“What were you doing?”

Achilleon, who had handed even the robe draped over his shoulders to his aide, asked the question.

“Do you know that woman?”

“She looked tired, so I brought her a glass of water.”

“Your intention is good, but refrain from such actions where many eyes are watching.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Your Highness.”

Achilleon’s performance as he stroked Hari’s hair while offering advice was flawless. His kindness seemed so genuine. Does this man have any gaps in his armor? Could I find a way through those gaps? She knew she needed to perform equally perfectly, but today she felt particularly drained. Turning her gaze toward the slaves resuming their field work, Hari remained silent, filled with an indescribable emptiness.

“Do you have something to say?”

“Nothing in particular. I just thought it would be good to show an affectionate appearance.”

Perhaps she needed someone to talk to because her heart felt heavy, but the fact that it happened to be Achilleon was mere coincidence. He was passing by the hill path and happened to catch her eye. That was all. She expected him to reprimand her for pulling him off his horse for such a trivial reason, but his response was calm.

“You must be tired. I shouldn’t have detained Your Highness.”

“Since I’m giving you my expensive time, it should be meaningful.”

When Hari tensed at those words, Achilleon shook his head, seemingly in disbelief. Surely it wasn’t a joke. Not with such a grim face…

After contemplating, Hari appropriately changed the subject.

“This is the ring Your Highness sent me. It’s made from the finest green diamond from the Asapos mines, and I truly love it. At this rate, won’t I become richer?”

“Rich enough to buy Itraum’s sacred objects?”

“Not yet, I’m still far from that. I need to collect more jewelry from Your Highness. But I think I could afford a golden amphora now.”

Achilleon smiled with a slight grimace at her empty boasting. The two walked silently halfway up the gentle slope. A crunching sound was heard just as she opened her mouth, feeling she should say something.

“What is that?”

Achilleon had a rectangular biscuit in his mouth.

“Turmeric lemon biscuit.”

“Turmeric lemon? …You eat such things?”

The incongruous ingredients and dainty appearance. The thumb-sized biscuit seemed somehow mismatched with the man. He seemed to ponder for a moment, trying to understand the intent behind her question, then pulled out a leather pouch attached to his belt.

“I’ve never gotten sick eating these. Not even a common fever.”

“Is it some kind of charm?”

“Perhaps.”

Unlike Hari, whose eyes sparkled with curiosity, Achilleon’s response was nonchalant. Hari hesitantly accepted the paper wrapper Achilleon handed her. She took it and expressed gratitude because she couldn’t refuse, but she didn’t immediately put it in her mouth. After hesitating, Hari set aside her wariness and carefully bit into the biscuit.

“Then Your Highness has no weaknesses. How unfair. The goddess Igrito must have taken special care when creating you.”

The biscuit was delicious. She had expected a bland taste since he didn’t look like someone who would eat sweets, but the sweetness was perfect for her palate.

Glancing at her lips moving as she chewed, Achilleon turned his gaze forward and asked.

“Is it good?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

Hari responded with an awkward smile. Strangely, she found herself believing in this physically robust man’s boast, though he seemed unlikely to pay attention to superstitions. She truly felt that eating this would prevent illness, so she ate two more. As she hoped the charm would take effect in her body, they passed through the arched main gate of the castle. At that moment, they heard commotion at the entrance of the annex palace.

“Ack, Princess Madalena! You misunderstand! That wench falsely accused me!”

Soldiers roughly dragged Laodike away. Achilleon’s brow furrowed deeply as he recognized the head lady-in-waiting of the palace.

“What’s happening?”

“Ah, well… the head lady-in-waiting tried to poison a prisoner from the Holy Shrine. Princess Madalena witnessed it. Apparently, the fabric that was to be presented to the Queen was actually the work of that prisoner.”

The soldier explained the situation, pointing at Ipea.

“Anyway, it seems that slave threatened to reveal everything in court. She was caught trying to poison her to prevent that.”

“How…”

Achilleon gave Laodike, who was wailing, a look of disgust, then passed by the commotion indifferently, showing no interest. I knew she was cruel, but not to this extent. Hari clicked her tongue as she watched the struggling head lady-in-waiting.

