Confronted by the overwhelming pressure from the Commander, Veralis visibly stiffened. Despite his upbringing, despite his family background, despite his confidence, standing before Gammarad was like standing before a drawn blade.
"I…I—"
"Enough."
Ett waved a hand lazily.
Then looked toward Veralis.
"…Let him enter."
Ares immediately sighed in relief. "Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Grace."
"Bring tea, and dessert as well."
"Yes, Mistress."
Moments later, Veralis finally entered properly and took a seat after Ett gestured toward the settee.
Meanwhile, Gammrad remained standing nearby like an unmoving pillar.
"Have you calmed down now?"
Ett asked.
"I'm…yes."
"Good."
"Then," Veralis began, "as Your Highness' so-called dog, what must I do first?"
Direct.
Good.
Benefits first.
Pride later.
"How fares the Duke?"
Veralis frowned at the sudden mention of his father, "He remains well, Your Highness."
"You fled rather quickly after our previous meeting."
"That was because I wished our agreement to move swiftly."
"I see."
Ett rested her chin lightly against her hand.
"Did you meet the Emperor before departing that day?"
"The Emperor?"
Veralis shook his head. "No, it was Sire Xiwen who appeared before us and assisted in retrieving our comrades' bodies."
Ett's fingers paused slightly.
That's very interesting.
That meant another route existed.
Another hidden passage.
In the original novel, there should have been no escape once the gates closed.
And if those bodies had vanished successfully, the original chain of events would never have occurred.
No confirmed deaths.
No revenge plot.
No proper beginning for the male lead's hatred.
The people meant to die had survived.
Did she accidentally ruin the original story by saving him to be used, rather than letting him die right there? But the advantage of keeping him, although with risk, is far too great.
"And if retrieval had failed?" Ett asked calmly.
"We intended to burn the bodies."
"…Burn then?"
"And place blame upon the Imperial Faction."
Ett blinked.
Wait.
"What faction did those nobles belong to originally?"
"The Imperial Faction."
"And you intended to blame the Imperial Faction for killing its own members?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Were you ordered by the Noble Faction?"
"No, it…it was someone else that ordered us. We know not of the identity."
Hold on.
Then that meant—
Their neutrality only shifted afterward.
"That person, are you sure he doesn't know of your identity as a noble?"
Veralis nodded. "Nobody knows, except my father."
"..."
Meaning, it was Veralis' movement on his own accord—the job he was ordered to do.
"You shouldn't play with these kinds of games out of boredom if you are a noble, much less someone with your standing."
Veralis crossed his arms, "Well, I won't be anymore. Unless it's Your Highness' order."
Ett could only snort.
Good thing, he was alive.
Now, she'll have to find the culprit who ordered that.
Man, another one to add to the list. So that's how it was supposed to happen.
But in the story, Garth's and the male lead's standing was neutral, then soon turned to the Noble Faction. Then, if what Veralis says is the intended, why did the male lead exact revenge on the Imperial Faction, ah, right, right. Veralis was killed, no matter if it shifts to the imperial or noble, if his brother dies in the imperial palace grounds, lest... realization dawned Ett.
"Someone saw you, who else?"
Veralis sighed. "Butler Xiwen. It seems he was looking for someone, maybe you, Your Highness."
That explains it. "He didn't say anything?"
"No, he even helps us dispose of it, then...killed the rest except me."
I see. He must have heard of their conversation somewhere. Akan, he could only think of Akan, who would ask Butler Xiwen to follow her, but she's not sure. Well, it was done.
"Eat first."
Let's discuss a bit more later.
"Alright, appreciate your...Your Highness, kindness."
Veralis accepted politely. Heh. So you admire Gammarad that much, eh?
Seeing that he was not particularly picky, Ett briefly returned to reviewing Gammarad's reports.
These still require revision.
Modern concepts cannot simply be forced into this era carelessly.
Thankfully, Gammarad was capable enough to adjust whatever became unsuitable for the empire.
Akan was still far away.
For now, this would suffice.
For some time, the chamber was quiet.
"Veralis Garth."
Ett started, putting down the papers she was reading.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Pour me some tea."
Confused, Veralis obeyed.
"Here."
Ett accepted the cup, took one sip, then set it aside untouched.
Her gaze lifted toward him.
"Do you enjoy these desserts?"
"…Out of etiquette."
There was no point in lying. He preferred bread and pudding to decorative sweets.
"What do you like?"
"Pudding."
"Hm."
Ett lightly tapped the untouched desserts with her fingertip.
"Then why eat these?"
Veralis paused.
"…Because refusing what is served may offend the host."
"Exactly."
A faint spark appeared within Ett's tired eyes.
"You may stand before me now, swear loyalty, offer obedience, yet none of that guarantees your household shares your intention."
Veralis slowly stilled.
"Tell me, Veralis," Ett continued calmly, "if your favorite pudding were placed before you," she paused, catching her breath, "would you abandon it merely because another dessert had already been served first?"
"No."
"Even if noble etiquette demanded it?"
"…No."
"Good."
Ett lifted the teacup he had poured earlier.
"Then understand this."
Tap.
"The tea you poured has already grown cold."
Veralis eyes shifted toward the cup.
"Cold tea is still drinkable," Ett said quietly, "but some truly choose it willingly once warmth has faded."
Silence filled the room.
"You are useful to me because possibilities placed you before me first."
Tap.
"Not because trust already exists."
The words stuck far deeper this time.
The tea was not merely for him.
It represented timing.
Position.
Conditional usefulness.
If another, warmer cup appeared—would she still choose him?
Veralis finally understood.
"And just as you hesitate to trust me completely," Ett continued, "I also cannot place blind trust in the Garth household."'
Her gaze moved toward the untouched desserts.
"So before consuming what is offered…"
She looked back at him. "One must first determine whether the sweetness hides poison."
The room fell silent.
Even Gammarad glanced toward her briefly.
Veralis lowered his gaze slowly.
This time, genuine unease settled within him.
Excellent.
Far easier to negotiate with now.
"I say this, also for the entirety of all noble households."
Ett added.
"You are familiar with Akan, are you not?"
Veralis nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Originally, he believed that Akan merely served as the Emperor's right-hand man.
Now—
"To become my true dog, prepare a few of your belongings."
Veralis blinked.
"I beg your pardon?"
Beside them, even Gammarad finally spoke.
"Is this not too sudden, Your Grace?"
"For him? No."
Then she pointed toward the marked territory upon the wall.
"Have a visit to this duchy."
Ostenian Duchy.
"Your Highness…"
He felt he required significantly more explanation than that.