Chapter 30
Chapter 30.
Preparations to leave the island were sufficient for one day.
Gathering various documents, newly updated island maps, and reports.
A ship, loaded with enough provisions and water for more than twenty days, departed the now more perfected island harbor. The Consul and his retainers were enthusiastically seeing off the fleet from the pier.
Unlike their arrival, the speed of the Nobilis's ships and the Empire's Eastern Naval Fleet was not particularly fast.
At that time, they had to arrive earlier than the Mainyucore delegation, so they had hurried.
The weather was calm, without any storms. Agatha, who had been surrounded by Enoch and cushions on a rug placed under a parasol unfurled on the deck, picked up parchment instead of a book for the first time in a while.
She placed a sturdy board underneath, setting aside her quill and ink, and the man lying behind her tightened his grip on her waist.
“You seem to be acting differently today.”
“I’m finally getting around to something I’ve been putting off.”
“Something?”
“Perhaps?”
Agatha, whose honeymoon was nearing its end, was now attempting to draft a brief report on the negotiation results.
The man, propped up halfway on his upper body, rested his chin on one hand and looked down at the parchment. His quill moved fluidly, quickly filling the parchment with black ink.
“To His Majesty, Emperor Warmilai II, the Great and Wise.
Agatha Nobilis, a loyal subject of His Majesty the Emperor, respectfully offers her greetings.
To state the conclusion first, the preliminary negotiations with the Mainyucore Empire, as commanded by Your Majesty, have been successfully completed.
There were many issues with the negotiations, as we only received the list of the Mainyucore delegation members just before departing from Saint Antrar.
I wish to request a thorough investigation from Your Majesty regarding whether there was negligence in the delivery of said document.
Attached is the preliminary agreement for Palavi Island, well-signed between the Mainyucore Empire and the Nobilis family, despite the difficult circumstances.
From now on, free trade with the Eastern Continent will be possible via the sea routes of the Mainyucore Empire.
May the prosperity of Palavi Island and Saint Antrar, the transit points, lead to the glory of the Great Roxbard Empire and His Majesty the Emperor.
I will provide a detailed report upon my return.
Eagerly awaiting the day I can see Your Majesty, Your Majesty’s goddaughter and a loyal noble of the Roxbard Empire.
Agatha Nobilis”
Enoch chuckled softly after reading the letter.
“So that’s why your answer was ‘perhaps’.”
“Are you alright?”
“It’s a shame I won’t be able to see His Majesty’s face when he reads this letter.”
Agatha smiled brightly. In truth, the letter was less of a report and more of a threat.
It was the Emperor who had delayed the delivery of the Mainyucore delegation’s list and allowed her ex-husband to be the head of the delegation.
Agatha, knowing all this, was requesting an investigation into the facts.
While she was happy about the good outcome, the Emperor, who had realized that his only goddaughter was incredibly angry, might have mixed feelings about her return and find it troublesome.
‘Serves him right, who told him to stir up such trouble.’
Agatha smiled prettily and kissed Enoch’s cheek.
“Just you wait. I will get the reward I deserve for my efforts.”
She placed a single strand of purple statice on the sealed letter and handed it to her personal maid.
“To the Imperial Palace.”
“Yes, Madam.”
The letter was delivered to the Imperial Palace within ten days via carrier pigeon and courier.
Rumors suddenly spread throughout the capital that His Majesty the Emperor’s mood was fluctuating wildly.
These rumors continued until Agatha’s return to the capital two weeks later.
Clop, clop-
One sweltering summer day.
The Marquis Aratus couple returned to the capital after a long honeymoon of about two months.
The news spread instantly through the mouths of those who saw the banners of the Aratus family and the Nobilis family parading down the main street.
Agatha unloaded her luggage at the newly renovated Second Nobilis Residence in the capital.
The procession, passing through a well-trimmed road lined with fresh summer flowers and green trees, turned by the fountain and stopped in front of the main residence.
“Welcome back, Marquis, Madam. Did you have a pleasant honeymoon?”
Allen, the head butler, was waiting with the servants. The butler’s face lit up as he saw Agatha and Enoch disembark from the carriage with smiles.
“We had a good trip. How is the residence?”
“Basic arrangements are all complete. Safety checks and the residence’s perimeter were also safely completed with the help of Sir Leon Takran, the First Commander of the Aratus Knights, and his knights.”
