'Also.'
Although the document had not yet officially arrived, Agatha had a feeling that her ex-husband would be among the envoys from Mainukor.
It was an informal meeting, and even though it was an event for a foreign delegation to enter its territorial waters, it was not something for the commander to move directly.
“Why are you doing this, Agatha? Do you have any problem?"
“No, that’s not it.”
Agatha glanced at Enoch, who was sitting across from her, and then handed over the documents.
“It is said that the commander of the Eastern Navy will accompany us on this escort mission.”
“...”
The man, who had not lost his aristocratic sense even after being on the battlefield for ten years, seemed to immediately notice something was wrong.
“It seems that this delegation from Mainukor includes a high-ranking official.”
“I’m not sure, but I heard that the second Prince is appearing for His Highness the Crown Prince.”
The second Prince of the Mainukor Empire, Fernand Mainumconti.
For a moment, the man's gaze turned to Agatha. Agatha was overcome with contradictory feelings.
She was anxious about how her newly married husband would react to meeting his wife's ex-husband, but she also had vague expectations.
She wonders if he'll be jealous.
It was an expectation that blossomed even though it was known that this marriage was political because each person's goals were aligned.
"Is that so."
The man withdrew his gaze and casually turned the back page of the document. After holding the hem of her dress for a moment, Agatha reached for another document.
She don't know what she expected.
Even though they held a ceremony and spent the night together, and he was being kind to her, they were a married couple who had only met for less than two months.
'Don't be mistaken.'
All the consideration he showed was the respect for his wife that she had demanded before marriage.
At that moment, a hand that had come closer gently stroked Agatha's cheek. The face of a man who had come closer was reflected in her vision as she raised her head in surprise.
“Your complexion is still not good.”
“...”
It shouldn't be like this.
Agatha unconsciously rested her cheek on his hand. Her hand was wrapped around the back of the man's large, slightly rough hand.
“It will be okay soon. Because I entered the castle.”
“I’ll take care of the meeting with the Navy, so why don’t you go to the inn and rest first?”
“The commander will be picky. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Although Agatha called the Nobilis Navy, it was only for escort.
Since the Imperial Navy would be the one accompanying the delegation on formal occasions such as welcoming them, the commander could have provoked a fight over command.
“I am not that kind of person, ma’am.”
For a moment, the man's dry eyes slightly curved. Agatha was staring into his deep eyes as if fascinated.
“You haven’t answered my question yet.”
Agatha suddenly came to her senses and looked down.
“Then I will leave military matters to you and head to the inn as soon as the ship supplies are replenished.”
“I guess there’s nothing I can do. I don’t think you’ll listen to anything more than that...”
He reached out his other hand and took Nobilis' naval roster and a map of the ship's interior, whispering softly.
“Don’t overdo it.”
“...”
Nodding slightly, Agatha suppressed the greed that was suddenly welling up in her.
Her heart flutters even though he only respects her as his wife.
'How happy I will be if this man starts to like me.'
However, it was time to end imagination with imagination.
“Please take care of me, Enoch.”
The man who had been holding her hand deeply kissed her hand. Soon, the carriage arrived at the port.
***
Agatha got off the carriage and led her first aide, Ethel Maslow, and her maids towards the Nobilis family's ship.
Enoch gave a warning glance to the Second Captain, Hubert Karwen.
"Do not move away from my side."
He and the knights of Aratus had already noticed the gaze he had been feeling lately.
There was no life, but it was a secret gaze.
The first place that came to mind was the relatives of the Nobilis or Aratus family.
It didn't seem like he had any intention of causing any immediate harm, but he couldn't let down his guard.
Hubert, who had paid a military salute, followed behind him, accompanied by dozens of knights.
After ensuring his wife's safety, he wiped his dry face once.
'Is it because of the 2nd Prince that everything has been strange?'
The second Prince of the Mainukor Empire, Fernand Mainumconti.
The 2nd Prince's dogged personality was famous throughout the continent.
No shame, no honor, complicated relationships with women, and even an illegitimate child.
As much as Agatha felt uncomfortable meeting him, she was also concerned about her husband's reaction.
To be honest, it wasn't a pleasant feeling.
Enoch was not old enough to show off his judgment.
'Even if my displeasure is directed at the Second Prince and the Emperor who created this position, it won't have a positive effect on her.'
She was a wife who treated him very well as a Marquis. Even though an indefinable feeling filled his stomach, Enoch had no intention of showing it to the outside.
On the contrary, he was worried about his wife.
He didn't think anything of it, but wouldn't his wife be alone in feeling anxious?
