Seemingly knowing Rosana’s heart, Jade told her not to refuse.

“Rosana, there’s no one but you I can entrust my place to.”

Those solemn words left Rosana speechless. He was firm and showed no intention of backing down.

“Malek agreed too.”

“…That’s correct.”

Though hesitant, it was an affirmative answer. Rosana’s eyes widened.

“The Duke will arrive soon. If things get too difficult and exhausting, you can lean on him. If you don’t feel confident sitting at the negotiation table, you can wait for my return. You can transfer everything to the Duke.”

Jade whispered in a subtle tone. Rosana’s hand twitched.

“Everything can be done according to your will. This certificate is proof of that.”

“…”

However, Jade was certain Rosana wouldn’t just wait helplessly. Jade watched Rosana for a long moment. Rosana let out a long sigh, saying she had no choice. Then she raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

It felt like leaping over several steps at once, but she had to break through on her own. Her head just spun from suddenly being told to replace him, the Emperor.

“Are you telling me to run away? Weren’t you the one who told me to fight back? I won’t run. Never.”

“Then you’ll fight.”

Jade looked at Rosana with a warm smile, saying he knew she would. It meant he would respect only her opinion.

Rosana closed her eyes tightly. At first, it was certainly absurd and bewildering. However, she knew this was a matter he’d decided with difficulty too.

‘Running away… fighting… everything is my decision.’

He was saying it was Rosana’s choice whether to accept the opportunity that rolled in or kick it away. Rosana spoke in a somewhat deflated, subdued tone.

“You’ve… become quite skilled at handling me.”

“That’s hurtful. Are you someone who moves according to my will?”

Rosana chuckled.

“I’ll do it. I’ve done well so far, haven’t I?”

Rosana stood firmly on both feet, exuding confidence.  

She knew she couldn’t rely on him forever. That was precisely why she had agreed to take on the responsibility of preparing the banquet, wasn’t it?  

The countless words she had heard while organizing the event echoed in her mind.

Among them were words of admiration for Rosana’s abilities. She had certainly earned those herself. The anxiety that had gripped her heart loosened a bit.

Jade responded to Rosana’s resolute eyes with a bright smile.

“I know it well, and everyone else here knows it too. Everything you’ve accomplished proves it. That’s why everyone agreed. Isn’t that right, Malek?”

Malek was momentarily flustered by the arrow suddenly flying his way, but soon spoke his honest feelings.

“Of course. There’s nothing lacking in entrusting this to Lady Rosana.”

“Fel. Are you insisting I stay because you don’t trust Rosana?”

“Your Majesty! That’s…!”

Fel glanced at Rosana. Then he swallowed a sigh. Though the reason Fel was stopping him and his argument were completely different, he couldn’t say anything negative. He’d recognized Rosana long ago. 

Fel glared at Jade with a sour expression.

“How could that be? The entire knight order recognizes Lady Rosana.”

Rosana took a small breath. The shadows of tension, anxiety, and fear remaining on her expression had completely disappeared.

“This is my work.”

Hearing Rosana’s words, his eyes also curved gently. Like Rosana’s words were the right answer.

“Yes, that’s the woman I fell for.”

A brief silence enveloped them. 

The surroundings stirred at the words that passed in an instant. Rosana’s eyes also slowly widened. For a moment, she couldn’t properly process in her head what he’d just said.

“Just now…”

“Hm? What did I say?”

Jade’s words, spoken without filtering through his brain, had many problems. However, Jade didn’t think much of it. No, he didn’t realize what he’d said.

Rosana wanted to ask Jade exactly what he’d just said. However, that wasn’t what mattered at this moment.

Rosana’s course of action was decided. Silently carrying out the work. She also had to see him off. Like Rosana, he was departing on a difficult journey.

“I look forward to seeing how you’ve changed. Don’t forget. I’m behind you. I’ll take all responsibility.”

Rosana laughed softly. She could see him trying to lighten the burden on her shoulders even a little. It was words of encouragement not to feel pressured.

“Yes.”

Rosana said quietly. Then Rosana grabbed Jade’s collar.

“May I be excused for a moment?”

“Hm? I don’t mind.”

At Rosana’s sudden request, Jade’s head tilted slightly to the left. Rosana reached out. She took the badge proving the imperial family from Jade’s left chest.

“Usually on days like this, it’s customary to attach a charm, but…”

He had given to her, but there was something she hadn’t given to him. Wishing for his wellbeing.

‘Normally I’d give a charm made with wishes for safety, but…’

Like a knight kissing the back of a lady’s hand, Rosana briefly pressed her lips to the badge. The cold touch of the badge was transmitted directly to her.

With her eyes slightly lowered, Rosana left a lip mark filled with wishes. The golden thread-like hair fluttering in the wind made the scene even more mystical. Jade stared at her blankly.

