“Y-Your Highness, Grand Duchess!” 

 A commotion of voices was heard. It seems what I’d been waiting for had arrived. 

 I rose from my seat and walked unhurriedly to stand before the panting butler. 

 “It seems they’ve sent a carriage from the Imperial Palace.” 

 “……How did you know?” 

 “I summoned them, so of course I know. To come through this snow, they must have brought a divine beast.” 

 I glanced at the parchment on the desk and rolled it up in my hands. 

 To bring a divine beast with them, they must be quite desperate. 

 “Your Highness, if the Emperor harbors ill intentions……” 

 “Don’t worry, I have Sir Kaven and my friends to protect me. However, I should meet Father alone. It would be troublesome if he discovered my secret.” 

 The butler nodded and immediately dismissed the others. The Grand Duke’s residence became so quiet it seemed almost empty. 

 Only the people in the mansion knew about Cedric’s disappearance. And Isabelle, who wasn’t here. 

 If Father learned of this, he would scheme to get his hands on the North. Since I had no intention of letting that happen, I’d made it seem like I was away from the mansion to check on the villagers. 

 But I made sure no one would be here to greet Father. It would be troublesome if he freely rummaged through others’ minds. 

 I had warned the butler beforehand as well. No matter what happened, the mansion’s people were not to intervene. 

 I walked with light steps toward the entrance to greet Father. 

 When I flung open the door, Father stepped out of the carriage and frowned at me. 

 ‘To think I’d see a divine beast with my own eyes.’ 

 The dragon spread its wings and looked at me. 

 “Krung.” (I hate golden eyes.) 

 Well, it’s not like I’m fond of my eyes either. I shrugged at the dragon and stood before Father. 

 “Welcome, I knew you’d come right away, but you’re later than I expected.” 

 “I’ve come to take you to the palace, so get in.” 

 “Hmm, that won’t do. Please come inside. I cannot leave the mansion.” 

 “You must know I don’t intend to discuss this.” 

 I knew that well enough. He was the type to drag me away by force if needed. However, I stepped back and gently shook my head. 

 “If you force me away, you won’t get what you want, will you?” 

 “……You’ve really become insolent. You’re even talking back now.” 

 Father reached out to grab my arm. 

 “I’m not lying. Father, you can’t even read my thoughts, can you?” 

 “……How did you know that?” 

 “Perhaps it’s because I’m lowborn and quick-witted. You always said so, didn’t you? That I’d need to be sharp to survive. Please follow me, I’ll show you in.” 

 I boldly opened the entrance door and went inside. Heading straight to the reception room, I turned around to make sure Father was following. 

 He must be in a hurry, as he entered the reception room past me with an expression that looked ready to kill me at any moment. 

 Finally seated at the table, Father and I just stared at each other without speaking. 

 As I said, the one who’s impatient moves first. 

 “Explain yourself.” 

 And the impatient one wasn’t me, but Father. He finally spoke first. 

 The murderous intent he emanated swirled throughout the reception room, making my whole body tingle. 

 “About what?” 

 “How to stop Isabelle.” 

 “You’re asking about the method even though you didn’t come here believing my words?” 

 I sat down with a slight smile. It felt good to see Father’s face contort. 

 ‘Seems things didn’t stay quiet in Narankas.’ 

 He must be trying to read my mind, but it was futile. Father uniquely cannot read my thoughts. 

 Knowing this, I could think freely. 

 “I don’t see anyone in the mansion.” 

 “Well, the heavy snow has caused many problems in the North, so everyone’s quite busy.” 

 Father nodded as if he understood. 

 “……I heard you’re with child. Are you feeling well?” 

 “Of course, His Highness the Grand Duke takes very good care of me.” 

 Since when did you care about me so much, speaking words you don’t mean with such a murderous expression. 

 What a cruel person. I could clearly see what this cunning Emperor was thinking. 

 “I’ll give you what you want, Father, so please stop trying to marry off Isabelle to the King of Narankas.” 

 “Oh? So you know what I want.” 

 “I can’t tell you the method unless you promise. After all, I can’t let you take my husband away.” 

 “You seem quite taken with the Grand Duke.” 

 “Though the marriage was sudden, I have no regrets.” 

 Though Isabelle seems to regret it. 

 I smiled and handed Father the contract. When you can’t trust someone, the only thing you can rely on is evidence. 

 “What do you think you’re doing with this measly piece of paper?” 

