“Your Majesty, are you okay?”

“I want to take a refreshing walk. Will you join me?”

“Of course.”

Reneve stepped out with Siren Lord and Icar, strolling through the garden together. However, she was deeply bewildered by the state of the lord’s garden.

Overgrown weeds and untrimmed branches scattered around the neglected garden. Various unidentified wildflowers bloomed in disarray, mixing shades of red, yellow, and pink.

‘Seriously…’

As far as Reneve could recall, this was her first time seeing the effects of the Siren Lord’s decree of Western Changes.

Nevertheless, this place was as much hers as her family estate, and it felt a bit embarrassing to show Icar.

“It seems… not well-maintained.”

Dodging the overgrown weeds, Reneve glanced at Icar’s face.

“Isn’t that how it looks to a lady? I find it quite pleasing.”

“Pleasing… to you?”

Reneve found Icar’s response puzzling. Had his aesthetic sense changed during her absence?

The gardens of the Basquker Imperial Palace were beautifully maintained throughout the year. Reneve knew this well, having poured effort into landscaping the Paradisium Imperial Palace gardens before her return.

She knew how much manpower Icar had dedicated to the Basquker Imperial Palace gardens.

“There’s no need to care for a place where there’s no one to show it to. Isn’t it natural?”

No one to show it to?

Before Reneve could quickly grasp the meaning of Icar’s words, he continued.

“In my memory, the Siren Lord’s garden at Paradisium Capital was quite well-kept.”

It was true. Although incomparable to the Basquker Imperial Palace, the Paradisium Capital’s Lord’s garden was not embarrassing to be seen.

“Yes, but… considering how much gold the Siren Lord poured into the construction of the Western Changes’ fortress walls, it’s easy to understand the situation of this mansion garden.”

“…”

Only then did Reneve’s mouth slightly open.

In her past life and even now, the nobles of Paradisium were too accustomed to peace. Until Icar expanded the territories.

However, that peace did not last long.

After the expiration of the peace agreement and the safe return of the Princess, war became something of another country’s story.

“If the Siren Lord’s territory is breached, it will open a direct path to the Basquker Imperial Capital.”

That meant Paradisium could surrender its land to Basquker at any time.

“The Siren Lord is the only one in Paradisium who feels the urgency and is preparing for it.”

On this point, Reneve also agreed.

Occasionally, Paradisium citizens were unaware of the territorial disputes between Basquker and Siren Lords. Reneve was the same. It wasn’t until she personally visited the Siren Lord’s territory and saw the severity of the situation that she understood.

“Your father prioritizes the safety of the imperial citizens above all. This garden is evidence of that.”

Reneve looked at the garden with a slightly changed perspective. For the safety of Paradisium and for her sake. She somewhat understood the Siren Lord’s mindset, who chose safety over appearances.

Before, she focused solely on survival, even going so far as to love Lucius just to ensure she didn’t die. As a result, she didn’t look around. She distanced herself from the wealth of the Siren Lords, thinking of them as not her real family.

But after visiting the Siren Lord’s territory and seeing it for herself, she felt a significant shift in her perspective.

The person who cherished her existence before and after her return still existed…

Lost in thought, Reneve walked silently for a while.

During that time, Icar didn’t say a word. He just walked beside her, a comforting presence.

Due to the cool night air, her shoulders trembled slightly.
“I think it’s time to return to the mansion.”

It was when Reneve had such thoughts.

Icar spoke quietly.

“Young lady, let me ask again. Have you truly never been to the Siren Lord’s territory?”

Reneve felt a bit puzzled.

Icar had asked a similar question before, and he was not one to speak unnecessary words. Repeating the same question indicated that it held significant meaning for him.

“Well… honestly, I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

Icar looked at Reneve with a perplexed expression. Instead of a definite yes or no, she responded with “don’t know.”

“In fact, I believed I had never been to the Siren Lord’s territory until now. However, this place looks strangely familiar when I see it with my own eyes.”

“So, you answered ‘don’t know.'”

Reneve nodded slightly.

“It might be because it happened when I was too young, and I can’t remember.”

Icar, seeming to contemplate for a moment, expressed his opinion.

“However, Your Majesty.”

“…?”

“It seems like Your Majesty is convinced that I’ve been to the Siren Lord’s territory. May I ask why?”

Icar’s red eyes slightly widened in response to Reneve’s question. However, soon a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Staring at Reneve with a somewhat wistful gaze, Icar spoke.

“Young lady may not remember, but Young lady and I didn’t first meet in Paradisium Capital.”