Viare, feeling somewhat alienated in this unfamiliar place, asked him, “Do you always meet here?”

“Yes. It’s difficult to find a place as comfortable as this,” he replied.

‘A place beyond suspicion, then,’ she thought. This was a location where nobles from prestigious families, along with substantial donations, would always be welcome.

“By the way, do you know who recommended you for Elmeda?” Matteo inquired.

Viare raised her eyebrows and awaited his response. Matteo glanced at Rosalyn and Giuseppe and said, “It was Lady Rosalyn Dantell and Count Giuseppe Lissandro.”

Rosalyn blushed slightly, and Giuseppe smiled pleasantly.

“……I see,” Viare acknowledged, grateful yet curious about why they recommended her. She suspected it was not solely based on personal connections.

As Viare began to adapt to the ambiance, the group started sharing information they had gathered.

Matteo Caenderson, being part of the central governing council, likely had access to royal information. It seemed probable that Rosalyn’s information about Dension Berdeum came from him.

“Recently, there’s been a strange undercurrent in the central governing council,” Matteo revealed.

“What kind of undercurrent?” the others asked eagerly, their faces resembling hyenas on a hunt.

“The Crown Prince attended in place of His Majesty the Emperor,” he disclosed.

“The Crown Prince?” Viare pondered, recalling Ivan Leo Kartos, whom she hadn’t met since her birthday gala three years ago, except on official occasions.
“The Crown Prince himself?”

‘Ivan Leo Kartos…’

Since Viare’s birthday banquet three years ago, she had not met Ivan except on official occasions.

She never expected he would honor her request, but Ivan was keeping his promise in his own way.

One noticeable change from the past was that he was no longer the protagonist of unsavory rumors.

Consequently, the lady who had appeared with his illegitimate child had also vanished from the scene.

Viare didn’t know the reason behind this, nor did she wish to delve into it.

“The Emperor seems to be gravely ill.”

“If that’s the case, the Crown Prince will naturally have to take on more responsibilities.”

They seemed surprised at the prospect of Ivan soon undergoing the succession process, and their minds appeared to be racing with thoughts.

If the past were to repeat, the Emperor might not survive the coming winter.

“But there’s something even more surprising.”

All eyes focused on Matteo, who cleared his throat before speaking.

“The Duke of Berdeum is being mentioned as a close aide to the Crown Prince.”

Hearing this, Viare froze, unable to conceal her reaction.

‘Sion, why…?’

Unable to comprehend his actions, Viare remained speechless.

Perhaps for Dension, becoming an aide to Ivan was the best course of action.

However, the risk involved was agonizing for Viare.

Dension must have been tracking down those responsible for his parents’ death. His conclusions were likely similar to Viare’s.

‘But the royal family… It’s too reckless, Sion.’

No concrete facts had been revealed yet, and they were left with only suspicions.

Viare sat trying to appear calm, but inside she was tormented with worry for Dension.

‘What if you face death again…’

This question was a burden Viare would have to carry alone.

Having once experienced a world without him, she could not bear to lose Dension again.

Though it should never happen, if such a situation arose, she doubted she could endure a life without him.