South

Grand Duchess Roygar Garnet wore only a chemise and sat in front of the dressing table in the powder room.

The maids were busy ironing petticoats and dresses.

It was the second day she arrived at the Duchy of Riagan’s residence. The dinner was held first before she could relieve her travel fatigue.

Neither Garnet nor Garnet’s maids complained.

Nearly half a year has passed since the assassination of Queen Eimmel. It took a long time for news to reach the imperial capital, and it took a long time for the Emperor’s special envoy to reach the South.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Eimmel waited long enough. In the context of taking control of the Duchy of Riagan.

Of course, a considerable amount of military storage was robbed, and ships entering the southern part of the Empire had to pay a protection tax. Some of the business of the Duchy of Riagan was taken away, and the influence that penetrated the region was indescribable.

However, instead of sweeping away the South, looting and retreating, Eimmel’s forces withdrew, slowly giving way to the Southern Conquest Army sent from the center.

If that wasn’t enough, the Kingdom of Eimmel showed considerable sincerity. It was even more so when we think about how violently they criticized the Empire and drove the Empire’s army in the first place.

Grand Duke Roygar had this conversation with the Duke and Duchess of Riagan last night.

“Prince Cadriol said he was a communicator, so it must be true.”

“You must not be deceived. He is like a pirate.”

Duke Riagan, who had been intimidated for a long time, replied with a shiver.

“On the surface, it is said that no one knows, but everyone in the South knows it. We know that he rules the pirates.”

“Then, isn’t it even more amazing? Even if he can use the resources of the Kingdom of Eimmel, that still means that he can control those who are nothing more than unbridled beasts.”

“The only thing he can do is avoid an open conflict because he is afraid of an all-out war. If the Empire really wants to conquer, it will only ruin him.”

Duchess Riagan also tried to convince Grand Duke Roygar.

Grand Duke Roygar was changing his mind a bit.

He planned to visit the Kingdom of Eimmel and negotiate directly with the king as it had originally been planned.

If the King agrees to put Prince Cadriol under the charge of assassination of his Queen, the army he has will be dismantled by the Imperial Army.

If they remove the backing of the kingdom, the military is, after all, nothing more than an illegal armed group. They can drive them as pirates and subdue them all.

No matter how elite Cadriol’s troops are, they cannot survive without supplies. And if they continue to loot for supply, they will become a real pirate.

In addition, they planned to gain an advantage by making the Iantz an accomplice to the assassination.

But if Prince Cadriol could be communicated with, he could change his mind.

An alliance with a young and strong prince would last longer than an old and weak king.

Grand Duke Roygar had no doubts that the alliance would be established.

Prince Cadriol is a pirate. He couldn’t refuse the invitation to eat the flesh of the Iantz Kingdom together*.

Perhaps, it was because of that, Grand Duke Roygar made plans to visit the Duchy of Riagan as soon as he arrived.

So the dinner was held immediately.

Grand Duke Roygar said, stroking Garnet’s shoulder gently.

“If you are tired, you don’t have to come out today. In a few days, Duke Riagan will hold a ball, so you can show yourself that day.”

Anyway, today was just an expedition.

Garnet answered without turning her gaze away from the mirror.

“It’s okay. I heard that Prince Cadriol would also be present. It’s against the etiquette for me to be absent.”

“He must not be so arrogant as to be dissatisfied with the fact that the lady who has come a long way is exhausted and resting. Getting rid of fatigue is a priority.”

“Is it better for me not to go out?”

At Garnet’s question, Grand Duke Roygar shook his head in great bewilderment.

“It’s fine if you go with me. Didn’t I say? You are like a symbol of peace.”

“Then I will prepare. That’s my role.”

“Alright.”

Grand Duke Roygar lightly rubbed Garnet’s shoulder and lowered his head to kiss her temple.

“I’ll come pick you up when I’m ready.”

“Yes.”

When Garnet answered, Grand Duke Roygar went out.

‘Well, what can I do here?’

Looking through the mirror, Garnet thought so.

The mirror was large and clear enough to occupy the entire front wall. Even if it was not decorated with gold and jewels, a mirror of this size could be called a precious thing in itself.

It was not this room that Duchess Riagan originally intended to give to Garnet. The Duchess was about to give the best rooms in the house, her own powder room and toilette room.

Garnet refused. It would not be that there were no rooms left in the Duchy of Riagan, for she did not want to hear that a guest had taken over the host’s room.

Then, the Duchess said she would give the room that was originally used by the eldest daughter of the Duke for generations.

The present-day Duke and Duchess of Riagan have no daughter. So this room was kept as the Empress had used in her girlhood.

Even so, it was decades ago that the Empress stayed. The breath of the Duke of Riagan’s wise daughter would not remain in this room.

Even if she stayed here, she wouldn’t have been able to know it. Garnet has had several chances to meet the Empress, but she always finds it difficult.

Garnet was gripped with a feeling of helplessness, even when she decided to follow the envoys. She believed that soon it would be fine.

Lady Ford’s incident is a thing of the past. Her husband eventually accepted her will.

Then, it should be enough. Here, Grand Duke Roygar will do a good job of dealing with matters and will do his best for her and her children.

