“…Arante village ended up that way because Ptotr abandoned it.”

Eve was so shocked that she swallowed a groan without even opening her mouth.

Glishakov made a bitter expression and continued.

“If that order hadn’t been given, the residents of Arante could have survived. Of course, the situation might have been difficult due to the plague. But they could have lived. Definitely.”

He slowly spoke as if chewing over that time.

When Eve learned that Arante village, which looked abandoned with no people, had been deliberately abandoned on Gregory’s orders, she finally understood the village’s appearance.

“His Majesty wanted to prevent the plague from spreading further south. If the village where the plague had spread was eliminated, the plague wouldn’t spread further south.”

Though his tone seemed calm, his voice gradually sank. His hands on the table trembled slightly.

Glishakov closed his eyes and continued.

“Some might say it was the right choice for the country. But the notion of noble sacrifice for the country… I think that’s wrong. Who decides who sacrifices? Is it God?”

When he opened his eyes, shadows fell under his eyelashes.

“I still regret not stopping His Majesty then. Perhaps… no, I’m partly to blame for what happened to Arante village because I couldn’t prevent it.”

“How could that be Your Highness’s fault? Even as the Crown Prince, you couldn’t stop the King’s orders. It’s not your fault.”

“Hearing you say that gives me a little strength.”

He gave a weak smile.

His blue eyes seemed darker today, as if reflecting the deep abyss of the sea.

“…That’s why, unlike when I was young, I don’t respect His Majesty now. Perhaps I even resent him.”

After saying this, Glishakov looked out the window and said.

“I wanted to tell you not to worry too much, as I’m someone who is more concerned about the country at risk of being taken than about the news of His Majesty’s death.”

How could he not be sad?

Even if he resented him, it was the death of someone who had been family his whole life. Yet he didn’t shed a single tear. No, he was trying not to shed tears. All because he was worried about her.

Instead of crying, he faced Eve and smiled kindly.

A warm person. Glishakov was someone who worried more about others’ wounds and sorrows than his own hardships. Knowing this warmth of his, Eve’s heart ached.

Her heart was filled with the words “I’m sorry” that she couldn’t speak aloud.

***

Eve and Glishakov soon arrived at the royal palace.

Eve instructed Glishakov on what needed to be done. When he nodded, he disappeared from sight just as Airix had vanished like the wind.

Eve got out of the carriage and moved to the room guided by the attendant.

Opening the door and entering, she came face to face with Duter.

Eve lifted the voluminous folds of her dress slightly and greeted him.

“It’s been a while.”

“Hmm.”

Duter gestured for her to come closer. Eve approached the seat opposite him and sat down in the chair pulled out by the attendant.

Unable to discern Duter’s intentions, Eve responded tensely.

“I’ve been too busy with state affairs to pay attention to you. What have you been up to lately?”

“I’m honored by your concern. I’ve been focusing on the territory’s affairs to fill in for the Duke’s absence.”

“Ah yes, Duke Archild is also away at the subjugation battle. Where is the subjugation force now?”

“A few days ago, they were last at the entrance of the Berenta Mountains, but since then I haven’t heard from them, so I don’t know where they are now.”

“The entrance of the Berenta Mountains… Then the subjugation battle is still in full swing.”

Stroking his chin, Duter looked at Eve and burst into laughter.

“You always seem tense whenever you see me. I don’t mind it, but I won’t eat you, so there’s no need to be so afraid.”

Judging by Duter’s tone, he didn’t seem to have called Eve because he was displeased about something.

‘Then why?’

As his summons seemed increasingly mysterious, Duter said.

“The reason I called you is to deliver good news.”

His words brought relief. From his tone and content, he didn’t seem to have noticed what Eve was plotting.

“Please tell me.”

The king, still stroking his chin, continued.

“Actually, I didn’t follow the plan as you suggested. Plans can change depending on the situation, so I trust you’ll understand.”

