91.

The two were momentarily speechless at her declaration. Theodore now looked at Ro as if she were a madwoman—or perhaps as if she were a naive girl utterly unaware of how the world worked.

In contrast, the Imperial Princess widened her eyes and giggled, finding something immensely amusing. Ro was freshly shocked by the fact that the highest-ranking woman in the Empire could laugh so freely and uninhibitedly.

“We’ve found a solution.”

“But still….”

“If the Lady Viscountess herself steps forward, there’s no need to use naval personnel. If the Acting Admiral has a better plan, let him speak now.”

The Imperial Princess gently cut off Theodore’s objection. Ro instantly found herself liking the Imperial Princess—especially how the traditionally masculine hunting attire suited her like a painting.

Though her speech was as stiff and formal as passages from an ancient etiquette manual, her words carried an undeniable authority. Even Theodore seemed to sense it, rendered completely silent. The Imperial Princess reaffirmed once more.

“I will issue the departure permit.”

“Your Highness!”

“Thank you.”

Theodore and Ro responded simultaneously with opposing reactions, then growled at each other like baring teeth. Theodore spoke first.

“You are well aware that war is imminent, are you not? For the Lady Viscountess’s own safety, this request should be denied.”

“The Tilsen ambassadors have not yet returned to their homeland. Our own envoys, officials, and merchants still need five more days to evacuate. My elder brother is desperately selling war bonds… If we allow for some leeway, we still have about a week of breathing room.”

Theodore emphasized his point by jabbing the floor with his cane.

“Still, Your Highness, look here. The distance from here to there is vast. There’s no feasible way to travel it back and forth within that timeframe…”

“I’ll manage it somehow.”

Despite knowing it was impolite to interrupt, Ro couldn’t hold back and abruptly spoke up. The conventional route would take at least six days one way, but Ro was intimately familiar with an alternative sea passage leading to the Portmertz Archipelago.

Of course… using ‘that route’ would entail considerable risk, but as long as she didn’t have a naval fleet trailing behind her, success was within reach. Seeing Ro’s confident expression, the Imperial Princess instead wore a worried look.

“I’m not certain you fully grasp the dangers of this mission.”

“I do.”

“And if you don’t return within the deadline, you’ll be stranded at sea? All ports will be blockaded once war breaks out.”

“This is necessary not only for my husband but for other naval personnel as well. I understand that if someone becomes isolated during a mission for Esperanda, a rescue vessel must be dispatched even during wartime. I will fulfill that role.”

The Imperial Princess nodded with a satisfied expression. From her perspective, this situation was ideal—gaining credit without losing a single soldier.

“Then we must discuss the details. Acting Admiral, would you kindly step out for a moment?”

“…But, Your Highness.”

“Please.”

Under the Imperial Princess’s gentle command, Theodore couldn’t utter a single word in reply, his face pale as he slowly trudged out of the room. Ro felt as if a century-old indigestion had finally cleared from her stomach.

“I’d appreciate it if you could share your plan.”

“I intend to use a sea route I know well.”

“Could you not share exactly which route you plan to take?”

“….”

“We haven’t been idle either. We’ve considered ways to send a rescue ship within the timeframe, but returning within that period seemed utterly impossible.”

Ro gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

“That’s highly confidential. I’m sorry. From my experience, revealing the route has never led to anything good.”

Honestly, Ro thought the Imperial Princess would be justified in getting angry, but she answered truthfully. She couldn’t disclose the route when she didn’t know how deeply the Crown Prince, Nick, or their subordinates had infiltrated. Yet the Imperial Princess simply nodded in understanding.

“I trust you’ll do your best. Then I should also be honest with you.”

The Imperial Princess hesitated briefly, fell silent for a moment, then slowly began speaking.

“I’ve been secretly appointed as the commander for the upcoming naval battle against Tilsen.”

Ro’s expression instantly turned bewildered.

“Not the Acting Admiral?”

