As Duke Javier, he did not want to go as far as to do such a thing.

'But if things continue like this, I might never be able to leave the territory.'

With that sense of crisis, he had no choice but to accept the order from Emperor Develin to poison the emperor. After all, there was a substitute heir, Prince Oscar, so it would only cause a brief uproar, nothing more. But Emily could not hide her shock.

"That's... treason, Father!"

[I know. But there is no other way. I don't want to rot in the territory anymore. Can you understand?]

"Father!"

[My daughter, Emily. Aren't you a clever child? If we get caught, it will be treason. But if we don't get caught, it will just be an accident.]

"Don't say such nonsense. No matter how much you crave power, what can't be done is what can't be done. To assassinate His Majesty...!"

[Emily Javier. Are you refusing your father's request?]

Suddenly, Duke Javier's voice became extremely low. Emily's face stiffened at the sound of his voice. Although he cherished her more than Enrique, Duke Javier was merciless when it came to actions that deviated from his intentions. For all she knew, he might suddenly designate Emily's marriage partner.

"..."

As Emily remained silent, Duke Javier spoke in a consoling tone.

[Don't worry, Emily. You can do it. I'll have the item sent to the mansion through someone.]

The communication ended with this one-sided announcement. Emily glared at the communication device, gnawing on her lip.

'His Majesty, to assassinate...’

Emily recalled the small emperor. She had regularly visited the palace to play with the emperor and have tea with Mabel. At first, she went with the mindset of taking care of a younger sibling, but strangely, as they talked, it felt like talking to an older sister. Perhaps that was why Emily looked forward to the days she went to the palace. Just as she was lost in thought, a knock came.

"Emily. It's me."

It was Enrique's voice. Although she didn't want to see anyone, she had no reason to refuse, so Emily let Enrique into her bedroom.

"What's up?"

"I heard you skipped dinner and stayed in your room, so I came to check. Is your appetite off?"

Enrique, who had just come back from dealing with the nobles, was tired himself but still worried about others. Emily frowned at the sight of him.

'He's too damn kind.'

No matter how Emily treated him like a brother, Enrique's attitude remained the same. Emily didn't like that. It was as if he didn't even consider her a competitor.

"I just felt tired, so I skipped it. Don't worry about it."

"If you're tired, shall I make you some warm tea?"

Enrique's offer felt annoying, even though he knew she would refuse. Perhaps that was why Emily nodded impulsively.

"Sure. Make it."

Surprised by the unexpected acceptance, Enrique's eyes widened before he smiled warmly.

"Okay. Just wait a moment."

A short while later, the siblings sat across from each other at the table. Steam rose between them. It was surprisingly the first time the Javier siblings had a tea time together voluntarily. Emily took a sip of the warm tea. As her insides warmed, her confused mind seemed to calm down a bit. She looked at Enrique, who didn't look well.

"What did the nobles pick on this time?"

"Ah, they demanded shares in the magic stone mining rights."

"Just ignore them. Why are you giving in?"

"Well, I can't just ignore them unilaterally."

"Try ignoring them a bit."

Emily understood the nobles' feelings. They were so easy to pick on, showing every weakness, that it would be foolish not to take advantage. Suddenly, Enrique's actions felt frustrating to Emily, and she started lecturing him. But Enrique listened silently without showing any displeasure.

"Got it? Yeah. That's why they think you're easy to pick on. Go and stop smiling."

"I'll try."

"You're not going to, are you? Sigh. Forget it."

Just as she sighed in frustration, Enrique, who had put down his teacup, asked casually.

"So, Emily, what's on your mind?"

"…What's on my mind?"

"You had something on your mind. Tell me. I'll listen."

"Even if I tell you, it won't solve anything."

"But it might make you feel better. I felt much better after you listened to my story."

Emily hesitated for a moment before nodding. Normally, she wouldn't confide in anyone, but the lack of a place to vent made her more desperate.

"…If, for some unavoidable reason, you had to harm someone, what would you do?"

"Harm?"

"Yeah."

"I wouldn't harm anyone, no matter what."

