I skipped dinner and the next morning, only sleeping.

Some people came looking for me, puzzled, but I spent my time in a daze, half in a dream and half in reality.

Most of my dreams were filled with Edrish, making them very unpleasant, but still better than reality.

It wasn’t until evening, when Edrish came to find me, that I finally sat up in bed.

My face was swollen, and my hair was a mess.

I roughly combed my hair with my hands.

It was all tangled.

Then I exaggeratedly yawned.

“Did you come because of the curse? Sorry, I must have been tired; I slept without realizing the time. I’ll go to Edrish’s room now.”

“It’s fine to skip today if you’re tired.”

Edrish, too, was farther away from me than usual.

Is it because he dislikes what I like? Fine. I won’t like you anymore, so don’t worry. Even if I do, I won’t foolishly confess like before.

I swallowed the sharp words. There was nothing to say if he didn’t ask.

“What brings you here? But it’s okay. I’ve slept all day and have a lot of energy. It’s my duty after all.”

It was the only obligation given to me in this mansion, and the only connection between me and Edrish.

“Never mind that. I came to deliver this.”

He extended a bundle of paper.

“What is this? To my dear friends, Edrun and Sila… sent by Ternya?”

I recognized it immediately. Even the flamboyant ending was just like her.

A delighted giggle escaped me.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you smile like that.”

“Really?”

Although I’d forced smiles in front of Edrish before, it had been a long time since I’d genuinely smiled.

But that’s because I was rejected. Twice.

“I’m happy, that’s why.”

“So, you’re that happy about Terminus.”

Edrish’s voice was quite bitter.

What’s his problem? He’s the one who rejected me, so why act like that? Does he want me to be some kind of romantic fool who only likes him? It’s like he doesn’t want to have me, but doesn’t want anyone else to either.

What a terrible guy.

I pursed my lips and pulled out the letter.

It was mostly filled with long greetings and expressions of missing me.

As I was trying to read intently, Edrish snatched the letter back. When I looked puzzled, he turned to the third page and handed it back to me.

On the third page, near the end, the main point of the letter finally appeared.

The date for the gathering of lords in Central has been decided. You can come to the address below by the date specified.
Will you also be accompanying Cecilia? I already look forward to the day we meet again.

Ah, around that time, it might snow. Make sure to wear warm clothes so you don’t get cold.

Just imagining Cecilia covered in snow and fur makes my heart swell. She would surely look like a snow goddess. Such a woman…

“A gathering of the lords?”

“It’s a banquet that has continued ever since various beastmen races united under the name of Derod.”

Idrish continued the explanation.

Before Derod, each beastman race lived in their own territory, constantly fighting with other races.

Then Baekho’s beastman Artigrado appeared and unified the country by force.

A time of peace had come, but there was still lingering resentment among the beastmen.

To prevent their troubles, this gathering of the lords came into being.

Each beastman’s leader, the lords, would gather once a year in Central.

They would form friendships and promise not to attack each other.

Over time, the importance of this gathering grew, and those who did not participate risked ostracization from other beastmen, or were suspected of preparing for rebellion.

Therefore, all the lords of Derod attended every year.

“But did this continue even after the fall of the Artigrado royal family? Even while fighting for power among their own domains?”

“A lamp in the wind. It could disappear at any moment.”

It seems that it also appeared in novels.

It wasn’t an important scene, but Lobero’s next lord and Agila’s lord had a big fight. It was probably because Agila was suspected to be the culprit of the poisoned water incident.

Moreover, Ozar sneaked out and enjoyed a night date with Zaika.

They laid the poison and the real culprit is out on a date? Isn’t that too much?

Of course, Ozar knew nothing about the poison.

“So you’re saying you’ll attend this gathering now?”

“Yes.”

I had suspected as much since the last time we went to get the antidote without hiding our identities.

Idrish was planning to reveal his true identity to the people.

“But it will be dangerous. All the leaders gathered there either overthrew Artigrado or lost their families in the rebellion. They will harbor tremendous hostility towards you…”

“I have no intention of hiding forever. Something like this will happen sooner or later. Lobero will provide a minimum shield from behind, so there’s no reason to delay.”

“There must be a better way.”

“Of course, there are easier ways to reclaim the throne. All I have to do is gather military force and explosives in secret.”

I was at a loss for words.
It meant taking Derod by force, just like in the novel.

It was definitely an easier and simpler way.