Lucius made a sigh, as if finding the situation absurd.

“It’s really unbelievable.”

For Lucius, who found it hard to believe the situation, Eshika shouted as she spoke.

“It must be baseless rumors.”

“Why do you say that?”

“If the Emperor really planned the assassination of Siren Viscount, there wouldn’t be rumors circulating in the streets. The conspiracy of the Grand Duke and the Empress is probably the same.”

“…”

“Someone intentionally spread the rumors to plot against Empress. So, after confirming that there is no evidence, the Emperor will release His Highness the Prince.”

“…Well, I’m relieved then.”

She, too, couldn’t predict the future of this matter. However, it seemed that Lucius, thanks to his consistent and steady prophecy, didn’t doubt Eshika’s words.

‘Okay. Now all I have to do is wait for the situation to turn in my favor.’

A response came from Siren Viscount.

He assured her that he would be careful, so she shouldn’t worry. It seemed that he remembered the conversation he had with Reneve and Patrick before. Despite feeling fortunate, an unexpected anxiety welled up.

However, Reneve quickly pushed away the negative thoughts.

And she decided to trust Siren Viscount.

He was, no matter what anyone said, the best knight in the Empire who had firmly guarded the western part of Paradisium.

Whether she worried or not, that fact remained unchanged.

Reneve carefully stored the letter from Siren Viscount that she had finished reading in a drawer.

And as she was about to turn around, the butler spoke.

“Miss, there is something to report.”

“What’s going on?”

“There was someone who showed interest in purchasing Siren Viscount’s mansion.”

Considering its size, it was thought to be difficult to find someone willing to spend a large sum to buy the mansion.

So, Reneve was content for the time being.

Since they needed to discuss the price and the issue of the servants who worked at Siren Viscount’s mansion.

“Have you conveyed the additional conditions on this side?”

“Yes. They not only accepted the conditions we presented but also offered a much higher amount than what you initially proposed.”

“…How much?”

Reneve chuckled at the amount the prospective buyer for Siren Viscount’s mansion had offered.

It was a situation where they had initially offered a price higher than the current market value of nearby mansions.

But to add even more on top of that?

‘Is this person a collector?’

Naturally, such a thought came to her mind.

It was hard to consider someone as generous when a large sum of money was involved.

Many nobles collected mansions like artworks. Depending on who had lived there before, there was a possibility that the mansion’s price would rise in the future.

In addition to being owned by Siren Viscount, the fact that it was the mansion where she, who would soon become the Empress of Baskerk, had lived, made it reasonable to expect a premium.
‘But…’

When the conditions seem too good, it’s right to be suspicious.

“Could we meet with the person who intends to purchase the mansion and have a conversation?”

“I will convey to the lady that you wish to meet her.”

After the butler, who bowed politely, left the drawing-room, Amber entered.

“Miss, the Grand Duke has entered the palace for the household pension.”

Despite the situation where other princes were falling behind in the succession order, the Grand Duke also had the right to inherit the throne.

‘The Emperor is beginning to believe my words.’

Reneve hurriedly decided to convey this news to Ikahr.

It had only been a short while since the pirates came ashore and fought. But already, the bustling streets of the southern region were filled with the excitement of the spring festival.

Siren Viscount, standing on a high tower, looked down below and murmured quietly.

“It seems that the spring festival is ending today.”

It was like a soliloquy, but the deputy commander, understanding, responded.

“It seems like you are disappointed that the festival is ending before you could participate.”

The end of the spring festival meant the end of the day when Reneve’s predicted danger would be averted.

However, the deputy commander, unaware of such circumstances, seemed to interpret it differently.

“Did it seem that way?”

“Actually, I am disappointed. Since the pirate subjugation ended quickly, I was thinking of stopping by to see the spring festival before it ended.”

“Everyone has their time to enjoy, and it’s nothing.”

“…Unlike the barren west, this place is prosperous. That’s why I was a little curious.”

After the deputy commander’s words, Siren Viscount became thoughtful.

The southern region adjacent to the sea was undoubtedly prosperous.

Not to say that there were no rogues in the streets, but just by looking at the appearance of commoners, one could understand the situation in the south.

Of course, besides the advantage of favorable trade with other continents, it could be heard that the land was more fertile than the west.

But that wasn’t all. The influence of the nobles managing the southern region was significant.

In the past, when the Emperor tried to make his lover the Empress, they initially opposed the Emperor’s opinion of making her the Empress.

However, when the Empress wanted friendship with them, the southern nobles immediately shifted their stance.

And now, she had transformed into the Empress’s most significant faction.

And she was reaping the benefits.

On the other hand, Siren Viscount, not belonging to either the Empress or the Queen’s faction, faithfully served only the Emperor.

The night felt bitter with the realization.

Since Reneve had warned of danger through a letter, Siren Viscount speculated about the forces trying to harm him.

Who would benefit the most from his disappearance?

Without much thought, the answer came quickly.

‘The Emperor.’

There had been movements showing the Emperor’s attempt to weaken the military power in the west.

The soldiers were raised and nurtured under Siren Viscount’s command, and they were supported by the taxes collected under Siren Viscount’s rule.

It meant a military force that survived and thrived without much help from the Imperial Family.

However, with the threat of external invasion, the Emperor’s attitude changed abruptly after the engagement between Reneve and the Baskerk Emperor was announced.

Siren Viscount was no longer naive about the Emperor’s intentions.

With bitterness in his mouth, Siren Viscount turned his gaze away from the lively streets of the spring festival and quietly asked.

“More importantly, have you found any suspicious figures within the troops?”

“There were a few unfamiliar individuals who seemed to have sneaked into the camp….”

At that moment, someone rushed in and shouted.

“It’s a big problem! Pirates who infiltrated the spring festival are staging a hostage situation!”