Skyla was standing in front of the pier.

A boat with more than thirty sails called slowly. The mast was painted red, and red and gold colors were painted around the hull.

The sight was almost majestic.

“The ship of the Royal Family of Eimmel is very good.”

“It is a ship that only the King rides when he goes out to sea.”

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs answered.

Prince Cadriol has not yet performed his coronation ceremony. Nevertheless, the fact that he had set sail with this ship showed his position in the Kingdom of Eimmel.

It wasn’t because he couldn’t be crowned anyway. The previous King had already been deposed.

However, since the tragic event of the death of the Queen and the dethronement of the King has taken place one after the other, he intends to perform the coronation ceremony after he has given time to calm the grief.

Of course, this was also possible because Prince Cadriol already had solid control of the government.

“It’s really bold.”

Skyla muttered to herself.

If the ship was caught in a storm and sank, the King and his entourage would be annihilated.

She wondered if he had confidence. After all, he must have sailed the sea since he was a boy.

“Go in and wait, Marchioness Camellia. It will take quite a while for the Prince to disembark.”

“No. It is better to be polite.”

Skyla said so and waited in the wind. It was not cold, so it was tolerable except for her dry eyes.

It didn’t take as long as expected. As soon as he was ready to disembark, Cadriol was the first to come down with a few escorts in light footsteps.

From afar, it couldn’t be seen as a King’s march, let alone the Prince’s.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ officers panicked. Fortunately, Skyla stood in place, so no one broke their posture.

Skyla knelt in front of him and bowed. The flower children they brought with them gave them flowers.

Instead of taking it, Cadriol pulled out a single flower and put it in his buttonhole. The lieutenants received the bouquets of flowers instead.

“The hospitality sent by His Majesty the Emperor was very well received.”

“Thank you for your acceptance.”

Cadriol grinned and held out his hand to Skyla.

“You are in a very different situation from the last time I saw you in the South, Lady Camellia. Glory is as sweet as golden honey, isn’t it?”

Skyla bit the inside of her lip invisibly once. In order not to be shaken, she needed to strengthen her mind.

She took Cadriol’s hand and stood up. And she smiled carefreely.

“Call me Marchioness, Your Majesty.”

“…….”

Cadriol looked down at her for a moment with a strange look on his face.

In the meantime, she married and she became the mistress of another family? Had it been so, Skyla would have introduced herself by the name of the family, of course.

But Skyla didn’t. Cadriol soon realized why.

Since she was Marchioness Camellia, she did not even mention her family name.

Cadriol knew about Ian Camellia’s problems. It was because it was a ploy made up by Artizea.

“You acted like an Imperial nobleman.”

Skyla felt ashamed.

Cadriol admired her abilities. He said that she wouldn’t grind people into strife like the Empire does.

Is she now in a situation where she herself is torn apart in a conflict?

Skyla didn’t know very well.

She is favored by the Emperor. The Emperor bestowed upon her enormous reward, and gave her frequent summons to attend tea.

People were now whispering that the Emperor was trying to make Skyla the high society’s first noble lady.

Again, he entrusted her with the important role of hosting two princes from other countries.

Nevertheless, Skyla continued to feel a sense of emptiness.

Was it her glory that she didn’t get her own name?

Was it her family that she was responsible for destroying?

Was her abilities still significant? Was she displaying her natural qualities as a human being?

Skyla couldn’t answer.

But, as Cadriol said, she was an Imperial nobleman. So, she replied without changing her soft smile.

“Because I am an Imperial nobleman.”

“My offer is still valid.”

“Please take it back. I am afraid that others will hear it.”

“My lieutenant said, you can’t kidnap married women, but it’s okay to have an affair.”

His words were so light that it didn’t sound like anything other than a joke. Skyla laughed, feeling a little better.

“Infidelity is better than treason. But if you want to seduce a woman, you’d better add a little bit of embellishment.”

“Because I didn’t know that the Emperor would even send you to meet me. First of all, let’s get off the pier, get dressed, and try to set off for the Capital.”

“Then, can I get you a place to change right now?”

“I’ve already received all the protocols, but I think it would be better to go to the Capital and change.”

Skyla smiled at him.

“Then let’s go. We have reserved a place in the guesthouse, so let’s go to the Capital after getting rid of your fatigue.”

“The favor will be appreciated.”

Cadriol gladly climbed into the carriage led by Skyla.

＊＊＊

The bright sunlight flooded the spacious interior. Chamber music played to keep people from getting bored created a slow atmosphere.

Cedric was wearing all of the Crown Prince’s formal dress and sat with Leticia on one of his knees.

After the Coronation Ceremony, there was a painting that would be hung in a gallery showing the genealogy of the imperial family.

