managing to be a thorn in my side, even in the smallest of things.”
Her voice dripped with murderous intent, but the very next moment she smiled languidly, as if nothing had happened, and extended her hand toward me again.
“Let’s continue this talk in the drawing room. Einra, I’ll personally escort you…”
“How could Your Majesty stoop to handling such trivial matters yourself?”
Interrupting her smoothly, As naturally grasped my hand.
He turned back to the Emperor with a courteous smile.
“Please, Your Majesty, allow this loyal servant to fulfill his duty.”
“…Charming face, but truly not so inside. For five years you desperately avoided Einra, and now you can so easily hold her hand?”
The Emperor grumbled irritably, but As’s smile did not waver.
Watching this unfold right beside me, I couldn’t help but admire him inwardly.
To block the Emperor so gracefully, without a hint of unease…
Yes, a mastermind really is different from the rest.
The Emperor’s drawing room, decorated not extravagantly but with solemn grandeur, had not changed since my last visit.
Even refreshments were removed for security’s sake. As soon as we sat, the Emperor spoke in a serious tone.
“Let’s address the most important matter first.”
Her expression was so grave that I instinctively tensed as I faced her.
Meeting my eyes, she asked,
“Einra, you sold your old house, didn’t you?”
“…Huh? I did, yes.”
It was such an abrupt question that I nodded with a reluctant expression. The Emperor shook her head as if pitying me.
“What a shame. As of yesterday, all real estate transactions in the capital have been frozen.”
“…”
“Some tax scandal in the property market has erupted. With everyone involved being arrested, lifting the restrictions is near impossible right now.”
My face instantly twisted in displeasure.
“…What a load of crap.”
It was blatantly obvious she froze the market just to target me.
Sure, the tax scandal might be real. But the problem was that the Emperor had deliberately played her card—just to set up the next thing she was about to say.
And just as I predicted, her words followed:
“But you needn’t worry too much. As it happens, the Empress’s Palace in the imperial residence is vacant…”
“I refuse.”
My sharp reply made the Emperor stare at me in shock—like she had just been rejected after a confession.
I sighed heavily and added,
“Your Majesty, I appreciate your favor, but excessive attention is burdensome. It’s already uncomfortable enough living in the palace, but the Empress’s Palace? Really?”
“…What’s wrong with the Empress’s Palace?”
“I told you before. You may think it’s all for fun, but the consorts genuinely view me as a threat.”
Do you know how terrifying jealous consorts can be?!
The memories of being openly targeted by those beautiful, handsome consorts flashed through my mind like a panorama.
Especially Consort Evelyn.
That fierce, demon-like glare over her fan, as though she’d rip me apart—still vivid even after five years.
As if my life didn’t already have enough reincarnation, revenge, and politics, now palace intrigue had to intrude too.
And the Emperor is a woman, no less!
If I actually lived in the Empress’s Palace under her favor…
I’d be nothing more than the clueless extra—killed off first in a palace drama.
The thought alone sent shivers across my body, and I trembled. The Emperor, shoulders slumping, looked hurt.
“I’m not doing this for fun. I’m sincere…”
“That’s even worse. I have zero intention of getting involved in palace infighting.”
I will never again suffer those deathly glares and veiled threats from the consorts!
Drawing a firm line, I watched the Emperor’s eyes well with unshed tears, as if she had been heartbreakingly rejected.
I sighed again.
“Besides, I already found a place to live.”
“…You found a place?”
Her eyes widened.
This time As replied with a smile.
“Einra will be staying with me at the Grand Duke’s estate. With my body reduced to that of a child, I’m vulnerable. Being at her side ensures safety.”
“Sure, if you say so.”
The Emperor sneered, twisting her lips, but As simply kept smiling as always.
After muttering insults like “fox” and “thief,” she finally leaned back, deflated.
Her voice came weaker.
“Fine. I already heard from Counts Harnen and Chebilla. You were kidnapped by your uncle during the victory banquet, weren’t you?”
At last, the conversation hit its main subject.
The smile vanished from As’s face. He bowed his head.
“That is correct.”
“tsk. How much did you drink…? More importantly, the fact that intruders could breach the palace and abduct someone—that shows how poor our security is.”
The Emperor smirked as though amused.
I almost prayed for the palace guard captain’s soul, but quickly realized he wasn’t worth it.
Anyone who endangered As deserved whatever fate awaited them under her heel.
“My uncle has grown far too bold. To kidnap one of my subjects from within my own palace… Does he not realize he’s courting death? He must learn that stupidity itself can be a crime.”
She muttered languidly, resting her elbow on the chair’s arm.
“But there’s something even more important.”
Her gaze shifted to As beside me.
Against the size of his chair, his child’s body looked even smaller.
The Emperor clicked her tongue.
“A war hero capable of wielding aura—reduced to a child…”
“It’s not difficult to show my real face. By using Harnen’s nullification spell, I can temporarily return to my original form.”
As spoke calmly.
I flinched and looked at him.
“But As, if you do that…!”
“As?”
The Emperor tilted her head curiously, but I had no time to explain the name.
As, seeing my distressed face, smiled warmly.
“Don’t worry, Einra. I’ll only use it when absolutely necessary.”
“But still…”
How could I not worry? Spells always carried side effects.
And side effects from sorcery can’t be healed by ordinary magic.
They can only be undone by dispelling the very curse itself.
The thought of him suffering while I stood helplessly by—just unbearable.
Listening to our exchange, the Emperor nodded.
“Einra is right. One must approach side effects with great caution. Harnen can only produce so many nullification spells, and it’s your child’s body that would endure the consequences.”
For once, the Emperor was making sense.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day!
I nodded vigorously, and she chuckled before continuing.
“It would be best to avoid public appearances as much as possible.”
“But surely some will grow suspicious if he never shows himself.”
“Of course. But there’s a perfect solution to erase those doubts.”
The Emperor spoke confidently.
As’s eyes darkened, sensing something unpleasant, but since avoiding side effects was the top priority, I quickly asked,
“What solution?”
She smiled.
“Einra attends every official occasion in his place.”
“…What?”
“Everyone already knows you and Grand Duke Serenia don’t get along. But now you’ve returned, appearing frequently at events and gatherings? Even if the Grand Duke is absent, no one would think it strange.”
She added triumphantly,
“No suspicions at all.”
“…”
