“I’m so glad. You can finally return home.”

When I spoke to Count Greatroyson, he nodded with a somewhat bitter yet gentle smile.

“Thanks to Your Highness’s concern. But for some reason, it doesn’t feel like I’m going home—rather like I’m leaving home. My feet don’t want to move.”

“That’s probably because your memories haven’t returned yet.”

When I came out to see him off, having left Odin with Medlin, the Count’s carriage had already arrived.

Greatroyson’s estate was in Flinport, and the estate manager and butler who had been running it in his absence had rushed to St. Berte as soon as they received word yesterday.

Behind the carriage, a small contingent of imperial troops had been deployed, apparently a special consideration from the Empress for him since his memories hadn’t returned yet.

She must really cherish this friend…

I couldn’t believe that evil woman and Brandon—no, the Count—were friends, but it wasn’t my place to interfere.

Still, I did wonder what kind of person Count Greatroyson had been before losing his memory.

“Ah! And this is for you.”

I turned my head instinctively at the sound of the imperial horses stomping, watched them briefly, then handed the envelope I had prepared for Count Greatroyson.

“Inside are the center’s reports about your condition when I found you, and the following pages contain treatment progress reports and medical opinions. Your leg has improved significantly, but I hope you’ll continue to receive regular check-ups until you’re fully recovered. For the amnesia, we can only hope for your memories to return, so there wasn’t much we could do.”

His eyes widened noticeably, like someone receiving an unexpected gift.

“You must have been so busy, yet you… I already feel overwhelmed by all the help I’ve received here, and now this additional consideration… I don’t know how to express my gratitude, Your Highness.”

How could someone so humble and gentle be an old friend of Genevieve?

Though I knew it wasn’t my place to question, I truly couldn’t reconcile this with Brandon’s life as I had observed it here.

“It’s nothing. No need to feel burdened.”

“No, that’s not true. I wasn’t the only person receiving treatment here, so having these documents means… you’ve been keeping records for all those many people in rehabilitation.”

“Of course we keep records. That’s my duty and the center’s obligation.”

“…Even if it’s natural, there are more cases in this world where that doesn’t happen. Such is life… Thank you, Your Highness.”

Count Greatroyson stared at the documents, then raised his head to meet my eyes.

An indescribable complexity, emptiness, and a sad smile shadowed the wrinkles around his eyes.

“Did you say all your goodbyes to everyone yesterday? I heard you were talking until dawn.”

“Indeed. When it came time to part, we found we had so much to say to each other. Everyone was happy for me as if it were their own good fortune, and I was grateful.”

The Count, seemingly lost in deep thought, fell silent for a long time after those words.

Respecting his wish to leave quietly without a farewell from the children and others, I had deliberately not sent word, but now I briefly regretted it.

Yet even if the Count had made that decision, I felt that arranging for him to say goodbye to everyone was the last gift I could give him, so I had no choice.

“Your Highness.”

Just then, Count Greatroyson looked at me.

His butler had said it was difficult to recognize him with his beard completely shaved off, but his clean appearance without unnecessary stylishness felt like the most familiar face in December to me.

“Thank you sincerely for saving my life.”

His greeting momentarily left me speechless.

“If Your Highness hadn’t rescued me, I would already be dead.”

His voice choked up as he forced a smile at the corners of his mouth, then fell silent.

Growing solemn along with him, I lowered my gaze, unable to maintain eye contact.

It might have been because his strong eyes had become faintly numb, or because his voice trembled momentarily as he greeted me.

Feeling his sincere gratitude, I finally realized that Brandon was truly leaving this place.

My eyes stung for some reason.

“Take care, Count.”

“I will visit again. Stay well.”

Count Greatroyson, his eyes reddened, looked at me intently before boarding the carriage.

I watched the carriage for a long time as it traveled around the back garden along the road.

Then suddenly, I wondered why Genevieve, who had even provided imperial soldiers, hadn’t appeared here herself.

At that moment, Genevieve was looking for Aiden.

She should have been watching Maximus board the carriage heading for Flinport, but a report that had reached her in the meantime held her back.

Aiden had gone to see Carlo.

What reason could her son possibly have for meeting the Grand Duke?

Since the Grand Duke had blocked access to the Emperor’s bedroom, Aiden’s behavior had been spiraling out of control.

