“It’s finally over . ”

After we’d handed the first prince to Prince Majid and escorted him away, I sat down on the couch with a sigh of relief .

“Mm hm, thanks for your hard work, Iris! You really were professional today . ”

I felt a little bitterness in my heart at my mother’s warm words .

That this whole thing went well was thanks to her and Ryle capturing the first prince .

It was a liability to Prince Majid that the first prince was alive…even worse, alive in another country .

He had worked so hard for the throne . The fact that the first prince was abroad meant he was unaccounted for .

After all, people who were against the third prince ascending to the throne were numerous .

He had used underhanded tactics to gain the throne in the first place, plus the Tasmeria Kingdom might have supported the first prince to attack him from abroad . If this information managed to spread domestically, his supporter base could be destabilized .

But judging from personnel and resources, Tasmeria wouldn’t invade . So what he truly feared was his own people .

And that’s why he had to bring the first prince back at any cost…the result of everything confirmed my guesses .

Who knew what would happen to the first prince when he got home? He might not even survive . But he was an enemy, one who’d threatened my people’s lives .

I had no pity for him .

“Mother, you were quite calm too, smiling the whole time…not surprising, I suppose, coming from you . ”

“Well, I was certain of your movements during the negotiations . If the middle-aged man might have done something, I was confident I could handle him . ”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her words .

I don’t know if I should compliment her on being brave or something else…but this was how my mother was .

“A non-invasion pact and a trade deal . On some level these are the most beneficial deals for us to strike with a large country like that . Plus, the reduction in tariffs and limitations on exports for our territory…this whole thing was a great victory for us in the end . ”

“For me personally, I think we lost the moment there was a conflict . After all, there can be no victims if there’s no conflict . I tried my best to prevent conflict…but didn’t manage to accomplish this . If I don’t really reflect on this, I won’t have done my duty for the people . ”

“Iris, you’re quite harsh on yourself . ”

“Not at all . I’m a noble with a burden to bear, so this is nothing special . I’ve made a mistake that apologies won’t be able to cover . ”

“I see . And it’s because you are like this that your people are so willing to follow you . ”

I smiled at my mother .

Sipping on the herbal tea Tanya prepared for us, we relaxed together .

Because we’d been so tense the whole time, the scent of the tea seemed to suffuse through our whole bodies .

“I’ll stay for a week longer, and if nothing else happens I’ll be returning home with the rest of Duke Anderson’s guard . ”

“Good . Although this is nothing special, let me give you a gift to express my thanks . Also, I want to throw them a banquet before they leave . It won’t be anything too grand . ”

“Of course, everyone will be overjoyed . They’re all quite excited at the delicious food to be found in this territory . ”

“That’s great to hear . I’ll let Merida show off her talent during the feast . ”

“Oh, I’m looking forward to this . ”

Seeing my mother smile warmly, I felt like the days that had evaded me for so long were finally back . The tea tasted all that much better on my lips .

How long has it been since I could sit down and enjoy a beverage like this?

“Milady, there’s been a letter from Lady Letticia . ”

Sebastian presented a letter to me .

I couldn’t imagine what might be written within, so I opened it clumsily and read it from beginning to end .

“So? Iris?”

I’d just managed to finish reading when she said this . Folding the letter up, I spoke to her .

“She wants me to go to the capital and see Miss Yuri . ”

“Huh…what’s going on here?”

My mother looked thoroughly confused .

To be honest, I felt much the same .

“It seems like Yuri was refusing to speak out in the past, but has changed her tune recently to say that she’d speak if she saw me . But why me?”

“Who knows? I have no idea what that girl is thinking . ”

I couldn’t help but make a face at my mother’s words .

“Indeed . ”

“Milady, are you going to be heading to the capital?”

“Yes . Our negotiations are over and there should be nothing to worry about with day-to-day operations . I’m quite bothered as to why I need to be the one there . Prepare transportation, let’s leave as soon as possible . ”

“Ah…”

“I’ll have to extend my apologies to Duke Anderson’s guard…”

“No worries . As part of Duke Armenia’s family, let me escort you for part of the journey . ”

Perhaps they would even be more happy without me here, I couldn’t help but think .

Although I’ve already met them alongside my mother to express my thanks…my face was twitching when I realize they were looking at my mother not just with respect, but with something close to reverence . Honestly it was a great memory in retrospect .

After all, with how loyal they were to my mother it was only appropriate that she lead their celebration .

As a matter of fact, it was quite shocking no one among them wanted to stay .

“Well then, I’m counting on you, Mother . Tanya, help me prepare, please . ”

They both nodded in response .

“All right . ”

“Understood, milady . ”