'Even though she's not feeling well.'
Enoch's spirits subtly sharpened as he recalled her pale complexion, still haggard from the long carriage journey.
“I guess I’ll have to deal with it quickly and go."
“Yes, my lord.”
Enoch handed the papers in his hand over to his adjutant and walked towards the temporary lord and the group of marines next to him who were just beginning to approach.
At that time, Enoch had not yet noticed that the discomfort disappeared without a trace when he touched Agatha.
Even the fact that the feeling was jealousy.
***
Puuuuu-
"Departure!"
The ship, with its sails spread wide and its trumpets blaring, crossed the sea faster and faster.
These were Nobilis' ships and the fleet of the Roxbard Empire's eastern navy.
It took another 10 days to get from the port to Pahlavi Island.
Before departure, Agatha was able to receive an official document from the temporary lord's representative, Baron Solano.
The first page of the document contained the name of the head of the Mainukor delegation.
[Second Prince Fernand Mainumconti]
The words of Crown Prince Anthony Roxiba that she heard at the banquet hall became reality.
Time passed helplessly, approximately nine nights later.
Regardless of Agatha's complicated feelings, the Nobilis family's ships, three warships, and the Roxbard Empire's navy entered the waters of Pahlavi Island.
Jessie, a close maid who often went up onto the deck, brought good news.
"Lady. I can see the island!”
"Yes? It arrived sooner than expected.”
It was predicted that the road would be delayed for a few days due to heavy waves. Fortunately, they arrived at the island before the scheduled deadline.
Agatha went out to the deck for the first time in a while and gazed at the island in the distance.
“That’s Palavi Island.”
After becoming an adult, Agatha went on a tour of the realms and visited this island only once.
At that time, it was an island that she didn't remember very well.
The unfamiliar island with trees growing densely on the rocks was more beautiful than she expected. There was a port at the end of a flat area surrounded by mountains.
“Even if the island is visible, it will take several more hours until we can anchor.”
"Yes?"
The words of Crown Prince Anthony Roxiba that she heard at the banquet hall became reality.
Time passed helplessly, approximately nine nights later.
Regardless of Agatha's complicated feelings, the Nobilis family's ships, three warships, and the Roxbard Empire's navy entered the waters of Pahlavi Island.
Jessie, a close maid who often went up onto the deck, brought good news.
"Lady. I can see the island!”
"Yes? It arrived sooner than expected.”
It was predicted that the road would be delayed for a few days due to heavy waves. Fortunately, they arrived at the island before the scheduled deadline.
Agatha went out to the deck for the first time in a while and gazed at the island in the distance.
“That’s Palavi Island.”
After becoming an adult, Agatha went on a tour of the realms and visited this island only once.
At that time, it was an island that she didn't remember very well.
The unfamiliar island with trees growing densely on the rocks was more beautiful than she expected. There was a port at the end of a flat area surrounded by mountains.
“Even if the island is visible, it will take several more hours until we can anchor.”
"Yes?"
Agatha stood on the deck and looked at the island until the ship docked.
“The island is pretty.”
It was a fairly large volcanic island.
A castle stood tall like a cone on the central high ground, and below it was a spiral-shaped forest, farmland, and village.
The port was immediately visible, and there were three docks nearby that could be used.
The rest was still under construction as the port grew in size.
“The wharf construction is expected to be completed within two weeks.”
Aide Ethel, who had come out onto the deck, spoke.
“Where is the trading post building?”
“We’re putting the roof up now.”
As they approached the island, they could vaguely see buildings under construction where Ethel was pointing with her finger.
When trade officially began in the future, a place for sailors to rest, a legation for officials from each country to stay, and a place to unload and inspect goods were needed.
Agatha nodded as she looked at the construction site that had been approved and was coming to an end.
“Before we go to the castle, let’s take a look around first.”
“Yes, I will do so.”
The moment Ethel stepped back, a familiar voice flowed in from beside her.
“Are you going straight to the construction site?”
Enoch, who she didn't know when he came, was standing there.
“I heard that a delegation from Mainukor is approaching. I think we can prepare by checking the construction site before then.”
Enoch's eyes fell on Chad, the lieutenant standing next to him.
“It looks like they will arrive in three days. They said that the flag of the Mainumconti royal family was seen on a naval ship during reconnaissance.”
"Is it so?"
Agatha was troubled by the appearance that came sooner than expected. It seemed like time would be tight.
Of course, Enoch will be the one to meet the delegation.
They had to move quickly to tour the construction site before the negotiations and prepare for the welcome ceremony and dinner.
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