Sieghart’s unusually long explanation was, as expected, characteristic of him. It was an answer that did nothing to satisfy Natasha’s curiosity, and was worse than not answering at all.

Well, regarding the former, although she didn’t know how much money the man had bet on his helper, it was understandable that it was worth investing in him since he had raised a rebellion against the imperial family.

But the latter…

‘…Pitiful?’

The man felt compassion?

She would bet her life that there wasn’t a single person under the heavens who would feel sorry for Sieghart Asthart, even if you searched the entire continent.

Surely the former must be the correct answer.

Natasha caught herself glancing sideways at the man who was casually spouting nonsense as if it were the gospel truth.

“…Anyway, I’ll make good use of it. Oh, after attending the banquet, I plan to contact potential candidates for the next emperor. Since some are missing, I’ll have Sir Dante’s knight order search for them.”

“Knight order?”

“I’ve gathered knights from the former royal knight order to form a new one. They will join forces with the shadows of Galonde to assist in the rebellion.”

Natasha proudly added her achievements, as if to say she wasn’t carrying out the rebellion solely with Sieghart’s help.

However, what Sieghart paid close attention to was something else.

The man frowned as if something displeased him. His clear face crumpled like a thin sheet of paper.

“So you’ve thrown yourself into danger again.”

“There won’t be a moment I’m not in danger since I’m planning a rebellion.”

She retorted nonchalantly, as if saying ‘what else did you expect?’

The gaze that followed her was harsh. A familiar emotion resided in those eyes that scrutinized her persistently.

Natasha, recognizing the nature of the presence coexisting beyond the red swamp, hastily changed the subject. Listening to the man’s detestable concern was quite tiring.

“For now, I’ve marked the second prince as a promising candidate.”

The second prince, Helio Letius.

Many believed that if the previous emperor had lived, Helio, not Kyle Letius, the current emperor, would have become the master of Letius.

Therefore, Helio must also be dissatisfied with Kyle’s ascension to the throne. She firmly believed that if the throne was offered as compensation, he would accept their proposal without hesitation.

“No, it’s better to exclude that man from the candidates.”

“Exclude… him?”

She furrowed her brow, as if unable to understand the man’s assertion.

“As you said, Helio Letius was a strong candidate for the next emperor despite his brother being the heir to the throne. Don’t you wonder why he’s remained silent all this time, even though he must feel resentful for not ascending to the throne due to the sudden death of the previous emperor?”

“Isn’t that because he felt it was pointless to fight for the throne when his brother was already the heir?”

“Of course, it was impossible to prevent Kyle Letius’s ascension when the succession had to be changed due to the previous emperor’s death. However, considering the rapidly declining honor of the Letius imperial family after Kyle Letius’s ascension, he could have raised issues.”

Come to think of it, that was true.

Since Kyle Letius’s ascension, the once-high reputation of the Letius imperial family had rapidly crumbled. This was because he had no interest in politics and only indulged in luxury and women.

The cracks in the long-established diplomacy of the Letius Empire had begun to appear, to the extent that people desperately needed the existence of Helio Letius, who held the position of strategist in the imperial family.

At that time, if Helio had actively advocated for the current emperor’s dethronement, the story might have been different.

But contrary to everyone’s expectations, Helio didn’t move. He lived in silence, not showing his face in social circles at all, as if afraid of something.

Then, after the imperial family succeeded in bringing half of the Charliee territory as a vassal state, he was exiled to another country. Charged with the crime of initially refusing the plan to usurp the emperor.

“Helio Letius is an intelligent person, but despite having numerous opportunities to demonstrate his abilities, he was a coward who was content to hide, intimidated. Promising the position of the next emperor is tantamount to revealing that our intention is rebellion. A man who disguises his cowardice as purity won’t allow such an intention. Moreover, he’s somewhat cunning, so even if he accepts our terms, he’s someone who might betray us at any time.”

“If it’s the latter you’re worried about, we should suspect all members of the imperial family. I have no intention of refuting, but in the end, this is all that’s left to say. Following that logic, I’m not sure if we’ll quickly find a suitable person to join hands with.”

It wasn’t that Natasha didn’t understand Sieghart’s concerns. Because she empathized, she felt frustrated.

If that were the case, they couldn’t join hands with any of the candidates.

Unlike the Galonde Empire, which only lent its shadows, the helper had to put themselves on the line in this gambling-like situation. Would they risk stepping into something that might or might not succeed?