“Not only did she deceive Queen Tiltia with the presented items, but she also tried to poison a criminal awaiting judgment on her own. Even if she’s an elder councilor’s daughter, her punishment won’t be light.”

“You look pleased.”

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t be?”

Hari tilted her head and turned her gaze toward the distant horizon. The royal painters peered out like owls, watching the disturbance. Having found new inspiration, they began to sketch Laodike’s arrest scene sharply, like hawks pursuing prey.

“It truly is a picturesque scene.”

But there was one more thing to confirm. Hari stopped the physician who had examined Ipea.

“I heard the criminal ingested poison. Is she alright?”

“Fortunately, she had wormwood with her. I was puzzled how such a thing could be in prison, but in any case, she’s past the dangerous stage. It’s fortunate.”

Relief washed over her as the tension drained away. Thank goodness she’s safe. Hari watched Madalena’s back as she led Ipea away, then turned her head. Immediately, her eyes met Achilleon’s, seemingly waiting for her.

“Did things go as you wished?”

“…What do you mean?”

“It doesn’t seem like a coincidence.”

“Things have simply returned to their rightful course.”

She felt his peculiar gaze, but Achilleon didn’t press her further. As the round dome of the White Jade Palace came into view, Hari suddenly spoke.

“I’ve been thinking. What if I infiltrate Antor’s palace? I could bring you more information that way.”

“By what means?”

“Seduction? Would that work?”

When a scoff returned, Hari frowned. Her tightly closed lips were solemn, suggesting her words weren’t spoken lightly. Achilleon stared at the woman’s face, tinged golden by the sunset.

It wouldn’t be impossible. With a face like that. It would be more than enough to turn heads. But somehow, he didn’t want to tell her the truth.

“Looks alone won’t solve everything. The Sun Palace overflows with beautiful women.”

“Knowing Antor’s preferences would help.”

“Try me first.”

Achilleon blurted out impulsively. Hari tilted her head as if finding his meaning difficult to grasp.

“You can’t even handle me who’s right in front of you, yet you want to seduce my brother? There’s a limit to naivety.”

“Isn’t every man’s ideal type a new woman?”

The woman asked with an increasingly serious face.

“You seem to understand psychology well, but that’s not enough.”

Above all, I can’t fully trust you.

He recalled the woman from the imprinting ceremony, who had lain like a stiff wooden block while accepting him. What was she thinking, proposing such a thing with that background? Achilleon smiled faintly. Separately, though clumsy, her chances of success would be high. After all, Antor always tried to take whatever he possessed.

“So it’s impossible after all?”

“Want to try?”

He was led by impulse again when he became aware of an inexplicable discomfort.

“Really?”

Achilleon tilted his head slightly toward the woman who was looking up at him with wide eyes. As he came within breathing distance, he could see Margharita’s shoulders stiffen. How could she accomplish anything with such reactions? Achilleon whispered without increasing the distance.

“You need to practice.”

Even as his lips gently touched hers, Hari was only blinking her eyes. By the time she came to her senses, Achilleon’s tongue had already slipped past her lips.

He expected her to shudder and push him away. Then he would have backed off appropriately, saying “See?” But Hari closed her eyes and opened her mouth. The way she slightly adjusted the angle of her head, accepting his advancing tongue, made Achilleon hesitate. As he entwined his tongue deeper, the woman clutched his arm, clinging to him. The unexpected response evoked a strange stimulation. When he sucked on her fumbling tongue, her rapid breaths mingled with his.

Then suddenly, Hari pushed him away. Achilleon readily stepped back. He watched the woman backing away while licking her lips, which still carried a sweet aftertaste. Her face, belatedly becoming aware of their surroundings and looking around, was flushed red in the sunset light.

“Suddenly… hah.”

“That level won’t be enough to deceive Antor.”

Achilleon wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and said, regaining his uneven breath.

“He prefers to do it outdoors.”

“He’s insane.”

“That’s the least of it.”

“Is that common?”

“At least in the Sun Palace, it happens day and night.”