Chapter 85

Upon learning of our arrival, Count Delta rushed out to greet us with a respectful welcome.

“Welcome to the Delta Territory.”

“Ah, yes… Haha, thank you.”

As Count Delta lifted his head, his expression flickered with confusion upon seeing my face, which had turned pale. His eyes darted around, scanning the group behind me. He observed Evan and Bastien, who were receiving his greetings in silence amidst a heavy, suffocating atmosphere. The Count tilted his head, clearly unable to make sense of the tension.

“I hope your journey wasn’t too arduous? I have prepared a banquet, as I imagined you all would be exhausted. Ah, Prince Fedeshar has already arrived ahead of you.”

“I was just beginning to feel a bit hungry. Thank you for your consideration.”

We walked toward the dining hall led by Count Delta. Fedeshar greeted us with a light nod. As I took my seat, Evan sat beside me, while Bastien sat across from Fedeshar.

‘Finally, I can breathe…’

Fedeshar stole a glance at me and spoke.

“Lady Lepina, did you make it back safely the other day?”

“Of course.”

“Did you two meet recently?”

Bastien asked Fedeshar, who replied smoothly.

“Ah, we ran into each other in the shopping district. It was when my life was threatened in the middle of the capital.”

“……I see.”

“By the way, brother, I heard you departed first and was wondering why you hadn’t arrived yet. Did you go to see the Young Lady?”

“Yes. I had many things to discuss with her.”

“Did you finish your conversation successfully?”

“I plan to continue it from now on.”

When Bastien looked at me, I awkwardly avoided his gaze. Fedeshar nodded as if he understood the situation all too well.

“You’re still the same. I suppose there is nothing you cannot do, but isn’t her guard a bit too thick?”

“That is none of your concern.”

“Is that so?”

Count Delta played along with the conversation despite clearly having no idea what they were talking about. Does Fedeshar also know how Bastien feels?

“That guy……”

Beside me, Evan glared at Bastien with narrowed eyes. It was the first time I had seen Bastien and Fedeshar in a conversation together, so I watched closely, but the dynamic was strange. Bastien was closer to the throne, and I expected Fedeshar to be intimidated by him since his life was being threatened by the Empress—yet it was Fedeshar who was subtly prodding and poking at Bastien. He didn’t seem to care about touching Bastien’s sore spots. No, rather, he seemed to be inciting something. Fedeshar looked like he was enjoying himself.

“Come to think of it, brother, you and Lady Lepina have many connections. Last time it was the pirate subjugation, and this time it’s the drought incident. By the way, are you alright, My Lady? One never knows when another unfortunate event might occur. Isn’t that right, brother?”

Bastien spoke firmly.

“Lady Lepina will not be hurt. I will not make the same mistake twice. Rest assured, My Lady.”

“That’s right. There are no dangerous entities like pirates in our territory. Even monsters do not descend from the forest unless their habitat is invaded. We maintain the ecosystem well.”

“Lep, even if monsters appear, I’ll protect you, so you don’t need to be afraid. So, ah.”

Evan handed me a piece of meat. My appetite had vanished due to the lingering invisible war of nerves, and I had unknowingly set my silverware down.

‘Evan is quite impressive too. He manages to eat just fine in this atmosphere.’

Is it because he doesn’t feel the need to care about Bastien? While the tension on the way here was between Evan and Bastien, now it was between Bastien and Fedeshar. Fortunately, Count Delta appropriately eased the uncomfortable atmosphere. The Count likely wasn’t enjoying this gathering either. He was originally a pro-Emperor noble, but he must have switched sides after much agonizing when the Empress offered to solve his territory’s problems.

‘If the territory falls, it’s no different from the family falling, so it was the right choice, but still…’

Wishing to escape this mood quickly, the Count cleared his throat to change the subject.

“I have prepared rooms for each of you. Since we must tour the territory early tomorrow morning, please rest well.”

I chimed in immediately, wanting to escape just as much as he did.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Just as I was rejoicing that my wish to leave was coming true, Bastien’s words plunged me back into gloom.

“Count, are you going on a patrol of the territory tomorrow?”

“Yes. So until then, please rest—”

Cutting the Count off, Bastien looked at me and said: “In that case, shouldn’t we discuss the upcoming schedule in detail? Furthermore, I was just becoming curious about those numerous sacks you brought with you, My Lady.”

