“Are you trying to pick a fight with the South again?”

For a moment, at the emperor’s words, I doubted my ears. But I didn’t mishear.

Arcadia Nugent, standing in front of me, clenched his fists.

“Close the door as there are many people.”

At the emperor’s command, the knight guarding the door asked Arcadia to come out of the hall. We left the Grand Duke inside and exited through the golden door.

I saw the dignified back of the Grand Duke standing inside the slowly closing door.

He didn’t look back at us.

[This is the timeline separator]

– Phew

As the door closed completely, the old emperor let out a deep sigh.

Sion Belfast, the Northern Grand Duke, silently gazed at the emperor.

“Grand Duke Belfast, the shield of the empire. I know you have traversed countless battlefields for the empire. But that is also the North’s mission. Knowing your meritorious service, I have sent that much tax to the North. Yet, do you find your responsibilities unjust?”

“Not at all, Your Majesty.”

“If you don’t find it unfair to go on an expedition to the South, why are you trying to make such a big deal out of something that ended without anyone getting hurt? There is no evidence that the Southern Grand Duke personally attempted assassination, is there? Nevertheless, you conveyed that news to me, making even all the nobles of the empire aware. You besmirched the Southern Grand Duke’s face.”

“There is also no evidence that the Southern Grand Duke didn’t do it.”

“Grand Duke!”

Lahert let out a shout.

Belfast glanced at Lahert once, then shifted his gaze back to the emperor.

“The one who tried to assassinate my aide and the head of the North’s First Family, Sir Arcadia Nugent, used paper that only comes from the South and even wrote Sir Nugent’s will to try to cover up the assassination.”

“……”

“Your Majesty. The Southern Grand Duke’s household has over a thousand guards and servants. Do you think it’s possible for someone completely unrelated to infiltrate the Grand Duke’s residence while avoiding all their eyes?”

There was a brief silence.

The emperor glared at Sion Belfast with golden eyes that were fiercer than before. As if wanting to crush him with a condescending gaze.

“Sion Belfast. Are you daring to doubt my judgment as the emperor?”

Belfast bowed his head. And answered indifferently.

“How could I?”

“Grand Duke Belfast. A very large portion of the tax paid by imperial citizens for the empire is used for the defense of the North. That’s why money that should go elsewhere had to be reduced. The South hasn’t even received enough money to defend itself from the outside. With broad magnanimity, can’t you understand that?”

‘The same words Esther said to me.’

Belfast thought.

‘Did she foresee this situation?’

The emperor was already captivated by Lahert’s clever tongue. And he hates me, not just because of Lahert. Because he thinks it’s the North’s fault that he lost his son and granddaughter.

Belfast judged that there was nothing more to gain by provoking the emperor further.

“I see, Your Majesty. In the past three years that I couldn’t come to see you, I had to fight incomparably more battles and wars than before. That’s why you had no choice but to send so much money to the North.”

“…That’s right!”

The emperor finally received the Grand Duke’s words, as if communication was being made.

“You are already enjoying enough, many things, Grand Duke Belfast. So I hope you cultivate magnanimity befitting that.”

“How could I refuse? However, Your Majesty, there is one thing I’m curious about.”

“What is it?”

The emperor raised an eyebrow.

Belfast glanced at Lahert who was standing there with a triumphant face. Then he respectfully bowed his head to the emperor.

“By any chance, has the total imperial tax collected by the imperial family been decreasing for several years?”

“What do you mean?”

The emperor glared at Belfast with a face that seemed to be hearing it for the first time.

Lahert’s face, overcome with a sense of victory, turned pale for a moment.

“Listening to Your Majesty’s words, it seems you have sent quite a lot of tax to the North to protect the empire. I am grateful. But… it’s been about four years. The military funds coming to the North are decreasing every year. Last year, it was reduced by about 30 percent compared to the previous year.”

“? That can’t be. What is this about, Grand Duke Lahert?”

The emperor looked at Lahert.

Lahert was flustered. For a moment, he felt the cold sweat flowing down his back. And he felt great anger at the fact that he was getting nervous because of the Northern Grand Duke.

‘That arrogant and rude young man from the North…’

Lahert glared at Belfast, who was standing there without moving a muscle, with a smiling face. Meanwhile, in his head, he thought of what to say in response.

I, Lahert, who is in charge of the imperial defense ministry.

Finally, the words to say came to mind.

“Your Majesty. Not only the Southern barbarians, but also the Swantus Empire bordering the North, and the monsters of the East and West. The wars the empire has to handle are increasing every year.”

“That’s right.”

