“I share your sentiment, but I didn’t expect to meet you here, Edward.”

When he heard a voice from behind, Edward turned his head, and his eyes, which had been narrowed with displeasure, widened momentarily.

Ania’s golden hair, emitting the scent of a gold coin, was swaying, and beneath that voluminous mane were soft eyes, a straight nose, and glossy lips below.

Not expecting to meet her there, Edward stumbled over his words as he opened his mouth.

“Ania.”
“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Edward.”

Ania said casually, then smiled faintly.

But Edward, staring at Ania with a stiff expression, soon regained his composure.

“What are you doing here?”

In response to Edward’s question, Ania strolled towards his side.

“Attending the parade. I was invited too.”

Saying so, Ania moved closer to Edward’s side, and she stood one foot to his left.

Furrowing his eyebrows deeply, Edward asked nervously.

“You know what I mean. I’m not asking that. Why are you sitting in the general section? The nobility has designated seats, don’t they?”
“Just because. Sitting in the designated seats is also a hassle.”
“Were you trying to find a chance to talk to me?”
“Ahaha…”

Ania chuckled, poking Edward’s side with her elbow as if it were amusing.

Edward found her actions uncomfortable, but he didn’t avoid them.

He could have avoided them if he wanted to or told her to stop if he wished.

Yet he didn’t do that.

Edward couldn’t understand the reason why.

Just being next to Ania was enough to make his jaw tense to keep his straight face.
However, being by her side somehow lessened the headache that constantly plagued him.

“Interesting…”

Edward wondered if the fragrance soothed headaches. Thinking so, he waited for the start of the parade.

Since Ania didn’t initiate a conversation after the awkward laugh, there was no need to forcibly drive her away.

Soon, with the sound of trumpets blaring, the marching band began to walk through the crowd.

Knights carrying the Empire’s flags marched in formation, but Edward couldn’t sense any majesty in their appearance.

The Northern and Eastern Kingdoms had already introduced modern weapons like muskets, so even if they were impressive knights, they would be pierced and killed by the training musketeers.

Watching such an outdated army in operation brought to mind the image of the Crown Prince.

‘Since feelings are something you can’t know unless you express them.’

Edward chuckled at the thought.
Such sophistry had drawn him in, only to mercilessly cast him aside.

Despite sending numerous letters to the royal palace, all he could hear from Eldrigan was an apology for not being able to do anything.

Anyone could’ve done the same.

Then, memories of the recent irresponsible management of the Western branch manager came to mind, and his anger flared up again.

But then, something soft touched Edward’s arm.

“What are you thinking of?”

It was Ania.

She was looking at Edward with puppy-like eyes, gently stroking his arm.

Edward shrugged her off.

“What are you doing?”
“You seemed angry.”
“I am angry, but why are you touching my arm?”
“I thought it might help you calm down.”

Edward turned his head incredulously and chuckled.

“You seem to be having some strange delusions.”
“…”
“You’re shameless to the core. If it were me, I wouldn’t even be able to show my face, Ania Brontë.”
“I had my reasons too.”
“Hmm, I’m sure you did.”

Ania gasped at Edward’s blatant mockery.

“Are you here to make more excuses?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I’m not going to make excuses.”
“What?”

Edward furrowed his brow at Ania’s words.

Shameless beyond belief.

The very least she could’ve done was to allow him to mock her.

Is she trying to act like the victim now?

“Instead…”

As Ania opened her mouth, fireworks burst in the sky. It was a firecracker.

Edward stared at Ania, who seemed to be mumbling under the cover of the firecracker’s sound, with a look as if she were the pitiable heroine of a tragedy.

“I’ll go.”
“…!”

As he turned around, Ania’s eyes widened. But Edward didn’t turn back again.

‘Stupid…’

His heart began to waver at her pitiful expression despite his vow not to be deceived again.

Thus, Edward continued walking without stopping.

But then he felt something touch his back.

It was Ania.

Ania Brontë ran to him and embraced him from behind.

He could feel her lips moving like she was saying something against his back.

“This again…”

Edward took a deep breath and pulled Ania’s hand away.

She probably embraced other men without a second thought…

Edward bit hard into the inside of his mouth.
Blood seeped out.

