Whether it was because of Eren, or because of Ferento’s shocking report, her heart kept pounding nonstop.
The distance between her and Eren, close enough to almost touch her back, bothered her for no reason.
To shake off the subtle feeling, Liselotte actively pretended to listen intently to Ferento’s words.
Ironically, her behavior seemed to stir anxiety in Ferento instead.
As his complexion grew increasingly pale, he put on a pitiful expression that didn’t suit his large build.
“Uh, what should we do?”
On the other hand, Eren was calm. His even voice and completely still posture stood out in sharp contrast to Ferento.
“Were there any issues in the process of subjugation on the Northern side?”
“Uh, no. There were none. The border area coordinations were smoothly handled by Sir Ail as well, and there were absolutely no issues after the subjugation! I can swear this on my father!”
‘No, there’s no need to swear on your parents.’
Perhaps feeling wronged himself, Ferento’s expression became not just resolute but downright solemn.
Knowing the loyalty he had shown all this time, Eren seemed inclined to trust him.
“If the Western side wants to take issue with this matter, tell them to contact us through official channels.”
“However, Marquis Atra said that Your Highness would not regret it if you came personally.”
“…So they are telling me to come to the West myself. That’s unexpected. He is not the type to say such things.”
Since she knew little about subjugations, Liselotte held her breath tactfully and listened to the exchange in silence.
The House of Marquis Atra was the ruling House of the West.
It was a House that hardly ever properly attended Central banquets or Imperial-hosted banquets.
Even Liselotte had absolutely no memory of ever seeing Marquis Atra’s face in person.
And yet that West had now openly and unilaterally ordered Grand Duke Keilos to come to them.
It was honestly absurd. A Marquis telling a Grand Duke to come and go at their command.
‘Is he someone with mobility issues? Extremely old, perhaps.’
If it were a health issue, it would be understandable that he couldn’t attend banquets.
‘If it’s not a health issue…’
There was a need to teach him what basic human-to-human manners were.
Liselotte, smiling harmlessly, asked Eren in an even gentler voice.
“Eren, why do you have to go in person? Isn’t the location decided through consultation with the West?”
“The West is mostly made up of desert, so they cannot even send letters by hawk. Since they rely entirely on teleportation magic stones, they do not come out much either.”
“Then they can just use magic stones, right?”
“It costs quite a lot. Because of the magic tools used to draw water into the desert, it is a region with inherently high maintenance costs.”
Only then did it become clear why no one had said anything even when Marquis Atra had repeatedly failed to attend Imperial banquets.
Most people had brushed it off with the excuse, “The West is just like that,” and this was precisely why.
Fortunately, for the North, sending correspondence via magic stones or hawks wasn’t difficult, so at least there were no issues when it came to subjugations.
Even so, she didn’t like it.
‘Given the regional characteristics, it would indeed be better for the Northern side to go to the West, but…’
If they had merely voiced it as an opinion, the North would have gone willingly as a gesture of goodwill.
But when it was delivered as a unilateral notice, it was difficult to accept it wholeheartedly.
Eren quickly picked up on the emotions she didn’t outwardly reveal.
“Marquis Atra does not summon people without reason. I am sure it isn’t what you are thinking of, Liselotte.”
“Are you close with the Marquis?”
“He is someone I have no occasion to see unless it is for a joint subjugation.”
‘Is it really okay?’
When Liselotte cast a sidelong glance with her eyes half-lidded, Eren replied in a tone full of certainty.
“You will understand once you see for yourself.”
****
It was a sweltering heat.
She had braced herself to some extent before heading to the West, but Liselotte thought that without the magic tools that properly regulated the temperature, she might have been roasted to death on the spot.
“Seriously, this is no joke…”
As Liselotte frowned at the intense sunlight, Eren raised his hand to create shade for her.
“Come to think of it, you are weak to sunlight. And weak to the cold as well.”
“I am not weak, it is the Empire’s weather that is too extreme.”
“Right.”
Eren’s reply was quick.
And even short.
Liselotte looked up at him intently.
He was armed with a blank expression, but the hand he had stretched out to create shade remained in place.
“…Eren. Could you trust my argument a little?”
“I believed it with my head.”
“And with your heart?”
“Isn’t it true that you are weaker than me?”
‘That’s not believing it at all.’
