The Ales Kingdom was rationalizing that they’d had no choice but to kneel before Diovaha’s momentum, winning every battle they fought.

A kingdom they’d normally ignored—or rather, never even considered—had suddenly emerged, won every war, and taken the title of empire. It was enough to make their blood boil.

“Hmm… So this is the Diovaha Empire? I can’t find anything more beautiful than the Ales royal palace.”

One envoy spoke languidly while constantly stroking his mustache. The high, thick castle walls looked sturdy but were far from beautiful.

It was a practical form designed to guard against external invasion. They couldn’t shake off the feeling of being intimidated.

A maid guided the envoys, busy surveying everything, to their prepared rooms.

When the maid opened the door, the envoys couldn’t stop their gasps of admiration. 

The room was decorated quite tastefully. It was sufficiently luxurious. The familiar appearance made it obvious whose touch had gone into it.

The envoys grudgingly voiced praise at the interior perfectly matching their tastes. 

However, through their admiration for what should have been expected preparations, it was clearly felt that they’d been looking down on Diovaha.

“I hope you can relieve the fatigue accumulated from your long journey.”

“We came to meet the Emperor of Diovaha.”

One envoy snapped back irritably. However, the maid said with a gentle smile.

“If word comes from the main palace, I’ll convey it to you. If you need anything else, please call anytime.”

In other words, wait. The envoys had no choice but to wait in their prepared rooms.

“Didn’t they say Diovaha’s Emperor had behavioral problems in his youth and was locked in a tower?”

“Indeed. Could he be quite experienced?”

“I thought he was an ignorant brute who only swung swords, but our plans have hit a snag.”

Rather than being wary of Diovaha, which had appeared like a comet, they were busy disparaging it, asking what upstart had emerged to muddy the waters. Force alone couldn’t make them swallow their pride.

They seemed to have completely forgotten how they’d raised the white flag faster than anyone and fled with their tails between their legs to minimize damage from losing the war.

“To think we must pay tolls to trade… Are we the same as other kingdoms?”

“Exactly. We agreed then because we couldn’t overcome their momentum, but now will be different.”

The Ales Kingdom prattled about their privileges. Originally, they too should have paid tolls, but they’d merely obtained agreements for free passage by threatening adjacent small nations.

Though they should adapt as circumstances changed, they couldn’t forget the sweetness of privilege and were being unreasonable. 

From their perspective, suddenly being asked to pay for what had been free was absurd.

They also strongly believed Astrot had their back.

“Five percent? There’s absolutely no reason for that, is there? Never mind the Astrot Empire, but even passing small nations?”

“They think the whole world belongs to them because we yielded. Immature upstarts.”

The envoys spoke in unison. Then, seemingly realizing they were in the heart of enemy territory, they lowered their voices unnecessarily.

“Let’s negotiate well. War isn’t only fought with swords, is it?”

“Exactly. Isn’t Lady Arcadi there? She’ll obviously take our side. They can’t ignore the relationship between us and Astrot.”

While the envoys engaged in heated discussions, Rosana kept herself equally busy.

Beside Rosana, who rapidly scanned through the agreement contents, Malek gave a simple and firm answer.

“His Majesty had no intention of listening to them. You may devise any method.”

“So I just need to conclude exactly according to this agreement?”

“Correct. It’s the same agreement as with other small nations. As you can see, there’s not a single unfair treatment. We cannot discriminate.”

What broke Rosana’s momentary contemplation was a knock. A servant entered and announced the Ales envoy’s arrival. The atmosphere suggested what had to come had finally arrived. They also heard the envoys had been shown to their prepared rooms.

Rosana slowly rose from her seat. She had to go greet the envoy.

“How should we prepare your attire?”

Rosana looked over her outfit. It was suitable attire as the Emperor’s fiancée and a ducal daughter. However, something seemed lacking.

‘The Emperor’s absence…’

But she mustn’t let them feel that gap.

Rosana had no experience sitting at negotiation tables. Searching her memories for good methods naturally unearthed memories of the Arcadi ducal house she never wanted to think about again. 

What she remembered was ‘Rosana Arcadi’s’ life.

It was a past she didn’t want to think about anymore, one that grew more detestable the more she considered it. However, the truth was those pasts had been helping Rosana since the banquet preparation stage. This indescribable discomfort occupied a corner of her heart.

She felt choked with resentment, felt deflated that those terrible pasts were proving helpful.

‘To think this is the only solution I could devise…’

Rosana, who sighed softly, opened her mouth.

“May I use the treasure vault?”

The treasure vault was literally where the imperial palace’s precious treasures were kept. Only the Emperor could open that door. Malek gazed at Rosana, who asked with a serious expression.

“Of course. Any door in the imperial palace will welcome Lady Rosana.”

Whether the idea that came to mind was correct or would work was questionable.

