“…That’s too harsh.”

When Tasir sighed dramatically, Latil chuckled and looked back at the map.

As soon as Tasir saw Latil’s attention move away from him, he grinned and watched her. He knew why Latil was so upset. She didn’t know it yet, but he knew about the relationship between her and the Emperor of Karisen.

However, since it was a problem he couldn’t pretend to know about, Tasir silently observed Latil until she made a decision.

How long was it? Eventually, Latil decided what she should do.

“I have no choice. I have to go.”

“To Karisen? You’re going there personally? It’s dangerous. They might come again.”

“They can’t come if I have the map, can they?”

“That’s true. But if there are enemies within, they could track you.”

“That’s why. This needs to be handled discreetly. Doing it personally is best for security.”

Latil added after a moment of thought.

“It wouldn’t hurt to see Empress Aini while I’m at it.”

Empress Aini was claiming that Prince Hewm had returned alive. If she had a conversation with her, she might get some new information.

“So you’re going officially, using diplomacy as an excuse?”

“I guess so. And…….”

However, just as Latil was about to say something more, someone knocked on the office door.

“What is it?”

When Latil rang the bell to indicate they should enter, a secretary soon entered from the corridor and reported.

“Your Highness. Lord Ranamun wishes to see you urgently.”

“Ranamun? I’m a bit busy now.”

“He insisted that you come….”

Although she could have sent him away saying she was busy, Latil knew that Ranamun was not the kind of person to call her for trivial matters. So she pushed her work aside for a moment and went out into the hallway.

Walking through the long corridor and entering the harem, Latil headed for Ranamun’s room, cursing herself internally.

‘I haven’t taken good care of Ranamun while taking care of the other consorts.’

Although he was the son of a public official, Ranamun had been forced into this by Duke Atraxil. Thinking about it now, she wondered if she had neglected him too much.

‘He doesn’t seem like the type to complain… but did he call me for that? But it doesn’t seem urgent.’

Upon arriving at Ranamun’s room, Latil found Cardoon waiting for her and asked him.

“What did he call me for?”

She wanted to prepare herself before going into the room. But Cardoon’s expression was not normal.

“Your Highness.”

His eyebrows and the corners of his eyes were all drooping, looking like he was trying to hold back tears, which surprised Latil.

“What’s wrong? Is there something wrong with Ranamun?”

“That’s……”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

But Cardoon couldn’t answer immediately even when the emperor asked. Eventually, unable to wait any longer, Latil opened the door in frustration and walked in.

Then, she saw Ranamun standing still in the middle of the room.

“Ranamun!”

When Latil called his name, he slowly turned his head in her direction… Latil was taken aback. His face was so pale, almost as pale as porcelain.

“Why are you like this? Are you sick somewhere?”

As Latil hurriedly approached and placed her hand on his shoulder, Ranamun’s expression drastically changed, making Latil freeze.

Was he… suffering from a headache?

She reflexively raised her hand to his forehead, but fortunately, he did not have a fever.

“Ranamun.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes, stay here. Tell me, what’s happening?”

Latil held Ranamun’s hand and led him to the bed. After making him sit, she stood across him and bent a little at her waist. As she stared intently into his eyes, a cold sigh escaped from Ranamun’s lips, where he usually kept a straight face.

“It’s okay. I’m on your side. Tell me, Ranamun. Do you feel unwell somewhere? Or are you worried about something? Is it about the Atraxi Duchy?”

Ranamun looked at Latil quietly, licking his lips several times. The usually cool, icy man seemed anxious today, and it felt stifling.

Nevertheless, instead of pressuring him, Latil waited calmly for him to speak.

How long had they been like this? Eventually, Ranamun opened his mouth in a voice not much different from his usual one.

“I think I’ve contracted a disease.”

“What?”

Is he really sick? Is this a terminal illness? Latil, startled, cautiously asked,

“Is it… a terminal illness?”

If it wasn’t, he wouldn’t hesitate to speak like this. Judging from his unusual reaction, it was clear he had contracted a serious illness.

What should I do if Ranamun is seriously ill? Should I gather the palace physicians for treatment? Or should I send him to the Atraxi Duchy for recuperation? Which would be better for recovery?

Should I ask Ranamun and decide? But can the Steward treat illnesses?

“I do not have a terminal illness.”

However, Ranamun’s response was a bit strange.

“You don’t have a terminal illness?”

Could it be the Duke of Atraxi? The Duchess? Either way, it was a very sad story for Ranamun, and Latil was highly strung.

“Then who is dying?”

“……my future children.”

However, the returned answer was not so much sad as it was absurd.

“What?”

Who is dying?

The death of a baby is a very sad, painful, and difficult thing. However, it was quite perplexing to hear that this was about babies who hadn’t even been born yet.

If Tasir had said this, Latil would have scolded him for joking again, but since it was Ranamun who said it, it didn’t seem like a joke. But the words were too absurd…

“By any chance… have you been to the future? Should I tell you what year it is now?”

When Latil asked resolutely, Ranamun frowned as if to say ‘What are you talking about?’, sighed, and confessed.

“The tool is not functioning properly.”

“Tool? What tool?”

‘What does a tool have to do with a baby?’

When Ranamun pointed between his legs with his eyes, Latil looked down in the same direction and immediately raised her head with wideopen eyes.

“What, how did this happen?”

“I’m not sure. It happened suddenly.”

“Are you sure? Are you sure about that? Have you checked?”

Latil asked urgently, and Ranamun licked his lips and glared at her resentfully.

“Why, why are you looking at me like that? I didn’t do anything!”

Confused by the resentment in his gaze, Latil held up her hand, and Ranamun asked with a voice that seemed to scrape off the ice one layer at a time.

“How could I have checked it myself.”

“So it might not be true?”

“No. I can feel it clearly. And it’s not just today.”

What should we do about this? No, why of all things did he have to get sick there? It’s so difficult for others. Latil looked at Ranamun hesitantly.

The two were just looking at each other without a word. They needed some sort of response plan, but neither could think of what to do.

After a while, Latil finally asked cautiously in a creeping voice.

“Should I… check it out for now?”