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Chapter 13
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“So, Sir Richard, Luxen is your hometown—”
“I’ve heard that it snows often in Luxen. Judging by this weather, that must be true. By morning, the snow will probably be ankle-deep.”
“Yes. This winter has been especially harsh. Even for me, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen it snow every single day like this.”
“So, Rich—”
“Do you have any plans before the New Year’s ceremony?”
“No. I’ll probably spend the time resting and preparing to return to the capital.”
“Then, Ri—”
“Good. That’s a wise decision. Once you’re back, you’ll be busy again, so you should enjoy your free time while you can.”
The hand holding Iena’s knife trembled with irritation.
She was on the verge of exploding.
She had finally managed to get herself invited to dinner, but that damned Kalix kept cutting her off every single time she tried to speak.
She didn’t even need to guess why.
He was making sure she never had the chance to open her mouth.
He was obviously worried she’d blurt out something ridiculous again.
She wanted nothing more than to punch that smug face of his, but she forced herself to endure.
“Your Majesty, this is your first time visiting Luxen as well, isn’t it?”
Richard asked with a bright smile.
This is my chance.
Iena quickly nodded.
“Yes. It’s my first visit, and it’s such a beautiful pla—”
“By the way, Richard, if you need anything while preparing to leave, simply send Paul a letter—”
“Ah!”
A short cry suddenly escaped Kalix.
Richard shot to his feet in alarm.
“Your Majesty! Are you feeling unwell?”
Kalix only frowned in response.
Anyone looking at his expression would think the bones on the top of his foot had been crushed.
Because they practically had.
This wasn’t just a light step.
Iena had stomped on his foot with her full weight beneath the tablecloth.
“No… it’s nothing.”
“But…”
Enduring the throbbing pain, Kalix glared murderously at Iena.
She merely smiled sweetly back.
Not the slightest trace of guilt.
Nor any fear.
She simply continued speaking as quickly as a sparrow chirping.
“It’s my first time in Luxen, but I think it’s absolutely beautiful. I love it. The hot springs, the snowy scenery… Sir Richard, why are you standing?”
“Huh?”
“Is something wrong?”
“Oh… no.”
Richard sat back down.
“It’s just a shame we’re leaving tomorrow. I wish we had a little more time…”
“You can always visit again someday, Your Majesty.”
If I ever come back here, it’ll probably be to die.
Iena laughed awkwardly.
“What are Luxen’s most famous attractions?”
“The hot springs, of course. I see our Empress didn’t even know that.”
Kalix answered mockingly.
You lunatic. How was I supposed to know? I only arrived yesterday.
Iena cursed him internally.
“As His Majesty said, the hot springs are our greatest attraction,” Richard explained with his usual warm smile.
“But we’re also famous for ice fishing.”
“Ice fishing? I thought Luxen only had hot springs.”
“There are many hot springs, but deep in the northern mountains there’s a rather large lake. Since it’s surrounded by mountains and sits so far north, it freezes solid every winter. People used to fish there by drilling holes through the ice.”
“…I suppose the fish population must have grown considerably now that no one catches them anymore.”
“Yes.”
Richard sighed softly.
Kalix’s expression darkened as well.
“Ever since the bandits occupied the northern forest, no one has gone near the lake. It’s been several years.”
“I… see…”
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
This wasn’t what I meant to ask…
She’d apparently chosen the wrong topic.
“You’ve heard the news, haven’t you?” Kalix asked.
“The bandits were all found dead yesterday.”
“Yes. I heard about it immediately.”
“Who do you think did it?”
“I believe…”
Richard hesitated.
“…that agents from Triania were responsible.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
The mention of spies made Iena feel strangely guilty.
She remembered Kalix calling her an idiot earlier.
I really didn’t think that strange man was a spy.
People can make mistakes!
Besides, I already apologized.
Even so…
She decided it was wiser to stay quiet.
“The situation is becoming unsettling,” Kalix continued.
“Strange rumors are spreading. The war only ended a few days ago. If another one begins now, the consequences will be severe.”
“Yes.”
Richard nodded.
“I’ve been investigating everything that’s happened in Luxen over the past several months.”
“Did you discover anything?”
“Nothing significant. However, since the spies most likely crossed through the northern forest border, the military base has reinforced its garrison, and the lord has forbidden civilians from entering the forest.”
“What became of the private soldiers?”
Private soldiers?
That was new information.
Iena blinked.
“It seems the lord’s wife intended to help reinforce the base by requesting private troops from her family.”
Richard continued,
“As Your Majesty knows, Lady Karin’s family…”
“…Runs a mercenary business.”
“Yes. She sent word requesting assistance, but the very next morning…”
Richard’s face grew solemn.
“…the lord was found dead.”
“I met his family this morning.”
Kalix frowned.
“According to his son, they suspect poisoning.”
“That’s correct.”
“It seems the enemy’s intelligence network is far more capable than we expected.”
“Otherwise they couldn’t have acted so quickly.”
