And Thus… It All Comes to an End - Chapter 13

“We have returned.”

From behind the quietly opening door, Julius and Marcel appeared. The hems of their traveling cloaks caught the light, swaying softly as they moved. Shedding their outer layers, which were still covered in the dust of the road, the two men let out sighs of relief.

“Welcome back. I’ve been waiting for you. Come, sit down.”

As soon as the door closed, the cold wind from outside was cut off, and the room was filled with a gentle, inviting warmth.

Anne expertly lifted the teapot. Marcel took a cup and had a sip. Julius leaned deep into the backrest of his chair, finally letting the tension leave his shoulders.

“As I thought, the tea Anne brews is exceptional.”

Marcel’s expression softened instantly. Anne offered a happy smile in return.

“Everything is proceeding smoothly,” Julius continued in a calm tone. “We have obtained formal recognition from five foreign nations. Furthermore, we made a quick circuit of the neighboring territories; everyone welcomed us. I have already received signed documents for formal annexation. The same goes for the Falkenhain territory, where my brother resides, and its surrounding areas.”

“Well, it seems there wasn’t even a need for persuasion,” I said, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. I could easily imagine how the two of them had hurried across the lands.

“It’s all thanks to Lord Julius’s skill,” Marcel laughed delightedly. “Lucy—no, Lady Luciana. You did well to bring Lord Julius with you.”

“Oh, Marcel. You can still call me ‘Lucy’ like you used to.”

When I made the lighthearted joke, Marcel fumbled for words and looked away, appearing embarrassed. I could see the tips of his ears turning slightly red.

Marcel’s father had once been a close aide assigned by the late King to the current King of Dreisburg. However, he had seen through the King’s character early on, surrendered his title to his eldest son, and retired to his estate to live out a quiet life.

Marcel, who is five years older than me, had visited this land many times as a child, brought along by his father. He took a liking to the vast territory and the peaceful lives of the people here; eventually, he moved in as an apprentice to help my grandfather with his work. To him, this place was surely a “second home.”

“My father says he will be coming here shortly as well,” Marcel said. “It seems he was bored after my brother took over the estate… It’s strange, considering how much he claimed to hate politics. No, I suppose it’s Lord Julius’s doing again.”

“Lord Marcel’s father was likely just waiting for someone to give him a push,” Julius replied. “Even if it weren’t me, he would have moved eventually.”

“No way. There’s no world in which that stubborn old man listens to anyone else’s words. It’s only because it was you, Lord Julius. …Honestly, what ‘magic’ did you use while I was busy talking to my brother?”

“Haha, I didn’t use any special spells.”

At his calm voice, everyone’s attention naturally gravitated toward him.

“I simply stimulated what was already sleeping inside Lord Marcel’s father. He didn’t move because of my words; he moved because of his desire to do something for Lady Luciana.”

Light shimmered on the surface of the tea, and a faint spark dwelled in Julius’s eyes as well.

“Specifically?” I asked.

“I presented the idea of ‘Lady Luciana establishing a nation’ not as a mere dream, but as a ‘concrete plan,'” Julius explained, his voice taking on a low, steady resonance. “I organized the necessary personnel, funds, and land—I showed him the path. When a man like him hears that ‘we are short-handed,’ his blood begins to stir. He was likely seeking a reason to stand up again, even if it meant abandoning his quiet retirement. I merely showed him the way.”

In that gentle voice, there was an unmistakable seep of confidence and pride.

“The fact that you can do that without being overbearing is what’s amazing,” Marcel exclaimed with theatrical admiration. “I truly wish to ask you, Lady Luciana. How did you manage to poach such a brilliant individual?”

“It was quite simple,” I laughed, shrugging my shoulders. “With no time to spare, I forced him to choose between two options. I gave him no room to think, made him decide on impulse, and brought him along just like that.”

Marcel blinked and raised his eyebrows in genuine shock.

“That’s so reckless…!”

Marcel turned instinctively toward Anne. “Is that true, Anne?”

“Yes, it’s true,” Anne chuckled, pouring more tea into his empty cup.

Steam drifted upward, and a soft aroma filled the air. For a moment, the playful atmosphere regained a sense of calm. It was then that a quiet voice spoke.

“Actually, I did think it through.” Julius said.

It was a quiet statement that pulled the air in the room taut. I reflexively looked up.

He thought it through? But I hadn’t told him anything about coming to this land beforehand.

I caught Anne’s eye. She tilted her head slightly and gave a troubled smile, as if to say, “I didn’t say anything.”

Julius accepted our reactions and smiled gently.

“Of course, I hadn’t heard the story about founding a nation beforehand. Let’s just say, I had already made up my mind.”

Behind those soft words, there was something like an unshakable will.

Marcel gave a light laugh and brought his cup to his lips. “Well, let’s not worry about the details. I don’t quite understand what you mean, but I’m just grateful for your decision, Lord Julius.”

His gentle voice acted like a balm, unravelling the tension in the air.