No matter how many times I looked, the miracle of Killian’s name being erased from the list didn’t happen.

Though I wouldn’t be traveling alone with Killian, it was a journey with only fifteen people.

Considering that even for short distances, royalty moves with at least thirty people, this barely met half of the minimum number.

But for Killian to be one of those fifteen… Did the Emperor really allow this?

Doesn’t the Emperor know better than anyone how Alicia feels about Killian, even if she said she’s given up?

Curious about what the Emperor was thinking to make such a decision, Alicia went straight to the Emperor’s office.

“I asked Father.”

And upon arriving at the Emperor’s office, Alicia heard an unbelievable statement from Adrian.

It was Adrian, of all people, who first stepped up and wanted Killian to join?

The person who openly shows his dislike at the mere sight of Killian?

Is something wrong with Brother?

“I’m perfectly fine, Ari.”

Adrian, realizing what Alicia was thinking, replied with a sullen face.

However, unable to believe his words at face value, Alicia turned her gaze towards the Emperor this time.

“I know your brother’s decision is surprising.”

“So he really is unwell…”

“But Adrian is healthy with no ailments. So don’t worry, Alicia.”

If both her brother and father were saying this, it meant Adrian had made this decision in his right mind.

“My goodness… Brother, why?”

Alicia, knowing how he usually feels about Killian, asked.

“It’s true that I dislike him, but your safety is more important than that.”

Recently, the frequency of reports about mutant discoveries had increased dramatically.

Moreover, the locations where mutants were being discovered were getting closer to the capital.

While information control was still possible for now, at this rate, Alicia would soon hear about the mutants too.

Amidst such anxieties, a letter arrived from the Tower of Sages.

If their invitation was directed at Alicia, hiding information about the mutants would rather put her in danger.

With this judgment, the Emperor and Adrian decided to share filtered information with Alicia.

“Do you remember the beast we encountered at Rasa Castle?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“We call those different from existing beasts ‘mutants.'”

Although it was content she already knew, Alicia looked at Adrian with wide eyes as if hearing it for the first time.

Would they now share information about the beasts with her too?

However, as Adrian continued speaking, Alicia became certain that wasn’t the case.

“So mutants are appearing in places that aren’t beast territories?”

“Yes. Other than looking a bit different and briefly speaking human language, they’re not much different from existing beasts.”

He avoids the core story and downplays the danger.

Alicia nodded quietly, noting Adrian’s lie about beasts being able to speak a little more than just her name.

She knew the reason for Adrian’s lie was his affection and concern for her.

“You mean we might encounter beasts on the way to the Tower of Sages?”

“Yes, that’s why we had no choice but to choose Duke Diaz.”

Who in this Eregron could best handle beasts?

The answer is simple.

“As much as I hate to admit it, he’s the strongest man in the empire. He can protect you safely.”

It was Killian.

Abandoned at Gryphon Fortress since a very young age, contrary to people’s expectations that he wouldn’t survive a year, he lived and rose to the position of Duke Diaz.

Having overcome numerous near-death experiences against beasts, Killian, now known as the scourge of beasts, would surely protect Alicia perfectly.

“I’m sorry, Ari. I know how you feel, but… I didn’t like this choice either, but there was no other way.”

Shaking her head at her sincerely apologizing brother, Alicia turned her gaze to the Emperor who had been silently watching the siblings.

“Father feels the same way, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, not only the journey is a concern, but mutants have also been spotted in the Prisca Mountains, so I had to prioritize your safety.”

“Then I’m fine with it. Don’t apologize.”

Setting aside personal feelings and looking at the list again, the reason for their selection became clear.

The list was composed solely for Alicia’s safety.

‘If I were to make the list, I would have put Killian’s name at the top too.’

And next would be the names of Badulf’s unit.

If the Tower hadn’t limited the number to fifteen, surely her father or brother would have made the same choice.

“So I’ll depart with these people on the scheduled date?”

“When a small group travels together, it helps to meet beforehand to familiarize faces… Ari, what do you want to do?”

“If Brother says it’s helpful, I’ll meet them.”

“You don’t have to meet everyone if you don’t want to.”

“It’s only fifteen people including me.”

Seeing Alicia respond with a smile, Adrian swallowed a sigh and said he would send out invitations as he scanned the names on the list.

“Shouldn’t I send them? They’re the ones traveling with me.”

“If it’s sent in the Crown Prince’s name, they’ll be more alert.”

