I merely rolled my eyes and glanced at her, causing Lilia to bite her lip. That reaction alone revealed her true thoughts.
Lilia had accused me of holing up in the separate palace to hoard wealth, but in truth, she seemed to hope I wouldn't go about meeting people here and there.
The reason I could guess so easily was very simple. I too had once harbored such thoughts.
In the days when I believed without doubt that this imperial palace would soon be mine, it had greatly vexed and repulsed me to see Lilia roaming about this place.
'Fear of having what is mine taken away.'
The anxiety I had felt back then was now fully reflected in Lilia's eyes.
"I've delivered the message, so I'll take my leave."
Unable to withstand my gaze in the end, Lilia turned away.
"Answer one thing before you go."
At my words, Lilia hesitated and looked back at me. Gazing at her with indifferent eyes, I asked languidly.
"Who is the one who let you into the rear grounds?"
Lilia's eyes rounded as if she hadn't anticipated my question.
"Why do you ask that...?"
"Since someone let an unauthorized person inside without the palace owner's permission, naturally responsibility must be held."
Lilia, who didn't immediately grasp my words, stood with her mouth agape. Then she furrowed her brow and pushed back.
"I came bearing Her Majesty the Empress's letter!"
"Yes, and that's why there's a reception room on the first floor for errand runners like you."
"I insisted I would deliver it to my sister directly."
"Yes, I know you threw a tantrum. How obvious."
I answered indifferently and continued in a nonchalant tone.
"That palace attendant will be dismissed because of your tantrum. I plan to make that thoroughly clear to the person involved, so you don't need to emphasize it."
Lilia's lips trembled. She was a young lady who had always been praised as pretty and kind wherever she went.
Both of us knew well that during the height of our conflict, she had gained considerable advantage with that image.
Being such a Lilia, the possibility of appearing even slightly bad to others was something that properly needled her.
As much as everyone cherished and loved Lilia, Lilia likewise accepted everyone's love as her due.
In that moment, Lilia, breathing roughly and seething, raised her voice in a rather sharp tone.
"It's because you acted so viciously that you were executed! How can you not reflect at all even after going through such a thing?"
"My, so you still think all of that was something I brought upon myself? Then shouldn't you also consider the possibility that you too could end up the same way?"
"Sister dismisses my wisdom, but I know much more than you think. I didn't come this far just by luck. You don't know how much I struggled for His Highness!"
"Struggled? I'm curious what and how much you could have done for Maxwell."
"I struggled more than you can imagine."
"Then did Maxwell agree to betroth you as a reward for that effort?"
"His Highness is no longer your betrothed. Don't speak so presumptuously."
Strangely, I felt no anger. In the past, I would have been consumed with rage and immediately shouted for her to be dragged away.
What has changed from the past?
"Right, Sister is still a villain. I was foolish to believe and wait, thinking you might have changed even a little! God must have made a grave mistake."
"Waited for me? I see your back has fully healed."
"I knew you'd be like this. You're still jealous of me, aren't you? That's why you approached His Highness? You think that because you've become a Resurrected One, you can turn His Highness's heart?"
Ah, I see. Why I feel no stirring of emotion whatsoever.
"You're still under a delusion, but in this imperial palace, Sister is merely a guest. But I am the one who will soon become the Crown Princess. Furthermore, the one who will become Empress!"
The past me had things to protect. A position to protect, a love to protect.
But the present me had nothing. With nothing to protect nor desire, her prattling words didn't reach me at all.
Gazing indifferently at Lilia, I nodded.
"Yes, I certainly understand. You're not yet the Crown Princess, and certainly not the Empress."
How absurd. Lilia, merely aping my past emotions. I never thought I'd witness such a precious sight.
Seeing my composed attitude, Lilia frowned even more deeply.
"His Highness will not break an engagement twice."
Though I was said to have been obsessed with Maxwell in the past, must I still listen to Maxwell this and Maxwell that now?
Revealing the irritation rising within me without reserve, I replied in a voice mixed with a sigh.
"I must correct one thing. I wouldn't take Maxwell even if he were handed to me. Unlike you, I have no hobby of scavenging what others have spat out."
"How can you say such lowly things!"
"Since you brought up class, the Resurrected One only deigns to meet those of proper station."
Sweeping my gaze over Lilia with an annoyed look, I clicked my tongue.
"So I'd appreciate it if a mere young lady would disappear now."
My inelegant dismissal finally succeeded in silencing Lilia. She stood with her mouth opening and closing repeatedly, at a loss for words.
"......!"
