Amidst the upheaval in the imperial palace caused by the monster attack, another commotion arose within the Roam household.
It was because of my sister, the Phrygian, who had presented to our father a marriage contract she had drawn up with some man from a family.
Father, who had intended to send my sister, the Phrygian, to Prince Heinri, was naturally furious and likely tried to settle this matter discreetly.
However, it became impossible even to do that when members of the Kendal family, who had secretly married my sister, the Phrygian, formally visited Roam.
Right now, only the servants are in an uproar, but a week will probably be enough for rumors to spread in social circles.
"The marketplace would be less noisy than this."
As I muttered indifferently, leaning my chin against the windowsill as a prop, Pallides chuckled and spoke cheerfully.
"I saw earlier, there are even knights crying!"
"Ah, there were many who admired my sister."
As one could tell just by looking at Arin Tosen, for instance.
Responding listlessly, I looked down at the Kendal baron, who was making a fuss and asserting his presence.
To an outsider, it would seem he was acting thoughtlessly, without considering the Duke of Roam's wrath...
Well. I think the Kendal baron knows how to use his head better than one might expect.
The Kendal barony is wealthy and quite well-established as a local notable. However, that influence only held sway within the region where the barony was located.
Wasn't what the nouveaux riches sitting on dazzling piles of money craved next noble honor and power?
It so happened that a decision had just been made to expel the Kendal barony from the Roam collateral line. How delighted he must have been when my sister, the Phrygian, appeared right when he was harboring discontent over this decision.
I could vividly imagine how my sister, the Phrygian, must have lured him by presenting her own direct bloodline.
As I was watching the baron, who was squabbling with the servants, with great interest, the sound of someone knocking on the door was heard.
"Young Mistress. Her Ladyship asks to see you briefly."
"Alright. I'll go right away."
"Um... Please leave your escort knights..."
The maid cautiously relayed the message, eyeing Pallides and Samuel, who stood threateningly.
Tilting my head and staring at the maid, I readily agreed.
Thinking that Mother probably wanted to pressure me about something.
* * *
Mother was in the annex garden.
The annex was also where Lilia stayed, and indeed, as soon as I entered, I could feel the servants' piercing gazes. Whether they resembled their mistress in being immature, they couldn't even hide their hostility.
Snorting, I passed by them and saw Mother and Lilia drinking tea affectionately in the distance.
That was also a scene I had often seen before my death.
Unconsciously, I stopped for a moment and gazed at the two of them. Mother noticed me first and gestured.
"You've come."
Moving my reluctant steps, I barely reached the table.
A servant standing nearby pulled out a chair as if to offer me a seat, but I stood dumbly, carefully taking in the scene before me.
The tea and sweets prettily arranged on the table, Mother's peaceful expression, Lilia looking at me with an innocent, guileless expression as if she knew nothing, the servants watching me warily, worried I might cause trouble at any moment.
"Aren't you going to sit?"
"It feels like only a few days ago we were being distant with each other."
"Family are people who, even after fighting, quickly mend their hearts and rely on each other."
Mother, who had spoken softly, glanced at me while holding her teacup.
"You too, to become the master of Roam, must learn to bury petty grudges."
Mother was exactly as she was when she taught me, as a child, to become the Empress.
Lilia, holding her teacup with both hands, rolled her eyes, quietly looking back and forth between me and Mother.
When our eyes met, Lilia's shoulders trembled slightly, and she made a sullen face. At the same time, Mother's voice was heard.
"If you truly care about Roam's future..."
I smiled faintly at Mother, who was gazing at me quietly.
"I'm not a child, Mother."
Readily taking a seat, a maid who had been watching approached and placed a cup before me. The scent of tea brushed the tip of my nose.
Lifting the teacup to feel its warmth, Mother set her cup down and calmly began to speak.
"I called you because I wanted to hear your opinion. As you know, Phrygian has caused a major incident."
A hint of irritation and a sigh tinged Mother's voice. It seemed she was quite shocked that the child who had never caused any trouble had, for the first time, caused a huge incident.
"Yes, even at this very moment, the Kendal baron is raising his voice at the servants."
"Originally, Phrygian was supposed to be the one for the marriage alliance with the imperial family, but circumstances have become difficult."
"And so?"
Mother paused for a moment. Even though what would come next was obvious.
It was as if she was giving me time to prepare myself mentally.
"Roam has one more young lady."
The words that finally came out were boringly predictable. To the point where I worried I might yawn.
I looked at Mother with a listless expression.
"Do you believe that Mother's disavowed adopted daughter can once again secure a place by Prince Heinri's side?"
I tried to speak dryly, but inadvertently ended up sneering.
