episode_0014

Darkening hours.

Joy is nowhere to be seen.

So she went to the garden where Joy usually takes a walk.

Looking far away, my younger sister Joy and… Devian?

I watch the two from a distance.

– Sigh…

His relaxed smile and…

[But… I only made a personal request to those who have been closely associated with our family for a long time.]

Devian, who easily contemplates criminal acts, comes to mind.

And…

[That won’t happen. I will win.]

The Grand Duke who said so.

It’s clear that he’s crazy.

The Imperial Army of the Emperor’s faction is marching towards this place.

But Devian, who guarantees that he can win against such an Imperial faction.

I don’t like the fact that such a crazy Grand Duke is talking to my lovely younger sister.

As they talk, Joy quickly comes towards me.

“What were you two doing?”

Even my tone of voice becomes cold.

I never thought I would speak so coldly to my sister after losing my father, brother, and younger brother…

Joy’s eyes drop at my words…

“Uh… I was just taking a walk… and I met the Grand Duke…”

At her words, I sigh.

“Ugh… then just leave that place… do you know what kind of person he is…”

My kind sister thinks positively of Devian.

Because she was the late daughter my father had obtained…

She was raised like a precious gem.

Maybe because she was shown only good and beautiful things.

I can’t believe she thinks well of that wicked Grand Duke.

He avenged our family… and helped to bury the bodies of the family members who were cruelly displayed in the city square.

Well… Devian did well in that part…

But maybe he did it to plunder this Empire.

So he probably wants to marry me by force.

I’ve never thought about a strategic marriage in my life.

Because my father promised to wait until Joy and I found someone we loved…

But whether she knows my thoughts or not, Joy timidly speaks up.

“But… he doesn’t seem like such a bad person…”

My innocent younger sister Joy.

Right now, she seems unaware of what that sinister Devian is planning.

“Joy… the Grand Duke Devian is only trying to plunder the Empire.”

Joy thinks that Devian is a kind and innocent man, but I felt it while talking to him.

His strong ambition…

The day I went to confront him after the recent Supreme Court ruling.

Thinking about that man who smiled as if he didn’t know anything naturally makes my face frown.

“Sis!, did you hear that song?”

I answer Joy’s question indifferently.

“What song?”

Joy’s eyes light up as she speaks.

“I heard it from the maids recently. Apparently, the song of Duke Devian is trending in Roman right now.”

I become curious about the unfamiliar sound.

“What kind of song is it?”

“Well, I only heard it once so it’s hard to sing. Duke Devian apparently killed a Balor for you…”

At the nonsensical words, my forehead involuntarily furrows.

“Who… dares to sing such a song?!”

“Oops!”

Joy seems surprised by my tone.

“Why… why are you… so scary right now… I’m really scared…”

I glare at Joy for a moment before sighing.

“Ugh…”

Well… what does she know…

She probably just overestimates Devian, the Imperial citizen who killed a Balor… soon everyone will see Devian’s true colors.

“Joy, my lovely little sister… please don’t say such chilling things in the future, okay?”

Joy nods vigorously in response to my words.

“Okay… I won’t…”

If… that song is true… I feel like chills will run down my spine.

That despicable Grand Duke liking himself… how chilling is that?

And so, I head to the restaurant with Joy.

Walking with Joy like that for a few days.

Agrifa hands me a few sheets of paper and says, “This is the final reinforcement agreement with the Imperial Faction.”

Taking the paper, I read through it silently.

“Well… this should be enough.”

In a clear disadvantageous situation, we have fulfilled all the necessary conditions, so it is certain that we have done well.

I was worried that they might ask for more since they wanted Princess Joy, but fortunately, the agreement went as expected, aside from that.

Princess Joy is currently engaged to the son of King Johannes, and the wedding is set for two years later. It was agreed to take place once Princess Joy becomes an adult.

Originally, they strongly demanded to take her immediately, but I managed to delay it as much as possible by making excuses about the Empress Mother being greatly disappointed… Thankfully, I bought us two years.

Phew… I’m lucky to have Agrifa on my side… really…

If he wasn’t there, I might have collapsed from exhaustion if I had to handle the negotiations myself.

Not a joke, really…

Thanks to Agrifa, I was able to plan out the events after the ceasefire in detail.

“Don’t be so modest. It was tough to reject the request for the appointment of Minister Roman. The Grand Duke doesn’t know.”

