Aaron spoke seriously to Delia.

“In the future, never wander around like this, especially when I’m not around.”

“If you’re not around, there’s no reason for me to wander like this.”

Despite Delia’s protest as if feeling unjust, Aaron lightly ignored her and walked across the room.

It wasn’t until Aaron reached the sofa that he stopped walking.

He gently seated Delia on the plush sofa.

To match eye levels with Delia, he sat on the edge of the table in front of the sofa.

“When I, the Commander, go to the Empire, even your mother won’t insist on sleeping together. Then, there will be no need to sneak around like this.”

Whether Delia liked the sofa Aaron placed her on or not, she buried herself deeply into the sofa.

Like a kitten finding its spot, a comfortable smile appeared on her face.

Perhaps because the tension was relieved, she yawned, covering her mouth with her hand.

A faint sound escaped through the exhale.

Watching Delia in this state, Aaron’s eyebrows twitched sharply.

“It won’t do. Sleep next to the queen.”

Delia, who was enjoying the serene peace, opened her eyes.

“What?”

“Even when I’m not here, sleep next to the queen, just like now.”

Delia shook her head vehemently.

“I don’t like it. I’ve endured it so far just to reassure your mother.”

The lips that came out sharply glowed red when touched by the light.

The moist hair glistened strangely.

How tempting it was.

She was worried that others might notice and feel envy.

Aaron, with his tongue, gathered the golden hair, flipping it back.

Running his fingers through it, he slowly swept down, transferring warmth to the chilled hair.

“Endure a little more until I return.”

“I want to sleep comfortably and wander freely too.”

“You have to reassure me. I feel relieved when you sleep next to the queen.”

Delia, who entrusted her hair to the warm touch, turned her head slightly.

Aaron smiled like a crescent moon, seemingly enchanted.

With a sigh full of resignation, Delia muttered, “What’s this? Being pushed around from all sides. The freedom to sleep comfortably is being oppressed.”

“It’s not oppression but a mother’s love for her daughter.”

“No. Until now, you’ve been complaining about sleeping next to your mother. But now, you’re reversing the roles like turning the back of your hand?”

As Delia complained, Aaron burst into laughter.

“I complained until now, but now that I’m leaving, it seems good. You can leave it to me without worries.”

“Tsk.”

“So, make sure to sleep with the queen. So I can be reassured.”

“If you’re so worried, take me with you.”

Aaron’s smile disappeared at Delia’s casually thrown words.

Delia reached out towards the stiff Aaron.

Her smooth hand touched Aaron’s cheek.

“Because you can’t leave, I’ll go with you.”

Aaron grabbed the small hand that touched his cheek.
Unspeakable, velvety emotions flowed through the palm to the heart.

She was always the princess putting Eorenti first.

Despite thinking it couldn’t be helped, there were times when a somewhat regrettable feeling emerged.

Could it be that I come first?

“Father and mother are here. I think it’s okay for me to follow.”

Aaron’s heartache made him forget how to smile.

Should he take her away, hiding her in his arms?

Resisting the persistent temptation, a voice with a deep tone flowed from the slightly opened lips.

“It’s okay. Stay here. Here is safer.”

At Aaron’s low, resonant voice, Delia took a deep breath.

Aaron’s sensual scent filled the air.

“I’m worried about the Commander’s mother…”

“No need to worry. Even Estrella cannot touch the Empress of the Empire recklessly.”

Perhaps that’s why my brother sent an envoy.

To match Estrella’s status, just anyone couldn’t be sent as an envoy.

In that sense, Empress Carolina was a suitable candidate.

Although she lost power in the palace, Empress Carolina was the highest authority in the Imperial family.

She was a negotiator that Estrella couldn’t handle lightly.

And even if, by any chance, Estrella harmed Empress Carolina.

The Emperor had nothing to lose.

Rather, it might be more enjoyable to repay a long-standing grudge with someone else’s hands.

In Aaron’s ears filled with thoughts, Delia’s anxious voice reached.

“But if, by any chance, the Empress is harmed…”

“So I’ll go. I’ll take care of that side, so don’t worry.”

While comforting Delia, Aaron continued to stroke her hair.

As if dispelling Delia’s worries, his warm touch on her wet hair was affectionate.

“What if… it’s delayed? What if it’s later than the harvest festival?”

“What?”

Delia lowered her eyes and cautiously opened her mouth.

“What if the war breaks out later than the harvest festival?”

Maybe.

What if he couldn’t come back?

The question he couldn’t bring himself to ask scratched at his throat.

Between Eorenti and Strelitz.

And herself and Empress Carolina.

The person who had to go to the conflicted Aaron was Delia.

But even the sending Delia couldn’t feel at ease.

“What if, by any chance, a war breaks out.”

Strelitz and Estrella.

The powerful nations dividing the continent.