Seated on the throne atop the high platform, the king of Eorenti surveyed the grand hall with a heavy gaze.

Ordinarily filled with nobles and ministers, the spacious hall was now empty.

The vast emptiness seemed to reflect the impending end of Eorenti.

“You have worked hard thus far.”

The king’s soft voice echoed throughout the hall.

Despite their dire situation, the light shining between the massive pillars was beautiful.

The king’s gaze scanned from the frescoes on the ceiling to the second floor balcony overlooking the center of the hall, and then down to the wide open space on the first floor.

At the end of his gaze was his delicate and slender queen.

“I’m sorry to have brought you to this small country to wed, and you couldn’t even enjoy it properly, only to face this end.”

The queen looked at the king with a radiant gaze, her weak smile unfading.

Even the chaos happening outside the grand hall could not hinder their tender moment.

“Don’t say that. I was happy just being with you.”

Eorenti had fallen rapidly since their defeat at Cabat.

There was no hope for an army made up of mercenaries without a commander to fight for their lives.

They were overwhelmed by the revolutionary new weapons, and scattered in fear due to the twofold difference in military strength.

The council fiercely debated whether to surrender, seek additional troops from other countries, fight until the end, how to gather resistance forces, where to escape, but…

When the king ordered the dissolution, they had to return home without any accomplishments.

Recalling the last image of the council, the king heard the queen’s thin voice.

“I’m just worried about the children. Do you think our Delia has arrived safely?”

At the queen’s question, the king closed his eyes gently, recalling his daughter’s face.

The defiant Delia would have insisted on fighting to the end if she was here.

It wasn’t a bad thing for young blood to take on reckless challenges.

After all, that passion can create a new legend.

However, once one has a certain amount of experience, it becomes clear.

Whether something is possible or impossible.

In the king’s judgment, it was impossible to defeat the 100,000 imperial soldiers armed with new weapons.

“Perhaps by now, she has crossed the Detes Sea and met Duke Boswell?”

“I’m worried if Duke Boswell will take good care of Delia.”

“He will protect her.”

“But I’m still worried. She might be ignored in a strange place.”

“Any situation would be better than encountering the imperial army.”

At his words, the queen closed her mouth.

According to the captain of the guard, she was captured as a prisoner by the commander of the empire.

She couldn’t know the exact circumstances, but she could guess enough by looking at her daughter who avoided her gaze and kept her mouth shut.

She must never meet him again.

Delia could not be left to suffer the same fate.

“Our family is also in that place, and she will not be too lonely. She’s so spirited and brave, she’ll endure well.”

“That’s true.”

As she repeated the king’s consolation, the queen thought of another child.

“Is Alfredo okay? We haven’t heard from him since the defeat at the Cabat Plains.”

At the mention of Alfredo, the king’s anger flared up again.

The king angrily struck the floor with the cane he was holding.

“Forget about him. Even if he dies as royalty, it’s not enough, seeing an enemy and running away.”

At the king’s resolute words, tears welled up in the queen’s eyes.

It was cold to the point of cruelty as a father, but as a king, it was a matter of course.

The crown prince, who had gone to protect the country, had retreated in vain.

It was an impossible thing.

“It’s better to think of it as if we don’t have a crown prince who says he will fulfill his royal duties and then runs away.”

“Your Majesty. Please understand. He’s just a young boy.”

“If he had retreated with some other excuse as usual, it wouldn’t have been so disappointing…”

The king, who had said up to that point, closed his mouth.

The empire that had occupied Loyeni and Kirens in one go was now heading towards Eorenti.

Even as a crown prince, it was an unstoppable massive current.

The king, letting out a sigh filled with regret, quelled his anger.

“Perhaps it was for the best.”

In order to console the queen, the king softened his voice.

The sorrow of a mother was also a matter of course.

“If he had been here as the crown prince of Eorenti, it would have been hard to preserve his life.”

“But Your Majesty.”

“I’ve never heard of a royal family surviving in Loyeni or Kirens. If he was here, he would certainly have been the first to die.”

Upon hearing the harsh reality brought up by the king, the queen finally shed tears.

“Let us believe that he is hiding somewhere, planning for the future.”

Despite the comfort not being comforting at all, the queen nodded silently.

The last conversation shared between the king and queen hovered softly between the lights.

“You should go now.”

The steward and the butler bowed their heads to the king’s anxious words.