“Both of you, why do you look so exhausted?”

Sitting in the conference room, River furrowed his eyebrows as he watched Brody, who was continuously yawning, and Aidan, with dark circles under her eyes.

Yesterday, it seemed like they had reconciled well and returned, so why is this happening? River’s expression seemed to convey a sense of hearing such rumors.

However, unlike River, the others present today didn’t express concern for the two because they looked tired. Instead, they sent sly smiles.

‘I wonder how they spent the night~?’

It was a smile that carried such meaning.

But even that gaze couldn’t grab Brody’s attention due to her fatigue.

Right in front of her, River’s important presentation was unfolding. He had stayed up all night planning for the future, resulting in a notably stern expression.

“So, after that, we will all move from the fortress to Baron’s territory.”

Since his thoughts were reasonable, Brody and Aidan nodded.

River’s plan was as follows:

First, building the fortress is a top priority. Therefore, while providing a certain amount of relief supplies to the village, they need to recruit manpower to build the fortress.

Dispatch the knights of Sunut to each region first.

Deliver urgent relief supplies, explain the upcoming national project, and recruit manpower. It’s okay as long as they provide information that they plan to build a fortress in the “Sidaemo” region to strengthen national defense.

River immediately heads to “Sidaemo,” the planned fortress location. He inspects the place, gathers information, plans, and establishes a base.

With good mobility and Aidan, the face of the North, they survey public opinion by visiting major villages where knights have been dispatched.

Finally, they gather at the planned fortress location, “Sidaemo.”

Once the fortress construction system is operational, they all move north to Coral Baron’s territory. During that time, Coral Baron constructs greenhouses.

Afterwards, they stay in Baron’s territory, promoting fortress and trade projects.

“Clear enough.”

Brody replied, suppressing a yawn. In front of River, who had clearly worked overnight, she couldn’t show any signs of tiredness.

Aidan felt uncomfortable.

According to this plan, they would have to take Brody back to the southern side of Perdun Fortress.

To resist the Empire, strengthening the North was a priority, and denying that it was for Brody would be impossible. To achieve that, there was no choice but for Aidan to go south.

Brody couldn’t be separated from Aidan. Although she could stay in the North, being by Aidan’s side would be much safer.

Aidan frowned deeply.

River noticed why Aidan looked like that and why Brody seemed to be struggling with a headache even though they seemed to have reconciled. Feeling puzzled, he gestured towards Brody.

Brody understood that gaze, but pretending not to know, she opened her mouth.
“Ah, just when I thought we could stay for a bit, it seems we’re on the move again.”

River raised one eyebrow and spoke bluntly.

“Why would you worry about that, Grand Duke?”

“What?”

“Grand Duke, you should stay and produce trade goods. After staying here until the Baron’s greenhouse is completed, you can move there. Oh, it seems like it would be fine for you to stay with the Viscount when he moves now.”

“……!”

River, who spoke as if it were obvious, was surprised by the two people looking at him.

“What are those expressions for?”

“Oh, I naturally thought that you would go with the Grand Duke.”

River pulled his chin with an astonished expression.

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Ah, I thought His Excellency and the Grand Duke would go together.”

River pulled his chin with an astonished expression.

“Yes? There won’t be much for His Excellency the Grand Duchess to do. She’ll just have to endure. It will be slower than when His Excellency moves alone.”

“……. ”

It was a valid point. However, the two couldn’t be separated. They couldn’t tell River the reason, the ability of the princess, so they couldn’t give a reason.

Brody and Aidan exchanged quick glances. An unspoken agreement was made.

Brody approached Aidan and firmly grabbed one of her arms.

“I don’t want to. I can’t be separated from the Grand Duchess.”

“……. ”

Aidan and River both had faces full of astonishment due to her actions.

Of course, the meanings of their astonishment were completely different.

Aidan tried to match her rhythm, feeling Brody’s face getting redder.

“That… right! We can’t be separated. We will go together with Brody.”

“No, even His Excellency. Duke Jax wants to take the Grand Duchess. Wouldn’t it be safer beyond the fortress?”

In response to the icy expression on River’s face, Aidan confidently spoke.

“The safest place for Brody is by my side.”

“……. ”

There was no need to be so confident, and it seemed exaggerated to be flustered and spread smoke. River conveyed the thought, ‘Why is this noble behaving like this? Has she gone mad?’