Time within the bustling imperial palace once again rushed forward, until at last it was the night only hours before the Emperor and Empress were to depart on their long continental inspection.

Determined to review even one more matter before leaving, Ahazan remained seated in his office late into the night, attending to state affairs. At the faint sound of the door opening, he merely lifted his gaze slightly.

“I knew you would be like this.”

The one who addressed him so casually, in that characteristically gentle voice, was Ashton Haimos.

As though the visit were of no particular consequence, Ahazan continued working and replied,

“If you knew, what did you come here for?”

“Is there anything more entertaining than watching someone sit around busily working with nothing better to do?”

With exaggerated ease, Ashton sank into a plush chair and picked up the glass of liquor resting on the side table. He inhaled its aroma once before tipping it back and taking a sip only to immediately knit his brows.

“The liquor you drink is remarkably strong.”

Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, Ashton fell silent.

Ahazan did not press him about his purpose. For a while, the two men simply remained quiet, each organizing their thoughts in silence.

It was Ashton who broke the stillness first.

“Do you regret your decision?”

Without lifting his head from the parchment he was writing upon, Ahazan raised only his eyes to look at him.

“Not in the slightest.”

After answering, he paused briefly, absently brushing his pen as his gaze drifted elsewhere. Then he countered,

“What about you? Do you regret accepting my proposal?”

Despite being the first to speak of regret, Ashton met Ahazan’s eyes without wavering.

“Not at all.”

Ahazan gave a faint smirk, as though he had expected nothing less, and resumed writing upon the leather parchment.

The tension that had briefly passed between them dissipated cleanly. When they spoke again, their voices carried a lighter tone.

“It will not be long before you hear yourself called Emperor in this palace.”

“As long as it will take before you hear yourself called Prime Minister.”

“That is, of course, only if our undertaking succeeds.”

“Why not curse it to fail entirely?”

“What are you saying? I, too, have reasons I must see this through.”

At that unexpected turn, Ahazan finally looked up with open interest.

Ashton continued.

“You were right. It appears Prince Yuri intends to make Lady Langham his Grand Duchess.”

“It was inevitable. Yuri requires the power of Marquis Silvanian of Langham to counterbalance Clodine’s house and its faction.”

“Which is precisely why I cannot tolerate it. How dare he attempt to turn her into a pawn in political strife.”

Though Ashton was rarely one to display emotion, his voice lowered as though he were restraining anger.

After Ahazan had broken off his engagement with Clodine and named Charlotte as his intended fiancée, it had been largely because, had he not stepped forward, Yuri, who had reached marriageable age, would almost certainly have pursued her. Seeing how quickly Yuri extended his hand toward Charlotte the moment the imperial engagement dissolved, it seemed their prediction had not been wrong.

Ahazan briefly imagined what it would be like if the woman being used by Yuri in such a manner were Clodine.

The mere thought made his blood run hot.

Touching his brow with his fingertips, he spoke with faint regret.

“That fellow is riding a carriage hurtling downhill at full speed. There is no driver who knows the proper road, nor reins capable of stopping the horses. We cannot even know how many have climbed aboard.”

“Do you believe Marquis Silvanian will climb into that carriage?”

More precisely, what Ashton wished to know was whether the Marquis’s decision to board Yuri’s carriage would mean that Charlotte Langham the woman he loved would be forced aboard with him.

Ahazan shook his head lightly. The gesture carried dual meaning.

Ashton’s gaze sharpened, pressing for clarity.

“It is impossible to say. The Marquis is like a bat. He will weigh both sides until the very last moment.”

Seeing Ashton’s expression dim at the unsatisfactory answer, Ahazan added with a faint smirk,

“So even a man like you—who seems to possess several lives when standing before a lady becomes a coward.”

“She is not merely any lady.”

Ashton did not smile this time.

“She is the only woman I have loved deeply for a very long time. Lady Langham is that woman.”

Ahazan listened quietly before reassuring him, the hint of a smile still playing on his lips.

“The Marquis will not so easily stand at Yuri’s side. That much I can guarantee. And our undertaking will succeed. In the end, the Marquis will wish to see his daughter become the wife of the Empire’s first Prime Minister you.”

Ahazan was planning to restructure the Empire into a parliamentary cabinet system centered around a capable Prime Minister.

The imperial authority hereditarily passed down through the royal bloodline would be extinguished forever in his generation.

That was the first and most crucial threshold the new Empire he envisioned would need to cross.

