Perhaps due to Reneve’s firm expression, both Amber and Kieren seemed to relax, their tense expressions easing.

It was a day not long after Icarus declared war on Solti.

“The Queen wishes to see you. What will you do?”

A messenger arrived at the place where Reneve stayed.

“I will go soon. Please convey that.”

“Yes, Lady.”

Kieren respectfully bowed and stepped back.

Reneve also put down the book she was reading and prepared to go out.

As they arrived at the reception room at the appointed time, Icarus was already there, waiting for Reneve.

“I greet Her Majesty.”

After giving proper greetings, Icarus gestured towards the sofa opposite.

“Please, sit.”

Except for Viscount Zalt, Icarus seemed to have been busy with various matters related to Eshka and Solti’s affairs. Now, seeing Icarus’s handsome face after a long time, which was already distinct, it seemed a bit elusive.

Thanks to his clear facial features becoming even more prominent, he exuded an air of a decadent beauty.

“Are you eating well?”

“I never expected Eshka to ask me such a question.”

Icarus raised the corner of his mouth slightly.

“That’s true.”

As Reneve laughed self-deprecatingly, a bright smile appeared on Icarus’s face. Feeling the atmosphere becoming lighter, Reneve inquired.

“Did you summon me because of the runaway princess?”

“Eshka seems to know something about astrology, right?”

“Was that the correct answer?”

“That’s one thing, and also…”

Icarus added with a sly smile.

“For a while, we won’t accidentally meet in the bathroom in our original forms.”

Memories of the bathroom incident quickly flashed in her mind. Reneve blushed deeply without hesitation.

“That’s necessary. After all, that incident was due to poor management.”

If someone had mentioned that the Empress’s and Emperor’s bathrooms were connected, such a scandal wouldn’t have happened.

“I admit that.”

After a brief acknowledgment, Icarus added.

“The reason I invited you today is not just because of that. There are a few things I want to tell Eshka.”

Icarus spoke with a serious expression.

“Have you heard the news that the perpetrator who attacked Eshka has been captured?”

“Yes.”

“I will make sure they receive an appropriate punishment for their crimes.”

Surprised by Icarus’s swift handling of the matter, Reneve asked, “Does that mean you’ve also captured the fake princess?”

“Eshka tends to overestimate me.”

As Reneve chuckled, Icarus continued.

“That’s one thing, and… Today, I have something to tell Eshka.”
“I consider it accurate to say that we have captured one of the culprits. Unfortunately, the whereabouts of the fake princess remain unknown. However, if she is within Basuker, it won’t be long before she is apprehended.”

Reneve decided to ask what she had been curious about.

“How did Your Majesty come to know that the fake princess of Solti is an accomplice?”

“I had suspicions from before. Recently, we secured a witness.”

“When you say a witness?”

“When we capture the fake princess, Viscount Zalt will come forward as a witness.”

Reneve slowly nodded.

“So, Viscount Zalt was involved.”

Even without this revelation, Reneve had thought it would be difficult for Eshka to plan everything alone.

“If he comes forward as a witness, will Viscount Zalt receive leniency?”

Having learned about Viscount Zalt’s crimes through the Imperial Gazette, there was some concern.

“Most likely. However, even with leniency, there is no hope for Viscount Zalt’s recovery.”

Icarus brushed off Reneve’s concerns, anticipating even such worries.

“That’s fortunate, then.”

“And one more thing.”

Icarus, who had said that much, suddenly closed his mouth.

“Is he going to bring up the proposal about becoming the Empress again?”

Knowing that Icarus had entered Reneve’s image-making, she felt a bit tense.

At that moment, Icarus spoke again.

“Soon, I will depart for Solti.”

“Ah…”

Even before the regression, Icarus had gone to Solti around this time. The cause of the journey had changed, but it was happening again.

“Are you anxious about me leaving?”

“Not really. It’s just a bit sudden…”

“I hope that when I return to Basuker, Eshka will give a positive answer.”

The news of Icarus’s departure for Solti caused a stir within the Empire.

The nobles gathered in the salon each expressed their opinions.

“The Emperor Himself will personally lead the expedition, right?”

“That’s right. A small country like Solti dared to deceive the mighty Empire of Basuker, so it’s a natural result.”

The nobles gathered in the salon did not doubt the outcome of this war. They believed that if the Emperor personally led the expedition, victory was certain.

“How many years do you expect this war to last?”

“Perhaps not more than two years?”

“I estimate one year.”

“Then I’ll go with six months.”

The words of a lady made the nobles gathered in the salon burst into laughter.

“Madam, isn’t that too fast?”

“I see a good possibility.”

While the nobles in the salon were betting on the duration until victory, the news also reached the bustling streets of the Empire.

“Extra! Extra!”

A boy with a bread hat shook a piece of paper he pulled from a leather bag in his hand.

“What’s happening?”

A middle-aged man passing by showed interest and asked.

“It’s not allowed without payment.”

“How much? How much?”

The boy, holding three fingers with his thumb and index finger, demonstrated.

“Oh, that’s the cost of several bread and milk.”

“If you’re trying to negotiate, stop it. There’s a way to catch up on the news late.”

As the boy tried to leave with the paper in his hand, the man urgently took out three coins from his pocket.

“Kid, you’re too impatient. Here it is.”

“Thank you. Please don’t spread the news to those around you. I need to do business too.”

While another passerby showed interest and approached the boy, the man stood in a corner and read the paper.

“…!”

Soon, the man gasped in surprise.