Jennifer’s face turned cold as she turned around after seeing Caleb off with a smile until the end. Meanwhile, Sylla followed behind her.

“Your Highness, there is something I need to report urgently.”

“What is it?”

“It is said that Princess Este went into the Main Palace.”

“What? Why suddenly?”

“I just know it’s the Emperor’s order.”

“It can’t be… There’s no way he can fall for another woman because of the enchantment spell.”

As she uttered that, Jennifer’s fisted hand trembled.

What kind of lightning in a bright sky was this? At the same time, anger and jealousy boiled over, burning her inside.

“You foxy b*tch! What the hell did she do to the Emperor?”

For the past month or so, the Emperor had been away from the Imperial Palace. In the meantime, the Ielro woman had never left the annex. Still, how did the relationship develop…?

“Wait, isn’t the reason the Emperor left the palace because of the tribute transport route?”

“Yes, it is known that way.”

“That old man also said he would find out if there were a hidden destination, but he didn’t tell me.”

…Damn old man. They agreed to cooperate with each other but only selectively provided information. Jennifer, of course, did so as well.

“Because of the tribute, Princess Este is being held hostage.”

“…Why didn’t I think of that? What if the Emperor’s hidden destination was Ielro?”

In the meantime, if he had done any business with the King, it was fitting that he suddenly summoned the girl from Ielro to the Main Palace.

“I can’t use my hands anymore once she enters the main palace, why doesn’t that girl die…?!”

During that time, she had tried all sorts of methods though none of them worked. Now, there was no time. It was a deadline already set by the Emperor, and there were only seven days left.

Jennifer bit her lip nervously.

“Quickly, bring the stationery and ink.”

She hurriedly wrote that Princess Este had entered the main palace and asked to find out the reason.

“…He’s going to call me incompetent again.”

With a disapproving expression, she twisted her mouth and handed the letter to Sylla.

“One time is enough. If we meet and complete the enchantment spell, it will be over.”

Since she coaxed her older brother, he would surely somehow create an opportunity. After all, it was when her charms and taming from a young age shined. No one in the Tierra royal family knew that she was a shaman.

‘I don’t need to tell you about my weapon.’

Like them, the Emperor would eventually come into her hands. As she thought so, malice welled up in Jennifer’s eyes.

* * *

“The Emperor brought the young woman into the main palace.”

Duke Otien laughed blankly while holding the letter.

“The three have also reported the same.”

Salihan replied quietly.

“Is that why he went to the Great Temple?”

“We don’t know the exact reason. For some reason, the boundaries of the temple were strengthened.”

Listening to him, Duke Otien took the letter to the candle and burned it.

“Did he even make contact with the Ielro royal family there?”

“I didn’t see any movement.”

“We won’t know. He may have moved beyond surveillance.”

He gently stroked his chin.

“Why did he suddenly give up the war and accept the girl?”

“Is he trying to gain the power of the temple?”

Hearing the word temple, Duke Otien’s eyebrows narrowed.

“It was said that with the recent appearance of the Savior, divine power returned to the priests.”

“Divine power…”

Duke Otien looked suspicious.

“Since the temple’s authority is hitting rock bottom, it could be that they’re trying to use the savior for their final push.”

“That is…”

Salihan looked unusually perplexed.

“There are people who have actually been healed by priests.”

As soon as the Emperor returned, the Great temple announced the Savior and divine power.

“First, investigate whether it’s a rumor or not.”

“Understood.”

Duke Otien, leaning back in his chair, glanced over the letter, which had already been diminished to ashes.

“By the way, what should I do with the girl from Ielro?”

“What did she send?”

“She told me to stop the girl from becoming the Empress or a concubine.”

“She dares to order Your Excellency, how arrogant…”

Salihan raised his lips in a fishy smile.

“At this point, why don’t you switch to the girl from Ielro? The girl from Tierra doesn’t have the ability, but she’s arrogant.”