Emily burst out laughing at the moral textbook answer.

"Of course you wouldn't."

It was so typical of Enrique that she couldn't be disappointed.

'How many days until the poison Father sent arrives...'

Emily wished time would just stop.

***

Lying under the shade of a tree in the garden, I stared seriously at my sketchbook. But the cicada on the tree was too noisy.

"Cicada, can you be a bit quieter?"

[Find a mate! Cicada cicada cicada.]

"Cicada, you're being too loud. Can't you see I'm having a very important dilemma?"

[Find a mate, cicada? Cicada.]

The cicada ignored my words and continued calling for a mate. Feeling uncomfortable, I considered moving to another spot, but the situation was the same under other trees.

"Go ahead, cry."

The sheep lying next to me, rolling around, became curious about my sketchbook.

[Mabel, what are you doing?]

"Um, I'm doing something very important."

[Important? What is it? What?]

"I'm naming something."

[Names?!]

At the mention of naming, the sheep suddenly made a loud noise and rolled on the ground with its front hooves.

"Why are you so angry?"

[How can I not be angry?! Bad Mabel! You named me 'sheep' so carelessly, and now you're putting so much thought into naming someone else?!]

"Huh."

[Even Toto is named Toto, why am I just 'sheep'? Why only one syllable?!]

For some reason, the point of contention seemed strange... After a moment's thought, I asked seriously.

"Then... do you want to be 'Sheep Sheep'?"

[...I hate you!]

The sheep turned its head sharply and ran into the northern forest. It seemed to be very upset.

"Sheep Sheep is cute too."

Thinking I would secretly give it some human food later to console it, I looked back at my sketchbook. It was filled with names I had crossed out. What I was writing was none other than Eidan's surname. He was to receive a title and a territory for his success in reclaiming the border territory. Since granting the title was my responsibility as the emperor, creating the surname was also my job.

"Ugh. It's hard..."

The title and celebration banquet were scheduled for the next day, so I couldn't delay any longer.

"Eidan, Eidan..."

As I murmured Eidan's name, trying to think of a suitable surname, he suddenly appeared.

"Why did you call me?"

"Ah!"

Startled by Eidan's sudden appearance, I hastily covered my sketchbook.

"What is that?"

"Just doodling!"

"Why are you so desperately hiding it?"

For some reason, Eidan was persistent. I quickly closed the sketchbook and sneaked back to the main hall.

"It can't be found out. I'm going to surprise you with it."

The proposal for the title had been approved at today's meeting, so Eidan didn't know anything yet.

"I'll tell you later."

"Later?"

"Yep."

"Understood."

Fortunately, Eidan retreated without further questions. I clutched the sketchbook to my chest and hurried back to the main hall.

[Find a mate, find a mate! Cicada.]

The loud calls of the cicadas seeking mates echoed behind me. *** As usual, it was family dinner time. I said to Dad and Oscar,

"My partner for this banquet is Eidan."

Clang! Clatter! My declaration made Oscar and Dad drop their forks, and a plate shattered unexpectedly. I broke out in a cold sweat at their more intense reaction than expected.

"Mabel, what do you mean? Are you... abandoning this father so cruelly?"

"Dad, you can be my partner at the next official event."

"No! I can't accept it. My partner for this banquet is me!"

Dad started insisting. Oscar joined in, trying to persuade me gently.

"Mabel, family comes first. I understand that you value Eidan as a guard and a friend, but shouldn't your brother come first?"

"Hmm?"

The conclusion seemed a bit strange. I carefully put down my fork and looked at the two of them alternately. Their faces, looking at me as if they were about to cry, were very pitiful.

'Anyone would think I just rejected a secret admirer.'

Their faces were so aggrieved and sad that it was ridiculous. Just because they couldn't be my partner at the banquet.

"Eidan is participating in an official event for the first time, so I need to take care of him."

At my words, Dad and Oscar pounced on me again.

"Why should Mabel take care of a grown man?"

"Yeah, Mabel. You can just leave him alone."

This would drag on indefinitely. I chose the carrot method from the carrot