“Yes, Your Majesty. There is news that the imperial carriage, which Emperor Katrea Edins and the officials of the Delroi Empire on the Southern Continent are riding together, is entering the palace.”

“They’re arriving earlier than scheduled, as if they made a promise.”

He, who had a mischievous gaze toward me, returned to his usual composed self as Emperor Laphion.

It wasn’t the news I was eagerly waiting for, but Rapha’s report was surprising nonetheless.

When I first met Commander Markrom at the Ministry of War, I recalled the information about the countries on the Southern Continent that he shared with me.

The Delroi Empire is a country ruled by the Empress.

Emperor Katrea is the person who moved all military forces of the Delroi Empire even before he personally beheaded my late brother, who was just a scarecrow.

He was said to have played a significant role in the last battle in the Valley of Death, the final battle between the two continents.

Moreover, he is exceptionally handsome.

Commander Markrom even made a joke that losing sight after seeing the face of Empress Katrea is somewhat comforting.

While I am curious about other emperors from different empires, Emperor Katrea of the Delroi Empire is the most intriguing figure for me.

“Since the meal is almost finished, get up soon. Prepare to welcome the Emperor of Delroi with the Empress.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will wait outside.”

“Sure.”

After Lionel took a sip of wine and wiped his mouth with a napkin, he looked at me intently.

I also met his affectionate gaze.

“How about having one more broccoli that the Empress likes before getting up?”

“?”

He picked up a piece of raw broccoli, which had been left on one side of his steak plate, with a fork and stuffed it into my mouth.

My mouth still had the lingering taste of the forcibly chewed broccoli.

“Come on, ah~”

“I’ll pass.”

Shortly after arriving at the entrance of the main palace with Lionel, the carriage with the emblem of the Delroi Empire, drawn with the unique pattern of the imperial family, slowly came to a stop in front of the main palace.

If there’s anything peculiar, the carriage was more suited for combat than a royal carriage.

There were pointed and small grates densely embedded in the center of the wheels.

Furthermore, there were several holes inside the carriage, allowing arrows to be shot or swords to be thrust from the inside.

At first glance, it looked like a picture drawn with elaborate patterns, but upon closer inspection, it was in a state where the holes were subtly filled like a puzzle.

An extraordinary aura emanated from the carriage.

My curiosity about Empress Katrea soared.

Finally, the carriage door opened, and two men descended one after the other.

…They are handsome.

“Oh my, goodness.”

I involuntarily exclaimed.

They closely resembled the appearance of mythical gods depicted in paintings on the Southern Continent.

It felt like I was witnessing the figures from the painting come to life.
It was surprising to realize that men could be so beautiful. What kind of voices would men with such looks have? My curiosity suddenly arose, and my gaze was drawn to the lips of the two handsome men.

“Zelda, be cautious,” Lionel quietly warned me. His hand around my waist tightened.

“Oh, I apologize.” What a fool. Unintentionally, I apologized to him.

I had willingly admitted that I had caught the attention of the officials of Emperor Katrea’s government.

In the meantime, the Empress, known as the Goddess of War, descended from the carriage.

She stood among the officials, holding each of their hands, and began to ascend the stairs.

Her escorting appearance somehow did not match.

The Empress carried two large and thick swords, resembling those used by executioners, crossed in an ‘X’ shape on her back.

If she were dressed in a gown, it would have seemed more refreshing, but she was dressed in a uniform.

Interestingly, Emperor Katrea ascended the stairs of Laphion’s palace, two steps at a time, with a resolute attitude.

I felt a bit sulky as I looked at Emperor Katrea.

I thought I was the only one, but it seems another one has appeared today.

The woman who ascended the steps of Laphion’s main palace, two steps at a time, was someone I thought wouldn’t exist in the empire’s history, except for me.

She appeared quite different from the handsome male officials following her, without any sign of difficulty.

She came up to the entrance of the main palace with a dignified posture and stood in front of Lionel and me.

As I looked closely at her face, I recalled Commander Markrom’s words.

“Her swordsmanship is as impressive as her beauty.”

I definitely heard that, didn’t I?

But she wasn’t as remarkable a beauty as Commander Markrom expressed.

Perhaps Commander Markrom’s vision wasn’t good even before losing sight due to a sorcerer’s curse.

While the overall atmosphere certainly looked extraordinary, Emperor Katrea’s appearance was more impressive than beautiful.