* * *
“……Therefore, we humbly request that the Empire shows us mercy and generosity,” concluded the Crown Princess of Bellot after a lengthy plea.
‘She sure has a knack for dragging out a simple request to reduce reparations.’
“I’ll consider it,” Edwin replied, suppressing the urge to make a sarcastic remark, trying to maintain a gentle demeanor.
After all, the last thing he wanted was another war after finally achieving peace.
‘Now, please, just leave.’
Seizing the pause in her speech, Edwin signaled to the attendant to open the doors of the audience chamber.
“Then, I hope you’ll consider it favorably…”
Before she could prolong her speech again, Edwin cut her off with a forced smile and a nod.
The Crown Princess’s face, which had been gloomy due to the dire state of her kingdom, lightened slightly with hope.
‘She’s free to hope as much as she likes.’
Finally, it seemed like the clinging Crown Princess was ready to leave.
“Well then, you must still be tired from your journey. Please, take your rest now.”
Even though it had been a week since her arrival in the Empire, Edwin firmly issued his parting words.
Successfully, he managed to send off the Crown Princess, who had overstayed her welcome far beyond the allotted time for the audience.
“So oblivious.”
As soon as the doors closed behind her, Edwin’s voice leaked out in an annoyed grumble.
The Kingdom of Bellot was part of the alliance that had waged war against the Empire for eight years.
Bellot had been particularly tenacious, using its geographical advantage to cling on until the very end. The current Crown Princess had played a significant role in persuading her ministers to surrender in exchange for the safety of the royal family and the preservation of the kingdom.
‘Conquering it would be a nightmare with all those high-level monsters and the massive mountain range separating it from the Empire.’
But he couldn’t simply leave Bellot’s royal family, most of whom were staunchly anti-Empire, in place either.
He wasn’t the type to keep a dagger-wielding enemy behind his back.
As a compromise, they had installed a pro-Empire ruler by elevating a princess far down the line of succession to the position of Crown Princess.
‘If only we didn’t have to back her until she was firmly established on the throne.’
Edwin clicked his tongue quietly.
Then, his eyes caught the clock on the wall. This wasn’t the time to be dwelling on such things.
“Bring me a change of clothes, immediately.”
After a moment of frustration, Edwin issued a command to his attendant.
The attendant quickly brought in a rack filled with inconspicuous outfits suitable for covert operations.
Edwin selected a set of clothes and changed swiftly before heading out of the palace.
His destination was, of course, Carolina Diaz.
When he arrived near the exhibition hall where they were supposed to meet, he saw that Rina had already arrived and was waiting for him.
“Miss Diaz.”
Edwin quickly approached her.
“You’ve arrived?”
Rina greeted him with a smile, not questioning his tardiness.
But Edwin, feeling restless, offered an explanation.
“The meeting ran a bit late.”
As soon as Edwin finished speaking, Rina sighed.
‘Is she upset because she waited too long?’
Fortunately or unfortunately, her sigh wasn’t directed at him.
“I’ve heard the palace works people too hard.”
‘Or is it?’
While Edwin was grappling with his confusion, Rina looked at him with a mix of sympathy and understanding, reflecting the hardships of working life.
“You did well. There’s still plenty of time before the exhibition ends, so if we hurry, we can see everything.”
Rina lightly patted his arm, encouraging him to stay strong.
With a mix of consolation and encouragement, Edwin entered the exhibition hall with Rina.
It seemed Kyle’s research had hit the mark—Rina was in her element, exploring the exhibition hall with enthusiasm.
“Lord Roxas, look at that! It’s parchment they used to make scrolls in ancient times. Isn’t it fascinating?”
“Fascinating.”
Edwin responded instinctively, captivated by the sparkle in Rina’s violet eyes.
Despite his nonchalant answer, Rina was delighted.
“I didn’t know you were interested in ancient history too, Lord Roxas. It seems we have similar tastes.”
“It seems so.”
In truth, Edwin had little interest in ancient artifacts.
Even as a child attending the Imperial Academy, he had never been fond of history-related classes.
