The initial awkwardness disappeared, and Leo naturally blended in with Artia and the group of retainers.

“I’ve come with my wife.”

At Kasus’s words, the Emperor Deluman’s gaze sank into an unreadable depth.

“Is that so.”

“Yes, as the weather in the North is cold, I was worried about my wife’s health and came down together.”

Kasus had mentioned his visit to the palace, but he hadn’t explicitly stated that his wife, Artia, came with him.

This was to leave no possibility of revealing anything separately, as there might be unforeseen incidents during the journey.

But now they had arrived at the capital.

And considering that Artia might need to move back and forth to the palace as necessary, it seemed wise to mention it.
Deluman chuckled and said, “Seems like your wife’s health isn’t good. To come down here together.”

“Yes, the North is quite cold, making it difficult to adapt.”

“I see.”

Deluman swept his beard meaningfully with his eyes.

“Staying here might help, don’t you think?”

In response to Kasus’s words, Deluman raised the corners of his mouth.

“Well then, Lady Wellington, I’ll invite you to the palace in two days. Until then, we’ll have to discuss overnight. Just endure for that period.”

Kasus slightly bowed, answering in a low voice, “Thank you.”

For two days, Kasus and the delegates engaged in lengthy debates.

Kasus meticulously addressed each matter he hadn’t been satisfied with before, and the initially opposing delegates gradually nodded at his clear explanations.

However, the contents already approved by the imperial decree were challenging to change.

Deciding that the delegates needed more time to think, they temporarily concluded the debate.

Kasus seized any opportunity to investigate the palace.

Although his main purpose was discussing problems originating from the empire, secretly, he moved to find clues related to dark magic.

Artia and her group were also invited to the palace as per Deluman’s orders.

Those who entered the palace were Artia, the chief retainer, Kesha, Hari, and Zen, along with a few knights from other families.

‘Wow.’

Artia’s mouth slightly opened.

The first thing she saw was a massive and deep artificial lake in the center.

Furthermore, the artificial lake was occupied by a group of swans swimming gracefully.

Artia’s eyes sparkled.

The water temperature in the Northern River was so low that swimming might cause cardiac arrest.

The palace lake seemed warm and inviting.

So, Artia envied the group of swans.

‘I want to dive into the water too!’

Stepping into the palace building, an even more splendid spectacle awaited.

Golden sculptures and carefully crafted art pieces displayed as if bragging.

Sculptures carved with such meticulous detail that Artia worried about the sculptor getting dry eyes.

The entire palace, adorned with luxurious items, naturally made spectators marvel.

‘How much money did they spend?’

The spoils of war may have contributed to showcasing the grandeur of the palace.

Although Wellington Manor wasn’t lacking in luxury, it couldn’t compete, but…

‘Well, they seem somewhat similar.’

Still, due to the capital’s nature, the size was much larger.

“Ahem. Well, I think the Duke’s mansion is more beautiful, don’t you?”

Kesha casually pretended, clearing his throat.

Kasus opened Artia’s slightly parted clothes and said, “We’ll be staying in the palace for a while, so if there’s anything uncomfortable, let me know.”

Upon hearing that, Artia’s gaze shifted beyond the palace.

“How about a training ground here?”

“A training ground?”
“Yes, though I don’t know about other things, I’m most curious about the training ground.”

Artia was already feeling excited.

She wondered about the scale of the royal training ground.

Above all, she was curious about what kinds of equipment were in and around the training ground. What might be placed inside and outside?

That’s when Hari suddenly sat down on the floor.

Until just now, everything was fine, but since entering the palace, her head had started throbbing painfully.

Alarmed, Artia quickly grabbed Hari’s shoulders.

“H-Hari? Are you okay?”

“My head hurts so much since entering the palace…”

Concerned, Artia and her companions supported Hari, who was sweating coldly, and went into the assigned rooms.

Artia’s chief retainer examined Hari.

“There’s nothing wrong. It seems to be symptoms caused simply by fatigue.”

“What? She said her head hurts as if it’s splitting…”

“Well… There doesn’t seem to be any particular issue.”

Artia looked at Hari lying on the bed with a puzzled expression.

Then, she brushed Hari’s golden hair behind her ears after taking a sleeping pill and falling asleep.

The physician’s explanation that it was merely due to fatigue didn’t make sense at all.

‘She seemed to be in tremendous pain.’

She didn’t have a fever.

But cold sweat was dripping all over her body.

There must be something else.

Thump.

Kasus dismissed the physician and closed the door.

“Why do you think that is?”

“Well.”

Leaning against the wall, Kasus spoke.

“She took a sleeping pill, so the pain should be less, and she should be fine when she wakes up, right?”

“Let’s hope so. Also, this.”

Kasus took out an invitation from his bosom and handed it to Artia.

Artia blinked when she saw the invitation.

“What’s this?”

“There’s a banquet at the palace tonight.”

“A banquet?”

“Yes, nobles from the capital will likely gather in large numbers. We need to check if there’s anything suspicious in the atmosphere.”

After a moment of thought, Artia smirked. The invitation only had Kasus’s name written on it.

“Are you going alone?”

“Yes, I’ll go alone. But I want you to know where I’m going. Just in case you want to find me.”

“No… Why are you going alone?”

Artia couldn’t understand why Kasus insisted on going alone in such an uncomfortable situation.

Moreover, being surrounded by enemies from all sides.

On top of that, coming all the way from the North to the capital, if the Duchess declined the invitation to the official royal event?

It was evident that overwhelmingly unfavorable opinions would be formed against Kasus.

“I want to go too.”

“What?”

“I want to go with the Duchess.”

Kasus was about to say something but closed his mouth.

He didn’t know if the people from the Harad family would attend the event.

If Artia went there together, she might have to face the dreadful memories of the past.

Kasus didn’t want to remind her of the painful past.

Moreover, if any bloodshed occurred there, it would be a big problem.
“I refuse. I can’t guarantee what might happen there.”

Kasus flatly rejected her proposal.

However, Artia persisted.

“The couple came down together, and you’re saying the Duke should go alone? That doesn’t make sense.”

“Just say I’m not feeling well.”

“No, if you were going to take care of yourself, you shouldn’t have come all the way down here. You should be lying comfortably in some warm rural corner.”

“No.”

“Why not? Afraid I might suddenly cause a commotion?”

“That would be fortunate if that’s all. There are too many variables there. If that happens, I might lose my way as well.”

“Before causing a commotion, warning signs appear in the body. If sudden trembling or chills occur, I’ll leave the banquet hall immediately. And…”

Artia narrowed her eyes slightly and continued.

“If the couple doesn’t appear together at the banquet hall, suspicions will only deepen. It will take more time to achieve the goal.”