‘Of course, the more allies I have in Teian, the better. But why would Duchess Tezernet be so likely to take my side?’

The duchess was a seasoned businesswoman. Unless something served her own interests, she would hardly move at all.

As if in answer to Selaia’s doubt, Duchess Tezernet spoke with startling nonchalance.

“I, too, divorced my husband. Just as you did, Lady Tran.”

“…!”

Selaia’s eyes widened in shock. Yet the duchess lifted her cup with complete composure and wet her throat.

“Mmm. As expected, nothing compares to the tea leaves supplied to the royal house.”

She savored the aroma with a satisfied expression, then, noticing Selaia’s gaze, gave a little ah—as though recalling something forgotten.

“Of course, divorce is no simple matter for a noblewoman. But his infidelity was undeniable. And I had both money and power on my side.”

“So… simply because we share that in common, you would take my side?”

Selaia asked, unable to hide her disbelief.

“Does it seem strange to you that someone like me would move for such a small reason?”

The duchess’s face brimmed with delight as she looked at Selaia.

“Lady Tran, in business, emotions can never be fully excluded. In the end, people act in accordance with what they desire.”

She lifted her chin with proud defiance.

“All the nobles of Teian will soon have to make their choice. And no one can guarantee which path will lead to which outcome. Not even you, Lady Tran—who stand at the very center of that choice.”

“…”

Selaia pressed her lips shut.

Yesterday, an official letter of protest was received from Saint-Tropez, demanding the immediate return of the Empire’s rightful heir, Princess Esperote, and her mother, Lady Tran.

Public opinion was divided. Some insisted that the Empire’s demand must be honoured. Others argued that there was no need to submit to the commands of an empire forever poised to attack Teian.

“That is why I’ve chosen to follow where my feelings lead. To stand with you, Lady Tran, who have endured the same.”

“Ah…”

“Please, spare me your thanks.”

Duchess Tezernet spoke crisply, her expression showing genuine amusement.

“I do find you likeable, Lady Tran, but the truth is, I take great pleasure in watching men like the Emperor fail to get what they want. And if protecting someone I favor has the added effect of angering a despicable man, well, what could be sweeter than that?”

“Certainly not, none that I can think of.”

Selaia murmured in a weary voice, drained from taking in the duchess’s whirlwind of candor.

“Tomorrow a special council will convene. Your case, and that of your daughter, will be on the table.”

Upon hearing those words, Selaia stiffened once more, tension surging through her body and turning her clenched fists white at the knuckles. After hesitating for a moment, she forced the question out.

“Will there… be war?”

“Most likely. Whatever Teian’s will may be, the Emperor will want it.”

The duchess spoke as though she were commenting on the weather. Selaia lowered her gaze, unable to press her further.

Tea time ended in silence, as the Duchess of Tezernet had said everything she wanted to. When the cups were empty, both women rose.

“If ever you should need help, say the word. Once—I will grant it without price.”

They walked side by side down the corridor. At those words, Selaia lifted her head.

“Even a woman who is clever and honest yet possesses nothing ought to be granted, at least once, an opportunity without cost.”

“…Thank you.”

Selaia managed at last to voice her gratitude.

Just then, as the duchess seemed about to speak again, a boy’s voice broke in.

“Mother?”

For the first time, Duchess Tezernet’s expression hardened. Both women turned their heads toward the source of the sound.

“Eugene.”

At his mother’s call, Eugene blinked his golden eyes. He looked from his mother to the startled Selaia, then dipped his head in a polite bow.

“You’re not by the prince’s side.”

Duchess Tezernet said to her son. Selaia immediately noticed how much colder her tone was.

“I only stopped by the library for a moment.”

Selaia knew full well that his visits to the library were mostly an excuse to see Rote, so she instinctively glanced at Duchess Tezernet’s face.

“Have you forgotten why you were granted the privilege of coming and going from the palace?”

“I apologize.”

The boy’s apology was swift, yet there was no trace of sincerity within it.

