Kajian walked steadily down the corridor. In his hands were documents related to the war. When he opened the door and entered, the assembled nobles stood up, bowed their heads, and greeted him.

Kajian went to the seat at the far end and sat down.

“You all must know by now.”

At his words, everyone made dark expressions.

“The Kana Kingdom has declared war.”

The Kana Kingdom was a nation that did not have good relations with the Duke Empire.

“That’s not the only problem. While we were pursuing peace policies for a while, nations that harbor resentment toward our empire have apparently united to invade us.”

Kajian’s report contained such information.

The nobles’ expressions were grim. When a nation goes to war, nobles are also obligated to either participate in the war or pay war-related expenses. Because of this, the empire generally avoided war, but this time they couldn’t just let it pass.

Kajian tapped the desk with his finger.

“First of all, you already know that all nobles undergoing knight training must participate in the war.”

The nobles who had sent their children to knight training turned pale. Seeing this, Kajian smiled bitterly.

“My son is also there, is he not?”

“That is true, but…”

Everyone hoped with their eyes that the emperor would pull out his own son first. They expected that if the emperor personally removed Reytan, other noble heirs might also benefit.

“However, I told Reytan to participate in the war.”

At his cold words, everyone fell silent. They couldn’t avoid sending their own children to a war that even the prince was participating in.

“Now let’s begin the meeting.”

The door closed and the meeting started.

* * *

Reytan swept back his hair. While drinking tea, he received a letter, smiled gently, and handed the letter he was holding to Luden, who was sitting on the opposite sofa drinking tea.

“What is it?”

Luden received the letter and read it slowly.

“As you said, I sent a letter first saying I would participate in the war.”

The letter said that although the emperor stated it was an obligation anyway, he was grateful that Reytan wrote first. No matter how indifferent a son he had been, wasn’t he still blood? When he says he’ll go to the battlefield himself, the way one looks at him changes.

Luden looked at the letter and handed it back to Reytan.

When rumors that war might break out circulated within the knight corps, Luden told Reytan to send a letter to Kajian first. He knew Reytan had ambitions.

“To finally catch Father’s eye.”

Reytan drank his tea. Satisfaction lingered on his lips.

“No matter what I did, I couldn’t catch his eye. Even when I came to training, he was just indifferent, but war is definitely different.”

“Even if Your Highness hadn’t sent a letter to His Majesty first, His Majesty would have sent one.”

At Luden’s words, Reytan agreed. That was just like Kajian.

“Still, taking the initiative first looks better.”

And he recalled two years ago.

Even though Luden disliked Lorina, he endured one thing after another while watching for an opportunity to catch the decisive moment to cast her out. He was truly like a beast of prey.

Knowing this, he took the initiative and reported to Kajian first.

Kajian knew that Lorina was obsessed with Luden and hastily removed her from knight training.

“Luden is good at swordsmanship and smart too.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Of course. Just be careful not to turn those arrows toward me.”

Reytan’s eyes curved thinly. He seemed to be saying to look out for him.

“As long as Lord Reytan’s attitude doesn’t change, that won’t happen.”

Luden spoke decisively.

“What was Annelia’s reaction?”

At Reytan’s words, Luden shook his head.

“She tells me to be careful. She says she believes I can return alive. She wrote several times that she doesn’t want to be alone.”

It had already been several months since he met Annelia. After confirming their feelings, thinking of her brought waves of longing. It felt like the sensation of touching her cheek still remained on his fingers.

He clenched his fist.

“For Luden, war could be another opportunity.”

“It will be.”

If he distinguished himself in war, no one would be able to raise issues about succession. The emperor would also provide strong support.

Luden considered this matter an opportunity for himself. Reytan felt the same.

* * *

I was looking at a teacup. When I picked up the teacup, the water rippled. Like representing my heart, the water in the teacup was churning.

“I can’t seem to settle my mind.”

Anan smiled bitterly. She felt the same way as me.

The emperor declared war and delivered an imperial decree to each noble family. He asked for active cooperation since they needed to prepare for war.

It was called cooperation, but there would be disadvantages if they didn’t follow orders.

Kajian was an emperor with strong power, and falling out of favor with such an emperor would bring punishment.

Also, the problem was the people’s gaze.

“The Charlot family will have to cooperate as an entire household.”

At her words, I nodded. Luden was with the knight corps so he would head to the battlefield, and I, who remained at the mansion, would have to handle household affairs.

When Luden and I made our contract, we agreed to exclude my opinion regarding household matters. Of course, he did tell me to learn about the household afterward, but that was only regarding matters within the estate. I didn’t have the authority to make such major decisions.

“How about Annelia taking a more active role in this matter?”

Anan didn’t know we had a contract marriage.

“I think I need to talk with Luden.”

We didn’t expect back then that we would become a couple who loved each other. Neither Luden nor I did.

First, I need to meet Luden, but I don’t know if there will be an opportunity.

“My mind is really complicated.”

I already knew Luden would participate in the war. Nevertheless, my heart wouldn’t settle.

* * *

I opened the consultation office door. With Luden participating in the war, Andre, who took on the role of acting family head, became busy. He told me to attend the meetings too, but I said I needed Luden’s permission first.

I did write a letter though.

