And so it was. I thought a man like Cassard de Blahnath would be good as a husband.

Some might think that Irriel, who rejected the opportunity to become the most noble woman in the empire, is foolish.

But it was her thought that it’s not all about appearances when she remembered her mother, who suffered in love due to her father, Count Agnomon’s colorful female companionship, and passed away early.

When Attila claimed to be a romanticist but argued passionately with Irriel about how the roles of empress and royal mistress were different, Cassard didn’t seem particularly interested in the royal mistress or courtship, but was firm about himself.

“You won’t take a concubine? But what if your wife can’t carry on the line?”

“We have plenty to carry on the line.”

“What if a beauty of the century appears to tug at your heart?”

Receiving such a ridiculous question, Cassard’s expression did not change.

“I have no thoughts of taking a concubine just because of momentary feelings.”

He was expressionless as always. Did he look at me even for a moment? I don’t remember that part well.

I just thought that I would already become the future Duchess of Blahnath after hearing Attila’s words.

Being a duchess who could freely pursue hobbies during the social season was better than being a busy empress. Besides, it would be hard to become the queen of society as an empress.

Just like how Attila wanted the royal mistress to play exactly that role.

Regaining his polite smile, Attila, who had been grumbling that I had made him into a bad person, asked,

“So, why did you come here, where Cassard is not?”

“Well, just. I came to bring some useful things. How about you, Your Majesty?”

“I came for you.”

Although three years had passed since his ascension, Irriel just smiled at Attila, who still shamelessly smiled and played tricks. In truth, she was grateful.

Apart from repeatedly rejecting his feelings, it was an undeniable fact that she was able to establish an unparalleled position in society because the emperor had feelings for her.

Rakan intensely observed the admiral’s proud face.

According to other soldiers, the admiral had shut himself in and halted all operations while Rakan was in Lindkom, and it felt like walking on thin ice for those few days.

It seemed like he could get beheaded on the spot for a slip of the tongue.

But since the day the second prince of the Tesia Empire tried to assassinate the admiral, the admiral’s demeanor had strangely changed. Specifically, since the report came up that the woman who was the duke’s concubine had not registered the engagement.

That didn’t mean he looked completely happy, but in the same expressionless face, there was something like satisfaction.

It was a subtle difference that only a longserving person could know.

Rakan handed Cassard the note he had received from the royal messenger in the morning, trying to gauge his mood.

“Your Highness, has something good happened?”

Rakan was the only one who could ask such a question to the admiral.

People in the world feared the admiral’s cold expression, indifferent attitude, firmness, perfection, and the seemingly inhuman appearance that resulted from it.

Taking the note, Cassard tilted his head as if Rakan’s question was unfamiliar.

“I wonder.”

Is it a good thing?

The fact that she might have another man in her heart was no longer important. Even though she doesn’t have feelings for me, her body, her body was Cassard’s.
The woman would sometimes wear an expression as if the world were crumbling, but soon after, she would change her face as if it never happened, accepting his touch. Occasionally, she would kiss him first, even showing a sparkling smile.

These days, going on a mission and then heading to a private room to lust after that woman was his only comfort.

The woman, rather brazenly, refused to accept him fully, saying that she couldn’t get pregnant no matter what, in case her husband found out, but it was a good thing if it meant that he could sleep well without sleeping pills on the days when he met the woman that way.

He did not answer Lakan’s question, concentrating on deciphering the code.

Cassard’s face relaxed with a smile as he finished decoding the cipher. He returned to his usual perfect expressionlessness.

“When did this arrive?”

“I received it directly from the imperial messenger this morning.”

The cipher did not explain the reason for coming, but since it was right after capturing Teshia’s second prince and he was leading the imperial army, it must be related to that.

Yeah, that’s understandable. But…….

Cassard sighed a short sigh. If you’re going to send news of arriving today, why send a messenger at all?

Is he mad?

“The Emperor will soon lead the imperial army here. Prepare.”

“When is he coming?”

“Today.”

Unlike the admiral who replied with a calm face, Lakan’s face turned pale.

Eben Baher’s garrison was enveloped in a new tension as a few barracks were quickly built near Nitsen Hut to prepare for the Emperor and the imperial army’s arrival.

Upon hearing the admiral’s words that he wanted to check the prisoner’s condition before the Emperor arrived at the garrison, Lakan headed to the underground isolation ward earlier.

In the current urgent situation with the Emperor’s sudden visit, knowing the prisoner’s condition in advance meant that the admiral would not waste time.

“Hello, Sergeant.”

Lakan, seeing the faces of Lugard and Scatha greeting him at the entrance to the underground ward, wore a stunned expression as if struck in the back of the head.

Why is this woman here? Didn’t she go back with the ‘bouquets’ last time? Surely, that day, the admiral went into the barracks with the woman, and later revealed himself at the strategy meeting.

Didn’t she leave after having a relationship with the admiral then?

“Ah, that… nurse… were you?”

Scatha lightly replied to Lakan’s surprised reaction, who had even omitted the greeting.

“Yes.”

It was all because this woman was a nurse in the field hospital that the admiral suddenly asked to verify the marriage status between a man named Nemed and a woman in Lindkome, and why she started visiting the ward after capturing Prince Avatar…

Lakan’s grimacing gaze caught Lugard.

“But why are you here, Lugard?”

“Ah! Me? Since there’s a prisoner in the basement, it’s dangerous for Scatha alone. I volunteered. I reported to the squad! I accompany her every time she goes to treat a patient.”

Seeing Lugard smiling all the time, Lakan felt a headache coming on.

Of all the many nurses, this woman who was once the admiral’s wife. No, she might become his wife again!

“Today, you don’t need to accompany us. The admiral is coming himself.”

“The admiral… himself?”

Lakan noticed Lugard’s uneasy gaze at the nurse, realizing that the boy knew something.

“Yes. Let me talk to you for a moment before that. Will the nurse please wait here for a moment?”

The dazzling woman nodded her head in the sunlight, and Lakan, taking Lugard to the back of the building, felt selfreproach for having to convey the pain of heartbreak to this young boy.

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“I mean, not that nurse.”

Lakan’s words caused Lugard’s expression to freeze.

“Sergeant, if it’s because of the admiral…”

Judging that the boy wouldn’t spill unnecessary words, Lakan cut him off and told him the reason he would accept.

“It’s not because of the admiral. She’s a nobleman’s wife. She doesn’t suit a naïve boy like you.”

And she might become his wife again. Lakan omitted the rest of the words and clicked the open jaw of the poor young boy, who might still have purity left towards women.