The daughter called for him again in less than three days.

Gilrod entered the area assigned to Siana with confident strides. This time, with the Queen’s official approval, nothing stood in his way.

Siana was waiting for him in a pre-arranged reception room. His daughter, who had been nervously fidgeting with her hands, looked up at him as soon as he entered the room.

“Father.”

“Have you been well?”

And Gilrod gestured towards the daughter who had stupidly filled the room with people. Siana seemed to realize what the problem was and looked around.

Gilrod glared at his daughter, who seemed incapable of doing anything on her own, as he sat down. Siana, watching his reaction carefully, cautiously opened her mouth.

“I have a few questions about the marriage, if I may.”

“You’re still stuttering terribly.”

And Gilrod raised an eyebrow in permission. Considering the betrayal he had once suffered from Siana, he felt like slapping her would not be enough, but now Siana was a commodity to be handed over to someone else. He couldn’t leave any marks carelessly.

“If, if I get married, what happens to my assets?”

“Your assets? Where are those?”

Gilrod frowned and looked at his daughter who was saying such nonsense.

Unless she was a woman of the royal family, a noblewoman’s assets belonged to her father before marriage and to her husband after marriage.

Some inconsiderate people would pass on the family name to women, but well-mannered families did not do so.

As someone who prided himself on his family being one of the most prestigious in Edegrun, Gilrod couldn’t believe his daughter had said something so vulgar.

Fortunately, she hadn’t completely lost her mind, as Siana quickly lowered her eyes when he glared at her.

It seemed she had been corrupted living in the royal palace. Hoping that Rochiden would be a man who could properly educate his wife, Gilrod raised his teacup. It was then that his foolish daughter spoke again.

“Where, where is my husband-to-be?”

Gilrod raised an eyebrow at this fact that Siana had no reason to be curious about. He wondered if the Queen had put her up to this.

But even if she had, it didn’t matter. Gilrod took a sip of tea and answered.

“At our family’s castle.”

And his castle was a place that even the Queen couldn’t enter freely. Unless there was clear evidence of treason, even royalty couldn’t freely enter the castle of an elder family.

Gilrod put down his teacup and carefully looked over his still intimidated daughter. If the Queen had told Siana to gather information about Rochiden, he could use this situation.

He softened his voice and asked.

“Would you like to meet him once?”

“Ye, yes? But how……”

While verbally expressing impossibility, Siana glanced at him. It was certain that the Queen had ordered her to dig up something. Gilrod, having reached this conclusion, slightly raised the corner of his mouth.

“It would be unreasonable to bring him into the royal palace, but you could go out to meet him.”

“Ah, hello.”

After consulting with the King’s financial advisor as per the Queen’s orders, Anika met again the woman who had cried on her shoulder last time while walking down the corridor.

Unlike when she last saw her, there was no moisture around her eyes and dimples were visible, indicating she seemed to be in quite a good mood this time. Anika greeted her lightly with a nod, expressing her pleasure at seeing her.

“Ah, the young lady from House Lerk.”

“Please, please call me Siana.”

“Then please call me Anika as well.”

At this, Siana’s face reddened slightly, and she extended her hand to her.

“A-Anika. Do you have a moment?”

Anika blinked at the unexpected question. Although she had been staying at Sigrasal Castle for the past few days, being originally from the South, she had never been invited by anyone before.

When no answer came, the woman, seemingly flustered, stuttered an addition.

“You, you comforted me last time, remember? So I wanted to, to thank you somehow…”

If that’s the case, there shouldn’t be any problem. Anika smiled at the woman who was bowing her head, apparently shy, and took her hand.

“I’d be happy to give you as much time as you need.”

“Th-thank you.”

And Siana led her to a secluded spot in the rear garden. It was where they had last parted.

As if her intention to express gratitude was sincere, upon arriving there, Siana pressed an embroidered handkerchief into her hand.

“Em-embroidery is the only thing I’m good at.”

