Heriot, immediately grasping his intention, asked with a bright expression. Claude nodded slightly in affirmation.

It had been a year, and they couldn’t keep the knights stationed at the southern garrison under the pretext of reorganization forever.

If even the Senate had mentioned it a few days ago, it meant that most people already knew about it.

“Move the current knights’ deployment to the Revennil area, and send a messenger bird telling Baren to come up to the capital.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that guy. Baren will be delighted to see Your Grace.”

“Will he really?”

He looked out the window for a moment, recalling something. His ash-gray eyes, which had been filled with light, gradually sank into a murky darkness.

* * *

The smell of moisture-laden air was damp. Claude looked up once at the sky full of dark clouds beyond the large window.

Instead of the cool spring breeze, dark clouds that had gathered for days were pouring down tremendous amounts of rain. The weather was unpleasant even when standing still, and after sitting in one position for hours listening to boring talk, he became extremely bored.

At that moment, the emperor, who had been quiet, casually opened the conversation.

“I heard the imperial citizens enjoyed some rare happy days during my birthday celebration.”

“You have no idea how grateful the people are for Your Majesty’s support.”

The wolf-like Marquis Bishrom promptly added his words. When other nobles joined in praising the emperor’s generosity, the corners of the emperor’s mouth twitched.

“So I was thinking…… about holding a festival for the first anniversary of the war’s end. What do you all think?”

The nobles’ faces subtly changed for a moment.

The first anniversary of the war’s end had already passed a month ago. Moreover, they had just observed an official three-day festival period for the recent birthday celebration, so it seemed premature.

“The delegations are still staying in the palace, talking about peace treaties and whatnot. So I’m suggesting we hold a festival commemorating the first anniversary of the war’s end on the day we sign the agreement.”

Apparently having enjoyed the recent birthday celebration quite a bit, the emperor enthusiastically brought up the story of a new festival out of nowhere.

“Wasn’t three days too short? A festival is perfect for erasing the difficult times of war and conveying the meaning of a new beginning.”

Does someone who started a war know that?

Claude glanced at Senate President Miguel’s face. Though he was trying to manage his expression, his displeasure was clearly evident.

At that moment, the finance minister, looking uncertain about how to speak, moistened his lips several times before opening his mouth.

“However, Your Majesty. The recent banquet and festival incurred enormous costs.”

“Are you bringing up money matters before me now?”

When the emperor sensitively retorted, asking if that was enough to ruin his mood, the finance minister’s face darkened. However, being faithful to his assigned duties, he continued to squeeze out words.

“Well…… we haven’t yet fully covered the amount that went out as reparations last time……”

The amount transferred to the allied nations, including Verseum, was considerable. On top of that, they had given up exclusive rights to maritime trade, making it difficult to estimate not only the current losses but also the future value.

“Isn’t that your fault?”

The emperor displayed his displeasure, seemingly asking why they were asking him about this.

“If we had won the war, there would have been no need to give such money.”

The emperor continued, attributing the defeat to the nobles’ incompetence.

“And this country is wealthy enough that giving that much money wouldn’t even make a dent.”

That was no longer true, after a considerable budget had been spent on the long war and repairs to collapsed buildings and bridges following the end of hostilities.

The finance minister, who was doing his best to tighten belts, found it difficult to explain this straightforwardly and was simply embarrassed.

However, as always, there were those who showed little interest in the empire’s economic situation.

“Your words are most wise. Now that reorganization is complete, we can certainly secure enough from tax revenue.”

Bishrom supported the emperor with a sly smile, saying any shortfall could easily be covered.

The emperor’s mood quickly improved with the succession of agreements that followed, and he clicked his tongue, saying the finance minister worried too much. Then he turned his gaze to Claude, who hadn’t said a word until now.

“Duke Heinst, what is your opinion? If we proclaim a festival for the imperial citizens, everyone will quickly forget their gloom.”

Claude wanted to say something but quickly manufactured a presentable smile.

