Parma sent a reply to Sophia’s letter and included Duke Gareth’s letter as well, forwarding both to Ariel. Once again, Parma’s letter was accompanied by Duke Gareth’s correspondence.

These were very private letters, and Duke Gareth did not find this method displeasing. Upon receiving Parma’s letter, Sophia read it with a smile and commented:

“Lady Gareth visited Helen’s school again. She seems to be more interested in schools than I expected. She even asked me about Ariel’s schools. Could it be that she’s thinking of establishing a school in her domain rather than wanting to attend one herself?”

The Marquis of Ariel, who had also been reading Duke Gareth’s letter, responded.

“That’s possible. Lady Gareth is planning to move to her family’s domain instead of staying in the capital. Since the capital’s social circles have stagnated due to the war, she intends to fill Gareth’s absence in the domain. She also mentioned wanting to learn about the work. It’s commendable. For the Gareth family to raise children who are so grounded despite their high status and privileges, Duke Gareth must be an extraordinary man.”

Listening to the Marquis’s praise for Duke Gareth, Sophia nodded in agreement.

“When I only heard rumors without meeting them directly, the Gareths gave the impression of being arrogant. But now, it seems they’re just overly proud of their family. That excessive pride even feels positive. Compared to Wiscombe, the Gareth family feels much more wholesome.”

The Marquis of Ariel scoffed. “Wiscombe is keeping a very low profile. They probably still feel the weight of suspicion from Oberon hanging over their heads. And the engagement between Isabelle Wiscombe and Prince Frederick is still pending.”

“I suspect Wiscombe might try to play smart again and endlessly delay the engagement while aiming for Prince Robert instead,” Sophia said.

The Marquis put down the letter and looked at her. “As brazen as Wiscombe may be, they wouldn’t dare do something like that. Besides, Prince Robert, backed by Duke Gareth, isn’t foolish enough to make such a choice.”

“It’s not about Prince Robert’s choices, but anticipating Wiscombe’s next moves. Wiscombe, who humiliated Prince Robert when he seemed unlikely to become crown prince, might approach him again if Prince Frederick’s chances diminish. That would be very in line with Wiscombe’s behavior, wouldn’t it?”

“Well, Wiscombe might indeed do that. It’s fortunate we have Duke Gareth on our side,” the Marquis said.

Sophia thought the same. It might have been why she once hoped for an engagement between Prince Robert and Parma Gareth.

If Prince Robert and Parma had been engaged before the war, full cooperation from Gareth could have been secured. That would have made achieving success much easier.

Regret filled Sophia’s thoughts.

The opportunity should have been seized. Instead, they’re devising risky plans. Why would they choose a thorny path when an easier one was right there…?

The Marquis of Ariel subtly observed Sophia’s expression. She no longer showed any feelings toward Prince Robert, focusing entirely on Ariel and Saturn’s affairs.

In her limited leisure time, Sophia found solace in running to the greenhouse. This concerned the Marquis.

If Sophia insists on staying in Ariel for the rest of her life, she’ll need a proper title and wealth. Without work, she might set her sights on other domains or even propose expanding beyond Titania.

Although partly exaggerated in his mind, the Marquis had no intention of forcing Sophia into marriage if she didn’t wish it. Thus, establishing her own domain and responsibilities was essential.

***

After receiving Parma’s letter, Sophia visited Sir Gareth. Parma had entrusted her with both Duke Gareth’s letter and her own for Sir Gareth.

Sir Gareth was inspecting newly arrived horses when Sophia approached. He greeted her, saying, “Why are the northern horses so small? They’re too unsettling to ride.”

Sophia replied with a laugh, “Smaller horses are better for navigating high mountain terrain. I don’t ride them, but I’ve used them plenty as pack animals.”

Lord Gareth remarked, “I suppose that makes sense. After all, life continues even when the war is momentarily at rest.”

“That’s true, but… if I may speak frankly, our greatest enemies are not outside but within. We’ve never properly fortified against internal threats. Now is the time to do so. Once power is obtained, there will inevitably be forces trying to hinder or undermine us. And there are now families bearing grudges against us.”

“You mean Wiscombe?”

Sophia handed him the letters and said, “I was going to give these to you when you returned to the castle, but since you haven’t left the stables, I’ve brought them here. They arrived yesterday. Lady Gareth seems to be returning to the domain to fill your place.”

Sir Gareth opened the letters with interest and remarked, “If my sister plans to take my place, there’s much she’ll have to learn. She might manage to pick up something just by observing what I’ve learned through dust and grit.”

He stepped aside, sitting on the stable fence to read the letters. After ensuring he was engrossed in reading, Sophia quietly returned to her own tasks.

***

As Sophia departed, Sir Gareth glanced at her retreating figure, recalling something a subordinate had mentioned.

Right, that’s true. She never talks to me unnecessarily or spends time with me for no reason. Hmph! The subordinates were right—I’m just being used for what I’m good for. Even though she praises me, it’s true she doesn’t see me as a man.

Yet, despite his words, a faint smile lingered on Sir Gareth’s lips. He found Sophia’s attitude refreshing. She viewed him not as a man but as a capable individual with skills that could benefit Ariel.

As Sophia turned on her heels with a cheerful demeanor, Sir Gareth picked up the letter she mentioned. It was, as she had said, a request for advice, along with the announcement that Parma was returning to the estate.

“Well, it seems Parma is playing the role of a cute younger sibling for once.”

