Chapter 21
Chapter 21.
Mainyucore Empire Imperial Palace.
Second Prince Fernand Mainyucconti tidied his attire from the morning and entered the Grand Hall.
Today was the day it would be decided who would be dispatched as an envoy for the negotiations with the Roxbard Empire, something he had dedicated himself to for nearly a month.
"Second Prince Fernand Mainyucconti has arrived!"
The ministers who had entered earlier paid their respects.
The Emperor's displeased gaze and the Crown Prince's suspicious gaze were directed at him, but Fernand paid them no mind.
"You summoned me, Father."
"Yes. I heard your request and consulted with the Crown Prince and the ministers. I have been thinking..."
At the Emperor's subsequent words, Fernand could not hide his joy.
"It seems you would be well-suited to represent us in this negotiation."
"Thank you! I will return with achievements worthy of your trust!"
"Before that, there is one thing I must ask of you."
The Emperor added various conditions.
He would assign a capable official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and that they should use this opportunity to restore relations with the Roxbard Empire and secure certain rights over the islands...
"For all of that, you must first resolve the lingering resentment with the heiress of the Nobilis family. If your relationship with your ex-wife is strained, diplomatic relations with the Roxbard Empire will never be restored. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand. Is that not why you have permitted me to go?"
The Emperor was still unconvinced about his second son, but he eventually permitted it. Currently, the Roxbard Empire's standing was soaring.
They had concluded the ten-year war with the Kingdom victoriously, gaining new ports, territories, and immense war reparations.
A young Duke, known as a master of war and a genius of battle, had appeared like a deity.
And the one who had married that war hero was none other than Agatha Nobilis, an heiress ranked among the continent's elite.
'If only he hadn't divorced Agatha!'
The Emperor found his son displeasing once more but held back his temper.
If they could, even formally, restore relations with their former daughter-in-law during this period, there would be no reason to clash with the ascendant Roxbard Empire.
"Is your son doing well?"
The Emperor asked, a thought suddenly occurring to him. Fernand, who had been beaming with joy, immediately stiffened.
"...He is still a prince of the imperial family. He is living well on his own."
"Tsk. Go. Remember what I said."
"I will never disappoint you."
Fernand, who had left the Grand Hall in high spirits, immediately prepared his retinue.
His luggage was already packed, and the negotiations would be handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so he only needed to go with his body and mind.
'It's been ten years. I wonder how Agatha has truly grown. I hope that scoundrel of a Marquis isn't treating her roughly...'
"We are departing, Your Highness."
Carrying Fernand with a face full of anticipation, the envoy departed for Palavi Island.
And there was someone watching them from a detached palace within the Second Prince's residence.
"..."
After gazing at the carriage bearing the imperial family crest for a while, the man quietly drew the curtain and turned away.
With snow-white silver hair and dull purple eyes.
The man, who looked somewhat gloomy, bore a striking resemblance to Second Prince Fernand.
The day after the wedding was remarkably sunny.
Agatha, sensing the clear sunlight beyond the swaying curtains, unconsciously reached for the empty space beside her.
Enoch's words from earlier suddenly came back to her.
"I have to inspect the Knights before we leave, so I might have to go out for a bit."
"Sleep a little longer."
Perhaps it was because she heard them while half-asleep, but his voice had been so sweet.
Blinking slowly and spending some time in thought, Agatha pulled the bell cord.
"You called, Madam."
"I need to wash."
Soon, attended by maids, she washed and began to prepare herself.
As the departure time for the honeymoon drew nearer, the area outside the mansion grew increasingly bustling.
Agatha received a visit from Ethel Masro, her chief aide for this journey.
"Greetings, Madam."
Agatha, confirming his appearance from beyond a translucent partition veiled by an antique floral branch, spoke while having breakfast.
"Has the list of the envoy been announced yet?"
"Not yet. It is expected that the relevant documents will arrive around the time Madam reaches Saint Antrar."
The Emperor, perhaps to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, seemed to want to deliver the list only after she had departed for her honeymoon.
"His Majesty must know that I've already half-figured it out."
The aide bowed his head deeply.
"That aside. If the aide has arrived, then the Nobilis family's luggage must have arrived as well."
"Yes. I just delivered it to the head steward of the Aratus family."
"I must go see. You've worked hard. You may leave."
After dismissing the aide, Agatha finished her breakfast and her preparations, then left Enoch's room.
