/
Hadel blinked his eyes a few more times before furrowing his brow.
From his slowly opening mouth, words I didn’t expect flowed out.
“Melliot? Why would that woman
”
I thought he wouldn’t even remember her name.
I thought he would ask, ‘who is that?’, but it seemed he actually knew who she was.
With narrowed eyes, I scanned Hadel’s expression.
Seeing my silence, Hadel’s frown deepened before he continued.
“Why did that beg
 no, that leech-like woman come looking for you, Asha?”
Huh?
It seemed like Hadel was about to say ‘beggar-like’, but was that my misunderstanding?
“She provoked me by saying that she visited your bedroom every night.”
“
What?”
There was no way that Hadel would have allowed that.
However, I was curious about his reaction, and what the truth was, which was why I said it.
But what’s with his reaction?
His eyes first widened in panic, which I had expected, before his eyes started shaking like an earthquake.
What the
 His reaction made it seem like that woman had been telling the truth.
“It seems you’re feeling guilty about something, Hadel.”
“Huuh? N-No, it’s not like that.”
“It’s not like that?”
“I-If we’re going by what she said literally, and how she came into my bedroom
”
Hadel trailed off, hesitating briefly before continuing.
“That’s true. She did come into my bedroom. But that’s it. I chased her out immediately.”
“Well, obviously you should have done that. But why are you feeling guilty?”
“Because that woman had your colours, Asha. I wanted to kill her for the crime of disrespecting the Emperor, but I couldn’t. Because whenever I saw her, I thought of you, and it was hard. Really
”
Hearing the slight tremble in his voice made me bite my bottom lip.
Stories of his time without me.
The pain of his time without me.
“Hadel.”
I slowly held Hadel’s cheeks in my hands, making eye contact with him.
“I love you.”
The words I couldn’t say to him for ten years.
The words he wanted to hear so badly.
“Let’s get our revenge. On everyone who kept us apart, let’s get our revenge.”
“Asha.”
Hadel leaned his forehead against mine.
I could feel his warmth and his breath.
“Thank you for being alive. Thank you for coming back to me, Asha.”
It was a confession from the heart.
It’s me who is thankful, Hadel.
For not forgetting me until now.
I wrapped my arms around Hadel’s neck.
His warm shoulders were as sturdy as our feelings for each other.
Ah, I’m busy today, though.
I also needed to tell him what I had discussed with Duke Valkirino.
I was only able to talk to him properly after the sun had risen to the middle of the sky.
“Hadel, I think I have to leave the palace for a bit.”
Hadel, who had his arms around my waist in his refusal to be away from me, flinched bodily.
He spoke with a crestfallen voice.
“Is it because of the stuff with Duke Valkirino?”
As expected, he understood.
Hiding my smile, I ran my fingers through Hadel’s black hair.
“Yeah. I told him to test how much love I’m receiving from the Emperor, so he told me to make the Lily Palace actually liveable.”
After saying that, I tapped on the shabby bed of the Lily Palace.
The wooden bed often made creaking noises.
Because it remained unused for so long, the amount of dust that had collected was no joke.
Although the maids were now cleaning it, the palace itself was just too old.
In other words, it appeared like a cold palace fit for an abandoned queen.
“I agree with that. It’s not good enough for you to stay in, Asha.”
“Right? So I think I have to meet some furniture craftsmen and buy a few things.”
“Mm. What about just moving to the Ruby Palace instead?”
“Whaaat?”
The Ruby Palace

That was a palace only the officially recognized Empress could be bestowed with.
Someone with only the title of a mere Queen could never dream of staying there.
Hadel must have noticed how astounded I was, for he shied away from my gaze.
“Is that too much? It won’t change the fact that we still have to be apart, so
”
“That’s not the problem!”
“Yeah, you should just come to my bedroom at the Sun Palace instead. That would be best.”
The words coming out of Hadel’s mouth kept getting more and more unbelievable.
In the end, I flicked him in the forehead.
“Enough! Stop with the nonsense. Anyway, that’s why I have to leave, so let’s be apart for a bit.”
I had so much to do.
I had planned on leaving right after eating breakfast, but somehow, several hours had already passed.
“
You’re leaving right now?”
“That’s what I said. I have to go as soon as I can. Hurry, Hadel.”
At my urges, Hadel pouted before stepping away.
It was cute to see, but I had to restrain myself.
First, I need to receive Duke Valkirino’s acknowledgement and infiltrate deep into the duchy.
That was a necessity so that I could investigate which noble families had framed my family and thoroughly get my revenge.
“Asha, take Taimon.”
“By Taimon
 Are you talking about that cool knight you sent?”
“
What?”