As the bitter taste spread in his mouth, his cluttered mind cleared.

Edward resumed walking.
He half expected Ania to return and embrace him again, but such a thing didn’t happen.

Feeling a faint sense of disappointment rising within him, Edward walked steadily towards the platform where the Emperor was seated.

He still had things to do.

***

“So it has come to this.”

Although he could leave the solitary cell after just a week, Eldrigan couldn’t hide his sinking heart.

Despite his strong opposition, the Imperial Founding Day parade went ahead, reaching the pinnacle of extravagance.

High-priced fireworks were set off, and exorbitant taxes were collected to purchase new equipment for the knights.

Some noble families sent letters of protest, but his father ignored them, oblivious to the potential consequences.

Thus, Eldrigan spent the hour-long parade silently staring into empty space with hollow eyes.

“Your Highness.”

As the parade ended and the imperial citizens dispersed, an aide standing beside Eldrigan called out to him.

“The parade has concluded. Let’s return to the palace.”
“I’ll go back later.”
“The Emperor has ordered you to return immediately.”
“Damn it.”

Eldrigan let out a heavy sigh.

His position didn’t matter, but he was worried about the current situation, in which he couldn’t do anything as the Empire decayed.

Of course, the issue with Edward was no different. Despite sending him dozens of letters, there was no response.

“Step aside.”

Eldrigan even contemplated overthrowing his father and ascending to the throne.
If this tyranny continued, the Empire’s future was as clear as day.

But he lacked the justification for such actions.
While the Empire faltered, it was only a minimal inconvenience to the wealthy entrepreneurs and nobles who held real power.

The ones dying out were the impoverished citizens.

Yet, the citizens had no power.
If Eldrigan ousted the Emperor and ascended to the throne, he would be branded as a tyrant coveting his father’s position.

Anti-emperor factions would begin to move, taking advantage of the weakened imperial authority.
If that happened, they would certainly undermine imperial authority.

It was a dire dilemma.

Eldrigan had no choice but to flounder like a drowning child, unable to do anything else.

“Eldrigan.”

As the world seemed to spin around him, just as he felt overwhelmed, someone’s voice reached Eldrigan, and he opened his eyes.

“Edward…”
“Can we talk?”

Edward, dressed in a suit and coat, looked like a successful entrepreneur.

But it had been long since he had donned a sharp gaze and proper demeanor.

“Sure.”
“Your Highness!”

An aide stood between them, but Eldrigan paid no attention and approached Edward.

“I’ll handle this myself, aide.”
“Yes… understood. However, it is the Emperor’s command. You should return as soon as possible.”

Edward spoke first in a tone mixed with a hint of threat.

“Step aside.”
“…”
“Are you deaf?”

The aide glanced around but didn’t say anything to Edward.

Edward approached Eldrigan until he was within arm’s reach.
Because of his tall stature, Eldrigan naturally had to look up at Edward. With a light smile, Edward spoke.

“Shall we talk in a quieter place, Eldrigan?”
“No need.”

Edward looked down at his wrist and narrowed his eyes.

“Duke Brontë threatened me to sell my goods at a bargain… It was ordered by the royal family.”
“I have something to say about that.”
“No, don’t make excuses. I know you’re trying to pocket some money from wherever.”
“That’s not it, Edward.”
“More lies.”

Edward chuckled.

“I won’t curse at you considering the circumstances, but… Eldrigan, don’t interfere with me if you won’t be helpful.”
“I didn’t order that.”
“Of course.”

Edward glanced at his watch and then turned to face Lorendel.

“What’s next on the agenda?”
“The Northronbell family in the Northern Kingdom is negotiating raw material prices.”
“Got it.”

As Edward swiftly turned around, Eldrigan called out to him.

“Edward! I have something to say!”
“I’m not interested.”

Eldrigan looked coldly at Edward’s turned back.
His broad and rigid back reminded him of a wounded wolf.

And he was the one who inflicted that wound.
No matter what he said, he couldn’t heal it.

It was all his fault.

If only he could turn back time.
But since he couldn’t, Eldrigan closed his eyes lightly and sighed deeply.