Ermedeline, who thought the woman in front of her had crossed the line, immediately launched an attack. The cheerful smile disappeared from the plump face of Countess Elion.

“Your Majesty, your power should not be concealed. Outwardly, everyone pretends to despise the curse, but do you not know how many noble families covet the bloodline of House de Françoise? However, no matter how much blood is spilled, without that clear lineage, the curse loses its potency. and if that isn’t proof of being chosen, I don’t know what is.”

The people here seemed to have quite a peculiar sense of morality. To think they believed she had been chosen to bear such an unpleasant power.

Ermedeline decided that this was the perfect opportunity to firmly establish herself as a different person from before.

“Countess Elion, listen carefully. The reason I accused Duke Françoise this time is to completely sever my connection with this cursed bloodline.”

In truth, it was all about money, but was there any need to reveal the real reason? Sometimes it’s best to leave well enough alone.

“Ah… Is that so?”

“I no longer wish to be called an immoral empress. I dislike the title of ‘witch’ as well. Do you understand?”

To make it clear that she was serious, Ermedeline looked into Countess Elion’s eyes with unwavering determination as she spoke.

For a brief moment, an expressionless look crossed Countess Elion’s face, then disappeared, replaced by a warm smile.

One might say she was remarkably adaptable, or perhaps quick-witted.

“If Your Majesty says so, I will now understand, even though I thought you took pride in being called the Empire’s greatest witch…”

‘Pride in being called a witch? Is that why Felio reacted so strongly to the word ‘reputation’?’

It seemed that the previous owner of this body was a broad-minded individual who didn’t care about reputation, but Ermedeline couldn’t afford such behavior, knowing that it would lead to accusations of witchcraft.

Even if she couldn’t make friends, she had to minimize enemies as much as possible.

“Also, please convey to Princess Viella that I will attend the funeral. She will be deeply grieved, so it would be good if you could comfort her by her side.”

‘Go in my place, offer condolences, and keep an eye on Marchioness Elian’s actions.’

Though she didn’t voice the latter part, Ermedeline believed that the astute Countess Elion would understand her intentions well.

***

The incident occurred late in the evening.

Ermedeline had just retired to her bed after a long day of work when an unwelcome visitor arrived.

Valliere appeared in the reception room, wearing a stern expression, and locked eyes with Ermedeline.

“This can’t be done.”

“What do you mean, ‘can’t be done’?”

“The capital is under the direct rule of the Emperor. You didn’t even seek His Majesty’s permission before establishing an orphanage there?”

Ah, it seems Valliere had heard about the orphanage.

“It’s a privately funded orphanage. Why would I need His Majesty’s permission for a facility that doesn’t rely on the state’s finances?”

“Nothing in the capital, be it a blade of grass or a single tree, is not under His Majesty’s authority.”

“Is that so? Well, I’ll talk to His Majesty about it tomorrow.”

Ermedeline, tired and unwilling to be drawn into this forced argument, simply wanted to lie down on her bed. But Valliere seemed determined.

“That money is Your Majesty’s private donation. It belongs to House de Françoise.”

“Why is that important?”

“His  Majesty will never allow an orphanage to be built with money soaked in someone’s blood and tears.”

“Is that so? Either way, I’ll speak directly to His Majesty tomorrow morning. Guards!”

Ermedeline’s fatigue was evident, but Valliere appeared undeterred in his resolve.

Ermedeline, no longer wanting to listen to Valliere, called the guards loudly, and Valliere left the room on his own.

“Ah, she’s finally gone. It seems even the angelic female lead reacts sensitively to matters involving the male lead.”

As dawn broke after Valliere’s departure, Ermedeline went to find Henry.

It was still early, and Henry had not yet left his bedroom.

In truth, Ermedeline had not planned to come so early, but due to Valliere’s early visit and waiting for her since dawn, she had no choice but to take early steps.

‘Oh, it would be nice to have an orphanage. Why make such a fuss over this matter?’

Upon entering the reception room next to her bedroom, Ermedeline found Henry still not properly dressed.

‘By the way, are the two of them not sleeping together? I remember them sharing a room in the novel.’

In contrast to Henry, Valliere was already perfectly dressed in her everyday attire.

To anyone looking, the two did not seem like people who had spent the night together.

“Why are you up so early?” Henry’s drowsy voice carried a subtle hint of irritation.

Long, graceful fingers pressed to the temples to clear the throat is a colorful sight that can mesmerize anyone, male or female.

‘Wow! He’s really handsome. He has to be this good-looking to play the male lead.’

“Her Majesty the Empress is trying to establish an orphanage in the capital without the approval of His Majesty the Emperor.”

“I’m aware.”

“She plans to use the funds from the ducal estate to care for the orphans who lost their parents in the recent epidemic.”

“That’s commendable. The Empress has made a significant decision.”

Seemingly annoyed by the situation, Henry didn’t even bother looking at Valliere.

“Your Majesty. Isn’t the capital under the Emperor’s rule? Do you really wish for an orphanage to be established in this land using the funds of House de Françoise?”

Henry, prompted by Valliere’s words, finally fixed his blue eyes on her.

“Not too long ago, weren’t you the one urging for more budget allocation, citing a shortage of orphanages in the capital?”

“Yes, that’s correct. But using the tainted money of House de Françoise…”

“Why does it matter? Money is just a means to an end. Money itself isn’t inherently dirty or clean.”

“But…”

In the novel, Henry had always been on Valliere’s side. However, her face was gradually turning pale in real-time as Valliere’s opinions were being rejected in front of Ermedeline.

“And as you said, this is under the Emperor’s rule. The Empress is my wife, the one I share everything within this entire empire.”

