The sun was high in the noon sky, right above.
In the greenhouse located in the Imperial Consort’s Residence, a gathering was held to welcome the new members of the royal family.
Katrina looked at Blair and Herdin, who were sitting side by side across from her, with a satisfied smile.
Since becoming the Empress, all she had hoped for had been realized in her new trophies.
“When people say ‘a handsome couple,’ it’s just that. But now that I see you like this, you truly are like a picture-perfect couple. Don’t you think so, Your Majesty?”
“That’s right. My heart is filled with pride. Now, if only we could have one more heir, it would be perfect.”
“The Delmarc Duchy is a prestigious family, so it would be good to have three at least. Blair, you’ll have to work hard.”
Herdin, while listening to the harmonious conversation with a wry smile, looked at the woman next to him.
Blair had the same composed face as usual. She didn’t show the slightest hint of joy at meeting her relatives from her family.
While Katrina and Ivan were welcoming Herdin as their new family, the food was being served.
Ivan raised a glass of wine.
“To think that the noble and I would become a family like this, it feels like we’ve won the lottery. With the power of the Imperial Family and the Delmarc Duchy combined, there’s nothing to fear under the heavens.”
“…….”
“Now that we’re family, it would be nice to create opportunities to see each other frequently. We have a lot to talk about in the future, don’t we?”
For the boundless glory and prosperity of the Empire.
Ivan lightly clinked his glass with Herdin’s after finishing his appetizer. The clear sound of crystal glasses resonated cheerfully.
To Herdin’s ears, the sound wasn’t particularly pleasant, but he handed over his glass silently.
When the meal was nearing its end, Ivan turned to Herdin as if something had come to mind.
“Oh, right. I wanted to ask for your opinion on something, and it’s a good time.”
Ivan said after taking a sip of wine.
“Lately, there’s been a lively exchange with the Eastern Continent in various countries.”
“It seems so. With the recent opening of sea routes to the Eastern Continent, trade has become more active. If we want to make contact with the Eastern Continent, we have no choice but to pass through the East.”
“Exactly. I’ve noticed that many interesting and useful things are coming from the Eastern Continent. It would be nice if we could open up a closer sea route and actively engage in exchanges… but it’s a pity.”
Ivan shook his head and clicked his tongue. Then he asked for Herdin’s opinion.
“What do you think, Your Highness?”
At Ivan’s question, Herdin inwardly smirked.
The Emperor wanted to open up a passage to the Eastern Continent and, furthermore, occupy the eastern ports.
‘Even the old foxes in the noble council must be rubbing their hands in glee.’
In the event of a war, the first to be called up are the young noble knights. No matter how loyal they are to the Emperor, would they prioritize him over their own lineage?
In the meantime, he had seized the powerful title of the Empire’s top sorcerer. He hadn’t directly mentioned it, but it was clear what the Emperor wanted.
War.
The Emperor thought of war as nothing more than a game, like chess, where he could easily capture the opponent’s pieces with just a flick of his finger.
That’s why he had allowed the Delmarc Duchy to replenish its troops.
Of course, he had no intention of agreeing with that foolish idea, but he decided to pretend to listen attentively.
For the sake of the wife who had been sitting next to him for a year.
“I’m not sure.”
Herdin casually replied as he swirled his wine glass, and the transparent wine swirled lightly.
However, unlike him, his wife didn’t seem to have any intention of letting it pass quietly.
“War is not an option, Father.”
Blair, who had finally spoken, clenched the hem of her dress under the table.
It didn’t matter if Ivan wanted to manipulate himself as he pleased. But he couldn’t allow him to wield his power against Herdin.
She didn’t want to make the person she had originally married against her will suffer more than this.
In her past life, even in a similar situation, she had simply stayed quiet. Back then, she couldn’t have imagined being with Ivan.
And that had remained as a debt in her heart toward Herdin.
Now, she didn’t want to owe him a debt of her heart anymore. She didn’t want to shrink in front of him like she did before her regression.
Not for him, but for herself.
“There may be some differences, but war leaves scars that are difficult to heal for both the defeated and the victorious.”
“…….”
“Il Doo, the people are not your chess pieces. Don’t push for war using your own intentions.”
Herdin quietly observed Blair, who spoke in such a way.
Though her voice was small, Blair’s manner of clearly conveying her opinion was stronger than ever before.
Under the table, her small hand clutching the dress trembled.
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
