Edward, feeling as though he had just caught his breath, made his way to the emperor’s reception room.

Perhaps he hadn’t expected that Yelodia would so generously overlook his past.

For nobles, breaking an engagement was considered a major flaw, and such a blemish could make it difficult to secure a proper standing in society.

No one would dare openly criticize the daughter of Duke Xavier, but subtle ridicule and curious glances would inevitably follow.

‘Instead of getting angry at me, she directs her anger at the person I broke off the engagement with?’

He was honestly surprised.

Despite her young age, Yelodia displayed remarkable self-control and wisdom.

He had vaguely thought this before, but now, he respected his fiancée far more than before.

“This is unexpected.”

When Edward first learned that he was to be engaged to the daughter of Duke Xavier, he had assumed it was nothing more than a strategic union.

Back then, he believed it was merely the emperor’s way of securing a powerful ally to gain control over the naval forces. After all, it was well known that most nobles treated engagements as political tools.

Even Viscount Benter had meticulously calculated Edward’s potential earnings as an officer before agreeing to his daughter’s engagement.

Yet, even if it were merely a formal arrangement, Edward had intended to cherish and honor his wife for life. That was what marriage meant to him.

However, the more he got to know Yelodia, the more he began to think that his married life might turn out quite differently than he had imagined.

“Hahaha! Is that what happened?”

At that moment, a cheerful laugh rang out from beyond the door. It was coming from the emperor’s reception room.

Edward turned to the attendant, slightly bewildered, and spoke.

“Could you inform His Majesty that I have arrived?”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

The attendant disappeared into the reception room and soon returned, opening the door.

“Please enter. His Majesty is expecting you.”

“Thank you.”

Edward stepped into the open reception room.

Sunlight flooded the spacious room, where a large sofa and table occupied the center.

The emperor and Lady Selina were seated across from each other, engaged in conversation.

Upon noticing Edward, the emperor brightened.

“Already back from the empress’s palace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Why don’t I see Yelodia? Didn’t she come with you?”

“She wasn’t feeling well and returned to the estate early. She also asked me to convey her regards to Your Majesty.”

“You don’t look entirely well yourself. It seems the empress has been up to her usual antics again?”

The emperor astutely assessed the situation. Edward held back a sigh and responded evenly.

“She invited my former fiancée to tea.”

“…Oh.”

The emperor’s eyes widened, as though he hadn’t anticipated this development. Even Lady Selina, seated across from him, faintly furrowed her brows in apparent surprise.

The emperor quickly regained his composure and let out a hearty laugh.

“Your former fiancée, you say? Ah, yes, I’d nearly forgotten about her. So, how was it?”

“Am I expected to share my impressions?”

The emperor regarded Edward with intrigue. His golden irises shimmered mysteriously in the sunlight, captivating yet predatory.

“Did it upset you?”

“I suppose it was mildly unpleasant, but I didn’t feel much else. However, she is not someone to be taken lightly.”

“Ah, Empress Vivian Alexander?”

The emperor exaggerated the name and chuckled softly.

“What did you think? What’s your impression of the craziest woman in the palace?”

“…”

Edward found himself at a loss for words at the emperor’s blunt remark. Though the emperor’s laugh was elegant, his eyes gleamed fiercely, like those of a beast.

Edward offered an honest assessment.

“She’s a beautiful woman.”

“Compared to our Yedi, she’s just plain. Her personality is even more dreadful.”

The emperor waved his hand dismissively, as if he had already been generous with his critique.

“How long do you intend to stand there? Aren’t your legs getting tired?”

“I came to escort my aunt. Once I’ve brought her back to the estate, I’ll return to the naval headquarters.”

“Ah, your remarkable aunt. Thanks to her, I’ve had the pleasure of hearing about young ‘Ted’s’ childhood escapades. Never losing a single card game or chess match—what a treasure of a story!”

“…”

Edward wasn’t sure where to begin correcting him.

“Your Majesty, I must humbly request that you refrain from calling me Ted.”

“Haha! It is quite the cutesy nickname for someone like you.”

The emperor laughed heartily, making it clear that he intended to keep using the nickname.

‘Ted’ was a nickname Edward had earned in his very early childhood. At the age of five, he had yet to grow his front teeth—naturally—and found ‘Ted’ easier to pronounce than ‘Edward.’ After introducing himself as Ted, his family had grown fond of calling him that.

Edward felt a headache coming on.

“I lost many times at card games. Chess, even more so.”

