The heart that had settled down in shock returned to its place as reason returned.

It was easy to guess the background behind Casius’ conclusion.

In the current situation, there was no justification for still claiming to declare Rosemary Territory as an autonomous region.

Today, by excluding Rosemary, he must have silenced the two factions.

Then Bashubir and Duke Diarob would be cautious with their words as they engage in a battle of nerves.

In any case, as long as they are still in a competitive relationship, or even if not, as long as they have to keep each other in check over their daughters’ position as empress, Casius undoubtedly holds the upper hand.

In this gap of time he has created, Casius will probably negotiate with one side.

Of course, this is all just my assumption, so I can’t be certain…

If things go as expected, Casius’ scheme will be the best he can choose in the current situation.

However, I had no intention of ending it here.

I couldn’t let any more of Rosemary Territory be taken away because of that nonexistent Biralopf.

The notion that the presence of magical beasts makes a land tainted with evil energy was nothing more than baseless rumors.

Magical beasts could be captured or contained with barriers.

In short, this was just a battle of justifications.

I will definitely overturn all of this and reclaim everything.

Inside, the meeting seemed to be concluding without much commotion.

Then, through Casius’ voice, a problem I had momentarily forgotten, or rather, wanted to forget, leaked out.

“We will now hold the appointment ceremony for Iblina Winterdell as an aide.”

“…!”

*

The walk back to the Crown Princess’ palace was heavier than usual.

I turned back, unable to bring myself to watch the appointment ceremony to the end.

At this point, Iblina becoming an aide was a matter I could no longer interfere with.

It would be more efficient to forget about that issue now and focus on solving the autonomous region problem.

But I couldn’t help the heaviness in my heart, as if it had sunk to the bottom of the sea.

Time passed mercilessly, and soon it was time for both the appointment ceremony and the grand meeting to end.

In the meantime, my head, which had been dominated by emotions, cooled down to icy temperatures and then blazed with hot reason.

As thoughts transformed into refined determination, Marianne quietly entered.

It seemed the expected had arrived.

“Duke Diarob has come.”

I nodded, and she let Diarob in, then promptly brought in a tea tray.

The perceptive Marianne placed that pregnancy-beneficial tea in front of me now that Diarob had arrived.

Swallowing a bitter laugh, I drank the tea.

‘This useless thing will disappear anyway without even serving its purpose.’

If it wasn’t poison, I could drink it.

No, for Casius, I could drink poison a thousand times over.

As I thought, Diarob couldn’t hide his furious expression.

“Bashubir, that fox-like bastard. To think he’d even hide his daughter’s arrival.”

The events from the meeting room earlier were vivid in my mind. Come to think of it, news of her return had never been announced.

Diarob continued, unable to contain his excitement.

“That prince bastard even held the appointment ceremony at today’s grand meeting. Damn it all!”

His dignity was nowhere to be seen as he slammed the table with a loud bang.

“On top of that, he didn’t even mention a word about the autonomous region issue he said he’d decide on today.”

“I heard Rosemary was going to be excluded, is that not the case?”

“Rosemary Territory isn’t the issue right now.”

I deliberately continued, pretending not to know, trying to instigate the conflict with Winterdell Duchy.

“I suppose, if you just need to outmaneuver Bashubir Duchy, but to appoint Iblina as an aide so blatantly today…”

An already angered opponent can be manipulated by just a little prodding to direct their anger.

Diarob was more difficult than the average opponent, but right now he was in a state of rage where he had lost his reason.

“The prince, that bastard, never had any intention of selecting Snowfell from the start.”

Duke Diarob’s clenched fist was indeed a sight to behold.

Looking at the veins popping up, I smiled freshly.

“Don’t worry, Father.”

Diarob’s eyes widened round as if to say, “What do you mean?”

Even calling him father was disgusting, but the more so, I draped a flower-like smile over my face.

The arrogant, cat-like eyes curved in a way that was dangerously beautiful in the mirror’s reflection.

“Rosemary being eliminated from the candidates this time is all thanks to Father’s efforts, isn’t it?”

To be precise, it was a terrible ‘accident’ caused by me falling into a trap, but I credited it as his achievement.

I could see right through Diarob’s mind.

‘If I praise him this much, he’ll be intoxicated by his own accomplishments from the recent meeting.’

Sure enough, unlike moments ago, his excitement had subsided somewhat.