“Of course.”

Eve bowed her head deeper. Hiding her emotions in front of him was no longer difficult.

“I will soon sit on the throne of Ptotr.”

“…Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

Duter responded with pleasure.

“Your contribution to getting this far cannot be ignored.”

“I’m honored. I merely suggested what I thought Your Majesty was fully capable of doing.”

Eve subtly pushed her credit onto Duter.

“Haha! I knew you would say something like that.”

Duter’s voice had a musicality that wasn’t there before. More accurately, his words had gained vitality.

Leaning back in his chair, Duter tilted his head back. Then, as if the present moment were a dream, he murmured.

“I’ve been thinking. Before, there were many things I wanted, but sometimes it was hard to know what they were. But now I understand. I wanted to kill Gregory, that thorn in my side, and ascend to this position. A position where no one could look down on me.”

His words, mixed with exhales, seemed almost ecstatic.

“Now I finally feel alive.”

With her head bowed, Eve glanced at Duter. She hadn’t expected him to call her for something like this, but regardless, things were going well.

If she could stall for time like this, Glishakov would be completing the task she had given him. Hoping that he would safely finish the job, Eve played along with Duter’s words.

“It’s definitely your contribution that awakened me. So, I was thinking of giving you a great reward.”

“I wouldn’t dare…”

“Ah, no refusal. No need for modesty. I’m just giving you what you deserve. That will put my mind at ease too. Accept it without argument.”

Before Eve could refuse, Duter cut her off.

“What should I give you? Yes, it would be best to grant what you desire. Tell me what you want.”

Eve’s eyes gleamed as she kept her head bowed.

This was what Eve had been waiting for.

Eve deliberately answered a beat late.

“I wish to make a pledge of allegiance at Your Majesty’s banquet.”

Duter’s eyes widened at Eve’s words, as if he hadn’t expected this, then he smiled broadly with the corners of his eyes crinkling.

“Haha! I didn’t know you were such a loyal subject. You’re worth more than ten servants. Very well, I see no reason to refuse.”

At his ready agreement, Eve smiled faintly and bowed her head.

“Yes, since it’s your request, I should hold a banquet before the coronation. It might be unusual, but that makes it feel even more special.”

Normally, the coronation would be held first, followed by a banquet. But the issue wasn’t the order.

At Duter’s words, the waiting servants raised their heads and tried to dissuade him from his plan with surprised faces.

“A banquet, Your Majesty? The whereabouts of the Crown Prince and the Second Princess are unknown, and the atmosphere is not good due to the former King’s passing…”

“Well, if the atmosphere isn’t good, we should hold a banquet to improve it. Who would object to me, the one ascending to the throne, wanting to hold a banquet?”

When Duter glared at them with wide eyes as if telling them not to ruin his good mood, the servants could only close their mouths and bow their heads again. Who could stop their lord when he had made up his mind? No one could step forward anymore.

Duter, who had been glaring fiercely at the servants, smiled at Eve as if nothing had happened.

“A banquet… yes, a banquet sounds good. Why didn’t I think of that? It would be good to hold a banquet to create a positive atmosphere for the coronation. This banquet should be grand and splendid.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Your Majesty.”

Eve bowed her head and showed him the utmost respect. Seeing her courteous manner, Duter smiled even more heartily than before.

“Somehow, being with you puts me in a good mood.”

Not understanding how much emotion she had to suppress every time she faced him.

“I feel like I can accomplish anything.”

Not knowing how much her heart was torn each time he spoke, reminding her of someone she missed.

She only responded favorably with expressions and actions drawn over the mask that covered her true feelings.

Eve gently closed her eyes and bowed her head deeper.

“Now that it’s decided, we must act! Every minute and second is precious!”

At his loud exclamation, the restless servants around him began to move one by one, watching for cues.

Everyone became busy at once at Duter’s voice announcing the start of the banquet preparations.