“Why the gift? It was just a statue carved from a stone or some ornaments, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, I prepared it myself, so I know.”

“Did you send some other gift without telling us?”

Aris, who had snatched the letter from me and read it, asked suspiciously. I shook my head.

“No, that’s not it. I just tried to put a bit more thought into it.”

“Why?”

“He is the first prince from the empire to visit our kingdom. Unlike Miss Aris and Mrs. Emerun, I have been busy with household tasks, embarrassingly lacking in other accomplishments.”

My remark made the two of them nod as if it was obvious.

“Still, I know he is an important guest. Sending a trivial gift would diminish our count’s family dignity.”

“What are you talking about? Those gifts were obviously just for appearances…!”

“Excuse me?”

I looked at Mrs. Emerun in confusion.

She seemed frustrated, fluttering her fan.

‘You can’t exactly say that spending the night with the prince was the gift.’

“There was nothing else. Just specially ordered sculptures and ornaments from a craftsman, not just expensive pieces. People from the empire revere the sun and fire, and they appreciate martial arts, so I requested such themes for the sculptures.”

“You’re saying the prince sent this letter for just that?”

“That’s why I can’t say with confidence. I did write a letter too…”

Mrs. Emerun’s face fell with disappointment at my underwhelming answer.

“So, there was more?”

“No, there wasn’t anything particularly special. I just wanted to express my sincerity as it’s hard to convey feelings with a gift alone.”

“…….”

“Everyone emphasized how important he is, so you don’t know how much effort I put in. The high and mighty value a well-written letter more than gold, don’t they?”

I asked Mrs. Emerun, whose expression turned sour.

I sighed in relief, placing my hand on my chest.

“Fortunately, my sincerity seemed to have reached him. Since it was prepared in the name of our family, he must have appreciated the gesture and offered to escort me.”

“Ha, as if a prince of the empire would be swayed by such a simple thing? Stop making up nonsense…”

“There’s some truth in what she says.”

Mrs. Emerun scoffed, then suddenly stiffened her face, turning to look at the count.

‘Really?’

That was the look on her face.

The count nodded seriously.

“A sentence rich with truth is the true value that we nobles should pursue. There’s even a tale of a letter stopping a war. Seems like she’s not as ignorant as we thought.”

I admired him inwardly.

‘The poet in the corner comes in handy sometimes.’

Count Lorentz, typically busy with his poetry rather than managing the estate, was a typical scholar, better suited for reciting his own poems than handling family affairs.

‘The Lorentz family’s finances plummeted because he, as the head, got involved in talentless business ventures.’

If his son Hubert hadn’t been competent, their family fortunes would have dwindled long ago.

Anyway, with the count’s support, Mrs. Emerun had nothing more to say. She furiously waved her fan, her face like she had tasted something bitter.

Seeing Mrs. Emerun silenced, Aris, looking uneasy, forced a smile.

“I understand the count’s words. But stopping a war with just a letter? Maybe someone exaggerated?”

“…….”

“It’s hard to believe that a simple letter moved the prince’s heart.”

Before the count could reply, Aris continued speaking.
“Could the gift be the reason? It was just a statue carved from stone or some ornaments, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, I prepared it myself, so I know.”

“Did you send a different gift without telling us?”

Aris, who had snatched and read the letter, asked suspiciously. I shook my head.

“No, that’s not it. I just tried to be a bit more thoughtful.”

“Why?”

“He is the first prince from the empire to visit our kingdom. Unlike Miss Aris and Mrs. Emerun, I have been busy with household tasks, embarrassingly lacking in other accomplishments.”

My words made the two of them nod as if it made sense.

“Even so, I know he is an important guest. Sending a trivial gift would diminish our count’s family dignity.”

“What are you talking about? Those gifts were obviously just for appearances…!”

“Excuse me?”

I looked at Mrs. Emerun, perplexed.

She seemed frustrated, fluttering her fan.

‘You can’t exactly say that spending the night with the prince was the gift.’

“Besides, it was nothing special. Just specially ordered sculptures and ornaments from a craftsman, not just expensive pieces. People from the empire revere the sun and fire, and they appreciate martial arts, so I requested such themes for the sculptures.”

“You’re saying the prince sent this letter for just that?”

“That’s why I can’t say with confidence. I did write a letter too…”

Disappointment was evident on Mrs. Emerun’s face.

“So, there was more?”

“No, nothing particularly special. I just wanted to express my sincerity since a gift alone might not convey my feelings.”

“…….”