Agatha’s gaze fell upon the knights waiting to the side. The young vice-commander and knights in uniform immediately paid their respects.
“Leon Takran, First Commander of the Aratus Knights, greets my lord and my lady.”
“I’ll receive your report later. This way.”
Enoch, calling the knights over, introduced the First Commander. He was the last vice-commander of the Aratus Knights, whom she had met after Huber Karwen, the Second Commander.
Unlike the cheerful Huber, this knight impressed her with his calm eyes and gentle demeanor.
“It is my first time meeting you, Madam. I am Leon Takran, First Commander of the Aratus Knights. I regret not being able to accompany you on this journey, but please call upon me anytime you plan to go out. I will serve you with all my heart.”
“Thank you, Sir Leon.”
Just then, Huber’s grumbling could be heard from behind.
“Even so, the position of guarding Madam is mine.”
“Did you get quite close to Madam during these two months?”
“Of course. I even held Madam’s parasol for her?”
The knight with the gentle demeanor retorted to Huber’s words without batting an eye.
“If you’ve bonded with Madam to that extent, it’s my turn now. After all, within the castle walls, I, with my superior defensive capabilities, can be more effective than you, who excels in offense.”
While Huber was skilled in rapid movement and pursuit, Leon was a knight excellent in defense and operational execution.
“Isn’t that right, my lord?”
Leon, Huber, the knights, and Agatha, who had been listening with keen interest to the two vice-commanders’ debate, all looked up at Enoch.
Enoch nodded nonchalantly.
“Within the castle, Leon will be solely responsible for guarding my wife.”
“How can this be! How can you do this to me, my lord!”
Huber exclaimed with a face full of betrayal, but Enoch remained unmoved.
“When going outside, the Second Commander will be in charge.”
Agatha turned around with Enoch’s escort and smiled faintly.
‘I’m starting to see how this knight order operates?’
Butler Allen, with his keen sense, stepped forward. Following him into the main residence, Agatha whispered softly.
“Enoch, you have leave until tomorrow, right?”
“Yes. Is there something you wish to do?”
“I was thinking of going to get some clothes tailored. What if Sir Huber accompanies us as guard tomorrow?”
The man, who had paused, showed a faint smile.
“Huber would be delighted.”
Before leaving for their honeymoon, they had designated all the chandeliers, tapestries, artworks, and decorations, so the newly repaired residence was surprisingly bright inside.
The fourth floor of the main residence was entirely dedicated to the lord and lady of the house.
With the central corridor and the master bedroom at its heart, the left side was the husband’s domain, and the right side was Agatha’s.
The master bedroom was officially used for conjugal relations, and it was customary to sleep in their private bedrooms.
Enoch, escorting her to her inner chambers, kissed the back of Agatha’s hand and said,
“I will come tonight.”
From that night onwards, they had always slept in the same bed.
Even after returning, the days continued in the same way.
This time, those days would continue in her bedroom. Agatha’s ears turned slightly red.
“Yes. I understand.”
“I plan to inspect the residence’s security, so I might be a little late. In that case, you can turn off the lights and sleep first.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be resting well.”
After parting with Enoch in front of her inner chambers, Agatha gazed out at the beautiful summer flowers and sank into the bath.
Looking at the perfectly manicured garden, she was reminded of the desolate grounds of the Aratus residence.
‘Now that I’m back, I should visit the Aratus residence too.’
She wondered if Isabelle Aratus, her husband’s younger sister, was still staying at the Aratus residence in the capital.
She hadn’t seen her when she stayed there on their wedding night.
Blinking slowly, Agatha moved out of the warm bathwater. Decorating a grand mansion was not something that could be rushed; it was a matter that required time.
Besides, there were more important matters at hand.
Swoosh, as water dripped away, her bare body was revealed, and her personal maids draped a long bath robe over her.
“Where is the First Aide?”
The answer came immediately.
“I believe he is organizing the materials brought from Palavi Island here.”
“Really? Then he must be on the third floor.”
As Enoch had said, resting would be good, but the formal report to the Emperor came first.
Most importantly, she was scheduled to visit the dressmaker tomorrow.
“I need to go to the study. Tell the First Aide to come to the study.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Agatha, dressed in a simple indoor gown, headed to the third floor.
That night, before Enoch arrived, the completed scroll was sent up to the Imperial Household Department of the Imperial Palace.
