Episode 6
As soon as Eirin heard the news that an emergency meeting had been held regarding a delegation from the Mersen Empire, she jumped up from her seat.
“Is that true?”
Eirin asked again sharply, eyes blazing.
Her gaze flickered toward Partie, who had brought the news. A faint blue light shimmered in her irises.
“Y-Yes…”
Partie shrank back at Eirin’s piercing tone.
“That can’t be…”
Eirin’s expression gradually turned to shock.
Something was wrong.
This had never happened before.
Of course, after returning to the past, Eirin had acted differently than before. But those changes had nothing to do with foreign relations. They were all minor things that wouldn’t have had any major impact.
There wasn’t even a butterfly effect to speak of.
‘Could someone else remember the past too?’
Eirin’s pupils trembled as she struggled to hide her unease.
The situation had slipped outside the bounds of her predictions.
That meant she could no longer act with certainty.
“This is strange…”
The Mersen Empire had sent a delegation to apologize for the conflict in Chatokora Village.
That single piece of news carried massive implications.
That conflict had been the biggest reason the two empires had fallen apart.
In the past timeline, it was the event that triggered a rapid deterioration of relations between the two.
‘Could it be that a high-ranking official from the Mersen Empire remembers the previous timeline?’
Eirin briefly considered the possibility, then shook her head.
If war were to break out, the side destined to win was the Mersen Empire.
They had no reason to avoid a war they were bound to win.
She anxiously tapped her fingertips on the desk.
“Your Highness, let me do your hair.”
Cheria gently combed Eirin’s hair as she sat at the vanity.
Her wavy hair fluttered in the air with every touch of Cheria’s hand.
“If you’re curious, why not go see them yourself?”
When Cheria asked innocently, Eirin’s shoulders flinched.
“See who?”
She feigned ignorance, though she knew exactly what Cheria meant.
She just wanted to avoid facing the situation.
“The delegation from the Mersen Empire.”
“No need. I’m not curious at all.”
‘It would only make things worse.’
Eirin bit her tongue out of frustration.
She wasn’t sure how her body would react if she saw Iliad now.
It was better not to go.
After answering firmly, Eirin glanced at Cheria, who was focused on combing her hair.
Just watching her made Eirin’s heart ache like being pricked with needles.
In the past timeline, Cheria had helped Eirin escape to the very end and got captured along with her.
A swirl of emotions — part guilt, part gratitude — welled up in Eirin’s chest.
Come to think of it, Cheria’s birthday was coming up.
Around this time every year, Eirin had been too busy planning her own birthday celebration and had neglected Cheria’s.
She silently scolded herself for her past indifference.
“Partie, can you bring more cookies from Emilla’s bakery?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Once Partie had left and they were alone, Eirin softly called out.
“Cheria.”
Cheria looked at Eirin, still focused on brushing her hair with care.
Smiling softly, Eirin reached for the jewelry box on the vanity and pulled out a hairpin.
“Take this.”
It was a luxurious hairpin embedded with a large blue gemstone.
Cheria gasped and stepped back slightly.
“Pardon?”
“I got it from the East a few months ago.”
“Your Highness… how could I possibly accept such a thing…”
“It’s your birthday soon, isn’t it? Thank you for staying by my side all this time.”
Eirin pushed the hairpin into Cheria’s reluctant hands.
“I want to give it to you as a symbol of my continued trust.”
Cheria looked as if she were about to cry, but Eirin avoided her gaze.
“Thank you…”
Cheria stared at Eirin and repeatedly whispered her thanks.
Only after watching Cheria carefully tuck the hairpin into her pocket did Eirin smile in satisfaction and return to having her hair done, pretending as if nothing happened.
She tried to remain calm, but deep inside, she couldn’t shake the anxiety about the delegation.
Could he be coming in person?
A chilling sense of dread squeezed her heart, and her brow furrowed.
Whether it was because of the unease, even the passing breeze felt piercingly cold.
“We greet the Emperor of the Forti Empire.”
The man who seemed to lead the delegation bowed to Kaltus.
Kaltus forced a smile and nodded.
“Welcome.”
