TPITT - Chapter 207

After that, I continued to receive calls from Desmond II.

I attended the highest and emergency meetings and occasionally communicated with brothers and sisters who were preparing for relief efforts.

When I returned to my quarters after being absentminded for several hours, a thick report on human trafficking cartels awaited her.

By the next day, the disaster preparedness department, composed of nobles and imperial family members, began to function. The imperial court, which had been exhausted from two days of intense meetings, seemed to be relieved.

But the Green room was still tense. I informed my entourage of the formation of the Second Task Force and prepared to take down the trafficking cartels.

We are gearing up to eradicate human trafficking cartels.

Reports and document verification continued without end. Occasionally, when I had a break, I would catch up on the Princess duties that had piled up during my dispatch period.

I took my time to get things done.

In the midst of all this, there were other people I needed to take care of. I take time out of my day to visit Rosenite, or to check on Snoret, who has been serving her punishment in the underground radish pit since Derek's funeral.

Then as if it were only natural, I returned to my office and sat down in front of a pile of papers.

My meals were poor as if I were a haunted house in the office.

I ate finger food and slept on the desk. For days, not a single wrinkle appeared on my bed sheets.

Whether I realized it or not, I worked on it day and night, knowing that Cedella and other users were becoming increasingly anxious. It was almost an obsession.

Tap, tap.

Black ink dripped from the tip of the nib. The crumbling paper was the latest tally of the Great Disaster's damage. My eyes were cloudy and hazy as I stared at the numbers, the leading digit now an eight.

" Ah."

Only when the ink covered the numbers did I come to my senses? I put that document aside and picked up another. It was a list of nobles involved in a human trafficking cartel.

'They're all dead.'

As I looked at the thing that was no different from a death list, my mind became clear as if it had been washed with ice water. I decided to get back to work with momentum.

Cedella, who couldn't stand to watch, carefully Opened her mouth.

“Your Highness, if you do that, you will get sick. You should rest and do it.”

“Just a little more.”

"Your Highness."

“I haven’t finished yet.”

“You didn’t sleep at all last night. Your eyes are wide open.”

“It’s okay. All social gatherings have been canceled so no one will see you.”

“You know that’s not the problem.”

As I continued to act like a fool, Cedella's voice even began to contain a hint of resentment.

In fact, it seemed to Cedella that rather than me being too busy to rest, I was deliberately pushing myself.

'I know that the urgent matters that require you to cut down on sleep are over.'

Even while studying alchemy, which I loved, I would always sleep for two hours...'

A look of disappointment appeared in Cedella's eyes.

I, who saw this, said in an apologetic tone.

“I can’t sleep, that’s why.”

But I did not give up my stubbornness.

“No, how about a cup of Earl Grey? Brew it strong in a potion.”

“Haa, Your Highness..."

“Please.”

Cedella had a lot to say, but she kept her mouth shut to fulfill her duty as a maid.

Of course, it would be a mistake to think that Cedella would simply follow orders regardless of whether her master's health was ruined or not.

Knock knock.

“Your Highness, I've brought the tea, I'm coming in."

“Sir Millard?”

It was a silver-haired knight who unexpectedly stopped by the tea room.

Even the tea that came neatly placed on a tray had a different scent than bergamot.

Sylvestian innocently said as he held the tea out in front of me.

“Miss Arpel asked me to do a favor and I came in her place. The good Earl Grey has run out, so I'm serving lavender tea, and Miss Arpel is very sorry.”

“...You’re bad, Cedella.”

"Yes?"

The knight, who had been used as a trick by Cedella, asked in surprise. I smiled helplessly and said.

“Lavender is an herb that helps you sleep. Somehow, Cedella used Sir Millard to make me sleep.”

"Ah."

Cedella was one of those who knew that I was weak against Homunculus. She knew that I was weak in Homunculus, and I had no choice but to take care of him as a temporary vassal.

Wasn't it Sylvestian who had to be taken care of? I knew it, but I had no choice but to let it happen.

She began to drink the lavender tea Silvestian had brought her without a bite.

But when I glanced over the teacup, Sylvestian's condition seemed a bit strange.

“I will serve you tea to put Your Highness to sleep..."

The porcelain cheeks came back to me, and the walls shook within me. I realized that the training at the academy had made it easy for the Homunculus to attach distorted meanings to the imperial sleep.

