Carl stood in front of the sign of the stand that sold the best pickled mir, remembering how a woman with red hair had recklessly called him by his name.

It seems as though she knew me, but

She was not in his memories. If there had been a time when they had gotten acquainted with each other, it would have been difficult to forget her with that hair color

What are you thinking about so intently? Azrael, who was cleaning up Carls bed next to him, asked.

Azrael, who had short, bright scarlet hair, was a servant who had been serving Carl since he was very young. However, rather than staying in the castle, more often than not, Carl had been out on the battlefield instead, making his servant more of a knight than a servant.

Just There was a woman who recognized me, but I just didnt know who she was.

Azrael responded to Carls woes as if they were nothing, How clever can you be to remember all of the people in the world? Maybe shes been to the banquet hall or something.

She seemed to know me well

Azrael burst into laughter at Carls words.

If we were to immediately announce who knows you, there would be a line reaching all the way out to the city gates right now. Wouldnt it be more suspicious if no one knew about the Emperor of Laifsden?

The nobles must be the only ones who know my face, and I should be acquainted with most of them and their families

How can it only be the nobles? There are many more who know the lords face, more than you think. Maybe she works in the palace, or maybe shes a noblewoman from the countryside with an introductory banquet soon to be held. The lord may not remember her, but she might be someone who might have found that encounter with you precious.

Is that so Carl tilted his head at Azraels words. But why did it feel like she was going to cry right there?

Its because, emperor, you have such a handsome face. I guess you look just like the prince of her dreams. Anyway, are you really not going straight to the Imperial Palace? asked by Azrael.

Carl lay down on his bed and said, Ive told you so many times, I need to go meet the nobles of Aryas side who secretly stood by me without her knowledge. Im sure some of them have changed and might have had a change of heart since I left my position unattended for a while now. Ill meet with them quietly and pat them on their shoulders to let them know that I care about them personally. If I stay still, everyone will become a part of Aryas following.

Azrael sighed deeply at his words.

Sigh, Im sure you know, but if the empress finds out that you are staying in the capital unofficially, she will surely send an assassin. It may be difficult to reach you the palace, but its easy to do something like that in the market. If she sends an assassin and you get hurt or killed, she will not miss this opportunity to say that the prince, who had left the battlefield, had gotten into a small dispute that had led to his demise.

Carl laughed at his worried words.

Dont worry. Youre the only one who knows Im in the capital this time.

You said youll be meeting with the nobles. Information can be leaked easily and from anywhere. Today, in the daytime as well, you said there was someone who recognized Your Highness.

Well, even if Arya finds out and sends an assassin Do you think Ill let myself be taken or be killed like that?

Its said you can even stab a dragon with a sword if you keep it away from his eyes.

Carl didnt want to hear Azraels nagging anymore, so he put his blanket over his head. When Azrael saw that, he sighed deeply again.

*

Huff, huff!

Arya! Sienna screamed and woke up from her nightmare. Her pajamas were covered in cold sweat.

Every time she slept, the horrible days she lived in the past repeated in her dreams. That days dream was about the day Arya rebelled.

Arya had said, while dragging a heavy sword, that the body sprawled on the floor was Carls. Even though Sienna shouted in disagreement, Arya repeated evenly that the body was Carls.

The dream had been a little different from what Sienna remembered. Arya had waved the sword while saying the body was clearly Carls, cut its head off and thrown it at Sienna.

It was Carls head that had rolled to Siennas feet, like Arya had announced. It had not been the head of some noble whom she didnt even know.

She knew it would never happen if she refused to marry Carl, but Sienna shuddered with anger.

Arya

She just wanted to tear her to pieces. Although Arya hadnt rebelled yet, she had surely started dreaming of treason when Carl became emperor, so she would inevitably try to repeat the terrible events from before.

To get my revenge on her directly

Sienna shook her head. She couldnt think of a way to get even with Arya in person. It was not as if she could report her for trying to cause a coup five years from now, nor could she visit Arya, who was protected in the Imperial Palace and under constant watch of her own guards.

All Sienna could do at that point was not marry Carl and prevent the possibility of the events unfolding in five years. It had not happened without other peoples help either, but as it was, it was too difficult to create an opportunity without greater funding and power.

Dear miss Sienna, are you up?

Outside, Jane knocked on the door.

Yes. Im up.

Shall I get breakfast ready for you?

I dont feel up for breakfast today.

At Siennas words, Jane said, Ill come in, and opened the door. She had a worried look on her face. Are you not feeling well? You havent looked that good in the last few days and you havent had your meals on time lately

My body is fine. More than that, has my aunt had breakfast yet?

Yes. She just finished her meal a little while ago. Would you like to go see miss Kelly?

Yes. Ill get changed and go to her room. Can you get us some quick refreshments?

Yes. Ill boil some water. They be ready soon.

Sienna headed for Kellys room. Kellys room was the largest on the second floor. It was also at the very center of the mansion.

Reflecting the owners character, the room was filled with elegant decorations. However, instead of admiring them, when Sienna entered the room, her eyes turned first to the numerous piles of paper around.

Did you have a good nights rest, aunt?

Kelly dropped the document she was looking at and greeted Sienna, Yes, youre up! Did the servant woman, Chelsea, go back to Heidel yesterday?

Yes. I was in a hurry to send her back because she was expecting her grandchild would be born soon. Besides, Chelsea is the only midwife in Heidel.

In the past, Chelsea had been killed in a carriage accident on her way home after Siennas wedding. So, Sienna had persuaded her to go back early and sent her on her way.

You must be disappointed.

Sienna sat on a chair next to her bed and said, Im fine. Have you been working since morning?

Theres a lot to look at, so

Sienna said as she was handed over the documents Kelly had been holding.

You can just leave it to Jane. She can probably accomplish anything.

The Green Business, of which Kelly was the owner, would later become known as the Dark Merchants. Apparently, after Kellys death, Jane must have played a significant role in growing it.

Only

Of course, Jane could fill in for me. No, I think she can do my work even better. But, I dont want to put too much pressure on that child yet.

Sienna nodded. Jane was older than Sienna, but she had also just recently reached adulthood. It wouldve been too much to take on all the responsibilities of the business.

I cant be of much help, but Ill read them for you instead.

Thanks, my eyes were beginning to tire.

Sienna read the papers she had in her hands aloud, To miss Klein, the first daughter of Count of Zebata and the Imperial Family

Sienna could not read the sentence to the end.

Why is Arya announcing a marriage with the Zebata family? Wasnt it me?

Kelly tilted her head and said, Thats strange. The second prince is already married, so if there is a prince who deserves a marriage, it should be the first prince. Count Zebatas family has been linked to the empress for a long time. Moreover, as far as I know, the first daughter of the Zebata family has fallen down some stairs and is unable to move. They wont be able to accept a marriage like that.