“This is how we convey wishes in Astrot.”

Rosana reattached it to his chest. After wiping away the lip mark once with her finger, she lightly pushed his chest.

“Don’t get hurt and return safely. Leave what comes after to me.”

Jade gulped. His throat felt tight somehow. Suppressing the emotions surging from deep in his chest, he barely opened his mouth.

“…Alright.”

Rosana waited for him to leave. However, Jade stood frozen without moving. As Rosana tilted her head, Fel called out to him, who showed no intention of moving.

Only Rosana entered Jade’s field of vision. Other presences wavered hazily. His Adam’s apple bobbed. Unable to hold back, Jade took a large step forward. The sound of metal clashing rang out.

Rosana was startled by Jade suddenly pressing his body close and stumbled back a step. However, Jade grabbed Rosana’s arm.

Without time to speak, she felt the fierce strength of arms binding her body. She felt his breath on the nape of her neck.

“Your Majesty…?”

“With this, I couldn’t get hurt even if I wanted to.”

Jade’s voice, like scraping metal, reached Rosana’s ear. Then he spoke in a languid tone.

“But isn’t this Diovaha? If we’re conveying wishes, we should do it our way.”

“What?”

When startled Rosana asked back, what approached was Jade’s face. Rosana’s wide-open eyes filled with his enchantingly curved eyes.

Gasps sounded from around them, and everyone hurriedly bowed their heads.

It was because Jade had kissed Rosana’s lips. Rosana froze stiff like a stone, unable to push him away with trembling eyes. It wasn’t a deep kiss. He simply pressed their lips together plainly.

What captivated her more intensely than warm breath was the sticky gaze whose depth couldn’t be known. The golden eyes she’d felt shone brilliantly looked murky.

“Stay strong.”

Anxiety flashed across his face for a moment.

Rosana felt like he was conveying wishes to her. Though he’d shown an attitude without worry, at the end she glimpsed his anxiety slightly. 

Rosana felt the same heavy heart. Then she created an even brighter smile, saying there was no need to worry.

“Return quickly.”

Hearing the answer, Jade turned around.

“We depart!”

At Jade’s words, the knights moved in unison. The formation aligned like they’d never dawdled, and Jade mounted his horse in one stride. 

As the cloak draped over his shoulders fluttered, the knights departed. The horses let out resounding cries and galloped without looking back.

“Lady Rosana, please step back.”

Malek recommended stepping back a bit, but Rosana was like a stone wife waiting. Horses carrying knights passed swiftly before her eyes. Jade was galloping at the front.

Rosana touched her lips with a dazed feeling. Her lips, frozen cold from the chilly winter wind, had melted with his warmth. 

Simultaneously, her whole body heated up. Among it all, her face blatantly flushed red.

“Ugh…”

Though she’d acted composed before him, her legs trembled and she wanted to collapse right there. Rosana grabbed her face with both hands. 

Despite the cold wind blowing enough to make her cheeks sting, her face showed no signs of cooling.

Fortunately, understanding Rosana’s state, no one called her. Instead, they glanced at her, carefully observing her behavior.

After standing for a long while, Rosana slapped her own cheeks.

“I need to move too.”

Her voice held strength.

The Duke, who’d heard news of Jade’s departure, came running without even straightening his appearance. Rosana sat in the chair where Jade should have been sitting.

“Lady Rosana, will you be alright?”

The Duke couldn’t hide his bewildered expression. Having rushed over as soon as he received the letter, it was like a bolt from the blue. 

Banquet preparations? She’d certainly done better than expected. However, no one could guarantee that was the same as receiving envoys.

Rosana smiled and spoke.

“What is there to worry about? The fact that this is Diovaha hasn’t changed, and the fact that the Ales Kingdom knelt hasn’t changed either. They have nothing to put forward.”

At Rosana’s firmly murmured voice, the Duke’s eyes widened. Though similar words to before, the weight contained in them was extraordinary. Rosana closed her eyes tightly. This is my fight. 

It was also a situation to confirm how much she’d changed.

The Emperor’s absence.

Nothing could be held against them. No, she wouldn’t let such a situation come to pass.

* * *

The knight guarding the imperial palace watched the carriages visible in the distance carefully. 

The carriages were rushing toward the imperial palace. Guards surrounding them held flags, and those flags were quite familiar.

“Tell the Head Chamberlain that envoys from the Ales Kingdom have arrived!”

In what was no different from an emergency, the knight ran into the castle. 

The large castle gate opened welcomingly for the scheduled guests’ visit. Once the carriages entered, the gate closed again.

The envoys from the Ales Kingdom, whom they’d hoped would arrive late, had come.

The Ales envoys pretended to be indifferent while thoroughly surveying their surroundings. They were inside the imperial palace of Diovaha, which had trampled their kingdom and made its name known as an empire.

They absolutely had no good feelings.