The Haworth Duchy was located to the south of the capital.

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

Although Anelli had settled here in a situation no different from being driven out, she still quite liked the Haworth Duchy.

“……”

Anelli Haworth was enjoying tea by the window again today. She sipped the perfectly cooled black tea with a noble manner, then slowly put down the teacup.

– There were frivolous rumors about Empress Elaina, but they were all put to rest at the party of the Heswin Duchy.

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

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

“Hmm……”

– Not long after that, an incident occurred at Prince Chaz’s birthday banquet.

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

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

Otherwise, how could he commit such a foolish act?

“The Empress was just caught in the middle and put in a difficult position.”

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

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

As Anelli chuckled, Sinclair’s voice from the day of the tournament, speaking to her as if threatening, brushed past 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 seemed to be no lie indeed. The weak prince who had lost his mother and could do nothing but cry tears every day was nowhere to be seen.

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

But it wasn’t just Sinclair who had changed.

[Just as Your Highness is not the same prince as back then, neither am I.]

Before the Empress died.

It was none other than Anelli who had lost her beloved first.

Anelli’s gaze, which had been fixed on the report, suddenly turned to the wall in front of her.

On the wall was a portrait of a young boy.

It was Anelli’s son.

The poor child whom Yuria had killed without a moment’s hesitation, out of concern that the Haworth 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, Anelli lightly bit her lip.

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

“Yes, Sinclair……”

I can no longer afford to lose anything more. Even if it means losing my very soul and being left with only this empty shell of a body.

And even more so to Yuria’s son.

[…… With whom my will sides from now on depends solely on Your Highness. I hope you never forget that fact either.]

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

Anelli had only one goal.

To drive Yuria’s bloodline out of the imperial palace.

In the most miserable way possible.

Anelli had worked hard for that goal for a very long time. Of course, looking at the current situation in Edenbell, either Hister or Sinclair had the highest probability of becoming the emperor.

But Anelli did not think that Sinclair would be able to completely grasp and dominate the position of emperor. It was an almost impossible task for anyone to see, not just Anelli.

Although the Haworth Duchy had lost its heir apparent, there were still quite a few collateral descendants who inherited the imperial bloodline.

And…… their children who could ascend to the throne had already grown up long ago.

So Anelli still had several options.

“……”

Before long, Anelli slowly rose from her seat. Now it was time to prepare for the next gathering.

Having roughly grasped the unfolding situation, she would try to discern the Empress’s heart at this meeting.

Recalling Elaina’s face as she sat upright without losing her spirit even in that hostile atmosphere at the tournament venue, gazing only at Sinclair as if to give him strength, Anelli smiled lightly.

* * *

Fortunately, Elaina’s recovery was very smooth.

As if the detoxification had gone well, her condition improved day by day. Now she could eat regular food instead of patient soup, and although she staggered a bit due to constantly being in bed, causing some muscle loss, she was able to walk to some extent.

But the problem arose from an unexpected place.

It was none other than Sinclair.

“…… Sinclair, the physician has repeatedly said that just lying down like this might not be good for me.”

It was the same today. Sinclair, who still took it upon himself to nurse Elaina, forcibly laid her down as she tried to get up from her seat.

Moreover, even though the weather was gradually getting hotter now, he did not forget to meticulously cover her with a thick comforter.

“That’s the physician’s opinion.”

“……”

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

But in my view, she looked fine. Judith, Anna, and the physician said the same thing.

…… However, finding Sinclair’s insistence, like a child’s, a bit cute, Elaina did not deliberately refute him.

After making sure that Elaina had obediently lain down on the bed as he said, Sinclair carefully climbed onto the bed. Then, lying next to her, he slowly stretched out his arm.

“Come here.”

Since exchanging their sincere feelings, Sinclair’s behavior had changed very noticeably. Since that day, he had never once let Elaina sleep outside of his embrace.

Of course, as she still looked unwell in his eyes, he did not carelessly lay his hands on her.

In any case, instead of answering, Elaina very naturally snuggled into his warm embrace. As Sinclair smiled faintly, Elaina thought to herself while taking in the sound of his small laughter with her ears.

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

It was a very reasonable deduction.

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

Regardless of what Elaina was thinking, Sinclair, who had tightly embraced her in his arms at some point, rested his chin on top of Elaina’s head. Then, he slowly began to move his lips in a low voice.

“Without going anywhere.”

Then I would be a little less anxious. I wouldn’t have to think that you might get hurt because of me.

“…… But you won’t do that, will you?”

In response to Sinclair’s question, Elaina let out a small laugh.

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

“……”

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

This time, Sinclair chuckled.

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

“Anyway, I’m promising because you’re worried. To be precise, I should say that I don’t cause accidents, but rather get caught up in them.”

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

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

That fact made Sinclair very happy, but also very heartbroken.

Elaina’s heart, which had not changed at all from back then, felt too pure.

Unlike himself.

“……”

Sinclair lowered his head and slowly looked at Elaina. Then, he silently brushed her disheveled black hair.

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

Just that was more than enough to be grateful for.

But their peace did not last long.

“Um…… Sir Sinclair.”

Because of Schuler’s voice that suddenly came from outside the door.

“I thought I told you to bring reports only once in the evening unless it’s an important matter, Schuler.”

In order to reduce Elaina’s concerns, Sinclair had ordered that until she got out of bed, reports would be received only once a day, all at once.

“I am terribly sorry…… but someone has come to see you……”

What is this about now?

Elaina, who had been nestled in Sinclair’s arms, pricked up her ears.

Who could have come? It wouldn’t be someone from the imperial family. Then Madam Legars? Or Perin Illine like last time?

“Prince Chaz is currently waiting for you.”

But the name that came back was someone she had never expected.

…… Chaz?

Sinclair’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I told him that the situation was not favorable, but he only said he would keep waiting.”

“……”

“Shall I tell him to go back after all?”