“Alicia. If something like this happens again, don’t come alone dangerously. Call me.”

“?”

“No. From now on, no alcohol except when I’m with you.”

“But there might be situations where I have to drink unavoidably.”

“No. It’s forbidden. Absolutely forbidden. It’s dangerous. Really dangerous.”

“What’s dangerous?”

Alicia asked with a grumbling voice, but Eric’s expression was firm.

Eric recalled Alicia’s flushed face from yesterday.

That appearance was something he absolutely couldn’t show to others. Especially to men.

So he became even more resolute.

“Answer quickly.”

Finally, when Alicia reluctantly nodded, only then did Eric smile with satisfaction.

“Wouldn’t it be better to rest a bit?”

“I think so. My head still hurts.”

“Get up quickly. I’ll leave after watching you sleep.”

“Are you going back to work?”

“I need to go to the Imperial Palace.”

There was a meeting related to the Valois Empire that William had mentioned last time, scheduled for late afternoon.

‘Chase said he would attend too.’

Thinking that he was a troublesome fellow in many ways, Eric pushed Alicia into the bed.

“Lie down quickly.”

“Alright. You’re nagging a lot today.”

“You made me nag. Lie down quickly. Hurry.”

“Yes.”

Alicia obediently lay down as Eric told her to.

After carefully covering her with the blanket, Eric sat in the chair beside her.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“No. Why?”

When Eric looked at her with an expression that said ‘What’s the problem?’, Alicia became flustered.

“How can I sleep with you sitting there like that?”

“What’s wrong with it? Don’t mind me and close your eyes.”

‘How can I not mind? I don’t know what I look like when I sleep. What if it doesn’t look good?’

Feeling embarrassed, Alicia pulled the blanket up to her neck.

“I’ll just sleep alone.”

“Why?”

“I can’t sleep when someone’s next to me.”

“Then what are you going to do later? You should at least get used to me being there.”

“……”

This time, Alicia pulled the blanket up to the tip of her nose.

When their eyes met with only Alicia’s eyes visible, Eric finally became flustered and cleared his throat.

“Ahem. Alright. Then I’ll go out.”

Only after seeing Alicia nod did Eric stand up from his seat.

As the door closed, Alicia turned to her side.

She thought it was fortunate that her reddened face wasn’t visible because she had pulled the blanket all the way up.

Still.

‘It would be nice if he spoke more clearly instead of saying it like it’s so obvious.’

Alicia muttered as she closed her eyes.

Her head was still throbbing.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Is this the request from the Valois Empire?”

“Yes, it is.”

The Emperor clicked his tongue, tossed down the report he had been looking at, and looked at Marquis O’Brien, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“It seems the roles have been reversed when they’re the ones requesting to share information, doesn’t it?”

“That’s correct.”

“What exactly was the attitude of their Emperor, Deputy Ambassador Spencer?”

Although it was in front of the Emperor, Chase opened his mouth with the same cheerful smile he had when talking to Eric.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Currently, there are no traces of magical beasts or magicians in the Valois Empire. They judge that while information is necessary, it’s not immediately needed, so there’s no rush.”

“So they’re saying they’ll dispatch a divine artist or so if we request help?”

“They say dispatch, but since information can only be obtained by fighting directly anyway, it’s hard to see it as help.”

“Count Russell is correct. Of course, if the existence of magicians or magical beasts becomes a threat to the peace of the continent, information should be shared, but the appearance should be that we, Britannia, are leading it.”

“That’s right.”

The Emperor nodded at Prince William’s words.

“Then William. Your opinion?”

“I’d like to buy some time for now.”

“Time?”

“I don’t think this will be the end of matters related to magicians.”

“As His Highness says, although the reality of magicians hasn’t been confirmed, there must be a purpose for those who usually move secretly to cause incidents openly. They’re likely to appear again.”

“I want to first confirm if the information we’ve secured so far is actually usable. To prepare for their reappearance.”

“Hmm.”

“Then we could sell it at a higher price to the Valois Empire.”

“What if it turns out to be information not worth the price?”

“It doesn’t matter. We just need to make them believe it is.”

The Emperor smiled slightly and nodded.

“Then William. I’ll leave this matter to you, so proceed. Marquis O’Brien and Deputy Ambassador Spencer, actively support the Prince.”

“Understood.”

“And what’s this? A visit request from Princess Valerie of Valois?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So suddenly?”

The Emperor stroked his chin, recalled something, and then furrowed his brow.

“Wasn’t Princess Valerie a divine artist?”

“Yes, that’s right. She previously stayed at the Grand Temple for divine artist registration and completed her education. Currently, she’s serving in the Valois Empire’s Knight Order.”

“A visit at this time means she’s hoping to encounter magical beasts, I suppose.”

“That’s likely the case.”

“For now, inform them that due to the unstable situation, it’s difficult to guarantee the Princess’s safety, so it would be better to postpone.”

“I’ll do so.”

“Then let’s end today’s meeting here. Will William and Count Russell attend the next meeting as well?”

“Yes, we will.”

“Then good work. I need to go attend to state affairs.”

As the Emperor nodded and stood up, all attendees rose.

