In a narrow room, two people sit facing each other.
Holding tea cups while gazing into each other’s faces, they exchanged quiet smiles, embodying an atmosphere completely different from when they first met here.
“You did well. In the end, everything worked out just as you wanted.”
“Your help was significant, Senel… It would have been impossible without you.”
“… Well? I don’t even understand what you’re saying. All I did was come here to deal with a traitor and gave a little push to a decent man I happened to meet.”
“Hoho…”
Hestia chuckled softly at Senel’s words. Then, with a hint of curiosity, she asked Senel a question.
“By the way… I have something I’m personally curious about…”
“What is it?”
“That man you mentioned, Senel… What do you plan to do about him in the future?”
“…”
At her words, Senel abruptly stopped lifting her tea cup, which had been tilted casually.
Hestia, sensing her intuition was somewhat correct, cautiously inquired further.
“Even if it was all for fun… hasn’t there never been a man who moved you to this extent before?”
“…Yeah, that’s certainly true. No man has ever piqued my interest this much. But…”
With those words, Senel took another sip of her tea. She then looked at Hestia with an expression tinted with a hint of bitterness.
“But… as much as that is the case, my role stops here. Now that my business is done, I shouldn’t linger by that man’s side any longer. It’s not the appropriate situation.”
“…Senel…”
Hestia felt genuinely saddened as she noticed the rare, regretful expression on her old friend’s face. Yet she couldn’t say anything more to Senel.
Even though they were friends, unlike her, Senel was a 12th-grade witch and the princess of the Empire, bound by far more complex and strict regulations.
Moreover, unlike in the past, Hestia now couldn’t easily tell Senel to act based on her emotions as she didn’t fully understand her situation, and she knew she shouldn’t.
Then, watching Hestia’s mournful expression, Senel forced a smile and spoke in as cheerful a tone as she could manage.
“Well… it turned out this way for me. But you’re lucky, even with all this, you’ll be able to be with the one you love.”
“…Senel…”
“Treat him well, it’s love that was hard to come by. Make sure to protect it even on my behalf.”
“…”
With those words, Senel simply stood up from her seat. As Hestia watched her friend leave, she felt a deep sadness for her friend, who had to live a life burdened by responsibilities different from her own.
*
The meeting in Westphalia.
Despite a few unfortunate incidents along the way, the outcomes decided there significantly changed the course of the continent.
The end of the ten-year war, Friedrich the Lord’s return to the Palatinate, and the Franz Kingdom acquiring the Lorend Region were just the beginning of a series of major changes.
The region of Lorend, which had formally been part of the Sacred Empire, gained full independence through this event. Additionally, lords associated with the key factions of Bohemia and the Heretic Alliance obtained almost independent rights, including their own diplomatic and trade privileges.
Moreover, a decisive agreement was reached declaring freedom of religion across the continent, ensuring that no authority could impose beliefs on others or persecute them using religion as a pretext.
As a result of this series of treaties, the authority of the Sacred Emperor was effectively reduced to that of a puppet, while the authority of the great lords, including Valenshtein, increased, leading to a scenario where the Empire’s strength was reduced below that of the Kalmar United States… essentially arriving at an outcome very similar to the Empire’s fragmentation.
Upon hearing the outcome of this agreement, Emperor Sijip Ferdinand howled and bled out in his confined chamber, yet he had no strength or justification left to oppose the treaty.
Thus, the rulers of the continent amicably divided the remnants of the Sacred Empire’s power and privileges, tearing apart its influence.
Of course, the Kalmar United States, having failed to secure a beneficial position due to their recklessness, didn’t gain anything substantial, leading to dissatisfaction among them. However, due to the overwhelming loss of face, they eventually had no choice but to accept the terms.
“Then… if there’s a chance in the future, I hope to see you again.”
“Take care, and I hope the next time we meet, it’s for good reasons.”
“Hahaha… Yes, how wonderful would that be? Then, travel safely.”
Thus, representatives from various nations, each experiencing joy, regret, or despair, departed from Westphalia. Among them was also the envoy from Bohemia, who arguably stood to gain the most from this meeting.
*
In a carriage returning to Bohemia.
I was conversing with my beloved sisters, Queen and Vicer Andreas, without my wife, Cazerose, and my secretary, Polena, present—a family chat among siblings.
This chat happened because Queen wanted to sincerely apologize to us.
“…I’m sorry… Truly… I’m really sorry… I have no words for you.”
“…Umm…”
“Phew…”
Seeing Queen bowing her head repeatedly made us both sigh softly.
We watched our sister, blinded by jealousy, making a foolish mistake, and…
No, to be precise, Vicer Andreas, who genuinely cared for Queen, felt as if she had received the most severe shock and deeply sighed, showing a moment of contemplation.
Then, after a brief silence…
Breaking the silence, Vicer Andreas spoke to Queen in a composed tone.
“…I understand. I’ll accept your apology.”
“..V-Vicer Andreas…”
“As Santana said, it did help in a way, and most importantly, what’s essential is that you’re safe, sister. Perhaps, from my perspective, it can be seen as a fortunate outcome after worrying all this time.”
“Ah…”
Moved by Vicer Andreas’s words, Queen visibly brightened. They embraced each other, concluding with a warm resolution.
Of course, there was still the matter of apologizing to our father, Count Turun, and our youngest sibling, Dust. But just being forgiven by my closest sister brought immense relief to Queen’s face.
Watching them, I felt that, honestly, I had already set my emotions regarding Queen’s actions aside, and I was just glad things had ended smoothly.
‘Now, the only thing left is the issue on that side. I wonder how that will conclude?’
With that thought, I quietly opened the carriage window and glanced at another carriage traveling alongside us.
Inside were my two beloved women, Cazerose and Polena, having a conversation just the two of them.
*
“..What? What do you mean…?”
“I said it’s okay. Polena, even if you… end up with Mr. Santana.”
“…”
Cazerose’s unexpected words left Polena momentarily stunned.
After a brief pause…
“…Ha… Hahaha…”
The laughter escaping Polena was filled with complicated emotions. Hearing her, Cazerose continued speaking calmly.
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