“Investments are made with an eye on the future. If only immediate results mattered, would I continue running the merchant guild?”

I smiled and stood up from my seat.

“And being religious people, they won’t default, right? Investment is about potential, potential.”

“In the whole world, only you would call giving money to religious people an ‘investment’.”

Betty grumbled, saying it was ridiculous.

Usually, such things are called donations, she said.

I chuckled and shook my head.

I don’t believe in God, so I had no intention of offering money earned through the hard work of guild members to a being I don’t believe in.

Of course, if the monks could shorten the time, I’d be willing to add more than promised for the sake of tipping and image management.

“What matters is that they’re helping the North in danger. So, are all preparations ready to receive Lady Gilroite today?”

As I naturally changed the subject, Betty let out a small sigh before answering.

“Yes. By now, everything should be prepared in the reception room.”

“When did you say the lady would arrive?”

“She said she’d come right after lunch, so it should be about time. Your Highness should also go change clothes.”

Betty said, looking at the clock.

She seemed quite enthusiastic, saying she had prepared everything from clothes to accessories.

I chuckled at her eagerness, which was incomparable to when Lady Gilroite last visited.

“Change clothes?”

“Yes! What you’re wearing now is comfortable work attire. No matter what, you have the dignity of the Crown Princess, so you can’t meet guests wearing just anything.”

“Betty. This isn’t exactly inappropriate formal wear.”

“No! Absolutely not, Your Highness. Everyone is making thorough preparations.”

Thorough preparations, she says.

I laughed at Betty’s expression, which seemed to be steeling her resolve.

It seems last time’s shocking behavior of the Duchess Gilroite had caused quite a stir since yesterday, albeit subtly.

But still, there’s no need to be so resolute.

“We don’t have time, Betty. If we go to the dressing room from here and then back to the reception room, we’ll surely keep the lady waiting for a long time.”

“What’s wrong with making her wait a little! And it won’t take that long. It really won’t take much time.”

“Just going back and forth will take quite a bit of time, won’t it?”

“I thought you might say that, so I’ve already prepared everything.”

When I looked at her with a puzzled expression, Betty smiled triumphantly.

And when she opened the door of the office…

“I’ve prepared everything! You can change right here and go!”

I don’t know since when, but maids carrying dresses and cosmetics streamed in.

The faces of those entering all wore the same smile as Betty’s.

“His Highness will be a bit late, Your Highness.”

On the way to the reception room, having been thoroughly ‘prepared’ from head to toe by Betty and the other maids, Betty quietly said.

A bit late, huh.

But it seems he will come after all.

I recalled his somewhat upset face a few days ago when he asked to be informed of the time and place.

And I recalled myself, unnecessarily hurt by the atmosphere that seemed to ask why I hadn’t told him sooner.

Of course, it wasn’t something to be hurt about.

He too is a man, and a politician.

I should have considered that he might agree to bringing in an empress.

But I thoughtlessly told him he could come or not, so.

While thinking I should apologize for this, I couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable in a corner of my heart.

It wasn’t particularly pleasant to feel just uncomfortable without knowing exactly why, but what could I do.

I couldn’t waste time for that reason I didn’t even know precisely.

I let out a small sigh and opened the door to the reception room where Adela Gilroite was waiting.

“I’ve kept you waiting, my lady.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. Thank you for inviting me.”

Adela, who stood up and politely greeted me as I entered, was alone.

It seems the duchess didn’t come with her today.

I sat down, inwardly sighing with relief.

…Though this was actually the natural state of affairs.

“I asked for tea to be prepared to your liking. Is it to your taste?”

“I’m honored. To think you’d be considerate of even such things.”

“It’s only natural since I invited you. I’m glad it’s to your liking.”

A brief formal exchange took place.

I thought about asking about the details of the past incident, but decided not to bring it up as it was already over and she likely explained sufficiently.

Instead, I brought up what I really wanted to talk about.

“I heard His Majesty visited Duke Gilroite. They say he spoke about the empress.”

“…I apologize, Your Highness. Please forgive my mother’s rudeness.”

Though I was merely curious about her thoughts, Adela seemed to have understood differently.

I waved my hand at her, who was speaking with full of apology.

“That’s not why I asked about it. I was just curious about your thoughts.”

As for the Duchess Gilroite, we can punish her next time if she acts so rudely again.

So, setting that aside.

Right now, I was curious about what Adela Gilroite was thinking.

Whether she truly intended to become empress, and whether she was really suitable material to assist Leoprick and ascend to the position of empress in the future, sharing my intentions.

At my words, Adela, who had been wearing a guilty expression, slightly raised her head to gauge the situation.

“As a subject, I will only follow what His Highness commands.”

“That sounds like you’re saying you don’t want it, but will forcibly follow His Highness’s order if he wishes it.”

So, she’ll become empress if told to, but will place the responsibility of that choice on Leoprick?

I looked at her with slightly raised eyebrows.

If that’s the case, couldn’t she blame Leoprick even after ascending to the position of empress responsible for the empire in the future?

