Chapter 25
Chapter 25.
Agatha, after checking the banquet hall and the second floor, then the kitchen, quickly assigned tasks.
"Sir Huber. Please check the castle's security with the knights. Also, confirm the soldier deployment within the castle before my husband arrives."
"Understood."
"While the knights check security, the rest of us will attend to the prince's chambers and the banquet hall. Aide, have the cargo from the port arrived?"
"Yes. It has been unloaded and stored on the third floor and in the warehouse."
"Bring my chefs into the kitchen first. Have them assess the supplies, report what dishes will be served, evaluate the dishes currently being prepared, and then submit a list of the cooking order."
"Understood."
"Jessie, Marie. Take the servants and bring back all the curtains, draperies, carpets, candleholders, and other items in good condition. We need to decorate the banquet hall first."
"Yes, Madam."
"Steward! Where is the furniture? I need to change the table and sofa in the room where the Second Prince will be staying."
"Th-this way."
Agatha changed everything she could within the time she had.
She pulled down all the dark curtains that covered the banquet hall's walls, replacing them with semi-transparent black and blue draperies layered and loosely tied with gold thread, allowing the glass windows to be seen.
Vases of fresh flowers were placed on the walls between the windows.
Even the tablecloths on the round tables in the banquet hall were replaced with neat white ones, their edges adorned with lace.
"Madam. We are short on gold candleholders."
"Then place gold candleholders only in the center and silver ones elsewhere. Over there, the carpet's pile seems odd."
"We will attend to it immediately."
As Agatha was completely turning the castle upside down, a knight approached to announce Enoch's arrival.
"Madam. The Marquis has arrived at the castle entrance."
"Oh, really?"
As she moved busily, her mind, which had been clouded by emotion, regained its reason.
He had run off after kissing her cheek without a word, so he must have been flustered.
Though she hesitated for a moment.
Agatha decided to be brazen. She left the rear tasks to her trusted maids and went down to the first-floor hall to greet Enoch.
He was just entering the castle.
"You're here?"
"……."
Enoch was silent for a moment. Though he appeared composed on the outside, Agatha was inwardly anxious.
Did the kiss seem too emotional?
Even though that was what she had intended, her mouth felt dry now that it had happened.
The man, who had been gazing at her for a while, slowly lowered his head.
Peck-
"I'm home."
"……!"
Heat rose on her cheek where his soft lips had touched and then pulled away.
Although their marriage was one of convenience, they had always been noticeably affectionate.
Now, coming out to greet him and exchanging a kiss, she felt a flutter of excitement.
Agatha smiled broadly without realizing it. At that moment, Enoch's eyes twitched slightly.
"You must be tired. Please go to your room and rest, and dinner will be ready soon. Tonight's meal is a mix of Mainyucore and Roxbard cuisine—"
Enoch stood still, listening to her chatter.
"Oh, right. I'll show you to your room. I suppose we'll have to share a bedroom, is that alright? Or perhaps we could prepare one of the rooms for direct family."
He instinctively reached out his hand to Agatha.
The moment her slender fingers touched his firm palm.
Enoch spoke casually, as he always did.
"If you are not uncomfortable, I do not mind sharing a bedroom. It might be safer that way."
"Then I will inform the butler accordingly."
Agatha escorted Enoch to the lord's chambers on the fifth floor and then convened a council of retainers.
With only three days left until the Mainyucore delegation arrived.
From today, they needed to receive reports on the current state of Palavi Island and discuss how to welcome the delegation.
It was a relief that Enoch had taken charge of the escort, military command, and greeting the delegation.
The meeting continued over dinner.
"Although it is an unofficial delegation, since royalty is included, a formal welcome is necessary."
"We will need to fix the port facilities. If we add carvings to the stairs and lay down a red carpet, it will be the minimum required courtesy."
"How many Eastern dishes should be included during the Second Prince's stay..."
The meeting did not end even after the banquet.
How to prepare the second floor where the delegation would stay, distinguishing between official and unofficial schedules, confirming negotiation terms, and preparing for the daily banquets—
By the time a rough outline emerged, the sky had turned black.
"A short break. We will resume in 10 minutes."
"Yes, Madam."
"Understood."
Agatha took a moment to visit the bedroom.
Just as she suspected.
The bedroom, entered without a knock, was brightly lit. Enoch, who had been looking at a map of Palavi Island while sitting on the sofa, looked up.
