“But you, Your Majesty, are different.”

Laska continued, meeting the boy’s still-confused gaze.

“You treasure Teian above all else, and you know how to be angry on their behalf.”

“That’s…”

Kyle trailed off, uncertainty clouding his expression. His face seemed to ask the question his mouth didn’t: Can mere feelings really achieve anything?

Laska answered as if he’d read the thought.

“You were furious when someone stole the rations meant for Teian’s soldiers. You worried endlessly that the kingdom might fall. Even now—when peace has returned—you still think of how to protect it.”

A good ruler protects and cares for his people. And the heart that makes that possible is love.

“To love your country more than anyone else, that, I believe, is the true mark of a king.”

“……”

Kyle’s violet eyes flickered with emotion. Laska smiled faintly at the sight.

“Of course, you’re not perfect yet. You still can’t bring yourself to love broccoli, after all.”

“Ugh, Uncle!”

“Try a little affection, will you? Broccoli is one of Teian’s specialties.”

Shrugging playfully, Laska looked at his nephew with a warmth that softened his teasing.

“Grow strong, and become a fine king. Until then, I’ll be here to help you.”

“…It won’t take long.”

Kyle muttered, turning his head sharply away. He looked annoyed, but everyone in the room—Laska, Selaia, even Rote—knew he was only trying to hide his embarrassment.

“Though honestly,” Selaia said, studying him with new eyes, “I do think you’ve grown a little in the meantime. You seem taller.”

It was true. Children in their growth years could change quickly, but even in just a few weeks, Kyle’s frame had noticeably lengthened.

“He’s grown because he’s worried too much.”

“You’d probably find a few gray hairs if you looked closely.”

Kyle muttered dryly. Laska gave a short, incredulous laugh.

“Mommy, I grew up too.”

Rote said then, tugging on Selaia’s arm as she sat on her lap.

“Because I worried a lot, too.”

Mimicking Kyle’s earlier words, she wrapped both arms tightly around Selaia’s arm and leaned her face into it. Her cheeks, now a little slimmer than before, pressed softly against her mother’s chest.

“Rote…”

Selaia looked down at her daughter, eyes growing misty at the rare show of affection.

‘She must have suffered so much.’

Though only a door had separated them when Selaia was taken, Rote had still been there—she had seen it happen. And afterward, she had been forced to wait for days without a word, not knowing if her mother was alive. It was only natural for her to crave closeness now.

So Selaia promised her gently, unaware that her next words would break one heart and heal another.

“I won’t leave your side for a while, Rote. Not until you’ve forgotten all the pain you’ve been through.”

“Really?”

Rote’s face lit up.

“Really, truly?”

And just like that, Laska’s face crumpled.

Of course, mother and daughter time was important—but still… His aquamarine eyes glimmered with regret like light on water.

“…Seems I was right. Some people do matter more to her than Teian after all.”

Kyle shook his head at his uncle’s sulky tone, as if to say how childish can you be.

⭕ ⭕ ⭕

A week after Selaia’s return to Terminus, a messenger arrived from the Tropez Empire.

“Your Majesty, I bring greetings from the Emperor.”

“You’ve traveled far, Chief Secretary Petos.”

Kyle said, receiving him with a newly steady, regal air.

“Rest well during your stay.”

At that, the leader of the imperial delegation—Elaine—smiled gracefully.

⭕ ⭕ ⭕

“Elaine!”

From down the corridor came Rote’s voice, bright and hurried, followed by the patter of small feet. Moments later, her flushed, excited face appeared around the corner.

“Miss Rote!”

Even Elaine—who rarely let her composure slip—broke into a delighted smile as the girl ran toward her.

“Goodness, look at you! You’ve grown so tall! How long has it been?”

She looked the child up and down, truly impressed.

“I don’t know. Feels like… a hundred years!”

Rote’s pink hair fluttered as she bounced in place, her energy filling the hall. Watching her fondly, Elaine soon lifted her gaze—and her breath caught when she saw the woman following behind.

“My lady…”

“I’m no lady anymore.’

Selaia replied with a gentle laugh as she approached, and before another word could be said, she wrapped Elaine tightly in her arms.

“…!”

Elaine froze for a heartbeat, surprised by the sudden embrace—but then let out a soft laugh and returned it warmly.

“You’ve been through so much, Selaia.”

“So have you.”

Selaia answered, her voice just as tender.

