The Heyworth Duchy was located to the south, with the capital as its starting point.

Although it was a bit hot in the summer, there was a port from which one could depart to anywhere, and the land was also fertile, making this southern land the most blessed in Edenbell.

Even though Anelly had settled here in a manner no different from being driven out, she still quite liked the Heyworth Duchy in her own way.

“……”

Anelly Heyworth was once again sitting by the window, enjoying her tea today. She elegantly sipped the perfectly cooled black tea, then slowly put down the teacup.

– There were frivolous rumors about Elaina, the Crown Princess, but they were all settled at the Heswin ducal family’s party.

Then, she began to read through the reports placed on the table.

– Not only Crown Prince Sinclair and his wife, but also Crown Prince Hister attended, but the Emperor appeared and revealed that the rumors about the Crown Princess were not true and that the recent attack was the work of an enemy country before disappearing. It is believed that now not only Crown Prince Sinclair but also Crown Prince Hister are at odds with the Emperor.

“Hmm……”

– Not long after that incident, another incident occurred at the birthday banquet for Prince Chaz.

She already knew about what had happened this time. After all, there were always watchful eyes in the palace, and among them were Anelly’s people as well.

“It seems Hister is in quite a predicament……”

Otherwise, how could he commit such a foolish act?

“The Crown Princess got caught in the middle and suffered for nothing.”

But it was a bit surprising. Knowing what was in that drugged drink, she still drank it as is.

…… She had thought Sinclair taking Elaina as his princess was merely for show. Perhaps that wasn’t the case?

As Anelly chuckled, Sinclair’s voice from the day of the tournament, speaking to her as if threatening, passed by her ear.

[You’d better be sure. Of whatever it is.]

“……”

[I am no longer the young Sinclair of those days. So I can betray anyone. Never forget that fact.]

His words indeed seemed to be no lie. The weak prince who had lost his mother and could do nothing but cry was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, there was only the scoundrel who had wandered battlefields accumulating achievements and beheaded the Emperor’s cherished concubine in broad daylight at the palace.

But Sinclair was not the only one who had changed.

[Just as Your Highness is no longer the Your Highness of those days, the same goes for me.]

Before the Empress died.

The one who had lost a loved one first was none other than Anelly.

Anelly’s gaze, which had been fixed on the report, suddenly turned to the wall ahead.

On the wall was a portrait of a young boy.

It was Anelly’s son.

The one Yuria had killed without a moment’s hesitation, worried that the Heyworth Duchy might get involved in the struggle for the throne.

Looking at the face of her young son, who always smiled brightly whenever he saw her, Anelly bit her lip slightly.

[If I am to stake my life, shouldn’t I bet on a more certain hand?]

“Yes, Sinclair……”

I can no longer lose anything. Even if it means losing my soul and becoming a mere empty shell.

Especially to Yuria’s son.

[…… Whom my will sides with in the future depends solely on Your Highness. I hope Your Highness never forgets that fact either.]

“If you want me to lend you my strength, you must give me a much stronger conviction than you do now.”

Anelly had only one goal.

To drive out Yuria’s bloodline from the palace.

In the most miserable way possible.

For that goal, Anelly had been striving for a very long time. Of course, looking at the current situation in Edenbell, either Hister or Sinclair had the highest chance of becoming emperor.

But Anelly did not think Sinclair would be able to completely grasp and dominate the position of emperor. That was almost impossible for anyone to do, not just Anelly.

The Heyworth Duchy had lost its proper heir, but there were still quite a few collateral relatives who carried the imperial bloodline.

And…… their children who could ascend the throne had already come of age as well.

So Anelly still had several options.

“……”

Before long, Anelly slowly rose from her seat. Now it was time to prepare for another meeting that would soon be held.

Since the assessment seemed roughly finished, should she test the Crown Princess’s heart at this meeting?

Recalling Elaina’s face as she sat upright without losing the slightest spirit in that hostile atmosphere of the tournament venue, gazing only at Sinclair as if to give him strength, Anelly chuckled.