“Let’s do that, then.”

He would normally have voiced opposition, but for some reason, he felt unusually bothered today.

Though he wanted to see Bishrom’s smirking face crumple, he also didn’t want to speak up when he saw the Senate members’ expressions subtly hoping he would intervene.

He just wanted to end this tedious meeting and return to his mansion quickly.

“Indeed. The duke understands my intentions well.”

With that one statement, the decision was made. The other discussions that followed passed quickly.

After the meeting adjourned, the emperor, who seemed about to leave first, suddenly said to Claude.

“By the way, bring Flora that day too. You personally put in effort for my sake.”

Ah……

Claude touched his mouth with his hand. The corner of his lips, hidden beneath his palm, twisted crookedly.

What he had devised to avoid meeting the emperor’s expectations had instead increased his satisfaction. Perhaps that’s why a question uncharacteristic of him slipped out.

“Did you enjoy that day, Your Majesty?”

“Ah… that day! I had a great time.”

The emperor, who had become somewhat triumphant, grinned.

Come to think of it, the emperor hadn’t asked him anything about Flora since that day. Not only had his frequent mentions significantly decreased, but he hadn’t even asked why she wore a dress at the banquet.

What conversation had they had?

Claude recalled Flora, who had firmly closed her lips, saying the emperor personally told her not to tell him. The usually obedient maid had tried to hide something from him particularly on that day.

He hadn’t sensed any sign of foul play.

Claude maintained his smiling face and calmly asked again.

“I wonder what interesting conversation you had.”

“That’s a secret between Flora and me. Don’t be too curious.”

The emperor’s answer was as concise as a riddle, saying Claude would soon find out.

* * *

The corridor without sunlight was darker and more silent than usual.

Flora, who was wiping dust off the portraits hanging in the corridor, looked at the window blurred by the streaming rainwater.

“If it rains a lot……”

Will it be difficult for the master to return?

The thought unconsciously came to her mind with the sound of rain tapping on the window.

Around noon, she had heard news that a cart carrying food ingredients had gotten stuck in a mud puddle. Perhaps because she saw Michael looking distressed, her thoughts turned to the duke who had left by carriage early in the morning.

“Don’t worry. Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean we’ll run out of strawberries.”

Mary, who was also cleaning a white statue, looked outside once and said.

What does that mean? Flora tilted her head.

“What strawberries?”

“Weren’t you worried about running out of fruit because of the rain? Flora, you like oranges and strawberries.”

Mary smiled broadly, saying not to worry because other fruits would be fine besides oranges.

Mary was bright and full of laughter without malice. When she smiled, the mole under her eye would be completely hidden by wrinkles, which was her charm.

Finally understanding her meaning, Flora smiled a little embarrassedly.

“Ah…… That’s not it.”

“Huh? I thought you were worried about not being able to eat berry pie.”

Mary, who had been observing Flora as her colleague, knew what her companion liked most. The thing Flora, who generally called everything delicious, ate best was pie filled with sweet and sour fruits.

The last time Michael made it for her, Flora took one bite and her eyes sparkled like she’s tasting it for the first time, then quickly devoured it all.

Just like when she first arrived here, Mary had figured out her preference after seeing only an empty plate left in the blink of an eye.

Mary paused and suddenly noticed a subtle change in Flora’s demeanor.

She seems more feminine.

“Come to think of it, you’ve seemed different lately……”

“I’m always the same.”

“No. You look a little different……”

Mary, who was staring intently at her with suspicion, asked an unexpected question.

“Flora…… Do you perhaps like someone now?”

“……What?”

Flora thought she had made a completely clueless expression, but at that moment, she saw Mary’s eyes gradually widening.

“My goodness, it’s true! Who is it? Don’t tell me…… one of the employees here?”

“There’s no such person.”

“Liar. You never react to anything I say, Flora. But just now, you were a little surprised, weren’t you?”

Mary exclaimed with confidence.