“Good grief.”

　　Staring mindlessly at the smooth hardcover, Johannes’s brow creased with irritation.

　　He was in the office of Heisack Manor.

　　Originally, it was a reception room for welcoming visiting guests. However, after the death of the previous head of the family, visitors to the House of Heisack had declined noticeably, and Johannes, the new head, had boldly converted the vast space into his office.

　　Standing out were the wide windows expanding the space connected to the study. The lush forest visible outside the window and the faint view of the lake across provided a comforting view throughout the seasons. This was also the space in the dreary Heisack Manor where Johannes spent the most time, his sole source of comfort.

　　All four corners of the aging desk were frayed. It was not mere wear and tear from handling, but the lingering marks of anguish borne by past heads of house. Not a single piece of furniture in the office was devoid of the House of Heisack’s soul.

　　“What is that, Your Grace?”

　　The one who addressed Johannes was Andesandro Dias, the secretary of the House of Heisack and Johannes’s closest aide.

　　He approached Johannes, who was sitting at the oldest and largest desk in the office, then cast a glance at the book Johannes was glaring at.

　　“The Crown Princess’s Pure Training?”

　　Andesandro gaped, as if unable to believe his eyes.

　　“I did not know you had such tastes.”

　　He then looked at Johannes with an appalled expression and took one step back.

　　“I’ve served you since before you succeeded as head of the family ten years ago, Your Grace. It hasn’t been a short time, and I prided myself on knowing almost everything about you, but…”

　　Andesandro’s tone turned wary and uncomfortable.

　　“I admit that was all my hubris. Good gracious, leaving something so utterly embarrassing out in the open… If you’re lonely, please get married, Your Grace. Oh dear, how shameful. What on earth is…”

　　“Hah. Really, now? Unbelievable.”

　　However, engrossed in his own thoughts, Johannes was completely deaf to Andesandro’s sarcasm.

　　I caught her when she collided with me and nearly fell, and far from saying thank you, she shoved me away with an impudent face that screamed she couldn’t wait to escape. And to steal my book and dump filth like this on me…!

　　Scanning through The Crown Princess’s Pure Training, Johannes was left utterly dumbfounded. It was an erotic novel about a beautiful female protagonist who used the secret desires of a lust-crazed male protagonist to achieve her own wild ambitions.

　　What surprised Johannes in particular was the detailed description of the female protagonist’s exceptional talent in seducing men. It was recounted so meticulously that it wouldn’t be out of place classified as a practical guide rather than an erotic novel.

　　Presumably, Brianne Paradia will faithfully put the filthy acts written in this book to use in the Emperor’s bedchamber. Just like the beautiful, cunning blonde protagonist in the book.

　　“I had no idea the pretty little doll brought in as a decorative ornament would turn out to be such an audacious and ambitious character.”

　　“Pardon, Your Grace? Doll? Ambition? I am not sure who you are referring to…”

　　Andesandro asked in response to his master’s muttered monologue, but received no answer. Johannes’s mind was still directed at the woman who was not present.

　　“An utterly unpleasant woman. Constantly appearing in unpleasant situations, bringing nothing but dreadful news…”

　　Brianne Paradia.

　　Johannes genuinely despised her.

　　And he prayed to God that he would never cross paths again with the woman who symbolized misfortune to him.

* * *

　　The Origins of Stars Seen Through Ancient Architecture was a deeply captivating book.

　　The introduction explained how castles built by ancient scholars to observe celestial bodies later doubled as fortresses, becoming structures of immense preservation value both astronomically and militarily, which completely captured Brianne’s attention.

　　Though a scientific approach predominated, some of the short essays added as what appeared to be casual jokes, such as “Reading the Empire’s Fortunes Through Constellation Movements,” provided plenty of engaging reading.

　　Thanks to this book, she didn’t feel a single second of boredom all day long while cooped up in her bedchamber. And so Brianne finished reading the book, written in the difficult common language, in just a few hours.

　　Brianne deeply hated to admit it, but she had to accept the fact that Johannes’s taste in reading was identical to her own.

　　“Brianne?”

　　The one who called the name of Brianne, absorbed in reading by the light of a single candle, was Kavil.

　　It seemed the sun had already set and night had fallen deep, darkening the surroundings.

　　“Y-Your Majesty!”

　　Caught completely off guard due to being engrossed in her book, the startled Brianne stood up from her chair.

　　“Do you know how many times I called you?”

　　“F-Forgive me, Your Majesty.”

　　“Just what were you doing that you didn’t even hear me call?”

　　“That is…”

　　Standing awkwardly, she hid The Origins of Stars Seen Through Ancient Architecture deep beneath the blanket. Then she casually placed the fashion magazine Nesburg Elegance, brought to her by her kind maid Mielo, on top of it.

　　“What are you hiding? Is it something I, the Emperor, am not allowed to see?”

　　Kavil cast his gaze over Brianne’s shoulder.

　　“I-I will prepare your bathwater, Your Majesty.”

　　Brianne continued to act awkwardly.

　　While she undressed Kavil, his eyes never left the desk where Brianne had been sitting moments ago.

　　“Brianne.”

　　“Yes, Your Majesty.”

　　“Tell the servant to bring a new scented oil.”

　　“A scented oil?”

　　“A lemon-scented one, to mask the provocative scent coming from your body.”

　　“Ah…”

　　“I worry sometimes. That when I meet my ministers to handle state affairs after sleeping with you, they shall go into heat because of your sensual scent lingering on me.”

　　“Y-Your Majesty… Ah…”

　　Burying his nose into Brianne’s fair neck and indulging in the scent of her skin, Kavil’s hushed whispers sounded more seductive than ever.

　　“If you… could wait just a moment… I will get the lemon-scented oil, ah…”

　　Brianne’s shallow gasps kept breaking as Kavil kissed her, interrupting her breathing.

　　“You are even more alluring today, Brianne. Enough to rouse my tired self.”

　　Whispering quietly, Kavil guided her hand to his lower abdomen. She could feel the thick bulge between his legs press directly into her tiny palm.

　　“…!”

　　But the sensation brought back a passage from the erotic novel she had seen in the library, utterly extinguishing even her slight stirrings of desire.

　　“…I will bring the new scented oil, Your Majesty.”

　　Brianne replied somewhat coldly, pushing away Kavil as he relentlessly showered her with kisses.

　　As soon as she briefly stepped away, Kavil reached for the desk as if he had been waiting for the opportunity. He then flipped through the magazine resting face-down.

　　“…?”

　　His gaze stopped at a sultry illustration from the romance novel Anna Marquerina Does Not Wear Chiffon Dresses. Just as the maid Mielo had said, the explicit pose of the man and woman in the attached illustration was vulgar beyond words.

　　Was she hiding things and acting so secretive all this time because she had secretly read such vulgar novels?

　　“Ah. How adorable.”

　　Discovering Brianne’s new preference, when he had assumed she was purely innocent, a small chuckle burst from his lips.

　　Good. If you demonstrate your usefulness in this way, I have no reason to hate nor discard you. Stay just as you are, Brianne. Filled with thoughts of pleasing the nights of your sole master. My foolish young concubine, yet soon to be my Empress…

　　“Your Majesty. I brought the lemon-scented oil.”

　　Brianne returned holding luxurious crystal bottles in both hands.

　　“Mmm. Well done.”

　　Kavil smiled brightly at her and quietly closed Anna Marquerina Does Not Wear Chiffon Dresses.