A map of the Continent of Prathi was laid out across the entire desk.

Dangling her legs on a chair while holding a quill, Jill Saber was conflicted.

I’m sure this is the right plan.

The problem was how to make that plan a reality.

Jill glared at the map as if it were an enemy.

The Prathi Continent expanded like the wings of a butterfly, with the sacred Rakia Mountains at its center serving as a border for two adjoining large countries. To the West was the Kingdom of Kratos, and to the East was the Rave Empire. The Goddess of Love and Earth protected Kratos, whereas The Dragon God of Sky and Reason protected Rave.

They were enemy nations with a feud dating back to the mythical era, and had fought several wars.

However, recently, they had finally begun to move towards peace. The first step was the official engagement between Jill Saber, the third daughter of Margrave Saber of the Kingdom of Kratos, and Emperor Hades Theos Rave of the Rave Empire, which had been approved by both countries.

The crown prince of Kratos, Geraldo De Kratos, had also applied to study abroad in the Rave Empire, and was staying in the Imperial Capital of Raelm at the moment.

Things were off to a good start.

—In reality, he was a hostage. Scholars and experts from the Rave Empire often sought an audience with him. Afterwards, they would speak in a guest room with iron bars and a barrier created by Dragon God Rave himself.

Putting up a front is important.

Anyway, unlike her first life, war had been avoided for the time being.

Even so, she couldn’t let her guard down. Each of them was carrying deep-seated animosity. Sparks of conflict were everywhere.

After returning home with Hades, Jill began her preparations to fight her birth family, the ones entrusted with defending Kratos’ border.

She had also learned of the fates of the previous Dragon Empresses. They protected the Dragon Emperor to the bitter end, succumbing afterwards to the Goddess because of their love-hate.

It made her think—what kind of Dragon Empress should she become?

She had regressed from the age of sixteen to ten, and was now eleven for the second time, but she still lacked experience.

At the very least, she should establish herself. Hence, after returning to the Rave Empire, Jill established something called a “workshop.” She also prepared a sturdy, amber-colored desk and then placed her stationery in their designated places so as not to lose them.

At last, it was time to move beyond the preparations and put it into action. Jill folded her arms and looked up towards the ceiling.

“—Jill! It’s time for your snack!”

The door opened almost at the same time as the clock chimed. A man entered, smiling from ear to ear—he was none other than the biggest obstacle to her strategy.

Hades Theos Rave.

He was the emperor of the Rave Empire, and also the Dragon Emperor. The Dragon God Rave possessed his body, allowing him to wield the Heavenly Sword.

Yes, even if he wore an apron and prepared snacks for Jill every day at the imperial castle, he was still the emperor!

Hades came pushing a cart. On it was a whole cake topped with shiny red strawberries and smeared with white cream.

“What is that!?”

“Hehe, I have some good news for you, but it might be a bit too big. Can you eat it?”

“I’ll eat! I can it eat it all in one bite!”

Jill quickly brushed the map and the pens aside to make room for the cake. Two teacups and plates were quickly arranged, while the cake was placed in the middle.

“Not yet, let me slice it. It’s also bigger than usual because it’s a celebration.”

“Oh, the cake is bigger because of a celebration…!?”

Jill waited nervously while holding a fork, and Hades nodded vigorously while puffing out his chest.

“It is. Actually… the date for our wedding has been decided!”

“Huh?”

Jill, whose attention was completely stolen by the cake, blanked for a moment. Hades also seemed excited. Cupping his flushed cheeks, he repeated himself.

“Next year, when you turn twelve, we’ll have our wedding!”

“Next year… Twelve…”

“You see, I just turned twenty, right? we discussed the issue of the emperor not having a wife, and came up with a solution. We thought it’d be perfect to schedule it between our birthdays’ next year. It should be perfect since you’ll twelve.”

Depending on the circumstances, a person of a single-digit age could be married in a political marriage. Hades and Jill weren’t marrying out of convenience. Nevertheless, the fact that she was the irreplaceable Dragon Empress rendered it as such.

“I thought we might have to wait until you were around 14, so I’m really happy!”

“…”

“Finally, we can become husband and wife in both name and reality!”

A cake for that purpose. As Jill stared alternately between the cake and her husband with round eyes, Hades excitedly sliced the cake. It was indeed a little bigger than usual.

Then, she took a bite of the jewel-like strawberry—it tasted divine!

“It’s sooo good…!”

“That’s great. Even after we get married, I’ll still make sweets for you like this.”

Jill’s hand froze. Suddenly, the word “marriage” hit her with full force.

“W-we are getting married, aren’t we? Me and Your Majesty?”

“Yes, the date has been decided on.”

Her embarrassment began to set in. The cake was sweet and fluffy, though.

“I… I’ll work hard and become a good wife… A fine Dragon Empress.”

“You’re already a fine Dragon Empress. But… I see. Starting from next year, you will be my wife, and not just my bride. It’s a different feeling, but I don’t dislike it.”

Hades brought a chair in front of her and started sipping tea with a light-hearted look on his face.

It was a pleasant atmosphere. But then, Jill suddenly realized.

…Maybe now is a good time.

It seemed that Rave wasn’t there, so it was a good chance for the two of them to talk in private.

“…Your Majesty, I have something to discuss with you.”

---

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***T/N: Welcome to new arc, everyone! Uh, are they gonna do LDR

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