The person leading the group was a strikingly beautiful woman who drew everyone’s attention at once.

Her long silver hair, streaked with a faint bluish sheen, cascaded down to her waist.

Each step she took was dignified and confident, her blue dress moving in perfect harmony with her graceful poise.

Ignoring the curious stares of those around her, she kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, walking with the elegance of a noble swan.

Two attendants flanked her as if to assist her, and knights followed behind as her escort.

“Wow. She must be royalty. Look, there are knights with her.”

“......”

Arfa’s voice was filled with innocent wonder.

It was rare—almost impossible—for anyone other than royalty to appear with knights as escorts in a gathering of mages.

The other guests’ surprise was understandable.

Instead of answering Arfa’s comment, Ludger simply rose from his seat.

“......Arfa. Get up. We need to leave here as naturally as possible.”

“Huh?”

Though puzzled by Ludger’s sudden action, Arfa didn’t disobey.

At that moment, a hotel staff member returned with their key.

Taking it, Ludger quickly led Arfa away, doing his best to remain unnoticed.

“Leader, why are we in such a hurry?”

“Can you figure out who those people who just entered the lobby are?”

“Hmm. Give me a second.”

Arfa closed her eyes, recalling what she had seen moments ago.

Whereas most people could only vaguely remember what had happened seconds earlier, Arfa’s memory was as vivid as a freshly taken photograph.

“Oh! I recognize that face from the newspaper! The woman in front—she’s the queen, right?”

“Yekaterina Volsbaya.”

“Yes, that’s it! That’s the name!”

Arfa clapped her hands together as if confirming her memory.

“She’s famous! She’s the Queen of Yuta!”

The Queen of Yuta Kingdom.

Arfa thought for a moment, and her expression brightened as if remembering something.

“Not just any queen, either. She’s the one who led the Northern Yuta Kingdom to victory in the civil war. Once just a princess, she overthrew the tyrant Prince Alexei—the savior of her people. Her citizens call her the Torch Queen, or ‘Tsaritsa.’”

Information flowed easily from Ludger’s mouth, and Arfa blinked in admiration.

“Wow, Leader, how do you know all that?”

“How do you think I know?”

“Oh, right. You said before that, before coming to the Empire, you got caught up in the civil war as a mercenary.”

“Not ‘joined’—I was dragged into it.”

“Mm. But I’ve heard that you were one of the key figures who led them to victory. So I still don’t understand why we’re running away.”

Ludger didn’t scold Arfa for asking such a straightforward question.

Instead, he simply answered.

“I faked my death to leave Yuta. They’re convinced I’m dead. What do you think would happen if they found out I was still alive?”

“Um......”

Arfa, lacking common sense in such matters, hesitated to answer. After a long pause, she finally said:

“They’d get mad?”

“......Excellent answer after such deep contemplation. Yes, they’d get mad. And?”

“And... they’d get really, really mad?”

“Is anger the only outcome you can imagine?”

“Hmm... I’m not sure. But wouldn’t they be happy to see you? After all, you were basically one of the heroes who won the civil war.”

“I was. But I had things to do, and I needed to leave Yuta. The people there didn’t want to let me go.”

“Why not?”

“Because I was one of the heroes of their victory. The presence—or absence—of someone like that means a lot to a country, especially one scarred by civil war.”

“Oh, I see.”

Arfa nodded innocently, realizing how little she understood about such matters.

“I couldn’t exactly just announce I was leaving. So I faked my death. That was the cleanest way for both sides to part ways.”

“Then it shouldn’t matter if you meet her now, right? You’re disguised, hiding your true identity.”

“That’s true, but, Arfa... the world is unpredictable. Just like I unexpectedly ran into someone from my past here, there’s always the chance my identity could be exposed. And that would lead to nothing good.”

“Mm. That’s complicated.”

“Arfa, once you meet more people and gain more experience, you’ll understand. People have different opinions, and those differences can’t always be reconciled.”

“I still think that even if people disagree, it’s better to talk things out properly.”

Ludger’s eyes widened slightly at Arfa’s words.

Such an idealistic statement could only come from someone as innocent as Arfa.

Resolving conflicts through dialogue...

If it were that easy, humanity wouldn’t still be waging wars.

Workers and factory owners, nobles and commoners, the rich and the poor.

The class divide was solid, and they had no intention of understanding one another.

And yet...

Those words had come from Arfa’s mouth.

An automaton designed for war.

Was that her own opinion?

Or was it the soul of the child housed within that mechanical body speaking?

“......Yes. Hopefully, the day will come when everyone can truly understand each other.”

Then Ludger added,

“But avoiding Queen Yekaterina isn’t just because of the current situation. There’s another reason.”

“What’s that?”

“She has a strange personality.”

“Her... personality?”

“Yes, and not just a little strange—she’s exhausting to be around.”

Just recalling it gave Ludger a headache.

* * *

The top floor of the Landriver Hotel.

Inside the VIP room, Yekaterina stood by the window, gazing out at the cityscape below.

Through the clear glass, the entire city stretched out in a breathtaking panorama.

She stood silently, her lips pressed together, her eyes unreadable.

Just standing there, one could understand why she was called the “Queen of Frost.”

Cold, aloof, and beautiful.

The nickname was a title of pure respect, born from admiration.

Then Yekaterina’s lips parted, and a clear, ringing voice spilled out—

“Ohohohohot─!!!”

