Sister, Lady Letticia is currently working . Please wait in the meantime . ”


  “Understood . Is it fine for you not to listen to what Yuri has to say?”


  “Yuri wishes to speak to Lady Letticia alone . ”


  “I see . Thanks for leading the way for me . ”


  We walked back the way we came .

  “Sister, what just happened……”


  “If you’re intending to ask for my forgiveness for what Yuri said, there’s no need . I already understand . ”


  “Indeed . ”


  “That’s why I want to say this . Beforehand, what you said about the position of leader of our territory: if you intended that as an apology then I’ll have to refuse . ”


  “These are two separate topics . I just think you’re the best fit for the role . Honestly Father has been considering this already and even working on documentation to submit for approval . ”


  I didn’t expect them to have gone this far with it already .

  “What?”


  “Honestly, I was even glad to hear your engagement cancelled . As someone who works for our country, I think it’s a huge loss if someone of your talent left our nation . ”


  “You’re speaking too highly of me . ”


  “Not at all . Why are you so vehemently rejecting this? You’re the eldest and have plenty of achievements of your own . Is it just because you’re a woman? I don’t see how that stops you from being a great leader . ”


  He had caught me .

  As a woman, I felt like I had to retreat behind the curtain .

  The thought filled my mind .

  But when someone asked me the question as directly as that, I had nothing to say .

  Why did I think I had to reject my position because I was a woman?

  The more I thought about it, the less I could rationalize it .

  Just the justification of “this is what should happen” was enough to stop me from ever considering the reason .

  “If remaining a leader is too much pressure on you, I don’t intend to force you . You’re free to leave if you really want to……”


  “Hm, aren’t you contradicting yourself here?”


  “After all, you’re shouldering a great burden . If I add more pressure on you……as a brother and as your family, I can’t do that . ”


  “Is that so?”


  I inhaled deeply and asked myself .

  What kind of future did I want to choose?

  Right now there were two paths before me .

  Becoming the leader, and not becoming . There were countless branch routes on the latter road .

  “I’ll ask you one last time . You say it doesn’t matter which side I pick?”


  “Yes . I mean what I say . ”


  “Is that so? Well then, Bern . I’ll accept the role of territory leader . ”


  Bern laughed out loud .

  “Really? That’s great . ”


  And that was when we arrived at our destination .

  Bern, Tanya, and I walked into the empty room .

  “Please wait here . I still have matters to attend . Some workers in the palace might come over with some materials . Tanya, feel free to wait here too . ”


  “Understood . Thanks . ”


  After Bern left, I sank into the couch .

  “Is this the best course of action, milady?”


  Tanya asked me with concern .

  “What are you referring to?”


  “The position of leader . ”


  “Yes . I don’t regret it . I think being able to continue down this path alongside everyone else might be something great for me . ”


  “Is that so?”


  Tanya smiled, relieved .

  “Heh heh . Please be sure to stay by my side in the future too . ”


  “I might say the same to you . I belong to milady until my body decays . ”


  “Ah……if you really were to decay, I’d be quite troubled . ”


  We laughed at this statement .

  And then there was a knock at the door . One of the palace workers was here .

  She made us tea with a practiced hand and left again .

  Honestly I liked Tanya’s tea more……but this was a matter of personal preference .

  In the moment, I enjoyed my hot tea in silence .

  Today too much had happened .

  As if trying to digest everything I sipped on my tea without saying anything .

  “Excuse me . Sorry for the wait, Lady Iris . ”


  “Lady Letticia! Not at all . I’m grateful for the opportunity to rest . ”


  “I’m glad you’re taking a good break . ”


  Lady Letticia sat before me .

  “Thanks to you, Yuri told us everything . That way we’ll be able to move in on those nobles we didn’t have enough evidence to convict beforehand . Thank you for everything . ”


  “You’re far too kind . I’m just happy to be of use . ”


  “Being of use……You always help us achieve the best goal . Even in the negotiations with the Acacia Kingdom . We really are endlessly grateful . ”


  “I’m honored . ”


  “Lady Iris . Are you willing to become the leader of your territory?”


  “Yes . Did you hear about this from Bern?”


  “Yes and no . I’ve heard a little from him when we were discussing other topics . Seems like he’s asked today as well . ”


  “Yes . ”


  “Then what do you plan to do?”


  “I plan to inherit the position . ”


  Lady Letticia’s eyes narrowed with excitement .

  “Is that so? To be honest, I’m going to tell you something that must stay in this room……I’m about to ascend to the throne . ”


  It made sense . In the situation that Prince Edward and Dean had passed away, she was the only remaining successor with royal blood .

  “Unlike my grandmother, I’m not serving as a transition point . I’ll have actual political power . ”


  “Wow! That’s really……!”


  I let my honest surprise show .

  Although I’d already realized she had the capability to do this, it seemed like it was finally coming to pass .

  Her grandmother……Queen Ellia had ruled from the top of the nation, although she’d done so by ruling alongside other people with royal blood .

  That kind of rule clearly served as transition for the next generation .

  But if she was saying her rule would be different, this means she would be the first true queen of this country .

  Taking this step didn’t just mean countering traditional notions, but also breaking them down and rebuilding them . It was a path above paths .

  “I’ve made up my mind . As a matter of fact, I’m already walking this road . Lady Iris, hope we can look after each other in the future . ”


  “Those should be my words . ”


  “Well then, Lady Iris, I wanted to give you a present for your response to the Acacia Kingdom affair . Your district will be designated as a special district with a certain degree of self-governing privileges . ”


  “What does that mean?”


  “I think you know this already . When my brother was still here, this country was moving toward centralized power . ”


  “Yes, absolutely . ”


  “In short, we wish to treat you and your territory as exceptions . Please continue showing us your skills . ”


  After I processed her words thoroughly, I realized how much gravity stood behind the words she spoke so lightly . I couldn’t help but inhale sharply .

  “Is this the best course of action?”


  Lady Letticia chuckled lightly .

  “You ask the same question too, huh . No matter good or bad, I think it’s the best option for the country . I’ve reported this to other nobles, and no one has complained . But that shouldn’t be surprising . To protect themselves, they ganged up on your territory alongside Queen Ellia . When that brother of mine was attempting to collect baseless taxes from you, they not only ignored it but followed in his example . And during this crisis they didn’t make any attempt to assist you either . ”


  I didn’t agree or anything, just nodded vaguely .

  But was this really the conclusion she’s confirmed with other nobles?

  She moved quickly .

  If she was so intent on pushing good will upon me I didn’t have much else to say about it other than accept her well-intentioned gift .

  “Thank you, Lady Letticia . I’ll work my hardest for the territory from now on . If I can work hard enough to become an asset to our nation, I’ll be honored . ”


  “I’m happy to hear that . ”


  So in a harmonious atmosphere, our conversation ended .