Hestia looked at Sylvester, who was about the same height as her.
‘Why is the emperor paying attention to me…?’
She had a bad feeling, similar to when she got involved with Winston not long after returning to the past.
“How is Lord Winston’s health?”
“He still has a fever, Your Majesty, but he’s recovering well. In fact, he’s eager to get better quickly so he can play with my siblings.”
“That’s a relief. When the imperial physician reported his condition, I was very worried.”
Hestia found it strange that Sylvester looked genuinely relieved.
“Did he say anything about me?”
“He said he was able to return safely thanks to Your Majesty. He mentioned that he happened to meet you when he sprained his ankle.”
“That’s right. If that’s what he said, then that’s enough.”
Sylvester seemed oddly pleased.
Had something happened between them?
‘I asked him, but he didn’t say anything special…’
“Lord Winston seems to like you a lot.”
Hestia was lost in thought, recalling her conversation with Leonhard, wondering if she had missed something important. But she quickly snapped out of it at Sylvester’s next words.
“When I spoke with Lord Winston yesterday, he kept praising you. Since you treat him well, it’s only natural that he likes you in return.”
“Ah…”
Hestia was momentarily speechless.
At first, she thought Sylvester was trying to gauge her relationship with Leonhard.
But the warm smile on his lips and his gentle gaze reminded her of Leonhard.
The pure eyes of a child. Even as emperor, Sylvester still had an untainted innocence.
“I’m honored that Lord Winston spoke so highly of me.”
Because of that, Hestia responded sincerely.
“How old are you, Lady Frost?”
“I’m eighteen. I became an adult this year.”
“I see… That’s only three years younger than me. Is it difficult for you to bear the heavy responsibility of being a guardian?”
“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t difficult, but I do my best every day. I can’t let the entire ducal house suffer because of me.”
“It seems you have great loyalty to the duchy. I know Winston spends time with the Frost family, but stepping up to take full responsibility isn’t something just anyone can do. How are you able to lead with such dedication?”
This was a question Hestia had never heard before. Most people only cared about whether she or Luciard would become the guardian, but no one had ever asked her why she worked so hard or understood her deep sense of duty.
Hestia had worked tirelessly to strengthen the family, deal with troublesome individuals, and care for Leonhard. But this wasn’t just about loyalty.
Sylvester knew that, so he asked her directly.
“I… received a lot of help from the late Duke.”
Hestia hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“My family, the Frosts, has grown a lot over the past ten years. This was possible because of my father’s hard work, but it was also because the Duke fully supported us.”
At one time, she had disliked the idea of getting closer to Winston because of that support. But looking back, she realized how foolish that was.
“Not only that, but the Duke was very fond of me as a child. I still remember it like it was yesterday.”
At first, it was the same as before. But after she improved his relationship with Luciard, the Duke grew even more affectionate toward her.
Of course, the collaboration between their families had also benefited the Duke’s household. But even putting that aside, Icarus had shown her great kindness.
‘He was one of the few people who accepted me as I was, despite knowing I was born as a commoner.’
Growing up, Hestia had met many people, particularly nobles who subtly looked down on her because of her birth. It was hard to avoid their judgment, and it always left a bitter feeling. She couldn’t change her birth, no matter how much she worked for it.
But she didn’t resent her mother, Anna, or her biological father.
It was just a regret she had sometimes, she wished she had a drop of noble blood like her younger siblings. Just a little.
Because of her birth, she had been powerless against the branch family elders before her return. She had been unable to inherit the house or become Elvin’s guardian when he was too young to lead.
But Icarus had always treated her as she was, from their first meeting to their last.
Not only her, but her entire family.
And he had made sure that her origins would never become a problem in the future.
He had given so much to a mere child from a branch family.
Only after losing them and stepping into a guardian’s role—briefly standing where Icarus once stood—did she finally realize everything he had done for her and her family.
“The Duke gave me so much. I must return at least as much as I can, if not more, to his son.”
While protecting Leonhard as his guardian was partly to prevent a dark future, it was also to repay the kindness she had received from Icarus.
“Compared to all I have received, this is nothing.”
Sylvester’s eyes flickered for a brief moment.
‘She’s dazzling.’
Leonhard had praised Hestia so much that Sylvester had grown curious about her.
“I can see why he trusts you so much.”
Hestia tilted her head slightly at the cryptic remark, but just then, the music ended.
“If you have time, shall we talk for a while? As the guardian of the ducal house, you deserve to be part of the conversation.”
Sylvester extended his hand again—not for a dance this time, but for something else.
Following his gaze, Hestia saw the empire’s key nobles gathered in discussion. She swallowed nervously.
