“I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart for Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince’s profound help and warm consideration.”

The reaction of the two was a sight to behold. They had bizarre expressions as if they had been kicked in the center, especially the Emperor’s side looked like he might collapse grabbing the back of his neck if any more words were added.

“……”

As Elaina finished speaking, only a leaden silence settled in the reception room.

Their true feelings were obvious.

They would have no desire to acknowledge Elaina’s words at face value and would be quite offended.

But revealing their true intentions would make them look very foolish. No matter how stupid humans may be, they themselves would know that fact best as members of the royal family.

“As I am so lacking, you have shown me boundless mercy like the ocean, so as the Crown Princess I will do my utmost to assist the imperial family from now on.”

So Elaina opened her lips first again.

“Of course I will be very lacking, so I dare to ask for your guidance. Especially from you, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“You’re asking me for guidance?”

As if hearing unexpected words, Hister’s eyes narrowed subtly as he gazed at Elaina.

“Yes. Except for Sinclair, you are the only one in this palace who calls me by name comfortably, Your Highness. So I wanted to rely on you a bit, but if that displeases you, I apologize.”

Ha.

Hister let out a laugh so small it was hard to hear unless you listened closely.

Of course, it wasn’t because he was amused, but because he was dumbfounded.

‘How dare you not know your place… and declare war like this?’

He never expected her to come out like this when she should be overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment, nearly in tears.

She was indeed worthy of being the woman Sinclair Butler chose.

…But just how much does this insufferable woman actually know?

Could she really step out so boldly knowing that the boy named Ren who had damaged her legs and left was none other than her husband, Sinclair?

“…You’re much more positive than I thought. I thought you might be a bit different since your body is unwell.”

Though that ‘body is unwell’ refrain was quite tiresome, Elaina smiled and replied.

“Yes, it seems living so positively has brought me such a good day. I was very worried, but I feel like I could cry now that Your Majesty has spoken so kindly to me.”

As if forgetting his original purpose of getting up from his seat on the pretext of cold tea, the Emperor fiddled with his teacup with an expression of disbelief.

“But there’s something I’m curious about, Lady Elaina.”

Hister said.

“Despite not having learned any palace etiquette, you are so polite and kind, Lady Elaina. So how did you come to be connected with someone like our elder brother?”

‘Someone like our elder brother.’ How bold to say such a thing openly. A little more and it seemed he would even blurt out how on earth she came to know that good-for-nothing.

“If elder brother went so far as to wish for marriage with Lady Elaina, you must have had a very affectionate relationship, right?”

And Hister, unlike before, was now looking at Elaina with sharp eyes that somehow seemed to pierce through her as he asked again.

“…For example, perhaps you’ve known each other since childhood.”

Since childhood?

But I have no memories related to Sinclair.

“Something like that.”

It could have been just a casual guess, but strangely, I had a bad feeling.

It was as if there was an answer he wanted. Or rather, it felt like he already knew…

“An answer.”

“……”

“Won’t you give one? Lady Elaina.”

And it was at that very moment.

The tightly closed reception room door was flung wide open, and someone strode in to reveal themselves.

…It was Sinclair.

“Summoning my wife without my knowledge. It seems you were actually quite curious?”

Sinclair’s hair was slightly disheveled as he suddenly appeared. As if to prove he had rushed over as soon as he heard the news.

Hister’s eyes gleamed brightly as he stared at Sinclair sitting down stiffly next to Elaina.

“I merely called her to have a conversation, Sinclair. After all, we haven’t properly seen her face until now. Now that Elaina has also become part of the imperial family, isn’t it natural as father and younger brother?”

The Emperor, who had been sitting quietly, spoke looking at his son.

“Ah, is that so?”

Sinclair smirked looking at the cold teacup.

“If you say it like that, I suppose I’ll have to believe it, but the childish antics of the royal family are all the same, aren’t they? No matter how much time passes, the repertoire never changes, which is truly a pity. So it’s inevitable that I have such suspicions.”

“Mind your words, Sinclair!”