From the outer corridor on the third floor, which offered a clear view of the outside, the voices of servants busy with honeymoon preparations could be heard.
"Is the ingredient check finished? Is there enough drinking water?"
"Double-check if there are any problems with the carriage wheels."
"Where did you put the tents we packed?"
Looking down, the luggage prepared in advance by both mansions was being steadily loaded onto the carriages.
The carriages that arrived with the Nobilis retainers contained Agatha's clothing, accessories, shoes, the luggage of her retainers, and items necessary for this negotiation, as had been discussed beforehand.
Ben, the butler, who was receiving reports from the servants while checking the list to ensure nothing was missing, turned around.
"Madam, you are here."
"Good morning, Ben."
Agatha, who had arrived on the first floor by then, stepped out gracefully.
Dismissing the knights and servants who immediately paid their respects, Agatha received the list of personnel to be dispatched from the Nobilis family, which had been decided in advance with her chief aide, Ethel Masro.
The most crucial personnel were the Nobilis naval forces and ships, which were scheduled to join them at Saint Antrar port.
"As planned, one ship, three warships, and 600 naval personnel are scheduled to join us."
It was according to plan. Upon hearing Ethel's report, Agatha nodded quietly.
'If the weather is good, the ships will arrive first.'
This journey involved negotiations with the Mainyucore Empire, with whom relations had been strained, but the process of reaching the island was also somewhat complicated.
The fastest way to reach the island for the pre-negotiations by the promised deadline was to pass through newly conquered territories, but as the roads were still unfamiliar, there could be unforeseen variables.
'Well, I don't expect any major issues, but...'
"My dear. You are up early."
It would be wise to prepare for any minor contingencies.
Agatha turned around with a smile.
"Enoch."
Her new husband, Enoch Aratus, already renowned as a war hero, had approached her side.
A familiar yet firm hand escorted her.
"There is still a little time before we depart."
"I was curious to see if preparations were going well. Who is the person behind you?"
Agatha's eyes lit up as she saw the knight standing behind him.
Judging by his epaulets, he was likely a deputy commander?
The knight, remarkably young for his rank, smiled and offered a military salute.
"It is an honor to meet you for the first time, Madam. I am Huber Carwen, Second Deputy Commander of the Aratus Knights. I will be accompanying you on this journey. I look forward to your kind guidance."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Huber."
She had met most of the Aratus family retainers during the wedding, but this was her first time meeting an actual member of the Knights.
The deputy commander, with his cheerful disposition, clearly showed his delight.
"My, oh my, you have no idea how envious Leon was when I told him I would be escorting Madam for the first time, no, wait, I shouldn't say that. Do you know that I won the lottery, overcoming a fifty-fifty chance, Madam?"
"Huber Carwen."
"No, my lord. You must let me say this. I must tell you how fiercely I competed to stand here, so that Madam will look upon me favorably!"
Enoch, who had called his name, rubbed his forehead as if it were a headache, but Agatha merely chuckled softly.
The Aratus family generally held favorable feelings towards her.
Unlike other nobles, they did not hesitate to express it openly.
Perhaps it was because they had lived on the battlefield for nearly ten years?
Though a little bewildering, it was not an unpleasant feeling.
Meanwhile, Butler Ben, who had finished his inspection, approached and reported.
"Master. Madam. Preparations for departure are complete."
"Huber. That's enough. Go and manage the knights."
"Yes, my lord. Then, Madam, I shall see you again."
Sir Huber, after offering a salute, quickly moved to the front to line up the knights. These were about a hundred Aratus knights tasked with escorting this journey.
Agatha, escorted by Enoch, boarded the carriage and whispered softly.
"He seems like a good retainer."
"...I am glad you see him favorably, but if you find him too noisy, please tell me. I will caution him."
"It's fine. I actually find it friendly."
Perhaps she might hear stories about him through Sir Huber sometimes?
Agatha smiled and settled into the sofa inside the carriage. The four-horse carriage, upholstered with the finest materials, featured a plush sofa and, in the rear, a large bed for sleeping or resting.
Soon, the knights mounted on their horses formed a tight circle around the carriage.
"We will depart."
"Very well."
Enoch, seated opposite her, nodded towards Huber Carwen, who had returned after completing his checks.
"Depart!"
"Farewell, Master."
"Have a safe journey."
The Aratus family's procession departed from the capital's Aratus mansion, receiving the respectful farewells of the servants.
