By Zephyria 
Walter Orgen, who was never one for many words, was now talking non-stop. To a man as free-spirited as him, whether the person sitting before him had become the Emperor of this nation was of little concern. He acted with easy familiarity, unfazed by Calypse’s gaze.
“To think that someone of His Majesty the Emperor’s stature would immediately speak of marriage. My own lover has proposed several times, yet they just run away, telling me to speak sense.”
“⋯.”
Was that something he should say while his runaway lover sat beside him? Unable to reply, I looked at Calypse.
Calypse Agrigent pinched the back of Walter’s hand without a word. He grinned without a sound, and judging by his actions, he was clearly trying some strange ploy to get his hand held.
“Once the marriage law is revised, perhaps you won’t know, Senior.”
“Hmm, do you think so? Once you two are married, I might have to propose one more time.”
“Yes. If you speak earnestly without playing silly games, your partner will accept.”
I said that, even though I knew it was like covering one’s ears while stealing a bell.
Calypse Agrigent maintained his cool expression, his gaze lowered. But even if he were secretly fidgeting beneath the table, my realm would not fail to perceive the movements of an ordinary person. I caught sight of him stroking Walter’s hand, which he had just pinched, at the edge of my wide vision.
I laughed along as that Walter Orgen grinned.
“Still, it’s good to see you living happily.”
“Uh-huh. Well, it’s thanks to you. Ah, is it true you saved the world this time? I wondered if the play’s cost went to you, so I watched it twice.”
“⋯Ah, I’ve never thought about ticket prices. I’ll ask my younger siblings and let you know later.”
“Sure, take it easy. If possible, you might even consider appearing yourself when the fourth series comes out.”
“Are you not thinking of appearing in my stead, Senior?”
“Should I?”
“Yes. A pink wig would suit you well.”
Calypse occasionally added a few words, and Ruben engaged in various social conversations. The dialogue, meant only to maintain outward courtesy, mostly revolved around recent trends in poetry and plays.
I, too, exchanged a few trivial jokes with Walter Orgen, and then, sensing Ruben might grow bored, I began to prepare to leave.
“Then we shall take our leave, Professor. Thank you for sparing your valuable time today.”
Surprisingly, there was no immediate reply. The one who had offered this space was Professor Agridgent, and the highest in status was Ruben. The proper order was for me to greet Calypse, Calypse to show courtesy to Ruben, Ruben to respond, and then Walter to act politely before we departed.
“⋯Professor?”
When I called out to him again, Calypse Agrigent let out a short sigh and asked in a low voice,
“If it’s alright, Your Majesty. May I have a brief private conversation with Duke Ernhardt?”
“⋯Of course. Please do.”
Ruben refilled his teacup.
I could now easily read displeasure in Ruben’s composed expression. What was the reason for calling me aside, leaving Ruben behind? As I stood up, I glanced at Walter Orgen. I looked to see if he knew anything, but his bewildered expression, more so than mine, drained my energy.
Whatever it was, I hoped it wasn’t some grand secret.
I left the professor’s office and walked towards the small room designated as a meeting room.
The meeting room was a small space with a table and chairs that could seat perhaps six people at most. Calypse Agrigent did not sit down. He merely closed the door and immediately spoke in a raspy voice,
“The Combine Baekjakga has been completely wiped out by the purges of the past two years.”
“Yes?”
“Duke Ernhardt once took an interest in matters concerning Glotin Tenner and Oliver Combine. I am telling you this now so you know, as you will never see their faces again.”
“⋯Ah. Did, did they die?”
“Count Combine died in a fall from his horse while fleeing, and his territory and assets were confiscated. Count Combine was not only funding the First Prince’s faction but also faced arrest for fraud and human trafficking.”
“⋯Human trafficking?”
“Yes. Numerous citizens of the Sierran Empire, as well as the Imperial Knights, were trafficked abroad. Many of those found in the belly of the Golden Turtle by Duke Ernhardt were connected to him. That is likely why he could wield influence disproportionate to his status, despite possessing a territory with limited resources.”
“⋯Ah.”
“Additional charges include aiding rebellion and harboring Black magicians. Oliver Combine is currently a fugitive and is wanted by the authorities.”
I simply stood there, bewildered. Calypse Agrigent, as he had during class, did not look me directly in the eye. He merely recited what he knew as if reading from an invisible book in the air. His attitude was as if to say, listen if you want, and don’t if you don’t.