“Are there treasures from each small nation among the spoils of war? Bring me accessories.”

Malek immediately grasped Rosana’s intention. There was a reason she’d suddenly mentioned the treasure vault.

Diovaha’s treasure vault was filled with countless spoils obtained through war. So she would let them witness it with their own eyes.

Spoils taken from small nations that had traded with or were adjacent to the Ales Kingdom. The wealth and treasures of each nation brought through war victories.

“Of course. I’ll select and bring accessories.”

Malek ordered servants to immediately bring the specified treasures. The servants’ faces soured upon hearing the order. Hesitation colored the servants’ steps toward the treasure vault.

“…Do we really have to do this? Isn’t she just wanting to see the treasures?”

“Just move quickly.”

“What are His Majesty and the Head Chamberlain thinking… Does it make sense to seat Lady Arcadi at such an important agreement with the Ales Kingdom?”

Rosana was a lady of the Arcadi ducal house, and Astrot had close relations with the Ales Kingdom. They felt anxious the two might conspire together.

“It’s His Majesty’s decision. Watch your mouth. This is the Emperor’s palace.”

The grumbling servant was firmly silenced. Many in Jade’s palace believed in and followed him. He was the one who’d raised Diovaha back up.

Though they had not even a shred of faith in Rosana, they followed her orders because of their faith in Jade.

Rosana looked at the splendid boxes the servants brought. The maids swallowed and touched them with careful hands. Several were accessories Rosana knew well.

The Rwe Kingdom, famous even in Astrot for its beautiful seas. That kingdom had legends of mermaids passed down and possessed a precious treasure called mermaid tears.

Yet those mermaid tears were right before her eyes. Seeing the treasures showed how many small nations Diovaha had swallowed and subjugated.

Rosana didn’t refuse the accessories adorned one by one. Based on the dress prepared in advance, she looked at herself surrounded by various treasures through the mirror.

Having prepared a dress that shone modestly in silver, the accessories stood out even more. Yuna, who’d been silently attending, looked at the remaining accessories and asked.

“Lady Rosana, how is it?”

Around her neck were mermaid tears. The brooch was the Crimson Heart, said to be modeled after a dragon’s heart from when they existed. 

On her wrist was Laurel Leaf, once a famous craftsman’s work that had caused tremendous fervor to obtain. She wore only the most famous among accessories.

Her fingers also played their role thoroughly. Various rings from beautifully designed ones to those with large gems were placed on Rosana’s fingers. 

The maids were careful about design and color harmony so it wouldn’t be uncomfortable and wouldn’t look tacky with too many rings.

“Finally, give me the tiara.”

“Yes.”

For the last piece, she chose spoils brought from the Ales Kingdom. It was a tiara the founding king of Ales had made with the most beautiful gems to give his queen.

Despite having been in the treasure vault for so long, the gems’ light was brilliant. Celine carefully placed the tiara atop Rosana’s head.

What reflected before her was unmistakably ‘Rosana’s’ appearance. But this was also me.

“How is it? Do I look like the ‘Rosana’ they know?”

However, unlike words she’d murmured before, it wasn’t a statement made with pessimism. The maids, not knowing the hidden meaning in Rosana’s question, gave the standard answer: 

‘Lady Rosana is Lady Rosana.’

But she’d wanted that answer. Rosana smiled slightly and walked forward without looking back.

“Then let’s go. The guests must be waiting.”

* * *

“The banquet preparations are complete.”

“Didn’t we say we came to see His Majesty?”

“Don’t worry. Lady Rosana will come as well.”

After a brief silence, questioning voices emerged among the envoys.

“Surely… you don’t mean Lady Rosana Arcadi?”

Who could have imagined? 

That ‘Rosana Arcadi’ would stand in place of Diovaha’s Emperor. Calming their surprise, they exchanged hopeful glances, wondering if their guess was correct.

“His Majesty is currently on campaign. My lady will greet you in the capacity of proxy.”

The Emperor of Diovaha was absent? 

For them, being greeted by Rosana was preferable. The only question was why the Emperor had left at such a time, and the maid’s composed attitude.

The envoy followed the maid.

“This is it.”

The banquet hall exuded an antique atmosphere. The iron knight statues standing on both sides of the entrance instilled a sense of intimidation in the envoys.

The door opened and what filled their view was a dazzling chandelier.

The envoy was startled. Splendid patterns were carved on the pure white marble floor and walls. The curtains looked plain at first glance but sparkled like summer beach sand when reflecting sunlight.

A large carpet crossing through the center caught their eyes. 

A long table was placed on it, and tableware settings, wine glasses, vases to please the eye, and even silver candlesticks were set up, showing thorough preparation to receive guests.

Once everyone was seated, the orchestra played as though waiting. The envoys who’d taken their places at the table waited with one heart and mind for Rosana to arrive.