Cedric moved his body as if it was stuffy. He had already been sitting in the same position for an hour.

The court painter said,

“If you move, the Princess will wake up.”

Cedric stiffened his body again. It was a big deal when she started crying.

Artizea smiled bitterly at her.

“So, it would be better to just paint her by herself.”

“I will stay still.”

Cedric said with a remorseful attitude.

“Even though I already said that I will paint the princess’ portrait separately.”

said the court painter. Artizea also sighed slightly.

“It’s not unprecedented, but I wonder if you have to.”

“But I’m so busy these days that if I don’t make time for something like this, I won’t even have time to see Leticia’s face. I’m afraid I’ll forget her face like this.”

Cedric said sternly.

Although he did not go to the North, there was no way he could relax in the winter.

In the future, he will not be able to go to the Grand Duchy Evron’s dominion for a long time.

Previously, there were times when he couldn’t go to the North because of problems with the Western Army or for other reasons. But all were temporary.

Now, it’s a little different. Cedric had to reorganize his system so that Grand Duchy Evron could return to its full glory without him.

The Emperor and the vassals looked suspiciously at him, wondering if he might be leaning towards the opponent.

It must have been difficult for someone like Cedric, Artizea thought.

But he was not at all agitated.

“Ultimately, it has to be done. The trust issue, and the fact that I can’t stay in the North.”

Aside from that, a mountain of work poured into Cedric.

The Emperor transferred some of the internal affairs to him.

With this, Cedric was given responsibility for education and justice in addition to the security and welfare issues around the Capital, which he had already been in charge of.

He was also involved in foreign affairs while coordinating the Crown Prince’s Coronation Ceremony.

He was even going to organize his entourage.

These days he would come back in the middle of the night and fall straight into bed, then go out silently at dawn.

Artizea recalled the past.

Was he busy back then?

It wasn’t like that. Lawrence was perfectly acquainted with court rites and ceremonies.

In fact, even if he makes quite a few mistakes, once he smiles, it doesn’t look like he’s done anything disrespectful at all.

There was likewise no difficulty in forming his entourage.

Because if there was anything to consider, whether that person would be in his favor or not, there was only one thing to be sure of, loyalty.

Above all else, the Emperor himself helped.

‘Even if His Majesty removes his doubts about Lord Cedric, he will not stop testing.’

Artizea thought, looking at Cedric from behind the painter.

He will not be particularly suspicious of betrayal or treason, but will constantly test Cedric’s morality.

Like a man pounding with a hammer to make sure the diamond in his hand is real.

Artizea felt tired and bowed her head.

What will happen to Lawrence’s disappearance?

She had no idea that he had the power to disappear even from the Emperor’s eyes.

If so, it means he’s a ‘returner’.

Talented people get positions, but positions change people.

Lawrence lived as Crown Prince and Emperor for nearly twenty years.

Before he returned, he had a winning experience. He was also used to governing people. No matter how cruel it may be.

‘I guess it was just luck that all the ‘returners’ moved positively with my scheme.’

Contemplating the need to increase the risk factor further, a soft and damp thing touched Artizea’s face.

“Ah.”

Artizea raised her head in surprise.

Leticia exclaimed, “Woo-, woo-.” She waved her arm to go to Artizea.

Cedric came closer.

“She seems to have forgotten my face.”

He said grimly. Artizea laughed without realizing it.

“What about the portrait?”

“I’m taking a break.”

Cedric sat next to her, looking like he was able to breathe. He hugged Leticia, who was struggling to be let go.

“I think it’s okay to paint only the face and then fill in the rest nicely.”

“You can’t do that.”

“We can’t?”

“It is an important picture. It is also meaningful to do it as real as it is.”

Cedric sighed.

“How about you?”

“Me? What?”

“Did you finish drawing your portrait?”

“I can draw when I have time after the Coronation Ceremony. I don’t have to go in before the Coronation Ceremony.”

“Hu, goooo.”

Leticia whined. Cedric grabbed Leticia again and sat her on his lap.

“No, you’ll forget your father’s face.”

“She hasn’t forgotten about it. I don’t try to hold her still these days. She’s so active.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I said I would raise her…….”

Cedric hesitated. Artizea smiled bitterly.

“You can’t take a baby to do government affairs. And say thank you to Marcus.”

“Nevertheless.”

“When she starts walking and running, take her with you. I don’t think I can handle it.”

Cedric smiled.

Artizea looked at that smile. Seeing him smile, she got the illusion that anything would be fine, and that she might be able to keep it like that.

So, she closed her eyes. Cedric’s lips fell to the corners of her eye and then to her lips.