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Chapter 18
Camilla, you made the right choice.
One thing that had changed slightly from the original story was that, thanks to my friendship with Camilla, she had started taking lessons at our house.
This meant even more interactions between Baldwin and Camilla.
My favorite was steadily moving closer to becoming the male lead.
Come to think of it, the event where Camilla and the Crown Prince meet for the first time was approaching.
I think it was at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet, just before the academy started.
It was his first birthday celebration since being officially designated as Crown Prince.
Empress Yulia had planned a grand party to solidify her son’s position.
‘Ah. Wait a minute. I have to go to that too!’
I didn’t want to go without Baldwin…
I figured I’d have to talk to Mom about that later.
Anyway, today was Camilla’s first lesson at the duke’s house.
Camilla stood hesitantly next to Didi.
She held a wooden sword in her hand, and it was trembling.
“Camilla, you got this!!!”
Baldwin turned his head toward me.
Then he covered his mouth and went “Shh!”
He was telling me to be quiet, but like I would listen to that!
“Didi! You got this!! Kyaa! You’re gorgeous today too!!”
Sometimes I worry. How can someone so pretty survive in this harsh world?
Well, I’ll protect her, so it’ll be fine.
Baldwin whipped his head around again.
While cheering on Camilla and Baldwin, I started to feel oddly empty.
Normally, I’d be goofing around with Camilla too…
It felt like I had lost a comrade.
Fan enthusiasm is best when shared.
Without anyone to share my energy with, I felt lonely.
To stop myself from going completely overboard, I roped in the maid my mom assigned to watch me.
“Kara.”
“Yes, young lady.”
“Wave this around for me.”
Kara stared at me blankly.
“I’ll give you 30 gold.”
That was half my monthly allowance.
Kara still didn’t respond.
“…35 gold?”
She kept staring.
“45 gold……!!!”
I shouted, pouring out every last coin of my soul.
I could almost hear my Engel’s coefficient skyrocketing.
All my savings, gone to snacks and bribes.
I also imagined the sound of my cute piggy bank getting lighter.
Let’s applaud my fangirl spirit…!
“Fine, young lady. Just keep your promise.”
Kara said coolly and took the handkerchief from my hand.
“I love you, Rudella! I can’t live without you!”
Alright, she was doing great.
I jumped up and turned to the side where Camilla and Baldwin were.
Baldwin was glaring at me like I was something disgusting.
“Please, Lala…”
“Didi!! The prettiest girl in the world!! You’re doing amazing! Kyaaah!! Camilla, I love you!!!”
Baldwin turned away from me.
What’s he so shy about?
Suddenly, Baldwin dropped his sword and slipped.
Oh no.
“Didi!”
Baldwin fell flat on his back.
He sighed, shielding his eyes.
“…Camilla, could you please stop her?”
Even with all his knightly training, this was clearly too much for him.
“How could I possibly do that?”
Camilla burst into laughter.
To the Emperor of Laigos, who had achieved everything he ever wanted, the most bothersome figure was none other than the Duke of Lorovante.
The Lorovante family had not only immense wealth but also massive influence.
For generations, Lorovante had held control over the empire’s gold veins and silver mines.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the empire’s economy moved at Lorovante’s will.
Even the Imperial Family had to purchase gold and silver from Lorovante to mint their coins.
After all, gold and silver were the base materials for all accessories.
With their mines, Lorovante sat comfortably atop a mountain of wealth.
As if that wasn’t enough, a dried-up copper vein beneath their land had recently revealed an iron ore deposit.
Now, Lorovante had the largest iron reserves in the empire.
This meant the Imperial Family had no choice but to be wary of them.
If the Empire could gain control of Lorovante, it would clearly benefit them.
And then… Laila Lorovante was born.
Up until now, she had stayed secluded due to poor health, but recently rumors had spread that she was making her debut in social circles.
News of the only heir of Lorovante entering society quickly reached the Imperial Palace.
Now, all of high society had their eyes on Laila.
Some were cautiously predicting that she might become the next empress.
