Jill was an expert at persuading Hades.

…Well, Hades would always relent in the end.

Natalie’s siblings, who stood in the hallway, must be thinking the same as her.

But then, she noticed that her annoying brother was standing next to her, looking down at her.

Natalie frowned.

“What? I didn’t expect you to try and eavesdrop on another’s conversation.”

“Tell Prince Geraldo the Dragon Empress is going to study abroad in the Grand Duchy of Leica and see his reaction.”

Vissel muttered in a voice low enough none of their other siblings couldn’t hear. While Natalie was frowning, Vissel quickly left. He didn’t seem to care to explain.

Frida then turned around without a word. Her gait exuded silent anger. Natalie had no choice but to call out to Listeard.

“She’ll cool down after a while. I’ll go and listen to what she has to say later.”

“…I leave it to you. I truly didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Really?”

She asked just to be sure, thinking her brother wouldn’t behave in an unscrupulous way.

Listeard frowned as if offended.

“Do I look like such a despicable person?”

As he looked back at her, she realized she had asked a pointless question.

Her brother, Listeard, was a skilled diplomate. He was a straightforward and cunning person. Once, he had infiltrated the Noitral Dragon Knights and poached all his talented classmates to establish his own squad. Nevertheless, he could still walk in and out of Noitral with ease.

Natalie didn’t think she could win by bargaining.

“…I’m starting to feel sorry for Sufia. Her chance of escaping seems to be next to none…”

“Why would you say that? I didn’t force her to do anything.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Vissel is your biggest enemy anyway. Do your best.”

As a tea buddy, Sufia might be able to mediate something with him, but not with Vissel. He’d be more than eager to defeat Listeard.

Perhaps sensing the signs of a sibling quarrel, Elynsia lowered her voice.

“Don’t make a big deal out of your fight. I feel sorry for Lady Sufia who is being roped into this. Her position is already complicated because of the issue with her father. What would people say if she married you after being with Hades?”

“She’s not that fragile. She’s the woman who was able to be Hades’ tea friend back when he had just become emperor and had no allies.”

Now that he pointed that out, it was true. Natalie and Elynsia became silent.

At the same time, she could tell that her brother wasn’t half-hearted about it. In the first place, considering the nature of Veilburg, her brother’s move was the best.

His eye for it and his excellence were annoying. Vissel probably felt the same way.

However, Natalie couldn’t blindly oppose it, as it would reveal her narrow-mindedness in not being able to recognize the excellence of others.

“…I think it’s a good choice. For now, I’ll go console Frida.”

“That would be helpful.”

“However! Please cooperate with me, Brother Listeard.”

This is the best thing I can do for him.

Listeard drew his chin a little and thought.

“…Could this be about Prince Geraldo?”

“You should know that already. If anything happens, please support up.”

“Of course—only if it’s necessary for Hades or the Rave Empire.”

He nodded and casually imposed restrictions. She couldn’t let her guard down with this brother either.

Elynsia asked from the side.

“How’s Prince Geraldo? I heard that he seems calm and that there are no suspicious movements.”

“We’re smoothly deepening our exchange. Leave it to me.”

“…I heard from the guards that he barely pays any attention to you—ouch, Natalie!”

“Or maybe I’ll just let Frida stay angry?”

Listeard, whose foot was stomped on by Natalie, withdrew in silence. She scoffed and turned on her heels.

The place she was heading to was a tower a section away from the inner court of the imperial palace.

It couldn’t be entered from the ground—or the sky, for that matter. No windows were installed. It was to prevent unfortunate accidents, such as a fire, from occurring. The one and only entrance was guarded day and night.

At first, she was a little nervous, but now she was used to it. She walked in as if she were entering her own palace, and the multiple locks were opened.

Those imprisoned in the tightly-guarded cages were of course there for a reason, such as royal family members of Rave who lost a political battle, or important hostages.

Unlike the rough and dangerous exterior, the interior was as well-maintained as a palace. It was spacious and cleaned every day, including the bathroom. Although it might seem small to him, who was oversaw the royal castle of the Kingdom of Kratos.

Natalie entered with dignity.

“Good day to you, Your Highness Geraldo.”

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