Chapter 25

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 25

Chapter Title: The Second Prince's Arrival

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Having inspected the banquet hall, the second floor, and even the kitchen, Agatha quickly assigned tasks.

"Sir Huber. Please check the castle's security with the knights. Also confirm the placement of the soldiers inside before my husband arrives."

"Understood."

"While the knights handle security, everyone else should tidy up the prince's quarters and the banquet hall. Aide, has the luggage from the harbor arrived?"

"Yes. It's been unloaded and divided between the third floor and the warehouse."

"Send my chefs to the kitchen first. Have them assess the supplies, decide on the menu, evaluate the dishes already in preparation, and draw up a serving order."

"Understood."

"Jessie, Marie. Take the servants and gather all the curtains, drapes, carpets, and candelabras in good condition. We need to start decorating the banquet hall."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Administrative Officer! Where's the furniture? We need to swap out the table and sofa in the room for His Highness the Second Prince."

"Th-this way."

Agatha changed everything she could within the limited time.

She removed the dark curtains that had covered the walls of the grand banquet hall and replaced them with overlapping sheer black and blue drapes, loosely tied with gold cords to reveal the glass windows.

Between the windows, she placed vases filled with fresh flowers.

Even the tablecloths on the round tables were swapped for clean white ones edged with lace.

"Ma'am. We're short on gold candelabras."

"Then use gold ones only in the center and silver for the rest. There, that carpet on the floor looks off."

"We'll fix it right away."

While Agatha was turning the castle upside down, one of the knights approached to report Enoch's arrival.

"Ma'am. The marquis has arrived at the castle gates."

"I see?"

Her mind, clouded by emotion amid the rush, had already cleared to sharp reason.

He must have been startled, too, after she'd kissed his cheek without a word and fled.

She hesitated a moment.

But Agatha decided to play it bold. She handed off the rest to her close maids and headed to the first-floor hall to greet Enoch.

He was just entering the castle.

"You're here."

"……."

Enoch was silent for a moment. He seemed composed on the surface, but Agatha felt a twinge of anxiety inside.

Had that kiss seemed too emotional?

That had been her intent, but now that it had happened, her mouth felt dry.

The man who had stared at her for a while slowly lowered his head.

Smack—

"I'm home."

"……!"

Heat rose to her cheek where his soft lips had brushed and parted.

Their political marriage had always been noticeably affectionate.

But greeting him at the entrance with a kiss felt thrilling all the same.

Agatha smiled brightly without realizing it. Enoch's eyes twitched for an instant.

"You must be tired. Rest in your room; dinner will be ready soon. Tonight's menu mixes Mainucor and Roxiba styles—"

Enoch stood still, listening to her chatter.

"Oh, right. Let me show you to your room. We'll have to share the bedroom—is that okay? Or I could prepare one of the family rooms."

He reflexively offered his hand to Agatha.

The moment her slender fingers touched his firm palm.

Enoch spoke in his usual refined tone.

"If it's not inconvenient for you, I don't mind sharing the bedroom. It might even be safer that way."

"I'll let the steward know."

Agatha escorted Enoch to the lord's quarters on the fifth floor, then convened a meeting with her retainers.

With only three days left until the Mainucor delegation arrived.

They needed reports on Palavi Island's current status and discussions on how to receive the delegation.

Thank goodness Enoch was handling the escort, troop command, and welcoming party.

The meeting continued even during dinner.

"It's an unofficial delegation, but since it includes royalty, we need a formal welcome."

"We'll have to spruce up the harbor facilities. Adding carvings to the stairs and rolling out a red carpet should cover the basics."

"How many eastern dishes to include while the Second Prince stays……."

The meeting showed no signs of ending even after the meal.

Arranging the second floor for the delegation, distinguishing official from unofficial schedules, confirming negotiation terms, preparing daily banquets, and more.

By the time things took shape, night had fallen completely.

"Short break. We'll resume in ten minutes."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Understood."

Agatha slipped away briefly to check the bedroom.

As she'd half-expected.

The bedroom was brightly lit, even without knocking. Enoch, sitting on the sofa studying a map of Palavi Island, looked up.

Agatha gave an embarrassed smile.

