“Listen, Delina. Don’t be surprised, just listen.”

“….”

“Gideon and I. We’ve decided to meet officially.”

“……What?”

“Yeah. We’re going to meet each other seriously.”

As Eily spoke, Delina’s face showed a moment of silence. Then, Eily, as if she had decided to reveal everything Delina didn’t ask, continued.

“When you said you were going to the border, Gideon was seriously worried and opposed it. Since then, he seemed a bit different, wondering if this aspect was also present, so after meeting a few times… this happened.”

There was a moment of silence. Then Eily, as if urging Delina to say something, poked Gideon’s side. Gideon, looking embarrassed, finally spoke.
“I can relate. When you were away at the border, this one often came to comfort me. And then, it turned out like this.”

Although it was a love story between two people who were very close, Delina’s reaction was surprisingly calm. Instead, she smiled as if to say, “Don’t worry.”

“Yes, may you two be happy. I’ll be cheering for you.”

“…Really? Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Of course. I haven’t been able to say it for a long time, but you two really suit each other. It’s not just empty words; it’s true.”

Delina, who already knew that the two of them would do well, wanted to shed tears of gratitude now. Of course, Delina’s unexpected reaction left the two of them looking at her with puzzled faces. Then Delina, as if curious, asked.

“So, who confessed first?”

“This one did.”

At Delina’s words, without anyone needing to ask who confessed first, the two pointed at each other. And the eyes of the two blinked awkwardly.

“What are you talking about? Gideon, you confessed first. Don’t you remember? When you suggested meeting before that?”

“What are you saying? You confessed first before that. Don’t you remember? In the room that time…!”

Even though they had become lovers, the consistent attitude of the two made Delina chuckle and watch them. Suddenly, her eyes widened.

‘Wait, then what’s our relationship?’

Delina realized that now was not the time to be watching others’ love stories but to think about her and Noah. Delina quickly rolled her eyes. Despite confessing to each other, even kissing and a proposal-like event, she hadn’t had time to talk about her and Noah’s future.

“Hey, where are you going all of a sudden?”

“I’m in a hurry. See you later!”

Delina continued to watch the two who were still arguing, leaving them behind as she quickly entered the palace.

“…So, the Lunan Prince has returned to the Empire.”

The reception room in the palace.

Although the war had ended, there were still things to wrap up, so some people stayed in the palace. Of course, among them were the five children who were key figures in this war, including Vellion.

“Did the Lunan Prince say he would ascend to the throne as Emperor?”

“Yes, he did. We talked about it as well.”

At Ashed’s words, Vellion nodded slightly. Soon, Ashed quietly continued.

“As for the disposal of the Grand Duchess… I will let you know when the decision is made.”

“I understand.”

Regarding Celine’s disposal, a decision had not yet been made. However, Theodore was constantly moving back and forth between the prison. Knowing this, Vellion nodded quietly.

The aftermath of the war with the Lunan Empire and the matter concerning Celine. Practically, the important things had been dealt with to some extent. However, Vellion looked at the five sitting in front of him, as if there were still more important things left.

“Now there are other things to attend to.”

Vellion no longer used formalities. With the mask removed, Vellion’s sharp eyes shone even more brightly.
“I roughly understood from hearing the stories that you guys weren’t in your right minds at that time, but that doesn’t make the things you did to the jester disappear.”

Everyone fell silent as if agreeing with those words. Vellion spoke again.

“The one who hurt the jester the most.”

“…….”

“Who was that?”

Vellion asked directly, but there was still no one opening their mouth. However, their hands couldn’t stay still. The four children all raised their hands and pointed at Noah, who smiled as if he expected it. Vellion’s eyes stared at Noah.

“No objections, I suppose.”

“None.”

“The place that was hurt the most?”

“Well, if I had to say…….,”

Noah tilted his head and winked.

“The lips?”

“…….”

“They must have swelled quite a bit back then.”

At Noah’s words, strength entered Vellion’s hand. The one who restrained him was Ashed.

“Murder is not allowed in the palace.”

“…….”

“There will be witnesses, so take him separately and do it in a quiet place.”

Everyone nodded in agreement as if approving Ashed’s words. Then Vellion abruptly stood up from his seat.

“You, follow me to the Grand Duke’s residence later.”

“Yes, understood.”

Vellion looked at Noah with an angry tone, and Noah responded with a relaxed smile. That’s how the precarious gathering in the palace reception room came to an end.