“Strictly speaking, he’s participating as an advisor. He has far more experience in land warfare.”

“Then Your Highness…?”

“I have absolutely no experience in war. I’ve only studied it in theory.”

Rosetta’s mouth fell open. No experience at all? At this point, it was practically sending her to her death—not just her, but likely the entire navy would be wiped out.

The land forces might hold up somehow with the formidable Marquis Conchester as commander, but the navy had already lost its leadership before the war even began. If the eastern coastal defense line collapsed, Cyclide would descend into utter chaos. The Imperial Princess lowered her voice and whispered.

“What I’m about to say is classified.”

After Ro nodded, the Imperial Princess leaned over the table and used her riding crop to draw a long line along the coastline.

“Once war begins, we’ll start blockading along the Tilsen coast. These points will serve as our naval supply bases. The command headquarters will most likely be on Draphelgar Island.”

“….”

“If you rescue the Admiral and join us here, I intend to grant him full authority. If Admiral Montrosa is unable to serve, then your husband instead.”

Now Ro understood why the Imperial Princess was so eager to send a rescue ship. Appointing an experienced naval commander could raise their chances of victory by nearly eighty percent. If they could even get Cardier… they could leverage the navy’s loyalty toward ‘Montrosa’—it was a remarkably clever plan.

Ro carefully noted the locations the Imperial Princess indicated. Not too far from the Portmertz Archipelago, but tight on time if she had to arrive within the deadline. Still, what other choice did she have? Ro nodded.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Once my elder brother finds out, the departure permit won’t be issued. Prepare as quickly as possible. Ideally, set sail before dawn tomorrow.”

“I understand.”

“If you need any supplies, let me know. I’ll do my best to assist.”

Ro was about to refuse, but then remembered something and spoke up.

“In that case, one clean-tailed ship would be ideal.”

“I understand. It will be delivered by today.”

As they stood up, a distant commotion grew faintly audible, then someone began running toward them. The sound of footsteps was chaotic.

“Your Highness!”

Finally, the door burst open without a knock. A military officer, breathing heavily, quickly removed his hat and bowed, noticing their startled expressions.

“I… I apologize. It’s an urgent matter.”

“What is it?”

“The Duke Montrosa… was found unconscious. He’s already been transported to the Admiral’s residence!”

* * *

On the way back to Montrosa Manor, Ro was half out of her senses. Even so, she simultaneously felt a faint unease and a flicker of hope. If the Admiral had returned alive, perhaps Cardier would return soon too. Maybe he even remembered the final place they parted. Trying hard not to let herself hope too much, Ro hastily stepped out of the carriage.

Yet the Admiral’s actual condition was horrifying beyond words. A gunshot wound pierced his left shoulder, and his right knee was deeply slashed by a blade, the bone nearly exposed. Parts of the wounds had rotted from days floating at sea.

The attending physician, exhausted after a long examination, stood up and said,

“I’ve taken immediate measures.”

Louise, who had been tightly holding the Admiral’s hand, lifted her pale face.

“When… when will he regain consciousness?”

“I can’t promise anything. The injuries are extremely severe, and his body isn’t young anymore. Even if he wakes as if by miracle, there will be lasting aftereffects.”

“What kind of aftereffects?”

“I regret to inform you… he won’t be able to use his right leg.”

Louise’s lips trembled faintly for a moment, her face deathly pale. Ro thought she might burst into tears at any second, but Louise straightened her back and nodded firmly.

“At least he came back alive.”

“Yes. Fortunately, the wounds were tightly compressed, which delayed shock from bleeding even after falling into seawater.”

That, apparently, was the miracle.

“We need several medicines. Please send a maid to fetch them. Tonight is critical…”

Ro stepped quickly out of the Admiral’s bedroom, leaving the physician’s voice behind. The faces of the unconscious Admiral and Cardier kept overlapping in her mind, making it unbearable. Where hope had bloomed, despair now densely took root. But she couldn’t stay collapsed in tears forever.