“Or is cold black tea perhaps trendy these days?”

Sinclair’s elegantly slender finger tapped the teacup.

“I didn’t know because I’m not interested in such trivial trends, but thanks to Your Majesty, I’ve learned some good information again. I truly don’t know how to handle receiving such teachings every time.”

Regardless of what expression the Emperor made, Sinclair continued speaking. Such a Sinclair seemed like someone who, even if thrown into hell, would survive with only his mouth intact and end up giving even the devil a neurosis.

“Sinclair, now that you’ve taken a Crown Princess and become a proper adult of the imperial family, you must not tarnish the honor of the imperial family with unnecessary scandals in the future. I mean things like the very behavior you’re displaying right now outside.”

The Emperor spoke in a stiff tone, but Sinclair still didn’t raise an eyebrow.

It was truly astonishing. How could they be of the same blood when they hated and despised each other so much?

…And what made Sinclair’s face, which had been so casually sarcastic, subtly harden was a single word from Hister.

“But elder brother seems to cherish the Crown Princess very much.”

“……”

“Seeing how urgently you rushed here. Isn’t that right?”

Come to think of it, why did Sinclair come here so urgently?

…It can’t be because he was sincerely worried about me. We’re just in a relationship bound by contract.

Then, was he concerned that I might carelessly say something wrong and cause trouble?

“That’s only natural.”

Sinclair slowly opened his lips.

“How could I not worry when I heard my beloved Crown Princess was summoned alone in my absence?”

There was a slightly different tone in Sinclair’s voice as he continued speaking, causing Elaina to unconsciously hesitate.

“It was your mother who even dared to send an assassin to kill the Empress, so who’s to say she wouldn’t kill my Crown Princess even in the heart of the imperial palace?”

…What?

“I don’t know. Whether you tried to provoke my trauma with a shallow trick to see my reaction, or if you put on ill-mannered, pitiful manners to tease the Crown Princess.”

“Sinclair!”

The Emperor shouted loudly, unable to bear it any longer. Hister kept his mouth shut tightly, then answered in a low voice.

“…That was not my intention, elder brother. Please do not misunderstand. If you were uncomfortable, I apologize.”

Right.

I didn’t call out your woman just to try such provocation.

Though it was somewhat amusing, of course.

Hister thought to himself.

“Whatever the reason, now that we’re gathered here, I have a request for Your Majesty.”

“…Hister?”

As if it was a completely unexpected topic, the Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“The Founding Festival is coming up soon, isn’t it?”

Sinclair’s eyebrow twitched.

“How about having elder brother perform the ceremony at this Founding Festival?”

“What…?”

The Emperor’s face turned pale as if to say what nonsense is this.

Turning my head, I could see even the great Sinclair wearing a subtle expression.

So Elaina realized.

That something completely unexpected was happening.

“As you know, the Founding Festival is the biggest event in Edenbell, to say the least.”

Hister slowly continued speaking.

“The most important part is the ceremony honoring the previous emperors and vowing Edenbell’s endless prosperity and glory.”

“Hi-Hister… What are you saying right now?”

“Your Majesty, forgive me, but don’t you know? When elder brother was still Crown Prince. In other words, before our beloved elder brother killed my mother in broad daylight at the palace, it was you who conducted that ceremony.”

…What I really want to know is, Sinclair.

“As Your Majesty said, elder brother has become a proper adult of the imperial family by taking a Crown Princess, hasn’t he?”

Despite all that time that has passed.

“Of course it’s an exceptional case, but if Your Majesty allows it, this opportunity could help elder brother escape the rumors of being out of the imperial family’s favor. That way, our imperial family can also strengthen our relationships with each other, overcome past events, and gain the strength to move towards the future together.”

Is your weakness still, even now…

“What do you think, elder brother Sinclair?”

That lowly, vulgar, and even unsightly woman?

I need to know that to decide more clearly how I should move forward.

“You’ll allow it, of course?”

Hister’s eyes gleamed as he gazed at Sinclair.