The Emperor, fortunately, seemed more inclined towards anticipation than suspicion.
Isabelle stepped forward, exhaling another sigh of relief. The mere thought of the recent situation still made her head spin.
'Could Kael's reluctance to accept credit have stemmed from concern over this very issue?'
He was an exceptionally brilliant man; such foresight was certainly plausible. It was only natural to be cautious of someone who stood out so prominently.
Kael, having already perceived this, had been displaying extreme humility.
She hadn't completely relaxed yet, as the unexpected could always arise. However, with the Crown Princess beside the Emperor, her older sister might be able to exert some influence.
The Crown Princess also appeared quite fond of Kael. After all, hadn't her sister been the one to grant him command of the entire eastern front?
"Haaa...."
Her worry was amplified precisely because of his already substantial achievements and generous reward. From this point forward, Kael would be under the intense scrutiny of the Empire's most prominent political figures.
This could be advantageous, but it could also prove detrimental.
"What's wrong? You're sighing a lot."
Turning, Isabelle found Gnaeus staring at her with a concerned expression. She hadn't noticed his arrival.
"You should announce yourself when you arrive."
"What are you saying, Bel? I did. You didn't react, so I assumed you were ignoring me. But your expression was so serious, I hesitated to interrupt."
She looked serious. Yes, there was something that nearly became serious.
And even now, honestly, she doesn't know if things have worked out or not.
"Are you done with your seclusion?"
"Originally, I was going to stay holed up for another month or so. That way, it would be a little easier for the Pacifist nobles to move later. But, my sister told me to come out now."
"Sister did?"
As if surprised, Gnaeus smiled awkwardly as he waited for her next words.
"She came to my residence a few days ago. And she said a very clever friend had done a great job. She said that the Pacifists would be busy from now on. Of course, it would only be for the Three Eastern Kingdoms."
"...I think I know who that clever friend is."
At Isabelle's words, Gnaeus smiled and said, 'It's the person you're thinking of.'
Then, he examined his younger sister's facial expression and tilted his head.
"Now that I see it, that serious expression from earlier seems to be related to that person."
"Huh?"
"Kael Clausewitz. Did something happen with that Young Master?"
"Wh-what do you mean! No. Why are you suddenly asking about that?"
"I told you. When Young Master Kael's name came up, your expression changed. Look. You just flinched again, Bel."
A smile bloomed on Gnaeus's lips, and Isabelle answered without realizing it.
But her brother, who had already caught his prey, would not leave his younger sister alone.
"You seem to have gotten very close to him?"
"Indeed. Even I could see he was no ordinary young man. It's understandable that you would take a liking to him, Bel."
"When are you going to see him again? You have a reason now, so you can meet him occasionally, right?"
A barrage of merciless attacks. No matter how much Isabelle denied it, it was useless.
It only ended when Gnaeus burst into laughter, saying, "Ahaha!"
"Let's walk a bit, Bel."
"Don't you dare tease me again."
Leaving the attendants and maids behind, the two siblings slowly strolled through the back garden.
There was no sign of nagging or guarding. It would have been unimaginable in the past.
Especially as they had each become the center of the warmongers and Pacifists.
"It's strange."
"What is?"
"That my brother and I are standing together so casually."
Isabelle also seemed to be realizing that part inwardly.
At those words, Gnaeus nodded as if agreeing.
"We grew apart because of the factions. If it weren't for Young Master Kael, we would have grown even further apart."
"Did you forget what you said earlier about not teasing me?"
"I'm not teasing you, I'm telling you the truth, Bel."
"..."
"You feel it too, don't you? That Young Master Kael has broadened our perspectives a little."
She couldn't deny it. Because she was actually feeling that way.
She was shocked for the first time when talking with the Crown Princess.
And when she thinks about what happened in the Eastern Campaign... she can only think about how amazing it was.
"It's the same for me. After hearing about what Young Master Kael did, I realized my limits."
"...You did?"
"I used to think that I could persuade and soothe people with eloquence. That military force wasn't necessary, nor was bloodshed."
But I was completely wrong, Gnaeus smiled bitterly as he muttered to himself.
"It wasn't strength. It wasn't blood. It wasn't eloquence or persuasion. It was the situation. It was the heart. A situation where victory is inevitable even with force. A heart that must follow even with few words. Young Master Kael already knew that and was at a level where he could handle it freely."
"...I agree. The Eastern Campaign was a real shock."
They share the same thoughts and experiences.
That alone restores the strained relationship to some extent.