“But only when no stakes were involved, correct? Truly fascinating. Edward Adrian never loses a game with something on the line.”

“…”

Edward shot a mildly reproachful look at his aunt.

Lady Selina pretended not to notice, coughing awkwardly. Judging by her faint blush, she seemed to realize her mistake.

It appeared she had been charmed into spilling everything to the emperor.

There was no intention of blaming his aunt now. He knew all too well how the emperor could transform into an outrageously charming man when the need arose.

Edward barely suppressed a sigh as he began to speak.

“My skills are mediocre. If I were to play chess with Your Majesty, I would surely lose.”

“That’s an overly modest statement for someone hailed as the undefeated legend. It seems we must set a date. Surely you’d enjoy facing a strong opponent after so long?”

“…I wouldn’t hold back even if it’s Your Majesty.”

At such an audaciously impudent remark, the emperor burst into hearty laughter.

“Of course, that’s exactly what I expect!”

Edward Kieri Adrian was a man the emperor liked more and more with each encounter.

From their very first meeting, the emperor had admired Edward’s unwavering composure, even when facing him, a man often referred to as the god of the earth. Such a demeanor was rarer than finding a star in the sky in Friar.

Pairing Edward with Yelodia had been an exceptionally wise decision.

As he often did with those he favored, the emperor generously began to speak.

“You have a point. There have certainly been those who deliberately lost to me in chess. I must humbly admit there are likely more of them than I initially thought.”

The emperor, resting his chin in thought, continued.

“But that doesn’t mean you can underestimate my skills. After all, my teacher was Duke Quito.”

“…Duke Quito? Are you referring to the Grand Duke who governs the Northern Territory?”

Edward’s astonished expression prompted the emperor to smile, a mixture of pride and competitive spirit.

“He’s known as the Wolf of the North. Duke Quito is a fierce and resolute teacher, so you cannot doubt my skills. Now, doesn’t that make you more eager to face me?”

“If Your Majesty learned from Duke Quito, then your skills must indeed be formidable. There’s no need to test them against mine…”

“Ah, too much modesty won’t do. Is playing chess with me that burdensome?”

“I can’t help but feel Your Majesty would persist until you defeated me.”

“Haha!”

At Edward’s candid reply, the emperor erupted into laughter.

‘That arrogant and presumptuous attitude, devoid of even considering defeat, truly appeals to me.’

Yet the emperor had no intention of losing either. Snapping his fingers with a sharp sound, he concluded the conversation.

“Let’s set a date soon. Feel free to bring your aunt along then.”

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty. How could I possibly…”

Lady Selina, who had been quietly listening, jumped in alarm.

The emperor smiled slyly.

“I hope both of you remember that I rarely experience rejection. Now, take your leave.”

Empress Vivian believed tea parties were her sole duty and right.

In other words, she had little interest in the public responsibilities of an empress, such as overseeing palace management, charity work, supporting artists, or attending diplomatic events.

She had adorned the Empress’s salon to be the most beautiful and luxurious in the continent, sent invitations crafted with gold and silver thread to carefully selected ladies, and procured aromatic, high-quality teas to serve them.

Though she occasionally invited famous opera singers, esteemed musicians, or painters, her favorite pastime was chatting with her cherished ladies over tea.

As a result, noblewomen were desperate for an invitation to the Empress’s tea parties, knowing that the Empress’s salon was where rumors first spread in high society.

In the center of the Empress’s salon, Countess Havel raised her voice with an indignant expression.

“Have you heard? His Majesty plans to introduce some woman, the aunt of Baron Adrian, into society.”

“The old nobles are in an uproar over it. While Baron Adrian may have earned glory in the war against Iota, his aunt is nothing more than a common tenant farmer.”

At Marchioness Cheshire’s words, the Empress widened her eyes, turning to her. It was rare for the Empress, who seldom displayed surprise, to appear genuinely shocked.

“A tenant farmer, you say? Mixing with the nobility?”

“And His Majesty himself is said to be hosting a banquet for her. It’s so hard to believe that absurd rumors of His Majesty being infatuated with her are even circulating among the servants!”

Countess Havel scowled, as if the thought were utterly repulsive. The Empress pressed her temple with her fingers, as if trying to stave off a headache, before speaking.

“Do you know the exact details?”

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? It must be to strengthen Baron Adrian’s position. Normally, the honor would go to his father, but since he died during the war with Iota, His Majesty intends to transfer that glory to the closest living relative.”

“What an utterly nonsensical pretext.”

Marchioness Cheshire’s plump cheeks quivered as she spoke.