(From Blue''s Perspective)


    Dem and I could not see each other much after that night. He had be very busy since there was a rumor of Lacuna trying to stir up a rebellion in Querencia. Dem had to stay out most of the time. Because of that, we could barely see or talk to each other.


    I started working more, so I did not get the chance to miss him much as well. A week passed like that. Sometimes, he came back at night even though he was busy. We did not talk then, only embraced each other.


    But he did note back even at night thest three days. He sent me a letter saying that he needed to do some work and would be able toe back after three days. Today, he was supposed toe back. Unfortunately, I was going to be too busy today.


    Ms. Noah, the designer, kept her work and finished the office within six days. I gave her a bonus for finishing her task one day prior. The major color of the office was red, just like I had told her. But it did not mean that red was excessive. There was a perfect amount of redness along with ck and gold.


    "It''s too good, Your Highness. My brother doesn''t deserve this," Ruby mumbled.


    "You and I both know that it''s a lie," I said. She did not say anything, just looked around. "It''s almost time for him to arrive, right? Anyway, I will be in my office. If Reecees, tell him toe to my office."


    "Your Highness skipped your swordsmanship lesson again," Perita said and I looked away guiltily.


    "Well...," I mumbled.


    I did not know Perita could nag like this as well. I thought she was the type to chill. But when it came to swordsmanship, she was oddly serious, perhaps because she was a knight.


    "Your Highness should not skip more lessons. I understand that Your Highness is a fast learner, but you still need to practice, especially when you have to focus on the techniques more than physical strength," Perita said.


    Ruby nced at me sideways. Her eyes clearly said, "She is really serious about swordsmanship. She can nag no less when ites to swordsmanship."


    "Alright, I won''t miss another lesson again," I said. "I was just tired... Anyway, I won''t miss again."


    "That''s good then if Your Highness can maintain your routine," Perita said.


    "Ah, right, I know."


    I returned to my office and started working with a cup of tea. Ruby made the best tea ever. Something about her tea was different than the time when someone else made it. So, I always preferred it when she made the tea for me.


    "Listen to me, Ruby. After you get married, you have toe to visit me with Luc so we can all have the tea you brew. Or, I can go to the magic tower with Demetrius to have this tea and hang out. We have to meet regrly, okay?"


    "Alright," she chuckled. "Your Highness and I will meet regrly for sure."


    I worked until nine when Reece came. He came just in time. Both Ruby and he seemed to have a good sense of timing and were very punctual.


    "Good morning, Your Highness," Reece greeted and bowed.


    "Good morning. Did you finish correcting the documents?"


    "Yes, I did. Here and these are the books Your Highness gave me," he said, cing two books and a file on the table.


    "Uhm, take a seat," I said as I took the file.


    I checked the documents a bit. At a nce, it seemed everything was alright. But I needed to check a bit more.


    "Alright, so, as I said, you are going to start working from today. Perita, give Reece his identification card. You are officially an Imperial employee now. I should get something straight first," I said. "You are someone who is going to work directly with me. So, whatever we discuss here, it can be anything, do not let it spill in any kind of situation.


    Everything has to be a secret. Starting from next month, or perhaps sooner, I will be joining meetings and other events. As my assistant, you perhaps will need to be with me. So, I need to be able to trust youpletely. Can I have your word, Reece?"


    "Of course, Your Highness. I will be very loyal and will never tell anyone about any of our work or conversation or anything."


    "Good. But words alone can never suffice, right?" I chuckled. "So, I need you to sign this official magical contract. Do not take it in any wrong way. Every employee other than maids and servants has to sign a magical contract with either the King or the Queen or their representatives. Since you are going to be an Imperial employee as well, you need to sign it as well."


    "I understand, Your Highness. Then, please excuse me...," he said and took the magical contract in his hand.


    He read it thoroughly and then signed the contract paper. A magical contract was a bind between two parties that could not be broken if a party did not desire death. All the magical contract papers were checked thoroughly by the master of the magic tower, Luc. So, a magical contract could be trusted entirely.


    "Great! Now, let me tell you about your work briefly. I will help you understand for now. You have to get used to your work in a week. Is that alright?"


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    "Take a seat then. Don''t just stand there. And whenever youe to my office, if there is no one else, then you will take a seat right then. You don''t need to ask my permission for that," I said.


    "Alright. Let''s begin then."


    I described everything to Reece thoroughly. Reece understood pretty quickly. It was expected of someone as talented as him. I was sure that it would take him less than a week to adjust to the work.


    "So, do you understand what I have just said?"


    "Yes, Your Highness. Your exnation was easy to understand," he said.


    ''It''s just you are a genius.''


    "You might not have any problem right now. But while working, if you face any difficulties, feel free to ask me," I said.


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    "That''s everything then. Start with calcting the sry of the Imperial employees and the knights. You can take your time, but it has to be correct. Come to my office to get it checked after you are done," I exined. "Perita, take Reece to his office."


    "I will take my leave then, Your Highness."


    "Yes..."


    I worked for two hours at a stretch. Dem said he was going toe back. But when was he going toe back? I missed him. I had not seen him for three days after all.


    Back then, he had been away for a month. It was a long time. But I missed him, even more, this time even though he was away for only three days. It was perhaps because we had gotten too attached to each other.


    I focused on my work so I would forget about him for a while. The process worked. Dem did note to my mind for a long time.


    One document was about the young boys and girls who were involved in the recent rebellion attempt. They were all aged between twelve to seventeen or eighteen. Dem and the duke suspected that Lacuna was behind it all and the King of Lacuna was luring them in a way. Dem could not read their mind for some reason. They were kept captive for further questioning.


    Dem was worried about the fact that he could not read their mind. He had been searching for answers, but could not find anything. It was just like the time when Mother''s maid Sally mixed an aphrodisiac in my honey water. He could not read her mind at that time. Well, it was because a dark mage used their magic on her. Luc had found traces of ck mana in her heart.


    But this time, why could Dem not read the teenager''s thoughts? It was not like a dark mage would target them.


    Dem and the duke suspected that Lacuna was behind it because our spies brought us information about the King bringing up the topic of starting a war with Querencia recently in a meeting. He would not say that for no reason. He surely had a n, or suddenly bringing up the thought of attacking another kingdom was too strange.


    Sapphire jumped through the window suddenly and climbed on my table. I was a bit surprised.


    "What are you doing, Sapphire? Are you bored?" I smiled and rubbed her back.


    Suddenly, I noticed a ck string around her as if creating a barrier of strings around her.


    "What...?"