They might even report the rebels to Kyle Letius…

“We need to recruit someone who clearly and passionately desires power, the throne.”

In response to Natasha’s deep sigh, Sieghart carefully offered his opinion.

“I think Ron Letius, who was the sixth prince, second from the last, is suitable.”

“Ron Letius… You mean the one who was exiled and is barely surviving in the rural outskirts?”

After a moment, Sieghart nodded up and down.

Kyle, who paid some attention to public opinion, stripped all his brothers of their positions after his ascension, except for the second and third princes who had won the people’s admiration.

Among them, it was said that Ron Letius lived a life worse than that of a commoner.

It was said that he couldn’t even enter high society due to the emperor’s checks. Since he had fallen out of the emperor’s favor, his interactions with other nobles had gradually ceased. All he had left was truly just his name, and even that was a small and powerless baron title.

“Ron Letius was actually a rebel. He quickly advocated for impeachment even when Kyle’s position became precarious. He gave up quickly, probably feeling his life was threatened.”

“…Still, he’s different from Helio.”

“That can be said, yes.”

Thanks to Sieghart actively offering his opinion, the situation had become a bit more hopeful.

Natasha, exhaling a sigh of relief, stared at the man across from her for a moment.

The man was truly helping her. Respecting her adequately while also adequately putting forward his own opinions. Leading them to a situation advantageous to them…

Although it was a reunion mixed with impure intentions, it was flowing in a good direction for Natasha.

“…You’re quite proactive, Your Excellency.”

Natasha muttered without realizing it.

She looked surprised when she realized that words she had been quietly holding in her heart had slipped out.

Perhaps because the woman who always responded stiffly showed an unexpectedly human side, Sieghart also became flustered and laughed louder than usual.

Worried that it might be perceived as mockery, he hurriedly erased his laugh, but a faint smile that hadn’t completely faded remained beautifully at the corners of his eyes.

“I told you, I wish for your happiness and safety.”

“…”

“So don’t make rash promises. I will surely make the rebellion succeed. So that I can prove that the only way for me to be forgiven by you is not through indifference, but through salvation.”

It was a ridiculous thing to say.

Even if Sieghart helped Natasha’s rebellion and that rebellion succeeded, there was no chance of her forgiving him.

Likewise, there was no chance of her receiving salvation from him.

But why? Natasha couldn’t easily reproach him.

Perhaps it was because Sieghart’s beautiful smile, innocent like a boy’s, kept lingering in her mind.

She chided herself for her loosened tension. When had she risked danger to escape from this man, only to act stupidly now as if he were on her side just because he offered a few words of help?

“Don’t say strange things. When the rebellion is over, we…”

“Yes, we’ll part ways.”

Filled with defiance, she snapped at the man who was innocent, yet the cause of the incident.

As if reminding herself, she emphasized to the man that their separation was not far off.

“But not now.”

“…”

“So now, while I’m with you, while my mind is surprisingly whole, I imagine a happy future. Because that will be my only sanctuary and future.”

Sieghart’s eyelids suddenly closed after he finished speaking.

The eyeballs that had been moving under the thin membrane quickly found their place as the eyelids reopened.

In fact, it was Natasha who moved away. She avoided the man’s gaze by looking at the innocent frame across from her.

Ah, she disliked it.

This moment that truly made her feel like a sinner…

After the plotting with Sieghart was over, Natasha met with Sir Dante as scheduled.

She had hoped that Sir Dante would stay with her while she was at the Asthart ducal residence if possible, but for security reasons, they decided to stay apart for the time being.

The news that he, who had belonged to the Charliee royal knight order, had suddenly joined the Asthart knight order would arouse the emperor’s suspicion.

Natasha informed Sir Dante of the final strategy to be carried out at the imperial banquet.

Natasha planned to secretly leave her seat when the imperial knight order’s event began and enter the main palace. At that time, knights disguised as servants of the Asthart ducal family were also scheduled to join.

The core of the strategy was for the knights to search the office and find the location of the contract between the emperor and the duchy, while Natasha would find the secret room hidden in the bedroom.

To do this, she had to memorize the map drawn by Sieghart. This meant she had to input the entire geography of the enormous main palace, like a mountain, into her head.

The imperial banquet would be held in three weeks, at the beginning of spring.

Until then, Natasha, her knight order, and Sieghart had to work to ensure there were no flaws in the plan.

Time passed quickly, and the first stage, on which everyone’s fate hung, approached.