This was all because of that Grand Duchess woman.

Not content with involving that murderous Grand Duke—who had been indifferent to everything except war and killing—deeply in imperial affairs, she was now trying to manipulate Aiden. All these troubles stemmed from that woman.

“Crown Prince!”

Genevieve, walking quickly, stopped abruptly. In the distance, she could see Aiden.

Startled by her voice, Aiden, who had been following Carlo, turned to look at her. Genevieve clearly saw Carlo deliberately turning his head belatedly to look down at her.

He appeared relaxed, as if out for a stroll, and his faint smile was ferociously intimidating.

Genevieve’s eyelids trembled.

“Why have you come all the way here instead of staying in your place?”

Aiden shouted as he strode toward Genevieve.

“You shouldn’t leave your post while the charity event is in progress. Were you monitoring me? Even if you heard something, you should have thought I had my own business to attend to!”

Genevieve glared at Carlo in response to Aiden’s statement, which treated her like a meddling parent interfering in her son’s affairs.

That arrogant Grand Duke must be manipulating Aiden.

Regardless, she had already prepared sufficient grounds to separate Lea and Maximus, so resolving Aiden’s situation took priority now.

“Everyone, escort His Highness the Crown Prince. The imperial citizens are eager to see Crown Prince Aiden’s face.”

As Genevieve spoke, suppressing her anger with effort, Aiden stared at her pointedly before walking away with the attendants.

Genevieve slowly approached Carlo, who stood with an indifferent expression, as if unconcerned despite being the source of this trouble.

“As someone who has lived longer than you, let me say one thing.”

“Please speak, Your Majesty.”

“Be careful, Grand Duke. It would be better not to act rashly in the future.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Genevieve looked up at Carlo with wide eyes and openly gestured toward his scabbard.

“Everything you’ve started has always ended in bloodshed. Your wicked tongue must resemble that sword.”

“A sword can only be properly used when it’s aimed at something, wouldn’t you agree?”

“What?”

“If you say this is sharp, perhaps you know where it’s pointing?”

Genevieve’s gaze faltered at his calm question.

Carlo bent forward and spoke quietly.

“It will be directed at whoever stands in the way of those I care for.”

As he straightened up with a calm smile, sparks flew in Genevieve’s red eyes.

Was he challenging her now?

“Does the Grand Duchess know how you handled those men yesterday?”

“Even if she knew, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“No, you wouldn’t have told her.”

“……”

“Isn’t the Grand Duchess tender-hearted like a young girl in your eyes? So you wouldn’t want to reveal that savage nature of yours that can’t live a single day without blood on your hands.”

“……”

“Do you think the Grand Duchess would remain silent if she learned where your sword is pointed?”

Carlo, who had been looking down at the Empress indifferently, didn’t budge before finally pulling up one corner of his mouth crookedly.

“I’ll have to make sure of that, Your Majesty.”

Wrapped in unspeakable humiliation, Genevieve gritted her teeth and stared at him with all her might.

She could trample on the shadow of the insolent Grand Duke as he slowly bowed to her, but the problem was that the shadow’s owner didn’t care.

When Aiden returned to his seat, Count Azanie glanced at the Empress’s empty seat and hurried to him.

“Your Highness, why were you with Grand Duke Carlo?”

“Did you report this?”

“No, let me explain what happened! Since I couldn’t get near the Grand Duchess at all, I naturally had to keep an eye on the Grand Duke…”

“Ha, how dull-witted.”

“Pardon?”

Confused by the sudden criticism, Count Azanie quickly bent down as Aiden gestured toward him.

“Count. Have you had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor recently?”

“Of course not, but…”

“Your news is outdated. Then request an audience.”

“Why such a sudden suggestion…”

Cutting off Count Azanie’s words, Aiden leaned on the armrest and whispered to him.

“It means times are changing.”

I was sitting on the bedroom sofa, waiting for Carlo to come.

Since Carlo had only recently returned from Novahans, he first needed to hear reports about the territories he owned, followed by meetings about the businesses the Hedegen family was running.

Though it was taking longer than expected, I intended to stay awake and wait.

“Sigh, when he comes, I’ll just close my eyes and say it.”

We should use separate rooms from now on.

As Odin said, continuing like this with him wasn’t right.

While idly waiting for him and hugging a cushion, I suddenly heard the doorknob turning.