Returning to his office, Ikarr immediately gave the order for infiltration to two trusted subordinates under the Siren Marquis command.

“Leave immediately under the Siren Marquis command.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Watching the two who bowed and left the office, Drehan asked, “Your Majesty, what’s going on?”

Vain also looked at Ikarr with a serious expression.

The two who had just left the office were skilled individuals, both Drehan and Vain nodded in acknowledgment of their capabilities.

They had shown exceptional skills in stealth, infiltration, and assassination. It was uncommon for them to leave Ikarr’s side unless it was urgent and crucial.

“The Paradisium Emperor has assigned the task of eradicating southern pirates to my father.”

“Why assign the task of eradicating southern pirates to the Siren Marquis in the west?”

Drehan tilted his head in apparent confusion.

“Is it to wither the seed of the pirates at this point?”

Vain asked.

“Well, we’ll have to find out the accurate details first.”

With Ikarr’s words, silence fell inside the office. Each of the three began considering possible scenarios.

Sometimes, when you think about things in various ways, you come up with opinions close to the right answer.

However, predicting the situation without substantial information was not easy. Ikarr focused on what needed immediate attention.

“Is there still no news from Reyna and Venistan?”

“Fortunately, both countries sent positive replies that their representatives, Princess Rachel and Duke Belcane, will attend this New Year’s celebration.”

Ikarr nodded lightly at Drehan’s response.

The day for Princess Rachel and Duke Belcane, representatives of both countries, to return to their homeland was approaching. It was time to solidify each other’s positions.

Through this New Year’s celebration, Ikarr planned to draw Reyna and Venistan into the Allied Nations.

Originally, this was the purpose of the peace agreement.

Although there had been some delays due to the Soltera variable, it was not an unexpected development.

Creating an Allied Nation without war, in the first place, was a gamble for Ikarr.

Several days had passed since the debutante ball at the Paradisium Palace on a sunny day.

Eshika looked around the bedroom assigned to her in the Paradisium Palace, smiling brightly.

The interior was decorated with bright and vivid colors, and the bedroom allowed her to feel the lush nature outside with just a slight turn of the gaze.

It was undoubtedly an environment much better than the bedroom at Marquis Croft’s mansion.

‘This is it.’

Eshika turned her body around towards the servant who had guided her here, struggling to keep her rising tail in check.

“But when can I meet the Crown Prince?”

In response to Eshika’s question, the servant answered with an indifferent expression.

“The Crown Prince is currently very busy handling tasks assigned by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Then you’ll come to see me as soon as those tasks are finished, right?”

Eshika maintained a meticulous expression and tone.

Through her experiences, she had realized that people easily revealed their weaknesses in front of those they underestimated.

However, there wasn’t just one way to dig into the opponent. Depending on the person, her attitude had to change as well.

For example, there was no need to act meekly in front of someone who looked down on her.

“……”

The servant avoided eye contact with a perplexed expression. Eshika slowly turned her neck while making an exaggerated fuss.

“Did I not sleep well last night? My throat feels a bit uncomfortable.”

It seemed the servant didn’t understand Eshika’s intention immediately, as he pursed his lips.

“……Is that so? Oh! Then, I’ll call the maids to prepare a bath for you.”

However, as soon as he grasped what Eshika wanted to say, he added, “I’ll call the maids to help you freshen up.”
“Sure, that would be good. I had a dream related to the Crown Prince’s safety last night, and… it’s bothering me a bit.”

“If you tell me what kind of dream it was, I’ll convey it to the Crown Prince.”

Upon the chamberlain’s words, Eshika immediately raised her head.

“No, no. Since it’s a sensitive matter, I think it’s better if I deliver the message directly to the Crown Prince.”

“…Understood. I will convey it to the Crown Prince as you wish.”

Having elicited the desired response from the chamberlain, Eshika gestured as if to signal him to leave.

“Well then, please rest comfortably.”

Bowing slightly to Eshika, the chamberlain left the bedroom. Soon after, maids arrived.

While receiving a massage from the maids, Eshika closed her eyes and relaxed.

‘Well done, very good.’

The hands massaging her waist were quite skillful. Eshika raised the corners of her mouth in satisfaction.

‘By the way, what should I talk about if Lucius comes later…’

Perhaps due to improved blood circulation from the massage, thoughts soon filled her mind.

‘Ah! Today, I can draw attention by talking about the Siren Marquis’s expedition story.’