Sandes entered the Emperor’s office with a knock and greeted Enzo before approaching to speak.

“Your Majesty, according to scattered informants, most kingdoms have dispatched their envoys.”

Enzo seemed to ponder Sandes’ words for a moment before asking.

“What of the alliance of small kingdoms?”

“Among the three kingdoms, the envoy from the farthest Trumto Kingdom has departed, while Smale Kingdom seems to be still preparing their envoy, busy erasing traces of smuggling. The closest Tula Kingdom appears to be preparing on the surface, but they still seem to be weighing their options.”

“They’re moving as expected.”

Sandes nodded at Enzo’s words and shuffled through some documents.

Just before the magic stone market opened, Sandes had gathered all the communication artifacts on Enzo’s orders.

Enzo’s hidden order of knights, known as the Imperial Shadow Knights, received the communication artifacts and infiltrated each kingdom.

Sandes compiled all the reports sent by the knights into documents and reported them.

“It has been confirmed that Tula Kingdom is leading the alliance of small kingdoms.”

“Despite conceding this much, what more could they want, tsk.”

Rather than making the surrounding kingdoms vassals, Enzo treated them as friendly nations that could grow together and did not encroach on their territories.

He wished for them to develop as much as the Empire did.

Enzo knew early on that the continent could not grow alone, so he hoped they could grow together.

Yet this was the response to that.

“We’ll maintain a firm stance on the alliance of small kingdoms, issue warnings to countries involved in smuggling, and inform those who waited until the end that they are friendly nations.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

“Before the envoys arrive, request Countess Medelia to enter the palace.”

“I will convey the message.”

As important matters were somewhat settled, Enzo, seeming tired, put down the documents he was holding and leaned back in his chair.

“Are there any more matters to confirm?”

“Officially, no.”

“Hmm? Do you have something to tell me privately, Sandes?”

Intrigued by Sandes’ words, Enzo looked at him with bright eyes.

“Brother, I found them.”

“Found what?”

“I found the niece we thought was dead.”

Enzo, startled by Sandes’ calm tone, asked back.

“Is it true?”

“Yes, thanks to Erina.”

“Thanks to Countess Medelia?”

“The heir brought out of Iolls was our niece.”

“No, how on earth…”

Sandes smiled bitterly and avoided Enzo’s gaze.

Enzo had been full of concern since he was disappointed by Peiron, whom he had trusted, and imposed a great penalty on House Iolls.

Sandes worried that making Enzo more disappointed in them here would unnecessarily trouble him more.

“I will handle the rest.”

“Sandes.”

“Haven’t you already given up so much for me, brother? So please let this one go.”

Enzo couldn’t respond to Sandes’ words.

Enzo never imagined that Sandes would think this way about past events.

His heart swelled strangely at this first glimpse of Sandes’ emotions.

Whether it was because he had changed after meeting Erina, or if Enzo had simply been unaware before.

Enzo found himself looking at Sandes anew.

“Is there anything you need?”

“I want to register my niece into the Kerenik Marquis family.”

“If you do it yourself, you’ll have to register her as your daughter.”

“I know.”

Sandes was currently unmarried.

It wasn’t unheard of for unmarried individuals to take in children, but it wasn’t common.

This was because if one took in a child while unmarried and later got married, things could become complicated.

So when unmarried individuals requested to register a child, they were sometimes given a grace period.

There were concerns about proceeding with registration on a whim and the issues that might arise later.

Seeing the unusual relationship between Sandes and Erina, Enzo thought good news might be coming soon.

Enzo stroked his chin and asked Sandes.

“Have you discussed everything with Countess Medelia?”

Sandes answered with a gentle smile.

“Yes, brother.”

“Very well. I’ll have everything prepared, so set a date to enter the palace with Countess Medelia and your niece.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Now then, I’d like to rest a bit before the storm of envoys arrives.”

As Enzo gently hinted for him to leave, Sandes quietly exited the Emperor’s office.

[This is the timeline separator]

Mirea, who had shut herself away in House Iolls, felt like she was going mad from the pressure closing in from all sides.

Due to Peiron’s hasty liquidation of assets, an imminent financial crisis loomed like a tsunami.