“…Although the lord died, Lady Karin still promised to send the troops.”
“Make sure the family receives compensation.”
Kalix’s voice became firm.
“And until you return to the capital, you’re responsible for looking after them.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
Iena silently chewed her steak.
An unpleasant feeling settled in her stomach.
No matter what happened…
The war was coming.
The New Year was only a week away.
That meant there were barely two months left.
Perhaps three at most.
And the war…
The very war everyone feared…
Would begin right here in Luxen.
Just as Kalix and Richard suspected, the bandits had indeed been killed by Trianian spies.
Little by little, more spies would cross the border.
Eventually, an army would invade Luxen.
Countless people would die.
Including…
…herself.
That was why she was trying to escape.
Whether she’d actually succeed was another matter.
But everyone else…
They wouldn’t even have the chance to run.
That thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“Your Majesty?”
Richard gently changed the subject after noticing her gloomy expression.
“Does the food not suit your taste?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Luxen is a cold region, so our meals tend to be rich and high in calories. If your stomach is empty, it might feel a little heavy.”
“I’m really fine.”
“This stew contains plenty of vegetables.”
Richard pushed the bowl toward her.
“It’ll probably be easier on your stomach.”
My goodness.
He’s handsome and considerate…
Completely different from the lunatic sitting next to me.
Iena looked genuinely touched.
“There’s no need to worry about her stomach.”
Kalix suddenly interrupted.
“The Empress has been overflowing with energy these past few days.”
He smirked.
“I’m fairly certain she could chew through rocks if she wanted.”
“…Excuse me?”
“The noble daughter of House Haiga seems to have completely lost her mi—”
Thud!
The table shook slightly.
Iena had kicked him again beneath it.
“Speaking of which,” Richard continued as though nothing had happened,
“Luxen has recently started selling fresh hot spring water.”
“Every morning, the first spring water collected is bottled and sold.”
“If you’d like, I could prepare a few bottles for your journey tomorrow.”
“That sounds nice, but…”
Iena hesitated.
“Or is there something else you need?”
She glanced sideways at Kalix.
I’d rather ask Richard alone…
But this idiot isn’t leaving his seat anytime soon.
I’ll have to ask while we’re all here.
Think… think…
“What the Empress needs most,” Kalix interrupted,
“is manners…
and the common sense she seems to have lost.”
“Unfortunately, neither of those can be bought.”
“…Pardon?”
“Oh, Your Majesty.”
Smack!
Iena slapped Kalix hard on the upper arm.
Richard’s eyes nearly popped out.
The Empress…
Just hit the Emperor…?
“Richard,” Iena asked,
“would it be possible to get a map of Luxen?”
“A map?”
Richard looked puzzled.
“This is my first trip here.”
She smiled naturally.
“I thought it would be nice to keep one as a souvenir.”
“That way, years from now, it’ll be easier to remember this place.”
It was an incredibly direct request.
Still…
Considering she’d invented the excuse on the spot, it wasn’t bad.
“Hah.”
Kalix scoffed.
“You can barely find your way around.”
“I’m not sure what use a map would be to you.”
Seriously…
I’m going to kill this man someday.
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Richard nodded warmly.
“I’ll bring you one tomorrow when I come to see you off.”
“Thank you.”
Iena beamed.
It was a smile completely different from the one she’d been giving Kalix.
“Oh, there’s actually one more gift.”
“For me?”
“For both Your Majesty and Her Majesty.”
At Richard’s signal, a servant approached carrying a bottle.
“…Wine?”
Iena’s eyes widened.
“Yes.”
“It’s made primarily from Kaint flowers.”
“We call it Kaint wine.”
“My father is a brewer.”
“He recently produced an exceptionally high-quality batch, so I brought a bottle for you.”
“So… it’s just wine?”
“In Luxen, it’s traditionally shared by newlyweds on their wedding night.”
“The Kaint flower…”
Richard coughed awkwardly.
“…is also used as an ingredient in aphrodisiacs.”
“…An aphrodisiac?”
“Ah! But there’s absolutely no need to worry.”
“Ordinary Kaint wine contains far too little of the flower to have that effect.”
“It’s simply sweet and refreshing.”
So it’s perfectly safe to drink.
Iena had no idea what a Kaint flower looked like.
But the pale pink liquor looked delicious.
Come to think of it…
How long has it been since I had a drink?
She suddenly found herself craving alcohol.
“Please thank your father for me.”
Without hesitation, she pulled the bottle toward herself.
Kalix still looked displeased.
She couldn’t care less.
Judging from his expression, he was going to lecture her all night once they returned anyway.
She’d rather wash up, drink some wine, and go straight to bed.
“Thank you so much, Richard.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Richard waved modestly with a bright smile.
…
What Richard didn’t know…
was what his father had meant by “exceptionally high quality.”
It meant the wine contained an unusually high concentration of Kaint flowers.
Far from having only a trace amount…
The bottle Richard had gifted them contained almost pure Kaint flower extract.
