“Miss, do you have any romantic interest or dreams of remarriage?”

“…I don’t have such things. I intend to live for myself and my family.”

Ellen answered firmly, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Marriage, right.

She didn’t want to use marriage, which could become another form of constraint, as a means to an end.

However, Kaiden continued as if he had expected her response, speaking without hesitation like a prepared speaker.

“While it’s difficult for you to be an Empress who needs a child, being a concubine isn’t an issue. There’s no more certain link than marriage, is there? Gillian probably thought the same.”

“……”

“Think carefully. You won’t have to endure the hardships of being demoted from a Duchess to a Count’s daughter. If you wish to live outside the palace, that’s entirely possible. Above all, the protection given to the daughter of a loyal subject by the imperial family will be on a different level.”

A long persuasion.

The thoughts she had at sixteen, trading her honor for herself, to persuade herself.

Old memories flashed through Ellen’s mind.

“If you think objectively, Miss, you’ll realize that this proposal benefits us both more than it harms.”

Kaiden spoke without any hesitation.

He seemed almost certain that she would accept.

Indeed, it was a proposal that perfectly suited their mutual needs.

The only issue was Ellen’s slight psychological aversion to the content.

“…Yes, marriage is also a type of contract.”

She wore a habitual smile on her lips.

“Very well. Since the deal is made, I will do my utmost to satisfy you, Your Highness.”

A smile filled with deep patience that was built countless times in the lost time.

Kaiden’s face subtly stiffened at that smile.

But it was only for a moment, and he soon smiled back.

“Very well, Miss. I will also do my best.”

* * *

When Ellen first encountered the Crown Prince at the hotel, her initial thought was, ‘I can use this person.’

He was kind, gentle, and genuinely cared for the people.

However, because of that, he was ultimately betrayed by a cousin he believed to be a loyal friend.

But what if she inserted herself into that relationship?

If she sowed doubt between Gillian and the Crown Prince, driving a wedge between them and placing herself in that gap.

At this point, Gillian hadn’t revealed anything about his planned treason to her.

He needed Crient, but he wasn’t confident that she wouldn’t turn against him even if she knew everything.

Judging by how he falsely accused and executed her, even after she directly assisted in the treason.

In any case, for those reasons, Gillian probably wouldn’t even suspect where his foundation was being undermined, no matter what she did.

Therefore, the Crown Prince didn’t need to do much.

He just needed to move according to her words.

So, suspicion was enough at first.

Suspicion would lead to seeking the cause, and soon he would need her assistance.

Once he sought her out a few times out of necessity, even if his feelings didn’t change, he would quickly come to rely on her.

Feelings and trust are separate matters.

‘…Though I didn’t expect him to return as such a different person.’

He returned bold and aggressive, truly like a different person.

Still, as a prince who survived a struggle for the throne, he must have had some hidden cards.

I underestimated him.

‘Well, even if it was unexpected, it’s not bad. It’ll make things much easier in many ways.’

Anyway, having safely boarded the same ship with him, that was enough.

“Since the contract is established, it’s my turn to pay the advance.”

Ellen considered some suspicious facilities that might pique his interest, yet wouldn’t report directly to Gillian if things went wrong.

Noticing that she was selecting information, Kaiden subtly tried to negotiate with her.

“If possible, I’d like that advance to be paid with as much information as possible. What do you think?”

“Oh, Your Highness. I need to have some resources too.”

Ellen responded with a sly smile to Kaiden’s roundabout words.

“By the way, Your Highness. Please speak comfortably with me. After seeing that side of you, it’s hard to adjust.”

“Ah, if you get too used to it, that’s problematic in its own way. To deceive the foxes, I have to always wear my facade as if it’s my real skin.”

He tapped his cheek lightly with a sly smile.

To think he could look so annoying with that face.

Ellen held back the urge to suggest that he should also sugarcoat the contents he spoke of while wearing a facade.

“First… In the capital Istazhan, which is under the direct control of the Emperor, look for a place called Twilight’s Feast. Starting there will lead you to something else.”

“Twilight’s Feast?”

Kaiden, focused on her words, repeated the name he heard with a rising intonation.

“Yes. Think of it as a place similar to where I took you last time. It would be best if I didn’t influence how you conduct your investigation afterward.”

Their eyes met, and Kaiden nodded in understanding.

“And… hmm, yes. It would be wise to purchase famine crops in advance. Oh, and check the water storage status. If possible, securing personnel to deal with pests would be beneficial.”

“Famine crops and water? Are you anticipating a drought, Miss?”

His brow furrowed slightly.

It seemed like an unpleasant topic to discuss.

“Yes. It’s still March, so you might not have felt it yet, but this year is drier and hotter than usual. Didn’t you find last winter relatively bearable? Or perhaps you thought spring arrived early?”

Ellen’s question prompted Kaiden to ponder briefly before nodding.

“Indeed… Last winter wasn’t so harsh. I’ve also felt that the weather warmed up early this year.”

“Look up previous records. In such years, the likelihood of a poor harvest is high. There’s a risk of water shortages and uncontrollable pests, and I consider that possibility very high.”

Kaiden tapped his temple with his fingers, resting his chin, then turned to Sir Coenheim who was standing behind him.

The two whispered something while glancing at her, and once their discussion concluded, they returned to their respective places.

“I’d like to applaud your knowledge if possible… Let’s assume your words are correct. But where do we get the budget for that? It’s nearly impossible to suddenly proceed with such a large project.”

Kaiden spoke, slightly troubled, summarizing their discussion.

However, Ellen, upon hearing his words, seemed indifferent and casually responded.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“No, to conduct a support project throughout the entire empire, not just one territory…”

“Your Highness.”

Ellen sighed deeply and called him.

Kaiden stopped talking and stared at her intently.

His expression seemed frustrated, as if he couldn’t quite articulate what he wanted to say.

“That’s why Crient is here.”

“What are you talking about? Crient and an empire-wide support project…”

“That’s right, on an empire-wide scale. Crient.”

Finally comprehending her words, Kaiden slowly opened his mouth and then abruptly stood up.

“You’re… offering to help?”

“Now you’re hearing correctly.”

Ellen clapped softly, looking proud, and then tapped her cheek lightly, mimicking his earlier action.

“And make the facade as pretty as possible.”

Kaiden’s face turned red in an instant.

Whether it was embarrassment or something else was uncertain, but Ellen felt satisfied, thinking she had landed a blow, and turned her head to the side.

“So, Father. Trust your daughter and invest just once. I’ll try to cover the amount spent as much as possible. So, um… hopefully by this social season.”

Daniel, watching the two of them in a half-dazed state, finally came to his senses and replied.

“Hmm? Oh, yes. Let’s discuss the specifics later.”

He seemed a bit bewildered, repeatedly rubbing his cheek.

“Your Highness. Please don’t doubt Ellen’s words and speak comfortably. How could I dare speak nonsense in front of Your Highness?”

Kaiden, who seemed equally bewildered, cleared his throat a couple of times before responding, having finally collected himself.

“Thank you, Count Crient. It seems my decision to visit the lady today was quite appropriate.”

“I always live with gratitude that such a daughter came from someone as foolish as me.”

Daniel spoke, not missing the chance to boast about his daughter, which prompted Kaiden to chuckle.

“Your Highness isn’t a foolish person. Whenever the time came, we would have joined hands.”

However, at Ellen’s subsequent words, Kaiden stared at her blankly and then quietly concluded the conversation, seemingly abandoning any further response.

“…I hope our deal is successful.”

“I will also do my utmost to ensure it is.”

Ellen sincerely hoped.

May it succeed.