What intrigued him was not the half-decayed pieces of parchment or broken quills but the way Rina, like a curious puppy seeing snow for the first time, found them so amusing.
‘She’s so endearingly silly and adorable.’
While Rina admired the ancient relics, Edwin admired Rina.
After circling the exhibition twice, Rina’s cheeks were flushed.
As they exited the exhibition hall, Edwin gently fanned her with his hand.
The cool breeze touched Rina’s cheeks, causing her to lower her gaze slightly, like a butterfly with silver wings resting on a violet.
Edwin felt the warmth from Rina’s cheeks transferring to him and quickly stopped fanning, stepping back slightly.
“Thank you, Lord Roxas.”
Rina smiled softly as the breeze that had tickled her cheeks disappeared.
This time, Rina took her turn to fan Edwin.
“It was a bit warm inside, wasn’t it?”
Her small, pale hand fluttered in front of him.
“It was, indeed.”
Edwin felt warmer here than inside the exhibition hall.
Even the breeze brushing against his neck and jawline couldn’t cool the heat spreading through his body.
Unable to bear it any longer, Edwin gently grasped Rina’s hand.
Then, he flinched, surprised at what his hand had done without his mind’s approval.
Rina’s eyes widened slightly at the sudden contact but didn’t pull away.
Edwin, too, was cautious, worried that his palm might be too damp from nervousness.
Just before the tension between them could grow awkward, Rina spoke.
“Shall we go get something cool to drink? How about some fresh fruit juice?”
“Sounds good.”
Edwin responded almost before Rina finished her sentence.
Honestly, even if she had suggested going for Kyle’s coffee, he would have agreed.
“This way.”
Rina led the way to a shop selling fresh fruit juice, her small hand tugging him along.
They ordered the same juice and sat down as their drinks were served.
Rina took a big sip of her pomegranate juice and smiled contentedly, her eyes crinkling like a purring cat.
Edwin found himself smiling in return.
As she took another sip, the thick juice clung to her lips, and she licked them clean.
Edwin’s gaze fixated on her lips.
“Aren’t you going to drink? It’s really good.”
Sensing his stare, Rina tilted her head curiously.
“Of course.”
Edwin lifted the cold juice as if it were a scalding hot beverage and took a careful sip.
But the chilled drink did little to cool the heat burning inside him.
His eyes kept drifting back to one spot, and his vision grew hazy.
Noticing Edwin’s sudden silence, Rina asked,
“Lord Roxas, are you very tired? Should we head back early?”
Only now did she notice that Everett’s eyes were slightly bloodshot.
I reflected on whether I had been too excited on my own.
“No, not tired at all.”
Everett’s eyes, which had been slightly unfocused, sharpened again.
‘No need to push yourself.’
I offered to leave early several times, but Everett’s response remained consistent.
As he roughly ran his hand down his face, insisting he was fine, I could no longer press him.
Instead, I asked with concern,
“Is your workload heavy?”
Given his position as the Emperor’s aide, it was only natural for him to be busy.
Confiding in me wouldn’t lighten his load, but perhaps it might ease his mind a bit.
Everett chuckled.
“It’s overwhelming.”
Then he added, almost like a complaint,
“The paperwork was piled to the ceiling when I arrived at the palace.”
I couldn’t help but think that some of those papers might have had a bit of my responsibility in them.
I patted Everett’s hand in sympathy.
‘No wonder his eyes kept looking tired.’
Everett looked down at his hand and smiled.
He wasn’t one to talk much about work, so his complaint was brief.
Instead, he said mischievously, like a playful boy,
“I just want you to know how hard I worked to make time to see you, Miss Diaz. So stop trying to send me away.”
Despite the cheeky tone, his gaze gradually drifted away from me.
His cheeks flushed as if a spark had landed on white paper.
Like a playful boy who had grown into a shy young man.
Though I couldn’t see my face, I was sure it must look similar.
His gaze, which had been hovering around my earlobes, couldn’t bear it any longer and dropped to the floor.
‘This has to be a green light, right?’
I couldn’t help but fiddle with my fingers anxiously.