Pressing the back of her right hand against her lips and planting her left hand firmly on her waist, she let out an exaggerated, high-pitched laugh.

It was so absurdly cheerful that anyone would doubt she was the same woman known as the Queen of Frost.

“Did you all hear that? The people praising me earlier! Just thinking about it makes me feel wonderful!”

Yekaterina couldn’t stop laughing as she recalled the attention she had received in the hotel lobby.

Her two attendants spoke at once.

“Your Majesty, please, keep your voice down. What if someone hears?”

“Your Majesty, your laugh is as beautiful and refined as ever today. Truly fitting of you.”

They spoke simultaneously, then glared at each other.

The male attendant, who chastised her, was Bataly.

The female attendant, who praised her, was Valentina.

Surprisingly, they looked quite similar.

Not surprising, considering they were twin siblings.

“Valentina, what nonsense are you spouting? Even if she’s the queen, she should maintain her dignity. You’re the reason she acts like this.”

“Bataly, you’re the one spouting nonsense. Her Majesty is a shining example to all. Her true self is what inspires the people.”

Their argument wasn’t just verbal.

As they spoke, they struck at each other with their hands, blocking and countering with equal speed.

Pabababat!

To ordinary eyes, it looked like harmless hand movements, but given their knight-level physical capabilities, even this was deadly.

In the end, Bataly gave up first.

“Haah. If the truth about Her Majesty’s real personality spreads, it’ll be a national embarrassment.”

“And it’s our job to keep that from happening. Honestly, I’d rather everyone see this side of her.”

“Don’t say something out of a nightmare like that.”

Bataly might have said that, but his loyalty to Yekaterina was second to none.

“Now, you two should get some rest!”

Yekaterina, oblivious to their troubles, laughed and urged them to relax.

“We’re fine. You should rest, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, I’ve had the easiest trip of anyone here. What’s there to rest for? No, no, you two rest! That’s an order.”

Faced with her firm tone, the twin attendants reluctantly sat down on the sofa.

“Since this is a rare trip, let’s forget boring official work and relax for once.”

At that, Bataly spoke up immediately.

“Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but we didn’t come here for leisure. We’re here to attend ‘Mystic Night,’ to build connections with mages.”

“Of course making friends with mages is important. But Mystic Night starts tomorrow, doesn’t it? So there’s no need to worry about that today.”

“On the contrary, many famous people are already staying at this hotel. They’re eager to meet you, so now might be the best time.”

“Hmph. I hate to agree with my annoying brother, but in this case, I do.”

Yekaterina pouted.

“Honestly, you two...”

“I understand how you feel, Your Majesty, but your role has changed. You’re no longer just a princess—you’re a queen who must lead a nation. Even if you dislike it, there are things you must do.”

“Just like he said?”

“......”

Bataly fell silent.

He knew exactly who she meant.

After ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) all, that man had fought beside them in the civil war.

A man she could no longer meet.

A man she remembered more than anyone else.

“Yes. It’s easier to explain this way. He said something similar, didn’t he?”

“A ruler doesn’t need to truly possess every virtue—just act like they do. Pretending is often far more useful than actually having them.”

The words slipped effortlessly from Yekaterina’s lips, and Bataly nodded.

“You remember.”

“I remember every lecture he gave me.”

“All of them?”

“How could I forget? He may have been just a mercenary, but he devoted himself to our kingdom.”

A faint trace of sadness appeared on Yekaterina’s face at the mention of Machiavelli.

But she quickly shook off that weakness and stood.

“All right! Let’s go meet some new friends right away!”

“Your Majesty, enthusiasm is good, but these aren’t friends—they’re political contacts.”

“You idiot brother. What matters is that I, the Queen, am going. That’s what’s important. Your Majesty, I’ll come with you!”

Without hesitation, Yekaterina strode out of the VIP room, dragging her two attendants along.

The knight stationed in the hallway tried to follow, but Valentina stopped him.

Only verified guests were allowed on this floor, so there was no real danger.

“Your Majesty, shall we head to the first floor?”

“Huh? Why the first floor?”

“Because that’s where the most people are.”

“There are people nearby, too.”

Yekaterina spoke casually, then knocked on the door of another VIP room on the same floor.

The twins didn’t even have time to stop her.

“Who is it?”

The door opened slightly, and a boy peeked out.

A boy with striking, refined features.

Yekaterina’s smile brightened.

“Nice to meet you! I’m Yekaterina Volsbaya.”

“Hello. I’m Arfa.”

Arfa answered with a pure, innocent smile.

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, are you alone? I was hoping to speak with your companion.”

“Oh, he’s here, but...”

Arfa trailed off, remembering Ludger’s warning.

Just as Yekaterina tilted her head in curiosity, the door opened slightly wider, and another figure appeared.

“Sorry, but we don’t accept visitors.”

“Ah? W-Wait a moment!”

The black-haired young man slammed the door shut before she could finish.

Yekaterina stood frozen in place, stunned.

“Your Majesty! Are you all right?!”

“Oh my. She must be shocked! Don’t worry, Your Majesty. Mages often keep to themselves; perhaps he just didn’t recognize you.”

As the twins fretted, Yekaterina touched her fingers to her lips in awe.

“Oh my, oh my... That man...”

“Your Majesty? Do you know him?”

“How can someone be that handsome?!”

“......”

“......”

The twins stared blankly at her, speechless at her completely unexpected remark.