Finally, with her face flushed red, Lilia turned away in a huff. I saw her maid and guard quickly following behind her as she strode away.
Just from the occasional glances she threw my way, I could guess what words would be exchanged on the way back.
But she never answered who let her in.
'Well, even if she hides it, it's not something I can't find out.'
Arms crossed indifferently, gazing in the direction Lilia had gone, I glanced back at Bark.
He had faithfully kept my command to stay quiet, but Bark looked considerably displeased.
[An insolent puppet of a god. If you command it, I will bury her immediately.]
"Rather than expending effort to bury her without a trace, it would be faster for me to leave without seeing this sight."
I replied lightly, then after a brief pause, asked in a slightly lower voice.
"Bark, by any chance, did you see the threads of fate?"
[We do not see the power of authority.]
Ah, then only I must have seen it.
I felt one side of my chest grow cool and still as I quietly closed my mouth.
What I hadn't seen when I briefly encountered Maxwell at his palace, I had just confirmed moments ago. It was certain proof that Lilia was an Agent of Birth.
The faint stitching marks glimmering on Lilia's skin.
'The threads of fate must refer to exactly that.'
[Ah, Captain. The sparrows have arrived.]
Lost in thought, I started at Bark's words. Several sparrows could be seen fluttering toward me.
[Human, human!]
[We brought Grandfather!]
Amidst the excited sparrows, a particularly dignified voice was heard.
[Ahem, who was looking for me?]
[Grandfather! It's this human!]
Among the sparrows, a crow revealed itself. The crow landed on a table placed beside the birdcage prison and cleared its throat.
[So, you said you needed my wisdom? I am the one who has lived the longest in this imperial palace.]
"Pleasure to meet you. You're the crow who has lived in this imperial palace for 10 years?"
[Ahem, that is correct!]
"The leader of the crows living in the imperial palace?"
[Indeed!]
"Since you collected shiny things and went about every corner, you must have seen everything?"
[Naturally!]
"Then do you perhaps remember the appearance of humans who went about inside this imperial palace?"
[Of course I do. I have an excellent memory!]
At the crow's boisterous answer, I quickly took out a pouch I had prepared in advance.
"That large and splendid palace next to the rose garden there. Do you remember when it had no owner?
[No owner? Why do you ask?]
I took out a jewel from the pouch as if to show off. It was a shining ruby ring.
The crow's gaze turned toward the ring. And soon a spirited answer followed.
[I remember clearly! The day that palace gained an owner, the humans decorated it with all sorts of shiny things! The treasures in my nest increased too.]
"My, you really do remember clearly.
[I also remember what he was like before he obtained that palace. His quarters had very many shiny things. The people he met always brought shiny things too. That was a good supply source for treasures.]
Smiling, I took out ruby earrings from the pouch this time.
"What a relief. It seems you'll be able to tell me what I'm curious about."
[Even if I don't know, I can check with my subordinates. They've all lived in this palace for a long time.]
Seeing the crow's eyes sparkle, I laughed pleasantly.
What I originally wanted to ask this crow about was the Black Tower, but now I grew curious about something else.
「You don't know how much I struggled for His Highness!」
Whether the threads of fate had any involvement in the Crown Prince investiture process, and if so, how, I hoped this crow might know.
"Let's get along well from now on."
[Haha, you're a human after my own heart!]
After having a long conversation, we found we got along quite well. Somehow, I had a feeling things would go very smoothly from here on.
* * *
Entering and leaving the Emperor's office is a great honor. For even imperial family members cannot set foot there without permission.
Yet Heinrich's expression as he stood in this glorious and splendid room was utterly impassive.
Confirming the Emperor's appearance waiting for his report with expectant eyes, Heinrich lowered his gaze.
"Count Siven, moved by admiration for the imperial family's dignity, readily offered to present the mine."
Precisely, it was because of the Resurrected One in the imperial palace. Believing that God's protection, which couldn't be bought with money, had descended upon the imperial family, he had bent his waist readily.
It wasn't just Count Siven. Since the Resurrected One obtained quarters in the imperial palace, the nobles had been struggling desperately to at least curry favor with the imperial family in her stead, as they couldn't meet her directly.
"They also pledged unwavering loyalty to the imperial family receiving God's protection."
"Count Siven's mine has been a long-standing headache for Us, yet you managed to obtain it. For someone who had long kept his hands idle, the results are excellent."
It had been quite a long time since he heard the Emperor's praise. Yet he felt no particular joy or overwhelming emotion.
Heinrich calmly bowed his head.
"You praise me too highly."