“Hmm.”

“Then when the mines dried up, I heard he took up the sword as a mercenary.”

After the servant finished speaking, Cesare asked Benjamin.

“Does he please you?”

“……War always needs talented people. If we had several men like him……”

That was the hidden purpose of this fighting tournament. To select raw gems and send them to war. In Marian’s memories too, all those who showed outstanding skills in this tournament were selected for elite units.

‘Well, since there won’t be a war this time, that won’t happen.’

Marian let out a small laugh.

“Your Highness.”

Marian met Cesare’s eyes. At that moment, Cesare once again felt an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.

‘Ellie?’

He didn’t know why, but that lowborn girl’s face overlapped with the Imperial Princess’s. Perhaps because Marian also had lowborn blood. Cesare clicked his tongue slightly and continued speaking.

“Do you also like that fellow, Marian? You can’t take your eyes off him.”

“He’s overwhelmingly strong.”

Marian answered calmly.

“I think someone like him could bring glory to Federico.”

That would be true. After all, Marian would guide Abel to become Federico’s hero rather than a traitor. Benjamin, seemingly pleased, rarely agreed with Marian’s words.

“Marian, you speak true. Someone like him should rightfully serve Federico!”

**

It was a successful opening ceremony.

About five people were mentioned as potential winners. Marian and Helena also attended the banquet with happy hearts. The banquet celebrating the tournament was scheduled to last for three days.

The Emperor and Empress also attended the banquet.

While everyone was happily raising their glasses, Marian left with Helena.

No one paid attention to them as it wasn’t unusual for noble women to go to the powder room in groups.

Marian laid down a magical field and locked the door. It would alert them if anyone approached.

She turned to look at Helena.

Helena’s face was flushed red, as if she had been drinking at the banquet. She offered an awkward smile.

“Did you drink?”

“To calm my nerves……”

Helena trembled slightly and shook her head.

“It’s fine. I didn’t drink enough to get drunk.”

Marian stared at her with a peculiar expression. Indeed, Helena was too timid for this kind of scheme. She swallowed a sigh and smiled slightly. Marian spoke in the gentlest tone possible.

“Helena. You look very nervous right now. If you show it so obviously, Benjamin will notice. Being cunning himself, he’s quite sharp about these things.”

Helena patted her cheeks, rubbing them.

“Whew. I’m fine now. No, I will be fine.”

Marian nodded. Helena must want this to succeed more than anyone. Right now, they had no choice but to push her forward. Marian asked.

“So. Who is your lover?”

It had been a secret that Helena had kept tightly hidden until now. It was a secret unknown even to Marian, who had glimpsed numerous futures. Helena spoke with trembling lips.

“He, he’s the guard knight who came with us. I heard he’s currently confined in the mansion where the delegation is staying. Father—”

Helena swallowed.

“My father sent that man here with us. He said he would make him watch my wedding. Said that would make him know his place! And father is going to kill him. I heard he’ll kill that man before the delegation leaves Federico. I…… I can’t watch that.”

Helena bit her lip hard. It was clear she was barely holding back tears. Those who have much often think differently from ordinary people. And those different thoughts often contained unimaginable cruelty. Like now.

‘Helena had an affair with that guard knight, she said. She must have found a way to save the guard knight even then.’

Though she didn’t know what methods were used, it seems she didn’t completely turn her back on her knight.

“…Whether it’s the Emperor of Federico or the King of Jains, they’re equally cruel.”

Marian clicked her tongue.

“……I can’t let him see such a thing. He’s someone who has only known me, only loved me his entire life.”

Helena’s voice trembled.

“He…… he hasn’t done anything wrong enough to deserve such treatment. I was the one who loved first, I was the one who begged for his love first. And I was the one who abandoned him first. I want to stop running away now. Now…… now I want to save him. I want to be together.”

Marian pressed her forehead. The princess’s love story wasn’t too surprising as she had somewhat expected it.

“……All the delegation members need to be away from their quarters. If we make a mistake, it could cause an international dispute between Federico and Jains. That’s not what you and I want.”