I was about to quickly revise my evaluation of Adela Gilroite.

“Rather, it means I will do my utmost to fulfill His Highness’s wishes whenever he desires.”

Adela Gilroite raised her head completely and spoke clearly.

Our gazes met.

A somewhat incomprehensible, but extremely combative gaze.

“Lady Gilroite has arrived, Your Highness.”

Arnold said, closing the door of the office.

It seems a servant had just come by to relay that information.

Leoprick nodded and signed the document he had been reviewing.

“Should I go to Amelia’s office?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Her Highness is also there, I’m told.”

“I see.”

Adela Gilroite had come.

For some reason, it was said that the person who absolutely could not be let down one’s guard and the woman he most wanted to protect were together.

Leoprick felt a strange sense of responsibility just from that fact.

That he should quickly rescue Amelia from there.

He rose from his seat and started walking.

“Come with me, Arnold.”

“Pardon? Me too?”

Arnold made a surprised face at being told to accompany him.

Leoprick was more surprised by his aide’s expression.

“Isn’t it natural for an aide to come along?”

“Uh, well… I wasn’t sure if I should intrude there…”

Arnold asked with an uncharacteristically stupid expression.

Leoprick raised his eyebrows seeing his usually sharp aide wearing a blank expression.

“I’ve never been to a place where I couldn’t bring my aide.”

Seeing him continue to be flustered for some reason, Leoprick felt a slight irritation rising.

Perhaps Arnold was suddenly having some ridiculous thoughts right now.

Leoprick sighed slowly, trying his best not to show his emotions.

“Arnold. Surely you’re not having such an absurd thought that I’m going to intrude on a fight between two women?”

“Uh… how did you know?”

He had hoped it wasn’t the case, but it was indeed so.

He barely resisted the urge to hold his head.

His aide was very capable, but sometimes he has these utterly nonsensical imaginations.

When will Arnold realize that most of what he imagines is either impossible or won’t happen?

Leoprick let out a long sigh and patted his aide’s shoulder.

“Let’s go now. What you’re worried about absolutely won’t happen.”

“But, Your Highness.”

Arnold, who was about to say something more, closed his mouth upon seeing his superior’s expression.

It seems he’s now realized that sometimes it’s wise to just keep quiet.

Leoprick left the office with his now more docile aide.

While thinking he really couldn’t understand why he had been acting like that since yesterday.

Adela Gilroite looked like someone who had already prepared for everything.

Though the word ‘prepared’ might sound a bit strange, she really did look that way.

As if she had resolved to walk an extremely arduous path for what she wanted.

I swallowed that inexplicable word inwardly as I looked into her eyes.

“Is that why the lady wants to become empress?”

And in that resolve, I realized one fact.

That the lady truly seemed to sincerely want to become empress.

And it seemed she didn’t try to hide that fact, contrary to expectations.

“No, Your Highness. I simply wish to be His Highness’s subject.”

“Then wouldn’t it be better to ask His Highness to arrange a position for you? Entering the inner palace involves many things to worry about and many difficulties.”

At her words of merely wanting to be a subject, I suggested a somewhat more practical position than empress.

There’s no guarantee that Adela would be the only empress, nor that any empress who might come after her would get along well with her.

Entering the inner palace means enduring such stress.

So if her words were truly sincere, a position closer to His Highness than the inner palace would be better, but…

“I will follow any of His Highness’s orders, but wasn’t it originally the position of empress that you proposed to me?”

A strange light flickered in Adela’s eyes.

Seeing that, a question naturally arose in my mind.

Though no particular rumors had circulated in high society, perhaps…

“Lady Gilroite. Do you perhaps have feelings for His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“…”

She did not answer.

But sometimes that silence can be more of an answer.

I easily read the answer in that somewhat downcast gaze.

And I became curious.

The Gilroite ducal family is not inferior or lacking compared to our family.

Why didn’t she express any intention when rumors spread that Leoprick would welcome a Crown Princess?

As far as I know, at that time the Gilroite family had locked the doors of their mansion, citing their son’s illness as the reason.

It means they stepped back rather than actively coming forward.

From what I’ve seen of Adela Gilroite so far, she doesn’t seem like someone who would have retreated so feebly.

“Then why didn’t you take any action during the period when His Highness the Crown Prince was holding banquets? Even if your family closed its doors, you could have written a letter to His Highness or His Majesty asking for an opportunity.”

“You even remember what was happening in our family at that time?”

Adela’s eyes widened at my words.

Did she think I would have forgotten?

Even though I was deeply in love with Lloyd at the time, I was still the flower of high society until my marriage.

I nodded while suppressing a chuckle that was about to escape.

“Isn’t it always important to remember necessary things?”

“I see.”

Adela nodded slightly and then opened her mouth in a heavy tone.

“Since you know, this conversation will be quicker.”

And she met my gaze straight on.

“Actually, at that time, I thought Your Highness would refuse the marriage proposal.”