"Isn't it truly fortunate that I entrusted the Princess's reception to you."
All matters and communications related to the Resurrected One during their stay at the Imperial Palace went through Heinri. This was because Heinri had been assigned the specialized duty of hosting the Resurrected One.
'Instead of moving my quarters from the guest room to the detached palace, I said I would refuse Maxel's reception.'
Aneli made no secret of her resentment toward Maxel, and the Emperor immediately accepted her request.
Thus, Maxel was removed from all matters related to the Resurrected One.
At that time, Maxel had recommended other outstanding nobles as candidates. However, the Emperor rejected them all and chose Heinri. It was a scheme to somehow keep a member of the imperial family by the Resurrected One's side.
It was undoubtedly an intention to subtly convey that what the Resurrected One protects is, before the Empire, the Imperial Family.
Given that, Aneli too must have immediately realized that the Emperor had deliberately placed Heinri by her side.
Heinri struggled to suppress a bitter smile.
'Though the intent is impure, if I were to say I dislike this result, that would be a lie.'
Thus, Heinri found himself entering and leaving the Emperor's office for the first time in a long while.
At one time, when he was a leading candidate for Crown Prince, this had not been difficult. But after losing the power struggle, he couldn't easily even come near.
"Now that I think of it, you've always carried out your work without unnecessary excess. You were seasoned even when dealing with nobles."
Under the generous praise, anecdotes from several years ago emerged. They were all stories from when he competed with Maxel for the position of successor.
'Empty praise.'
Heinri, having suppressed his mockery, quietly lowered his gaze.
The Emperor wasn't acting this way because Heinri had truly done his work well.
It wasn't unprecedented for Heinri to tour the borderlands incognito as a prince or handle trivial and minor duties.
What Heinri resolved was frequently announced as Maxel's achievement. Since it was all to concentrate the imperial family's power in one place, the Emperor had never once properly recognized Heinri's contributions.
Now changing his attitude was solely because of the Resurrected One.
Unlike the Emperor's expectations, because the Resurrected One maintained an attitude more cold than expected toward her former lover.
This alone made Heinri's position much better than before.
'But this alone is not enough.'
To sit on the Imperial Throne, he needed a decisive catalyst.
He needed to capture the Emperor's attention with visible, clear, and rational reasons, and push Maxel aside.
If he couldn't capture the Emperor, he would need to capture everyone else except the Emperor.
'If Aneli helps me...'
"Is the Princess doing well?"
Because the Emperor was speaking with a benevolent voice, Heinri couldn't continue his thoughts.
"Yes."
"It is truly fortunate that she finds comfort in you. The gods must surely be watching over the imperial family."
A faint laughter carried in the Emperor's voice.
"Yes, it is the Empire's great fortune."
"Continue to secure her heart well. Whatever you need, I will permit it all."
The Emperor struck the armrest and gave serious instruction. Heinri bowed his head deeply to hide his expression.
"I will do my utmost."
He had never thought of using Aneli to regain power. However, thanks to the reputation of the Resurrected One, he ended up gaining an opportunity.
Feeling ashamed and resentful about it, Heinri quietly bit his lip.
He found his position shameful for ultimately not rejecting this opportunity, yet he couldn't bring himself to refuse Aneli's suggestion.
If he couldn't even maintain this relationship, it felt like his connection with her would disappear forever.
"If you haven't given up on the Imperial Throne, you must realize what a great opportunity this is."
At that time, Aneli's voice resurrected in Heinri's mind.
"The Crown Prince has been decided, but imperial succession is a distant matter. As long as His Majesty remains in good health. Didn't you prioritize your life above all else?"
As soon as she learned Heinri hadn't given up on the Imperial Throne, Aneli guessed all the hidden intentions behind it.
"Historically, deposed crown princes are not unprecedented."
Her words were true. Though he was greatly despondent immediately after defeat, he couldn't just give up.
"It's fortunate that Lord Heinri hasn't given up. Thanks to that, I can receive this help as well."
"Do you know the decisive reason why I determined to bring Maxel down?"
"...Decisive reason?"
"Because he didn't cherish the happiness before his eyes."
At Heinri's quiet confession, Aneli was silent for a while. Through her reaction, Heinri could be certain she understood his words.
When Maxel turned his back on Aneli, when he betrayed Aneli to play with some vile woman and ultimately drove her to death.
Until the day of execution, he didn't believe it. That such a terrible punishment would truly be carried out, truly.
"As you might guess, I am sick of this place."
Aneli, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke.
"So please accept this opportunity wisely."
Her voice carried a hint of weariness.
In truth, Heinri knew. The Aneli he met again in the Imperial Palace had a consistently pale complexion. The light and comfortable appearance he had seen outside was nowhere to be found.
