“……”

Although it was only a few words, they carried significant weight. A sense of guilt was visible on his small face, feeling that he had been leisurely enjoying himself while she had been running around without even sleeping. Amy pondered for a moment, thinking she needed to answer carefully.

Noah, despite being in the midst of adolescence where one turns the world into an enemy, did not show hostility towards her.

Not only that, but despite his sensitive and prickly nature developed through an unusual childhood, he had accepted her from the beginning, even though they had only met a few times.

After meeting his gaze filled with infinite trust towards her, she was able to transform the sense of betrayal and emptiness that had been gnawing at her mind and body since her regression into a desire for revenge, passion for a new life, and loyalty.

‘The Second Prince might think I’m devoted to him, but this is also for my own sake.’

Her second life wouldn’t be all about revenge and repaying kindness. Amy had no intention of ruining her newly gained life by being blinded by revenge.

‘It’s not like life ends after getting revenge.’

There was even a specific place picked out in the southern country. When everything was over, she would grow old peacefully there, raising pets.

‘Until then, I’ll do everything I can for Lord Noah.’

However, she didn’t want him to feel indebted to her, so Amy spoke gently.

“It’s still too early. Once Joseph and I have laid the groundwork, it will be Lord Noah’s turn.”

She felt pleased even as she spoke. How different he was from the Crown Prince, who would simply accept the efforts of his subordinates as if it were natural.

‘Wait a minute, come to think of it, it should be time for replies from the tutors with degrees in imperial studies, various academic disciplines, and accounting…’

Plans to develop Noah were already well underway.

“……”

Noah, seemingly unsatisfied with Amy’s answer, blinked his thick eyelashes sulkily. Amy had to tense her lips to hold back a smile. Oh, how cute.

Noah hesitated before carefully opening his mouth.

“Amy… why are you going this far for me?”

“……”

This time, it was Amy who blinked silently. How could she explain the reason she considered him her lifelong benefactor?

‘Well, it is a bit late to ask that.’

Amy crossed her arms as she recalled the past before her regression.

‘If I tell him the truth, he’ll think I’m crazy, right?’

That would hinder her plans. She wanted to avoid that at all costs. What mattered was not revisiting the past, but forging a new future.

Having made up her mind, Amy spoke seriously.

“First of all, the reason I left the Crown Prince’s palace is because the Crown Prince is not fit to be Emperor.”

“…Are you saying I have the qualities?”

Noah asked with a dubious expression. Amy inwardly rejoiced. She was grateful that he had provided an excuse on his own.

“That’s what I’m trying to find out.”

“…Am I being tested right now?”

Noah pointed at his own chest with his finger, looking bewildered. Amy shook her head, trying to hold back her laughter.

“You can do as you please, Lord Noah. There’s no need to force yourself. Still, since you were born of imperial blood, I’m curious how you would govern the North.”

Amy was determined to support whatever Noah wanted to do. The position of Grand Duke was merely a means to an end, not the ultimate goal.

‘It’s a shield to escape the clutches of the current Crown Prince and protect Lord Noah from the First Prince who will become the new Crown Prince.’

Even so, if the Second Prince were to aim for the imperial throne… that would be rather troublesome.

‘My purpose is to repay a debt of gratitude, not to risk my life.’

She really wanted to avoid pointing a blade at the First Prince. That person was truly extraordinary…

“Amy?”

It seems her sudden silence was strange to him. Amy snapped back to attention at Noah’s call.

“Where were we? Ah, we were talking about Count Colman, weren’t we?”

“Yes, I thought it would be best to leave this place quickly, so I told the butler during the banquet… Is that alright?”

He seemed concerned about taking such an abrupt action without prior consultation. Amy smiled brightly.

“That’s an excellent decision. It’s best to leave before the Count dies.”

She thought about quickly offering well-wishes for recovery and fleeing, when she remembered Joseph. Amy’s face crumpled.

“Ah, we need to make a timber contract…”

Joseph had strongly insisted on making a bulk purchase while they were here. As Amy expressed regret, Noah tilted his head.

“Timber?”

“Yes, the black pine from Colman’s territory is the sturdiest in the North.”

Thinking she should have Joseph check with the carpenters sent for repairs to the Grand Duke’s castle about how much stock was available, Amy asked Noah.

“By the way… what do you plan to do about Viscount Burton? Will you recognize him as the heir and approve the succession of the Count’s title?”

Noah pondered for a moment at Amy’s question.