It was a moment that reminded them of the saying that blood is thicker than water.
"So. Why did you have that expression?"
"...I just had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor."
"And."
"His Majesty asked me what I thought of Young Master Kael."
"...So?"
Gnaeus asked back as if it was no big deal, and Isabelle's expression hardened.
It was an understatement to say that he didn't understand the seriousness of the situation.
The problem is that Gnaeus interpreted the question differently.
'No matter how I look at it, it seems like he's asking Bel if she likes that man?'
The more he listened, the more he thought it was true.
The Emperor's next words, coupled with the Crown Princess laughing beside him.
No matter how you look at it, isn't this the first step in trying to connect the two?
"So what? Aren't you worried? You said you benefited from Young Master Kael too, brother."
"No..."
But why, why, his younger sister still seems to be unaware?
They say that people are sensitive to other people's affairs, but insensitive to their own. Is that true?
Even so, shouldn't she at least have a rough idea by now?
"Bel. I think he's just testing the waters."
"Testing the waters. His Majesty? For what?"
"Think about it. He bestowed the Neomes Region as a reward for military merit, making it hereditary from the start. This is proof that he trusts Young Master Kael."
"But, as you know, there are cases like that. They give a big reward to make someone let their guard down, then find a bigger flaw to punish them."
Of course, there are cases like that. But that's not the case this time.
What kind of region is Neomes? It's a place that has been managed directly by the Imperial Family.
It wasn't incorporated along the way, it's a historic region that the Imperial Family has nurtured since the time of the Great Emperor.
There's even a glorious city in it that the Great Emperor named himself.
It's too much to say that it's being given out temporarily for camouflage purposes.
It's the Imperial Family itself undermining the authority and dignity of the Imperial Family's direct territory.
The Emperor is not a fool, so why would he do something that has more harm than good?
"His Majesty wouldn't use the Imperial Family's direct territory for such a thing."
"True, but..."
"His Majesty is clearly pleased with Young Master Kael."
"Then why ask that question? It was quite surprising."
'No, really. Bel, you shouldn't be the one who's clueless about his intentions.'
Gnaeus tapped his chest lightly, a few times, in exasperation.
"Well, Bel. You're concerned about Young Master Kael, aren't you?"
"So? We fought side-by-side. It's natural to feel some concern."
"...Forget it."
They might be royalty, but they're still siblings, just like anyone else.
'If she's still this dense after all these hints, there's no hope.'
'Do whatever you want. I've said my piece. I'm out.'
"Anyway. Let's put Young Master Kael aside and focus on other matters."
"Other matters?"
"Haven't you heard? A delegation from Novgorod is arriving soon."
It's understandable that she hasn't heard. She was with Kael until recently.
They were putting their heads together to predict the reason for being bestowed the Neomes Region.
After that, she waited for a while after receiving the Imperial Decree, and then had an audience with the Emperor.
"Why are they coming?"
"They say it's to celebrate the great victory of our Empire in the Eastern Campaign."
"Yes. I heard the superficial reason. So, what's next?"
Isabelle is also a princess. She can understand this much about the political world in an instant.
However, it seems that her cognitive ability suddenly drops when it comes to Kael-related matters.
"This older brother is predicting that they intend to examine the internal situation of the Empire."
The war between the Empire and the Three Eastern Kingdoms is over.
The Empire is the winner, and the alliance is the loser. However, even the winner is not without impact.
Perhaps Novgorod intends to examine the atmosphere within the Empire through this delegation.
Isabelle nodded, saying that it was certainly possible.
"Bel."
"Yes."
"How about going and staying with Young Master Kael?"
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
It's because of His Majesty and my sister. They'll probably want that subtly.
He can't give that answer directly, so he quickly thinks of another reason.
"Do you remember the recent conflict with Novgorod?"
"Of course. I was there too."
"His Majesty will of course know what they are aiming for, but since they came as a delegation, he can't pressure them directly. If that's the case, he'll seek another way."
"...You mean he might call Young Master Kael?"
"Exactly."
So I think you should stay with him for a while, and when the Imperial Decree is issued, you can bring him.
After all, you were together from Novgorod to the recent Eastern Campaign.
At that, Isabelle muttered, 'That's right. Um. Should I say comrades-in-arms?'
'What comrades-in-arms. Bel, my sister? Why did your pretty good sense suddenly disappear?'
He thought about just telling her, but he was worried that it might make her feel uncomfortable.
Embarrassment can cloud even a person's heart, so it might be better to not do anything.
So Gnaeus decided to wait and see for now.