Perhaps because of that, I saw Lilia's face flush red. Well... she might think I'm looking down on her.
But my words were based on extremely objective and realistic judgment.
"In my view, Mother's adopted daughter is not at all to Prince Heinri's taste."
Because Heinri likes me. A man whose taste is me couldn't possibly like Lilia, could he?
Just as Lilia, with her crimson face, furrowed her brow and was about to say something, Mother answered first in a cold tone.
"Forming a connection again with that brother after the broken engagement once is enough. Since there's no need to produce more scandal, wouldn't it be better to just leave the already formed connection as it is?"
"Are you asking me?"
"I know it's late, but I'd like to have your consent if possible."
What kind of consent is that for? I couldn't understand at all.
But since she asked, I thought I should at least keep up appearances, so I replied offhandedly.
"Is the marriage alliance with the imperial family the only issue? It makes no sense to expel her when she's supposedly regained her precognitive abilities, to begin with."
Tilting my head and looking down at the teacup, I slowly picked it up.
Taking a sip, lukewarm tea water soaked my entire mouth. It was brewed too strong, not to my taste, and only bitter.
"As for the matter of keeping Lilia as 'Lilia Roam,' I too agree. I also believe it's right to leave Lilia Roam's engagement to the Crown Prince as it is."
Was it because I accepted it too readily?
I could feel Lilia looking at me with wide eyes. Casually ignoring her, I turned to look at Mother, who smiled and replied.
"Thank you for yielding, even though it must be uncomfortable."
"It's not uncomfortable. It's all in the past, and as I said, I have no lingering attachment to the imperial family now. On the contrary, that place is tiresome."
Actually, everywhere, everything is tiresome.
But if I ignore and pass by things because they are tiresome, the ghosts of the past will grab my ankles and not let go.
I will have to strike down all those who try to seize me as I attempt to leave.
I was determined to do so.
"The current me is only thinking about Roam's future."
Perhaps because I spoke with sincerity, Mother looked relieved.
Lilia, who had probably anticipated my opposition, also seemed surprised. She looked at me as if taken aback, then awkwardly averted her gaze.
Then, she suddenly flinched and leaned back.
"Goodness!"
Lilia's chair slid back and wobbled. Lilia, flailing, momentarily lost her balance and fell backward.
"Eek!"
"Lady Lilia!"
"Oh my!"
Startled maids rushed over in a crowd to help Lilia up. Perhaps having landed hard on her bottom, Lilia groaned and couldn't easily get up.
"Are you alright?"
At Mother's bewildered question, Lilia looked up with tear-filled eyes.
"There was a bug in my cup, so I just..."
"How dreadful! We did pest control yesterday."
"I'll remind the gardener once more, Lady Lilia!"
"I don't know why there have been so many bugs in the annex lately."
The maids spoke anxiously, not knowing what to do. As Lilia staggered to her feet and looked at her teacup again, there was no trace of the bug she said she had seen.
Glancing briefly at the perfectly clean table, I tilted my teacup and murmured leisurely.
"Lately, the weather has been consistently good, so all things are just coming to life."
[For your information, it was an ant earlier. To lump it all under the word 'bug'—how ignorant! A great variety of species are cooperating, I tell you! That's why everyone dislikes that woman, I say!]
It was a bit difficult to hold back the laughter that almost burst out upon hearing Tristan's spiteful interjection, but, well.
It was a bearable amount of time.
* * *
With Father busy going in and out of the imperial palace due to the monster attack issue, and now my sister, the Phrygian's, problem erupting, Father's appearance became haggard beyond words.
Father seemed to have an even bigger headache because, just as he decided to join hands with Prince Heinri, the Empress collapsed, and the Emperor showed signs of suspecting the Magic Tower's involvement and ostracizing Prince Heinri.
If the only option had been Heinri alone, it would have been easier to decide. But since Lilia still bears the Roam name, and as long as Maxel is her fiancé, the connection with the Crown Prince must still be considered intact.
The possibility that, if necessary, the relationship with Maxel could be maintained as if nothing happened is what deepens Father's dilemma.
Lilia must be feeling triumphant, thinking it's her own resourcefulness. My sister, the Phrygian, must now be slowly realizing she acted rashly.
And I was observing the situation, gauging the next choice I had to make.
I intended to decide my choice after hearing Minte and Zigore's reports. And just now, the two of them returned.
[I'm sorry. We couldn't meet Nadav.]
[But we confirmed that monsters had appeared there!]
It wasn't a matter requiring long deliberation. I pondered for exactly about three minutes, then reached a conclusion.
...Hmm, I should go myself after all.