The two women had built Cheringen together, side by side, enduring hardships few could imagine. Because of that, they understood each other’s pain better than anyone else.

“I hear you’re now the Emperor’s chief secretary?”

Admiration filled Selaia’s tone as she swept her eyes over Elaine’s formal uniform and the polished insignia reserved exclusively for imperial officials.

“You’ve achieved your dream at last. Wasn’t that your goal from the very beginning—to work in the Imperial Palace?”

“Well, that’s how it turned out,” Elaine admitted with a small chuckle. “Though these days, my duties are closer to those of a private tutor than a secretary.”

She rolled her eyes slightly, thinking of the ever-absentminded Emperor Dieff, before her normally composed face brightened with a hint of mischief.

“And you, Selaia?”

“Me? What about me?”

“I hear you might be getting remarried soon?”

“H–How did you—!”

Selaia’s eyes widened in shock, her face flushing as Elaine laughed behind her hand, clearly delighted by her reaction.

Selaia jolted, shoulders twitching in surprise. Elaine, clearly amused by her reaction, raised an eyebrow as if to say, What’s so shocking about that?

“Judging from the rumors going around Taian, I wouldn’t be surprised if the wedding were tomorrow. They say His Grace the Regent is completely smitten—utterly beside himself.”

“It’s not that bad… I mean—oh, it’s still far off.”

The kingdom’s affairs were still in disarray, and Laska, as regent, was burdened with countless responsibilities.

‘He did propose, but we agreed to talk again once the ring was ready.’

She recalled, her pale cheeks slowly warming to a rosy hue.

Rote, watching her mother with narrowed, curious eyes, studied that flushed face intently.

“What is it?” Elaine leaned in mischievously. “Don’t tell me His Grace the Regent backed out because you don’t have a dowry?”

“Dowry?”

Rote blinked, repeating the unfamiliar word as if she couldn’t quite believe what she’d heard. Elaine, realizing she might’ve gone too far, straightened her back, half-serious now.

“If he dares think that way—”

“Elaine, no—don’t misunderstand.”

Selaia cut in quickly, flustered. She wasn’t about to admit that Laska had been secretly preparing a ring; it sounded far too much like bragging.

“Let’s go inside. His Majesty entrusted me with receiving the imperial envoys.”

It was called an official reception, but in truth, it was young King Kyle’s thoughtful way of giving her time to relax and catch up with an old friend.

“It’s not mealtime yet, so I’ve had tea prepared first. It’s probably getting cold by now.”

She said, gently tugging Elaine by the arm toward the inner chambers. Elaine followed with a laugh, pretending to resist.

“Hmm…”

Neither of them noticed Rote lingering behind, her expression thoughtful and strangely serious.

⭕ ⭕ ⭕

Once they settled down, the three of them shared tea and milk, their conversation flowing easily as they caught up on everything that had happened.

Elaine spoke of how she had joined Maximilian in Sapere Aude—the enlightenment and revolutionary society—and how the revolution had been planned. Inevitably, talk turned to Laska.

“To think that Mr. Laska—or rather, His Grace the Regent—is actually of royal blood…” Elaine said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I still can’t quite wrap my mind around it.”

“Well, with that face, I suppose I should’ve suspected something. I remember, back when we first talked at the lord’s manor, His Grace said something curious…”

“What did he say again?”

Elaine mimicked Laska’s bright, playful grin and said, “He said, ‘It’s embarrassing to admit, but I suppose I do have a rather noble-looking face… hahaha!’ After hearing that, I was sure—absolutely sure—he couldn’t possibly be one.”

“Aha… ha ha…”

Selaia let out an awkward laugh, realizing he had said something like that. Elaine’s impeccable memory never failed to impress—or embarrass—her.

“So, Laska was the one who contacted Maximilian first?”

Rote, sipping her milk, looked up with eyes gleaming like jewels. Elaine nodded.

“Yes. We’d already been searching for an opportunity within the empire, so when he reached out, it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

By then, resentment toward Hendrick had reached its peak—fueled by his relentless oppression of Darel’s people, his unjust wars, and the nobles’ unchecked exploitation.

Membership in Sapere Aude was growing rapidly, but that brought new challenges. With so many furious recruits joining their ranks, it became harder and harder to maintain control.

Many of them wanted to storm the imperial palace right away. But Maximilian—the strategist of their movement—firmly opposed it, insisting the time had not yet come.