The cheeks of the person saying this were redder than when she had been crying. Although handkerchiefs were not a common gift, Anika quickly accepted it before the other could feel embarrassed.

“Thank you. It’s so beautiful, it’s almost a shame to use it.”

It wasn’t just flattery; the embroidery on the handkerchief was truly exquisite. Judging by the jewels attached to the edges, it must have taken quite a lot of effort.

As she watched her carefully tuck the soft cloth into her bosom, Siana asked,

“Ho-how long will you be staying at the castle?”

“Actually, I’m leaving today. I have some matters to look into in the South.”

She had to leave the castle before sunset to meet with the southern lords near Edegrun, partly to accurately gauge grain prices.

“I see…”

Her quick dejection was both cute and pitiful. Seeing how happy she was to see someone she had only met once, it seemed she didn’t have many close acquaintances in the castle.

Although she couldn’t become too close since she was leaving anyway, she could at least alleviate her immediate loneliness. Remembering the woman’s story she had heard before, Anika added as a consolation,

“I’ll be back soon.”

The southern lords were those who had turned their backs after her father’s death. Although they had made appointments due to intertwined interests, they wouldn’t keep each other long.

“Then, then will you come back to the castle?”

“I suppose so.”

At this, color returned to Siana’s face. It was nice to see her honesty, with her mood so clearly visible on her face. Looking at the woman’s white and soft-looking cheeks, Anika thought. She’s like a friend my age. It wasn’t a wrong thought, as they were indeed the same age.

She asked,

“Will Siana be staying in the royal palace until you get married?”

“Not, not necessarily… Because of my father…”

“Ah…”

She had already seemed to not be on good terms with her father.

If she was living in the royal palace under the Queen’s protection, it would be difficult for her to go out. Anika nodded slightly and said,

“That’s a shame. I thought it would be nice to go sightseeing in town together before it gets colder.”

I know a really delicious restaurant in Gallia, you know. The latter part was just added thoughtlessly. She did actually know such a restaurant, and since the other person wasn’t very talkative, she had to speak more to keep the conversation going.

But Siana showed unexpected interest in those words. She asked with slightly bright eyes,

“Wh-where is that place?”

“It’s near the Governor’s residence. It’s a bit crowded, but the view is good and the food is delicious.”

At this, Siana swallowed dryly as if conflicted. Anika waited a moment to allow her to think it over sufficiently.

Finally, she cautiously opened her mouth.

“Then, let’s go there together.”

By the time you come back, I think I’ll be able to go out…

To the woman who added an explanation without being asked, Anika nodded. She understood well enough that one might want to do something for the last time before getting married.

“Alright. Let’s go together.”

The days were getting colder. It seemed to be because the year was about to change in a few months.

Idren moved with Resda to the foot of the mountain where Hator was. On the day Hator had sent Resda for a night raid, he too had sent Chesa’s army towards where Hator was. Unlike Resda who had failed, they had succeeded, and now Hator was tied up on top of the mountain.

He needed to either capture Hator as a prisoner when he came down from the mountain, or quickly obtain his surrender. It was necessary to end this war quickly in any way.

But it didn’t seem like it would be that easy.

The reason the Brinwell army had surrendered in his past life was because Nebel had withdrawn when the battle situation became unfavorable.

But now, all three families seemed to have no such intention.

No, to be precise, it should be said that they couldn’t. It was already too late for them to withdraw from the situation. They had rebelled during the war, and Idren had beheaded the commanders of Nebel, Ond, and Felita as punishment. They were all either collateral or direct blood relatives of the family heads.

Hator too would not easily give up the war. He would be waiting for reinforcements from Brinwell. Unfortunately, losing Resda was not a big enough blow to make them retreat.

However, the army must not come from Brinwell.

Idren tapped the table in impatience. If reinforcements came from Brinwell, it would delay his return to Edegrun.

It wasn’t just because Ophelia had told him to come before the year changed. Recently, he felt like he was going crazy with worry about the capital.