***

Herta Empire lost its golden eyes.

When the members of the imperial family who possessed golden eyes went into seclusion, those imperial family members who originally didn’t have golden eyes inevitably became more active to fill the void.

The most notable was Rasiel, the Emperor’s second son.

Born with red eyes, the red-haired, red-eyed second prince who couldn’t obtain golden eyes despite drinking Herta’s blood—only his hair color brightened slightly—quickly expanded his influence.

One method of expanding his influence included recruiting from the Crown Prince’s faction.

“-Anyway, brother Peyton won’t be able to show his eyes in public anymore. The same goes for Father.”

In front of Nathan, the Crown Prince’s confidant, Rasiel, smiled leisurely.

“If they never had them from the beginning like me, that would be one thing, but what will people think when those golden eyes they were so proud of suddenly disappear?”

Among the numerous countries on the continent, Herta was the only empire, and that was because the first Herta possessed abilities close to those of a god.

The authority of the Herta imperial family begins with the founding myth of the first Herta.

Having built up the imperial authority this way until now, they needed to continue existing as “successors of Herta” rather than “successors of those who assassinated Herta.”

“So, Nathan, it would be better to take my hand quickly. What’s the point of staying on a sinking ship for too long?”

Rasiel added with a shrug.

“My brother isn’t someone who would appreciate the devoted loyalty of mere commoners. You know that, right? Brother takes after Father a lot.”

Crown Prince Peyton resembled the Emperor greatly, which meant he was so authoritarian that he didn’t see those beneath him as people.

Nathan deliberately ignored the criticism embedded in Rasiel’s words.

“It’s a good thing that His Highness the Crown Prince takes after His Majesty.”

“Oh, do you really think so? Even though Herta’s prosperity will end in Father’s generation?”

Nothing remained in the tomb of the first Herta anymore.

The body that had been there for 300 years was nowhere to be found, and the curse that guaranteed Herta’s prosperity had disappeared.

Perhaps now the Emperor of Herta would not be able to rule the empire as easily as before.

“It’s not like Father did something wrong that caused the first Herta’s magic to disappear. But it is Father’s fault for not preparing for this situation. Instead of believing that a dead human’s magic would last forever, he should have made preparations.”

Rasiel’s words were sound reasoning.

However, Nathan remained silent instead of agreeing.

Rasiel sighed as he observed Nathan, who was not easily persuaded.

“Is it because of your sister?”

For the first time, Nathan showed signs of being shaken.

Rasiel mentioned information that had been quite difficult to discover.

“Ten years ago, she was selected as an imperial spy along with you, but immediately received a separate mission and left the empire? Not knowing where she went or what her mission was…”

“….”

“Do you really believe that brother promised to tell you your sister’s whereabouts?”

“If I don’t believe it, what can someone like me do?”

“You could change who you believe in. Nathan, if you take my hand, I’ll immediately tell you your sister’s whereabouts.”

Nathan stared at Rasiel with suspicious eyes.

“Your sister, Aina’s whereabouts, I mean.”

***

“…?”

Aina, who had been searching the floor of Sir Borba’s bedroom, suddenly raised her head and looked around.

Leticia, who was feeling the walls together with her in search of a secret passage, asked, “What’s wrong, Aina?”

“Did you just call me?”

“No.”

At Leticia’s denial, Aina just tilted her head before standing up.

She patted her skirt and reported the results of her floor inspection.

“There’s no secret passage or hidden safe. It’s just an ordinary mansion.”

“I don’t think we’ll find anything else even if we search more.”

“He’s thoroughly clean.”

“This thoroughness itself could be a clue. How many places would have the wealth and ability to abandon a mansion like this in just a day without hesitation?”

“At minimum, a marquis or higher… at maximum, possibly the imperial family.”

Aina was right.

Leticia nodded and replied.

“Exactly. And Sir Borba is a person from the Borba baronial family, and the Borba baronial family is a vassal of the Emperor.”

Only noble families who were vassals of the Emperor had mansions in the capital.

Aina carefully asked again.

“So it really is the imperial family?”

“We’ll have to confirm that. Tomorrow we’ll go to the Borba family.”

Leticia’s expression revealed a coldness that didn’t show even a trace of the kindness she displayed in Basilinte.

She had no intention of getting excited. Anger should only be unleashed when the truth is confirmed.

Of course, the more this confirmation of truth was delayed, the more Leticia’s anger continued to pile up.

If the Herta imperial family had truly played with her life, Leticia was willing to make them pay the price.

“Not today, but tomorrow?”

Aina asked, looking outside where it was still daylight.

To this question, implying they could go today, Leticia replied.

“Aina, we need to look for your brother, too. We can’t just focus on my family matters.”

“We can look for him after your matter is resolved, Young Master.”

“No. I’m looking for an enemy, but you’re looking for family. That’s more important. If you’re scared, I’ll look first.”

“….”

“And I want to give you good news first. Bad news should be saved for the very end.”

“….”

Don’t… try to sweet-talk me…

Aina was momentarily silent at Leticia’s kind heart, which considered others even in this situation.

And during that moment, she savored the schadenfreude regarding Chamuka’s predicament, who was currently courting Leticia—someone who was exceptionally kind to all humans.

The fact that the first young duke, born with everything—looks, power, title, talent—had Leticia as a trial in his life was truly proof that the world was fair.

‘Ah, he wasn’t born with good character.’

That was the problem.

While she didn’t particularly care about Chamuka suffering because of Leticia, it was a big problem when Chamuka attacked those around him because of Leticia spreading her kindness everywhere.

Aina carefully advised Leticia.

“Young Master. I’m fine with it, but please don’t speak so kindly to others. No, first, maybe you should refrain from smiling in front of others…”

“Is my smile that bad? I think I look handsome. Why?”

“If a face that shines even when still also smiles, wouldn’t everyone you talk to fall for you?”

“Ahahahaha. What’s this, Aina? Are you flattering me to cheer me up?”

Leticia dismissed Aina’s sincerity as a joke and turned away.

“I’m fine. I have to be fine. If I’m not okay, it feels like I’ve lost to those who played with my life. So I’m genuinely, completely fine.”

She was pretending to be fine, but what mattered was that if you think that way long enough, you might actually start to feel fine.

Therefore, Leticia calmly put her own matters aside and began inquiring around the capital to find Aina’s brother.

Of course, while in disguise.

In the process, Leticia charmed approximately 3 men and 6 women, and Aina was shocked by Leticia’s charm that could captivate people, even with that horrible goatee under her nose.

“The people in the capital are very friendly. Should we go in there and ask next?”

No. Stop charming people. Please, if you don’t want to destroy the capital…

Aina couldn’t express her true feelings and quietly shook her head.

Leticia’s charm was tremendously helpful in finding people, but Aina worried about the future consequences.

And just as Leticia made someone fall for her for the 10th time.

Aina’s eyes caught sight of Astrid looking like a beggar.