Chapter 10. Home

Colorful flags fluttered under the high sky.

The red rose, the symbol of the Ainsler family and the Valter royal family, was flapping vigorously at the very center. One could immediately recognize who the leader of this faction was and for whom they had gathered.

And right next to it, a blue rose was fluttering together. It was the emblem of the Bloom family, like a twin to the royal family but with a different color.

Tatiana had some doubts about whether it was appropriate for her family’s flag to flutter together in this place.

She still used her family name in the middle of her name, but her parents had no relatives, and there was not a single member left in the Bloom family except for her.

However, before leaving the principality, Princess Scarlet had earnestly requested,

‘Sister-in-law. In the memory of the subjects, the blue rose is practically a guardian who led the war to victory.’

‘……’

‘It absolutely has to be there when we enter the city!’

This isn’t the time to be modest. Listen to your sister.

Tatiana knew that it would be difficult to find someone more competent than the princess in this area. It’s best to heed the words of an authority.

As a result, a low-ranking soldier ended up carrying the Bloom family flag, and the assassins gathered around it in small groups.

Tatiana looked at the red and blue roses with inner excitement, then carefully observed the other flags that followed.

A pointed spire and a thick book symbolized the Magic Tower. There were also flags of the principality, the Northern Army, the Central Army, and the Fullman Knight Order that had arrived last night. In fact, there were too many to count. This was because nobles who had joined the First Prince’s faction were subtly flaunting their presence by putting their flags forward.

They weren’t doing such childish things just to insert their family name into a line of history. There was a much greater sense of crisis that if they missed out here, they might be pushed out of central politics from tomorrow.

Tatiana realized that their journey since leaving the capital had been a journey to gather this support. To put it bluntly, there was also a purpose of collecting flags.

However, there was one flag that neither Tatiana nor even Gideon had anticipated.

“I never called for the Western Army……”

Gideon looked at the Western Army Commander with suspicious, almost cold eyes.

Tatiana fidgeted beside him and quietly wrapped her arms around Gideon’s waist. Then she… slightly pinched his side.

We’re certainly not outnumbered, and we don’t need more troops, but is there any need to turn away someone who has brought soldiers? Isn’t it true that the more, the better?

Tatiana looked at the Western Army Commander with an awkward smile.

‘My husband is a bit lacking in social skills. His words can sometimes be harsh.’

But that’s generally all sincere? Didn’t you know?

Gideon looked down at his wife who was sticking close to him and fidgeting, and muttered,

“Violence……”

Tatiana quickly removed her fingers while whispering as if it absolutely wasn’t true,

“How is this violence?”

Her fingers couldn’t even properly sink into his skin because of his muscles.

“Then are you tickling me now?”

Or is this a lion’s affection?

Gideon kept chuckling. It was because he found it both lovely and somewhat touching that she was worried about him losing the respect of his subordinates.

Gideon stroked Tatiana’s shoulder to indicate that she didn’t need to worry. Then he questioned the Western Army Commander again.

“What about the border? There was a conflict there recently.”

“The border is secure. After Your Highness left the capital, the royal reporting system was paralyzed, so I couldn’t report separately, but the pirates have been completely eradicated, including the remnants.”

“Hmm.”

The Western Army Commander carefully added while watching Gideon’s reaction,

“The main forces and the navy are on standby at the border, and I’ve only brought selected elites. I want to contribute to the glory of the Valter royal family.”

In the end, the Western Army Commander had also come to wave his flag.

Tatiana nodded as she belatedly learned the inside story of why they hadn’t sent official documents to the Western and Southern Armies, which she had found strange.

At this point, there was one person who seemed pitiful. The Southern Army Commander, who alone was missing from this gathering and would be anxious.

Tatiana thought she should subtly tell him when she met him later. That her husband might have a good memory, but he was absolutely not the petty type.

He was even less likely to blame someone for something he hadn’t ordered. In fact, his subordinates would probably know this well.

Leaving them to continue their complicated discussions, she quietly slipped away. Then, after wandering around various parts of the camp, she walked all the way to the front of the front line and plopped down on the dirt.

Before her stood the Valter royal palace, boasting a history of several hundred years. It was also Gideon and Tatiana’s newlywed home.

However, despite several written warnings, the firmly closed castle gate showed no signs of opening.

With this air of impending battle, the standoff between the two sides had already lasted for several hours.

After staring intently at that gate for a while, Tatiana said,

“Open, yap.”

When the princess consort suddenly appeared and sat down, a soldier who had been paying attention to that area couldn’t help but laugh. Her battle cry was too cute. It was almost bland for a lion’s roar.

Tatiana looked up blankly in the direction of the laughter.

The soldier whose eyes met hers belatedly felt apologetic and bowed his head, and she smiled brightly as if it was fine. It was an innocent-looking smile.

However, behind that kind-looking face, she was currently thinking quite frightening thoughts.

‘How can I smash that gate?’

There were various methods.

There were several catapults brought by the Central Army.

If soldiers carried wooden pillars and pushed blindly, even the sturdiest gate couldn’t withstand forever.

But she wanted something much more intense than this. A scene that would be imprinted in the memory of soldiers and capital subjects for a long time and be talked about for generations.

It was while Tatiana was deeply absorbed in such thoughts. At some point, Gideon approached behind her.

Sensing his presence, she just stared blankly at Gideon. Then, as if she had made some decision, she suddenly opened her mouth.

“Honey?”

This form of address is always followed by impudent words and situations.

Gideon smiled while touching the corner of his eye, having no idea what she was about to say.

“What is it now?”

But Tatiana hesitated even after calling him. This was difficult for her to bring up. She wasn’t entirely confident whether she could handle the consequences.

However, there was no point in worrying alone, and only her husband could exchange opinions and ask for approval.

In fact, Gideon was someone who would not only listen seriously when she asked but would also calculate the feasibility and more.

She carefully continued,

“Would it be okay if I destroyed that castle gate……”

Tatiana trailed off and glanced up at him, and Gideon swallowed his laughter while wiping his face with his palm several times. His expression said he couldn’t help her.

However, her plan was timely in many ways. This would be an ultimatum to the Queen.

It was also necessary for the smooth entry of Gideon’s soldiers.

Above all, inside the castle were forces that had been communicating and collaborating with Gideon. When the gate opened, they would lead the surrendering soldiers and escape together. Breaking down the gate was practically the same as opening a path for them.

Nevertheless, the reason Gideon chuckled at this timely proposal was because he detected something in the nuance of her words.

Just how dramatically was she planning to destroy it to be checking his reaction like this?

“How much of it are you planning to destroy?”

Tatiana just smiled with her eyes downcast as if embarrassed. It meant she intended to blow it away without a trace.

Gideon had no intention of stopping her. He was just curious why she was being so hesitant.

“What are you worried about?”

“Are you going to make me pay for it later……”

Gideon, who had been barely suppressing his laughter, finally laughed with a “ha?” In truth, he was holding back the urge to sob.

“Would I really try to collect such money from my wife?”

“I don’t think you would, but just to check…… That would be difficult to put a price on……”

There would certainly be historical value attached to that gate. In some ways, it could be considered the pride of the Valter royal family.