Shortly after the powder room incident, Prince Robert invited Parma to the imperial greenhouse. The two of them strolled leisurely through the greenhouse.

Parma smiled as she looked around.

“I heard Lady Ariel suggested the emperor open the greenhouse to the public? It was a good idea. I’ve only come here during balls, so I’ve never seen it during the day. It’s even more beautiful in the daylight.”

Prince Robert smiled and replied, “Since Lady Ariel’s hobby is growing plants in the greenhouse, she naturally paid a lot of attention to it.”

Parma asked with a hint of amusement in her voice, “I heard you met my father here in the middle of summer? Was that intentional? My father thought you chose the hot and humid greenhouse on purpose to keep the conversation short.”

“I can’t deny it. Back then, a long meeting between the Duke of Gareth and me would have been unfavorable for both sides.”

“And now? Is it okay to spend time with me?”

“It’s fine now. I have a fiancée, and today, I’m just showing you the greenhouse. But I’m sure there are many who wouldn’t be pleased to see us enjoying each other’s company.”

To Parma, Prince Robert didn’t seem to have any particularly outstanding traits. He was simply a suitable ally. In fact, it made her realize how contrived and artificial her engagement with Prince Frederick had been.

‘I thought all princes had to be like that.’

Parma didn’t mind. She had enjoyed showing off Frederick, and she was aware of her own vanity. Back then, having someone who satisfied that vanity felt good. Now, she knew it wasn’t a wise choice.

Parma took another careful look around the greenhouse, paying attention to whether any court officials were lurking about.

Seeing her cautious gaze, Prince Robert smiled. It wasn’t a bad thing for Parma Gareth to understand the implications of their meeting.

With a serious expression, Prince Robert said, “It would be good if it looked like we were discussing something important.”

Parma nodded with a smile. “Will this make it look convincing?”

Prince Robert nodded along and said, “In truth, I asked to meet today because I have something to say to you. The Duke of Gareth may have told you this already, but you don’t have to consider me as a potential husband. I’d rather you see whether I’d make a good commander.”

Parma, puzzled, asked, “Are you asking me not to consider you as a husband? Or are you giving me a choice?”

Prince Robert paused before replying, “Please don’t consider me.”

Parma studied him carefully and said, “I don’t know much about you. My father only told me not to worry, that you’re much better than Prince Frederick. He also mentioned that meeting you would make the Wiscombe and the empress panic.”

Looking at Robert’s ever-unchanging expression, Parma continued, “Are you saying you don’t want sponsorship based on a marriage proposal? I heard the engagement is just a ruse. Have you truly decided to be with Sophia Ariel? I have a suspicion, and I need to confirm it.”

For the first time, Parma saw a flicker of unease on Robert’s face. After taking a deep breath, he said, “I… wish to marry Lady Sophia Ariel.”

“Oh! I asked, but that’s an unexpected answer. I heard the rumors too. Isn’t there a salt mine on Ariel’s land? It’s not because of that, is it?”

“Of course not. The Gareth family’s military strength is unmatched in the empire. I wouldn’t trade that for a salt mine. Besides, I’ve already invested in a salt mine myself, so I have no reason to covet Ariel’s holdings. Having the Gareth family support me and join my family would be an honor. But if you want to become empress, I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Parma waited for him to elaborate. Seeing her silent gaze, Robert continued calmly.

“The position of empress and her family comes with power, but it also means maintaining a constant state of tension with the emperor. Especially if the empress comes from a militarily strong family, and there’s the possibility of a future emperor tied to that family, a close marital relationship is unlikely.”

As Robert spoke, both he and Parma thought of the current emperor and empress. Even the Cressida family was subject to the emperor’s scrutiny. Parma reflected on this.

‘If it’s Gareth, it would be even worse.’

Robert went on, “If you don’t mind such a strained marriage, it’s fine. But I don’t want a relationship where we act like rivals behind closed doors. And considering the current state of Uranos, if Gareth becomes too closely tied to the royal family, it would invite backlash and scrutiny. It wouldn’t destroy the family, but it certainly wouldn’t help.”

“I understand your point. Taken positively, it sounds like confidence in your claim to the throne. Taken negatively… you want a wife you love while also using Gareth’s power. Do I really need to agree to this?”

Parma smiled brightly at Robert. He thought that every woman he knew was difficult in their own way.

Robert spoke honestly. “You don’t need to agree, Lady Gareth. If the Duke of Gareth decides to return to neutrality, I will respect his decision. But as things stand, it seems unlikely the duke will side with Prince Frederick.”

Parma recalled her recent conversation with the Duke of Gareth.

“Indeed.”

“You’re surprisingly candid. The rumors said you’re inscrutable, gloomy, and extremely jealous of your brother.”

“Jealous, huh…? As you know from meeting Prince Frederick, he’s a fine young man but not exactly a good leader. In fact, he might be the worst. He’s not a fool, but he’ll do anything if pushed by those around him. He’s someone who should never become emperor. He might make a good romantic partner, though.”

“I’m not even sure about that.”

