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Chapter : 21
The Imperial Palace of the Mainukor Empire
Prince Fernand Mainumconti, the Second Imperial Prince, meticulously dressed himself from early morning and stepped into the Grand Audience Hall.
Today was the day the decision would be finalized regarding who would be dispatched as envoy for the negotiations with the Roxbard Empire—negotiations he had devoted himself to for nearly a month.
“His Highness Prince Fernand Mainumconti, the Second Imperial Prince, enters!”
The ministers who had arrived earlier offered formal greetings.
The emperor’s displeased gaze and the crown prince’s suspicious one turned toward him, but Fernand paid them no mind.
“You summoned me, Father.”
“Yes. We heard your request and discussed it with the crown prince and the ministers. After giving it some thought…”
At the emperor’s next words, Fernand could not hide his delight.
“I believe it would be acceptable for you to serve as the representative for this negotiation.”
“Thank you! I will return with results worthy of your trust!”
“Before that, there is one thing I must emphasize.”
The emperor proceeded to lay out various conditions.
A capable official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would accompany him, relations with the Roxbard Empire were to be restored through this opportunity, and several rights regarding the islands were to be secured…
“Above all, you must resolve the bad blood with the heiress of the Nobilis family. As long as your relationship with your former wife remains broken, there is no chance of restoring diplomatic ties with the Roxbard Empire. You understand what I mean, do you not?”
“I do. That is precisely why you permitted me to go, is it not?”
The emperor still did not entirely trust his second son, but he gave his approval nonetheless. The Roxbard Empire’s standing was currently soaring to the heavens.
They had concluded a ten-year war with a kingdom in victory, gaining new ports and territories along with an enormous war indemnity.
A young marquis—both a martial god and a genius of war—had appeared like a divine being.
And the one who married that war hero was none other than Agatha Nobilis, one of the most prominent heiresses on the continent.
If only that fool hadn’t divorced Agatha!
Once again displeased with his son, the emperor forced himself to endure it.
If, even formally, relations with his former daughter-in-law could be restored, there was no reason to clash with the rapidly rising Roxbard Empire.
“How is your son doing?”
The question came to him suddenly. Fernand, who had been beaming moments ago, stiffened at once.
“…He is still an imperial grandson, after all. He’s living well enough on his own.”
“Tsk. Go, then. Remember my words.”
“I will never disappoint you.”
Leaving the Grand Audience Hall in high spirits, Fernand immediately set about forming his procession.
The luggage was already packed, and the negotiations would be handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—he merely needed to go in body and spirit.
It’s been ten years. What has Agatha grown into now? Surely that brutish marquis isn’t treating her roughly…
“Your Highness, we are ready to depart.”
Carrying an excited Fernand, the delegation set off toward Palabi Island.
And from a distant annex of the Second Prince’s palace, someone watched the scene in silence.
“……”
After staring for a long while at the carriage bearing the imperial crest, the man quietly drew the curtain and turned away.
Snow-white silver hair and dull purplish eyes.
The somber-looking man bore a striking resemblance to Prince Fernand, the Second Imperial Prince.
The day after the wedding dawned with exceptionally fine weather.
Seeing the clear sunlight beyond the swaying drapes, Agatha unconsciously reached for the empty space beside her.
She recalled what Enoch had said earlier.
– I need to step out briefly to inspect the knight order before departure.
– Sleep a little longer.
Perhaps because she had heard it half-asleep, his voice had sounded sweet and gentle.
Blinking slowly and passing some time, Agatha tugged on the bell cord.
“You called for me, milady?”
“I need to wash.”
She soon received the attendants’ care, washing and beginning to dress.
As the departure time for the honeymoon drew nearer, the outside of the estate grew increasingly bustling.
Agatha received a visit from her first aide, Ethel Mastro, who would accompany her on this journey.
“I greet you, milady.”
From beyond a translucent partition veiled with antique floral branches, Agatha spoke while having breakfast.
“Has the list of the delegation been announced?”
“Not yet. I expect the relevant documents will arrive around the time you reach Castle Antrar.”
It seemed the emperor wished to deliver the list only after she had departed on her honeymoon, to prevent any unforeseen complications.
“I imagine His Majesty knows I’ve already half figured it out.”
The aide bowed deeply.
“That aside—if you’ve arrived, then the Nobilis family’s luggage must have arrived as well.”
“Yes. I just delivered it to the chief butler of House Aratus.”