“That’s enough, don’t come out. We’re all busy, so let’s not waste time on unnecessary formalities.”

The Emperor waved his hand and left the meeting room.

As soon as the door closed, Chase smiled and addressed Eric.

“You’re busy, elder brother.”

“Yes. Thanks to you.”

Although half of it was due to his own loose lips, Eric nodded indifferently anyway.

“Deputy Ambassador Spencer. Shall we talk?”

“Yes, Marquis. Then, elder brother, see you later.”

Chase bid farewell and followed Marquis O’Brien, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, out of the meeting room.

As they entered the corridor, Marquis O’Brien gave instructions in a low voice.

“You take care of supporting Prince William.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I’ll subtly hint to the embassy about Princess Valerie’s matter, so handle it later.”

“Yes.”

“Ah, right. Come over for a meal sometime.”

“Thank you. It would be an honor if you invite me.”

“Then let’s set a date soon. I’ll go ahead now.”

“Where are you going?”

“It’s been a while since I came to the palace, so many people are calling for me. Then, good work.”

The Marquis lightly patted Chase’s shoulder and hurriedly walked away.

[This is the timeline separator]

“I am here to see Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Welcome, Marquis O’Brien.”

The Empress smiled brightly as she sat across from the Marquis.

“These days, it’s not easy to see your face because the Marquis is so busy.”

“Indeed, I’ve become much busier due to the magical beasts. We haven’t received this much international attention in recent times.”

“Is that so.”

“How is His Highness the Prince?”

“He’s working hard to assist His Majesty. Though he’s still lacking, I think he’ll do better with the Marquis’s help.”

Despite the Empress’s subtle request, there was no change in the Marquis’s expression.

Even in today’s meeting, Marquis O’Brien once again confirmed the Emperor’s trust in William.

On the other hand, Prince Harry, whom he had seen in other meetings, seemed to attend reluctantly, maintaining a silent observing attitude without even expressing opinions.

Honestly, the word indifference seemed more appropriate than observation.

“Your Majesty.”

“Speak, Marquis.”

“Now is not a good time.”

“Not a good time?”

“Right now, the Empire’s eyes are all focused on magicians and magical beasts. No, not just the Empire, but the entire continent’s attention is focused on this.”

“So it’s not good for quietly proceeding with matters, is that it?”

“While everyone is concentrating on the Empire’s safety, if attention is drawn to other matters, it might backfire. You know well that His Majesty the Emperor is treating the magicians and magical beasts as the highest priority.”

“Well−.”

The Empress imperceptibly bit her lip quietly.

“How about having His Highness the Prince move in a way that could help in that direction?”

“……”

“He seemed quite interested in the temple’s affairs.”

“Nonsense.”

The Empress denied vehemently.

“Harry has nothing to do with that side. I won’t let him be associated with magicians either.”

“……”

Marquis O’Brien quietly gazed at the Empress speaking firmly.

Objectively speaking, the Marquis thought that Harry lacked both experience and ability compared to William.

It might be different if he himself was enthusiastic, but he didn’t even seem that way.

The only one who was enthusiastic was the Empress, Harry’s birth mother.

Moreover, the Empress’s recent apparent anxiety was probably because she had noticed the Emperor’s inclination, which the Marquis had also sensed.

‘It would be better to keep some distance.’

Nothing has been decided about the Crown Prince yet.

Thinking that there was no need to take risks by deciding on a stance so early, Marquis O’Brien quietly spoke.

“I have another meeting to attend, Your Majesty. I’ll visit you again later.”

“Marquis?”

“Please think carefully about what I’ve said. At least.”

The Marquis stood up and showed courtesy to politely withdraw.

“It’s a position that His Highness the Prince must want, not Your Majesty.”

“Marquis!”

“And he must want it desperately enough to stake everything on it. Otherwise, he won’t be able to grasp anything.”

“……”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Marquis O’Brien walked out of the reception room, leaving behind the Empress who was clenching her fists and suppressing her anger.

As soon as the door closed, she grabbed the vase on the table, about to throw it, but then tightly closed her eyes.

It was to suppress her anger.

“Hoo.”

The Empress took a deep breath and put the vase back down.

There was nothing wrong with what Marquis O’Brien had said.

It was true that Harry was lukewarm about the position of Emperor.

She also knew that this made the nobles hesitate to support him.

Marquis O’Brien, who frequently attended the council meetings, would have felt this even more strongly.

“How can I make Harry move?”

The Empress rubbed her forehead, falling into deep contemplation.

[This is the timeline separator]

“I’ve put all the kids to bed, Alicia.”

“Really? Thank you, Chase.”

As soon as the meeting at the Imperial Palace ended, Chase came to the Lancaster Count’s residence and was glad to find that Alicia had come early.

Although he was disappointed when she said she couldn’t spare time because she had too much work, he still liked putting the twins to bed and taking care of small errands for Alicia.

Because then, at least for that time, he could have face-to-face conversations with her.

After doing even unnecessary tasks, Chase pulled up a chair, sat on it backwards, rested his arms and head on the backrest, and gazed at Alicia who was concentrating on her work.