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Chapter 101

"Sir Romains has come to see you."

"Who?"

"The one... connected to the Duchess of Valen."

"Ah."

At her advisor's explanation, the Empress finally recalled who he was.

At the same time, her brow furrowed.

All this trouble for one bastard child.

She was annoyed at having to deal with some low-born young lord whose name she barely knew.

But she soon calmed herself. For now, he was a useful piece in bringing down the Duke of Valen.

"Let him in."

A short while later.

She greeted Cedric with a generous smile.

But his face was pale as he immediately knelt before her.

Her gaze turned cold.

"What is it?"

"W-well..."

Cedric trembled as he confessed.

"My wife has run away!"

"...What?"

"She'd agreed to the miscarriage... but then she vanished without a trace!"

Bang!

The Empress slammed her fist on the desk.

"How could you fail to keep watch over your own wife?!"

"I-I'm sorry!"

Cedric bowed his head, sweating profusely.

"Ha!"

Screech—

Her nails scraped across the desk, making a chilling sound.

It wasn't even a difficult task—and he couldn't handle it!

In the end, one of her perfectly manicured nails snapped.

The Empress stared down at Cedric in silence, suppressing her rage.

Finally, she spoke coldly.

"Since she's already gone, there's nothing to be done."

"...Pardon?"

Cedric looked up, dazed.

He'd expected to be as good as dead for displeasing Her Majesty.

The Empress clicked her tongue at his foolish face.

She could have the woman found, but even if she were brought back, there was no guarantee she'd obey.

Sometimes foolish women would sacrifice themselves to protect their children.

And if that woman started spouting nonsense about her, it would be a problem.

After a moment's thought, the Empress said coldly.

"But that means you'll have to act in her place."

---

Time passed quickly, and Ivan had grown quite skilled in swordsmanship.

The same was true of his Imperial language abilities. He could now read newspapers without extra study.

But for some reason, Ivan was staring intently at the paper today.

Watching him with curiosity, Emilia quietly approached.

"What are you looking at?"

"Hm?"

Ivan looked up.

"This!"

He pointed to a section of the newspaper.

It featured a large article about this year's Founding Festival.

"Ah."

This year marked the 500th anniversary of the Empire's founding, and the festival would be grander than ever.

It seemed the city was already preparing various events.

That time has come already.

Emilia's gaze darkened as she looked at the paper.

The approaching Founding Festival meant their time with Ivan was drawing to a close.

Just remembering that made her heart feel heavy.

But hiding her feelings, she gently stroked Ivan's fine hair.

"Emilia?"

"Mmm..."

Emilia answered weakly, and Ivan tilted his head before burying himself in her embrace.

After a moment of being coddled, he looked up at her.

"Emilia!"

"Hm?"

"Have you ever been to a festival in the capital?"

At that question, Emilia blinked.

A festival.

She hadn't.

Smiling faintly, she shook her head.

"No, never."

"Really?"

Ivan's eyes went wide, then he beamed.

"Me neither! Me neither!"

He seemed delighted to share that in common with her.

...Is that really something to be happy about?

Emilia felt a complex mix of emotions.

Ivan had spent his life in hiding—he'd barely even been outside, let alone to a festival.

Just then, Ivan pulled away and pointed at the colorful illustration in the paper.

"They say there's fireworks!"

"Really?"

Soon, the two of them were huddled together, scanning the paper.

As they chattered about what food would be sold and how the parade would go—

Kayden approached them.

"Don't tell me."

He began, and Emilia and Ivan turned around.

"You've both never been to a festival?"

"Yes, yes!"

"No."

Ivan nodded enthusiastically, and Emilia answered with an awkward smile.

Kayden's brow twitched slightly.

Seeing his face, Emilia asked with curious eyes.

"What about you, Your Grace?"

"I've—"

He started to answer casually, then paused.

Come to think of it, he had never been to a festival either.

Of course, unlike them, it was because he'd never had any interest.

But the result was the same—he had no experience with the capital's festival.

He looked down and saw their hopeful eyes.

"...I have been."

At that, Ivan asked with curiosity.

"When do the fireworks start? What's the best food there?!"

"Ah, I also have a question."

Emilia joined in, looking a little shy.

"..."

As their curious questions continued, Kayden realized he'd misspoken.

Then an idea struck him, and he picked up the newspaper they'd been reading.

"If you're that curious, shall we go see it ourselves?"

"...Pardon?"

Emilia and Ivan's eyes went wide.

"Really? Can we really go?"

"Yes."

Kayden nodded, and Ivan's face lit up.

He looked ready to dash out to the festival street at any moment.

Smiling at his excitement, Emilia asked Kayden cautiously.

"But... is it really okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"The Founding Festival—there will be so many people."

They'd gone out with Ivan before, but only to quiet parks or nearby shops.

And they'd always brought enough guards.

Kayden let out a short laugh.

"What's there to worry about when I'm with you?"

At his reliable answer, Emilia's face brightened. She hesitated, then added in an excited voice.

"To be honest... this is my first festival too, so I'm really looking forward to it."

Her face flushed like a child's.

At that adorable sight, Kayden's hand crumpled the newspaper.

---

"Wow! Emilia, look at that!"

"It's amazing, isn't it!"

Emilia agreed, looking at where Ivan pointed.

Every shop was decorated lavishly, and the streets were lined with fascinating stalls.

It's truly splendid.

Both Ivan and Emilia found themselves staring, mouths slightly open.

Just then, a large hand gently wrapped around her wrist.

"...?"

Startled, Emilia looked up.

It was Kayden, wearing a hood like hers and Ivan's.

"The moment I take my eyes off you, you disappear."

"Huh? Me?"

Emilia made a baffled face.

"Honestly, I trust you less than Ivan."

"What do you—"

Just as Emilia was about to argue—

Nearby, a man's playful voice and a girl's flustered voice came from a stall.

"Try this, won't you?"

"No, even if you say that..."

"Oh, come on! You said you'd do as I say today. And if you're going to be someone great, how can you refuse something like this?"

"What does eating this have to do with that?! And even if I become someone great, it'll still be Aron—"

"Shh. You need to keep quiet. Have you forgotten we're in disguise?"

At the familiar voices, Emilia blinked and turned around.

There, like them, stood two people in deep hoods.

Huh?

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