“That's not what I meant, please don't take it the wrong way!”

"..."

“I'm only a temporary vassal of... and I dare say I'm not worthy enough to serve the Seventh Princess... Pardon me.”

“No, I’m saying this regardless of whether it’s temporary or not. I have no intention of using hierarchy to take over your body.”

Didn't I have Michael, who could take my body with love?

“Is that so...?”

"Yes!"

Sylvestian nodded, looking bewildered. It was only after going through such a difficult time that he was able to establish a sound master-servant relationship.

I needed a different topic to change the mood. I decided to take this opportunity to say hello.

“How is it staying at my place?”

“Thanks to your care, I can live comfortably.”

“If Michael acts like a scapegoat, you’ll definitely tell me.”

“That doesn’t happen.”

Sylvestian swallowed a bitter laugh. As a knight of this tribe, even if only temporarily, just being able to stay in Green's room was a blessing.

Even if he were to suffer something worse than ostracism, Sylvestian felt like he could endure it as stubbornly as a rose in the field.

Of course, that's what Sylvestian is like

Eve had no way of knowing.

“As I said before, Michael can break the imprint without any side effects,

“Just tell him whenever your condition stabilizes.”

“...I would like to remain under Your Highness a little longer.”

“Yes. I don't mean to hurry you, Sir, but it's better to keep your imprint intact. You need to give the appearance of a loyal knight to the outside world, and I don't think Sir Millard is very good at lying or acting."

Sylvestian's lips pursed soundlessly. He wanted to reply that it could be done without acting. But he was afraid that if he spoke out, the selfishness beneath would be revealed, and his only virtue, her gentleness, would be dishonored.

He swallowed, as always.

“It is a pleasure to be in the service of such a fine knight as Sir Millard, even if only for a short time. Take care of me, and make yourself at home.”

“Thank you for your consideration. As a knight, I will do my best to assist Your Highness.”

Sylvestian's eyes were both pleased and sad as he nodded in agreement. The days ahead in the verdant chamber would be dreamy and beautiful. But dreams are fleeting and empty once they are broken.

Will you be able to withstand the shock of being dragged down to reality?

Sylvestian was already losing confidence.

On the other hand, I, who was receiving the example, also felt gloomy. Damn it.

It would have been impossible for me to send Sylvestian back to Rosenite while the direct knight system was still in place.

As soon as the short conversation was over, I picked up my quill again. Work was the best way to shake off useless thoughts.

However, the side effects of lavender tea are dry eyes and a heavy head.

I suddenly felt like my movements had gotten worse. Of course, that didn't help me sleep at all.

I pressed my eyes and temples, regretting that I'd downed the tea in one gulp. Sylvestian, who hadn't left yet, expressed concern.

“You look very tired, Your Highness.”

“It’s just what you see. I can’t sleep.”

“I hear you've been napping for days. Wouldn't it be nice to get a good night's sleep, even if it means borrowing some sleep magic?”

“I have some work to do.”

“Your Highness, if you do that, you will collapse.”

“That would be great.”

I blurted out her thoughts without realizing it. I realized that the walls were bulging.

“Thanks for the tea. I’ll go out and rest.”

Before Sylvestian could do anything else, I hit the ball. Sylvestian felt sorry for himself for not being a good player at this point.

It was the best he could do to leave a word before he left.

“Your Highness is a fair and just woman. Please treat yourself the same way.”

My hand, which was writing, flinched. I was afraid of myself for emotional reasons.

Because it was a remark that pointed out the fact that I was being overworked.

Click.

The door to the office hid Sylvestian's figure.

“Hoooo... Sir Millard."

I didn't know that even Sylvestian, who was the second most tactless person in my abode, would notice it.

Left alone, I covered my eyes with my hands in shame as if I had been caught red-handed. I had been taught by Desmond II that to be an Emperor, I had to take good care of myself, and I was doing exactly the opposite.

It was while I was sitting there blankly, berating herself for my weakness.

“Eve.”

"..."

“Eve?”

"..."

"Home...."

"..."

A sweet low-pitched sound struck my ears. However, my consciousness, half-sedated due to accumulated fatigue, could not react to the sound.

Then the opponent changed his position. He spoke as if he was blowing air into the nice earlobe.

“Eve.”

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