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Then a letter arrived from Yapa. It was Sir Deke who delivered it and on the outside of the envelope was the emperor’s seal. Poliana opened it nervously, but the content of the letter was surprisingly simple.

Lucius the First wrote how he was doing so far. He asked about Gerald and Poliana. He asked Poliana to write back or else he would be disappointed. It was a very calm and nonchalant letter especially considering it was written by a jilted groom to his runaway bride.

Poliana asked Sir Deke, “How are things in Yapa?”

“People are talking a little, but overall, it’s very peaceful.”

“And his highness is faring well?”

“A few scribes called him a tyrant…”

Poliana raised her fist and exclaimed, “And he just let them live?!” She seemed ready to return to Yapa immediately so she could beat them up. Sir Deke shook his head and replied, “His highness already beat them up himself.”

“Oh, I see. Good.”

Poliana sat down again. How could the scribes call him a tyrant? Suddenly, she became confused.

“Did they actually think he is really a tyrant or were they just protesting because the emperor is overworking them too much?”

“The latter.”

“Just what is it that his highness is trying to do?”

Poliana glared at Sir Deke. Since he was part of the Intelligence Unit, there was a good chance he knew quite a bit about what was going on. Poliana was silently threatening him to tell her everything he knew. Sir Deke shook his head again. He had the duty to keep silent even if it was the head of the military division or a marquess who was threatening him. Sir Deke thought desperately, ‘If I disappoint the emperor one more time, I am really going to lose my job.’

Sir Deke did not want to get fired. He was desperate. No matter how hard Poliana tried, Sir Deke only told her the things that the general public already knew.

Currently, the emperor was overworking again. He was back to his workaholic self. People believed that he was burying himself in his work from the shock of being abandoned by Marquess Winter. The way he focused on his work… It was no wonder the scribes called him a tyrant. It would’ve been fine if he was the only one who overworked, but Lucius the First forced everyone else around him to work just as hard as him. He ordered many of the noblemen and scholars from all over the kingdom to work on his project. He collected as many books as possible too. If someone, too tired and overworked, asked to resign, the emperor refused to let them.

Based on Sir Deke’s description, it seemed that the inside of the Yapa castle was now a scary place. It seemed that Lucius the First was making even some of the book-smart knights to work on paperwork. Poliana’s arms became covered with goosebumps.

“Just what is his highness trying to do?”

“No matter how hard I think, I believe this whole thing is because the emperor was too shocked when you left him.”

“Haha, no way. That can’t be.”

Poliana began to feel more and more nervous. What would Yapa look like in a year when she returned? Would she be greatly hated by all? But Poliana believed in Lucius the First’s fairness and kindness. Now that she thought about it, she remembered how hard she had to work during the conquest. All the other knights were also overworked when necessary.

Sir Deke left Sitrin with Poliana’s reply to the emperor. Poliana sighed as she watched Gerald, who smiled at her. He looked just like his father Lucius the First. Just much smaller.

‘I still can’t believe how much he resembles his father.’

Since then, Poliana and Lucius the First regularly exchanged letters. Because the emperor’s letters were calm and matter-of-fact, Poliana also wrote letters that were more like reports. She wrote how she and Gerald were doing. She also always wrote Lucius the First not to work too hard.

On the nights when the moon shined brightly, Poliana went out to look up at the stars. She counted them one by one, remembering the nights she spent with Lucius the First.

Poliana wondered. After a year has passed and she returned to Yapa, will things be the same between them?

She had no idea. Since Poliana declared she would raise her son as Gerald Winter, this meant that the emperor had to find another heir. However, for some reason, Lucius the First didn’t look for another wife.

Could it be that she wasn’t getting all the information from Yapa? Perhaps because of her relationship with the emperor, she wasn’t being told the truth on purpose. So Poliana used her own sources to get any news from the capital city, but she still didn’t hear anything.

Her worry grew day by day just as her son grew up quickly. Four seasons passed by, but her feelings towards Lucius the First remained the same.

And soon, it was going to be a year since she left the emperor.

One day, an unexpected guest arrived at Sitrin. Because the existence of Gerald was still a secret, there were only a handful of people that were allowed into Sitrin. So it had to be someone Poliana knew well. It turned out it was her adopted brother Sir Donau. Poliana greeted him, “What brings you here?”

“I am here to escort you to Yapa.”

“You should be home protecting Vanessa and Marin.”

“I know, I know. This will be my last time.”

Sir Donau gave her a silly smile and Poliana grinned. It was still a while till she was going to leave for Yapa, so while they waited, Sir Donau suggested they go out riding. He said they should ride out to the outer boundary of Sitrin for fun.

Poliana has been feeling bored lately since she was stuck in the Villa, so she agreed. Poliana decided to hide her identity and Donau stood nearby as she disguised herself. Sir Donau protested, complaining about her outfit, and Poliana argued, “Hey, just shut up! You should never argue with a lady about her outfit.”

“Sis, please! Don’t wear that handkerchief like that on your head! You look like a middle-aged woman working in the field!”

“Who are you calling middle-aged?!”

“You have a kid, and you are nearing your late 30’s, so obviously you are middle-aged!”

Only

“What? Well, you have a kid too, so you must be middle-aged too! You jerk!”

In the end, Sir Donau was no match for Poliana. They were adopted siblings, but they certainly acted like real siblings. Poliana wore the exact outfit she thought was the best, and as they rode to the outer boundary of Sitrin, Sir Donau continued to grumble, “Don’t you have better clothes? And stop riding so fast! Your hair is turning into a huge mess!”

“Shut up!”

“You’re rich, and you must have beautiful clothes! So why do you have to wear things like that? Why must you look like a field help?!”

“You better stop nagging me or else I am going to hang you upside down on that tree.”

Afterward, they rode in silence until suddenly, Sir Donau pointed at a small hill and said to Poliana, “Sis, look over there. The scenery is amazing.”

“Yeah.”

The small hill was covered in beautiful wildflowers. Sir Donau suggested that they should eat their picnic lunch on the hill. Poliana shook her head, “That’s not part of my land.”