Still, she couldn’t figure out why she was so frustrated.

“You’ve been tired. Since you have a pale complexion, wouldn’t it be better to use red clothes to look lively?”

Viscountess Weave recommended.

Garnet contemplated the few dresses the maids were holding.

“It’s my first meeting with Prince Eimmel.”

The assassination of Queen Eimmel was the cause of the dispute. Unless she’s trying to provoke a fight, red clothes are not a good choice.

“I like ivory.”

Garnet made her choice and the maids got busy.

Light pink powder is applied to the skin that will be exposed to hide blemishes and give vitality.

She wore a short petticoat over it. The bulging from the waist down to the hips was not to give the skirt a voluminous bell shape, but to grace the flowing curves.

Meanwhile, Skyla stood beside Garnet, holding the jewelry box.

“What would be good?”

“I think this will suit you.”

Skyla opened the lid of the jewelry box to reveal the necklace, made of two tiny peridots woven together.

“Won’t it look too young?”

Garnet didn’t like seeing the age difference between her and Grand Duke Roygar.

She knew that her husband’s age difference made him more acquainted with her.

But she no longer wanted to hear him say that she is a cute little bride, but that she is a wife who does her part.

“It’s the perfect color for the clothes. If you don’t want to look too flashy, I think this is fine.”

“Really?”

Garnet sticks her neck out to Skyla, so she can put the necklace on her.

Skyla hung the peridot necklace around Garnet’s neck.

“It really suits you.”

“Because Her Grace has a long and slender neck, it’s elegant.”

“You are gentle and dignified, yet you are as neat as a flower. The Grand Duke should be very nervous today.”

The maids poured their praises. Garnet‘s face brightened a little. She seemed to be feeling a little better.

Skyla looked at her and she felt strange.

She couldn’t understand why Marchioness Camellia sometimes felt sorry for Garnet, until after she took the role herself.

In fact, whether she looks mature or not, Garnet’s role hasn’t changed.

Grand Duke Roygar was not wrong when he said that she was a symbol of peace. Just by being here, Garnet could indicate that Grand Duke Roygar did not want a settlement by force.

However, Garnet’s role there was very sparse. Even if she went out in a splendid dress embroidered with gold thread on red silk, the war would not recur unless Grand Duke Roygar and Prince Cadriol were willing to fight .

Garnet probably knew that, too. She knows it’s important, what people around her say she should do well, that the things she cares about are far from the laws that move the real world.

All that mattered was the fact that she was the wife of Grand Duke Roygar and the mother of his successor.

Putting all those feelings down, Skyla said with a smile.

“How about looking young and beautiful? Her Majesty the Empress was already in a position to lead the Empire as the Crown Princess at aunt’s age.”

“Lady Skyla.”

Viscountess Weave cautiously called out Skyla.

The story of the Empress was not something to be taken lightly. It was even more so, considering that this was the Duchy of Riagan.

Skyla said as if she had made a mistake.

“My story means that aunt is already the best lady in this Empire, no matter what she looks like.”

“Thank you.”

Garnet replied.

She went out of the toilette room. The maids had already finished dressing up, so they quickly checked each other’s messy areas and smoother each other.

And they followed Garnet out.

Garnet and Grand Duke Roygar were the last to arrive at the banquet.

The banquet hall was spacious. A separate long table was prepared for the attendants.

However, the only real guests the Duke and Duchess of Riagan had to entertain were Grand Duke and Duchess of Roygar and Prince Cadriol.

At least, the outward appearance was friendly.

“It is an honor to meet you, Grand Duchess.”

Prince Cadriol smiled as he kissed the back of Garnet’s hand.

Garnet, frankly, was a little terrified as she heard many words such as ‘pirate’, ‘ruffian’ and so on.

The young, handsome prince was clearly unstoppable in his actions. But Garnet did not get the impression that he was vulgar.

“Since we’re greeting each other today, let’s just eat comfortably.”

“Because there is a lot to talk about in the future. I think it’s fortunate that the nobleman, who was frozen by the north wind and blocked in the front and back, was not the special envoy.”

Grand Duke Roygar smiled broadly at Cadriol’s words. Because he knew Cadriol was talking about Cedric.

“You probably don’t know much about the north wind.”

“When you get around on a boat, you meet a lot of people and hear stories.”

Cadriol said, furrowing his eyebrows.

Grand Duke Roygar sensed something. But he didn’t reveal it.

They’re not supposed to talk yet.

While the high-ranking people greeted each other warmly, the attendants found seats with their name tags on them and sat down.

It was when Skyla sat down.

Something fell from between the napkins.

“…….”

Fortunately, it was caught in her skirt, not the floor.

Skyla, without looking surprised, unfolded a napkin and placed it on her lap. And she picked the item up as she pretended to tidy up.

It was a small key and a note.

—-

Note from Somnium~ :

*Grand Duke Roygar’s plan was to make a deal with the King at first; claiming that it was Prince Cadriol with the help from Iantz that responsible for the assassination. However, it seems that Prince Cadriol can be negotiated with, so Grand Duke Roygar prefers to make a deal with young and vigorous Cadriol. He plan to instead blame the assassination on Iantz; working together and make Iantz pays.