[This is the timeline separator]

Fortunately, Elaina’s recovery was very smooth.

Perhaps because the detoxification went well, her condition improved day by day. Now she could eat regular meals instead of patient soup, and although she staggered a bit due to the muscle loss from constantly being bedridden, she could walk to some extent.

But the problem lay in a completely unexpected place.

It was Sinclair.

“…… Sinclair, the physician has repeatedly said that lying down like this may not be better.”

It was the same today. Sinclair, who still volunteered to take care of Elaina alone, forcibly laid her down as she tried to get up from the bed.

Moreover, now that the weather was getting warmer, he didn’t forget to meticulously cover her with a thick quilt.

“That’s the physician’s opinion.”

“……”

“Instead, starting tomorrow, I won’t say a word. Just rest well until today. It seems your complexion hasn’t fully returned yet.”

But to me, she looked fine. Judith, Anna, and the physician said the same thing.

…… However, seeing Sinclair insisting like a young child seemed a bit cute, so Elaina didn’t dare refute him.

Seeing that Elaina obediently lay down on the bed as he said, Sinclair carefully got on the bed. Then, lying next to her, he slowly reached out his arm.

“Come here.”

Ever since they had exchanged sincere feelings, Sinclair’s behavior had changed very noticeably. Since that day, he had never once failed to let Elaina sleep in his arms.

Of course, in his eyes, she still wasn’t well, so he didn’t carelessly lay hands on her.

Anyway, Elaina naturally snuggled into his warm embrace instead of answering. Sinclair smiled faintly, and Elaina pondered alone as she took in the sound of his small laughter in her ears.

Could it be that he keeps making her lie down for this reason?

It was a very logical deduction.

“Actually, if it were up to me, I’d like you to stay in the bedroom like this all the time.”

Whether Elaina was thinking about it or not, Sinclair, who had tightly embraced her, rested his chin on top of Elaina’s head. Then, he slowly began to move his lips in a low voice.

“Not going anywhere.”

Then I might be a little less anxious. I might not have thoughts like you getting hurt because of me.

“…… But you won’t do that, will you?”

At Sinclair’s question, Elaina chuckled softly.

“How can you ask that when you already know the answer, Sinclair?”

“……”

“But I will make a promise. I won’t go around causing needless accidents.”

This time, Sinclair laughed.

“Causing accidents is my specialty. It’s quite amusing to hear such a promise from someone else.”

“Anyway, I’m making the promise because you’re worried. To be precise, I should say I get caught up in accidents rather than cause them.”

Sinclair knew well too. No matter how much he tried to keep her in the bedroom, he couldn’t.

Elaina, who had found light like Eli before, would shine brightly like the sun and move forward, just as she did back then. She would rush in without hesitation for his sake.

That fact made Sinclair very happy and yet also very heartrending.

Because Elaina’s unchanging heart felt too pure.

Unlike himself.

“……”

Lowering his head, Sinclair slowly gazed at Elaina. Then, he silently brushed her disheveled black hair.

Elaina also affectionately looked at Sinclair. Like that, the two just gazed at each other for a while without exchanging any words.

Just being thankful for that.

But their peace did not last long.

“Umm…… Sir Sinclair.”

Due to Schuler’s voice that suddenly came from outside the door.

“I thought I said to receive reports all at once in the evening unless it’s important, Schuler.”

To reduce matters that would concern Elaina, Sinclair had issued an order. Until she got out of the sickbed, he would receive reports only once a day.

“I am very sorry but…… they came to see you in person……”

What is this about now?

Elaina, who was embraced in Sinclair’s arms, pricked up her ears.

Who had come to visit? Definitely not someone from the imperial family. Then Madam Leggers? Or Perin Illine like last time?

“Currently, Prince Chaz is waiting.”

But the name that returned was of someone she had never expected.

…… Chaz?

Sinclair’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I told him the situation was inconvenient, but he only said he would keep waiting.”

“……”

“Shall I tell him to leave after all?”