“You, come see me later.”

He really knows how to annoy me. Despite my irritation at Lillith, who teased me even at times like this, the conversation with Hecate was more critical to prevent her from mobilizing the military.

Now wasn’t the time to casually go against her wishes. It was foolish to fall for Lillith’s joking provocation.

“Anyway, I oppose my mother moving the military right away.”

As Hecate cautiously sat beside me, I explained my reasons.

Mindlessly opposing something without supporting reasons was like claiming that a deflated sandwich was a perfect dish and forcefully pushing it on someone to eat.

“Mother has a personality that feels a sense of duty to handle things herself rather than entrusting them to others.”

Moreover, I had observed and trained this fellow into an excellent talent when they were young in my previous life. I had experienced firsthand their personality and sensitivity in different situations. I remembered every mistake they made during the early days of imperial life.

“Then, Mother will go to the coastal village with a surveillance unit.”

I was confident about this.

Since Hecate cherished her daughter greatly, she might listen, but if you were going to do something, you should do it properly, right?

Anyway, I planned to navigate the situation to reach the most rational conclusion. At the same time, I wouldn’t sharply criticize the reasons behind Hecate’s intention to move the military.

This was crucial to avoid appearing as an arrogant and presumptuous young princess once she succeeded to the throne.

“It would be better if the Duchess managed it as she did before.”

However, the most critical issue was the current condition of the coastal village to the west.

“We don’t even know who is currently managing it. What if we go there recklessly and get hurt again?”

As Hecate mentioned when I overheard their conversation outside, rumors spread that the Duchess went mad, and right after that, the situation in the western coastal village became strange.

In such cases, according to imperial law, a suitable person from a related family had to become the temporary administrator to oversee the area. Only when it was impossible to find a suitable candidate would the imperial family directly take charge.

But did such a report reach the imperial palace?

What did Vladimir, the Duke, think and how did he treat his ailing wife?

Why were there rumors damaging to the family, and why had they left the territory managed by a spouse in disarray for so long?

If they couldn’t resolve the abnormal situation in the coastal village with their own power, they should have reported it secretly, even if it meant asking for help from Jeff or consulting with Hecate.

Vladimir, the Duke, couldn’t have been unaware of the current state of the western coastal village.
“Moreover, the sudden disappearance of the villain is too strange.”

After a moment, as if to make this statement even more frightening, the sun was briefly covered by clouds, darkening the room.

“To attribute the villain fleeing in fear, it’s because Mother’s wrist injury is too severe.”

I leaned against the weight of the shadow in the dark study, resting my chin on my hand.

“It’s as if it’s warning that things won’t end here.”

Could it be that an unknown entity appeared and harmed the child I had trained to become the top expert?

While I considered the villain despicable, if I had used the child as a hostage, even if I had been in the position of the flourishing emperor, I would have faced the same fate as Hecate.

I didn’t particularly like children, but I didn’t enjoy irrational situations where innocent and naive people were sacrificed.

“You’ve been diligently attending classes. You even know how to analyze things so meticulously!”

But… why was Hecate so happy and moved at a time that should be serious and solemn? There was no reason for her to have a cute face, wrapping both hands around her cheeks, her eyes shining like dewdrops hanging on leaves.

“Oh my.”

I felt a bit weakened, thinking I had overdone it alone.

“Mother was moved by our daughter’s babbling!”

Cough! It was a surprise attack. Hecate suddenly hugged me, exerting force with her arms around my back and stomach, making me feel breathless, experiencing déjà vu.

“Oh, this… I didn’t realize I used so much strength…”

It was when Hecate, who had successfully returned from the expedition, wore armor. After Jeff had cleared away the nobles, Hecate used all her strength to hug me.

It felt awful to be sandwiched between two former disciples.

“Was there anything in what I said that was moving?”

Still being held by Hecate, I questioned with a bit of fear, twisting my body slightly to retreat.

“I was worried that I had taught you something too difficult for a young child.”

Now that Hecate had finally relaxed, she stroked my head. Soon after, the child showed a proud face, similar to the one from the time when they had won in a sparring match against Jeff during the early Imperial era.