“When wars increase, there are people who lose their lives, and as a result, the population that can pay taxes decreases. The land that can produce yields also becomes desolate. Unfortunately, it seems that despite sending a lot of money for national defense, the North’s defense capabilities are not what they used to be. The Northern Grand Duke must also be having a hard time. But unnecessary battles keep occurring, and they are being provoked by enemies that could be stopped… Because of that, I think the taxes are decreasing, and my heart just aches.”

Sion Belfast struggled to hold back a sneer.

The North has never lost a single war. It was the imperial family that deliberately waged unnecessary wars and painstakingly ordered expeditions that were not needed.

Just like ordering this Southern barbarian expedition to the Northern Knight Order at the northernmost tip of the empire.

Nevertheless, Lahert is saying that taxes have decreased because the North has fought many wars.

Is it really true that taxes have decreased?

The emperor opened his mouth after hearing Lahert’s words.

“Grand Duke Lahert, why didn’t you report such a matter to me sooner?”

“Your Majesty.”

Lahert knelt down on one knee.

“Forgive me. I was so concerned about Your Majesty’s well-being that I forgot about official duties. Please punish me.”

“…Enough.”

The emperor rubbed his forehead with one hand, as if tired.

“Is this explanation sufficient? In any case, the Southern Grand Duke also gave you ‘something very precious’ as an apology, right?”

Something precious…

Sion Belfast closed his eyes once more.

“Is it a gold mine or a pink diamond mine, something like that?”

“No, Your Majesty. I received a person.”

“A person?”

The emperor frowned at the story he was hearing for the first time.

“Just what kind of person is it that you refused a gold mine?”

“The person is here today to assist me. If it pleases you, would you like to see them once?”

Sion Belfast examined the emperor’s complexion.

‘Would you like to see her, Your Imperial Majesty?’

The emperor sank deep into the throne. He looked a bit tired.

It was Lahert who suddenly raised his voice and opposed.

“Grand Duke! His Majesty is already fatigued from the long meeting with you. Are you trying to add even greater fatigue to him!”

A face incomparably paler than when the tax issue was brought up.

Lahert flailed his hands and hurriedly tried to escort the emperor inside.

“It will only take a moment. If you dislike it, I will dismiss it.”

The emperor answered the Grand Duke Belfast’s words.

“Well, I’m curious, so let’s see the face for a bit.”

“Your Majesty!”

Lahert’s voice cracked.

The emperor stared straight ahead with an indifferent face. His will cannot be opposed.

Lahert bit his lip and shouted loudly towards the door.

“Bring in those who came with the Northern Grand Duke!”

Sion Belfast turned to look at the door.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Come forward.”

The Grand Duke said.

I slowly walked to where the Grand Duke was.

My heart is pounding as if it will be driven into the ground.

I, standing behind the Grand Duke, bowed deeply according to etiquette.

“Raise your head.”

The emperor said.

I raised my head. The emperor was sinking into the chair with a tired face. But when our eyes met… the emperor suddenly rose.

“Come closer.”

Your Majesty with silver hair just like mine.

I hesitated for a moment.

“Go forward, Esther.”

The Grand Duke Belfast said.

That’s when it happened.

“Bella!!!”

A voice that seemed to tear through the air resonated throughout the hall.

‘…Medeia?’

Someone who ran from behind hugged me tightly. It was really Medeia.

I was so surprised that I just froze stiffly.

She looked at me with a tearful face and a beaming smile. But her unsmiling eyes were constantly scanning me.

A fierce gaze searching me thoroughly from head to toe.

“Bella! You must have had a hard time! I really, really missed you. Ah… my friend, Bella.”

She hugged me tightly once more. Then she glanced at the emperor from the corner of her eye.

“Medeia, you should pay your respects to His Majesty!”

At her father’s words, Medeia once again put on a tearful face and gave courtesy to the emperor.

“Your Majesty! I was so happy to see you that I entered without paying proper respects. I apologize.”

“You know each other?”

The emperor asked. In a warm voice unlike before.

“Of course. She was my loyal servant.”

Medeia replied.

She hugged me once more. Then she whispered in my ear.

“That’s an unfamiliar mask. Isn’t it loose?”

She put her hand on my mask. And in the blink of an eye, she untied the string connecting the mask and my head.

The unfinished mask fell limply to the floor. She exclaimed.

“Oh my, I was going to make it fit perfectly, but I made a mistake! Are you okay?”

I blankly stared at my silver mask that had fallen to the floor.

My completely distorted and collapsed left face was revealed in front of everyone.

The emperor quietly recited. But those words also echoed throughout the hall.

“It’s a monster. Northern Grand Duke, you need to raise your standards a bit.”

The emperor left his seat as if he had wasted precious time.

Following him like a spring wind, Medeia said.

