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Chapter : 30
It only took a day to prepare to leave the island.
She gathered various documents, the newly updated maps of the island, and reports.
The ship, loaded with more than enough food and water for over twenty days, departed from the island’s harbor, now even more perfected than before. The regent and the retainers stood at the dock, enthusiastically seeing the vessel off.
Unlike on the way there, the speed of the Nobilis ship and the Empire’s Eastern Navy fleet wasn’t particularly fast.
That was because earlier, they had hurried to arrive before the Myneucor delegation.
The weather was calm, without a hint of storm. Agasa, who was surrounded by Enok and cushions on a carpet under a parasol on the deck, picked up parchment for the first time in a while instead of a book.
With a quill and ink at hand and a sturdy board beneath the parchment, the man lying behind her lightly tightened the hands wrapped around his waist.
“It seems today you’re behaving differently than usual.”
“I was starting to remember things I had been putting off.”
“Work?”
“Perhaps?”
At the end of their honeymoon, Agasa finally began drafting a brief report on the results of the negotiations.
The man, half-sitting up, rested his chin on one hand and looked down at the parchment. The quill moved smoothly, quickly filling the parchment with ink.
*”To His Great and Wise Majesty, Wermilay II,
Agasa Nobilis, loyal subject of Your Majesty the Emperor, humbly sends greetings.
To get straight to the point, the pre-negotiations with the Myneucor Empire, as Your Majesty commanded, have been successfully completed.
There were many difficulties in negotiating, as we only just received the Myneucor delegation’s list right before departing Saint Antrār.
I request Your Majesty consider a full investigation into whether there was negligence in delivering the documents.
Despite the challenges, I am attaching the pre-agreement on Palabi Island, successfully concluded between the Myneucor Empire and the House of Nobilis.
Henceforth, free trade via Myneucor’s maritime routes with the Eastern Continent will be possible.
May the prosperity of Palabi Island, serving as a relay point, and Saint Antrār lead to the glory of the Darloxbard Empire and Your Majesty.
A detailed report will follow upon my return.
Your Majesty’s eldest daughter and loyal noble of the Darloxbard Empire,
Agasa Nobilis”*
Enok let out a small laugh after reading the letter.
“So that’s why your answer was ‘perhaps.’”
“Is that alright?”
“I wish I could see Your Majesty read this letter in person.”
Agasa smiled. In truth, the letter was closer to a threat than a report.
It was the Emperor’s fault that the Myneucor delegation list was delivered late, and that her ex-husband led the delegation. Agasa knew it all, yet she still requested a thorough investigation.
The Emperor, pleased with the successful outcome but aware that his only daughter was furious, might have had mixed feelings about her return.
‘Who would have caused all this trouble?’
Agasa smiled sweetly and kissed Enok on the cheek.
“Just wait. I’ll make sure to get the reward I deserve for the work I’ve done.”
She handed the sealed letter, marked with a sprig of purple statice, to a close maid.
“To the palace.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Through royal couriers, the letter arrived at the palace in less than ten days.
Rumors spread in the capital that the Emperor’s mood had been swinging wildly.
Those rumors continued until two weeks later, when Agasa returned to the capital.
Clatter, clatter—
On a sweltering summer day, after about two months of honeymoon, the Marquis and Marchioness Aratus returned to the capital.
The news quickly spread through the city, carried by people who saw the banners of the Aratus and Nobilis houses parading down the main avenue.
Agasa’s luggage was brought to the newly renovated Nobilis Second Mansion in the capital.
The procession stopped in front of the main house, passing roads lined with fresh summer flowers and trimmed trees, circling around a fountain.
“Welcome, Marquis, Madam. How was your honeymoon?”
Allen, the chief butler, had come out with the household staff to greet them. Seeing Agasa smile and step down from the carriage with Enok made his face light up.
“We had a good trip. How’s the mansion?”
“Basic arrangements are complete. The safety inspections and perimeter checks were safely carried out with the help of the Aratus Knights, led by Sir Leon Takran, your First Deputy Commander.”
