All the plans were falling perfectly into place. At this rate, it would be possible to take full control of the regime immediately after the coming-of-age ceremony. And after that, the Kaizel family would need to be overthrown, and the Astro and Jenin families reinstated to power. And beyond that…

Ail shook his head as if dismissing the thought—it was far too distant a concern. What mattered now was steering the current situation to his advantage and suppressing the Kaizel family. At present, the Kaizel’s were overconfident, relying heavily on Ruth and Salina. This momentum needed to be maintained and pushed to the very end. To do so, the safety of Erita and Elsen had to be secured first.

While meticulously laying out his plans, a knock sounded at the door.

“Your Highness, Lady Salina Astro is here to see you.”

Hearing the arrival of his expected guest, Ail rose from his seat and responded, “Let her in.”

As Ail moved from his desk to the table in the office, Salina entered with a graceful air, wearing a light green summer dress. She greeted him with a deep, formal bow. Ail waved dismissively as if to say it wasn’t necessary.

“Enough. Take a seat.”

“Thank you.”

With a bright smile, Salina approached and sat across from Ail.

“So, what about Erita and Elsen?” he asked.

“No need to worry. They are safely at my villa.”

“Do they know what’s happening?”

“I haven’t told them anything yet. If I speak too hastily, it could backfire on me. But more importantly… did Your Highness obtain what you sought?”

Salina redirected the topic with a sly smile, clearly stalling for time. Ail chuckled at her cunning.

“Of course.”

“I heard you’re refurbishing the Northern Palace for Commander—no, Ruth Kaizel. Do you intend to house him there instead of in the harem?”

“He prefers it there.”

Salina hesitated, her tone cautious. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re threatening his family. Do you think he’ll approve? He might become your enemy.”

“I’m targeting the Kaizel family, not him,” Ail said bluntly, as if there was no need to overthink it. Salina looked at him with curiosity.

“You truly care for him,” she murmured, somewhat amazed. Her comment brought a smile to Ail’s face—an inward acknowledgment of his acting skills. Fooling even someone as shrewd as Salina was proof of his natural talent. Just four years ago, he had been criticized for his cold, inhuman demeanor, yet now he had convincingly played the role of someone hopelessly smitten.

“I care for him deeply—perhaps too deeply,” Ail replied with a smirk.

Salina shrugged. “Fascinating. Honestly, I had my doubts until recently… but I suppose it doesn’t concern me. Ruth Kaizel isn’t interested in politics, so he and I won’t cross paths.”

“Oh? What did you doubt? My love for the Commander is well-known. Ever since he saved me, I’ve been his captive.”

Salina pondered for a moment before responding. “Well, it just seemed… one-sided. His gaze toward you was always filled with longing, but you were so… cold. I thought it was unrequited. But now, it seems like you’ve fallen for him in return. I don’t know what changed, but your gaze has grown much softer.”

Ail’s smile faded at her sharp observation, and Salina noticed the change, realizing she had struck a nerve. Her expression turned to one of intrigued amusement.

“Ah, so that’s how it is. My goodness… have you fallen for your own pretense?”

“That’s not the case,” Ail retorted, his face hardening. Salina burst into laughter at his stiff expression.

“Oh dear, I must apologize. Did I touch a nerve, Your Highness?”

“……”

“I never imagined it would be like this. This is quite amusing. Poor Commander Kaizel—what an unfortunate fate, to fall into the hands of someone like Your Highness. Truly pitiful. Are you really planning to break him?”

Her exaggerated tone and sharp laughter struck a nerve with Ail. He wanted to refute her absurd remarks, but doing so might reveal the truth—that there was nothing between him and Ruth. Instead, he pressed his lips together, holding back his words. Thinking to himself how much he despised her, he clicked his tongue in irritation. Meanwhile, Salina, having finished laughing, fixed her gaze on him with sudden seriousness and began to speak slowly.

“If you’ve gained something precious, treat it as such. Someone as fragile as Commander Kaizel might flee in fear if you push him too hard. You should hide your true nature—be kind, sweet, and embrace him gently. That’s the only way he’ll grow attached to the imperial palace. It’s hard enough to live here with one’s sanity intact, isn’t it?”

“That’s none of your concern,” Ail snapped, dismissing her meddling outright. Salina, unfazed, smiled playfully and continued.

“Sometimes, people endure everything in life for the sake of love. Of course, the opposite kind of person exists too. But the Commander seems to belong to both categories.”

“Why are you so interested in Ruth? It’s not just because he’s my lover, is it?”

“Who knows? Women have a strange psychology when it comes to delicate men. Sympathy? Pity? Let’s call it that for now. When I look at someone like the Commander, I feel the urge to torment him. To make him cry and then comfort him sweetly. Watching him laugh or weep at my words—it’s oddly satisfying.”

Salina’s casual admission made Ail glare at her, his sharp gaze carrying a silent warning. It was clear he was telling her not to meddle with Ruth. Salina rose from her seat, seemingly taking the hint.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I’m still more interested in becoming the Empress than in trifling with such whims. I wouldn’t risk angering you after coming this far. Well, I’ll take my leave now.”

Ail didn’t respond to her farewell. His foul mood was obvious. Wisely, Salina noticed this, finishing her courtesy and leaving the office quickly. Watching the green hem of her dress vanish beyond the door, Ail let out a sharp breath, running a hand roughly through his hair.

“Damn it.”

The curse escaped his lips. It wasn’t just that he had fallen for her teasing—it was her underlying intent that infuriated him. Clearly, Salina was provoking him. The biggest problem, however, was how easily he was provoked, especially when it came to Ruth.

As he stood to clear his head, a knock came at the door.

“What now?” he asked irritably.

From beyond the door, Meril’s voice responded, “Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you.”

Clicking his tongue in frustration, Ail muttered under his breath. He had no choice but to comply, even if the Emperor—bedridden and barely conscious most of the time—rarely issued orders these days. Straightening his attire, he left the room, followed by Meril and the knights waiting outside. Together, they exited the central office and headed toward the Silver Palace, where the Emperor had been confined for nearly a year.

As they walked through the garden leading to the palace, Ail allowed himself a bitter smile. It felt cold, realizing how indifferent he had become toward his father. His mother, abandoned by the Emperor, still worried about him—a sentiment Ail couldn’t fathom. Perhaps it was because she had once been loved by him. Yet, even though their marriage was political, her concern for the man who had discarded her made no sense to him. If it were Ail, he wouldn’t care whether such a man lived or died. In fact, his death would clear the path for Ail to ascend the throne. Waiting for it would seem more logical.

From the moment of his birth, everything around him had felt devoid of emotion. The Emperor’s sole legitimate heir and crown prince, Ail had been handed everything others envied without effort. With nothing to long for or anticipate with excitement, life unfolded predictably. It was only after the Kaizel family sent a young woman as the Emperor’s concubine that things began to unravel.

The Emperor, infatuated with the much younger Tasha Kaizel—young enough to be his daughter—had ultimately cast aside both the Empress and Ail, leaving his son’s position as crown prince precarious. Still, Ail felt no resentment toward his father. His only irritation stemmed from the instability of his own position.

It was during this time that Ruth was promoted to commander of his guard. With delicate features, a calm demeanor, and unexpectedly gentle manners, Ruth was unlike any knight Ail had ever encountered. The older knight, eight years his senior, had clear, honest eyes and an aura that struck Ail deeply for the first time in his life. Ruth seemed fragile—solid at first glance, yet soft and breakable, as though a firm embrace might shatter him. Strangely, Ail found himself wanting to torment him, tease him with cruel words, and press into his vulnerabilities until he cried… just to comfort him afterward.