 “I’m creating a justification that you’ll like, Father. A justification for not breaking your promise to me.” 

 “……You really have changed. You’ve become quite clever.” 

 It was Father’s fault for thinking I was stupid when I was just trying to survive by keeping my head down. But even if I went back, I would act the same way. 

 Because I wouldn’t have survived if I’d gone against Father’s wishes. 

 “What will you do?” 

 “How can I trust you enough to sign this?” 

 “You might feel differently after seeing this. I thought about why you want to form an alliance with Narankas, and I figured it out.” 

 Golden eyes identical to mine sparkled. It must be frustrating not being able to read my mind no matter how hard he tries. 

 So I prepared to show him a small taste of what I have. 

 I slowly unfolded the parchment. It was a section I’d cut from the sailing ship blueprints. 

 “……This!” 

 “That’s right. It’s part of the sailing ship blueprints. Has your mind changed a bit?” 

 “How on earth did you get your hands on this? You’ve really become unpredictable since leaving the palace.” 

 Chilling eyes quickly scanned my body. It was as if he was reassessing my worth. 

 “Please promise to cancel Isabelle’s marriage. And I’d like you to stop showing interest in the North as well.” 

 “Interest in the North?” 

 “Please stop trying to drag His Highness into war.” 

 “You’ve grown so much.” 

 “Father, people keep growing. Of course, we shrink when we get old…… but at least I won’t shrink faster than you.” 

 I smiled brightly and tapped the signature line with my finger. 

 “Don’t think you’ve won. You must know it all ends in a week anyway.” 

 “I know. Though I don’t have any abilities, I’ve heard about them until my ears bled.” 

 Father signed the contract. He must be suppressing his desire to kill me right now. However, as long as I have the sailing ship blueprints, he won’t act rashly until he gets his hands on them. 

 “How did you know I needed sailing ships?” 

 “It was simple. I heard a divine beast escaped, and I thought you must have decided there’s no suitable place to keep them confined.” 

 “It’s as if you can see right through my thoughts.” 

 “I think I’m only alive until now because of this quick wit.” 

 Father’s face contorted again. He tilted his head slightly and said,

 “This is the limit. Of me tolerating your insolent behavior. Now bring me the sailing ship blueprints.” 

 “I sent the blueprints to the palace. So you’ll see them when you return to the Imperial Palace.” 

 “Interesting, you’ve done something very interesting.” 

 “As your child, I’m glad you’re enjoying this, Father.” 

 This wouldn’t have happened if you’d just let Isabelle do as she wished. If things had proceeded as originally planned, none of this would have occurred. 

 “Please keep your promise. You said an Emperor’s word is as good as gold.” 

 “How do you plan to let Isabelle know when she can’t possibly know about this?” 

 “It’s simple, there are many ways to make sure Isabelle finds out. Besides, the palace prison seems quite flimsy.” 

 Father’s eyebrows twitched at my words. The divine beast escaped, and Isabelle escaped. 

 And I too escaped from Father’s prison. Though I wasn’t imprisoned like the divine beast and Isabelle, I did escape from Lendsa Castle, so it’s similar, isn’t it? 

 “I was planning to renovate it anyway. How can I believe the sailing ship blueprints are at the palace?” 

 “You have to believe me. And if you go back and they’re not there, you can always come back and drag me away, right?” 

 “You’re saying you’ll make me make this trip twice.” 

 “We signed a contract, shouldn’t we trust each other to some extent?” 

 I shrugged my shoulders. Father laughed heartily before suddenly hardening his expression and standing up. 

 “Yes, I do hope the blueprints are at the palace. It would be sad if a storm of blood were to blow between us father and daughter.” 

 “Don’t worry. That won’t happen.” 

 Father rose from his seat. I maintained a smile as if nothing was wrong. 

 The golden eyes scanning me gave me goosebumps. However, I smiled even more brightly to hide it. 

 “Don’t get too cocky. Since I can’t figure out what you’re thinking at all, your father can’t take his eyes off you.” 

 “I always only worry about Father’s wellbeing. What could I possibly do? I’m just the Grand Duke’s wife, and I don’t have any abilities. I’m just a useless child, so there’s no need to pay attention to me.” 

 “Yes, I hope it stays that way.” 

 Father grabbed my shoulder tightly and smiled. Both Father and I had upturned lips, but our eyes weren’t smiling.