“Are you sure about this? Can we trust that young soldier? Even if he agrees to help, I’m worried.”

Kristin spoke to Duke Raphael aboard the ship taking them back to the Union Empire.

“In this situation, they’re essentially bait. But seeing someone so young enduring such brutal training is heartbreaking.”

The duke pondered her words for a moment before smiling faintly and replying.

“For now, we have no choice but to trust Jamie. Even if he tells someone what we discussed, Princess Rebella’s goals won’t change. No matter what, she will find a way to seize the Union Empire.”

“Your Grace, I fear His Majesty may be in grave danger. What should we do?”

The duke fell into deep thought again.

Emperor Lucas Aedon had used him many times before. Still, he had also been provided with an exceptional education and military training from a young age, ensuring he grew up well.

Duke Raphael knew it was unusual for an emperor to do such things for a noble, not a royal family member.

Like Kristin, her mother was said to have been a loyal noblewoman of the empire.

Perhaps that was why the emperor couldn’t ignore the child of such a woman and had taken it upon himself to sponsor and raise him.

It made Raphael Rodney uneasy to think that such a kind and compassionate man had tried to kill both him and Kristin, whom he loved.

Yet, the duke couldn’t only think of his feelings.

If the Union Empire were to fall into the hands of Princess Rebella, it would undoubtedly spell a living hell for the empire’s citizens.

Even kidnapping the emperor could lead to unfair treaties being forced upon the empire.

The idea of such a scenario was intolerable, and Duke Raphael decided to save the emperor.

Instead, he planned to play dead, acting out a deception to align with Princess Rebella’s schemes.

Only by allowing her to execute her plan to abduct the emperor could he catch her red-handed and secure undeniable evidence. Duke Raphael resolved to wait for the right moment.

“Kristin.”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

Holding Kristin’s hand, Raphael spoke.

“When we return to the empire today, we’ll have about three days left. That’s enough time to spread some rumors.”

“W-What do you mean? You might be putting yourself in danger, Your Grace.”

“It’s something that has to be done. As I told Princess Rebella, the wedding will occur at the duchy’s estate. I’ve already sent a letter to the imperial palace about it.”

“But it could still be dangerous,” Kristin said with concern.

The duke gave her a bitter smile.

“Instead of a reply, an imperial soldier came to the estate, claiming to deliver the emperor’s words. He said His Majesty and Princess Rebella would step aside and wished me a successful wedding. I don’t believe a word of it. It likely means they’ll act rather than write back.”

“Your Grace, it doesn’t matter what happens to me, but you must survive no matter what.”

Seeing her worried expression, the duke continued.

“On the day of our wedding, I’ll let myself appear to die. However, Jamie’s words linger in my mind. He said they planned to kill you after they killed me. On that day, you should wear specialized chainmail armor.”

“Chainmail? Do you mean the armor worn in war? I’ve heard of it before. My father once mentioned it, saying he wished to try it on, even though he never went to war. He thought it would be nice to own one someday.”

“The count certainly had his peculiarities. It’s hard to reconcile such a person with the actions he’s been accused of.”

As Raphael spoke, his expression darkened.

Kristin’s face also became grave as she listened to him mention her father, though she tried to maintain composure. Seeing her trying so hard made Raphael feel sorry for her.

“Regardless, Kristin, wear the armor that day, just in case. And if I collapse, don’t think about anything else—just run into the duchy’s estate. Don’t stop to check on me.”

“Duke Raphael…”

Unable to hold back her sorrow any longer, Kristin threw herself into his arms.

She couldn’t bear to hear his words.

Even without him elaborating, she clearly understood what the plan would entail.

Raphael was never one to strike head-on; he preferred to outwit his enemies by attacking from behind when they least expected it. This time, he seemed intent on using the same strategy—luring Princess Rebella into complacency to protect the emperor.

“We’ll need to select our ceremonial outfits for the wedding, won’t we?”

