It had been four weeks since anyone had left the Duke's residence.
The soldiers who had been blocking the residence had long since disappeared, but the people of the Duke's household did not venture outside regardless.
As if waiting for the right moment.
Marin looked at the hollow-eyed rabbit with a pitying gaze.
In front of the rabbit, golden-brown grilled meat was piled up like a mountain.
The rabbit, who had woken up in the meantime, was avoiding its favorite meat and eating only grass. If it were as energetic as before while eating only grass, it would be a relief, but no matter how she looked at it, it lacked energy.
The rabbit seemed to be fighting an internal battle.
It glared at the meat before it with a wary gaze, jerked its head away, and then glared again, repeating the process.
It was clearly gulping down saliva at the sight of the meat, so it obviously wanted to eat, but it seemed afraid that it might fall asleep and be dragged away again.
Watching Bunny Bunny still locked in a staring contest with the grilled meat, Marin decided to show it herself that it was okay to eat.
"Bunny Bunny. This is fine. I'll try it first."
The moment Marin picked up a piece of meat and was about to put it in her mouth, the rabbit’s eyes went wide, and it sharply slapped the meat from her hand.
It gave her a look of reprimand, as if to say, *'Why are you eating something so dangerous?'* It even thumped its feet in dissatisfaction.
Avoiding the rabbit's scolding gaze, Marin looked at the meat that had fallen on the floor in the distance.
Is it okay for it to keep not eating meat? Considering the rabbit's large size, it would be better if it ate meat.
While Marin swallowed a worried sigh, the rabbit sniffed its nose, its attention stolen once again by the mountain of meat, only to jerk its head away repeatedly.
Then, it fixed its gaze on the meat that had fallen on the floor, slowly lifted its head, and stared intently at Gerald.
Gerald, who had been watching the situation from behind, raised an eyebrow and met Bunny Bunny's eyes.
*'What. What is it?'*
'…….'
A staring contest between a man and a rabbit began.
Before long, Bunny Bunny pushed the plate of meat toward Gerald with its foot.
*'You try it instead of my owner.'*
Gerald let out a hollow laugh, dumbfounded by Bunny Bunny's insolent demand.
Watching their confrontation, Marin felt restless before making a decision.
Since the rabbit wouldn't let her eat, she would have Gerald eat it.
With an apologetic face, Marin picked up the most delicious-looking piece of meat from the plate and carefully held it out to Gerald.
"Duke..."
"Why 'Duke' again?"
When Gerald spoke in a displeased tone with his arms crossed, Marin slightly avoided his eyes.
She had a conscience. How could she look him straight in the eye while daring to make the Duke act as a food taster?
"Because I feel sorry."
"Fine. If it's for you, I'll endure this much. Ah—"
"Ah?"
When Marin looked up with a puzzled face, Gerald still had his arms crossed over his chest.
"I can't use my hands right now."
"Yes, yes. Please eat, then."
Marin fed him the meat with a polite and gentle attitude.
He was a great person acting as a food taster; couldn't she do at least this much?
Gerald pointedly chewed the meat slowly, receiving the fervent gazes of both the rabbit and Marin simultaneously.
Was the act of chewing meat such a welcomed event?
When Gerald deliberately gulped the meat down, the rabbit’s eyes flew wide. Its silver eyes stared intensely at his throat.
Marin quickly pointed at him.
"Bunny Bunny, did you see? It's okay. You can eat. Instead, from now on, you only eat the meat we give you."
As if listening to her words, the rabbit's ears perked up, and it slowly crept toward the plate. Then, it lightly picked up a piece of grilled meat and carefully chewed one side.
As the juices spread in its mouth, the rabbit's body shuddered once as if moved.
Soon, the rabbit began to wolf down the meat.
Marin watched the scene with a satisfied expression.
"Marin."
She looked lovingly at Gerald, who had acted as the food taster.
"Yes, Gerald."
"You're quite kind just because I ate one piece of meat."
Marin softly curled the corners of her lips and gave him a thumbs up.
"You're the best, Your Grace."
Gerald burst into laughter at Marin's playfulness.
* * *
The Emperor's office.
"Patayan, I greet His Imperial Majesty."