"Sorry, Enoch. I should have sent word that I'd be late."

They'd glimpsed each other at dinner, but only exchanged faces across the table.

"I'm waiting of my own accord, so you needn't apologize. Is the meeting over?"

"No. I have to get back. Go to sleep first. If I'm not there in the morning, eat without me. Got it?"

Agatha pecked Enoch's cheek quickly and left the bedroom. She was truly glad he'd waited, but unfortunately, there was too much work.

'I need to wrap this up tight in case Fernando finds fault.'

Enoch seemed unbothered by meeting her ex-husband, but caution never hurt.

Agatha hurried back to the meeting room.

And behind the firmly shut bedroom door.

Enoch sank deep into the sofa and let out a long breath. A complicated expression clouded his handsome face.

The lights illuminating the bedroom stayed on for quite a while.

Three days passed. Excluding sleep, Agatha had poured every moment into island development and delegation preparations, and everything was perfect.

In that short time, they'd added carvings to the bridge, laid red silk, assessed the island's status, and finalized lodging, meals, and schedules for the delegation.

Enoch, commanding the Noblesse family and the imperial eastern navy, had taken his ships to welcome the Mainucor Empire's delegation.

In the distance, a ship escorted by Roxiba imperial navy and Noblesse warships came into view.

"Ma'am."

"I see it."

A frigate with the sharp prow distinctive of Mainucor Empire ships.

The vessel flying the Mainumconti imperial flag was approaching swiftly.

'Maybe I should have gone after all?'

Agatha felt a fleeting regret. Final inspections had kept her from joining the naval coordination, leaving it entirely to her husband.

He was the head of House Aratus, so it was right for him to lead the knights and troops.

But she worried about Enoch greeting her ex first.

'...He seemed utterly uninterested, though.'

The naval escorts peeled off to the adjacent military dock, leaving only the warships and the Mainucor ship entering the harbor.

Even amid the swarm of Mainucor personnel disembarking, her husband's face, glimpsed briefly, looked no different from usual.

Was there really no need to worry?

A momentary doubt crossed her mind, but Agatha straightened her posture.

At the top of the grand stairs.

The man who'd turned the entire island, including her, upside down for nearly a month finally appeared.

Silver hair without a single flaw.

Red eyes like roses.

The playboy, still strikingly handsome after ten years, descended the stairs with a radiant smile.

"Agatha!"

For a moment, old memories surfaced.

She'd once thought his looks made him tolerable.

Of course, that illusion had shattered the day after the wedding.

"Greetings to His Highness the Second Prince of the Mainucor Empire."

Agatha led the formal greeting with a bow.

The important thing was securing results the emperor would approve.

She'd set aside personal feelings and focus on achieving her goal quickly.

The momentarily flustered Fernando hurried over, waving it off.

"Oh, my enthusiasm got the better of me—my apologies. Thank you for the warm welcome... madam."

Agatha hadn't seen it, but between her and Fernando, Enoch—who stood commanding the troops—had his brow twitch ever so slightly.

Fernando spoke in a praising tone, as if coaxing a child.

"How have you been? You've become a full-fledged lady now, madam."

"It's been ten years since the divorce, so that's to be expected. You must be tired from the journey, so please enjoy the banquet here tonight and rest. I recommend touring Palavi Island tomorrow before we begin serious negotiations, Your Highness."

"Yes. I'll follow the lady's lead."

As Agatha accepted Fernando's escort, she glanced at Enoch one last time.

His face was impassive as he directed the knights on perimeter security and escorts.

'Right. No reason for him to care.'

A twinge of disappointment aside, Agatha now focused on welcoming the delegation. She exchanged greetings with the Mainucor staff and signaled the administrative officer to bring the horses and carriages quickly.

The Mainumconti imperial carriage for the Second Prince was prepared first, but as Fernando was about to board, he turned back.

"How will you travel, madam?"

"My carriage is ready."

"Ride with me. Wouldn't it be nice to chat on the way, since it's been so long? I have questions about these negotiations, too."

"……."

She really didn't want to.

But with such a reasonable excuse.

Agatha moved her feet slowly. Her husband, facing away in her final glance, gave no hint of his expression.

Probably the same disinterested look as before.