“Ah, I-I mean, the knight who is the second coolest after you?”
“
Well, yeah. Anyway, I have acknowledged Taimon’s talent, so he’ll definitely be able to protect you.”
“And he’ll be able to look out for that part-time spy while he’s at it, right?”
At my words, Hadel quietly smiled.
“Good. I was going to ask for Sir Taimon anyway.”
“Hm? Really? Why?”
“Because I thought that was the response Duke Valkirino wanted.”
Decorating the Lily Palace was an excuse. No, to be more accurate, he had laid out bait.
This was because if he simply wanted me to spruce up the place, he wouldn’t need to set the ‘other conditions.’
After telling me to make the Lily Palace liveable, he said something else.
[All of the maids here are from the Valkirino Duchy. So, take only your people and go out yourself to buy what you need.]
[Myself, you say
?]
[I want to test your eye at designing.]
Although that was the reason he gave, I was sure there was another reason.
At the end of my brainstorming, the answer was Taimon.
Well, it wasn’t Taimon exactly; it could be any one of the Imperial Guards.
To determine how important I was by the person the Emperor would send to protect me.
This was what the Duke wanted to confirm.
In that case, the best answer was the Emperor’s personal guard, Taimon.
“Then I’ll be off, Hadel.”
Hadel, who was as curious as ever, smiled brightly as I tugged his pale cheek.
45
My heart tightened thinking of the happiness that reminded me of standing back in the past.
I hope this happiness will no longer be broken.
I hope these precious days will continue on forever

* * *
The Emperor’s personal Grand Chamberlain, Derrell, was spending another heart-pounding day.
He was surprised thanks to His Majesty the Emperor’s sudden visit to the Lily Palace, shocked at seeing him treat the Silver Lily so lovingly, and astonished at how long he stayed at the palace.
“Derrell.”
“Y-Yes, Your Majesty!”
Upon returning from the Lily Palace, the Emperor stared at the table with a murderous expression before calling for him with a dangerous tone. Derrell was startled yet again.
At this rate, he might end up in a grave due to cardiac arrest.
Whether the Emperor knew how Derrell felt or not, he kept staring at the table before speaking again.
“What was the business that Viscount Melliot made a fuss about promoting?”
“P-Pardon?”
“
I don’t know why you keep making me repeat myself.”
“Hic! I-I apologize, Your Majesty! V-Viscount Melliot has several businesses, but the one he’s been recently promoting
”
Derrell’s mind raced.
As the Grand Chamberlain, the closest attendant to the Emperor, he needed to stay knowledgeable of most common information about the nobles.
However, as the Emperor’s Grand Chamberlain frequently changed, and because the Emperor had never asked about politics before, Derrell couldn’t help but be taken aback.
“To my knowledge, it’s near Revale Forest, Your Majesty!”
It seemed that they were designing and constructing a new stadium in order to hold special shows.
Luckily, the Emperor must have been satisfied with his response, for he raised his gaze from the table and smiled gently.
“Lebail Forest? That worked out well.”
Pleased, the Emperor breathed in deeply and leaned back in his chair.
“If one failed at educating their child, the parent naturally must take responsibility. Isn’t that so, Derrell?”
“O-Of course, Your Majesty!”
Derrell didn’t really understand what was going on, but he nodded his head for now.
Seeing the appeased Emperor, he let out a sigh of relief and could finally breathe again.
The breathing of the two men had different meanings.
* * *
“Miss Silver Lily! Is it really okay for just the two of us to leave?”
I left the palace shortly after sending Hadel away.
If I stood out too much, something annoying might happen, so I planned on buying what I needed quietly before returning.
So, I left with only Dovea, but it seemed she was worried that the Emperor’s Queen had come out dressed like an ordinary commoner.
“There are two escort guards. What are you worried about?”
“ But
 Still, Miss Silver Lily, you are the Queen who receives the favor of the Emperor..!”
“Dovea.”
Her voice was getting louder, and seeing her say things that didn’t really need to be said, I hurriedly stopped her.
“Be careful with your words. We’re commoners right now, got it?”
“
Yes. I apologize.”
And like that, we arrived at Milpelle Street.
Milpelle Street, known as the haven for furniture makers, was a touristy area with many furniture stores and showrooms.
“Oh my, how beautiful
!”
Dovea couldn’t hide her amazement at the sparkling buildings and ornate furniture.
I was seeing this street for the first time as well, so I was also swept away by the magnificent things on display.
“
Serienne?”
From behind, I suddenly heard my alias called.
“My goodness! That’s you, right, Serienne?!”
The owner of a familiar voice approached me cheerily.
Unfortunately, this was a face that I was not happy to see at all.