"Welcome, Duke of South."
The Emperor welcomed the Duke of South with a glad face.
"I heard you were looking for me."
Smith gazed at the Emperor with a stoic face.
"As you know, I've had quite a headache lately. How do you think we should handle this matter?"
The Emperor sounded out the Duke of South's intentions in a friendly voice.
He was the one who started the fire, but hadn't the Duke of South also been deeply involved in this matter?
"……."
However, Smith merely remained silent with an expressionless face. As if he had nothing to do with this situation.
At this, the Emperor's cunning, snake-like eyes narrowed.
*Is he trying to pull out because of public opinion among the nobles?*
The Emperor's golden eyes flashed fiercely.
"Duke of South. How should I interpret your current attitude?"
"My thoughts are the same as the others, Your Majesty."
The Duke of South said so and bowed his head slightly.
"What? Are you saying we should just let the West go like this?"
"Must we not prevent the overflow of magical beasts? I support the Duke of West."
Smith, lifting his face, answered in a level tone.
"Duke of South. Should you be acting like this? If the Duke of West finds out about your behind-the-scenes machinations, do you think he will leave you alone?"
The Emperor glared at the changed Duke of South and threatened him.
But the Duke of South remained unperturbed.
"If it is a burden I must bear, I shall do so."
"It's the West, the West! Do you not know what kind of man he is? You will regret not taking my hand!"
The Emperor slammed the desk with a thud as if frustrated.
"……."
Yet the Duke of South still maintained an indifferent face.
"Have you not realized through this incident? I can do anything. Do you think I wouldn't know the secrets of the South?"
At the Emperor's grim warning, Smith tightened his lips to hold back a laugh.
The Emperor must think he is Smize right now. To think he's making threats without knowing that the real one has returned.
"As Your Imperial Majesty wishes."
"It seems you need time to think. Next time, bring an answer that satisfies me!"
The Emperor coldly warned the Duke of South until the very end.
After the Duke of South withdrew, the Emperor rose from his seat, pressing his throbbing temples.
"I am going to the 7th Imperial Consort."
The Chief Attendant followed quietly behind.
* * *
"Please drink, Your Majesty."
The green tea in the cup shimmered transparently.
"The tea is strong today."
The Emperor picked up the teacup and took a sip.
"You mentioned your headache was severe, so I brewed it stronger than usual."
Aira looked at the Emperor with a worried face.
"Ha... I must drink this tea for the headache to subside."
At those words, the Chief Attendant, who was standing at a distance, fell into deep thought.
Does that tea have some extraordinary medicinal effect? He didn't understand why the Emperor's headache only subsided after drinking that.
All the herbs the 7th Imperial Consort brought in underwent thorough inspection, but it seemed he would need to investigate once more.
"It's because you've had many things on your mind lately, isn't it?"
"Indeed. Since the Duke of West won't bend his stubbornness... Even though I've withdrawn the soldiers, he won't come out of his shell. I have no idea what he's thinking."
The Emperor frowned as if suppressing rising anger.
"They say that in the streets lately, people are calling the Duke of West's fiancé a Saintess."
Aira spoke casually while drinking tea across from him.
"What?"
"Isn't it interesting?"
At the Emperor's dumbfounded face, Aira covered her mouth and laughed.
"Tsk, foolish things. A Saintess. It's been hundreds of years since a Saintess was born."
"Hasn't it also been hundreds of years since the Witches disappeared?"
Aira tilted her head and asked with an innocent face.
"Hmm."
The Emperor cleared his throat as if he hadn't heard, drank his tea, and then set the cup down.
A Saintess... Come to think of it, isn't that a rather good idea?
If he promoted the Duke of West's fiancé as a Saintess instead of a Witch, the Duke of West might change his mind.
"Chief Attendant."
"Yes."
The Chief Attendant quickly approached.
"Send a letter to the Duke of West. Tell him I will title his fiancé a Saintess, so he should cancel his proclamation."
Since he was making such a concession, the Duke of West would surely accept.
For the first time in a while, the Emperor wore a relieved smile.
Meanwhile, as things flowed according to her intention, Aira’s downcast eyes gleamed significantly.