If the number of supporting troops reached one thousand, that meant the scale of the procession would be considerable. Moreover, it was no ordinary matter for the Emperor himself to leave the imperial palace and embark on a long-term inspection with such a force. If Ahazan truly intended to depart for an extended period, then something of great national importance was undoubtedly underway.

‘Then why did he not tell me…?’

Clodine stared at the scattered documents on the desk, her eyes wavering. Only now did she notice that beyond the paperwork concerning military support, there were numerous materials implying Ahazan’s prolonged absence. Among them lay a map of the Empire, layered with complex markings and unfamiliar lines. The thick strokes crossing vast stretches of imperial territory looked like routes someone had carefully contemplated.

For a moment, she felt the strength drain from her legs. She could not explain why, but an emptiness surged within her chest, as though a heavy stone had suddenly been removed.

‘You plan to bind me here… and once again go far away alone.’

She had never believed she had entrusted her heart to him a second time after being abandoned once. And yet, in this moment, it felt as though she were being cast aside twice.

Her fingers tightened in the folds of her skirt.

‘As long as you remain by my side, I desire nothing else, Clodine.’
‘I am sorry for hurting you. I will never forget. I will live remembering and repenting.’
‘So, Clodine… please. Become my wife.’

She remembered that dark night not long after arriving in the Empire inside the imperial stables glowing faintly red when Ahazan had made his third proposal with grave sincerity.

She had told him then that she expected nothing of him. Why, then, did those words resurface now, as if she had never forgotten them for even a single moment?

Had she secretly wished that somewhere within those desperate confessions, a fragment of his sincerity had been real? Had she harbored a shameful hope while watching him cling to her side with reckless determination, even while seated upon the throne, doing things she could not fully understand?

If not, then why did disappointment now fill her heart so completely?

As her thoughts deepened, a great sorrow one she had not consciously summoned slowly welled within her eyes.

She lifted her gaze to Ahazan’s closed lids.

‘This time… how long, and how far do you intend to go, Ahazan?’

If the Emperor wished to leave, then he would leave. There was no need for her to know the particulars. She had no right to ask him to stay.

“Your Majesty?”

At that moment, someone opened the study door and called out to her. Clodine masked her emotions with practiced ease.

“Sir Regerson.”

She greeted him in her usual calm tone. Almost immediately, she sensed movement beside her. The sound of Cal’s arrival must have stirred Ahazan awake.

He opened his eyes and offered her a faint smile, traces of fatigue lingering in his expression.

“I must have dozed off.”

His voice was gentle and languid, and that only made her heart feel heavier. She forced herself not to reveal it. As a result, her own voice came out more rigid than intended.

“I came because there was something I wished to discuss. When I saw you sleeping, I was considering returning later.”

“Something to discuss?”

Cal approached and placed the stack of documents he carried onto the desk. Clodine deliberately kept her eyes away from them, unwilling to confirm whether they concerned the long inspection.

“I intend to hold a memorial service in the capital for the knights and soldiers who lost their lives in the Imperial War. If you permit it, I would like to oversee it personally. I wanted to know your thoughts.”

While Ahazan fixed his gaze upon her with unsettling intensity, she found herself looking everywhere but at him. She feared he might notice the strange, suffocating unease stirring inside her.

“That is an excellent idea, Your Majesty, if Your Majesty leads the memorial personally, it will greatly improve the Empire’s perception of you.”

Ahazan remained silent for a moment, his eyes drifting somewhere distant. Then he asked calmly,

“If we begin preparations now, when could it be held?”

“It will depend on how much manpower we can mobilize. The more personnel available, the shorter the preparation period.”

He nodded slowly.

“Mobilize every available resource. Ensure the memorial can be held as soon as possible. Provide the Empress with full support.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

There seemed no urgent need to rush such an event. And yet Ahazan had given that command without hesitation. Clodine could not shake the feeling that there was a reason she did not know, perhaps connected to the long inspection. It would be a nationwide event. Perhaps he wished to see its outcome before departing.

