The Returnee Wants Peace

A dark night.

Illien Marcia looked at her reflection in the window against the backdrop of the cloudy night sky.

An elegant woman with a straight back could be seen in the Emperor’s quarters.

‘…They say humans are creatures of adaptation.’

A few years ago, the pitiful princess who was trapped in the Summer Palace, waiting only for her cruel father to come, had disappeared.

The past version of her, who awkwardly played the role of Emperor while wearing a heavy crown, was also gone.

What could be seen now was the one and only legitimate heir of the imperial family and the current Emperor of the Marcia Empire.

The great prophetess who had never been wrong in predicting trials, favored by the God of Prophecy.

Now, about 3 years after ascending to the throne,

Although she still stuttered a bit due to the aftereffects of long-term brainwashing, there was no one who did not recognize Illien as the Emperor.

‘The God of Prophecy’ praises that you are doing very well.

Perhaps because she had been withdrawn for so long, the entity known as the God of Prophecy mainly gave her praise.

However, Illien, who had low self-esteem, didn’t think that praise was entirely due to her own merit.

‘I need to appear confident in front of Rosha, Lady Roshanak.’

She lifted her head slightly and pulled her rounded shoulders back. She needed to have the dignity that would make anyone think she was the Emperor.

That way, wouldn’t Rosha feel that saving her was worthwhile?

At that moment, the clouds in the sky parted slightly, revealing the moon.

It was a white moon.

The soft, pale moonlight seeped through the air and illuminated a man quietly leaning against the wall inside the quarters.

A young man with clean silver hair and blue eyes, arms crossed askew.

It was Nox.

“Illien. You didn’t lie to me, did you?”

“Huh?”

“You said Lady Roshanak would come when the red moon rises and disappears.”

His blue eyes, exactly like his father’s, were sharp.

However, Illien had now reached a level where she could speak without trembling even in front of him.

“Soon, we’ll be able to meet soon.”

“Really? Did the god say so?”

‘The God of Prophecy’ nods and laments when that ill-mannered fellow will ever learn manners.

“Yes.”

Hearing her answer, Nox loosened his crossed arms with a face full of anticipation.

Until now, he had been constantly breaking through trials while waiting for Lady Roshanak to come, but now that the time of reunion was not far off, he seemed to be feeling the limits of his patience.

“…This won’t do. I need to go find her myself.”

After a brief moment of consideration, he flung the door open and left.

Even in this situation, it felt fortunate that he didn’t leave through the window.

‘The God of Prophecy’ says that patience brings blessings, and enduring to the end makes one the winner.

In fact, it wasn’t about enduring. Illien had learned to accept things from a young age.

She just thought, that’s just how that person lives.

This kind of acceptance was more helpful than expected.

A temperament that hardly wavers even in harsh storms, overwhelming composure – these are among the essential virtues of a prophet.

‘Is this why the God of Prophecy looks favorably upon me?’

It was then.

‘The God of Prophecy’ says a guest has arrived.

…A guest at this time of night?

Indeed, the god’s words were correct. Soon after, the head maid carefully knocked on the door and announced the visit of Count Aper.

Since she had instructed to report any news from House Aper regardless of the time, Illien hurriedly dressed properly and went down to the audience chamber.

“Thank you for granting an audience despite the late hour, Your Majesty. I had urgent matters to discuss and had no choice but to come avoiding others’ eyes.”

As she entered, the Young Count stood up straight and bowed deeply.

Cedric Aper always showed proper etiquette to Illien without fail, but for some unknown reason, it was difficult to treat him calmly.

Was it because he was the head of the meritorious family that had supported her ascension to the throne?

Illien, hurriedly waving her hands, barely managed to maintain a superior’s tone as she asked:

“It’s, it’s fine. I couldn’t sleep anyway. What urgent matter did you want to discuss?”

“Well… it’s about my sister.”

“Your sister…”

“My sister Roshanak, who lost consciousness three years ago, has finally awakened from her long sleep, Your Majesty.”

* * *

After the Moon Altar incident, Froy seemed a bit awkward.

How should I put it?

Originally it wasn’t a big deal, but these days being together with him made her somewhat self-conscious.

