Kartun and Werner walked side by side while Daphne and Anton followed behind them.

“Shouldn’t you see Her Majesty the Emperor first?”

Kartun asked, but Werner changed the subject.

“My apologies to Her Majesty, but I’d like to speak with my daughter first.”

“I understand. Any normal father would prioritize that.”

If one carefully examined those words, they seemed to contain the reproach: ‘Weren’t you abnormal before?’ Werner cleared his throat but didn’t respond.

“Nevertheless, we cannot commit disloyalty. Isn’t the reason for the failed trade also important?”

After asking Werner as if seeking agreement, Kartun concluded:

“I’ll wait. Let’s enter the palace together after you finish talking with Lady Daphne.”

Kartun spoke to Werner in a tone that was almost commanding. His gaze also seemed to contain a warning not to scold Daphne.

“I understand, Your Highness. Please excuse me.”

Then he asked Anton:

“Bring us some tea.”

Hearing this, both Anton and Daphne were inwardly surprised.

Werner never drinks tea. Not only did he not have time for it, but he was the type who believed he should be doing something more productive with that time.

But orders must be followed.

Anton escorted Kartun to the reception room while Daphne and Werner went to the office.

Werner ordered the guards at the door to move to both ends of the corridor. This indicated he wanted to have an important conversation.

Daphne entered somewhat tensely.

“Sit down.”

Werner said while roughly wiping off the dust he had collected while riding with a towel.

Daphne sat down across from him with a small sigh, the table between them.

This was the first time they had met since his death in her previous life.

His sun-darkened face, brown hair now beginning to gray, and brown eyes that softened only when looking at Christine.

He looked no different from how she remembered him. And there was hardly any resemblance between them that would suggest they were father and daughter.

Though he called her his daughter, he never truly regarded her as such, and now he had returned safely.

For Daphne, that alone was satisfying. No, it was enough. It would be even better if he stayed alive for a while and continued to lead the family admirably.

Daphne greeted him formally.

“Welcome back.”

“Ah, yes.”

He answered awkwardly.

Yet his brown eyes were intently examining his daughter’s complexion.

Daphne’s characteristic bright and innocent energy had disappeared, but her face wasn’t damaged or sunken in sorrow either.

Well, he didn’t remember the previous Daphne in detail. She was a pretty girl when she smiled and always kept one step back.

‘But that’s not what I’m seeing now.’

Though he couldn’t read her raw emotions, he sensed a composure in his daughter that needed nothing.

Among the countless people Werner had dealt with, this type was the most difficult. Like seasoned merchants or predators who manipulated power.

‘But Daphne? That can’t be…’

Werner couldn’t believe what he was seeing. She had never before shown even a trace of such an aura; she had been an innocent child.

‘…Or was she really such a child?’

Werner couldn’t be certain. Ridiculously, he had few past memories to compare with his daughter now. That was evidence of how little interest he had shown in her.

Many fathers lacked time to pay attention to their children because they were busy supporting their families and managing their territories. He wanted to make that excuse, but he knew he was among the worst offenders.

Daphne didn’t mention that he should see Her Majesty the Emperor first. He would know that better than anyone.

An awkward silence continued. The atmosphere improved only when a maid entered.

But after she left, with only the tea remaining, the awkwardness returned.

Despite meeting after a very long time, the two didn’t say a word until they finished their tea.

Werner’s sudden rush home had confused Daphne.

But Werner was far more confused.

‘Normally, she would have asked more than ten questions by now…’

Whenever Daphne met her father whom she rarely see, she would talk to him incessantly.

“Father, was your voyage safe? What was the most mysterious thing you saw abroad? I really want to go overseas someday too!”

He would only answer one or two of her questions. For most, he would just nod, and the rest would be intercepted by Ludwig.

“Daphne, I just got home and I’m tired. Father must be too. Let’s talk during dinner.”

With such words, he would send her away every time.

But Daphne never got the chance to dine with him.

Werner would eat alone with his beloved Christine, and he would have breakfast in bed.

Lunch was naturally eaten hastily while working or with people he met for business.

By the next dinner, when they finally faced each other, Daphne would keep her mouth shut and avoid eye contact.

Thinking she might be upset, he would speak to her, and she would smile brightly as always. That smile was so bright that he thought everything was fine.

This was because after his next voyage, Daphne would always greet him with a smile and talk to him again.

Though her chatter was mostly annoying, it occasionally made him smile. He thought she would marry Leonhardt with that innocent and bright energy and live happily ever after.

Werner clenched his molars. This was all because of Leonhardt.

Something that should never have happened occurred while he was at sea.

Suppressing his boiling indignation, Werner spoke again.

“Daphne, are you alright?”

She looked at Werner while taking the last sip of her tea.

“Thank you for asking about my feelings. They’re not good, but not at a level for you to worry about, Father.”

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

Werner gave up trying to approach the subject indirectly, considering Daphne’s state of mind.

“Child, what this father wants to ask is…”

“Whether I’m heartbroken or struggling because of this incident… Is that it? Of course I am. But I can’t afford to be lost in such emotions and miss important moments.”

Werner swallowed.

“But as a parent, I want to understand your feelings first.”

“Why?”

Daphne asked with an expression of complete incomprehension.

“There are matters that can be handled that way, and others that cannot. It’s frustrating to see you doing something you never did before. If you truly care for me, please focus on resolving the crisis facing the two families that support the Empire.”

Hearing this, Werner’s eyes widened.

Even Ludwig, worn down by business tactics, or the ill-mannered Zenos wouldn’t dare speak to him this way.

But Daphne?

Though she read his feelings, Daphne decided to ignore them completely. She didn’t want to repeat what she had said to Christine. Above all, there was no guarantee she would have another chance to convey her opinions to Werner.

Daphne spoke to Werner, who was listening to her for the first time in her life:

“I will manage my feelings myself. I’ve been an adult for quite some time, so that’s only natural. However, I would like you to grant my wish.”

“Tell me.”

“I will break off the engagement.”

It wasn’t ‘I want to,’ but a unilateral announcement.

Werner thought Daphne might be too angry. Even the gentlest person can have moments when rage blinds them.

He tried to calm her first.

“You might regret making hasty decisions out of uncontrolled anger. Above all, didn’t you like Leonhardt very much?”

“Mother said the same thing, but my answer is the same. That was all in the past.”

“What do you mean by ‘in the past’?”

“Leonhardt was a good friend and a familiar person.”

“You mean you didn’t like him romantically?”

“Yes. And it was the same for Leonhardt, which is why he fell for another woman. I think it’s understandable. However, I don’t want to marry someone who takes care of a mistress even before marriage.”

“I heard from Anton. He did such a thing at the ball, and yesterday he came and caused trouble.”

Hearing this, Daphne decided to play up her vulnerability a bit.

“Yes, that’s right. If His Highness hadn’t appeared, something terrible might have happened.”

Werner clenched his fist, too angry even at the mere imagination of it.

“Should I marry a man who threatened his fiancée to accept his mistress before marriage, and when refused, tried to attack me? If you tell me I must endure it for the sake of the two families, I suppose I have no choice.”