“… That’s fine. I know that you said that because you were worried about me. But I want you to be a little careful.”

“Sure. Thanks for forgiving me generously.”

I wanted to change the topic at this point, so I said, patting Luna lightly, “Hmm, social circles…Well, I’m worried about the rumors, but I was out of the loop for a long time as you know. Are there any new rumors these days?”

“I think you already know about the news that an arsonist who has appeared in the capital recently…Nothing else… Oh, there is a rumor about Earl Dias. ”

“Really? What is that?”

I looked at Entea with a curious expression. Although I was curious about the arsonist, I didn’t think Entea, who was a child just over a decade ago, knew well about the blessed criminal.

So, I became more interested in the rumor about the Dias family. Anyway, I can ask Baron Carot about the arsonist. Earl Dias was one of the influential members of the noble faction, so I thought I might be able to get something useful.

“It is rumored that the baby boy Countess Dias gave birth to a few years ago is not the earl’s child… I don’t think you have to pay attention to it.”

‘He is not the earl’s son?’

Given that the earl was just over fifty, the rumor could be true, but the earl couple was widely known for their excellent relationship despite their age difference. How could the countess have another man’s baby?

Of course, rumors are usually groundless, but on closer examination, there is usually something hidden that could generate rumors. As they say, where there is smoke, there is fire. For example, the rumors about me and Carsein were triggered by his staying at my father’s estate mansion, plus the crown prince’s visit to the mansion at the time. In that respect, the Dias family might have something to hide from others.

“It looks like a groundless rumor, but I think it’s worth digging into. Can you check out why such a rumor is spreading? This kind of rumor is usually being talked about a lot among lower nobles or maids, so try to check them, too.”

“Sure, Lady Monique.”

Entea politely bowed and stood up.

After seeing her off, who promised to bring me the materials as soon as possible, I spent a leisurely time playing with the silver cat.

As I threw the bait, I would see who would take it.

A few days later my father suddenly left the capital after being selected as the man to receive the delegation of the Lua kingdom for the new emperor’s coronation. Given that his selection was hastily made at the initiative of the noble faction, it seemed that they would like to take care of the matter of the new emperor’s wife during my father’s absence. My father had no choice but to follow the emperor’s decision because he had no particular reason to refuse it.

When I was done for the day after seeing my father off, the butler informed me I had a guest.

“My lady, a guest is here. He says his name is Marquis Enesil. ”

“Huh? Marquis Enesil?”

I wondered why he came to see me so late, but I hurriedly rose from my seat.

Upon entering the reception room, the young man sitting on a cream-colored sofa, who was tilting a mug at the moment, stood up. His golden hair glowed red under the sunset when he gently bowed.

“Please forgive my rudeness as I came late without any notice.”

“That’s fine. Please sit down. ”

I sat across him and poured tea into my cup. As the transparent tea flowed into the silver teacup, the strong fragrance of rosemary wafted into the air. Silently watching me pouring tea, the man opened my mouth, “How is your condition? When I was at the ceremony for the late emperor the other day, I couldn’t inquire after you as I was so absent-minded.”

“Oh, I’m fine. It’s already been four months since I got up from the bed. Thank you for your concern. ”

When I bowed to express gratitude, Marquis Enesil said with a smile, “I see. I’m glad to hear that. I guess your colleagues will be very happy to have you back.”

“Pardon?”

“You know there is full training sooner or later. It looks like the knights are ardently waiting for you. Come to think of it, there are rumors that you have been transferred to the 2nd Knights Division. Is it true? ”

“Ah, yes. I think so. ”

When the young man confirmed my positive reply, he sighed.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Actually, I wanted to learn from you because you are very good at mapping out military strategy.”

“Oh my, I’m flattered. But I feel good as you praise me like that. I also think it’s a pity that I have not had the opportunity to work with you because I felt I could learn a lot from you.”

“Oh, I’m embarrassed to hear that. In fact, I am a bit out of sorts these days because I have a strong competitor.”

“Strong competitor?”

“Well…as many people know already, let me be honest, I want to be the captain of the 3rd Knights Division. ”

“I see. That’s what I guessed.”

When I nodded slowly, the young man lifted his mug and sipped the tea, saying, “It seems like the son of Marquis Mirwa also wants that position. At first, I thought it was ridiculous for him to apply for it because he was not yet officiated as a knight. But I feel he is not a pushover.”

“Really?”

“That’s right. Given the way he speaks at the cabinet meetings, he is no ordinary type. In particular, at the last meeting he …”

He suddenly stopped talking while trying to say something, then put down the teacup with an awkward expression.

“Well, as I mentioned the cabinet meeting already, let me get to the point. Let me tell you why I visited in this late hour. ”

“Ah, please.”

He swallowed with a determined look. Why is he making such a look before saying something?

“Do you know that your father asked me to take care of you before he left?”

“Did he?”

“Yes, because the two dukes are rather in a difficult situation now. Although he asked me not to say anything to you, I thought that you should know about it as you’re directly involved, so I came here at this time of night.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you.”

When I bowed to express gratitude, Marquis Enesil smiled embarrassedly.

“I’m a bit embarrassed as you thank me because I’m here with some bad news. Well, you know that the current situation is serious, right?”

“Yes, I don’t know the details, but I know something about it.”

“I thought the noble faction would keep a low profile because of Earl Lanier’s case, but they are very offensive, which is very unusual. By the way, do you know that our faction is supporting Earl Whir’s second daughter as the new emperor’s concubine these days?”

“Yes.”

“Then I think you will understand quickly what I have to say from now on. You should be talking fast. Nowadays, the noble faction is openly arguing that the new emperor should have you as his concubine, citing your right to succeed the empress and your position as the child of God’s prophecy. It is Marquis Mirwa’s son who has proposed that idea.”

“What, what did you say?”

Suddenly, I felt goosebumps. I never expected that the noble faction, who I thought would be only bent on ruling me out, would use me for their own purpose.

Marquis Ensil smiled embarrassedly at me when I was staring into the air blankly.

“For that reason, opinions are actually divided among our faction members. Some are arguing that we should proceed with the original plan, but promote Whir’s daughter as the emperor’s concubine just in case, while others argue that we should let Lady Duke take the empress position while installing Whir’s daughter as his concubine, considering the possible dispute between the Monique and Whir families… I’m really worried about the division because we need to be united to fight against the noble faction.”

“…I see.”

“The emperor is also trying to support us by all means, but he is in a difficult position because of the divided opinion among our faction as well as the noble faction’s plausible argument.”

That’s why my father was out of sorts these days.

I now could understand how much my father was stressed out because of the fierce division within the pro-emperor faction at a time when they badly needed solidarity to challenge the noble faction.

“We will try to resolve this matter before your father returns. We’re trying our best to stop it, but you may receive a summons sooner or later.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Actually, that’s part of the reason why I came here.”

“Pardon?”