Its finally over .

After wed handed the first prince to Prince Majid and escorted him away, I sat down on the couch with a sigh of relief .

Mm hm, thanks for your hard work, Iris! You really were professional today .

I felt a little bitterness in my heart at my mothers warm words .

That this whole thing went well was thanks to her and Ryle capturing the first prince .

It was a liability to Prince Majid that the first prince was aliveeven worse, alive in another country .

He had worked so hard for the throne . The fact that the first prince was abroad meant he was unaccounted for .

After all, people who were against the third prince ascending to the throne were numerous .

He had used underhanded tactics to gain the throne in the first place, plus the Tasmeria Kingdom might have supported the first prince to attack him from abroad . If this information managed to spread domestically, his supporter base could be destabilized .

But judging from personnel and resources, Tasmeria wouldnt invade . So what he truly feared was his own people .

And thats why he had to bring the first prince back at any costthe result of everything confirmed my guesses .

Who knew what would happen to the first prince when he got home? He might not even survive . But he was an enemy, one whod threatened my peoples lives .

I had no pity for him .

Mother, you were quite calm too, smiling the whole timenot surprising, I suppose, coming from you .

Well, I was certain of your movements during the negotiations . If the middle-aged man might have done something, I was confident I could handle him .

I couldnt help but laugh at her words .

I dont know if I should compliment her on being brave or something elsebut this was how my mother was .

A non-invasion pact and a trade deal . On some level these are the most beneficial deals for us to strike with a large country like that . Plus, the reduction in tariffs and limitations on exports for our territorythis whole thing was a great victory for us in the end .

For me personally, I think we lost the moment there was a conflict . After all, there can be no victims if theres no conflict . I tried my best to prevent conflictbut didnt manage to accomplish this . If I dont really reflect on this, I wont have done my duty for the people .

Iris, youre quite harsh on yourself .

Not at all . Im a noble with a burden to bear, so this is nothing special . Ive made a mistake that apologies wont be able to cover .

I see . And its because you are like this that your people are so willing to follow you .

I smiled at my mother .

Sipping on the herbal tea Tanya prepared for us, we relaxed together .

Because wed been so tense the whole time, the scent of the tea seemed to suffuse through our whole bodies .

Ill stay for a week longer, and if nothing else happens Ill be returning home with the rest of Duke Andersons guard .

Good . Although this is nothing special, let me give you a gift to express my thanks . Also, I want to throw them a banquet before they leave . It wont be anything too grand .

Of course, everyone will be overjoyed . Theyre all quite excited at the delicious food to be found in this territory .

Thats great to hear . Ill let Merida show off her talent during the feast .

Oh, Im looking forward to this .

Seeing my mother smile warmly, I felt like the days that had evaded me for so long were finally back . The tea tasted all that much better on my lips .

How long has it been since I could sit down and enjoy a beverage like this?

Milady, theres been a letter from Lady Letticia .

Sebastian presented a letter to me .

I couldnt imagine what might be written within, so I opened it clumsily and read it from beginning to end .

So? Iris?

Id just managed to finish reading when she said this . Folding the letter up, I spoke to her .

She wants me to go to the capital and see Miss Yuri .

Huhwhats going on here?

My mother looked thoroughly confused .

To be honest, I felt much the same .

It seems like Yuri was refusing to speak out in the past, but has changed her tune recently to say that shed speak if she saw me . But why me?

Who knows? I have no idea what that girl is thinking .

I couldnt help but make a face at my mothers words .

Indeed .

Milady, are you going to be heading to the capital?

Yes . Our negotiations are over and there should be nothing to worry about with day-to-day operations . Im quite bothered as to why I need to be the one there . Prepare transportation, lets leave as soon as possible .

Ah

Ill have to extend my apologies to Duke Andersons guard

No worries . As part of Duke Armenias family, let me escort you for part of the journey .

Perhaps they would even be more happy without me here, I couldnt help but think .

Although Ive already met them alongside my mother to express my thanksmy face was twitching when I realize they were looking at my mother not just with respect, but with something close to reverence . Honestly it was a great memory in retrospect .

After all, with how loyal they were to my mother it was only appropriate that she lead their celebration .

As a matter of fact, it was quite shocking no one among them wanted to stay .

Well then, Im counting on you, Mother . Tanya, help me prepare, please .

They both nodded in response .

All right .

Understood, milady .