Of course, said, nodding. But as much as Delrose wanted to protect her, as much as Den wanted to keep her safe, she felt the same for them. She would protect Delrose with all her might.

If it went according to plan, everything would be fine. But Ilyin knew well that things didn't always go according to plan. Much the way the foresight that had changed.

She wanted the foresight to be wrong this time. She wouldn't mind being a laughingstock, a foolish Duchess that summoned a reinforcement for no reason. Just so long as Delrose was safe.

But she knew that, barring another dream, the foresight was never wrong. One way or another, it came to pass. At least it hadn't shown the Yesters actually attacking Aden and the Delrose.

We can stop them, Ilyin thought as she stared out the window.

I promise, Emil, she said.

They were out of time.

The mansion bustled rowdily at Delrose's sudden movement.

What's going on? maids from other houses said as they stuck their heads out. The Delrose maids shooed them away but couldn't stop the rumor of Delrose's campaign spreading through the mansion. Especially because it had such a strange vanguard.

Inside the mansion, Etra made her preparations to leave in Ilyin's room. She stepped beside Ilyin.

Whew, Ilyin said, calming her breath. Her heart was pounding. Soon, a small fire started in front of her.

Are you alright, ma'am? Etra asked.

I am.

She moved the fire carefully into a lamp.

If it gets too difficult, you must extinguish it.

Then go as quickly as you can so that doesn't happen, Ilyin replied, smiling as she opened the door. Etra wouldn't dare go in front of her Mistress, so Ilyin hurried through first and Etra followed her out.

Why are they taking the lamp? some Blue Nos's maids asked, seeing the lamp in Etra's hand.

It would extinguish quickly in this weather, Etra replied, knowing the Nos's Maids wouldn't know the truth about the everlasting fire.

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Rumors echoed through the hallways as they passed:

They're going to Shining Elo.

Isn't His Majesty already at Elo?

Who was commanding the army, they wondered? After all, the master of Delrose and the Grandmaster were both away. That meant that there was only one person in the mansion who could give such orders. All eyes went to the Mistress of Delrose.

Perhaps Ma'am ordered., the whispers said.

Ilyin came out to send the knights off wearing Blue Nos's cloth, her face serious.

Was this really the right decision for Delrose? Eyes from the other three houses followed them. But no one offered help. They were all content to merely watch it was someone else's business, for another house and another territory.

But the Delrose didn't care. The Delrose's master was the master of Biflten, the Duke of this winter region, but they knew better than anyone that they couldn't count on help from the other three houses. It would be worse if they asked for it.

You'll really be alright? Emil asked Ilyin, though he was asking himself as well would it be alright? Was this the right decision?If the foresight was correct, of course, it was right to go save the master. He was the priority, more than the lowly knights of Delrose and the dying people of Elo. For the sake of Biflten, they had to save him. Whatever he thought of the foresight, he couldn't ignore the chance that the master was in danger.

Ma'am, we could just go and start a fire ourselves, he offered.

In that snow? Ilyin laughed. It was a sweet but ridiculous suggestion.

Emil lowered his head and said nothing.

He told himself this was the right choice for the Master. Even if the foresight was wrong and the Yesters weren't waiting at the pass, they were still guarding the tired main force as they returned. It would be fine.

But if the Yesters were there, and the Delrose knights, instead of protecting the Mistress of the house, let her use the divine object, let her put herself in danger?

It wasn't a plan that he would have made in any normal situation. Unfortunately, it was not his plan, not his order. It was ma'am's decision, and the Delrose knights could not object. So, all that was left was to march out and finish this business as quickly as possible.

Go quickly, Ilyin said, sending off Emil's horse personally. Etra nodded in response.

I won't let anyone from Delrose get hurt, Ilyin thought, her lips pursed tightly.No one.Not Delrose, and not Elo if she could help it.

Ilyin thought of Elo's knights. The protectors have betrayed them. And Mille as well. Her gaze went up to the mansion, to Delrose's territory where Rippo of Mille was staying.