"I''m running out of ideas."


    "To whom should that notion be referred to, Your Ladyship?"


    Ett hummed rolling to the side of her bed to see Akan standing beside the door.


    Right now, other than being bored sleeping and staying in her room.


    Wherein there is a time to be lazy and a time to be diligent. A time for war and a time for love. A time to sleep and a time to wake up. But even if there are many ''times'' and the world crumbles, right now, Ett can''t think of any ideas when she should be diligent in working her way to scheme and secretly not have this tyrant of a son to not be so nefarious without showing her face and intervening so much.


    A quick and silent death is better than being pierced and seeing yourself die for a second.


    If it doesn''t follow the script. Just that. Only that. I can''t make such a blatant request to the Emperor, right?


    She wants to see the end but not that way of death if it can be prevented.


    "I can''t hear you."


    What did this guy say?


    "Apologies."


    Akan moved closer.


    "Look for a chair."


    "Thank you, Your Ladyship."


    "Go on."


    This man values his life and only considers what is advantageous for him.


    Indeed, the royalty of Adiand, for now, is the most powerful in this empire, and even if the nobilities are divided into three factions, they still can''t oppose the royals. Baiting and waiting for the right moment that''ll happen in the future.


    Ett suddenly had a thought; she sat on her bed and contemplated the events that had happened. Of course, the butterfly effect. Some incidents will come in the future that might be fast, but not to the extent that it''s obvious. If so, Guren''s preeminent death grows closer. So is hers.


    Ett snapped from her daze, seeing Akan already finding himself a seat.


    "What was your question?"


    "To whom should that presumptions be directed to Your Ladyship?"


    "My death."


    Ett said, albeit relaxed, as if death was a being.


    She doesn''t care if she dies right now, yet it''s also okay to follow the script until the end. Right now, she just felt like she was floating somewhere, that this place she was in was a play or reality.


    It''s not wrong to let Guren live all the way and blame it on her liking for villains. But she has no strong will to do so. She likes it as it is. Living like this is so peaceful.


    "Your Ladyship, please don''t speak about your death so seriously."


    "Akan."


    Her most reliable and trusted person is Ett''s advisor. If he were in the modern world, he would be a famous CEO with billions of networks or the Underworld''s black dog who holds death with every piece of information he has. The fearsome foe of every politician who doesn''t want to get exposed.


    "Yes, Your Ladyship."


    "I''ve just had an idea, thanks to you."


    Confused if it was a good idea or a bad idea, Akan smiled, "Then I am thankful I had inspired Her Ladyship even though I am not aware myself."


    "Then ask."


    Appalled, Akan''s smile became stiff before it reverted back to his professional smile. Is there something wrong with Her Ladyship today?


    "Then may I know why?"


    "You will betray me."


    What? Akan paused.


    Where did that come from? Betray? Akan felt offended and confused at such a remark. Sadness could be seen in his eyes as he looked at Ett as if wronged.


    "Please forgive me, I don''t know what Your Ladyship means."


    "It is exactly as I said."


    Ett slowly laid down on her bed, lying like a sleeping beauty, yet her eyes were open, staring at nothing in particular.


    Yeah, I just blurted that out, Akan. But that''s the truth as well. Why am I saying it earlier?


    "Akan, you value your life more than loyalty. If this empire faced rebellion''s against the noble faction and the imperial family faced destruction you''ll surely side with the most beneficial group."


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Before he could speak, Ett raised her finger to silence him. "Be honest. You don''t think I said this to just warn you."


    This guy''s face is so thick he won''t show himself until you force him to. It''s better to do so earlier.


    Akan, whose head hung low, slowly tilted, side-eyeing Ett, stared back at her without saying anything.


    Wow, look at those eyes. Who says you don''t know what I mean?


    Gradually, the mask of sadness in his eyes was gone, nor was he confused or offended. A depreciating smile bloomed from Akan''s lips. Entirely his character changed.


    "Oh dear."


