# 30
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“Say ideas?!”
When she asked him with a calm face, his blue gaze seemed to grow more complex.
Moments later, he opened his lips again.
“Unusual rumors have been spreading about you recently.”
Well, it was clear what kind of rumor he meant.
“Catherine Elmore attempts to break away from nobles loyal to the Emperor.”
The return of Tundra of the North, or her conflicts with the nobles – all of that would certainly make me look like that.
My quarrels with my relatives including Vadelmun will also make me look like this.
Capital rumors spread quickly.
“What's wrong with that?”
His eyebrows twitched slightly.
He looked at me with a sharp look full of curiosity.
“You will leave the Emperor's supporters and go your own way?”
I remembered my interview with the Emperor that took place before I came here.
“It seems that you have not heard enough about me, quite the opposite, I...”
It is enough for “Ethios” to know about me only within the limits I have drawn.
“All I want is to have the Emperor’s complete trust alone.”
* * *
“The silk you sent arrived in good condition. The tailor said he would make the best dress out of it.”
“Since the cloth is rare and valuable, it will undoubtedly enhance His Highness’s prestige.”
When I presented to him one of the many things I obtained when transferring rights to works from relatives, the Emperor received me with an admiring smile.
He looked at me with my head bowed, then said in a low voice.
“After the death of the Duke of Elmore, my right-hand man, I have been unable to find a replacement for him. But recently I have begun to think...”
My heart beat with turbulent force.
“Catherine Elmore, Duchess, perhaps it would be a good idea for you to follow your father’s path and be my support.”
Since I showed the nobles loyal to the Emperor their greedy faces in the last meeting, it is clear that the Emperor has judged that I am the only one worthy of his trust.
“This is my decision after observing you.”
The right hand of the empire. …
After taking possession of this body, I intended to live quietly, support Etheos, complete my mission, and then return.
But the more I supported him, the more I realized it wasn't that easy.
First, the success of the revolution in the original story was not fate, but was truly a “miracle.”
A miracle that could collapse like a house of cards if any simple mistake occurred.
A revolution that succeeded with difficulty after repeatedly overcoming crises of death.
So it is natural for Ethiye to die after completing his mission.
Luck doesn't last forever.
And so I realized that my mission would not be just to pump money.
But what if, in addition to my secret support, I could bring him “support forces” that did not exist in the original story?
Then things will become much easier.
In this period, when even meeting Jeffrey Whistler of the team is difficult, recruiting “support forces” will be an insurance policy.
‘Before the previous emperor’s death, the current emperor had caused discord between some nobles and the previous emperor.’
Specifically, Duke Camille Beatrice, ruler of the Western Plains.
Despite his withdrawal from politics, Duke Beatrice's influence remains enormous.
There are still dozens of nobles in the political sphere who long for him.
Moreover, the Duke has hundreds of thousands of soldiers.
'I have to get him on Ethii's side.'
Currently, due to the intrigues of the current Emperor, Duke Camille Beatrice's feelings towards the former Emperor and his son Ethie are not good.
I have to prove that this was a conspiracy. …
I have the former Emperor's letter as proof, having successfully brought it from Vadelmon's house, but there is no way to get it to him.
He hates the Ellimore family more than anything in the world, and does not believe anything from them.
It would be bad if he burned the letter without reading it just because it was from Ellimore.
So I have to use Emperor.
“Your Highness.”
I looked at him and raised the corner of my lips.
It's really hard for me to smile at this villain, but there's nothing I wouldn't do for Ethie.
“The evil one is greedy.”
When he saw the competitive spirit in my eyes, he laughed out loud as if he were a fan.
“I will be Your Highness’s right-hand man, and I will make sure that His Highness is surrounded by truly loyal followers, not greedy ones.”
It would be better if you could drive away the current Emperor's supporters and demolish his shields.
“For starters, I will be drafting the invitations for the upcoming hunting party myf.”
* * *
Back in Ethie's office.
While I was recalling my encounter with the Emperor, I looked at him with a smug expression.
The Emperor's words, full of hidden threats, still stuck in my mind clearly.
“I will trust my duchess, but remember this well: I will not leave a traitor alive. Loyalty must be eternal.”
“Don't worry, my loyalty won't change.”
Although I answered confidently, I felt how serious the situation was.
If anyone finds out I'm helping Ethi, it will truly be the end.
Not only me, even Ethi could get hurt.
So this must be hidden from him, and continue to play the role of evil Catherine.
“All I want is to sit in the high position that my father held and enjoy the glory and power.”
So stop being curious, Ethiye.
“There is no point in getting along with those incompetent pigs, so these conflicts happen.”
As he looked at me, his lips moved.
“So the reason is lust for power, so did you break off your engagement to Filius Rigalo in order to control the Rigalo family?”
My fingers trembled when I suddenly heard that name.
“Why did Filius Regalo suddenly remember….?”
“He visited me this morning, and he was soaked.”
My eyes trembled even though I tried to appear indifferent.
He was hit by a torrent of water and then went to see Ethiye? This ugly?
“He doubted our relationship.”
My face definitely turned red.
Just because Ethei interfered when I was beating Filius, he has been disturbed since the morning.
“Shit! As-sorry, I should have paid attention to this, you crazy person.”
I forgot even to act as condescending as Katherine, and my confusion was evident.
While I was thinking about framing him to get out of prison if I sent him there again, I heard his voice:
“By all accounts, he doesn't seem like a good fit for you.”
Ethiye raised his cup of tea, took a sip, and then said to me hintingly.
“It seemed like he was still attached to you. Did I end the relationship completely? Or did I make a mistake?”
“This is illogical!”
My negative words came out immediately.
“I saw how you ended the engagement!”
Filius Regalo, just thinking about that ugliness makes me frown.
“Listen carefully, the person I love is...”
While I was clenching my palms tightly, I raised my voice angrily:
“I mean...”
A handsome face with symmetrical features, black hair and lake-blue eyes. How can I love anyone but you?
You are my only light, Ethiye.
I felt a pain in my chest and tried to avoid his gaze.
“...There is no one. Do you think I am capable of loving anyone?”
Being misunderstood by my favorite character like this is the worst thing.
After a short silence, I heard his voice.
“...So you two are not in any relationship now.”
I suddenly raised my gaze and looked at him. He was drinking tea, and I couldn't see his expression clearly, but his eyebrows seemed softer than before.
My heart beat loudly.
“Anyway, I will gain the emperor’s trust on my own and realize my dream.”
In a tense voice, I continued speaking to him.
“Do you know why I assigned you this mission, Your Highness?”
Ethie set down the cup.
“And not just because you participated in the preliminary investigation.”
Then he looked at me as if he was asking for more.
The words I say now will hurt Ethie again.
When someone asks, I have to answer like this to be safe.
I looked at him and opened my lips again.