“Then I should go see it. Thank you for your efforts. You may go.”
After dismissing him, Agatha finished breakfast, completed her preparations, and left Enoch’s room.
From beyond the third-floor outer corridor, which overlooked the grounds below, the voices of servants busy preparing for the honeymoon drifted upward.
“Are the provisions checked? We won’t run short on drinking water, will we?”
“Check the carriage wheels again.”
“Where did the tents we set aside go?”
Looking down, she saw luggage from both estates being carefully loaded onto the carriages.
The carriage that had arrived with the Nobilis retainers contained, as previously discussed, Agatha’s clothes, jewelry, shoes, the retainers’ belongings, and items needed for the negotiations.
Ben, the butler, who had been receiving reports while checking the inventory for missing items, turned around.
“Milady, you’re here.”
“Good morning, Ben.”
Agatha had already reached the first floor and stepped out lightly.
After dismissing the bowing knights and servants, she received the previously finalized list of personnel from her first aide.
The most important assets were the Nobilis navy and ships, scheduled to join them at the Port of Saint Antrar.
“As planned, one transport vessel and three warships, along with six hundred naval personnel, will join us.”
Everything was proceeding as expected. Agatha nodded quietly at Ethel’s report.
If the weather holds, the ships should arrive first.
This journey applied not only to negotiations with the previously distant Mainukor Empire, but also involved a somewhat tricky route to the island itself.
To reach the island where preliminary negotiations would take place by the appointed date, the fastest route passed through newly conquered territory—still unfamiliar land, and thus full of possible variables.
Well, I don’t expect anything serious to happen…
“Madam. You’re early.”
Agatha smiled and turned around.
“Enoch.”
Her new husband, Enoch Aratus—the famed war hero—had approached her side.
A familiar yet firm hand escorted her.
“There’s still some time before departure.”
“I was just curious how the preparations were going. And who is that behind you?”
Agatha’s eyes brightened as she looked at the knight standing behind him.
Judging by the insignia, perhaps a vice-commander?
The young-looking knight smiled and offered a military salute.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, milady. I am Hubert Karwen, Second Vice-Commander of the Aratus Knight Order. I will be accompanying you on this journey. I look forward to serving you.”
“Nice to meet you, Sir Hubert.”
She had met most of the Aratus retainers during the wedding, but this was her first time meeting members of the knight order in person.
The cheerful vice-commander looked openly delighted.
“Ah, you wouldn’t believe how jealous Leon was—no, how envious—when he found out I’d be the first to serve you, milady. Do you know I won the lot drawing with only a fifty-fifty chance?”
“Hubert Karwen.”
“No, my lord, this is something I must say! How else will milady appreciate me if she doesn’t know how fierce the competition was for me to stand here today?”
Enoch, who had called his name, pressed a hand to his forehead as if his head hurt, but Agatha merely laughed softly.
The Aratus family generally held her in warm regard.
Unlike other nobles, they did not hesitate to express it openly.
Perhaps it was because they had lived on the battlefield for nearly ten years?
It was a little overwhelming, but not unpleasant.
At that moment, Ben the butler approached after finishing his inspection.
“My lord. Milady. Preparations for departure are complete.”
“Hubert. That’s enough—go and straighten out the knights.”
“Yes, my lord. Then, milady, I’ll see you later.”
After saluting, Sir Hubert quickly moved to the front to line up the knights—just over a hundred Aratus knights assigned to escort this journey.
As Agatha boarded the carriage under Enoch’s escort, she whispered softly.
“He seems like a good retainer.”
“…I’m glad you see him kindly. If he ever feels too noisy, please tell me. I’ll make sure to correct him.”
“It’s fine. He feels approachable, which I like.”
Perhaps she could even hear stories about Enoch through Sir Hubert now and then.
Smiling, Agatha took a seat on the sofa inside the carriage. The four-horse carriage, fitted with the finest interior materials, held not only a plush sofa but also a large bed at the back, suitable for sleeping or resting comfortably at night.
Soon, mounted knights surrounded the carriage in tight formation.
“We will depart now.”
“All right.”
Enoch, seated across from her, nodded toward Hubert Karwen, who had returned after finishing his preparations.
“Move out!”
“Have a safe journey, my lord.”
“Please return safely.”
Amid the servants’ respectful farewells, the procession of House Aratus departed from the Aratus estate in the capital.