If a reply comes quickly, I’ll be able to attend the vassals’ meetings too.

‘Haa.’

My mind was complicated.

‘Right now.’

Looking at the clock, it was time for Kajian to visit. But as emperor, he probably wouldn’t come because he’d be busy. Thinking that, I stood up to drink tea when I heard the bell ring.

“It’s quiet today.”

Kajian sat in the chair in front of the desk.

“Shall I make tea?”

“That would be good.”

At his words, I stood up and brewed tea. I served the tea brewed in a white teapot and infused it with the ability to shed tears. Then the emperor drank the tea and quietly shed tears. After sitting with his eyes closed silently for a while, he looked at me.

“This place is comfortable.”

“Is it?”

“Because you want nothing from me. I can be honest too.”

“You shouldn’t be too honest.”

Kajian laughed. After shaking his shoulders for a while, he asked me.

“Don’t you want anything?”

“What I want?”

“Something I can grant you.”

I pondered and came up with a good idea.

“I’d like you to give leave to those receiving knight training before they participate in the war.”

Kajian’s eyes showed interest.

“You want to meet Marquis Charlot.”

“That’s right.”

But asking for leave just for Luden would be too obvious.

Kajian pondered for a moment. Then he fiddled with the teacup briefly before turning his gaze to me.

“I’ll grant it. Anything else?”

“No.”

“Really nothing?”

“Even this took a lot of courage to ask.”

I want to meet Luden, talk, and spend time together. Sometimes I couldn’t sleep because of my thirst for him.

“Love makes people greedy.”

“Is what you’re greedy for Luden?”

“That’s right.”

Then Kajian’s eyes narrowed.

“To be greedy for a person—that’s a different inclination from mine.”

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and spoke comfortably.

“I don’t understand well because people aren’t my goal.”

“Isn’t Your Majesty’s goal to govern the empire well?”

Kajian smiled gently.

“Having power and governing the empire is my life goal. It’s not that I don’t covet talent, but when I covet people, they always change. So I don’t covet people.”

The emperor had become very honest with me. What on earth does he trust to act like this? I’m worried I might end up hearing strange things at this rate.

When I sighed, Kajian laughed quietly.

“It’s also interesting that you’re wary of me. That makes it more comfortable too.”

“Is that so?”

I smiled ambiguously.

“Because you’re honest.”

And he drank tea with me silently for a long while.

Originally, Kajian doesn’t talk much to me. He just comes here, makes a few remarks, sits comfortably, and leaves.

Eventually, time passed and Kajian stood up.

“I’ll process the leave matter right away.”

“Thank you.”

I can meet Luden!

“And it seems like a good idea. Those receiving knight training also have precious families. And I was thinking of holding a banquet at the military, but it would look better to hold it in the capital.”

He smiled smoothly.

“I’ll say it was Lady Charlot’s idea.”

“You don’t need to say that.”

“No, I want to.”

Leaving those words, Kajian departed.

I became anxious that he might cause some kind of trouble.

* * *

Kajian entered the meeting room and suddenly laughed. The knights felt fearful seeing the usually stern emperor laughing beside them, but he couldn’t stop.

Because Annelia’s last expression before leaving the consultation room was so amusing.

She rolled her eyes around trying to stop what he was about to do, but he decided to ignore it!

When he opened the door and entered, all the nobles stood up. Kajian received their greetings and sat down.

War-related matters are complicated. Still, after visiting the consultation office, he could relieve his mental fatigue.

“There are many nobles with children in the knight corps.”

Then the nobles’ expressions hardened. They didn’t know what the emperor would demand.

“So I’ve decided to give them leave. So they can spend time with their families, even briefly, before going to the battlefield. And the banquet for victory before the war will be held in the capital.”

At Kajian’s words, everyone’s eyes widened.

“Because Lady Marquis Charlot asked me to do so.”

Everyone was even more surprised at those words.

Because the emperor was not someone who would grant anyone’s request. He was an emperor who didn’t easily give his heart even when flattered or offered fine things, which made it even more so.

“Anyway, her request seemed fine to me too.”

Saying that, he chuckled.

“I’ll give about three weeks of leave, so have a good time.”

Then the meeting started, but the nobles couldn’t easily concentrate.

* * *

Luden read the letter. With the emperor’s special leave order issued, he was preparing to return home with Reytan. Most families had already sent carriages and escort knights.

“This is really troublesome.”

Luden laughed quietly while reading Annelia’s letter that arrived while he was packing.

“Ah, you mean that matter?”

Luden sighed.

Annelia was complaining that after the emperor talked about her at the noble meeting, she suddenly received many party invitations and was having a hard time.

“I understand His Majesty the Emperor’s feelings though.”

Luden thought of Annelia’s personality. It seemed the emperor had come to like the charm and comfort she possessed.

“Thanks to that, things were settled well though.”

Luden recalled the letter the emperor sent recently.

He told Annelia he didn’t want to be involved with Lorina. So Annelia conveyed those words to the emperor, and the emperor sent a letter in response saying Lorina would absolutely never participate in the war.

“I’m glad we made the first move. My sister is persistent.”

She can’t stand not getting what she wants. That’s why she persistently followed Luden, who showed no interest in her.

“I like people like Annelia.”