In March, Ines’s term of service would end. She couldn’t be here to greet that end. After returning to the temple, receiving formal permission, she had to go to Landhill.

Even though it was a natural course of events, Carson looked at her with surprised eyes. It was an expression that seemed to say he hadn’t thought of that.

“Now, my Lord, you also have to return to Landhill. There probably won’t be a war in Monstera for a while. The people of Landhill are eagerly awaiting your return.”

Ines spoke straightforwardly, and Carson looked at her with a strange gaze.

“Before you go back to the territory, stop by the palace and swear loyalty. It’s not that difficult.”

“Is that sincere?”

“I can’t completely give up Landhill.”

Noah, watching Ines deal with Carson, clicked his tongue. What she was saying now wasn’t much different from what Noah had just told Carson.

“Do they want me to give up Monstera’s land?”

“That’s not possible.”

Hearing Ines’s response, Carson frowned and chuckled. When his sharp eyes met Ines’s, she rolled her eyes. Carson, who had been sitting tensely, leaned back, revealing a leisurely posture. His appearance was like that of a beast that had stretched out its body after making a big leap, and it made Ines’s heart beat a little faster.

At any moment, Carson was beautiful.

She took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and smiled warmly.

“As soon as my time at the temple is over, I’ll also go to Landhill.”

“Ines?”

“Yes.”

“What are you doing now?”

At Noah’s piercing words, Ines’s body trembled as if being stabbed.

“That… what are you talking about?”

She forced a smile, trying to ensure he wouldn’t know her true feelings.

“I mean, what are you doing right now?”

“No, it’s not that…”

He closed his eyes as if trying to assess the situation and clenched his fist. At times like this, he felt like an unapproachable castle. When he opened his eyes, they glittered with a golden light.

“Are you trying to make me the Emperor now?”

For a moment, Noah took a sharp breath from the side. However, there was no change in Ines’s expression.

“Noah said so, but you probably have the largest stockpile of military supplies in the empire. If you have them, you can probably wage war for about 300 years.”

“What are you talking about…”
“300 years is not the case,” Ines’s voice kept fading away as she spoke.

“I don’t intend to go to war.”

“Buying things for war, then?”

“It’s just preparations for defense.”

Carson laughed heartily. His laughter seemed to make the floor vibrate along with Ines’s heartbeat.

“Anyway, it’s right for you to go to the capital now.”

“You really decided to live for my sake.”

“It wasn’t an empty statement.”

“So, are you telling me to become the Emperor?”

Ines didn’t respond, and Carson sighed deeply, seemingly frustrated.

“Why can’t you send me higher? Are you worried about getting further away from here?”

Ines continued to keep her silence.

While it was true that she had made various preparations out of fear that the Empress would harm Carson, it was by no means a statement that she would start a war to put him on the throne. She hadn’t made a proper decision or plan yet.

Feeling unsettled inside, Ines abruptly stood up.

“I have to go now. I came in a hurry while doing the laundry.”

“So, you’re giving up the plan to make me the Emperor and going to do the laundry now?”

“Yes, for now.”

Carson extended his arm as if guiding her to the door. In response, Ines lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, showing a gesture a maid would make to a lord.

Approaching the door, Ines grabbed the handle. The woman who had been acting as if she would leave soon paused for a moment, and Carson watched her intently. Shortly after, she turned around precisely, smiled warmly at Carson.

“I have a little over a month left.”

“…Yeah.”

“I’ll come to see you soon, wherever you are, my Lord.”

He also smiled warmly at her.

“Yeah, I’ll be waiting quietly. Without causing any trouble.”

Perhaps this would be the affectionate parting greeting between the two. In a world where anything could happen, the two would have to walk their separate paths again.

However, the woman like a wave going to do the laundry would surely crash into him in some form.

He couldn’t take his eyes off the door until it closed after Ines left. The lingering scent she left behind was as long as her departure.

Noah, who urgently sat down without asking for permission, was now on the opposite side of Carson.

“So, what’s your plan?”

“I have to go.”

Without a second thought, he spoke decisively, and Noah looked surprised instead.

“What?”

“I have to go and swear allegiance. She said she has to do the laundry.”