He closely observed the person representing the delegation.
Since the Mersen Empire hadn’t sent any information about the members, it was hard to identify who had been dispatched.
Everything had happened so quickly. As soon as the delegation was approved, they had arrived via teleportation.
Below his uniform — clearly made from high-quality fabric — hung numerous medals.
‘A crown prince?’
Judging by the gold trim on the collar, he was either royalty or someone of a very high rank.
The guess that he was the crown prince came purely from his youthful appearance and striking looks.
His looks were well-known among neighboring nations.
Whoever he was, it was undeniable that his appearance alone could charm countless women.
‘Tch, look at that face.’
It was the kind of face that hinted at a complicated love life.
“As the Crown Prince of the Mersen Empire, I greet the Emperor of Forti.”
As Kaltus had suspected, he was indeed the crown prince.
His sharp, sculpted features gave off a blade-like aura.
He seemed to exercise regularly — his build was solid, and his movements agile.
It was only natural, considering he had to survive in the dangerous Mersen imperial court.
“It’s clear this gesture is sincere, seeing that the Crown Prince came in person.”
Kaltus responded, then locked eyes with Iliad.
His golden eyes gave off an eerie, unsettling vibe.
Even Kaltus, an experienced emperor, felt his neck stiffen for a moment.
“I’m glad you think so.”
Iliad’s voice flowed smoothly through the room.
“I officially offer an apology on behalf of the Mersen Empire to the Forti Empire.”
He gestured to one of his men, who dragged a large sack in front of the emperor.
The oversized sack slid along the floor with a rustle.
“The soldiers who caused the disturbance were executed by hanging. We brought their bodies in case you needed them as evidence.”
Bloodstains were visible on the sack, emphasizing his point.
Kaltus’s brow slightly relaxed.
If Mersen had continued refusing to apologize, Forti was prepared to cut off trade routes.
So the fact that they bowed first was satisfying.
The nobles of Forti murmured among themselves after hearing Iliad’s words.
Most of them approved, saying proper punishment had been dealt.
“We delayed the apology because we needed time to investigate the incident.”
The subordinate explained on behalf of the Crown Prince.
“We determined that the misconduct was due to the soldiers’ independent actions. We sincerely apologize for our delayed response.”
Iliad paused briefly and looked around as if searching for someone.
It was just for a moment — soon, his eyes focused directly on Kaltus.
“As a token of reconciliation, we have brought Mersen’s specialty products and minerals as gifts.”
After his words, the other envoys stepped forward and laid out various items.
Most of Forti’s nobles seemed to approve.
Kaltus watched their reactions carefully, then spoke.
“Very well. We will discuss this matter further after some internal meetings. In the meantime, we will provide accommodations for your delegation.”
Iliad added shortly, “I’d like to request a private audience soon.”
Kaltus nodded in agreement.
Though the Crown Prince’s gaze felt arrogant and unsettling, there was no clear fault to find.
Once the delegation withdrew, the nobles’ murmuring grew louder.
“What on earth is the Mersen Empire thinking?”
“Shouldn’t we accept the peace offering?”
“But they trampled on our pride! They ignored us for so long and now they apologize? Unacceptable!”
“They even had the nerve to ask us to apologize first back then! Now they suddenly change their tone? How ridiculous!”
“Silence.”
Kaltus’s authoritative voice instantly shut them up.
He leaned his chin on his hand and sighed before speaking.
“I’m leaning toward accepting the apology.”
The fact that the only legitimate heir of the Mersen imperial family personally visited an enemy nation to apologize held great weight.
He had already agreed to provide lodging, so it was practically halfway accepted.
“Your Majesty, they could stab us in the back at any time!”
“Exactly. We should crush their pride while we have the chance.”
A few nobles objected, but Kaltus glared at them coldly.
His icy stare silenced their complaints.
He was indeed a powerful emperor.
“Receiving their apology and the benefits it brings may not be such a bad thing.”
The unshakable foundation of the imperial court had been built by Kaltus and his predecessors.
“You all know that our empire seeks peace above all else.”
With a chilling smile, Kaltus responded firmly, and no one dared to argue further.
