“Why did he demand that from you? Is the old man losing his mind?”

In reality, major issues like the opening of Shantein Pass required direct discussions with the King of Ronica.

Bringing up such an important matter to Valia indicated that the direct conversation with Ronica’s king had already taken place, but the response was not positive.

“He just told me to talk to the King of Ronica. It felt like poking a hornet’s nest.”

Khalid leaned back in his chair.

“…Is the conquest war going to start soon?”

Valia nodded in agreement with his words.

“But we need to find a way to delay it as much as possible.”

The Emperor aimed not only at Ronica but also at the Yacoum Kingdom. And within that ambition, Ronica was likely included.

In her previous life, Valia never anticipated that, just as she was establishing herself as the Crown Princess, the next Empress, Raoul, would invade her homeland. When they first opened Shantein Pass, there was lively exchange between the two countries, and many positive effects occurred.

“So, I let my guard down…”

When everything became familiar, and no one doubted the Empire.

Raoul, now the Emperor, locked the Empress in and invaded Ronica Kingdom, using a plan made from the beginning as if he had intended to do so.

He intentionally blocked all information that would reach Valia, and she remained unaware until her country collapsed.

Valia clenched her fist.

“This time, I won’t let it go like that.”

Yes, she had to remember.

Consciously whipping herself to stay vigilant at all times, not allowing a moment of complacency, as a single moment of negligence could be a shortcut to ruin.

So, no matter how joyful and happy she might be now…

“…I can’t disregard my goals for a moment of happiness.”

The Emperor demanding the opening of Shantein Pass meant that the beginning of all these events was imminent.

“We need to come up with a way to buy time. At least until after next winter, we have to endure.”

Until the Empire stabilizes quickly as an unprecedented cold wave approaches, and public opinion demands the stability of the troubled empire.

If they endure until then, before the Emperor starts a war for territorial expansion, a full-fledged struggle for the throne will likely take place.

“Oh, and personally, he asked if there’s anything I want…”

At that moment, Valia scratched her cheek, looking embarrassed, then opened her mouth.

“Don’t get mad, okay?”

“I won’t be angry. I have no reason to be angry with you.”

With Khalid’s affectionate words, Valia cautiously spoke.

“Well, he asked me to invite the Empress to our wedding.”

“…What?”

“I know I should have discussed it with you. But it’s an excellent opportunity, and we can’t miss it, right?”

Valia tried to justify herself, sneaking a glance at Khalid. Contrary to expectations, he seemed less concerned about the fact than she thought.

When Valia looked puzzled, Khalid answered with a wry smile.

“There’s nothing left for me in my mother’s house to be stuck on.”

After that, Khalid quickly calculated the benefits of having the Empress and Emperor attend the wedding and asked, “Will they agree to that? The Emperor would have surely refused.”

Khalid looked curious. To that, Valia chuckled and said, “He didn’t want to agree, but when I mentioned that representatives from the neighboring country would also attend our wedding, and it would be strange if the Empress wasn’t there, he agreed.”

“Oh. You did well to involve the neighboring country.”

“That’s right. It’s such a good excuse for everything.”

Valia laughed as if she were enjoying herself.

“Anyway, even though I said I didn’t want a wedding that would be criticized by Ronica and the neighboring country, he agreed.”
Khalid nodded.

The Emperor might have been displeased, but he would never refuse Valia’s request.

Bang!

A loud noise echoed from somewhere, followed by a tumultuous sound. The initial noise was loud enough to resonate through space, which was unusual in the usually quiet and calm Second Prince’s Palace.

“…Come to think of it, it seems like a guest has arrived today.”

“Oh, right. Lady Kennetra arrived at the palace today. The noise I just heard doesn’t seem ordinary; I should go check for a moment.”

With a worried voice, Valia, about to go out to survey the situation, heard a maid’s voice outside the door.

“Your Highness, are you okay?”

Valia gestured to Khalid not to follow and quietly went outside, closing the door behind her.

“It’s fine here. But we need to find out what that sound was.”

“Well… The guest mentioned that it was the sound of falling off the bed.”

The bed?

Valia raised her hand to her cheek with a puzzled expression.

“Is Lady Kennetra okay? Did she get hurt?”

“No. It’s not a big deal, so please don’t worry, the guest said.”

“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

She really liked the room assigned by Erje.

It seemed that Lady Kennetra, having fun and getting carried away, had rolled off the bed.

Valia chuckled and went back into the room.

“It was nothing.”

“Really?”