Clever girl.

Soniel must have used chess as an excuse in case Johana checked the letter on the way.

I put down the letter and recalled the buildings I had seen from a distance.

Five buildings, 100 pawns each, at least 500 men.

And if there were additional soldiers being trained elsewhere…

‘This is on a much larger scale than I thought.’

Only now could I understand the ambiguous parts of Soniel’s previous letter.

‘She said she could make up her mind after learning her father’s true intentions.’

If she had truly believed herself to be the Duke’s daughter and been treated as such…

Perhaps Soniel wouldn’t have revealed her father’s shameful secrets to me.

“Sigh.”

I rose from my seat, feeling inexplicably anxious.

‘Even so… surely he wouldn’t attempt a coup or anything like that.’

Could such a thing be possible?

I knew well that my former father was power-obsessed, but his temperament wasn’t that radical.

Rather, he was frighteningly meticulous and calculating.

But what if he really was planning a coup?

‘Why now of all times?’

I sighed and looked out the window.

“……”

When would this man return?

Of course, even if Ainberg did return, I couldn’t rashly speak about the private army.

First, I needed to find out how many private soldiers a noble was permitted to have.

Besides, he wouldn’t have planned this alone.

If so, his accomplices—

“Wait.”

Why am I worrying so much about this?

“What does it matter to me if the imperial throne changes hands?”

After pacing around the room, I flopped back down on the sofa.

“I couldn’t stand him anyway, so this might be for the best.”

I folded Soniel’s letter and put it back in the envelope.

“I’ve been overthinking this. I’ve gone too far. Is this the time to worry about the Emperor? I should focus on how to help Soniel.”

Then I picked up the book I had been reading and sank deep into the backrest.

“……”

But I couldn’t concentrate on the book at all.

I gritted my molars, tapped the book with my fingertips, bit my lips, and finally closed the book.

“It’s not about the Emperor, I’m just worried about Soniel.”

Wasn’t she desperately asking for my help with her whole being?

I was her only support.

“And… this isn’t something that can end with just personal feelings.”

No, absolutely not!

The reason I feel so uncomfortable and urgent is definitely NOT because I’m concerned about Ainberg’s well-being.

I’m worried about this country’s future, simply concerned about Soniel’s situation and future.

Moreover, if Foil mobilizes troops, I don’t know what will happen to me and my family.

“…Perhaps this has been planned for a very long time.”

A different thought suddenly occurred to me.

I could never properly understand why my former father emphasized the importance of power and authority.

I thought he already had abundant wealth and sufficient titles.

I believed his insistence that I bear the Emperor’s child was merely out of desire to strengthen his position in the imperial family.

…I thought all he lacked was the presence of someone who loved him.

“Did my former father want something more?”

If so, this could really escalate.

If his intentions were impure, thorough preparation would be necessary.

“Miamo.”

I softly called to Miamo, who was sleeping peacefully on her cushion.

“Yes, not for his sake… but for Soniel, myself, for all of us.”

Let me focus on Soniel’s problem.

I stroked the sleeping Miamo and sank into thought.

What should I do about that child?

Keeping her with Foil is too dangerous.

Is there a way to get her out of the mansion?

Clutching my head, pacing around the room, even doodling on blank paper to lay out my thoughts.

Still, no good solution came to mind.

“Right, at times like this I need to walk. Let’s move my body!”

Just then, someone knocked on the door and peeked their head in.

It was my brother Allentain.

“What are you moving?”

“Ah, brother.”

“What were you muttering to yourself so intently?”

My brother walked in with a genial face and spoke.

“Nothing, just…”

I forced a smile and evaded the question.

I had considered consulting Father or my brother about this matter.

But if I confided in my brother, things would certainly escalate.

‘It would be a great help, but I’m not yet certain about my former father’s intentions. I can’t start something based only on suspicion.’

Instead, I could ask indirectly.

“Brother, I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“How many private soldiers does our family have?”

My brother tilted his head, perhaps finding my question strange.

“Private soldiers?”

“Yes.”

“Well, excluding the security bureau troops stationed in our territories, our family owns about a hundred men.”

“I see.”

“But why the sudden interest in private soldiers?”

“No reason, just curious.”

“I knew you were always a curious child, but I didn’t know you were interested in armies too.”

I grinned and watched my brother’s reaction.

“Is a hundred considered a lot?”

“Quite a lot. It’s only possible because of our strong trust with the imperial family. Though in the outskirts or near borders, it might be different. More might be possible there.”

My brother’s explanation made things clearer.

“Then is there a number of private soldiers set by imperial law? I don’t think there’s no limit at all.”

“Leonora.”

At that point, my brother didn’t answer my question but stared at me intently.

“Yes?”

“Your questions are very suspicious. Did someone—”

“No, no, I just read a book recently and the military stories were fascinating?”

I picked up the top book from the table and waved it.

“Elizabeth’s Tea Time has military stories?”

“…After tea time, she goes to meet her boyfriend in the military.”

I blurted out anything and put the book back down.

My brother chuckled once and then answered.

“Ostrin’s national law is strict, so without His Majesty’s permission, one cannot arbitrarily raise or train private soldiers. There are definitely limits, but I don’t know the exact numbers.”

“So training soldiers also requires His Majesty’s approval?”

“Yes. Do you really want to create an army or something?”

“No, of course not.”

I smiled brightly and hurriedly sent my brother away.

An unshakable anxiety was creeping up inside me.

Though I had learned new information from my brother, I still couldn’t think of a good solution.

Rather, my suspicions were growing stronger in an increasingly ominous direction.

“This won’t do. Let’s walk, let’s move.”

I got up and left.

❀❀❀

But even while walking and breathing fresh air, my mood didn’t improve.

My mind remained foggy, and I still couldn’t think of a way to get Soniel out of the mansion.

‘If only I had just waited quietly in my room.’

Only unnecessary self-blame accumulated, disturbing my mind.

There seemed to be only one option left. Despite having only circumstantial evidence, I should inform my brother and father.

‘It would be better to confirm once more with Soniel before telling my brother.’

Just as I made up my mind, after coming out from the back garden and heading inside, the palace seemed somewhat chaotic.

“What’s happening?”

Something felt off.

An urgent and gloomy energy permeated everywhere.

Sensing the unsettling atmosphere, I hurried up the stairs.

“Quickly, hurry!”

The servants were moving busily without even time to greet me.

“Excuse me—”

I tried to stop a maid rushing by, but she ran off in the opposite direction without responding.

“…What’s going on?”

Everyone except me standing in the middle of the corridor was moving hurriedly in one direction.

I tried to stop a woman carrying many things in both hands, but failed again.

Deciding this wouldn’t work, I quickly headed toward where they were all running, and fortunately met Sabine coming down the stairs.

“Sabine.”

“Miss!”

Sabine ran to me with lips turned blue. She looked like she might collapse at any moment.

“What is it? What’s happening? Did a fight break out somewhere?”

I joked, but Sabine didn’t laugh.

She was trembling with her shoulders hunched.

I finally realized something serious had happened.

“Sabine.”

My heart pounded unpleasantly even though I hadn’t heard anything yet.

With a trembling heart, I was waiting for her to speak.

“Miss, His Majesty has returned.”

I had hoped it wasn’t related to Ainberg.

I couldn’t bring myself to ask what had happened.

Staring at her, I desperately hoped that this ominous feeling, which had been right every time before, would be wrong this time.

“…They say His Majesty is severely injured.”