“It would be an honor, Your Majesty.”
She wouldn’t let such an opportunity slip away.
“The current international situation is becoming unstable.”
“With the civil war in the Novelli Kingdom, that’s to be expected.”
“The war has created a refugee crisis in neighboring countries.”
“Refugee camps have limits, and we can’t just accept foreign nationals so easily.”
“There are signs that these refugees may start flooding into our empire.”
“It would be better if they fled to another kingdom.”
“But opposition from the citizens of those kingdoms is too strong, leaving the refugees with nowhere to go.”
“If they keep moving, they may eventually reach our borders.”
“Even if it’s not certain yet, we should prepare in advance.”
A group of influential political figures were gathered away from the party, and engaged in heated discussion.
Acid listened for a moment before speaking.
“It would be impossible to accept all the refugees. They are not our citizens.”
“Indeed. Accepting them could create numerous problems.”
“We lack the space to house them, and even if we took them in, who would bear the burden?”
Most agreed, but one man spoke up in dissent.
“We can’t simply ignore those who have nowhere else to go.”
It was Count Kenneth Oklin.
Though over sixty, he was still a powerful figure in politics and a trusted advisor to the emperor.
“By the time they reach our borders, they’ll be exhausted and desperate. If we reject them, they may turn to banditry, harming our own citizens. That would be a bigger problem.”
“If that happens, we can just send knights to deal with them.”
“That would only be a temporary solution. The real answer is to prevent that situation in the first place. If we take them in now, we can later hold the Novelli Kingdom accountable once the war ends and a new government is established.”
“That makes sense, but who knows when the war will end?”
“And what if they refuse to return home and settle here instead?”
As the nobles debated fiercely, Acid remained silent, observing.
Then, a youthful voice interrupted.
“Are you all holding a meeting even during a party?”
The nobles and the Grand Duke all rose to their feet.
“Your Majesty.”
“Sit down, everyone. What were you discussing?”
“The recent refugee issue, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, that matter.”
“Yes, but… who is this young lady?”
“She’s Lady Hestia Frost. I believe most of you have heard of her.”
When Sylvester stepped aside, Hestia found herself under the scrutiny of the empire’s most powerful nobles.
“I am Hestia Frost. It is an honor to meet the great leaders of the empire.”
Some recognized her from her association with Derrick, while others had only heard her name in passing.
“Well, continue your discussion.”
“But, Your Majesty…”
Some nobles shot Hestia disapproving looks as if questioning why she was present in a political discussion.
“She may be young, but she is Winston’s guardian. I believe that qualifies her to be here.”
The hostile gazes softened slightly, though not entirely. Hestia gave a deep smile.
“Are you referring to the Novelli Kingdom refugees?”
The nobles, who had initially dismissed her, widened their eyes in surprise.
“How do you know about that…?”
“I have been keeping track of global affairs, so I know that the ongoing civil war has caused a surge in refugees.”
Most young nobles of her age wouldn’t be aware of such matters, so everyone was surprised by how much she knew.
“Yes, the kingdom is quite far from us, so no refugees have arrived in our empire yet. However, it is expected that a large number will come soon.”
Hestia turned to the person who readily responded to her words, and for a moment, her expression wavered.
“We were discussing how to handle the refugees if they arrive in our empire. Since you seem well-informed, I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.”
‘…Count Oklin.’
Kenneth Oklin. Hestia knew him very well.
Because before her regression, she had served him for a full seven years.
And not just as any maid—she had been his personal attendant.
‘He looks so healthy now.’
When Hestia first started serving Kenneth, he had suffered a severe leg injury and had to use a wheelchair.
Though he could walk, his age and declining stamina prevented him from standing for long periods.
But beyond his physical condition, the real issue was…
“Lady Frost, is my question too difficult for you?”
Hestia, who had been lost in old memories, looked at Kenneth, whose voice was now cold and firm.
She had only known him as a weary man resigned to his fate in a wheelchair, so seeing him standing strong made her feel unexpectedly emotional.
She took a deep breath, calming herself, before replying.
“My apologies, Count. I was lost in thought for a moment. If it’s alright, could you summarize what has been discussed so far?”
Kenneth, seemingly displeased, cleared his throat before briefly summarizing the conversation.
“Now then, Lady Frost, what are your thoughts?”
“I agree with Count Oklin. Avoiding the issue by refusing to accept the refugees will not make it disappear.”
“Oh?”
Kenneth’s eyes gleamed with interest.
“She’s just a child—what could she possibly know?”
Some nobles who had opposed the idea looked at her with disapproval.
“Moreover,” Hestia continued, “the refugees have already arrived in the empire.”
At her words, everyone turned to her in shock.