“That’s true.”

Towards such a Diarob, I elegantly curled up the corners of my mouth and moved my tongue cunningly.

“We can’t let those who’ve done nothing steal that achievement.”

“Do you have a way?”

If I couldn’t pull it to my side, I had to overturn the whole game.

Reset. The first step had begun.

“Why was Rosemary, backed by the Crown Prince, excluded from this autonomous region selection? It’s because of the magical beasts, right?”

Diarob narrowed his eyes as if he couldn’t understand at all.

“So?”

“What would happen if we released magical beasts in Winterdell Duchy?”

This time, Diarob let out a sigh as if disappointed.

“Do you not know how much risk we’d have to take to release magical beasts? If something goes wrong after attempting that, it could even lead to a territorial war.”

Duke Diarob held his head, feeling he had to explain such basics.

He had thought Vivian was somewhat useful when she had tactfully answered about seeing magical beasts in the meeting room earlier.

Vivian’s rating, which had been adjusted upwards, was about to go down again.

Seeing through all these inner thoughts, I smiled again and said.

“Rumors have no substance, you know.”

In a moment, Diarob’s expression changed as he understood my words.

“You mean…”

“Spread rumors. Secretly, but grandly.”

If what I knew was correct, Snowfell had already spent a massive amount of money to be selected as an autonomous region. The benefits they would gain from it would be even more massive.

Distorted desperation tends to make one choose the wrong direction.

Diarob soon voiced the content of the rumor as I intended.

“There are hidden magical beasts in Winterdell Duchy?”

A pure smile reminiscent of Rosemary, unfitting for the red lips of the Snowfell lady, appeared.

“As expected, Father is excellent.”

By the time he realizes I am Dokhwa, everything will already be over.

*

While watching Diarob leave, Vivian’s expression cooled.

The pure white smile had long since disappeared without a trace.

Vivian’s figure as she stood up from her seat was exactly like an expressionless doll, dominating the space.

Marianne, who entered the room after Diarob left, couldn’t say a word, tense at Vivian’s appearance.

Vivian passed by her, striding somewhere with her dress flowing like waves.

Her unwavering steps crossed past the Wolfdor fountain and through the well-manicured garden.

Noticing that Vivian’s steps were heading towards the Crown Prince’s palace, Marianne opened her mouth in shock.

“Y-Your Highness. Going to the Crown Prince’s palace now is…”

Casius was the very person who had caused Vivian to collapse just a day ago.

Moreover, he had left before Vivian even woke up.

‘To seek out such a Casius again of her own accord?’

Marianne’s face was filled with worry as she looked at Vivian.

Eventually, she blocked Vivian’s path.

“It would be better if Your Highness met him next time…”

“That’s not for you to worry about.”

Marianne’s concerned eyes wavered in Vivian’s cold purple eyes.

“It is my duty to prevent Your Highness from walking into danger.”

To describe visiting one’s husband as ‘walking into danger’ – how ridiculous.

It was truly a laughable situation, but it was clear that it would appear so not only to Marianne’s eyes but to others as well.

In fact, even just considering what had happened so far would be difficult for any ordinary lady to adapt to.

Even Vivian, though she hadn’t realized it herself, her collapsed body proved how tough it had been for her.

But that hardship was something she had to overcome on her own.

At least, that’s what Vivian thought.

“If you’re worried about harm coming to Father, there’s no need to worry.”

The urgency of having to go to Casius meant she was thinking of silencing Marianne if she persisted any further.

In reality, just one piece of jewelry taken by Marianne would be enough to silence her.

But then.

“Right now! I’m worried about you, miss.”

Vivian stared at Marianne for a moment to discern her intentions.

Under her solemn gaze, a unique determination was looking up at her.

What was contained there was concern and worry about protecting someone.

In fact, since becoming Vivian, Marianne was almost the only one who worried about her this much.

Perhaps it was a path to danger, as Marianne said.

Vivian found it funny that Marianne’s concern, whose true feelings she hadn’t even properly grasped yet, comforted her.

Yet, a strangely stirring emotional wave made her give Marianne a warm smile instead of the cold rebuke she would have given normally.

“I understand what you’re worried about, but there won’t be any big problems.”

In reality, there wouldn’t be any big problems. Probably.

All that remained was whether Casius would believe her words or not, which would determine her despair or hope.