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“Alright. How about ‘The Art of War by Hesrai’? It’s considered the ultimate classic in military strategy. Even if you’re not studying military science, it’s a beneficial read.”

“I would be grateful for the chance to borrow such a valuable book.”

“In that case, come to the library after work, and I’ll lend it to you. Can you come back to the Crown Prince’s palace later?”

Grace’s residence was within the royal palace.

Officially, she was here to learn about Astrid’s culture and etiquette, with Astrid itself acting as her mentor. But in reality, she was more of a political hostage.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Very well.”

He planned it, didn’t he? Cameron smoothly created another opportunity to see Grace later today.

So, when does his work actually end?

“…Roan, when are you coming home today?”

Cameron and Grace looked at me in surprise.

It’s because there are still rumors about the strained relationship between Roan and me.

Grace’s reaction was understandable, but why was Cameron so surprised when I already told them that I like Roan.

Cameron must have thought my previous declaration of love for Roan was sarcastic.

Cameron quickly masked his surprise and made a comment that could either be a joke or genuine.

“Haha, Duchess, are you already nagging him?”

The Crown Prince, whether a melon or a cantaloupe, was getting on my nerves.

“Roan, since your wife is urging you, you should hurry back. Let’s finish what’s on our plates today.”

I take back the melon comment. Getting off work on time is the best! That’s the coolness of the male lead.

“I’ll finish up what I’m doing and head home.”

Roan replied with a slight smile.

“Duke….”

The Crown Prince and Grace stared at us, their eyes wider than before.

“What’s this? Did I see it wrong? The Duke actually smiled.”

“I didn’t know the Duke was so eager to go home early.”

Cameron seemed genuinely shocked, talking rapidly.

“Do you dislike working with me that much?”

He spoke to Roan as if he were a jilted lover. It felt a bit out of character. Was the Crown Prince always like this?

In the original story, he had a more dignified and kingly presence.

“I thought the Duke enjoyed working late.”

Grace said with a hint of laughter in her voice.

“Your Highness, doesn’t everyone prefer going home to rest over working?”

“Is that so?”

Cameron replied in a somewhat sullen voice.

“Hahaha.”

Then, Grace’s clear and refreshing laughter echoed. It sounded like a laugh meant for a heroine. In a modern context, she could be the face of a Sprite commercial.

Cameron seemed completely captivated. He couldn’t take his eyes off Grace.

As for Roan… he had his usual expressionless face. Somehow, that made me feel reassured.

“Your Highness and the Duke seem like a couple.”

Grace seemed to share my thoughts.

“Huh?”

“?”

Roan and Cameron both looked bewildered.

“Grace, that’s not the case. There’s nothing of that sort between us.”

Cameron replied with a very serious expression.

Of course, the Crown Prince was probably interested in Grace, so he must have found the suggestion ridiculous.

“Absolutely not.”

Roan also answered seriously.

“Yes.”

Grace replied with a smile still lingering on her face.

Roan and the Crown Prince still seemed a bit unsettled.

“Now, you both need to get back to work, right?”

“Yes. There’s a lot of troublesome matters to handle lately.”

Cameron pressed his temples as if just thinking about it gave him a headache.

If it’s troublesome matters… could it be about the war?

Come to think of it, summer was approaching.

“Is it about the North?” I asked. Cameron looked surprised and puzzled.

“How did you know?”

“I’ve heard that the northern territories have been unstable lately.”

Cameron seemed taken aback, as if he didn’t expect me to be interested in such matters.

Why? Can’t I be interested in these things?

“Yes, the barbarians have been causing trouble lately. The people living near the northern border are suffering because of it.”

It seemed like the war wasn’t far off now.

In the original story, Roan gets seriously injured in the upcoming war. Although I’ve ensured his sword is sturdier and won’t break in battle, reducing some worries.

Still, unnecessary sacrifices can’t be allowed.

I needed to warn them about the alliance between the Kingdom of Carlin and the barbarians.

The dilemma was how to convey this information.

I can’t just say I know this because this is a novel. I’d be labeled a witch and possibly executed. Do witches even exist here?

I don’t recall any from the novel. But who knows?

“My intuition tells me we need to be cautious.”

I subtly warned them, using my sixth sense as an excuse.

“With the barbarians?”

The Crown Prince seemed skeptical about the need for caution.

To him, barbarians were just that—barbarians. However, the barbarians would eventually ally with the Kingdom of Carlin and influence the power dynamics, affecting even the Astrid Empire.

“Barbarians are scary.”

Grace wrapped her arms around herself and shivered slightly. She really did evoke a protective instinct. I felt a sudden urge to shield her.

“Don’t worry. Even if someone scarier than the barbarians comes, I’ll protect you.”

Cameron said with a cheesy line, but somehow it didn’t feel out of place.

Even such cheesy lines suited him because of his looks. I realized once again that this story’s good looks were almost exclusively reserved for him and Roan. Those two practically monopolized all the good looks in the story.

There were plenty of beautiful women, but finding handsome men was rare.

In women’s novels, that’s usually the case.

The few handsome men are all infatuated with the heroine. The heroine dates the Crown Prince while stringing along the Duke. Haha.

Together, they could conquer the world with their looks.

Could they conquer the world for real? Given that one’s the Crown Prince and the other’s a Sword Master, it might be possible.

“Are the barbarians very dangerous?”

Grace asked.

“Well, not extremely dangerous… but caution is necessary. Especially since there are already people suffering.”

“They can be dangerous.”

I said firmly.

It was a war that would leave Roan with lasting disabilities.

Even though several adverse conditions contributed to that outcome, I knew that war always requires preparing for the worst.

The Empire did win but not without significant losses.

“Duchess, the barbarians are no match for the Empire’s strength.”

Cameron spoke in a reassuring tone.

“What if they ally with another country?”

In my words, the atmosphere in the office turned tense.

Cameron hadn’t considered such a possibility. Roan also seemed to be looking at me with a slightly different gaze than usual.

“That can’t be.”

Grace gasped softly.

“For instance, if a larger country like Carlin or Medicia joined forces with the barbarians, what would happen then?”

“Is that even possible?”

Cameron murmured, now looking more serious.

“It’s not impossible.”

Roan continued after Cameron.

“While it’s unlikely, we can’t dismiss the possibility.”

Roan’s words made Cameron’s expression even more serious.

“Thank you for your insight, Duchess.”

Cameron said. Then, he turned to Grace and me with a request.

“Could you two step out for a moment? We need to discuss some matters.”

Grace and I left the office.