After the sun had completely risen, Icarus boarded the carriage returning to Baskel.

Left alone, Renève picked up the parchment on the table.

Renève had asked Dreihan to add some additional information to the confidential document. One copy would be delivered to the Empress, and the other was needed immediately.

“…Remarkable skills.”

Renève admired the confidential document that Icarus had left behind. The additional information she requested was seamlessly integrated between the original sentences, as if it had been there from the beginning.

“Now, I should start preparing for the outing.”

Despite not getting any sleep while dealing with Icarus all night, Renève’s mind was clear. Ironically, she was more concerned about Icarus. Once he returned to Baskel, he would have a backlog of work to handle without a moment to catch his breath.

Nevertheless, there was hope that the affairs in Paradion were gradually coming to an end. For Icarus, who was wasting energy traveling between Paradion and Baskel, today’s business was crucial.

“Yawn…”

Yawning explosively, Renève walked to the bathroom.

“You made me wait. The story seems a bit lengthy.”

Entering the reception room, the Empress’s face looked slightly fatigued.

Renève gave the Empress a faint smile.

“It’s okay. I’ve just arrived.”

Normally, she would have come at the end of the informal time, but today seemed a bit delayed.

“Let’s sit first.”

The Empress gestured to the sofa opposite Renève. As Renève sat down, Lady Countess Xanthé, the Empress’s maid, prepared tea. Watching them for a moment, the Empress eventually turned her gaze to Renève.

“I’m curious about what this important message might be.”

Renève, with a light smile, greeted Lady Countess Xanthé with a nod as she handed her a teacup.

“Could you please pour some for me?”

Looking down for a moment, the Empress blinked her eyes and sent a signal to Lady Countess Xanthé.

Confirming that both of them had left the reception room, Renève began to speak.

“Before I explain the reason for today’s meeting, Your Majesty, I have something to show you.”

Renève placed the parchment on the table. Without asking any questions, the Empress picked it up and began reading.

“…How on earth did you acquire this?”

The Empress asked with her lips slightly trembling. Judging by her reaction, the contents of the document seemed to please her greatly.

“I deemed the Southern pirate suppression mission to be rather trivial compared to Siren Marquis’s reputation.”

Although it was the truth, it was also the Emperor’s command.

Even though Renève expressed the Emperor’s command as trivial, the Empress’s expression did not change.

Renève sensed the deep divide between the Empress and the Emperor.

“And it was quite abrupt.”

Nodding as if in agreement, the Empress spoke after a brief silence.

“So, were you trying to understand the situation of the Empress’s family?”

“Yes.”

Renève confirmed, and the Empress, after some contemplation, spoke.

“I appreciate you quickly delivering this information to me. However, it seems that this is not a problem that can be resolved on my end.”

That was exactly what Renève hoped for.

Rather than having the Empress deal with the matter, she wanted the situation to be inflated.

“If you didn’t know, there was nothing to be done. But now that you know, you can’t just keep quiet…”

She expressed a slight headache, but the corner of the Empress’s mouth twitched slightly.

“Will you inform the Emperor?”

“Is there any other way to handle this matter?”

Renève nodded in agreement, and the Empress immediately pulled the cord, summoning an attendant.

“You called, Your Majesty.”
“I must meet the Emperor. As soon as possible, if possible. Tell him it’s a matter of great importance to the Empire.”

“Understood. Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Bowing respectfully, the chamberlain hurriedly left the reception room.

The chamberlain urgently entered the Emperor’s office.

“Your Majesty, I have urgent news to deliver.”

The Emperor glanced at the Grand Duke and gestured for the chamberlain to come closer.

“Don’t mind me; carry on with your conversation.”

The Grand Duke glanced at the door and spoke. The Emperor, signaling that there was no need to leave, nodded to the Grand Duke.

While the chamberlain was observing the Grand Duke, he whispered to the Emperor.

“…What about the Empress?”

“Yes, indeed.”

It was unusual. The Empress, who only sought him out twice a week for dinner on designated days, now asked to see him first.

“Seems to be quite urgent.”

The Emperor, brushing his beard, answered after a brief hesitation.

“I’ll see after concluding the conversation with the Grand Duke.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor continued the conversation with the Grand Duke for about another hour. Throughout the discussion, the Empress’s sudden request weighed on his mind.

“Your Majesty, how about we conclude the conversation here for today?”

The Grand Duke asked.