“My aunt,” Edward replied.

The Emperor’s eyes widened in surprise, and Yelodia, equally taken aback, turned to look at Edward.

To think Lady Selina was such a hidden talent.

Edward traced the rim of his teacup with his fingertips, as if recalling the past, before continuing.

“In the past, I used to lose two out of every five games to my aunt.”

“The person who has never lost a game to me has only a 60% win rate against her? Are you saying Lady Selina is that skilled?”

“I’m not sure about her current level. It’s been over five years since I last played chess with her.”

“….”

The Emperor was at a loss for words. The fact that Edward’s greatest rival was his aunt was beyond imagination.

“Hahaha!”

At last, the Emperor let out a booming laugh, so loud and hearty that even the normally stoic chamberlains flinched.

“So that’s how it is! The world truly is vast! If she’s your rival, she’d surely make an excellent teacher for me.”

“Your Majesty,” Edward interjected cautiously.

“What a splendid opportunity to gain a new instructor.”

The Emperor laughed joyfully, standing from his seat, seemingly having lost interest in playing further chess games with Edward.

“Next time, bring your aunt with you. I must see her skills for myself.”

“…I will do so.”

Edward replied, an inexplicable sense of dread creeping over him, certain that his aunt would scold him for this.

Just then, the chief chamberlain approached the Emperor and whispered something in his ear.

The Emperor raised his eyebrows and asked, “The Empress?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. What shall we do?”

The Emperor paused as if pondering, then turned to Edward and Yelodia.

“You two may leave now. Ah, you mentioned wanting to see the central garden, didn’t you? My chamberlain will guide you there. Take your time.”

“Is something the matter?” Yelodia asked with a worried expression. Anything involving the Empress tended to escalate into serious situations.

The Emperor waved dismissively. “There’s no need for you to worry, Yedi.”

“How could I not worry about you, Uncle?”

“I said there’s no need. Even if the Empress’s father holds sway over the western region, I have the forces of the south, east, and north on my side.”

“The north is neutral,” Yelodia pointed out. “Duke Quito wouldn’t move a muscle unless one of the great lords took up arms. And the east is mainly composed of newly established nobles. You should count only the southern region and a fraction of the central territories as truly loyal to you.”

“Did you hear that, Edward? You’ll need to be exceptionally capable—she has better political instincts than you do.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Edward replied.

The Emperor spoke with benevolent amusement. “Now, go on your way if you’re done worrying.”

Yelodia pouted as she curtseyed to the Emperor, a gesture that made her look rather comical. The Emperor only chuckled, and Edward bowed politely in turn.

“We shall take our leave, Your Majesty,” Edward said.

“May Zeus’s grace be with you both,” the Emperor said warmly.

“And may Lonal’s courage always be with Your Majesty,” Yelodia responded. Her parting words must have pleased him, as the Emperor smiled broadly—a smile that somehow looked more fierce than kind.

***

Edward and Yelodia strolled through the tranquil corridors of the imperial palace, heading toward the central garden.

Ahead of them, the Emperor’s chamberlain walked at a measured distance, far enough to ensure their privacy. Unless a commotion broke out, he wouldn’t turn around.

The wind carried a mild warmth, having just passed noon, and Yelodia found herself feeling a vague sense of relief.

Before long, the oppressive humidity and heat of Freia’s summer would set in.

As they passed a magnificent hedge maze, Yelodia suddenly spoke as if she’d come to a realization.

“Perhaps it’s fortunate that the engagement ceremony is in ten days.”

“…Pardon?” Edward glanced at her, perplexed by her cryptic remark.

Yelodia hummed softly before explaining. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but summers in Freia are excruciatingly hot.”

“That’s the strangest pronunciation I’ve ever heard. Was that Farrelian?”

“Ugh,” Yelodia groaned, biting her lip as she glanced at Edward. His lips twitched, hinting at a suppressed smirk.

“If you’re mocking me, Baron…”

“Oh, are you upset?” Edward asked innocently.

Yelodia pressed her trembling lips together, narrowing her eyes at him.

Edward clasped his hands in mock penitence. “If you’re angry, please forgive me.”

