“There were still elite imperial troops remaining in the capital, while Sapere Aude lacked cohesion.”

The newly joined members were ordinary citizens—untrained, uneducated in combat or strategy. No matter how many they were, they could not stand against a disciplined imperial army. Maximilian’s plan was to train them and wait until a weakness appeared within the capital’s defenses. Both Elaine and Dieff agreed with him.

“That was when that incident happened.”

The spark of anger that flashed in Elaine’s eyes made Selaia instantly understand what she meant.

“Ah…”

She trailed off.

‘She’s talking about when I was kidnapped to Cheringen.’

For her, it had been a tragedy—but there was no denying that it had created an opportunity for everyone else.

‘Because Emperor Hendrick had stationed himself in Cheringen instead of the capital… and even Leticia had left the palace.’

“Right after that happened, His Grace the Regent sent word,” Elaine continued, taking a sip of her tea as if to steady her voice. “He said that since Teian would be keeping the Emperor and his army occupied at the border, Sapere Aude should seize the palace from Endaroche.”

“So that’s how it was.”

Selaia nodded slowly.

At the time, she hadn’t known much about it—but later she learned that Laska hadn’t only brought twenty knights with him to Cheringen, but thousands of soldiers as well.

‘He came prepared for an all-out war until Sapere Aude secured the capital. But Hendrick’s sudden death made that unnecessary.’

“To be honest, when I first received a letter from the Regent, I didn’t believe it was the same Laska I knew.”

She smiled faintly.

“Though oddly enough, Lord Devonshire didn’t seem surprised at all.”

“But the moment I read the contents of that letter,” Elaine said, her expression softening, “I was certain.”

“What did it say?”

Rote blinked, curiosity shining in her eyes, while Selaia looked just as puzzled. Elaine, meeting their questioning gazes, recalled the words written in Laska’s letter:

[No matter what our relationship becomes or where we may be, I will never leave Selaia and Rote.]

It had been an answer—one that continued the conversation she and Laska once shared long ago.

“…Well, you should probably ask him yourself.”

“Huh?”

Smiling at their identical expressions, Elaine glanced over their shoulders. Following her gaze, Rote’s face instantly brightened.

“Laska!”

“If you’ve been having fun without me, I might be a little hurt.”

Laska lifted the little girl easily into his arms. He greeted Selaia with a familiar smile before turning to Elaine.

“It’s been a while.”

“Good day to you, Your Grace.”

Elaine replied, rising and bowing politely. Laska’s lips curved as if amused by her unchanging formality.

“I heard from His Majesty that you’ve brought good news.”

He said as he sat beside Selaia, letting Rote settle comfortably on his knee.

Elaine’s eyes lingered briefly on the pair, finding the sight strangely endearing, before she nodded.

“Yes. About that…”

She cast a quick glance at Rote. Catching the silent cue, Laska calmly covered both of the child’s ears with his large hands.

“Mm?”

Rote tilted her head in confusion, but Selaia distracted her by slipping a sugar-glazed dried fruit into her mouth. The two of them worked together so seamlessly that Elaine marveled inwardly, before her expression sobered.

Then, in a measured voice, she delivered the shocking news.

“Marquis Conrad has been found dead.”

“What?”

Selaia’s lips parted in disbelief.

“Marquis Conrad…?”

When she asked again, Elaine gave a firm nod, confirming what she had heard.

“How…?”

Selaia’s voice trailed off.

The man in question was none other than Marquis Conrad—brother to Dowager Empress Leticia and one of the Empire’s most powerful figures.

‘He fled during the chaos, but to think he’s dead…’

Had the angry citizens caught him? That seemed unlikely—he had always kept a strong escort at his side. While Selaia pondered the possibilities, Elaine continued, her tone still edged with disbelief.

“There’s something even stranger, actually. It’s about where his body was found.”

Selaia blinked. “

Where was it found?”

“On Mount Mether in Cheringen.”

“…!”

Both Selaia and Laska turned sharply to look at one another, startled. The only one who remained unbothered was Rote, who, with her ears still covered, continued quietly chewing the dried fruit in her mouth.

“It seems he climbed the mountain alone and was attacked by a brown bear. Herbalists found him there. The medical report says the body was horribly mauled by claws, beyond recognition. No one else was seen nearby.” That’s where the gruesome part ends.”

“Tch. What a shame.”

Laska muttered in a tone entirely devoid of regret, finally removing his hands from Rote’s ears. The girl, having just swallowed the last of her sweet fruit, licked her lips with a small pop of sound.

Deep in thought, Selaia asked quietly.

“Does anyone know why he went to Mount Mether in the first place?”

“No. Even the marquis’s family—those still under house arrest—claimed they had no idea.”

Selaia fell silent for a moment before something seemed to dawn on her.

“Come to think of it… the marquis once tried to get his hands on Mount Mether, didn’t he?”

“Ah, you’re right,” Elaine said, realization flickering in her eyes. “He used Matteo Barion as a front to obtain development rights for the mountain.”

“Hmm,” Laska murmured, leaning back slightly. “Do you think there’s something there? Something worth more than herbs?”

At that, Rote suddenly let out a small gasp.

Her wide eyes glimmered as though she had just remembered something important—drawing the attention of all three adults at once.

Rote’s small hand froze midway.

“Rote, what is it?”

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

The child shook her head quickly, both hands covering her mouth.

“The fruit’s just really tasty…”

But Selaia saw it at once—the sparkle in her daughter’s bright green eyes, the look that said she’d remembered something.

Unaware that her mother had caught on, Rote turned to Elaine and asked cautiously.

“Then… what’s going to happen to Cheringen now?”

Elaine seemed not to suspect anything.

“It’ll probably be put up for auction.”

“Auction?”

Selaia echoed in surprise. Land wasn’t something one sold. It was granted to nobles as a reward for loyalty. For the crown to auction imperial territory was nearly unheard of.

“Since the army has withdrawn, the towns will need to be rebuilt and repopulated. In that case, it’s more practical for a lord to manage it directly rather than keeping it under imperial control. Still, I’m not sure who would actually want to buy it.”

Her explanation was long, but Selaia and Laska both understood what she didn’t say aloud.

‘The imperial treasury is running dry.’

The realization darkened Selaia’s face. For all its corruption and cruelty, Tropez was still her homeland—and no one could feel joy at watching their homeland fall into ruin.

‘And if our neighbor remains unstable, it’ll make it even harder for Teian to regain its footing.’

A shadow crossed her eyes as her thoughts grew heavy. Slowly, her gaze drifted toward her daughter’s round, rose-colored head.

‘Could Rote… already know the answer to this?’

Curiosity flickered quietly in Selaia’s calm green eyes.

⭕ ⭕ ⭕

Elaine stayed in Teian for several more days, spending time with Selaia and Rote amid the peace negotiations and diplomatic preparations. She even joked that not having any urgent work felt stranger than being overwhelmed.

Then, about a day after their first conversation, Rote finally put a secret plan into action.

After breakfast, she discreetly sent for someone.

That someone was Eugene.

“Rote! You called for me?”

Eugene burst into Selaia and Rote’s room, brown hair bouncing, voice bright with excitement. Her face was flushed with anticipation.

“Eugene.”

“It’s been forever. I missed you.”

The truth was, Eugene hadn’t been able to visit Rote for quite some time—ever since Selaia’s abduction had thrown the palace into turmoil. And after Selaia returned safely, Rote had clung to her mother so tightly that Eugene never found a chance to see her.