The Duke of Gareth’s letter was filled with warnings. Gareth scoffed and remarked,

“This is undoubtedly packed with compliments about Ariel’s Marquis or Lady Ariel. It’s meant to stop me from getting overly excited after reading it. What an old fox. How does he understand my personality so well?”

***

Prince Robert was glaring at Mav in Umbriel’s office. Mav, unable to meet his gaze, averted his eyes but did not back down entirely.

Prince Robert spoke.

“So, what you’re saying is, Sarah would never do such a thing?”

Mav replied.

“No, Your Highness. As soon as I heard from Vian, I immediately accepted that Sarah might be a spy. After all, there’s no way a woman as beautiful and kind as her would endlessly wait for someone like me. She was my ideal type—someone who wouldn’t nag me even when I was busy and would always wait patiently. A woman like that couldn’t possibly exist in the real world. No, what I mean is, there’s no way Sarah acted alone.”

Prince Robert sighed and let out a hollow laugh. Seeing Mav not deny Sarah’s guilt but unable to accept her as the mastermind, Robert shook his head.

Prince Robert continued.

“That Sarah of yours first approached a man named Michael, who worked in administrative offices. But it didn’t take her long to realize Michael was a nobody—clueless, with no connections or abilities to speak of. So, she moved on to someone else. And that’s when you came into the picture. Unlike Michael, you’re talented, albeit naive, and you work directly as a secretary in the prince’s office.”

Despite the grave situation, Mav’s lips twitched slightly at the unintended praise. Prince Robert pretended not to notice and went on.

“But once you were transferred to Umbriel, extracting information or influence from you became harder. While Sarah was willing to follow you to Umbriel, it seems you never asked her to join you there.”

“That’s because I figured if she came to Umbriel, she’d put down roots for good. I really do prefer the capital.”

Vian, standing nearby, interjected with a teasing tone.

“In the capital, all you ever did was go back and forth between your house and the prince’s office. What’s there to miss?”

Mav grumbled,

“I just like living in a busy city like the capital. Umbriel is all work and no play. There’s nowhere to boast about my achievements and no place to escape work. Living where your workplace is also your residence is the worst.”

At Mav’s complaints, Prince Robert let out another hollow laugh. Vian added,

“At any rate, as His Highness said, Sarah might not be the leader of Saturn’s spies in Uranus, but she’s definitely mid-level management at least. Michael, on the other hand, didn’t seem to be very useful to her.”

With a pleased expression, Mav chimed in,

“Michael being useless? Of course, that’s true.”

Vian stared at Mav, baffled. Despite having been informed long ago that both Sarah and Michael had deceived and used him, Mav seemed overjoyed to hear of Michael’s incompetence.

Prince Robert explained,

“Oddly enough, Michael wasn’t leaking information to Saturn’s spies. Instead, he was feeding it to Cressida. It seems he tried to use Sarah to pass along whatever information you let slip to Cressida. But Cressida soon realized Michael wasn’t providing anything valuable either.”

Mav nodded vigorously, as if confirming his earlier point about Michael’s uselessness.

“So they ended up using Michael to involve Wiscombe. It was Michael who orchestrated Philip Wiscombe’s move to Oberon. Later, Wiscombe was desperate to track Michael down. Michael’s actions weren’t because he was a spy for Saturn but out of personal ambition.”

Mav concluded,

“So Sarah tried to use Michael but got used herself in return. I have no room to talk, but it seems Michael was deceived, too.”

Vian shook his head and corrected him,

“He wasn’t deceived; the moment they realized he was worthless, they discarded him. He didn’t even notice.”

Mav agreed.

“Michael really is clueless.”

Vian scoffed, but Mav ignored him and turned to Prince Robert.

“You should’ve told me sooner. But the information that fooled Philip Wiscombe came from the prince’s office. It must’ve been Acel.”

Prince Robert replied,

“You don’t think I suspect you?”

Mav widened his eyes in surprise.

“If you did, you wouldn’t have dumped so much work on me. You would’ve kept me from doing anything—like Acel.”

Vian remarked with a grin,

“Looks like Mav’s gotten sharper.”

Mav shot Vian a glare before muttering in response.

“Who in the prince’s office doesn’t know that Acel is suspicious? He always acted as though he cared for Prince Robert, but it was clear he harbored subtle resentment toward the prince’s actions. Is Acel with Wiscombe or Cressida?”

Prince Robert, looking at Mav with a proud expression, replied, “Wiscombe and Cresida.”

“Wow! As strange as Acel is, it seems he’s not without talent. In the end, whether it’s you, Prince Robert, who prospers, or Prince Frederick, he’s secured a way out for himself. Being too clever has its downsides, I suppose.”

Vian shook his head.

“Acel lacked loyalty. If all he cared about was his own gain, he shouldn’t have pretended to care for Prince Robert. And he certainly shouldn’t have been jealous when Prince Robert sent you here.”

“Acel really was odd. He hated work but still wanted to be favored. What happened to him?”

Vian answered,

“That’s the most important part. Neither Michael, Sarah, nor Acel will ever cross our paths again.”

Mav said,

“You asked me to recall everyone Sarah introduced to me or people I coincidentally met, and to write down any names or places that come to mind, right?”

Vian’s expression brightened as he asked,

“Why? Did someone suspicious come to mind?”

“Sir Federico.”

At Mav’s response, both Prince Robert and Vian grimaced deeply. Vian exclaimed,

“Of all people!”

Mav looked at Vian and Prince Robert with a puzzled expression, as if to say, ‘What did I do?’