Chapter 35

Jesalde returned to his office but did not touch his work, instead he was thinking about Lili's earlier "request."

Indeed, as Lili said, being away for about twenty days would not have a significant impact on the administration.

Recently, he had been concerned about Tuisen, and if he toured the area with Lili, there would be no need for such caution.

But, is Lili really suggesting this for the sake of the country—thinking about Tuisen?

(Corina had no interest in the country at all...)

Thinking this, Jesalde frowned.

He had to forget about her, yet he still remembered her at times like this.

It was disrespectful to Lili.

He knew this, but he couldn't switch his thoughts.

Jesalde sighed deeply and called out to his aide, Filio.

"Filio, if I were to be away for about twenty days, when would it be least disruptive to the administration?"

"Twenty days, Your Highness? That's a bit... No, of course it's possible, but it depends on where you're going... Is it an inspection?"

"No... I'm thinking of going on a honeymoon."

"...What?"

His words, intended to see Filio's usually serious and calm face in surprise, were a success.

Jesalde smiled.

He had been surprised so often lately, so it was nice to do this once in a while.

He explained simply to the stunned Filio.

"The Empress wants to go on this 'honeymoon.' Honestly, I wasn't interested, but she wants to go to Tuisen. She talked to the Countess of Court... Indeed, if I take her, there won't be as much suspicion."

"I see... That's a good idea. I don't understand this 'honeymoon,' but if you use the pretext of showing the Empress around the country, why not visit the area around Tuisen, and perhaps the town of Bummini? Your Highness has been concerned about that town, haven't you? Seeing it directly might help you find a solution, and it would also reassure them that they haven't been abandoned."

"Bummini..."

Filio, recovering from his surprise, began to offer suggestions like a fish in water.

Jesalde fell silent, thinking for a while.

What would Lili, who grew up in the lush Kingdom of Froit, think of the rugged mountains and mines—especially the town of Bummini at their base?

For some reason, Jesalde didn't want to see Lili's disappointed face.

"Filio, send someone to ask the Empress if she can meet me again later."

"Yes, I understand."

Jesalde's attitude, as Lili pointed out, might have been rude.

If he met Lili again to properly decide on the visit location, the schedule could be adjusted more quickly.

He thought this, but unfortunately, the response was that Lili was taking a nap and couldn't meet.

The maid told the messenger that she seemed quite tired and it was unclear when she would wake up.

She seemed energetic earlier, but perhaps she was overexerting herself after yesterday.

Thinking this, Jesalde felt a wave of guilt.

He had been told that the journey from the city of Blume to the capital was tiring, and he had slowed down the schedule more than usual.

But if that was the case, could Lili really go on a "honeymoon"?

Deciding that he needed to talk to Lili again, he resolved to visit her room again the next night.

* * *

On the other hand, Lili was shocked to learn that Jesalde had asked to meet her after her nap.

"What? So you turned him down?"

"Yes. You were sound asleep. I understand your disappointment, but you seemed very tired, so I didn't wake you."

"I see... I understand. Thank you. He'll probably say something again, so it can't be helped."

She didn't dream, but her body felt heavy.

It was probably due to the stress of lunch with Jesalde earlier.

She was often told she was carefree—but she did care when it mattered.

Usually, she would consider storming into Jesalde's room at night, but she lacked the energy.

Lying back on the bed, Lili thought absently.

(Will we have to wait for a baby for a while...)

Then she realized something.

Perhaps she had conceived in the past three nights.

Suddenly unsure of what to do, Lili sat up abruptly.

(What? But it's still unknown, right? When did my period stop...? When is the next one supposed to be? Oh, what should I do. If I'm pregnant, I drank so much! Diving into bed might not have been good either! Oh...)

As Frederick had said, children were a gift from heaven.

The Empress's former maid had also said that it was unknown when one would conceive, and after fourteen years of no news, her mother had given birth to Lino.

Lili couldn't sit still and got out of bed.

She began to pace around the bedroom aimlessly.