At Reytan’s words, Kajian nodded. Even if it was difficult, his son wasn’t one to speak honestly. That’s why he secretly investigated Reytan.

“You’re on friendly terms not only with Marquis Charlot but also with other outstanding nobles.”

“Don’t they all have similar goals?”

At Reytan’s words, Kajian raised the corners of his mouth.

“What do you desire?”

Kajian wiggled his finger. Reytan realized this was his opportunity and spoke to him.

“At first, I just wanted to show Father and others that I existed, so I went to knight training.”

His presence had always been like air. In the imperial family, he was the kind of existence who could die at any time without anyone knowing.

“When Mother passed away, I went because I didn’t want to live like that anymore.”

Listening to Reytan’s words, Kajian frowned.

“Now I’ve made a good enough impression that everyone acknowledges me. That alone satisfies me.”

“Others won’t think that way. Everyone will think you’re interested in the emperor’s position.”

“Isn’t that not a matter for me to decide?”

At Reytan’s words, Kajian narrowed his eyes and looked at him. Seeing his father like that, Reytan added.

“The one who decides the owner of that position is Your Majesty.”

“You know well.”

Lorina believed her younger brother should sit in the crown prince’s position.

“This father told Lorina from long ago that I wouldn’t place her on the emperor’s throne. Since then, Lorina has been obsessed with her brother becoming emperor.”

“I see.”

“But that child has no interest in the emperor’s position.”

Kajian cut off his words coldly and looked Reytan over carefully. Through knight training, he was receiving recognition from nobles, and above all, his personality drew others to him.

“I’ll watch. I look forward to seeing how you’ll prove your existence through this war.”

At Kajian’s words, Reytan’s heart pounded.

It was the first time receiving his father’s recognition, so the feeling was strange.

“Since war will soon break out, I’ve held a ball. Find people there who will be on your side.”

“Yes, Father.”

Soon an imperial ball would be held.

Since it was a ball mainly inviting nobles participating in the battlefield, Reytan would also attend.

How much influence would the emperor’s son show at the ball?

Kajian had thrown Reytan a difficult assignment.

* * *

The ball hosted by the imperial family invited everyone who had children receiving knight training or who had participated in knight training themselves. 

I too would go to the imperial banquet as Luden’s partner. When Kajian asked me to come to an imperial banquet before, I refused, but not today.

“My lady, you’re so, so, so beautiful!”

Lella admired me from the side while dressing me up.

I curled my blonde hair and let it hang down. Then I simply accessorized my hair and wore a dress that cinched at the waist. I nodded at my own lavishly dressed appearance.

I really like it.

And only people related to the knight corps would come to this banquet. Luden was happy that Lorina probably couldn’t come. Since I was also conscious of Lorina, hearing that made me feel at ease.

When I opened the door and went out, Luden stood there with his hair neatly tied and wearing formal attire. At his handsome appearance, I stared at him blankly. He too was looking at me with hazy eyes.

We came to our senses and held each other’s hands. I felt heat from his hand. Thinking of the passionate lovemaking that continued until this afternoon made my face heat up. It seemed the same for Luden.

At the heat lingering at our fingertips, we turned our heads awkwardly and exhaled.

“If we hadn’t used contraception, we would have had a child.”

Luden touched the earring hanging on my ear.

“We would have. So I need to satisfy my desires more before going to the battlefield.”

I know what he wants to satisfy. I know very well.

I heated up more and couldn’t raise my head.

Luden and I rode in the carriage to the imperial palace, conscious of each other like that.

Really, nothing happened in the carriage, but I was too embarrassed to look at Luden properly.

* * *

The ballroom was full of people. Since it was a banquet related to war, nobles unrelated to war couldn’t come. If it followed the original work, Lorina, an imperial princess, should have been at the party venue, but it seemed not this time. Her presence was nowhere.

When I turned my head, Luden asked.

“Who are you looking for?”

“My rival.”

Luden tilted his head.

“Did you have a rival?”

“Her Highness Princess Lorina.”

When I spoke, Luden looked at me for a moment, then kissed the back of my hand.

“I won’t wander.”

Well, that’s true, but.

“Don’t tell me you don’t trust me…?”

“I trust Luden. But I can’t trust her.”

Though two years had passed, anxiety that she might still be obsessed with Luden sprouted in a corner of my heart.

Thinking of the time we misunderstood each other because of her still made my insides boil.

I held his hand and walked around the banquet hall greeting people.

“Thank you so much.”

A noble spoke to me.

“Are you speaking to me?”

“Thanks to Lady Marquis Charlot, I could meet my son before the war.”

The noble shed tears and conveyed thanks to me.

Several nobles looked at me favorably. I felt a strange sensation.

Soon after, Reytan and Kajian entered the banquet hall. He told the nobles attending the banquet to please do well in the war and seemed to be greeting high-ranking nobles standing nearby. But suddenly he saw me, smiled gently, and walked toward me step by step.

“Marquis Charlot, were you with your wife?”

“I attended together with Annelia.”

Luden pulled me to his side. When I was wary of Kajian, he seemed to comfort me that I didn’t need to be.

Luden will protect me if necessary. And I just need to not do anything against the emperor’s will.

“Lady Marquis Charlot is truly wise.”

Kajian praised me.

“So, I’d like to make a special request of Lady Marquis Charlot.”

