“Belarus is a loyal lion. While I cannot be your companion, as long as Croatia thrives, Belarus will remain an eternal lion of the imperial family.”

Of course, that imperial family wouldn’t be in Ilei’s era.

Leia smiled faintly, then rose from her seat. It was a gesture devoid of any lingering attachment, as if she had completed everything she needed to say.

“Well then, I will take my leave.”

With the courtesy befitting an Empress, Leia left the reception room.

Thud.

As the sound of the closing door echoed in the room, Ilei slumped into the chair.

‘A loyal lion…’

The symbol of the Duke of Belarus’s family was a lion. He never expected to hear such words from the young woman who had just entered noble society.

“What an interesting woman.”

In the moments when Ilei muttered to himself, the wall behind him began to move slightly.

Creak.

With a chilling sound, the wall opened like a door, and the unfamiliar sound of footsteps echoed in the reception room. As the footsteps approached, Ilei continued speaking.

“Did you hear? The Lady’s intentions are remarkably strong.”

The sound of a clinking dress was heard as someone walked out from within. That someone was none other than the Empress.

As she gracefully approached, the steward came forward and placed an empty cup. A new cup of freshly brewed tea was poured into it.

“Belarus’s determination is as strong as their symbol, the lion.”

Listening to Ilei’s continued words, the Empress smiled quietly.

“That’s what gnaws at my reins.”

At Ilei’s words, the Empress gently licked her lips.

“Now, what do you plan to do? Even though I am the Emperor, the opponent is Belarus. There are many ways to reject the proposal, but what do you think?”

The Empress quietly set down the sipped teacup. Looking at Ilei as he inquired about her future plans, the Empress leaned back in her chair.

The Empress vividly remembered Leia’s voice that still resonated from beyond the wall. The young woman who boldly declared her intentions to the Emperor without a trace of hesitation.

When the story of Belarus’s lion came up, it felt as if the deceased Duchess had come back to life.

‘Indeed, Belarus seems to have a strong connection.’

Ariel, who strongly resembled the Duchess in temperament, seemed to have touched her soul in that way. Now, her granddaughter had appeared.

“What will you do?”

A cruel yet boundless smile spread across the Empress’s lips.

‘It’s tough in the beginning; will it be tougher the second time?’
The Empress looked at Ilei, who was sitting in the most prestigious seat. The Emperor’s seat that her grandson occupied was a place stained with the sacrifices and blood of others.

If someone else were to covet that seat, it would only lead to more sacrifices. Facing Ilei, who seemed to be waiting for her words, the Empress spoke.

“Just as two suns cannot rise in the midday sun. If we cannot share the same boat, we must sink the other boat.”

As the Empress spoke in this manner, her eyes gleamed eerily.

‘Something doesn’t feel right.’

As Leia left the palace and returned to the mansion, she felt uneasy throughout. An unknown ominous feeling sent shivers down her spine.

‘Would he give up on me so easily?’

The status of the Belarus family, seen at the reception, was more significant than she had imagined. So many people gathered for the return of the old Duke after more than twenty years.

Even Leia, who had been a commoner among those introduced by her grandfather, recognized many familiar faces.

‘Suddenly proposing to me was probably to restrain Akkia.’

As her thoughts reached that point, Leia’s fist clenched. On that day at the reception, many felt that the relationship between her and Akkia was unusual.

The prospect of being entangled in such political situations in the future was quite daunting.

‘Considering the rumors about the Duke…’

Perhaps the Emperor’s proposal was a signal of the upcoming crises.

While Leia stared out the window, deeply immersed in thoughts, she absentmindedly flicked her finger. When she did so, the carriage gradually slowed down, as if arriving at the mansion.

Whether she had been waiting for Leia or not, Dmitry and Akkia were there to greet her as she entered the mansion.

The two seemed to have remained in the reception room just as they were when she left for the palace. It was strange since Dmitry had mentioned that the Duke was in the reception room instead of his study.

‘Perhaps the Duke is still here.’

“Leia, did anything happen?”

Dmitry anxiously examined her body with a worried look.

“No, I’m fine. Nothing happened. But…”

Leia looked at Akkia standing behind Dmitry.

“Haven’t you returned to the mansion yet?”

Before leaving for the palace, Akkia had come to the Belarus mansion, asking Leia to visit. She had expected him to leave after seeing her off.

However, it seemed he hadn’t gone back yet, worrying about her, who had gone alone to the palace.

“I can’t go back when I sent you alone.”

In response to Akkia’s stubborn answer, Leia simply nodded.

Perhaps Akkia might stay behind at the mansion, waiting for her to return, on the way back.

Leia could now predict what Akkia might be thinking and smiled faintly.

When did she come to know this man so well? Leia, who had been smiling, looked at the two and said,

“It worked out well.”

Amidst the serious atmosphere, a firm voice was heard.

‘What does she mean by “it worked out well”?’

Akkia, looking at Leia, who unexpectedly said it worked out well, narrowed his eyes. Leia passed by Dmitry, standing between them, and stood in front of Akkia. Then, she took his hand.

“Duke.”

Why was she looking at him with such a determined gaze, intending to say something so forcefully?

Caught up in the atmosphere, Akkia couldn’t answer, just nodding his head.