Bastien completely blocked my exit.

‘Well, we had to talk eventually anyway…’

Evan looked dissatisfied, but after telling him not to worry since the Count would be there, I headed toward the office. Bastien and I walked side by side.

“Finally, we are alone.”

“The Count is also with us.”

“……If I’m not mistaken, it feels like you’ve been keeping a strange distance from me since a while ago……”

You saw correctly!

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Then again, you seem to understand me strangely well, My Lady, so perhaps you already know what thoughts I had when I approached you.”

“Your Highness, let me be clear—!”

“Everyone, let us enter.”

Just as I was about to set Bastien straight once and for all, we arrived at Count Delta’s office, and the conversation ended right there. My face contorted at Bastien’s brazen attitude.

‘This is enough to make anyone go crazy.’

I sipped my tea. The schedule itself was nothing special. We would patrol the territory to see the suffering of the people firsthand, and I requested Bastien to bring rain. He nodded, saying it would be no problem.

“I will surely repay Her Majesty the Empress!”

“My mother simply cannot turn away from those in need.”

He certainly has a way with words. Count Delta then spoke to me.

“Upon checking the carriage, I found that the sacks were filled entirely with seeds. However, my butler mentioned they are a variety he has never seen before.”

“Yes. They might be the key to overcoming this situation.”

“Is that so?! Since the quantity is large, I will order them to be moved in advance.”

“Yes, please do. You are well aware that this isn’t free, right?”

When I subtly mentioned the price, Count Delta let out a hearty laugh.

“Of course. If these seeds can resolve this situation, what price could I possibly refuse to pay?”

After finishing our discussion, we left the office. It ended sooner than I expected. Bastien’s insistence on discussing the schedule with the Count was surely just a ploy to be alone with me. I didn’t want to continue this useless war of nerves any longer. Darkness had already settled outside the window. Looking at the dim sky, I asked: “Your Highness, exactly what is it that you want to say to me?”

Bastien’s eyes glowed intensely. There was no way Evan hadn’t noticed that look. That’s why he had blocked every single attempt Bastien made to approach me.

“My Lady, you said it before. That you find courage because you are afraid of what will happen in the future, and that I am not a coward.”

“I did……?”

I stared blankly at Bastien as he continued in an ominous tone. What is this sense of foreboding?

“Thanks to those words, I was able to decide my path. I’ve decided not to be afraid anymore. And I’ve decided not to fear anything. There is something I want to obtain in the future.”

“And what is that?”

“The position of Emperor.”

‘What……?’

I couldn’t help but tilt my head. Wasn’t he obsessed with the throne only because of the Empress? Suddenly, a dark thought began to take a vivid shape.

“I do not believe my mother’s methods are right by any means. However, I don’t think I can yield the throne to anyone else. So I’ve made up my mind. I will take the throne without fear.”

My words led him to that? Of course, he is fit to be Emperor, and he becomes one in the original story anyway. But I know that the original story is no longer useful. Anything can change. To think that the butterfly effect I caused would influence Bastien like this. The man who was supposed to oppose the Empress is now of one mind with her…? Then there’s no one left to stop them!

“Wh-why are you telling me this?”

“Because I want to be honest with you. And there is one more thing I want to have…… something I’ve come to desire. I wish for that person to be by my side.”

Looking at Bastien smiling brightly at me, my face hardened.

“Cut the crap.”

Scurrilous words escaped my mouth involuntarily. I checked to see if he had heard, and his eyes were wide with surprise. Of course he heard! It was silent all around! I don’t even care anymore! I continued calmly, pretending as if nothing happened.

“I am Evan’s fiancée.”

“But you almost broke off the engagement. Doesn’t that mean I have a chance as well? Besides, I feel I would regret it if I just gave up. Won’t you give me a chance? You don’t hate me.”

That is purely affection for an original character. He wore a smile that could melt anyone in an instant, but it was not enough to melt my heart, which had already been thoroughly tempered by Evan’s smiles. And besides, I’ve liked Evan much more and for much longer than Bastien. I could hear the tiny bit of remaining affection for him cooling off completely.

“I think I’m starting to hate you right now. I’ll act as if I didn’t hear that.”

I turned around quickly, as if I didn’t want to hear another word.