Felix Keika of Nirba Consulate approached her to greet her. Count and Countess Plache, wary of anyone who might say anything harsh to their daughter, did not move when they saw Roo smile.

“I heard you’ve resigned. I should now address you as Lady Plache, I suppose?”

Smooth-talking, sociable Felix Keika also greeted Count and Countess Plache.

“How do you do? We have met a few times before. I am Felix Keika of the Nirba Consulate.”

“Ah, hello.”

“How do you do, Sir Keika. It has been a while.”

One of the many stories muttered about Roo today was, ‘Well, she has a pretty face, at least.’ One of the main contributors to that face was Count Ethan Arthur Gennes, who received Felix’s greeting.

He was never condescending, even though Felix was a younger diplomat from a weaker country. Count Ethan Arthur Gennes was already well-known for his gentlemanly nature. Felix offered a smile that was as subdued as it could be in a funeral setting.

“I heard the Western subjugation was a success. I hope neither of you are injured?”

“It’s only natural for a knight to bear some wounds.”

Milene replied.

“Congratulations on reuniting with your family.”

“Thank you. You were of great help when I first arrived here, Sir Keika.”

“What did I do?”

It was just a brief tea time. But during that time, Roo had shared with him the sense of camaraderie that only someone new to the Fersecta Empire could feel.

Even if Felix Keika had intentionally arranged it, she was grateful for that time, as it had provided her with a moment of respite and comfort.

“To be honest, I feel fortunate to have gotten to know you back then.”

The suave and sensitive diplomat lowered his voice discreetly.
The most noticeable person in Shalea recently has been Your Grace.”

“Is that so?”

Lou nonchalantly moved on, giving the impression that such matters didn’t concern her. For now, that seemed appropriate.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the diplomat gathering. I was looking forward to it.”

“Ah, I find that quite regrettable as well. I was hoping to share and admire what Your Grace has seen and felt in various parts of the Ferseata Empire.”

“There will be opportunities for that. I’ve only been here for less than a month.”

“Then we may have another delightful tea time. I look forward to it.”

Lou deftly avoided giving any firm commitment. Given her delicate position here, and her close ties with the Flache family, she had to be careful with her words. Even now, unkind glances were being cast her way as she conversed with the Nirva Consul.

‘I will definitely secure my footing here.’

She vowed to elevate the name of the Flache family, which her parents had worked hard to establish, and eventually become a distinguished noble house by beheading Emperor Caleta. She made and remade this vow, collecting all those stares.

“Actually, I was also worried when I heard the loud screams coming from the Caleta Consulate that morning.”

Felix Keika, lowering his voice, gave Lou pause.

Screams? When?

“The first day of the campaign. Emperor Byfelo’s sacred beast was flying.”

“……You saw?”

“Yes. Every day, a royal carriage is parked in front of the consulate, and that idle morning, as a neighbor, I was paying attention when……suddenly something swooped down from above……”

He couldn’t bring himself to say that a loud scream followed, but the slight twitch at the corners of his mouth made Lou want to flee.

Isn’t there any servant’s luck here, too? Shouldn’t at least a servant’s honor be preserved, you brazen kidnapper! Ah, of course, that kidnapper had left for the graveyard. Damn it.

“Anyway, I was really worried then, but I’ve only heard good news since, and it’s a relief to see you healthy.”

Felix smiled, his brown eyes full of mischief. Once again, damn it, Lou muttered under her breath and responded ambiguously to her parents’ questioning looks.

“I was just a bit…, startled.”

“Anyone would be. I was worried, so imagine how much more you must have felt, Your Grace.”

“Yes, well, thanks to that, I met my parents promptly.”

Just as she was trying to move on, someone called Lou.

“Lady Flache.”

Three young ladies turned their heads. Naturally, Lou’s head turned last. The title ‘Lady Flache’ or the place name ‘Flache’ wasn’t completely familiar yet.

“Yes?”

“Yeees?”

Xia and Bella also turned, wondering if they were being called, to look at the newcomer.

“Hello.”

It was a tall Imperial Knight. She politely greeted Lou’s parents before looking straight at Lou.

“Your Grace.”

Lou had seen her a few times in the west, and her parents seemed to recognize her as well.

What could it be? Lou separated from Felix and moved closer to her. She whispered in Lou’s ear so no one could hear.

“His Majesty the Emperor is waiting. Please come with me.”

“Ah. Understood.”

Lou nodded and looked at Felix.

“I must be going now. It was a pleasure to see you again, Lord.”

“Likewise. Let’s meet again.”

Felix Keika retreated as smoothly as he had approached, bowed his head lightly, and disappeared.

“Me too, me too, Lady Flache!”

“Me too.”
Dressed in a black uniform, Imperialle slightly smiled at the young children chirping around her waist. The godfather was the Emperor, so Imperialle wasn’t frightening but rather familiar. They sensed why she had come for their sister.

Usually, when these two young ladies visited the imperial palace, it was either their parents who took them or Imperialle. Therefore, the reason Imperialle had come for their sister must be because they had to meet their godfather.

“Mom, Dad.”

Before Riga could say anything, the couple nodded their heads.

“Yes, go ahead.”

Although greetings required a hug, they couldn’t do it with eyes watching. They couldn’t reveal the fact that Riga currently lived separately from Count and Countess Flache.

“See you later.”

Exchanging glances with his parents, Riga discreetly held the hands of his siblings and promptly followed Imperialle.

Imperialle led Riga along a less conspicuous path. As they left people’s sight, the number of knights around her gradually increased. Security was very strict, considering that Caletta was targeting her.

“This way.”
Unexpectedly, Hayden was very close by. He was standing quietly when he lifted his head to look at Lu.

On both of her earlobes were the pearl earrings he had gifted her, and on her chest was a pearl brooch he had sent the day before.

“Your Majesty.”

Lu was about to kneel as a sign of respect, but he quickly waved his hand to stop her.

“No need for that.”

Hayden’s large strides quickly closed the distance between him and Lu.

“Are you alright?”

Even though he clearly couldn’t be feeling good, Hayden gave a wry smile.

“I’m fine. You seemed to be having a hard time with all the attention.”

“I’m fine too. I’m used to it.”

“The Nirva ambassador seemed quite pleased.”

“Ah, did you see?”

He nodded his head. His grey eyes narrowed even more, somehow making it look as if he was being coy.

“We’ve only met twice but it seems you’ve gotten quite close.”

Somehow, his voice seemed bitterly twisted.