And…

‘He keeps looking handsome.’

Of course, the fact that Froy is handsome is known to heaven and earth. She also had an aesthetic sense, so it’s not that she didn’t acknowledge his appearance.

But being captivated by his face is one thing for a day or two, after getting somewhat used to it, she didn’t do that anymore.

So it’s a bit strange that this phenomenon is recurring now, isn’t it?

‘Did the… allure not fully wear off?’

No matter how much she thought about it, this seemed to be the only answer.

Clop clop clop.

Amidst the sound of hooves from the carriage they were riding in.

Rosha, who had avoided Froy’s eyes for the third time sitting across from her, whispered very softly to Koko, who was grooming himself by the window.

“Koko. How do I completely get rid of allure?”

“What are you talking about? Stop spouting nonsense.”

Koko turned his head with a curt ‘hmph’ and focused on arranging his feathers.

He seemed reluctant to answer, constantly fiddling with his feathers even though there didn’t seem to be much to arrange.

It was then.

“Why are you avoiding me?”

“What? Me?”

“Yes. Don’t pretend you don’t know. You’re doing it even now.”

Rosha turned her head towards him, pretending nothing was wrong. Froy, who had somehow leaned his upper body towards her, was sending a displeased look.

Making eye contact with him, she found herself stuttering without realizing.

“N-no. I wasn’t. You must have felt it wrong.”

“Don’t be like that and just tell me honestly. What is it that you don’t like?”

“…There’s nothing like that.”

It was true.

It’s just that lately she found it particularly difficult to look at his face, but there wasn’t anything she disliked.

“Hmm…”

Hearing Rosha’s answer, Froy seemed quite unsatisfied.

Fortunately, what stopped his questioning was a knight of the ducal house guarding the carriage from outside.

“We have arrived, Your Grace.”

He said, politely knocking on the carriage door.

Interestingly, since the Moon Altar incident, Froy had started to utilize the knights little by little.

Though the utilization was for minor tasks like guarding the carriage, the knights were willingly and sincerely carrying out his instructions.

“Take my hand.”

Froy, who got out of the carriage first, extended his hand to her.

As she hesitantly took his hand, she felt something like a tingling sensation.

What was that? Static electricity?

She wasn’t sure, as she hadn’t felt anything like it since learning magic.

“…”

The man who had helped Rosha safely get out of the carriage had a slightly subdued look in his eyes.

However, he soon concealed it and fixed her collar.

“The wind is cold.”

Aden, the major city in the north and Froy’s territory.

The wind was still cool, but one could feel spring approaching strongly.

Eola, who had come as an escort knight, stopped as she was coming to fix Rosha’s clothes. Just as Rosha was starting to worry about Eola’s strangely changed gaze.

Someone came running out of a large building nearby towards the carriage.

“Welcome, Your Grace Duke Echerzen. We are honored. We should have visited the fortress ourselves, but we are grateful that you have personally come here.”

It was a middle-aged noblewoman with a voice as sweet as a nightingale.

Judging by the many attendants she had, she seemed to be the owner of this place, and to say it now, the place they had come to was a clothing shop.

It was the most famous remaining clothing shop in the big city of Aden, dealing not only in clothing but also shoes and jewelry – anything that could be worn on the body.

The reason they came here was simple.

To create clothes to wear to Cedric’s marquis investiture ceremony.

‘I grew a little taller in 3 years so my clothes became short… There’s not enough time to go to the capital to get fitted.’

Getting clothes tailored in this era was a luxury, so many clothing shops had closed down due to lack of customers.

However, this place seemed to be still safe as it was managed by the ducal house.

“Don’t worry about it if you can’t make it in time. Are the preparations…?”

“We have completed all preparations as you instructed in advance. You can expect as much as you’ve considered us. Oh my, is this the person Your Grace cherishes so much?”

The noblewoman didn’t seem to recognize Rosha’s identity at all.

Well, it had been 3 years since she was active, and now she was known to be in a comatose state.

‘Besides, my eye color has changed too.’

Froy and Rosha made eye contact.

After a moment of strange silence.

“…Think for yourself.”

Froy turned around abruptly and strode ahead.

Wait, why on earth is he acting like this?