It was natural to assume that Laila Lorovante would rise to power in the future.
With things having reached this point, the Imperial Family couldn’t just sit idly by.
“…Empress Yulia. So, what do you think about pursuing an engagement between Einz and Lady Laila Lorovante?”
The Emperor of Laigos spoke with barely veiled disapproval.
The Duke of Lorovante had long been a supporter of the Imperial Family.
But now, they held far too much power.
If it had been any other family, they would have been purged long ago to maintain the power balance.
But with Lorovante, that was impossible.
Their influence was too great.
Behind Lorovante stood the House of Robelia.
Robelia’s maternal family, especially the Count of Pracia, was deeply respected among nobles.
They had laid the foundation for the Academy and helped cultural development flourish across the Empire.
No noble could ignore them.
Naturally, power began to flow toward Lorovante.
Even the Emperor of Laigos had no choice but to make a difficult decision.
Bringing Laila Lorovante into the Imperial Family.
Einz, who was only eleven, already had a designated match. But in this case, it couldn’t be helped.
Empress Yulia nodded slowly.
“…That does seem like the best option for now. I believe Einz will accept it.”
She replied serenely.
A faint smile appeared on her small, delicate face, full of submissiveness toward the Emperor.
As Empress Yulia stepped out of the room, a resolve formed in her heart.
She would put Einz on the throne, no matter what.
If that meant bowing her head and catering to the Emperor she loathed, then so be it.
And besides, Lorovante…
‘Robelia. You’ll help us again this time, won’t you?’
After all, Robelia had always been Yulia’s secret ally in Winchester.
Thus, the Imperial proposal arrived at the doors of House Lorovante.
“Ahem… What do we do with this, dear?”
Adolph clutched his head.
Refusing a request from the Imperial Family could be dangerous.
If there was no existing engagement for Laila, they would have to accept.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m asking how we can reply in a way that will knock some sense into Emperor Laigos.”
Adolph’s voice, usually warm as a spring day, now carried a chilling undertone.
In Robelia’s hand was a letter directly from Empress Yulia.
The Emperor had written, “We are proceeding with the engagement between Crown Prince Einz and Lady Laila Lorovante. Consider it an honor and accept.”
He had added a condition—“If the young lady agrees”—but his tone assumed she would.
Empress Yulia’s letter was quite different.
[To Robelia,
Ten years ago, when Winchester was driven to ruin, I lost everything—
My pride, my family, my honor.
You stood with Winchester back then. Will you do so again?
Einz needs Lorovante’s strength.
Robelia, this winter feels so long. But I believe spring will come. And when it does, perhaps even a well-grown cuckoo will return.
I await your reply.]
Robelia let out a long sigh.
Indeed, Laila was now one of the most sought-after noble daughters.
Even at her age, proposals were pouring in.
“…We can’t keep refusing them forever.”
She ran her fingers over the letter.
She understood what “spring” meant to Empress Yulia.
And she also understood who the “cuckoo” was that Yulia wished to see again.
It was Baldwin Winchester—her nephew.
Though Empress Yulia had been isolated in her palace for years, her essence hadn’t changed at all.
The warmhearted, proud noble lady of Winchester.
She was still the same.
Robelia glanced between the two letters.
“At least the Emperor included a condition.”
She pointed to a sentence.
“If Lady Laila wishes.”
“If Laila doesn’t want it, we can refuse. Let’s ask her first.”
“If Laila refuses, would we be able to reject this proposal entirely?”
Robelia gave a bitter laugh.
The Emperor had clearly assumed that Laila would accept.
“If she refuses, we’ll reject it—even if it means leveraging all of Lorovante’s power. The Emperor is underestimating us.”
Adolph muttered coldly.
Robelia gently placed her hand on his.
“If Empress Yulia truly hasn’t changed, she won’t force this engagement. And even if it’s agreed upon at a young age, such arrangements often dissolve later.”
“No matter what, we’ll protect our children.”
They looked into each other’s eyes and nodded.
