His ability to calmly analyze situations and his strategic patience, coupled with a courage and audacity beyond his years, were skills not easily acquired by one raised like a delicate greenhouse flower.

‘Reneve is absolutely perfect as an Empress.’

He thought it over several times; Reneve was well-suited to be the Empress.

An eye for an eye.

Such a method was similar to Icarus’. If someone aimed for his life, he had to seize theirs to be satisfied.

The fake princess tried to exploit Reneve’s allergies, and in the same manner, Reneve retaliated.

It was a perfectly proportional revenge.

One could not survive in the palace with a good nature alone, as his mother had.

Being the Empress wasn’t the only reason why Reneve had to be so; her temperament wasn’t the sole reason.

When Count Siren and the lesser counts followed Reneve to Basker, Icarus had said this:

‘Count Siren, I advise you to seek asylum in Basker.’
‘……!’

Count Siren was shocked at Icarus’ suggestion.

As Count Siren’s eyes shifted from humiliation and shame to rage, Icarus added,

‘The safety of Count Siren’s noble daughter is guaranteed.’

At that moment, Count Siren seemed to be shaken.

‘Are you trying to blackmail me by taking my family hostage?’

‘I think it’s not such a bad deal for you.’

‘……’

‘A loyal dog and a small dog guarding the West for the Emperor.’

‘……!’

Despite the provocation, flames flickered in Count Siren’s eyes, but Icarus relentlessly pressed on.

‘Don’t they call the Siren family that in Paradium?’

Count Siren only quivered with clenched fists.

‘But I have a different view.’

‘What is that……?’

‘You’re the only one who has survived against me.’

It was a fact.

Icarus had initially planned to subjugate Paradium and then systematically conquer weaker kingdoms.

However, he had met with an obstacle in the initial stage due to Count Siren.

The territories of Eastern Basker and Western Paradium were adjacent, and for that reason, territorial disputes had been unceasing from old times.
The western part of Paradium fell under the jurisdiction of Duke Seiren, who was not an easy opponent even for Ikar.

Within the Paradium Empire, he was known for his excellent swordsmanship, military command, and tactics.

Moreover, contrary to the expectation that getting rid of Duke Seiren alone would suffice, his son, the lesser duke, also possessed remarkable abilities.

To bypass the west and move into the northern or southern parts of Paradium took a considerable amount of time, which gave Ikar some trouble.

During that time, a rumor reached Ikar’s ears that proved useful.

“Emperor’s loyal dogs who would never betray even without being fed.”

The Emperor of Paradium had not treated them properly. It was an unfortunate situation to have such a master.

“Emperor of Paradium must have feared the influence of the esteemed Duke Seiren.”

Hence, he seemed to let slanderous rumors about the Duke Seiren family circulate without interference.

“Your lord does not recognize your value. But I know it very well. So, you shall receive the respect you deserve, as will your family.”

“Are you asking me to betray my country and become a traitor?”

Duke Seiren suppressed his rising anger and spoke with difficulty.

“You have three years. I will give you that time. Please provide a favorable response.”

Ikar, however, was already well-aware of Duke Seiren’s disposition.

Duke Seiren, who had sworn loyalty to the Emperor and the Paradium Empire, would not easily defect to Basheker.

Therefore, while Reneb was in Basheker, he tried to persuade her to encourage her family to defect as well.

That was the plan, but it felt like discovering an unexpected gem.

“Reneb Seiren, you must become the Empress of Basheker.”

Reneb slightly furrowed her brow as she moved to the VIP room.

Ikar seemed to grasp secrets about the royal palace that no one else knew.

Reneb found Ikar’s speed in handling matters both amazing and unfamiliar.

If Eshika had received a female protagonist buff and was incredibly lucky, Lucius was also exceptionally clever as a male protagonist.

He was, at least from the Emperor’s perspective, an individual without significant flaws.

He was on the cleaner side, and his moral compass did not stray too far from average people.

That was, until Eshika appeared.

“Ever since falling for Eshika, he acted like a fool.”

Prioritizing Eshika over ruling the empire as an Emperor was dangerous.

A man in love could be that terrifying.

To the extent that it was reasonable to say that the once-smart man became a half-wit who knew nothing but Eshika.

Before his regression, Lucius had turned a blind eye to Eshika’s absurd actions.

Of course, Reneb was no different.

As long as she was smitten with Lucius, Reneb would do anything for him.

“That aside.”

Eshika was being too quiet, almost like the calm before a storm.

Reneb looked out the window.

The mountain range was now covered in white snow, and the royal palace was elaborately decorated in anticipation of Ikar’s upcoming birthday.

Amber shrugged her shoulders and closed the window she had opened for ventilation.

She then hung a tapestry over the window to block the wind seeping through the gaps.

Kiernean tossed a few logs into the fireplace and said,

“The weather is quite warm today.”

Staring blankly at the burning logs, Reneb stood up.

“Indeed. I should head to the bustling streets before it gets colder.”