Chap 2

She wanted to get out of the execution scene in the original work that kept popping up after the possession, and recover her reputation as soon as possible.

According to the original novel, it was a scandal called "the Empress's curse," which tarnished the reputation of the Empress, using a plague spread by Ermedillin's curse to pressure Anri.

It was indeed something Ermedillin had done, but since it happened at the very beginning of the novel, she was not caught.

Until now, Anri and Valliere, who had only been keeping Ermedillin in check, have just become openly hostile to her.

There was no definitive evidence, so it was not included in the charges when she was sentenced to death later.

Therefore, Ermedillin thought she had to take advantage of this situation.

She may not be able to eradicate the already spread epidemic at once, but she can alleviate the suffering of the people, shedding suspicion, and recovering her fallen reputation.

"The reason? Isn't it a natural duty for an empress when the people in the capital are groaning from an epidemic?"

A moment of confusion crossed Anri's stern face.

'Yes, it would be confusing. The Ermedillin you know is not this character.'

The male protagonist Anri, whom the villainess Ermedillin in the novel was obsessed with obtaining, is a man with a stern yet delicate beauty, as if he came from a classical painting.

His appearance is different from the novel's illustrations, with dazzlingly bright blond hair under which lies clear blue eyes.

A perfect fit for the term "blonde, blueeyed handsome man," his appearance is like a dream prince.

It's been three days since Hyeyoung, or rather Ermedillin, was possessed, but she's still startled every time she faces him.

'He's really stunningly handsome. But that doesn't excuse Ermedillin's obsession with him.'

"When did you start caring about your duties befitting your position? Weren't you only interested in the rights that come with that position?"

Sarcasm is evident in Anri's voice.

Hyeyeong wanted to argue for a moment, but realizing she was within the notorious villainess Ermedillin, she obediently nodded her head.

"Yes. I do love the wealth and honor that comes with being the empress. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't fulfill my duties, does it?"

She answered with a brazen and calm face, but looking at Angri's expression, it was clear what he was thinking.

'Now?'

Ermedillin had been empress for 2 years.

The emperor, who had a lover from his childhood, never even visited the empress's bedroom.

The empress, who had forcibly threatened him into marriage, was obsessed with him, but had no intention of appeasing his disposition.

Her obsession with the position of empress was so strong that Ermedillin, a woman overflowing with pride in herself, did not change her personality because of it.

So she did everything a wicked empress would do over the past two years.

She wielded the power granted to her in the worst possible direction, using her abilities as a witch to damage her reputation and create enemies.

No matter how much the emperor tried to stop her, even sending her hateful glares, Ermedillin didn't care.

How else would everything come to light, even reaching the point where her witch abilities were sealed, because everyone around her turned into an enemy?

In the end, even her family, the venerable Francois family, threw her out without hesitation.

'I must fix my reputation to the point where it doesn't give away everything, as it will be surprising if I suddenly change my personality.'

Ermedillin deliberately lifted her chin and wore a slightly arrogant expression.

'Me, am I doing well? I should have had a chance to wear an arrogant expression in my life.'

"I am not the supreme being of the Trivian Empire? I can bestow some small kindness to the lowly people."

The supreme being.

A title that Ermedillin often used to refer to herself, despite the fact that the emperor was present.

In the novel, it was one of the devices to show her arrogance.

'Does it look natural?'

Ermedillin, who had no confidence in her acting, slowly glanced at Angri.

Fortunately, it seemed that the acting had worked, as only discomfort was visible on his face.

"If that's really your will.... "

"It can't be."

'What?'

The sudden voice came from Balliere, who was standing behind Angri like a shadow.

"It can't be?"

To say that something decided by the empress and emperor can't be done, even though they had been lovers since childhood, Ermedillin unknowingly frowned.

Angri did not openly frown like Ermedillin, but he looked at her with eyes that asked what he was doing, seemingly surprised.

Feeling the gaze of the two, a humble and kind smile, utterly obedient and virtuous, appeared on Balliere's face.

Balliere had plain light brown hair and similarly ordinary light brown eyes, an unremarkable appearance that could not compare with the flamboyant Ermedillin.

Even her pale face was covered in freckles.

But upon closer inspection, anyone would have to admit that she was a great beauty.

Her small features perfectly harmonized with her small face, beautifully arranged.

The freckles that covered her face only served to highlight her loveliness.

Her dreamy, vacant eyes and her voice as sweet as honey were a bonus.

If Ermedillin possessed the beauty of a rose that bloomed brilliantly in the welltended garden, catching the eye at once.

Velia had the beauty of a flower that blooms carelessly by the roadside, looking so pitiful and lovely as it sways in the wind.

It was the type that Hyeyoung, now Ermedillin, had always envied in her past life.

'Right. Originally, men liked women who gave them the feeling of wanting to protect.'

"The budget assigned to Her Majesty the Empress must be used for Your Majesty's dignity. Wouldn't it be more important for Your Majesty to maintain your dignity especially when the country is in chaos?"

The honey began to drop from Anri's eyes at the sight of Velia's modest response.

'He must be really pleased?'

No matter how wicked a woman Ermedillin is, and even if Anri is the male lead who will be connected with Velia, a man who kisses the forehead of the government in front of his wife doesn't look quite normal either.

Anri looked at Ermedillin's hardened face and smiled contentedly.

He seemed ready to be pleased even with his wife's small unhappiness.

'Wow, a real makjang couple. It must be its own trouble to live in the same house with someone you hate so much.'

"Dignity can already be maintained with my own assets. The budget assigned to me is mine to use as I please."

Ermedillin stared at Velia, her face stern.

"Ah… But what should we do?"

Velia shrugged her shoulders as if holding back laughter and tilted her head as if she were regretful.

"Didn't Your Majesty the Empress use up the entire budget assigned to you on the first day of budget execution this year? Don't you remember?"

'Ah, I should have checked the ledger first.'

Ermedillin would have plenty left even after that.

She even secretly manufactured and distributed illegal potions because the Empress's budget was insufficient.

Anri smiled again, contentedly, at Ermedillin, who was flustered once again.

Of course, his blue eyes were naturally full of mockery.

"Then I will use my private funds."

Neither Anri nor Velia responded, but the same expression appeared on both faces.

'You?'

It couldn't be trusted. It was naturally unbelievable.

Ermedillin nodded calmly.

"Yes. From now on, I intend to be a somewhat moral Empress."