Agatha smiled sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, Enoch. I should have sent word that I would be late."
She had seen him briefly during the evening banquet, but they had literally only made eye contact and eaten.
"I chose to wait, so there is no need for you to apologize. Is the meeting over?"
"No. I have to go back right away. You go to sleep first. If I'm not here in the morning, eat breakfast first. Alright?"
Agatha briefly kissed Enoch's cheek and left the bedroom. She was truly happy he waited, but unfortunately, she had too much work.
'I must finish this properly, in case Fernand finds something to complain about.'
Enoch seemed unbothered by her meeting with her ex-husband, but it was still better to be cautious.
Agatha hurried back to the conference room.
And behind the firmly closed bedroom door.
Enoch buried himself deep into the sofa and let out a long sigh. A complex expression crossed his handsome face.
The light illuminating the bedroom remained on for a long time.
Three days passed. During that time, Agatha's preparations, excluding sleeping hours, were perfect, making all the time spent on island development and welcoming the delegation worthwhile.
In that short period, carvings were added to the bridge, red silk was laid, the current state of Palavi Island was assessed, and the delegation's accommodations, meals, and schedule were all decided.
Enoch, commanding the Nobilis and the Empire's Eastern Navy, had set sail to greet the Mainyucore Empire's delegation.
In the distance, ships escorted by the Roxbard Empire's navy and the Nobilis family's warships were visible.
"Madam."
"I see it."
A sailing ship with the sharp prow characteristic of the Mainyucore Empire.
A vessel flying the banner of the Mainiumconti Imperial Family was rapidly approaching.
'Should I have gone with him after all?'
Agatha regretted it for a fleeting moment. Due to the need for final checks, she had left the joint operation with the navy entirely to her husband.
It was natural for him, as the head of the Marquis Aratus family, to take charge of commanding knights and troops, but...
She was concerned about Enoch, who must have greeted her ex-husband first.
'...He didn't seem interested at all, though.'
As the navy peeled off to the side, only the warships and the Mainyucore Empire's ships entered the harbor.
Even amidst the crowd of Mainyucore people pouring out, her husband's face, glimpsed briefly, looked no different than usual.
Was it truly something she didn't need to worry about?
A doubt flickered, but Agatha straightened her posture.
At the end of the high stairs.
The person who had stirred up the entire island, including her, for nearly a month was making his appearance.
Immaculate silver hair.
Red eyes like roses.
The rake, whose handsome appearance had not faded even after ten years, was descending the stairs with a bright smile.
"Agatha!"
For a moment, she recalled a distant past.
She had once thought this man was decent, just by looking at his appearance.
Of course, that thought shattered the day after the wedding.
"I greet the Second Prince of the Mainyucore Empire."
Agatha, as the representative, offered her greeting and showed respect.
The important thing was to return with results that would satisfy the Emperor.
She decided to put personal feelings aside for now and focus on achieving her objective quickly.
Fernand, momentarily flustered, hurried forward, waving his hand.
"Oh my. I apologize for my eagerness. Thank you for the welcome. ...My dear."
Agatha did not see it, but Enoch, standing with troops between her and Fernand, twitched his brow slightly.
Fernand spoke in a fond voice, as if soothing a child.
"Have you been well? You have become a complete lady now, my dear."
"It has been 10 years since our divorce, so that is natural. You must be tired from your journey, so please enjoy the banquet at the castle today and rest. I recommend touring Palavi Island starting tomorrow and commencing formal negotiations. Your Highness."
"Yes. I will follow your words, my dear."
Agatha accepted Fernand's escort and briefly observed Enoch.
He was giving orders to the knights for perimeter security and escort with an expressionless face.
'Right. There's no reason for him to care.'
Though she felt a little disappointed, Agatha decided to focus on welcoming the delegation. She exchanged greetings with the Mainyucore staff and signaled the steward to quickly bring forth the horses and carriages.
The carriage of the Mainiumconti Imperial Family, which the Second Prince would ride, was prepared first, but Fernand, about to board, looked back.
"How do you plan to travel?"
"My carriage is also prepared."
"Let's ride together. We haven't seen each other in a while, so why not have a conversation on the way? I have some questions about this negotiation."
"……."
Though she really didn't want to.
Given the circumstances, Agatha slowly moved her feet. For a fleeting moment, she checked on her husband, who had his back to her, so she had no way of knowing his expression.
Perhaps it was an indifferent expression, just like a moment ago.