She forced the thought aside and moved to the next matter.

“There is also Duke Ashton Haimos from the Harrison Empire. I have permitted him to remain longer at the guest palace. He seems eager to continue his research here. I judged that there would be no political issue in allowing it, but if I have overlooked something—”

“No, you did very well, Clodine.”

A look of satisfaction spread across Ahazan’s face. In some ways, he even appeared proud.

Clodine felt faintly puzzled by that expression, but since he said there was no issue, she let the matter pass.

“Is there anything else to discuss?”

Ahazan asked, sorting through the scattered documents on his desk as though restoring order to a mess. Cal quickly moved to his side and began assisting him.

It seemed their busy afternoon was only just beginning.

Under ordinary circumstances, Clodine would have simply answered that there was nothing further and taken her leave. But this time, she hesitated.

Sensing her lingering presence, Ahazan lifted his head.

She met his gaze, her eyes clouded with thought, and then slowly parted her lips.

“And you?”

Ahazan, confronted with the unexpected question, merely looked at her, his expression unreadable.

Even as she failed to understand why she was asking, Clodine pressed on.

“Do you have nothing… to discuss with me?”

She drew out the words with difficulty.

Ahazan’s reply came lightly.

“Not particularly.”

Clodine bit the inside of her lip and seemed to consider something for a brief moment. Then a faint smile touched her face.

Without another word, she turned her back on him.

***

The Langham estate, steeped in the long history of its noble house, was not exactly refined in the modern sense, but its grandeur and antique dignity were overwhelming.

Among its many treasured rooms, the lord’s study, filled with magnificent ornaments and considered the pride of the household, had already welcomed a distinguished guest.

Marquis Silvanian Langham, an elderly man with long white hair neatly draped over his shoulders, crossed one leg over the other and regarded the man seated opposite him.

“It seems the Emperor’s plan to leave the palace for an extended period is no longer much of a secret. He has openly summoned merchants to the palace to prepare for his departure. That alone suggests he has no intention of hiding it.”

“I suspect an official announcement will be made soon as well.”

“If that happens, the affairs of the capital will once again fall to Your Grace… Would this not be our final opportunity?”

“There is no guarantee I will be entrusted with the task, unlike during the last war, Her Majesty the Empress is now present.”

Yuri swirled the amber liquid in his heavy silver cup before bringing it to his lips. The liquor burned pleasantly down his throat, strong and sharp yet sweet and bitter in equal measure, perfectly to his taste.

No matter when he visited, the Marquis always seemed to know his preferences. The thought pleased him, and a faint smile curved his lips.

Tilting his head slightly, the Marquis narrowed his eyes.

“In all likelihood, Your Grace will be left in charge of the palace. Though it is not yet confirmed, there is also the possibility that the Empress may accompany the Emperor on his journey.”

Yuri’s head snapped up at once. His gaze sharpened as he looked across the rim of his cup.

“Is that confirmed?”

“I made inquiries among the merchants supplying goods to the palace. It seems the Emperor commissioned a specially constructed large carriage for this journey. As you well know, he does not travel long distances by carriage. So for whom could it be intended?”

Yuri nodded slowly.

“The Empress does not ride.”

The two men exchanged a meaningful smile.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the study door.

“Enter.”

The Marquis spoke as though he already knew who stood outside.

The heavy door opened, and a young woman in a soft pink dress stepped gracefully inside.

“Did you call for me, Father?”

“Yes, Charlotte. His Grace the Grand Duke of Lernando has come to visit. It would be proper for you to greet him.”

Charlotte Langham smiled gently and approached the two men.

“Your Grace.”

She lifted the hem of her dress and curtsied gracefully.

Yuri, who had risen the moment she entered, placed a hand lightly over his chest and bowed his head in return.

“It has been a while, Lady Langham.”

As their eyes met, something like a ripple passed between them.

Charlotte appeared slightly flustered.

Yuri, however, wore a smile more tender than usual.

It was a smile that might well have been meant for a beloved woman.