“See you again. Bel, la.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Inside the returning carriage.

Northern Grand Duke Sion Belfast, after meeting the emperor, worriedly looked at Esther who wasn’t saying a single word.

Esther, sitting across from him, was very diligently staring out the window with a face that looked like she would cry if poked.

That’s when Arcadia spoke.

“Your Grace, I know it’s presumptuous, but may I say one crude thing?”

“…I allow it.”

“Medeia, have you seen such a shanglian?”

Shanglian.

A derogatory term used in the South to refer to those who scheme and deceive others with lowly behavior.

Arcadia consoled Esther with a quite indignant face.

“It’s okay! It’s fortunate enough that you escaped from such a shanglian! You’re in the North now, not the South!”

Then Esther suddenly burst into laughter.

Laughter spilling from those small lips like a blooming flower.

‘Thank goodness…’

Belfast thought without realizing it.

“Deputy Commander, thank you. I’m fine, I’ll cheer up.”

“Yes, yes.”

“I suddenly feel refreshed. Hehe.”

Belfast thought.

I should have said those words.

But he had no confidence in saying it as smoothly as Arcadia.

The Grand Duke suddenly remembered and said to Arcadia, his best friend and aide.

“Sir Nugent. Meet Count Chardin, the Finance Minister, in secret. Tell him I wish to see him at my mansion in the near future.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

Arcadia, called Nugent, replied with a serious face.

[This is the timeline separator]

That night, Sion Belfast, unable to sleep, came out to the corridor.

Maybe taking a walk as always will make this sleepless night pass a little faster.

He went down the long stairs and headed to the garden where the moonlight had settled.

Then he saw Esther sitting in front of the fountain, his favorite spot.

The Grand Duke hesitated.

Esther, wearing a thin shawl over a sky-blue blouse, was looking at the moon high in the sky, unaware of his arrival.

The silver bells blooming in profusion in the garden were reflecting the light emanating from Esther, blending with the moonlight.

Sion slowly walked towards her. Esther, who noticed him, quickly rose from her seat. With a slightly flustered face.

“Your Grace.”

“Can’t sleep?”

He asked indifferently.

“Yes. Did you come out for a walk, Your Grace?”

“Yeah.”

‘Is she uncomfortable being with me?’

She looked down at her feet and then elsewhere, as if pondering whether to leave or not.

Sion Belfast opened his mouth without realizing it.

“Will you walk with me?”

He was surprised at himself for saying that.

But she looks at him.

“…Is it okay?”

“…! Of course. If you can’t sleep either.”

“…Thank you.”

Sion Belfast took the lead. She began to follow him.

‘Walking together in the garden.’

This unexpected night.

Sion slowly, imperceptibly slowed his pace so Esther wouldn’t notice.

Very slowly, little by little, the distance between them narrowed.

Unlike when wielding a sword, her steps were quiet and gentle.

Before he knew it, she came to his side and then started to walk a little ahead of him. Because he kept slowing down his walking pace.

It was more comfortable to look at her back.

A subtle scent of wildflowers wafted in the small breeze Esther created as she walked.

‘Is it her body scent?’

Sion was flustered by his own desire to focus on that fragrance and deliberately opened his mouth. A question he had always thought he must ask someday.

“Esther, do you not have memories of your childhood?”

“No. I have no memories from before the age of five. I clearly have knowledge, but… it’s as if only the memories disappeared. I couldn’t remember my name or who I was.”

“…I see. Then you don’t remember who your parents are either?”

That was what he really wanted to ask.

For a moment, she hesitated. Then, as if going somewhere else other than this place, she raised her eyes and looked into the distance.

After a while, she slowly opened her mouth.

“…Yes.”

“…I see.”

Sion Belfast looked into her sky-blue eyes.

Silver hair just like the emperor’s. And sky-blue eyes that looked exactly like the deceased crown princess he had seen only once as a child. And the one who resembled the crown princess…

Without realizing it, his thoughts return to his memories.

“Your Grace?”

Esther looked at him. A gaze that seemed to demand an answer. At that gaze, Sion turned his head.

“It’s nothing. The moon… is bright.”

At those words, Esther raised her head and looked at the distant sky. But it seemed she was looking not at the moon, but somewhere far beyond it.

Looking at her side profile, Sion Belfast thought.

Esther, your eyes always seem to be looking at that distant place.

You who appeared before me again in a tattered state.

At some point, I unknowingly keep following you with my eyes as you fly off, white and dazzling.

At some point, I pity you and adore you, once again.

It’s ridiculous to the point that I can’t understand myself being like this.

You probably don’t have memories of your previous life…

White butterfly. Isn’t it ridiculous for me to be like this?