Odelia's eyes wavered as she faced Calix.
"How can you... Be so sure of that?"
Calix looked at her and asked back.
"Isn't it the same for you? You didn't come back having seen the future, so why are you suspicious first?"
Odelia could not answer. As silence fell, Calix spoke quietly.
"If you still don't know who you are, the person I see is strong."
Odelia immediately shook her head.
"I never thought I was strong. I just threw it away."
Calix's gaze softened.
"That's strength. People are worse at enduring."
"...In the end, even though I say this, I have received so much help from Your Majesty."
The words were almost like a mutter.
Calix laughed softly upon hearing that.
"I'm glad I was of some help, even if it was just that. You feel bad about relying on me so much, but I feel the exact opposite."
His hand gently grasped her hand.
"I like that you need me. So... don't try to sort everything out on your own. Whatever you are, wherever you came from... the person standing in front of me right now is enough."
The office became quiet.
Odelia still stood there, unable to lift her head, and Calix looked at her for a moment before slowly letting out a breath.
"...If you need time, just tell me. I can wait as long as you need."
A fleeting smile crossed his face. Calix took off his coat and lightly draped it over Odelia's shoulders.
"But don't think about it for too long."
The coat slid down and wrapped around her shoulders. Calix stood there for a moment. His hand moved ever so briefly, as if he wanted to do something more.
The hand that had reached out toward Odelia as if to hug her soon stopped.
Calix's gaze wavered slightly. Finally, slowly withdrawing his hand, he turned away without saying a word.
The door closed, and silence settled back into the office.
Odelia stood there motionless for a while.
The coat draped over the shoulders was slowly settling down with its weight.
...I didn't mean it that way.
Odelia slowly closed her eyes and then opened them again.
It wasn't that she didn't want to have a child. It wasn't that she regretted it now, nor was it because she wanted to postpone the marriage.
She had never once thought that.
Even so, why am I hesitating like this? Why am I so scared? Odelia lowered her head and gripped the outer hem even tighter.
Calix.
The me you are seeing is... different from the real me.
The real me is just someone who pretended to be a boy because I wanted to be acknowledged by both my parents, ran because I didn't want to die, and begged you to take me to live.
I have never once thought that I was strong.
It was just thrown away.
But I wonder why you can see me in such a good light.
Odelia hugged her coat tighter without a word.
***
The Great Hall of the Imperial Palace was unusually quiet.
It had not been long since the Battle of Talamand had ended, and it had not been long since the delegation from Bernadia had arrived.
The delegation was far more splendid than expected. Rows of gold-decorated boxes lined the grounds, and silver-decorated carriages filled the palace courtyard. Whenever a box lid opened, gold coins, jewels, pearls, and spices poured out a radiant light.
Standing at the center was a young woman.
Bernadia's First Princess, appearing as the representative of the delegation, slowly knelt in the center of the Great Hall.
The surrounding nobles murmured softly.
Emperor Bernadia's letter had already been read aloud.
The fact that the person who had spearheaded the invasion of Talamand was, in fact, not a diplomat, but the Crown Prince of Bernadia.
It stated that this reckless act had nearly caused war between the two empires and that Emperor Bernadia felt a profound sense of responsibility for it.
And as a gesture of atonement, he was sending his eldest daughter along with gold and jewels.
The Princess's voice was very calm.
"His Majesty Emperor Bernadia is deeply concerned that this incident might cause him to fall out of favor with the Alendasia Empire."
She continued speaking with her head bowed.
"I apologize on behalf of my unworthy younger brother for the wrongdoing."
The Princess's voice did not waver, but her bowed face was miserably pale.
"If you accept me, that will serve as an apology from the Royal Bernadia."
A remark implying a sort of marriage alliance. A strange silence fell over the hall.
The Princess of Bernadia was still kneeling with her head bowed, and boxes filled with gold and treasures were lined up behind her.
Among the ministers who realized the significance of this scene, the first to speak were the nobles who valued diplomacy.
"Your Majesty, considering our relationship with Bernadia... accepting the apology is not a bad choice. Taking in the Princess could also be a way to ensure peace between the two countries."
Several ministers nodded.
However, others remained silent. This was because the Battle of Talamand had only recently ended, and above all, the Emperor's demeanor was ominous.
Even so, instead of being oblivious, he continued speaking as if he were excited.
"If Your Majesty accepts the Princess, maritime trade with Bernadia will also be possible peacefully."
Calix said nothing. He simply looked at him in silence. But that single gaze was enough.
The ministers, who had been speaking just moments ago, fell silent in unison. The main hall became quiet again.
"Princess Bernadia, raise your head."
At Calix's words, the Princess slowly raised her head.
Her face was still pale, but her eyes remained unwavering. Calix looked at her for a moment, then spoke.
"I will accept Bernadia's apology."
Inside the main hall, several ministers let out a subtle sigh.
However, Calix's words did not end there.
"However, this is not something that can be forgiven by the sacrifice of one person."
The Princess's expression hardened very subtly. After a brief silence, she spoke quietly.
"...Are you saying that I am not enough?"
Calix did not answer. The Princess lowered her head further.
"If Your Majesty does not desire me as Empress or Imperial Consort... I am fine as a concubine."
The palace was in an uproar. However, the Princess did not stop speaking.
"If you would forgive Bernadia even if it means doing that..."
"I don't think that will work."
A quiet voice interrupted from the back of the hall. All eyes turned simultaneously. Odelia Rubis, the Lord of Talamand, was entering.
Philip was quietly following behind her, carrying a leather container full of documents.
Every corner of the hall was buzzing with low whispers.
The protagonist of the Battle of Talamand and the party involved in this incident have revealed themselves.
Odelia glanced around the main hall to gauge the atmosphere for a moment, then walked straight out to the center. Her gaze lingered on Princess Bernadia for a brief moment before turning toward Calix on the throne.
"Your Majesty."
After a brief bow, she gave Philip her gaze.
Philip immediately stepped forward. He took a thick bundle of documents from a leather container and handed it to a servant beneath the throne.
"This is the damage report for the Talamand Estate."
Odelia continued speaking calmly.
"A significant portion of the port facilities has been destroyed by this invasion. Two piers have completely collapsed, and twelve warehouses have been lost. The damage to civilian homes is also considerable. The livelihoods of laborers and merchants have been severely shaken by the fighting that lasted for three days."
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