Parma whispered softly. Prince Robert remarked, “It seems you’re also different from the rumors I’ve heard. They say you have a cruel streak. I even wondered if, under the duke’s protection, you tortured or killed people brutally.”

“Of course not. There were a few people who needed to come to their senses, and I just gave them a few sharp words. It was never anything violent. Given the reputation of the Gareth family and my father’s personality, I suppose some ladies and lords got scared and never returned to the capital, leading to such rumors.”

Prince Robert laughed. “I thought perhaps your brother, Sir Gareth, might have intimidated them.”

“My brother has his own path. I can’t really say much about that.”

Sir Gareth was one of the few people even Prince Robert hadn’t fully figured out. The Duke of Gareth had sent his son to gain experience in the military instead of attending the academy.

Rumors said there was significant conflict between the duke and his son over the academy issue. Sir Gareth was an enigmatic figure with conflicting reputations: some saw him as cruel, others as competent and intelligent.

Parma didn’t mention her brother much either, which only deepened the mystery around him.

Prince Robert guided Parma to a corner of the greenhouse where tea was prepared. As she took her seat, she remarked, “You’ve prepared quite a lot.”

“It’s good to make our time as pleasant as possible. There’s always someone to reap the fruit of discomfort.”

Parma looked down at her teacup and said, “Can you give me some time? Whether it’s marriage or support without marriage, I need time to know you better.”

Prince Robert replied, “I’ve made my intentions clear. Take your time and consider it carefully. If you think I’d make a good emperor, then support me. I’ve heard the Duke of Gareth and Sir Gareth both care for you deeply. They’ll surely respect your wishes. Make a wise choice.”

Parma understood Robert’s intent. Gareth’s power could support him now, but in the future, it could also pressure the imperial family.

She wondered if Robert’s honesty was purely political calculation or if his plans had changed out of affection for Lady Ariel.

After all, Robert had once given his heart to Isabelle, only to suffer public humiliation. Would he have approached Isabelle if not for the Wiscombe family’s influence? Parma pondered.

‘Since I don’t know Prince Robert well, I can’t know his motives or intentions.’

She said, “I’ve seen Lady Ariel before. At Isabelle’s debutante. I saw her devastated after being abandoned by you, and then heard that the two of you met again shortly afterward. When your engagement was announced, I thought it might be an anti-Wiscombe alliance.”

“It’s essentially an anti-Wiscombe alliance. You could join it too, Lady Gareth.”

“Then Lady Sophia Ariel is someone worthy of forming an alliance with.”

Prince Robert nodded with a smile. “She’s the most pragmatic and rational person I know.”

Parma felt a growing curiosity about the woman who had swayed Prince Robert in this high-stakes battle for the throne.

‘I wonder what kind of person she is?’

“When will Lady Sophia Ariel come to the capital?”

Prince Robert replied, “I’m not sure. Probably not during the winter. I heard her niece was just born.”

“Ah…”

Parma nodded, but a part of her thought Sophia Ariel had returned to Ariel territory to avoid her.

‘Is she like Isabelle Wiscombe? Or more like the infamous Duchess of Wiscombe?’

***

Mav was in the capital for the first time in a while. Though he was immediately confined to Prince Robert’s office, it was still the capital.

When Prince Robert entered the office, he asked directly, “So, you’re saying you still don’t know if Oberon and Ariel will cooperate or fight?”

Mav sprang up, hurriedly bowing before responding, “Given Lady Sophia Ariel’s personality, I believe she’ll weigh the potential benefits first, regardless of past events. Since she values profit highly, she might be willing to overlook old issues.”

Prince Robert gestured for him to continue. Mav cleared his throat and added, “Lady Sophia might gain significant benefits.”

“What?”

When Mav hesitated, Robert shot him a sharp look. He cautiously continued.

“Didn’t you hear that Lady Sophia Ariel was discussing an engagement with Lord Oberon? At first, I thought she was just using it as an excuse to approach Oberon. But it seems Oberon’s side is quite enthusiastic.”

Prince Robert was still glaring at Mav with piercing eyes. Mav avoided his gaze and continued speaking.

“Lord Oberon requested that Lady Ariel stay for more than a month, and she agreed. They plan to spend time getting to know each other. Lord Oberon has already visited Ariel once. After his visit, Lady Sophia contacted me directly. She said the engagement might proceed but assured me she would coordinate it with your schedule, so you needn’t worry.”

“A month? It wasn’t something forced by Oberon’s side?”

“It seems more like persuasion than coercion. Even with Inspector Gunther accompanying her, if Lady Ariel stays in Oberon for a month… wouldn’t she be swayed? He’s polite, wealthy, and they say Lord Oberon is quite charming. But if things go wrong, it’s still dangerous. If persuasion doesn’t work, coercion might begin. And if they realize an investigation has already started… If there really has been collusion with Saturn, there’s only one option left.”

“Treason? Or she could be taken hostage? Did the Marquis know all of this and still allow Sophia to stay in Oberon for a month?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, silence filled the office.