'It must be difficult just staying in the Imperial Palace.'
All her movements were reported to Heinri. The reports from the palace attendants serving her stated that the Resurrected One couldn't easily fall asleep every night.
That she minimized conversation with the palace attendants and often went to sit in front of the Durahan prison.
Though Aneli pretended to be composed, Heinri, who had met her outside, couldn't help but know.
"And my leaving would be good for Lord Heinri as well. I told you."
She wants to leave this Imperial Palace. Heinri's heart couldn't hold her.
So she was advising him to at least gain power instead.
Heinri had to acknowledge this.
"You resemble Maxel so much, I might unknowingly want to hit you."
Aneli truly had no room for even a shred of emotion toward Heinri.
Keeping her here was truly just greed. As long as Heinri was Maxel's blood relative.
"By the way, was the Empress's tea time today?"
"Pardon?"
"I heard the Princess would attend that tea time."
At the Emperor's words, Heinri's expression hardened.
"I haven't heard that."
"Is that so? I heard Lady Lilia delivered the invitation, but it seems she didn't know the proper procedure."
Heinri frowned upon hearing Lilia's name.
A woman who suddenly came to the capital one day, fell passionately in love with Maxel, and eventually became Roam's adopted daughter and achieved engagement with the Crown Prince.
Whenever he encountered her, there was a strange sense of incongruity. How to put it. Her expression, acting as if everything was in her hands, was truly unpleasant.
For someone I've never privately met to act as if they know me well. It was an utterly unpleasant situation.
Especially if they were so desperate to act familiar.
"...If it's Lilia, you mean that lady who is Maxel's fiancée. I knew she didn't know the Imperial Palace's protocols, but I didn't know she would behave this rudely."
At Heinri's sensitive words, the Emperor laughed heartily.
"She must have been anxious about meeting my sister."
"The Princess did not welcome Maxel. I believe her feelings toward Lilia Roam would be similar."
"That may be so, but in the end, she accepted the invitation to the Empress's tea time, so she must be distinguishing between public and private matters. I recall she was skilled at social activities from before."
Heinri gave up trying to point out the problem.
Even if he raised an issue, the Emperor wouldn't reprimand Lilia. Perhaps the Emperor was secretly pleased.
He might be hoping that Aneli's resentment toward the Roam family would strengthen because of Lilia.
"Go at an appropriate time later to escort her. You should also reveal your friendship with the Princess to the other ladies attending the tea time. Make sure rumors of closeness with the imperial family sufficiently spread before the banquet, so act with care."
Toward the Emperor urging with a benevolent voice, Heinri bowed his head.
'Surely influential noble ladies of the capital would be attending. They would all be people who knew Aneli as well.'
Heinri's lips firmly closed. He should go a bit earlier and quickly get her out.
* * *
We thought a lot about how to find the key to Belladia Castle.
Since Bark couldn't remember the key's whereabouts, the situation was that I had to step forward and search everything personally.
Fortunately, since divine power was imbued in the key, I would be able to recognize it. That alone was fortunate.
Anyway, I couldn't search every inch of this vast Imperial Palace, but at minimum, I needed justification to move freely.
The Empress was someone I thought I would have to meet anyway for that reason. So I had no reason to refuse the tea time.
The Empress's Palace, visited after a long time, was exactly as before. The tea time was held in the Empress's Palace greenhouse, and it seemed all the other ladies had already arrived.
"The Resurrected One has arrived."
Entering the greenhouse while hearing the attendant's announcement, everyone's gazes inside focused on me at once. They were all people I knew.
Eyes filled with curiosity and wariness, and fear, swept over me as if to examine me.
Whether I was the Resurrected One chosen by the gods, or merely a resurrected monster.
Among them was my mother.
There was no warmth in Mother's gaze. She only gazed quietly as if to measure me.
"It has been a long time, Your Majesty the Empress. Thank you for the invitation."
When I calmly delivered my greeting, the ladies exchanged glances.
As the Empress nodded to accept my greeting, Lilia smiled brightly and acknowledged me.
"Sister, you're late. I think you misread the time."
"I believe I came at the proper time."
"Perhaps you've forgotten about social activities since it's been so long. Right, Your Majesty?"
"My, Lady Lilia..."
The ladies covered their mouths and softly laughed. While doing so, they glanced at me, seemingly watching for my reaction.
But Lilia laughed brightly as if knowing nothing.
Watching this, I pulled out the invitation from my bosom. I smiled as I confirmed the invitation contents before their eyes as if to show them.
"I believe I came correctly. Or am I mistaken, Your Majesty the Empress?"
"...You have never once made a mistake in such settings."
"Thank you for remembering correctly."