    How could he describe his current observation of Her Ladyship? It''s like a broken shard that is put together, yet one piece is lost, so the closest to its looks, quality, and texture is placed. It''s the exact but not entirely with that one piece merging with that broken shard of porcelain vase.


    Her Ladyship must have been significantly implicated in what happened in her body to be like this. Akan couldn''t help but feel a sense of mystery surrounding Ett''s change.


    Fascinating.


    Akan wondered when he would end up serving this royalty, but it seemed it''d last longer than it should have.


    He grinned, "It seems I''ve been caught for being such a selfish bvstard."


    I didn''t expect you to tell me the truth so fast.


    "You''re a useful bastard."


    Akan laughed.


    "Then Her Ladyship must have known I can kill you right now?"


    That''s what the assassin said, too.


    "I don''t like being stabbed in the back."


    "Yes?"


    "And you know how I long for death."


    "That…certainly I do."


    Akan can''t disagree with that.


    She schemed and schemed, but no one could come to her as she was protected heavily, caged in an indestructible fortress. She schemed so much, waiting for the day someone would take her life and rest from all of this damnation.


    "I know you too well."


    "Then, I''ll be more careful from now on."


    Akan was always careful, yet Her Ladyship could see his thoughts freely. Just what gives? Akan subtly laughed. He really can''t gracefully swindle his way through. He was deemed outstanding in his acts but a child''s play in Her Ladyship''s eyes.


    Ett narrwed her eyes.


    This guy is really a psycho.


    In the book, Akan wants to be Ett''s right-hand man because of his curiosity, his perverted wonder for those dead eyes to be more alive while begging to live, and his fascination with how she schemes made him want to grow closer to her. For him, that was brilliant. How her mind works is fascinating to him; Akan wants to learn how to scheme like her and use it in his goals.


    He even mentioned that working for the Empress Dowager rather than the Emperor was better. He thirsted for knowledge, and he wanted to gain insights from Ett, who he serves.


    "Then does her Grace want me to loyally serve her till death?"


    "Is that what you think?"


    Ett finds it troublesome.


    "This subordinate is incompetent. Even with staying with Her Ladyship for many years, I still have much to learn."


    Ett pursed her lips. Such a sweet, slippery tongue.


    "Just tell me if you leave so I''ll know who''ll be responsible for burying my body."


    "Wouldn''t that expose my intentions?"


    Ett quietly stared at him for a while as if he was looking at a fool.


    "That gaze is quite…"


    "Are you stupid enough to not have a second plan?"


    "Hahaha, indeed."


    "And while serving me, don''t put the Adiand in a dangerous position."


    "I''m telling you this since you''ve been with me for years."


    A simple resignation letter from you, Akan, would be fantastic before working for a rival competitor.


    Yes, that''s the illustration that pops into Ett''s head. Even if he is AWOL, she can do nothing about it, so a heads-up is better.


    "I''ll be keeping that in mind."


    "You''re more carefree than what you portray yourself to be."


    Ett''s dry remark made him laugh.


    "I suppose. Thank you for making me realize a nature of mine, Your Ladyship."


    "What nature?"


    Akan maintained his smile.


    This is one fine day to say that Her Ladyship can be more spirited and fiercer with her words than before.


    If this continues, would she continue to grow like a cherry blossom? If that happened, she''d be full of life, and her lifeless eyes would be painted with a vibrant evergreen shade of nature''s breath. Aiya, what is he saying right now? Hehe, he shouldn''t be this happy when his thoughts are twisted.


    Besides that, "Have I told you, Your Ladyship, that you''ve also talked more than what you portrayed in yourself in the past?"


    Ett shrugged.


    I should take note of that.


    Akan, "Did I say something wrong?"


    "Life is a continuous learning."


    She deadpanned.


    "I see…"


    Her statement does have a point: "Thanking the Empress Dowager for imparting her wisdom to me."


    "…"


    That was just nonsense. Cringe; I can''t get used to his fake compliments.