Though countless kingdoms had been absorbed into the Empire through prolonged war, in truth, only its territory had expanded. In essence, they had never truly become one.

Unless the old system was abandoned without hesitation and unless they joined hands to write the history of a new Empire together a secure future could never be expected.

This long continental inspection would begin with the Emperor and Empress personally visiting the new settlements of the kingdoms that had lost both war and territory, restoring relations from the very foundation.

The next task would be to speak candidly of the imperial household’s plans to the leading figures of each kingdom and oversee the selection of parliamentary representatives. How to persuade kingdoms that harbored deep resentment and lingering hostility toward the Empire and the imperial family and bring them to participate in the plan was now entirely the burden the imperial house must contemplate and bear.

If their undertaking succeeded, and Ashton Haimos, whom Ahazan had already chosen as the Empire’s first Prime Minister, ascended securely to the position, then the rotten shoots plotting treason under Yuri’s leadership would be cut down one after another of their own accord.

“I will remain here in the palace and keep Prince Yuri’s faction in check alongside Count Helario Ramier. So do not worry too much about this place. Fortunately, as planned, Her Majesty granted me permission to remain in the Empire before Prince Yuri’s very eyes. Merely lingering within his sight will not arouse suspicion.”

Ashton spoke with steady assurance.

Only those unaware of what a perceptive strategist he truly was would question what he, a mere guest, could accomplish against an imperial prince. Anyone who understood how heavily the Emperor of the Harrison Empire relied upon Ashton in political matters would never dare underestimate him.

Ashton Haimos possessed an exceptional eye for people, excelled at drawing talent to his side, and had rebuilt his fallen house through his own strength. And now, behind him stood Count Helario Ramier the Emperor’s father-in-law and the most powerful figure within the Empire.

Thus, as Ashton urged, Ahazan would be able to focus solely on the continental inspection for the time being, without concern for the capital.

“Travel safely, my friend. Take great care of yourself.”

At last, Ashton offered the generous smile he so often wore. Ahazan returned it with a gentle one of his own.

“Win Charlotte Langham’s heart with diligence. Unless you wish to become shameless like me and force an unwanted marriage upon a lady.”

“So you do know you are shameless.”

Ahazan let out a quiet laugh at the teasing remark, and Ashton joined him in open laughter.

Thus passed their final night in the capital.

***

The imperial procession accompanied by countless soldiers was as magnificent as the departure for war ten years prior.

Though it seemed cumbersome for a prolonged tour across the continent, the Emperor was personally visiting defeated kingdoms. Displaying the Empire’s might could not be neglected.

And for Ahazan, as long as Clodine accompanied the journey, he had no intention whatsoever of sparing manpower when it came to her safety.

“I heard your luggage is far lighter than expected. Nothing compares to the quality of goods found in the capital. Even now, it may not be too late to bring a few more spare items.”

As he spoke, Ahazan personally adjusted the outer garment draped over Clodine’s shoulders, fussing over her as though she were a child.

Considering that his own luggage was hardly excessive, Clodine could not help but suppress a laugh.

“I have packed generously, focusing only on what is truly necessary. If the luggage grows too heavy, it is our attendants who will suffer.”

Because many eyes were upon them, Clodine had allowed him to continue. But when he moved to retie the loose strap of her leather shoe, she swiftly stepped back.

Immediately realizing how it might appear, she quickly spoke in a gentle voice.

“You must leave some duties for my attendants, Your Majesty.”

Straightening from where he had bent down, Ahazan smiled at her, an expression laced with mischief that only Clodine could detect.

A faint sense of foreboding stirred within her.

“My thoughts were short-sighted, my wife.”

As expected, he then gently brushed the hair by her temple and ear in full view of everyone.

“Without realizing it, I suppose I grew excited, feeling as though this were a journey I take with you alone.”

While the ministers stood aghast at the sight of their Emperor transformed into a devoted husband—

Clodine maintained a perfectly serene smile and murmured quietly through her teeth,

“Would you please stop now…?”

Finding her reaction amusing, Ahazan laughed softly and firmly clasped her small white hand.

“Shall we depart, my wife?”

At his tender invitation, Clodine swallowed a sigh. Yet her reply carried no trace of displeasure.

“Very well.”

They had agreed beforehand to ride on horseback until they passed beyond the imperial city. Lightly, they mounted the magnificent steeds prepared for each of them.

A great trumpet sounded, its resonance shaking both heaven and earth, announcing the beginning of the imperial procession.

At last, the history of a new Empire began.