Having lost the energy to argue in this heat, Liselotte rubbed a cool magic tool against her cheek.
In the middle of the desert, Marquis Atra’s estate stood grandly.
However they had drawn in water, a small ornamental waterfall and the lush green plants around it contrasted with the desolate surroundings, making it feel extravagant.
“I will guide you to the Marquis.”
The maid in charge of guiding them wore a white dress that reached only halfway down her calves.
With only her ankles barely visible, it was strikingly simple when compared to the layered Northern-style attire.
At least the inside of the mansion was cooler than outside. Even so, the base temperature was higher than in the Central region, and the air was dry.
The place they were led to was a terrace overlooking the garden at a glance.
On a carpet patterned with geometric designs, a long, cushion-like sofa had been placed.
The person leaning there, half-reclined, was a young man, contrary to expectations.
His calm, short-cut hair shimmered with a distinct platinum hue, perhaps because it caught the sunlight.
His white, pale skin and indifferent eyes swept over Liselotte and Eren.
Then he greeted them with a slight tilt of his head.
‘…Is that it?’
‘Doesn’t one usually say something, at least?’
As if he had summoned them without even the slightest interest, Marquis Atra turned his head languidly toward the garden.
Behind him, a man who appeared to be an aide, with one eye covered by an eyepatch, stepped forward with easy familiarity.
“Greetings Your Highnesses. I am Dogel, the aide. His Lordship says it is a great honor to have you here.”
‘That’s completely different from what he’s showing.’
Nowhere in Marquis Atra’s expression or attitude could any sign of welcome be found.
After swallowing her suspicions, Liselotte sat across from him, and with a soft thud, her body sank into the plush sofa.
Even after Eren took his seat, Marquis Atra remained silent.
With even Eren being sparing with words, only silence lingered.
She thought it was a good thing she had come. Otherwise, she doubted whether these two men would have managed a proper conversation at all.
Liselotte asked with a bright smile.
“Marquis Atra, this is our first meeting. I did not realize you were this young.”
“His Lordship received the title somewhat earlier than scheduled because the previous Marquis longed for freedom.”
Dogel explained like a spokesperson.
Staring steadily at Marquis Atra, Liselotte continued her questions as if she hadn’t heard him.
“You seem to like gardens. You must be proud to have it so well arranged in the middle of the desert.”
“As rumored, Your Highness has an excellent eye!”
‘Why does Dogel keep answering?’
Watching Marquis Atra continue to stare at the garden with a stubbornly listless expression, a strange sense of competitiveness welled up inside her.
“The North has quite beautiful gardens as well. Please come visit sometime. They have a different kind of charm.”
“Liselotte.”
Eren, who had been maintaining silence, quietly called her name.
Right. The North’s gardens were nothing but snow. Even if one insisted that ice sculptures counted as sculptures, they were still sculptures, but…
Even those were said to have been carved by bored subjugation members during training.
Most of them were Ferento’s works.
Perhaps because she kept talking to him, Marquis Atra finally flicked his pale eyes over Liselotte.
He then conspicuously whispered something to Dogel.
Dogel smiled brightly and relayed the words.
“Ah, His Lordship says he does not have the energy to go as far as the North.”
That was definitely Dogel translating a blunt refusal.
Marquis Atra didn’t speak at length like Dogel’s answer suggested. Liselotte clearly saw the thick, short shape of his mouth.
‘He definitely said ‘it’s a hassle’…!’
Her eyesight was 2.0 in both eyes. She was certain. (Korean scale)
Just as she was about to point something out.
Dogel, quick to read the room, swiftly stepped in front of Marquis Atra as if hiding him behind his back and moved straight to the main point.
“The reason we requested that you go through the trouble of coming all the way to the West is because the monsters that have been appearing in the West recently seem to be from the North.”
“Since it is a border region, isn’t it common for monsters to mix?”
At Eren’s remark, Dogel shook his head with an annoyingly smug smile.
“This is quite something. Let me correct that. It seems someone deliberately moved the Northern monsters.”
“…Is that even possible?”
“That is why we gathered Northern distinguished guests in the West, to look into it. There may be someone in the North who has heard something, after all.”
Placing one hand near his chest, he smiled faintly as he asked in return.
“What do you think? Is this not a sufficient reason for us to have requested that you come to the West?”