From the maintenance costs of the garden with its variety of plants, to the salaries of dozens of servants, to the approaching payment dates for goods purchased on credit.

She couldn’t handle any of it right away.

Eventually, Mirea began selling her cherished dresses and accessories one by one.

She let go of unnecessary servants and sold or removed unneeded plants.

Yet the finances of House Iolls still showed no improvement.

Finally, she found herself in a situation where she had to dispose of even hard-to-obtain gems and valuable accessories and jewels.

Mirea came out wearing a gloomy dress she couldn’t recognize as her own, with a wide-brimmed hat pulled low.

After checking the jewels she had stuffed into her bag one more time, Mirea headed to the jewelry shop she always frequented.

“Welcome!”

The owner, who had worked in the jewelry shop for decades, noticed that Mirea, who had entered quietly, was someone who had come to dispose of jewelry or accessories.

Most people who didn’t want to reveal themselves often came to dispose of their possessions due to unavoidable circumstances.

“My lady, is there anything you need?”

As the owner had guessed, Mirea hurriedly approached him and held out her bag.

“How much can you offer?”

The jeweler glanced at Mirea, who had pulled her hat low to conceal her face, then opened the bag to examine the jewels and accessories.

Even at a glance, they were valuable items.

“Pardon me, but could you tell me your family name? We ask this to verify that valuable items aren’t stolen.”

Mirea bit her lip hard before quietly saying.

“…House Iolls, Countess.”

“Ah!”

At the jeweler’s knowing exclamation, Mirea felt even more embarrassed.

She wanted to snatch her bag and leave immediately, but her situation wouldn’t allow it.

Inwardly, she gritted her teeth, vowing to repay this humiliation someday, but it would likely remain just her imagination.

“Would you mind waiting a moment while I appraise the items for purchase?”

“Please do it as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, understood.”

As the jeweler moved to where he had appraisal tools and focused, Mirea surveyed the interior of the shop.

Most clothing shops and jewelry stores were designed to be easily visible from the outside.

Mirea, fearing someone might recognize her from outside, sought an inconspicuous corner.

As Mirea settled into a corner, someone entered the jewelry shop.

The jeweler, who had been laying out the jewels and accessories from the bag, hurried to greet the newcomer.

“Welcome!”

The jeweler couldn’t help but recognize the man with a towering height, warm coloring, and an air of decadent beauty.

“Marquis Kerenik!”

As Sandes entered the jewelry shop, Mirea, who had been holding her breath in the corner, spotted him.

Mirea nearly cried out, covering her mouth and stumbling backward.

To meet the very person she shouldn’t, at a time like this.

Mirea thought it was truly an unlucky day where nothing was going right.

She stood in the corner, holding her breath, hoping not to be discovered.

But the time Mirea could hide herself lasted only as long as it took to swallow a breath.

“It seems there’s a customer who arrived before me.”

“It’s a matter requiring some appraisal time. If it’s not discourteous to you, Marquis, could you wait a moment? I believe I can finish soon.”

As the jeweler asked for understanding, Sandes turned his head to look at the person in the shop.

A gloomy ash-grey dress one might see in a monastery, a face hidden by a wide-brimmed hat to match.

But Sandes couldn’t fail to recognize her.

“Haha! Of course, I can wait.”

Though the response sounded ominous, the jeweler didn’t notice as Sandes’ expression remained peaceful.

How hotly his heart was burning.

“Then please browse for a moment, and I’ll finish up quickly!”

The jeweler answered cheerfully and returned to continue the appraisal for the first customer’s order.

A chilling silence settled between Sandes and Mirea.

Mirea pulled her hat lower and bowed her head, hoping he would ignore her.

Then came the sound of footsteps on the floor, and the toe of dark brown shoes entered Mirea’s downcast view.

“It’s been a while.”

Mirea felt her hands, buried in her dress to hide their trembling, shaking violently.

“Lady Iolls.”

Mirea’s breath caught at the voice right before her.

Though softly spoken, the words sounded so cold, as if sharp ice shards were embedded in them.

“Ah, I suppose it’s now Dowager Countess Iolls.”

Mirea couldn’t respond, her whole body frozen.

She felt as if she would be consumed by his cold, blue anger.

“Not even a greeting? This is the first time I’ve seen such rudeness from someone who’s received a title.”