“Conflicts?” 

Liliana’s jewel-like eyes trembled slightly. Since relations with the Sagreen Kingdom hadn’t changed, there was a high chance that events would unfold exactly as in the original story.

The problem was that the war with Sagreen hadn’t been mentioned at all in the original plot.

Helio had fought many wars from a young age, and it would have been impossible to detail each one in a story told from the perspective of a young child. Liliana didn’t even know if this war would actually break out or if Helio would participate in it.

‘Helio is known for going to the battlefield even when his vassals try to stop him…’

The thought made Liliana feel a sudden fear. According to the original story, Helio wouldn’t die or suffer any serious injuries, even if the war did break out.

But what if some small, unforeseen reason she hadn’t noticed caused a butterfly effect, changing the future? What if Helio ended up gravely injured…?

?Even if war does break out, the spirit stones we planted are in the eastern region, so they should be safe. However, war is a time when more money than ever flows. You must ensure that opportunists like Duke Gabriel do not benefit from this situation.?

Reading Lady Liston’s composed handwriting, Liliana calmed her trembling heart.

Liliana decided to gather more information about the situation. Coincidentally, today was the day Hesdin would be coming to the palace for a lesson.

As soon as Liliana entered the room that Hesdin used as a classroom, she asked,

“Hesdin, do you think war will break out?”

Although the question was sudden, Hesdin didn’t seem surprised at all. Instead, he scolded her in a stern voice.

“Do not act rashly. Haven’t I told you many times not to let your emotions show?”

At his words, Liliana closed her mouth and straightened her posture. Thanks to her many lessons, she appeared composed on the outside, but inside, she was anxious.

Fortunately, Hesdin settled himself in his seat before her nerves got the better of her.

“How did you come to suspect that war might break out?”

Liliana’s eyes darted around as she hesitated to answer.

She considered Hesdin an ally, but she wasn’t sure if it was wise to mention her business affairs or Lady Liston’s intelligence network.

Seeing her indecision, Hesdin nodded.

“You don’t have to tell me everything. Since it doesn’t seem like you’re acting on a baseless rumor, I’ll let it pass.”

He then hung a map on the board, showing the border between the Carlo Empire and the Sagreen Kingdom.

As soon as she saw the map, the first thing that caught Liliana’s eye was the large Gathis River that flowed along the border. The river was so wide that its breadth didn’t diminish even where it met the sea.

“With the development of shipbuilding technology, maritime trade with other continents has naturally flourished. As a result, the location of ports has become increasingly important. The Gathis River, in particular, is likely to be developed into a canal because of its considerable width. Do you know which nation owns this river?”

Liliana quickly recalled something she had recently learned from Hesdin and answered immediately.

“It originally belonged to the Sagreen Kingdom, but it was recently transferred to the Empire.”

“Correct. Do you also remember why that happened?”

“If I recall correctly, it was a gift for the reconciliation between the two nations, given before the marriage negotiations between Princess Lucia and the Crown Prince of Sagreen.”

“Exactly. The Sagreen Kingdom boasted that they would bring even more gifts if the marriage was successful.”

Helio had never forced Lucia into that marriage. He had allowed her to choose freely, and Lucia had decided to stay in the Empire.

As a result, the Sagreen Kingdom had no choice but to pack up and return all the gifts they had brought for the marriage negotiations.

There was only one gift they couldn’t take back: the vast Gathis River.

“The Sagreen Kingdom requested that the Empire return the Gathis River since the marriage negotiations had been rejected. However, from the Empire’s standpoint, there was no reason to return it. The Gathis River was given before the marriage talks even began. Nevertheless, His Majesty prioritized the potential harm to the citizens over this dispute.”

Liliana listened intently to Hesdin’s explanation. Although people often called Helio a war fanatic, in reality, war was an unavoidable reality for a vast empire bordered by many nations.

Helio was a ruler who chose not to go to war if it could be avoided.

“The Empire has already sent many workers to develop the Gathis River into a canal. Although the work is still in its early stages, enough progress has been made that it cannot be returned as it was. The Empire responded that they would return the Gathis River if the Sagreen Kingdom paid a fair price for it.”

