Lea was on her way back from the apothecary in the Belarus Duchy. As she entered the mansion carrying the purchased herbs, a well-groomed figure stood at the entrance.

“Duke?”

It was Akia.

And her gaze fell on a carriage moving away from the mansion. The carriage, adorned with the unique patterns of the imperial palace, immediately reminded her of Emperor Ilay.

“Did someone visit the palace?”

Lea, with a puzzled expression, approached Akia.

“Duke, who visited?”

“Someone from the palace. I delivered the report, and Her Majesty already sent a response.”

“Already?”

It seemed like it hadn’t even been a week since he sent a letter to the emperor.

Considering the distance from the capital to the northern regions, the response was surprisingly prompt.

“I don’t have a good feeling about receiving a response this quickly.”

Since Lea expressed interest in the hot springs during a meal, the hot spring development plan progressed rapidly.

Duke Belarus, who seemed indifferent to the business, gradually began to show interest. Especially, he had been keenly interested in the business ideas Lea had developed.

“Lea’s business ideas are quite fascinating. Then let’s entrust Bialitzkal to both of them.”

Lea never dreamed that she would be involved in the hot spring development project.

Thanks to that, Akia’s concerns seemed to have increased a bit. Nevertheless, everything was going smoothly, leaving only Ilay’s permission.

Akia, noticing Lea’s worried expression, read the letter.

“Is it a rejection after all?”

Watching Akia’s face, which seemed unyielding, Lea cautiously asked. It seemed like Akia’s face that couldn’t be read was the reason for her question.

“There was no rejection. His Majesty gladly approved.”

“Really?!”

Lea, surprised by the low-pitched voice ringing in her ears, lifted her head. Her face, which had darkened thinking it was a rejection, brightened in an instant.

‘How delightful.’

Lea’s two eye pupils, shining with a refreshing green light, sparkled in the sunlight. It wasn’t even her own business, but why was it so enjoyable?

Akia’s gaze, observing her, softened for a brief moment and then returned.

“I approve the development of Bialitzkal’s hot springs. Akia Heidern de Croathéa, as a member of the imperial family, devote yourself to reviving the desolate Bialitzkal.”

‘Akia Heidern de Croathéa.’

In the empire, inheriting the title ‘Croathéa’ meant inheriting the imperial bloodline. Akia closed her eyes slightly, recalling faint memories that gradually emerged.

Memories of childhood playing in the vast imperial palace.

“Your Highness! You shouldn’t jump around like that. If someone sees…!”

“Leave it. Who would peek into my garden, being the empress and all.”

The nanny always said that nobles shouldn’t jump around recklessly. His mother just smiled indulgently, looking at Akia.

Born as the only prince of the empire, Akia’s life was smooth. His father, Emperor Philip III, was strict, but there was deep affection for him.

A desire for the young son to grow up properly. Knowing that wish, Akia was fine with the strict discipline.

He had vowed that if he ascended to the emperor’s throne someday, he would make the empire his father had built even more dazzling. However, the world did not allow Akia to fulfill that vow.

“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

“Nanny… I…!”

The voice of the nanny ringing in his ears and the smell of blood seeping through his nostrils. At the moment when the nightmare-like memories were about to rise naturally, Akia’s eyes opened.

In fact, Akia knew why Ilay sent a response so quickly this time. He wanted to widely publicize the incompetence of the only heir to the Duchy, using this incident.
Therefore, the emperor was sure to obstruct what he intended to do. As the thought reached that point, a sly smile formed on Akia’s lips.

“It won’t be easy.”

The young duke, who had been driven out of the Heidern territory, was no more.

Akia, after receiving a letter from the emperor, tore open another envelope he held.

“What is this letter?”

“It’s from Rikel. Maggnolia’s upper class will arrive within a few days.”

“So quickly?”

Lea’s face was filled with surprise. It hadn’t been long since the outline of the hot spring business plan was drawn.

Although she had heard that Maggnolia would join, she didn’t expect them to set off for Bialitzkal so soon.

“We should start now.”

However, unlike the surprised Lea, Akia’s pupils were deeply sunk. Like a silent lake.

In the endless silence, the laughter of Belarus Duke, who had been laughing day by day, did not stop. Right now.

“Haha. It worked. People can make mistakes in life. Go and see.”

A maid accidentally spilled a drink while setting it down for Dmitri.

Naturally, expecting a harsh reprimand, she crouched on the floor, but what she heard was Dmitri’s laughter.

Moreover, instead of scolding her, he even comforted the maid.

“Yes? Yes, Your Grace. I won’t make such a mistake again.”