“Ceremonial outfits?”

“Since the wedding will be held at the estate, we must prepare accordingly. It will be a fake wedding, but it needs to look real enough to deceive everyone—even the citizens of the Union Empire.”

Speaking casually, Raphael held Kristin tightly in his arms. Before they knew it, they had arrived back in the Union Empire.

—

“My lady, how was it? Did you have a good time with the duke?”

Kristin was back at her family’s estate for a short while.

Duke Raphael Rodney had told her to rest comfortably at the Edith estate, promising to return for her.

Lenci and Cindy, unaware that the two had gone to the Praga Empire, looked at Kristin with curiosity as they asked.

“We’ve been waiting for you to return, my lady. Since you left for the duke’s estate, there hasn’t been a word from you. We were so worried, but it’s such a relief to see you back.”

“Lenci, Cindy.”

Seeing their bright smiles, Kristin couldn’t hold back her emotions.

At the Edith estate, the only ones Kristin could lean on were Lenci and Cindy.

She wanted to tell them about the trials yet to come but couldn’t say it.

Instead, she smiled at them and quickly reassured their worried gazes.

“Can you prepare a bath for me? I’d like to rest.”

“Of course, my lady. We’ll have it ready for you right away.”

It took less than ten minutes before Lenci and Cindy came back to her.

“We’ve filled the bath for you, my lady. Let us assist you.”

“No, that’s alright. I can manage on my own. Please come back if I call for you.”

Kristin wanted to be alone in the bath.

There was much to think about and even more to prepare.

The fake wedding ceremony only days away required her to get her dress ready, but the thought brought tears to her eyes.

It was because of Raphael Rodney, the duke she felt so sorry for.

Still, Kristin knew that his decision was the best a Duke of the Union Empire could make.

‘I can’t fall apart here. I must stay strong for the sake of his plan. I can’t be a hindrance to him.’

Resolving herself, Kristin undressed and slipped into the bath.

The warm water melted away the exhaustion from her body. As she closed her eyes, she drifted off to sleep.

She had been under great stress for days, and the early morning journey by boat had left her utterly drained.

As Kristin dozed off in the bath, a voice began to echo in her ears.

[Kristin.]

“W-Who’s there?”

[Kristin, my dear. You’ve grown up so well. Yes, you’ve turned the pocket watch and found your way back to the past. My precious child.]

Kristin could faintly recognize the voice even through her drowsiness.

It was her mother—the mother who had passed away six years ago.

[My child, don’t worry. I’ll always protect you. Nothing bad will happen from now on. Cindy bringing you that pocket watch was truly a blessing.]

“M-Mother?”

[So, Kristin, have courage. Everything you wish for will come to pass.]

“Mother, I’m so scared. I’m afraid, and I feel like I can’t overcome this. This is already my second regression, but even though I thought my life would be happy, I feel more hardships are coming. What should I do now?”

[My dear, it’s alright. You’ve done well enough. From now on, I’ll help you.]

“Mother, will I really be able to do this?”

Kristin slowly opened her eyes, awakened by her mother’s voice, and looked around. Yet, there was no sign of any vision.

Rising from the bath and wrapping herself in a robe, she wandered her room, eventually placing her hand on the pocket watch glowing softly around her neck.

“It was Mother. She came to give me courage.”

Clutching the pocket watch tightly, Kristin changed into the dress Lenci and Cindy had prepared.

Her eyes had transformed once again.

During the boat ride from the Praga Empire to the Union Empire, her gaze had been on the verge of tears. Now, her eyes burned with determination.

She returned to her resolute demeanor when standing firm against Princess Rebella.

“I will never forgive you, Princess Rebella,” she murmured to her reflection in the mirror.

“Kristin, don’t you think it’s time to stop being so kind? Not for your sake, but for Duke Raphael’s.”

Her clenched fists caused thin veins to surface on her hands.