“…Then what should we do?”

“Herena, did you find the letter I left in the Academy library?”

“I found it.”

“Then you probably know what I want to say to Herena.”

I slightly lifted my head and looked at Adelia.

“Herena, I support and endorse whatever you decide to do.”

“Me too. I feel the same way.”

Adelia responded with a gentle smile to my words.

“Let’s do this. First, you’ll go on your study abroad.”

“Then what about the engagement…”

“I’ll think more about the engagement. If I can persuade my brother, I’ll do it, but as I just mentioned, that’s beyond my ability. However, if Herena truly wants it, I’ll find a way somehow.”

“Adelia…”

At Adelia’s words, tears welled up in my eyes.

“So, Herena, just focus on studying hard during your study abroad. Don’t worry about anything else. Got it?”

‘This is enough.’

Although it wasn’t the result I desired, I received great comfort and support from Adelia.

Moreover, I couldn’t burden Adelia any further with her promise to do anything for me.

“Okay. Adelia, thank you so much.”

The conversation with Adelia should come to an end around this point.

So, I steered the conversation towards other topics after that and spent the remaining time with Adelia.

Three days had passed since the conversation with Adelia.
I wanted to stay here a bit longer, but it was time to return now. Still, I didn’t feel regretful since I had spent an incredibly happy time while being here.

“Adelia.”

I called out to Adelia, who was sitting across from me and having breakfast. As always, Calix was carefully taking care of Adelia by her side.

“Yeah?”

“I’m thinking of returning to the capital now.”

“What? Already?”

Adelia, shocked by my words, asked with a surprised expression.

“Can’t you stay a bit longer?”

“I’d like to, but I need to hurry back to prepare for my study abroad.”

“Ah…”

Adelia’s face quickly showed a mix of disappointment and resignation.

Calix comforted her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

“Well, then I should go…”

“Don’t be too sad, Adelia. Just because I’m going to study abroad doesn’t mean we won’t see each other forever.”

A heavy silence filled the dining area for a moment.

We exchanged regretful glances, filled with a sense of longing.

Then Adelia, breaking the silence in the dining area, changed her mood from melancholy to a bright smile.

“Herena, when you come back from your study abroad, you’ll come to see me again, right?”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t a joyful or happy smile. Knowing Adelia’s efforts to send me off comfortably, I intentionally smiled even more brightly, appreciating my friend’s gesture.
“No, I’ll go next time. Herena, have a safe trip, and I’ll go to the capital on the day you finish your study abroad. Got it?”

“Yeah, I will.”

“When are you planning to depart?”

“As soon as my preparations are done, I plan to leave tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow? Then I should prepare a lavish dinner for tonight.”

“No, there’s no need to do that on purpose. I’ve enjoyed and loved all the food I’ve had here.”

“No, I insist. I want to. Herena, do you have something you really want to eat for the last time? No, I’ll prepare all the dishes you liked from the old days. Now…”

“Adelia, there’s still time, so take it easy.”

Calix stopped Adelia, who was trying to get up before finishing her meal.

“But…”

“The doctor mentioned that the stabilizer isn’t ready yet, so be careful with your health.”

“The doctor? Adelia, are you feeling unwell?”

“It’s not that. Actually…”

With a worried look upon hearing the word “doctor,” I hurriedly asked, and Adelia shyly smiled, dragging out the explanation.

“Herena, you know, I… I’m pregnant.”

“What? Really?”

“Yeah, I found out just before the meal. My stomach wasn’t feeling well, so I called the doctor. I was going to tell you while eating.”

“Wow! Adelia, congratulations! Congratulations, Count Crayton!”

I congratulated the two with genuine joy.

“A child. Adelia, really…”

It was so touching that my friend was going to be a mother.
“I’m really so happy. You’re going to be a mom.”

“Me too. I’m a mom. It still doesn’t feel real.”

“Adelia will undoubtedly be a great mom.”

“Do you think so?”

“Yes.”

I reassured Adelia with a confident smile.

After finishing breakfast, I returned to the room where I had spent my time during my stay. In the afternoon, I spent time packing my belongings. My heart was very light as I could return with good news.

It wasn’t until late afternoon, after packing all my belongings, that I was about to go out of the room to Adelia when suddenly, outside erupted with cheers.

“What’s happening?”

Curious about the commotion, just as I wondered what was going on, the door suddenly opened, and Adelia came in.

“Herena!”

“Adelia?”

“Herena! News just came from the south! The war is over!”

“What? Really?”

“Yeah. The army led by my brother won the final battle and secured the territory!”

“Is it true? So quickly?”

I couldn’t believe it, so I asked Adelia again.

It hadn’t even been two months since Kaern left the capital with a departure ceremony. But the war is over so soon?

How…

Of course, I didn’t doubt that he would win. I just didn’t expect the war to end so quickly.

“That’s right! So everyone is preparing for a festival as soon as they hear the news. Let’s go. We should too.”
Lost in thought, Adelia, still looking perplexed, took my hand and tried to lead me outside.

“Adelia, be careful!”

When Adelia, who was not frail, tried to hold my hand and run, I quickly stopped her.

“It’s okay. Let’s go quickly. Herena!”

Unable to resist Adelia’s determination, I sighed as if to say I couldn’t stop her and followed her.

Instead of waiting for Calix to finish his work and join us, I made sure to pay attention to Adelia, making sure she didn’t bump into anything or fall.

As we rode the carriage and came out of the mansion, everyone seemed to have heard the news of victory, as they couldn’t hide their excitement, shouting in joy.

“Waah!”

“Long live the Royden Empire! Hail Duke Kaern Laverion!”

Especially for Kaern, the overall commander of this war, everyone continuously cheered.

“Adelia, Adelia!”

Looking around, I suddenly realized that I hadn’t asked the most important question. So, I quickly called Adelia, who was sitting across from me, and opened my mouth.

“Is Kaern okay? Is he unharmed?”

“Seeing that there’s no other news, it seems he’s fine. If something happened to my brother, I would have heard about it immediately.”

“Really? Ah, thank goodness.”

Relieved by the assurance that Kaern was unharmed, I felt a deep sense of relief.

“It’s Kaern Laverion.”

“That’s right. Because he’s Kaern Laverion.”
Following Adelia’s cheerful words, I repeated them exactly, and only then did I smile brightly.

After a while, along with Calix, who joined us, we headed to the largest square in the Kraton Castle.

Looking at the square through the carriage window, we could see that it was already filled with many people.

Despite the sudden news of victory, the inside of the castle seemed to have turned into a festival venue, as if it had been prepared in advance.

“Let’s get off.”

“Adelia, just stay in the carriage.”

As Adelia, just like before, tried to pull me off the carriage, I resisted with all my strength, not wanting to be dragged down.

No matter how you thought about it, the crowded square was too dangerous for Adelia, who was in the early stages of pregnancy.

“It’s okay. Calix is coming with us. It’s okay, right, Calix?”

“Your Grace, try to persuade Adelia.”

I begged Calix to please try to stop Adelia, just as before.

“As Young Lady suggests, it might be better for Adelia to stay in the carriage this time.”

Fortunately, Calix agreed with my words and attempted to prevent Adelia.

“The war is over. My brother won. But are we going to enjoy it so lightly like this? I want to go. Can I, Calix?”

Adelia raised her eyebrows and sought permission from Calix.