“I’m not angry.”

“‘Excruciatingly,’ you said. Was that supposed to mimic the cry of a sheep?”

“It was not!”

Yelodia snapped back sharply, her tone pointed. Edward finally broke into laughter, and soon Yelodia couldn’t hold back her own giggles. She never thought she’d laugh at such a silly joke.

Feigning a sulky tone, Yelodia said, “I didn’t know you enjoyed joking in moments like this, Baron.”

“Did you think I was a dull and rigid man, perhaps?” Edward teased.

“That’s not it…” Yelodia looked around briefly before placing her hands on her hips.

“Have I ever complained about you? I always thought you were a good person and even wrote only nice things in my letters.”

“I haven’t forgotten your kind words in your letters. However, yesterday, I overheard my lieutenants complaining about me. It made me reflect a bit.”

This confession was entirely unexpected, and Yelodia’s eyes grew wide.

“Your lieutenants?”

Edward sighed, nodding. He had looked unusually weary since morning, and now it all made sense.

Yelodia was indignant. “Why? And more importantly, how could you just let them complain so freely?”

“I didn’t let it go entirely. The two of them tried to steal a look at your letters. Their punishment? A month of cleaning the soldiers’ latrines, among other tasks.”

“They tried to read my letters?”

Yelodia’s cheeks flushed a deep red.

The sheer audacity left her stunned—she felt like storming to the naval headquarters and shaking the offenders by the collar.

“My lieutenants do have rather sticky fingers. Next time, perhaps you should send a courier directly to my estate.”

“But then you’d receive my letters late.”

Edward’s lips curled into a faint smile. He’d noticed his fiancée’s impatience from the very first time they’d met.

“Wouldn’t that be better than sharing a letter from my betrothed with others? Honestly, I doubt even Zeus himself could curb their curiosity.”

“And when, exactly, did your men become so curious about me?”

“Since they learned that my betrothed was bold enough to march into the middle of a dueling ring full of men.”

“Ugh…” Yelodia bit her lower lip, unsure if Edward was scolding or praising her.

“If you’re still upset about that incident and want to reprimand me…”

“I have no intention of reprimanding you, Yelodia.”

Edward extended a hand lightly toward her. After a moment’s hesitation, Yelodia placed her hand in his, and they resumed their walk. She matched his pace so as not to fall behind.

“You may not know this, but when ladies are criticized, they often feel they’re being scolded harshly. If it had been my father, he would’ve grounded me for a month.”

“Is that so?”

Yelodia nodded, her flushed cheeks making her look even more earnest. Edward chuckled softly.

“I found it admirable. You risked your life for me, after all.”

“It wasn’t as though I was actually risking my life.”

“Even so, I was impressed. Even my soldiers wouldn’t have dared to intervene in that situation.”

“Then… Are you praising me or scolding me? I genuinely can’t tell.”

Sometimes, Yelodia thought, Edward’s words outshone even the intricate metaphors of the nobility, mixing sincerity and subtlety in equal measure.

“About 70% is gratitude, and the remaining 30% is me hoping you won’t do it again.”

“That makes it even harder to understand!” she muttered with a grumble.

Edward suddenly felt certain that moments like these would be a recurring theme in their future, a thought that filled him with both amusement and a warm sense of anticipation.

Just then, a young child caught Edward’s attention. Around seven years old, the child had fair skin, golden eyes, and jet-black hair—a picture of charm.

Yelodia called out in a cheerful voice, “Io!”

“Yedi!”

The boy’s face lit up like a full moon. His excitement was so obvious that even from a distance, one could see his eagerness to rush toward her.

But instead of running straight to her, Io hesitated, glancing cautiously at the attendant nearby.

“May I hug him?” Yelodia pleaded with Edward.

“Of course.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Yelodia quickly approached the boy and scooped him up in a tight embrace.

“Io, I missed you! Have you been well?”

“Yes, yes! I heard you’re getting engaged!”

“You even understand what that means already?”

“I know everything!” Io replied proudly.

Yelodia’s eyes widened in playful disbelief. “You’re still a baby—just six years old!”