The day dawned for the diplomatic mission heading to the Lisandro Empire.

From early morning, the prepared envoy procession gathered at the imperial palace. Carriages, bearing the flag of the Upieter Empire and adorned with the symbols of each family included in this mission, lined up and set off.

The road leading to the Lisandro Empire was fastest by land, but there was no connected railway line. The only option was to travel by carriage.

Because of this, considering a fairly long journey with proper rest at the territories along the way to the Lisandro Empire was necessary.

Inside the Grand Duke’s carriage, Idel’s eyes widened in disbelief as she examined the map displaying the route.

“On the road to the Lisandro Empire, are we also visiting the Fleur territory?”

“Yes. We plan to make a brief stop in the Fleur territory during the middle of our itinerary before continuing.”

The unmistakable joy in Idel’s eyes upon hearing Caelon’s words was overflowing.

“Is it the first time visiting the Fleur territory in a long while?”

“Ah…”

Thinking that Idel was delighted because it had been a long time since she visited the territory, Caelon asked her. Then, she sighed deeply, her expression momentarily stiffening.

“Actually… this is my first visit to the Fleur territory.”

As far as she could remember, that was true. Idel, raised in the Earl’s mansion in the capital, had never visited the Fleur territory before.

‘I couldn’t visit Fleur because I don’t belong to it…’

Born without the fragrance, she received the gaze of the family, not being a true descendant of Fleur. As such, it wasn’t easy for her, who was not a true Fleur, to visit the Fleur family’s territory.

‘If I had talked to Father, maybe I could have visited…’

She couldn’t muster the courage. She confined herself to the Earl’s mansion, only imagining the Fleur territory through books and maps in her father’s study.

Despite not having seen the territory or met its people, Idel’s notes were filled with her affection and interest in the Fleur territory, with proposed improvements to laws and living conditions.

‘Finally, I can visit the Fleur territory!’

Even if it was through the pretext of a diplomatic mission, the fact that she could go to the Fleur territory, which she had eagerly wanted to visit, made her heart beat with excitement.

Another reason her heartbeat a little faster was…

“I’m also a first-timer. Visiting the Fleur territory.”

“…!”

Looking at her, who had momentarily displayed a somewhat melancholic light, Idel felt a sense of gratitude upon hearing Caelon’s additional words.

Though grateful to hear his words, as if comforting herself, Idel sensed another layer of consideration from him.

‘He intentionally included the Fleur territory in the schedule…’

She heard that this was not the first time the Grand Duke was going to the Lisandro Empire. There must have already been established customary routes.

However, the fact that he was visiting the Fleur territory for the first time meant that he deliberately included it in the plans for this diplomatic mission.

‘Visiting the Fleur territory…’

While initially happy, she couldn’t help but think of the people in her family who had denied her existence. Despite the joy, there was also a sense of fear.

‘But still, I’m not afraid. Because he’s with me.’

A warm feeling spread in her chest. Idel, with a soft, undulating gaze, unconsciously stared at Caelon, who was sitting across from her.

When Caelon, feeling her gaze, made eye contact with her, she quickly lowered her gaze with the map she was holding.

The morning sun that entered the carriage illuminated the cheek of the woman, like a ripe peach, with vitality.

Outside the terrace window facing the Emperor’s office, the expansive view of the palace unfolded at a glance.
The procession of the diplomatic mission that had just departed from the palace was passing through the castle gates in a single file. Pascal’s blue eyes, which had been silently observing the Grand Duke’s carriage at the forefront of the envoy procession, sank low.

“Isaac.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

When Pascal called for Isaac, the chief attendant who was by his side, Isaac bowed deeply and replied.

“It seems that my brother has left.”

With a gaze that seemed to be contemplating the envoy procession, Pascal spoke quietly, and after a moment of hesitation, Isaac, who was trying to decipher his meaning, slowly spoke.

“…His Excellency will surely lead this diplomatic mission well and return. Wasn’t the diplomacy during the last envoy quite successful?”

“Yes, if it’s my brother, he will undoubtedly do so.”

His brother always had a way of moving without much fuss.

Pascal also expected that Caelon would secure diplomatic advantages that would benefit Upieter while leaving for the Lisandro Empire this time.

“Today, I suddenly had such thoughts. I wonder what kind of place the Lisandro Empire is. I haven’t visited it myself.”

“Your Majesty…”

“I know. As the Emperor, I cannot freely wander outside the palace.”

“…”