What request is he trying to make…

Anxiety sprouted.

“Come to the imperial palace next time and be my conversation partner.”

At his words, everyone stirred. Luden heard those words, looked at me, read my expression, and laughed.

“It’s only possible if Annelia permits it.”

No, how can I refuse in such a public place!

The emperor said this knowing I’d be troubled. I pretended to think for a moment, then spoke reluctantly.

“It’s an honor.”

“I’ll set the time, so make sure to bring that delicious tea too.”

So… he wants to drink that tea at the imperial palace!

I quickly managed my expression and smiled. But the corners of my mouth were trembling slightly. Kajian gave me a huge storm and went to meet other nobles. Reytan was with him.

“His Majesty seems to be giving power to His Highness Reytan.”

“It seems so.”

Even after the emperor left, I still couldn’t relax my expression.

“Ugh, how did this happen…”

“Probably His Majesty is doing that because he no longer has time to go to the consultation office.”

“That would be it. War will break out soon.”

I understood his situation and smiled.

“I’ll be coming to the imperial palace often for a while.”

“Don’t fall for him.”

“For whom?”

“For His Majesty.”

At Luden’s words, I tilted my head.

“He’s His Majesty the Emperor. I’m a bit anxious.”

“Well, that’s…”

I’m anxious too.

I can fully understand Luden’s feelings.

“Let’s just dance!”

Luden smiled and asked me to dance.

We had a pleasant time at the imperial ball.

* * *

This was Luden’s first time coming to my consultation office. Though I wrote various things to him in letters, this place might be unfamiliar to him.

“So this is the place.”

“Why?”

“It’s more cozy than I thought.”

Luden opened the consultation office door and entered. When he opened the door, a bell rang.

“I can know in advance when a customer comes.”

Luden looked inside and nodded.

“The lighting and wallpaper colors are subdued.”

“It’s a place where people come to speak what’s inside, so it doesn’t need to be flashy.”

Luden stroked my head.

“Annelia is right.”

He came inside and entered the consultation room. Tea was stocked there.

“Do you put magic into this?”

“Right. When you drink the tea, tears come out. Want to try it, Luden?”

“Good.”

He sat down and I brewed tea. I held the teapot with both hands, filled the teacup with tea, and handed it to him.

Luden drank the tea with his eyes closed.

The area around his eyes became moist.

“Annelia doesn’t *buse this power. If you wanted, you could use this to grasp power stronger than anyone.”

“I don’t want to use people’s hearts.”

When I spoke decisively, Luden smiled.

“That’s why I like Annelia.”

Luden tilted his head for a moment and looked at me. Affection for me dwelled in his eyes.

“Of course, I might fall for someone at first sight. Life is unpredictable.”

He wiped away tears and looked down at his wet hand.

“But whatever that love may be, I can’t escape from Annelia.”

My heart stirred at Luden’s firm words.

“Why?”

“Just, Annelia’s heart is too pretty. After living with a woman who has such a heart, it’s impossible to live with someone else.”

Luden valued my heart, my character highly.

My face heated up.

“His Majesty probably also needs someone who will be purely by his side. Someone who will just listen to his words without calculation, free from political interests—he’ll want to keep such a person nearby. I already have such a person, but he doesn’t. I’m afraid His Majesty might fall for Annelia.”

Hearing Luden’s last words, I shook my head.

“That won’t happen. If it does, he’ll lose me.”

I had thought about it yesterday after seeing Luden anxious.

Wouldn’t Luden feel better if I said this to him?

As I expected, Luden made a comfortable expression. My heart pounds whenever he looks at me with such a soft expression.

“I like that Luden is handsome, but I don’t like handsome people.”

“Is that so?”

“Everything Luden did for me shone. That’s why I was swayed.”

If Luden were only handsome, I wouldn’t have given him my heart. Luden will understand these words. Because it’s the same as the reason he was drawn to me.

“Annelia, you can’t tame me and then leave.”

“Luden, don’t you leave either! If you leave, I definitely won’t give you a divorce.”

“Shall we revise the contract before I leave for the battlefield?”

Luden came in strong. He knows my heart too well.

“No lovers or mistresses even after knight training. Let’s change this first.”

Luden mentioned the part that bothered him most.

Since it was something I was concerned about too, I agreed without hesitation.

* * *

War began.

Luden showed outstanding performance on the battlefield. He had no gaps. He was close friends with Reytan, who was designated as the next emperor, and his wife Annelia had also become close to the emperor.

“This is truly troublesome.”

Alsellon muttered like that.

His older brother was an outstanding heir. He wanted to take his brother’s position but couldn’t. That was fine. But when his brother even took away the woman he loved, he burned with hatred.

Still, fate seemed to be on his side.

When his brother died early and Anan became alone, he betrayed Luden. No, since he had to reclaim his position, it wasn’t betrayal but doing the right thing.

But Luden, who seemed about to collapse on his own, looked like he would become an official marquis after knight training ended.

How should this matter be handled?

“First, I need to deal with that woman.”

In Alsellon’s hand was a portrait of Annelia.

She was a thorn in his side.

However, it was difficult to handle this matter alone.

So Alsellon gathered those who held hostility toward the Rosaline family.

“Welcome.”

And today, they arrived at Alsellon’s mansion.

Now it was time to begin the discussion in earnest.