Chapter 41

In the empire, it has been a long-standing tradition to have one empress and two consorts. This is a rule to prevent power from concentrating in one of the empresses, thus avoiding the dominance of the imperial palace. The current emperor also has three empresses. Or rather, he had three empresses.

To put it simply, the structure is as follows:

- Empress: No children

- Consort Anna Maria: Died during childbirth

- Consort Ocelia: First Prince

Consorts Anna Maria and Ocelia became pregnant around the same time. However, Anna Maria gave birth a month earlier. This meant that Ocelia's child would be the second-born. Given that the empress already existed, if Anna Maria had a son, it would be very difficult for Ocelia's son to ascend to the throne.

So, Ocelia's scheme was...

‘To bribe the doctor and maids of Anna Maria’s palace.’

It is known that Anna Maria died from excessive bleeding during childbirth. Her son, Alexis, was born safely, but according to the plan, he was supposed to die before he could even cry. However, the doctor, who had a weak heart, secretly spirited Alexis away.

When the consort later found out, she was extremely angry. Since then, she has been secretly tracking Alexis.

This is a secret that even Astral does not know.

‘I don’t understand why Alexis is in Astral.’

Astral Manor is known as a city of crime, where foreigners can easily come and go. It is different from other regions where the populace is strictly managed.

I groaned, deep in thought.

‘Consort Ocelia is a scary person.’

When the First Prince became regent in place of the ailing emperor in *Ice.Black.Hand*, the first thing he did was attack Astral.

‘If the First Prince becomes emperor, Astral will not be safe.’

And now, Dalia will come and connect with Alexis.

‘Since Alexis is the male lead, he will naturally become the emperor, right?’

Although I don’t know the ending of the novel, I have never seen a male lead who is a prince not become the emperor.

There might be rare exceptions, but *Ice.Black.Hand* is not one of them.

‘Alexis will become the emperor. Then Dalia will become the empress.’

If that happens, Astral, the empress's hometown, will be safe.

‘Our family must not fall.’

If Astral falls, it will naturally have a significant impact on our family, who are blood relatives.

My goals are as follows:

1. Build my strength so that no one can touch me.

2. When Dalia comes, I will not torment her. My goal is to be distant but friendly cousins.

3. Enjoy a sweet and happy life as a noble in Astral.

“Alright.”

I clenched my fist and decided to take action. I immediately left the room and ran down the corridor. I then went to the administration office and obtained a permit to go out, claiming I was buying tea leaves. On the way, I assigned Han Jihyuk as my servant.

‘It’s good that I got a high rank.’

In the duchy, children of high rank can have almost anything done without special procedures.

Han Jihyuk and I took a carriage to the commercial district. The commercial district, which I hadn’t visited in a long time, was still as large and beautiful as ever.

‘I need to lose the guards.’

There’s an easy way to do that.

“I’m going to get a cake mug.”

As soon as I said this, Han Jihyuk exclaimed, “Oh!”

“Clering’s cakes are so delicious. Oh! But the guards can’t enter, what should we do?”

I also exclaimed, “Oh!”

“Then the soldiers will wait outside the shop.”

“No, we are knights of the main castle and can enter—”

“Yes! The noble lords will be uncomfortable, so it’s considerate! I’ll take you inside!”

“No, we can enter—”

“Yeah! I’m a considerate noble lady! (Yeah! I’m a considerate noble lady!)”

“...”

Han Jihyuk and I, with our incredible teamwork, left the guards speechless and slipped into Clering’s bakery.

As we entered the bakery, a clerk hurried over. Han Jihyuk slipped a few gold coins to the clerk, who nodded.

‘He must have been bribing the clerk every time he came here.’

Well done!

The clerk led us secretly to the back door and said, “You must come before closing time. I have to go home, too. You can’t stay away forever like last time, right?”

“I understand.”

Han Jihyuk and I left the bakery through the back door and immediately turned into an alley.

“So, where is the male lead in the commercial district?”

He asked, and I shook my head in response.

“I don’t know. We have to find him.”

“In this vast area? This is the largest shopping town in the empire.”

Han Jihyuk looked at me with an exasperated expression.

I know it’s a long shot to find someone here. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.

‘But I have a method.’

I opened the zipper of the bag I was carrying and pulled out the *Noise* blessing stone from my room’s underground storage, showing it with a flourish.

As I infused it with magic,

Beep beep beep beep!!

A loud noise instantly filled the alley.

“Hey, what are you doing—!”

“Let’s go!”

I grabbed Han Jihyuk’s hand and stumbled out of the alley. I then activated the blessing and checked the comment window.

The content of the comment window had not changed.

Next alley.

Next alley.

Next alley.

Another alley.

Even in the 11th alley, I used the blessing stone to create noise.

Ah, what’s this noise again%^&* I’m so anxious%^&* Author, is something going to happen to this little one who seems to be the male lead?