The man who looked at me as if I were ridiculous soon let out a sigh of resignation.
"Your Highness is still there."
At the voice with a bitter smile, I raised the corners of my eyes.
"What do you mean by that now..."
"I, Your Highness!".
Just as I was about to scold the knight for his cheeky attitude, Barcas's unkempt servant rushed over.
He was quite surprised to think that I was rolling in front of him, but the boy's face was also as white as flour dough.
"Your Highness, are you okay? Is there anything wrong with your body..."
"It's nothing."
As if he couldn't let go of my firm answer, the servant who was looking at me with anxious eyes hurriedly turned around.
"Still, in case you don't know, I'll call a healer. Please wait a moment!"
Then he ran out of the hallway without holding onto.
I, who frowned at the back of the servant, turned my eyes back to the knight.
He, too, glanced at my bulging belly with a worried gaze. Feeling uncomfortable for a moment, I quietly covered myself with my coat.
"Can you explain what you're here for? Don't stand stupidly, come and tell me."
"First of all, where should we sit?"
"Yes. I dare to do that..."
I, who habitually tried to say no, felt a slight pull in my lower belly and closed my mouth. I thought that maybe the baby in my belly was surprised.
I gestured to the drawing room on the other side of the stairs.
"Yes. Follow me."
As we crossed the thick carpeted hallway and passed through the arched entrance, we found a cozy space. I approached the fireplace where the embers were burning and sat down carefully in a chair.
The man, who was standing at the entrance, and I looked at him with an awkward expression, soon took a seat across from me. Whenever he curiously scolded me, he always seemed very awkward.
I asked the restless knight a question.
"Now, tell me, who sent you?"
"The person who sent me is Sir Laorik Alderheim, the current head of the Imperia Order."
In an unexpected response, I raised an eyebrow.
"Why did the commander of the Imperial Knights send you?"
The man, who had been hesitating for a long time, finally spoke.
"Recently, disturbing movements have been detected in the North. Upon learning of this, His Majesty the Emperor ordered Balto and the adjacent areas to gather troops to keep the north in check. His Majesty wants the East to actively participate in this work."
I stiffened. Suddenly, a chill surged down my spine, and the hair all over my body stood on end.
"What do you mean... Does that mean there will be a war?"
"No!"
The knight waved his hand hurriedly.
"Your Majesty does not want direct conflict. At present, there is insufficient evidence of treason... He is just trying to give an implicit warning by strengthening the vigilance against Balto."
"In the north, you may feel threatened by the imperial warning and come out tougher."
I sharply picked it up.
"The Northern Noble League, surrounded by the Imperial Army, will be engulfed in a strong sense of crisis. As long as they are caught in the rebellion, they may believe that the imperial family will not let them live and come out as a judge."
The knight blinked blankly at my point.
I shot at the dull face as if I was frustrated.
"If His Majesty really intends to avoid war, he should secretly collect evidence of treason, not openly show off your military power to pressure them."
"...Your Highness's words are reasonable, but if we move first in the north before gathering even one conclusive evidence, then the situation will get out of control. His Majesty the Emperor decided that it was necessary to gather an army even to prepare for the worst."
I frowned. I felt that the Emperor's response was too half-hearted.
Wouldn't it be better to launch a surprise attack first to exert military pressure?
Sending troops to the Balto border region may only result in encouraging the North to further strengthen its military power.
I, who was about to refute like that, immediately changed my mind and kept my mouth shut.
Edric Rubon was at best a messenger sent to deliver the Emperor's message. When I got into a fight with this guy, nothing changed.
I, who was biting my lip nervously, soon turned my thinking in a positive direction.
Perhaps a split will arise within Balto, who has confirmed the overwhelming military power of the Roem imperial family with their own eyes. How many people would want to give up their lives in a war that is about to be lost?
If some of Balto's nobles turn to the side of the imperial family, the embers of war will soon be extinguished.
"So, what did Barcas say?"
"As instructed by His Majesty, His Excellency has said that he will dispatch mounted troops to the area adjacent to Balto."
I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. Only then did I realize that I was worried that Barcas would leave my side.
It's better to have him than not to have me.
I tried to make excuses like that to myself, but it was not enough to explain the fear I felt.
I left behind the bitter realization that I was still obsessed with him, and tried to focus my attention on the conversation with the knight in front of me.
"Then should you take the reply and leave for the Imperial palace again?"
"Yes, I'm leaving right today."
The man said, looking at the window.
I looked surprised.
"Already?"
"Since the issue is an issue, we can't delay for a moment."
The man rubbed the nape of his neck and let out a faint smile.
"Actually, I had to leave as soon as the sun rose, but I delayed a little to see Your Highness."
"Why me?"
I once again gave him a wary look.
The man, who was looking at it with a bitter expression, finally opened his mouth.
"After returning from the pilgrimage, I haven't had a chance to see Your Highness. I wondered if your health had recovered since then."
At the unexpected words, I made a blank face.
The man, who was scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, added with an awkward smile.
"I'm glad you look healthier than the last time I saw you. According to the maids, Lord Sheerkhan cares very much for Your Highness. I was relieved that you seemed to be doing well."
"Why?"
I looked at him intently out of pure curiosity.
"Why do you care if I'm doing well?"
The smile on his lips faded slightly. The man, who had been frowning with a puzzled face, immediately revealed his honest sincerity as it was.
"I was a knight of the Princess's guard, right? My heart has always been heavy because I thought it was my responsibility that Your Highness was hurt like that."
"...After all, you were trying to meet me to ease the burden on your heart, right...?"
I spat grumpily.
The man, who was shrinking his shoulders as if he had been stabbed with a knife, immediately obediently admitted.
"...I don't know."
Then he let out a self-help sigh.
I stared at him with a slight gaze as if observing a strange creature. It was the first time that I had been so honest with my feelings.
Suddenly, this foolish man began to feel genuinely worried.
"...You won't last long in the palace with that kind of personality."
"People around me often say that."
The man shook his head with an exaggerated smile, as if trying to liven up the atmosphere.
"Even so, the road to the world is really difficult."
It seemed like a joke, but I felt a heaviness in my heart.
Perhaps because he was out of the eyes of the Crown Prince, he was pushed out of the imperial guard. Isn't that why he became a messenger?
I, who was looking at the knight with a sympathetic look, said with good Intentions.
"If you don't know what the future holds, come to the Grand Duke's house. I'll ask Barcas to hire you."
"Edric Rubon is one of the elite knights of the Roem Knights."
Then a cold voice was heard. Turning my head, I found Barcas standing at the entrance of the reception room and opened my eyes wide. Barcas, who strode across the room in a somewhat dishill manner, added in a blunt tone.
"A talented person who will become a guard knight of His Majesty the Emperor cannot be rotted on such a periphery."
"...I didn't expect the lord to think so highly of me."
Edric Rubon, who had been blinking in the distance, muttered amusedly. Barcas cast a cold glance at the knight.
"I heard you supported my wife when she almost got into a big accident. Thank you."
"No, it's not. On the contrary, I surprised Her Highness and almost caused a big problem."
I glared at the knight in frustration. Do you really not know that such stupidity in saying things you shouldn't have to say is blocking your career path?
I held back what I wanted to say, but Barkas suddenly bent over, tucked one arm under my knee, and wrapped his other hand tightly around my back. Then, he carefully stood up.
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