“It doesn’t seem like the Kingdom of Sagreen is suffering much damage either. If they were planning to develop the Gathis River into a canal, it would have cost them a lot anyway. Isn’t the Empire the one taking the loss?”

“But the Kingdom of Sagreen is a newly emerging nation and cannot immediately pay the costs demanded by the Empire.”

“What kind of…?”

Liliana felt slightly baffled. They couldn’t do this or that. Helio was already accommodating the Kingdom of Sagreen as if it were a newborn child.

“Perhaps the Kingdom of Sagreen isn’t truly asking for the Gathis River. They are demanding that Her Highness, Princess Lucia, be sent to the Crown Prince.”

Liliana’s brow furrowed. Hesdin, too, seemed to find this dishonorable and displayed his rare discomfort.

Political marriages between nations were common. However, if a country, while seeking such a union, wanted to lose nothing and showed no consideration, one could already imagine the treatment of the woman sent to that country.

“Do you think the Kingdom of Sagreen would really start a war over this?”

Liliana asked worriedly, but Hesdin couldn’t give her a reassuring answer.

“The Kingdom of Sagreen is currently on the rise and highly combative. Their growth has also been driven by the development of the military industry, so they might think they can inflict damage on the Carlo Empire.”

“They must have seen the Carlo Empire swallowing up many nations.”

“A country’s leader isn’t always wise. You know this well, don’t you?”

He was referring to Liliana’s father, the King of Nieta. She nodded.

The King of Nieta had also raised the price of magical stones recklessly without fearing the Carlo Empire, almost causing his kingdom to collapse. Helio had shown great mercy by ending the war in exchange for just one hostage.

“Your Highness, war cannot be avoided by simply fearing it. You must prepare and face it head-on.”

“…I will.”

Liliana nodded calmly, but she couldn’t swallow the words that had been lingering in her mind.

“Hesdin, if war breaks out, do you think His Majesty will join the battle?”

Hesdin knew that Liliana wanted him to deny her question.

But he was not skilled in offering comfort, and given Helio’s past actions, there was only one answer Hesdin could give.

“He most likely will. Despite numerous objections, he has always gone to the front.”

* * *

It rained a few days ago. Even though winter was now in full swing, it was still rain instead of snow.

When Liliana reached out her hand to catch raindrops on her palm, they were so cold it seemed they might freeze at any moment. She guessed the first snowfall would come soon.

The year-end and New Year celebrations—like mischievous twins—were now about a month away.

Liliana thought that winter was truly a difficult season for work. When she moved away from the fireplace, her fingertips stiffened, and when she sat close to it, the warmth made her nod off.

Since the Empress Dowager planned to showcase the spirit stones at the year-end celebration, business had to quickly show results.

Loyalty also needed to be cultivated to prevent other companies from poaching the spirit summoner, and the most effective way was, of course, money.

If it weren’t for the financial support from Lady Liston and Count Lackl, Liliana might already have been notorious as the Empress Consort only one outfit.

Rubbing her drowsy eyes, Liliana carefully reviewed the catalog to choose a tablecloth. Fortunately, Agrina had a good eye for such things, so the options were already narrowed down considerably.

“Agrina, I’m so glad you’re here.”

When Liliana honestly praised her, Agrina beamed with pride. It was quite peaceful until Sophia entered briskly.

“His Majesty the Emperor is on his way.”

Agrina was more surprised than Liliana. As Liliana stood up, she gestured to Agrina.

“Agrina, could you tidy up the office? Don’t come out until His Majesty leaves.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

There was a reason Agrina was so startled. Although Helio didn’t interfere with the maids Liliana chose, his expression always darkened when he saw Agrina.

The candid looks he gave Agrina were enough to make her feel flustered, much more so than when she had met him as a noble lady.

After calming Agrina, Liliana went outside. As if by perfect timing, Helio was entering the Emerald Palace.

Liliana went to greet him, but Helio, striding confidently, grabbed her arm and pulled her to his side.

Perhaps because Liliana had once mentioned feeling unwell, his touch was smooth and natural, like dancing, rather than rough, captivating everyone watching.

Liliana, like the others, was momentarily stunned and was about to scold him when Helio spoke first.

“I’ve thought of a way to plant plenty of trees in your palace.”