Agasa’s gaze fell on the knights waiting nearby. The young deputy commander and his knights in uniform immediately saluted.
“First Deputy Commander of the Aratus Knights, Leon Takran, greets his lord and lady.”
“We’ll receive your report later. This way, please.”
Enok called the knights over, introducing the First Deputy Commander. Following Sir Huber Karwen, the Second Deputy Commander, Leon was the last deputy commander of the Aratus Knights she had met.
Unlike the cheerful Huber, Leon had calm eyes and a gentle demeanor.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Madam. I’m Leon Takran, First Deputy Commander of the Aratus Knights. I regret not accompanying you on your journey, but please call on me anytime you go out. I will serve you with all my heart.”
“Thank you, Sir Leon.”
From behind, Huber grumbled.
“Doesn’t matter, Madam. My post is still your personal guard.”
“You two seem quite close after two months, huh?”
“Yes. I even carried Madam’s parasol myself.”
The calm-looking knight didn’t flinch and replied to Huber.
“Having bonded with Madam that much, it’s now my turn. Inside the mansion, my defensive abilities can be of more use than your offensive skills.”
Huber excelled at rapid movement and pursuit, while Leon specialized in protection and strategic operations.
“Isn’t that right, my lord?”
Agasa, intrigued by the banter between the two deputy commanders and knights, looked at Enok.
Enok nodded casually.
“Inside the mansion, Leon will be responsible for the lady’s protection.”
“This… how could you do this to me, my lord!”
Huber cried in betrayal, but Enok remained unmoved.
“The Second Deputy Commander will handle external escort duties.”
Agasa smiled quietly as Enok escorted her, starting to understand how the knight order operated.
Allen, the butler, led the way with practiced discretion. Following him into the mansion, Agasa whispered softly:
“Enok, are we staying here until tomorrow?”
“Yes. Is there something you want to do?”
“I thought we could go have clothes made tomorrow. Would it be alright if Sir Huber accompanied us as an escort?”
Enok paused, a faint smile appearing.
“Huber will be delighted.”
Before their honeymoon, they had chosen chandeliers, tapestries, artworks, and decorations, making the newly repaired mansion surprisingly bright and welcoming.
The fourth floor of the main mansion was entirely reserved for the head of the house and his wife.
The central corridor, with the couple’s bedroom at its center, divided the space: the husband’s area to the left and Agasa’s to the right.
The couple’s bedroom was officially for shared use, but they usually stayed in their individual rooms.
Enok escorted her to her private quarters, kissing the back of her hand.
“I’ll come tonight.”
Since that night, they had always slept in the same bed.
Even after returning, their routine remained unchanged. This time, it would continue in her own bedroom. Agasa felt her ears turn slightly red.
“Alright. I understand.”
“I may be a little late inspecting the mansion’s security. If so, go to sleep first and turn off the lights.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll rest well.”
Agasa soaked in the bath, gazing at the beautiful summer flowers outside. Seeing the perfectly maintained garden reminded her of the barren backyard of the Aratus Mansion.
‘Now that we’re back, I should probably check on the Aratus Mansion too.’
She wondered if her husband’s younger sister, Isabelle Aratus, was still staying in the capital. She hadn’t seen her when they stayed one night on the first night.
Blinking slowly, Agasa moved out of the warm bath. Decorating a large mansion couldn’t be rushed—it required time.
There were more pressing matters for now.
As water cascaded off her, the close maids draped long bathrobes over her naked body.
“What about the First Secretary?”
The answer came immediately:
“She’s organizing the materials brought from Palabi Island here.”
“I see. Then she must be on the third floor.”
While resting would be good, the official report to the Emperor was her priority. Especially since tomorrow they were going to the tailor.
“I’ll head to the study. Tell the First Secretary to come there.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Dressed in a simple indoor gown, Agasa went up to the third floor.
That night, the scroll completed before Enok arrived was sent up to the imperial palace.