From his lips came news of the deaths and arrests of many people that Ruben had not specifically told me about. Most were figures from the First Prince’s faction and had close ties to the Yeldidus Former Duke, but there were also many involved in the logistics of other ducal territories.
So this country had so many swindlers.
And they had been largely eliminated, and the process was still ongoing.
I listened to the rapid succession of names without being able to jot them down. Occasionally, when I didn’t fully understand and interrupted with a question, Calypse would re-explain with quick and precise pronunciation.
“Currently, a total of 72 territories have had their ruling rights revoked and repossessed by the Sierran Empire due to related cases. There has been some discord in the process of redistributing these territories, causing His Majesty the current Emperor to be preoccupied, but the underground competition had been intensifying until just before the Duke’s return.”
“After, after I returned?”
“It paused when Valentia began to make her move. Once the Duke’s title and whereabouts are fully decided, that is, after the wedding ceremony, you will need to pay attention to that as well.”
As I listened, something struck me as odd.
“⋯Why, why are you telling me this?”
“Because I cannot sleep without repaying my debts.”
“⋯What?”
It was then that I saw Calypse Agrigent smile for the first time.
There was no longer any trace of anxiety or impatience on his face. His sharp, honed gaze had been tempered and rounded by someone, and his fierce eyes now held a gentle light, curving and sparkling. I carefully observed the light of happiness that permeated his entire being.
“You pushed me forward, didn’t you? Despite everything that happened, in the end… it worked out well.”
“⋯Ha.”
“This is my way of saying thank you. Is there anything else I can do besides teaching?”
“⋯.”
It was typical of him.
I, too, smiled in return. Indeed, if I had asked Ruben about this, it would have been difficult to have my questions fully answered and resolved as I did now. The conversations Ruben and I shared were filled with more tender and comforting matters. After all, these days, just discussing wedding preparations could make a whole day fly by.
Favors should be accepted as favors. With a polite demeanor, I also expressed my gratitude.
“It was a great help. Thank you, Professor.”
“Wilton Roberts, being directly under His Majesty the Emperor, may sometimes fail to see matters from a broader perspective. If necessary, please contact me three days in advance, and I will set aside time, so feel free to reach out if you require private lessons.”
“Then, what can I offer you, Professor?”
Relationships between people are not built on one-sided gain.
However, to my question, Calypse Agrigent chuckled and opened the closed door.
“The power gained by the Emperor personally visiting once or twice a year. That will be my new weapon.”
“⋯.”
Truly, he was an extraordinary person. I simply laughed.
❖ ❖ ❖
For the next three days, I was busy with etiquette lessons and delivering wedding invitations.
Ruben and I invited my close friends to dinner. My friends, now accustomed to visiting the Imperial Palace, showed no significant difference in their demeanor compared to when Ruben was a Prince. They simply bowed politely, spoke kindly, and acted affectionately, thus upholding my honor.
I also met and greeted Ruben’s acquaintances. More precisely, I divided the approximately fifty closest aides currently assisting Ruben into seven groups and used meal times or tea times as excuses to distribute invitations and get acquainted.
These individuals were in charge of various fields such as legislation, economy, and public welfare. I also met Ruben’s personal escort knights. And I was introduced to the attendants who served Ruben most closely.
As I found it difficult to distinguish everyone, having met so many people in a short period, Ruben said,
“You don’t need to memorize them all, Mika. I don’t expect you to know and treat everyone around me intimately.”
“⋯Then?”
“It’s to show off to the people around me that you are now completely mine. You can even forget that such people exist.”
“Your Majesty, we can hear you perfectly well.”
The attendant with the cool demeanor I had encountered in the hallway before grumbled, but Ruben paid no mind. This fellow’s name… was it Theodore Grand?
This was why, no matter how many times I heard that Ruben had a cold personality, I couldn’t believe it. If Ruben were truly a difficult person, could I act this comfortably?
It was the same with Mac Weaber and Justin Barret, who started as Lucilla’s friends, and Hestia Yeldidus, who was his childhood companion, as well as his attendants and aides like Philip and Theodore. They wouldn’t act particularly friendly only in front of me, would they?
I laughed out loud and defended Ruben.
On Thursday, during our etiquette class, my attitude and conduct were given a final check. Fortunately, I excelled at physical tasks, so I quickly learned how to sit and stand properly, drink tea, and maintain my posture according to etiquette.
And so, on the third Saturday of March.
The day of the decisive battle dawned.