“Well, doesn’t the Grand Duchy follow the Empire’s laws?”

“That’s what I understand. Since it’s not desirable to be subordinate to the Empire, we should revise the legal code later.”

“For now, in the Empire, if there’s no legitimate heir and the family agrees, even an illegitimate child can inherit the title. If there are no major disqualifications, I’m thinking of approving it.”

“I see.”

Amy’s mind was spinning rapidly. If she could give the butler a hint to have Viscount Burton come to the Grand Duke’s castle as soon as he’s found, and leave a timber supply contract…

Then Noah’s voice was heard.

“Is that really okay?”

“Hm? Ah, yes. It’s fine.”

Amy nodded so quickly that Noah seemed suspicious.

“…Really?”

“Yes, there’s a solid basis and precedent for it.”

So Joseph, being a legal expert, would likely agree as well.

“On the contrary, opposing it would require a lot of effort. With no guarantee of success.”

As Amy spoke decisively, Noah’s face finally softened.

“If Amy says so.”

“Huh, so we need to leave early tomorrow morning, right after sunrise?”

Dwayne asked, blinking his eyes, to which Jack clicked his tongue in displeasure.

“We heard the same thing, but… before sunrise, while it’s still dark. Open your ears and live a little.”

“That’s because he only cleans his ears once a year.”

As Bradley chimed in from the side, an irritated Dwayne lunged at him, saying he’d show just how clean his ears were. Vernon ignored the two wrestling and spoke to Amy.

“Understood. I’ll inform the butler and request what’s needed.”

“Please do.”

Joseph also quickly added.

“I’ll prepare the new contract as well.”

As Vernon and Joseph left the inner chamber, Jack glared at the two troublemakers before hurriedly following behind. Amy sat in a chair and stretched her back.

‘We’ve trimmed down the servants and only kept Vernon’s group and the mercenaries… Is it okay?’

She had expected some inconvenience, but with Vernon and Jack’s proactive nature, there were actually more hands than needed. Amy felt relaxed for the first time in a while as she lifted her teacup to her lips.

“……”

As no one paid attention to them, Dwayne and Bradley got up with embarrassed expressions after rolling on the floor. Amy stopped them as they were about to sneak out of the inner chamber.

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

Amy put down her teacup and said to them.

“Which of you two is more skilled at infiltration?”

“……”

More skilled? Those words ignited their competitive spirit.

“Obviously, it’s me.”

As Bradley took the lead, Dwayne snorted.

“Oh, so that’s why you were kicked by a horse’s hind leg when you hid in the stable~”

“That was because I didn’t know the horse had just given birth… What about you? You got caught by little Mark and pelted with stones.”

As the two started bickering again, Amy gave them a look of exasperation.

“I can see that neither of you is suited for infiltration.”

Then she turned her head.

“The mercenary captain will have to take charge.”

“Understood.”

“No, I can really do it well…”

Dwayne spoke up belatedly, but when Amy glared at him, he quickly shut his mouth and shrank back.

‘I thought they might be useful, but they’re just brats.’

Clicking her tongue inwardly, she turned her head and whispered with the mercenary captain.

“…It’s your fault.”

As Bradley whispered to Dwayne, he pouted and grumbled.

“Isn’t the head maid terrifying? Her face is really pretty, but inside she’s no different from a morning star.”

Noah quietly approached the two who were looking at them with regretful eyes.

“That just now, it’s a Southern technique, right?”

Startled by Noah’s sudden approach, Dwayne jumped.

“Oh, Second Prince Your Highness…”

Bradley, quicker on the uptake than Dwayne, nodded.

“That’s right. It’s a martial technique from the Southern foreign legion. We learned it while living near the South.”

“……”

Noah glanced at Amy, who was absorbed in conversation, then narrowed his eyes and glared at Dwayne. Dwayne was bewildered, not understanding why Noah was acting this way.

“Morning star…”

“Pardon? What did you just say?”

Dwayne perked up his ears, not having heard clearly what Noah had muttered. Noah shook his head as if it were nothing and whispered in a low voice.

“I want to learn that too.”

“…Excuse me?”

Bradley’s eyes widened as he looked Noah up and down. His body, smaller and more slender than others his age, seemed to lack even a hint of muscle. Dwayne’s mouth gaped open before he suddenly raised his hand.

“Me! I’ll teach you!”

Then he turned to Bradley and whispered in an excited voice.

“I’ve always wanted to flatten a member of the royal family.”