-Tsk.

“What? They requested that too? Trying to encroach on the Emperor’s exclusive authority?”

Ironically, the Imperial Faction was trying to encroach on the Emperor’s power…

I might not be in a position to criticize them for blatantly encroaching.

“Did they tell me to come?”

Agrifa shakes his head in response to my question.

“Let me advise you once again… there’s no need for you to go. It might be a trap…”

Interrupting Agrifa, I speak up.

“No, I’ll go.”

“Your Highness…”

Agrifa looks worried.

The reason he’s so worried is about the location of the meeting with the Imperial Faction.

In the end, we have to sign the reinforcement agreement, and usually, someone from my side would go and that would be the end of it. But the Imperial Faction suggested that I should visit their camp and sign the agreement in person.

If I were to visit their camp. If they have ulterior motives, I would have a hard time surviving.

Well, I could refuse…

If I refuse, they might demand something else, so I expressed my willingness to go.

And I don’t think their request is unreasonable.

After all, if I and Teodora are getting married, the Imperial Faction will have to come to Rome without any weapons to congratulate us on our marriage.

In that case, it’s a different situation. I decided to go willingly.

“If a man in his early twenties pretends to know nothing but love, should I be a bit more lenient?”

Agrifa shakes his head in response to my words.

“Now is not the time to be so calm, is it? Your Highness… If something happens…”

Knowing what Agrifa is about to say, I speak up.

“If something happens to me… take care of Mary… and take this.”

I hand Agrifa an envelope.

Inside, a seal is engraved with the crossed flags of the Lyon family and the flag of the Principality of Francesco in red wax.

It’s a seal that only the Grand Duke can use.

In other words, it can be considered my will.

“It contains my intention to appoint you as the new Duke of Lyon if I die, and to give you command over all the armies in Rome.”

If I die, everyone will probably fight to take my place, so I left this letter in advance.

If I die… Agrifa, who is not a noble, will surely be ignored here.

Nobles don’t like to share power with commoners.

That’s why I prepared in case Agrifa, a commoner, would be at a disadvantage if I die.

But Agrifa accepts the envelope, smiles, and…

-Rip! Tosses it away.

“Thinking about preparing for this, thinking about coming back alive. If the Emperor doesn’t return, I might die from overwork.”

I chuckle at his words.

“Alright, I’ll try my best to come back alive.”

-Knock knock!

[Your Highness, we’re ready.]

As it’s time to head to the Imperial Faction’s camp…

“Well then, I’ll be off. And if things don’t go well… please take care of Mary.”

Agrifa nods slightly at my words.

With that, he leaves my chambers.

I walk along the long corridor towards the main gate.

Knights mounted on horses and a white horse with no one riding it in sight stand before me.

Approaching the white horse, I speak.

“Shall we ride, Basilus, after a long time?”

And so, I mount Basilus and head towards the meeting place.

***

“Oh really? Devian has left the palace?”

Ipah nods in response.

“Yes… I don’t know the details, but he hastily gathered ten knights and left the palace.”

It’s unsettling to hear that Devian, who always stayed confined to his office, led knights outside.

Why did he leave?

“The reason?”

“Well… I’m not sure, but he said he’ll be back in a few days.”

I recall hearing reports that the Imperial Faction’s army was located a few days away from Rome.

Could it be… that he fled? Where to?

I heard that the Imperial Faction’s army is heading towards the Grand Duchy.

So… there shouldn’t be anywhere to flee to, right?

As I ponder this, I become convinced that he didn’t flee.

What on earth… is going on? Where did he go?

The war is about to begin soon.

It won’t be easy for him to return to Rome in such a situation, right?

But why…? Why would he risk leaving his post for days in this situation?

“Then… who is the acting representative of the Grand Duke now?”

Ipah touches his chin with his finger, pondering before answering.

“I believe it’s a person named Agrifa.”

Agrifa?

I remember now. He’s known as Devian’s right-hand man and the current heir to the Grand Duchy.

“Hmm…”

It’s strange… to leave his post at such a critical moment.

There’s definitely something off about this behavior.

There’s something… something…

But I can’t guess what it is.

For now… I’ll have to wait and see.

There’s nothing I can do right now.

“Ipah… could you look into this a bit more, despite the difficulties?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

With that, Ipah leaves the room.

Something is definitely happening.