While the same golden eyes regarded one another, a brittle silence passed between mother and son.

“…Go on now. Return to His Highness the Prince.”

“Yes.”

Answering dutifully, Eugene turned to bow once more to Selaia. She returned his courtesy with a faint nod.

Moments later, the boy slipped past them. Duchess Tezernet, without sparing her son so much as a glance, resumed her steps.

“Then, until next time.”

She said her goodbyes at the palace gate with a bright smile, as though she had forgotten all about her awkward exchange with her son only moments before. Selaia also said goodbye, showing no sign of what she had witnessed.

“Haa…”

Ultimately, however, as she watched the Duchess’s carriage drive away, she could not help but sigh with weariness.

‘So Eugene is Duchess Tezernet’s son. I never realized… aside from the color of their eyes, they share no resemblance at all.’

Selaia rubbed her brow in fatigue and thought to herself. There seemed to be an unspoken rift between mother and child, who bore little resemblance to one another.

She recalled the boy’s face as he bowed to her and turned back towards her chambers. At that very moment, she caught sight of a man arguing with the guards at the gate.

“Are you saying His Highness the Prince Regent is not in the palace today, either?”

The man with gold-rimmed spectacles spoke with incredulity.

“Yes, His Highness is absent.”

The guard answered firmly. Selaia paused, troubled.

“If you need me, simply send a maid. I’ll be in my study.”

That was what Laska had told her. Regardless of any changes in circumstances, she was certain that he had not left the palace in the last few days.

‘Then why…?’

“Is it true that His Highness has been away from the palace for days? And has he been refusing to see those sent from House Bolton?”

The man pressed on, his tone sharp with anger.

At the mention of that familiar house name, Selaia’s mouth fell open in surprise.

‘House Bolton… Laska’s mother’s family?’

“I have nothing further to say.”

The guard answered stiffly. With no way to force his way past those defending the palace, the man who had raged moments before could do nothing but retreat.

“…”

Selaia quietly watched him go, his steps heavy with defeat. The sun overhead blazed with merciless intensity.

⭕ ⭕ ⭕

News that the Emperor of Tropez had a secret daughter, now living in Teian, spread across the continent like wildfire.

Some claimed that the princess had fled her father’s tyranny to seek shelter in Teian, while others said that Teian had taken her hostage.

What was certain was that the Emperor was consumed with fury upon hearing the news.

“And what is it those wretches—who I could tear limb from limb and still not be satisfied—dared to say?”

In response to the sinister question posed by the Emperor of Tropez, Hendrick, his aide blinked rapidly and his face turned pale. After a moment, he began to speak in a trembling voice.

“They demand that you officially acknowledge that Teian did not launch a pre-emptive strike five years ago, and that you withdraw the troops stationed in Cheringen.”

Crack.

The sound of Hendrick’s teeth grinding echoed through the stillness of the chamber.

“And in answer to my demand that Lady Tran and the Princess be returned, that is all they gave me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. They say Lady Tran and Her Highness are living peacefully in Terminus, and that, should they wish, they may naturalize as Teian’s subjects at any time…”

“Utter nonsense!”

Before the aide had finished speaking, Hendrick swept everything off the desk with a loud crash. His breathing rough, he tugged the buttons loose at his throat.

“To kidnap them and then be so brazen!”

The aide held his tongue. Having accompanied Hendrick to Cheringen several times before, he suspected that Selaia Tran and Princess Esperote had sought refuge in Teian to escape the Emperor.

‘Forced to return to the palace, she must have fled with the child.’

However, Hendrick had already become consumed by his delusions and was convinced that Teian had kidnapped them. Fearing for his life, the aide remained silent.

“…Haa. And the spies I sent to Teian?”

“There has been no decisive report yet, but…”

The aide broke into a cold sweat under the Emperor’s gaze.

“There are rumors, Your Majesty, that the person who abducted Lady Tran and Her Highness the Princess is none other than the Teian Prince Regent.”