Having said this, Henry, with a faint smile, now turned his gaze towards Ermedeline.

His softened eyes, no longer intense, were so mesmerizing that they could stir emotions that weren’t even there.

“Establish the orphanage as you wish. However, once established, the imperial palace will be constantly and thoroughly auditing them.”

I’ll acknowledge your authority to some extent, but I don’t fully trust you.

Understanding Henry’s intent, Ermedeline nodded in agreement.

‘This should be enough.’

Letting out a brief sigh, Ermedeline sneaked a glance at Valliere, who appeared to have turned almost gray while staring at Henry.

‘Ah, they’re going to have a fight. I better disappear quickly.’

There’s nothing as entertaining as watching a quarrel, but it’s best to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Ermedeline promptly exited Henry’s reception room.

As expected by Ermedeline, after she left, an eerie silence descended upon Henry’s reception room.

Both of them stood still for a moment, silently sizing each other up.

Breaking the suffocating silence, Valliere finally spoke.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you know how you’ve been looking at me lately? Have you looked in a mirror? Do you know what your expression is like?”

“Look? Expression?”

Valliere furrowed his brow and tilted his head as if he couldn’t understand Henry’s words.

“Yeah. It’s one thing if you can’t touch me because you’re in pain. But it’s not just your body. Your heart has already left me.”

“What do you mean…”

“Do you know why I fell in love with you? It’s because of those eyes that see right through me, that are endlessly transparent. Even in moments of fierce hatred and when I had to stand alone, when I looked into your eyes, I thought, ‘In this world, there’s at least one person who loves me.’ I thought, ‘There’s at least one person who genuinely likes me without any falsehood.'”

“…”

“Even as the world becomes more corrupt and vile, I believe that you would love me to the end with a pure heart.”

“Even now, that’s how I feel. My feelings haven’t changed.”

Valliere denied Henry’s words with a desperate expression, but Henry’s demeanor remained chillingly cold.

“Is that so? Do you really think that? To be honest, I’m not even sure if the person I’m facing right now is the one I used to know.”

***

Nausea overwhelmed her.

Valliere, back in her own bedroom, emptied her stomach completely.

“Darn it! Darn it!! Darn it!!!”

Leaning against the wall, Valliere looked up at the ceiling, and tears had started flowing from her eyes without her realizing it.

‘A gaze that sees right through him? How do I even do that? What more should I do?’

No matter how much she pondered, she couldn’t find an answer to the question that left her feeling helpless and despairing.

After staring at the empty air for a while, Valliere suddenly stood up.

‘I can’t help it. It can’t end like this, can it?’

***

“Again?”

Ermedeline felt irritated upon hearing the news that Valliere had visited again, just after their recent parting.

“She says she has something important to discuss.”

Sensing Ermedeline’s mood, Rooney, who had conveyed the message, spoke carefully.

“Well, I guess there’s no helping it. Let her in.”

Ermedeline felt sorry for Rooney, who seemed to be trying to be discreet and allowed Valliere in.

As Valliere entered the reception room and confirmed that everyone had left, she walked confidently towards Ermedeline, lifted his chin, and whispered something in her ear.

“Who are you? Where did you come from?”

***

“You were about to say ‘virus,’ right? You should have been careful. What if someone who understands hears it?”

Ermedeline’s breath caught in her throat as she met Valliere’s eyes, filled with arrogant certainty, looking down at her.

“No way.”

“Yeah. After I died, I woke up. Here. In this cheap novel, of all places, with a government to boot.”

‘Cheap novel?’

It was a work that Hyeyoung had stayed up all night to read because it was so popular.

But to call it a “cheap novel” without even being the author, Ermedeline felt a little offended.

‘It may be more of a train wreck than I thought, but it’s not that cheap…’

“I didn’t read this kind of novel. It’s annoying, really.”

Valliere plopped down onto the nearby chair and stretched his legs out.

“Oh, will I go back to where I originally was if I die again?”

Ermedeline jumped at Valliere’s words and grabbed her hands.

“I don’t know why you died, but you came here because you died, right? Don’t even think about it.”

“So what am I supposed to do? You’ve ruined this whole novel for me, and I’m supposed to live like this, playing second fiddle to a man with a wife?”

“No, there’s no need for that. I have no attachment to the empress’s position. I plan to divorce and leave the palace at the right time.”

“What?”

“In the original story, I die, don’t I? And it’s not a pleasant death. I just need to avoid the curse. I have no interest in being empress. My head hurts just thinking about it. I’d rather be a rich commoner.”

“What? After becoming the empress, you want to be a rich commoner?”

“Yeah.”

“Huh?”

In disbelief, Valliere continued to chuckle and gaze at Ermedeline.

“Is it true? Can I believe that?”

“Yes, it’s true. I only want to enjoy a comfortable life.”

“Really? Then can you stop pretending to be nice? It looks like you’re holding onto the empress’s position because you have lingering feelings.”

“No! I just don’t want to die burning like in the original story. That’s all.”

“Alright. I’ll take your word for it, for now. I’ll see if what you say is true or not.”

As the door to the reception room opened, Valliere made a graceful gesture towards Ermedeline as she greeted her.

“I’ll take my leave now.”

She didn’t forget to greet the maids and guards with a kind look in her eyes. However, as she walked through the pristine white corridor, her smile gradually faded.

By the time she reached the end of the corridor, not a hint of emotion showed on her carefully composed face.

“Hmm. Fortunately, she’s a bit of a fool. I can leave her be for a while.”

Step by step, Valliere’s footsteps toward her own bedroom became a bit lighter.