“The day after tomorrow. I’ll make sure all delegation members attend the banquet the day after tomorrow. I can do that much.”

Marian nodded. It was impossible for Marian to go rescue that man herself. She needed to keep Cesare and Benjamin occupied at the banquet. If she was absent for too long, it would raise suspicion. Then there was only one person left.

Someone who could enter enemy territory alone and smuggle a person out without being discovered.

Marian naturally thought of one person.

‘Abel.’

By that time, he would have finished the tournament and been resting. Abel was currently believed to be dead. Moreover, he wore a mask and concealed his identity in the tournament. It was the perfect situation to rescue the guard knight without anyone knowing.

‘This means I’ll be in Abel’s debt again.’

Lately, she often finds herself thinking how fortunate it is to have Abel. He was the only person Marian could rely on.

“Then let’s do it that day.”

Marian gripped Helena’s shoulders. She spoke firmly,

“You absolutely must not fail, Princess. That day you will leave. I will prepare the settlement funds.”

“The children you requested……”

“They will be in the carriage you’ll escape in.”

Liebe had taken charge of securing the children and planned to depart for the west after resolving the princess’s matter. Marian didn’t know the details but had heard there was something to be done there. She didn’t ask exactly what it was, but she trusted that Liebe wouldn’t do anything to harm her.

She heard Liebe was going to the west as the representative of the Lucerta merchant guild.

Liebe would transport Helena’s group in the guild’s carriage. From the west onward would be up to Helena and her guard knight. Instead of explaining all of this, Marian kept her words brief.

Someone of Helena’s fragile disposition might become anxious and agitated if they knew too much. And the King of Jains’s maids who were keeping close watch on Helena would notice that.

At times like this, it’s far better to keep quiet.

Instead of saying anything else, Marian comforted and encouraged Helena.

“Everything will be fine, Helena.”

Helena nodded. She didn’t ask about the detailed route either. Marian spoke with a faint smile.

“You’ve worked hard all this time.”

Many things that wouldn’t have been possible without Helena flashed through her mind. Helena spoke while holding back tears.

“……I’m really grateful to you too, Marian.”

Marian embraced her tightly.

**

At that time, at Count Yulian’s mansion.

Today, Vanessa was unable to attend any of the banquets, having suffered from severe body aches for several days. It wasn’t just the aches—chills had been tormenting her as well.

Vanessa weakly raised herself and barely managed to drink some water.

“Miss, are you alright?”

The maid asked with a worried face. Vanessa shook her head while staggering.

“I feel like I’m dying. Why am I like this lately? My body feels really awful.”

“A doctor will come. Madam said you must be examined by someone trustworthy and discreet.”

Vanessa expressed her irritation.

“Why is Mother so concerned about that?”

The maid laughed awkwardly. When Vanessa barely managed to eat some soup, drink more water, and gather her wits, the doctor arrived. He had traveled a long way from Mother’s hometown in the provinces. The elderly doctor bowed his head.

“It’s been a long time, Miss.”

“Grandfather Laurent! It was you who was coming?”

Vanessa said with a bright smile.

“Yes, I was told I was needed, so I came without delay. I hope this old man hasn’t arrived too late?”

“How could that be? You came just in time. No, lately my body has been feeling really awful. I keep getting body aches…… and chills……”

Vanessa puffed her cheeks. She often caught colds whenever she visited her maternal grandparents’ home as a child. This elderly doctor was the one who had prepared medicine whenever Vanessa caught a cold.

The elderly doctor examined her carefully.

“Miss. You’ve really become an adult.”

The elderly doctor said with a face full of emotion.

“In the past, your mother also suffered this severely when she was carrying you.”

“Huh?”

Vanessa, not understanding what the elderly doctor was saying, opened her eyes wide. The elderly doctor burst into hearty laughter.

“Congratulations, Miss. You are indeed with child. There was a reason your mother urgently sought me out.”

Vanessa covered her mouth with her palm and let out an exclamation.

“Finally……!”

Vanessa, holding back tears, gave orders to the maid.

“Quickly, quickly send word to Cesare! Cesare will be so happy.”