“They say that the girl from Ielro is timid. Besides, since she is in the Main Palace, it is difficult to meet her.”

“You can approach her through the three.”

If he changed his course now, the girl from Tierra wouldn’t stay still. Though if he shut the girl’s mouth, things would become troublesome.

“Let’s watch a little more. She hasn’t been expelled yet.”

Salihan put on a disapproving look but did not object.

“First, call the nobles and gather them. Since the Emperor may have chosen the girl from Ielro, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to come up with a countermeasure.”

* * *

“Greetings, the sun of Burgundy. My name is Caleb Medicis of Tierra Kingdom.”

Caleb politely bowed his head.

“Rise.”

“Thank you.”

He met Declan’s gaze and smiled coolly.

“I’m late for my greetings because I was away on official business.”

“No. The meeting on the trade agreement went well and on schedule.”

“I’m glad.”

“I heard that the previous delegation committed a disgraceful act. I ask for an apology on behalf of my father.”

As Caleb lowered his head deeply, Declan smirked.

“It’s very disgraceful. I can’t express how they dared to deceive me.”

“As a sign of apology, I intend to accept all of the Empire’s requirements in this trade agreement so please have mercy.”

“Prince, I have already shown great mercy by keeping the envoy alive.”

At those words, Caleb’s face was stained with trouble at the resolute remark.

“Please, relieve your anger. Duke Hawk, the head of the delegation, made a big mistake in his haste.”

Even though Jennifer was in charge of the delegation at the time, Caleb made excuses by putting Duke Hawk forward.

“Trying to trick me into giving the Princess was just a mistake.”

“You’re trying to pass her on. Jennifer is the most beloved child in the royal family.”

“Good, then. I have no intention of forming a marriage alliance with Tierra, so take her with you right away.”

Caleb bit his lip, seeing Declan neglecting his younger sister.

“…The reason we proposed marriage is because, as you know, my sister yearns for Your Majesty.”

Declan’s face hardened.

‘Is he going to appeal with emotions?’

It made him sick to see everything about Caleb as a gimmick.

“How could I want to send my beloved younger sister to another country?”

Caleb sighed with a sunken face.

“Your Majesty, as a brother who cares for his younger sister, please… Could you please forgive me for my past mistakes and look after Jennifer?”

For once, the caring brother seemed sincere.

‘Still, that’s all related to their country’s interests, so it must be like that.’

After all, if it were not so, would a country’s prince kneel before the Emperor?

“Prince, I will not enter into a marriage alliance with any country, let alone Tierra. So, stop dreaming and go home right away.”

“However, I heard that Princess Este of Ielro was brought into the Main Palace.”

Declan clicked his tongue lightly, seeing Caleb’s confused face.

He thought that it would be misunderstood in this way, but when he heard it himself, it didn’t feel good. It was because, to say the least, it was unpleasant for him to be associated with a woman other than Erica.

‘Still, for now, I’ll have to put up with it.’

The reason why he invited Princess Este to be a handmaid was because she was useful as a shield for Erica. If people’s attention was drawn to the Princess, it would buy him time to prepare for the engagement announcement.

“The Princess is a hostage. Do you think I would marry a hostage or something?”

“…Yes?”

Caleb put on a a dumbfounded expression as if the answer he got was different from what he had expected.

“In the first place, it wouldn’t be a matter for the Prince who I brought in?”

“For-forgive me. I have been careless.”

“The royals of Tierra are all careless.”

Declan raised the sword that was lying next to the chair in its scabbard.

“I don’t think you know how much patience I have.”

As he tilted his head, his fine silver hair flowed down.

“The reason why the neck of the younger sister whom you love is still attached is because I was generous.”

Caleb’s eyes shook slightly as he closed his mouth. At the same time, Declan went on.

“Still, since you showed sincerity in this trade agreement, I will hold a welcome banquet especially for the delegation.”

His green eyes shone fiercely as he placed his hand on the scabbard.

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