“In that case, it seems sending it in my name would be most effective.”

The Emperor, who had been quietly listening to the siblings’ conversation, spoke up.

“I said it first though.”

“Haven’t you learned that the Emperor’s word takes precedence over everything?”

“You should give your brother a chance to work for his sister.”

“An old father wants to exert some effort for his daughter, and the young son tries to interfere. Be filial, son.”

“That’s not fair…”

“If you’re unsatisfied, you can be the Emperor. Oh, then would I become the Emperor’s father?”

“Aren’t you embarrassed in front of Ari?”

“Alicia, is your father embarrassing?”

“Of course not.”

Listening to the exchange between her father and brother, Alicia let out a small laugh and approached the Emperor to kiss his cheek.

“But since I’m the one going on the journey, I’ll do the inviting.”

Though it was the father and son who argued, it was the daughter who claimed victory.

The Emperor burst into laughter and patted his daughter’s head, while the Crown Prince, defeated by both father and sister, pouted.

“We’ll be leaving soon, so a simple lunch together should suffice.”

“Send invitations only to those who can handle an invitation from royalty, and send food to the rest.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Nodding at the Emperor’s words, Alicia returned to her room and soon began writing invitations.

Excluding herself, only a few of the fourteen on the list could handle her invitation, so the process of writing and sending invitations wasn’t too cumbersome.

“Your Highness, the House of Duke Diaz and Marquis Anderson have sent replies saying they would gladly accept your invitation.”

“What about Tilly?”

Tilly, the youngest disciple of Dalton who had cared for Alicia’s health in Rasa Castle last winter, was to accompany her on this journey as well.

“She said she’s sorry but can’t join the meal as she has more to learn from Master Dalton before the journey.”

“What did Lord White say he would do?”

Alicia, who had finished bathing before bed and was sitting at her dressing table drying her hair, asked Amy.

Amy, watching Mina dry Alicia’s hair from behind, answered.

“He said he would follow Your Highness’s wishes.”

“That’s good.”

Alicia nodded, thinking of her who had briefly left after being called by the Captain of the Guards.

“Your Highness, you need to apply the ointment.”

Marisa, who had brought a sleep-inducing tea and set it before Alicia, said.

Alicia briefly looked at her wrist, where the bruise marks had almost disappeared, and reached out to Marisa.

“Marisa, are you preparing well for the journey?”

Marisa was the only lady-in-waiting accompanying Alicia on this journey.

With personnel selected prioritizing Alicia’s safety, they couldn’t choose many attendants, so it was unavoidable.

Amy, who wanted to join the journey but had to give up due to her troublesome knee, had pondered long between Mina and Marisa before supporting Marisa.

Though still somewhat disgruntled, Marisa was calm and her loyalty to Alicia was now beyond doubt, so it was a natural choice if anything.

Of course, Mina showed great disappointment at her decision, but Amy didn’t change her mind.

“The preparations are going well.”

“I’m not asking about my preparations, but yours, Marisa.”

“…Mrs. Campbell gave me a list of essential items, so I’m packing based on that.”

“Hmm, we can’t have personal preparations lacking and affecting service to Your Highness.”

Alicia let out a small laugh watching Amy answer a question that wasn’t asked.

‘Amy is just too nice a person.’

Meanwhile, Marisa, having carefully applied the ointment to Alicia’s wrist, gently put down her hand and stepped back.

Marisa had an uncanny ability to distinguish when to step forward and when not to.

After her hair was fully dried, Alicia rose from the dressing table and approached the bed, her eyes falling on the box still occupying the bedside table.

She had left it there all this time, unable to eat it or throw it away.

“I need to decide now.”

Whether it was meant to be her heart or an apple pie.

“Mina.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Take that… away.”

“Is that alright?”

“It’s not like I can eat it now anyway.”

“Yes, I understand.”

With a bright smile on her face as if a troublesome tooth had been pulled, Mina quickly took the box from the bedside table and left the room.

It must have been bothering her quite a bit.

Amy also had a relieved expression.

Probably for different reasons than Mina.

Alicia lay down on the bed with the help of Marisa, the only one in the room whose expression hadn’t changed.

Those who received invitations to join the lunch would arrive at the palace tomorrow.

She had already instructed to send food at that time to those who weren’t invited.

‘It’ll be fine since it’s not just Killian coming.’

It has to be fine.

Alicia thought this as she closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.