Girasol maintained a serious expression at all times. If she felt distrust, she did not show it under any circumstance. Her black dress and the red jewels adorning her body made her look even more beautiful than usual; the title of the most beautiful woman in the kingdom still belonged to her.

  The young mother smiled politely at the words of her interlocutor, a hooded man clad in brown leather armor.

  “The dukes are very unstable, Your Majesty, but the general population grows more dissatisfied each day. I suggest we do not ignite the flames of rebellion yet. A rushed move will lead us all to disaster.”

  “I already know that. What about the nobles? What is their stance?”

  “We do not have much information. The majority of the nobility despises Apollo’s yoke, but others are more collaborative with them, and I fear they may not join King Ulric’s cause.”

  “This is troubling. What we must do is encourage those Apollo sympathizers to side with us, while at the same time keeping watch over the more aggressive ones so we do not fall victim to a premeditated strike. We must be precise—neither too early nor too late. Otherwise, we will all die.”

  Girasol’s words carried far more weight than they seemed to. The Queen Regent had never intended to remain passive in the face of the cruelty they suffered during King Vlad II’s last visit. Moreover, she wanted to leave at least a somewhat stable foundation so that her son Ulric would not have to begin from nothing.

  “Understood. Is there anyone you wish eliminated?” the hooded man asked bluntly.

  Girasol shook her head.

  “Not yet. For now, keep them under surveillance and inform me of any unusual movements. If we begin killing Apollo sympathizers too suddenly, Vlad will notice and start building a spy network on this side.”

  “I understand. You wish to remain unnoticed until the right moment.”

  “Exactly. As a member of the Secret Police, you know your role: spy, report, and assassinate. Do nothing beyond those three tasks. Contrary to popular belief, assassination is not always the best tactic when you wish to remain in the shadows. We are not trying to demonstrate nonexistent power, but to let our enemies believe we are subdued.”

  “Understood.”

  After saying that, the agent disappeared without leaving a trace.

  Girasol glanced at the papers on her desk—many of them accounts payable, tributes, and taxes. Mere numbers that caused her mounting stress.

  The task I gave Ulric is important for his growth. A good king is not always a kind person… and yet I worry about his attitude.

  Sora’s death had deeply wounded her beloved son’s heart. Girasol could still remember the implacable look in Ulric’s eyes as he swore vengeance at the funeral.

  Her adorable child possessed a pure and gentle heart, but because of his immense love for those dear to him, that same positive emotion could transform into visceral hatred capable of leading him down a path of revenge.

  And if there was one thing rulers understood, it was that personal vengeance had no place in governance. Great statesmen must always prioritize the people’s interest—even if it meant sacrificing their own ideals or desires.

  Girasol feared that Ulric’s very purity could work against him. She felt grateful that her words had managed to calm him before a monumental disaster could unfold.

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  But what will happen if I die? I do not even want to think about it. Ulric could explode in fury and launch a brutal assault that would destroy everything—not only himself, but the entire kingdom. Controlling his explosive nature must be my next priority. I am teaching him to be relentless in achieving his goals; later I will guide him to keep a cool head. Yet I do not know if I can truly change him. Despite his age, his personality seems firmly established… as if he were already an adult.

  Her thoughts did not cease. She knew Ulric would need someone to steady him if tragedy struck again.

  At that moment, there was a knock on her office door.

  “L-Lady Girasol, may I come in?” an innocent, gentle voice asked.

  “Come in.”

  “With your permission.”

  Little Ingrid entered with a polite smile. The white-haired girl bowed and walked until she stood before the beautiful regent.

  “Good afternoon, Lady Girasol.”

  “Ingrid, what a lovely surprise. How are you?” Girasol smiled warmly at her son’s fiancée—a union that brought no political gain.

  Still, Ulric seemed fond of her, and Girasol herself could not help but feel sympathy for the girl’s situation.

  “I-I’m well. Actually… I’ve come to ask you for a great favor.”

  “A favor? Of course. Speak freely.”

  “Alda and Ulric are already moving forward. Their paths are becoming clearer every day… and yet I have achieved nothing. I want to be useful to the kingdom and become a great queen like you. I know it’s too soon, but I… I…” Her voice trembled, but she gathered courage. “I want to become your lady-in-waiting! I want to learn from you and become a capable queen in the future!”

  Girasol’s expression softened.

  In just one year, Ingrid had changed immensely. The frightened child who arrived at the palace was now only a memory. Though she remained shy and humble, her determination to move forward in life was undeniable.

  “I see. You wish to learn from me. It is an honor that you think so highly of me, little Ingrid.”

  Girasol gently stroked her white hair and smiled with all the maternal warmth she could offer.

  “Very well. I accept your request. From now on, you shall be my personal lady-in-waiting. You will attend meetings with me, clean my dishes and goblets, and bring me the garments I request. Observe everything—my gestures, my words, how I deal with the nobility of Etrica. I will personally guide you to become an exceptional queen.”

  Ingrid’s honey-colored eyes sparkled with emotion. She looked so adorable that Girasol could not resist embracing her softly.

  “Th-Thank you, Lady Girasol,” Ingrid murmured.

  Without realizing it, Ingrid had stepped directly into Girasol’s personal plan to protect the kingdom and safeguard Ulric’s future.

  This is perfect. Ingrid will eventually become my son’s wife. If I can make them fall in love naturally over time, she will have the power to restrain Ulric if I die—or if tragedy strikes again. My son is brilliant, but sometimes he feels like an adult trapped in a child’s body… and adults cannot easily be reshaped. I am not proud of this plan, but I do it for my beloved son and for Etrica.

  “What is my first task, Lady Girasol?”

  “I have a special task for you—one that will determine how much trust I place in you. Ulric is currently facing a difficult trial to improve his leadership skills.”

  “Oh… yes. He mentioned something. He asked me whether I would hate him for doing bad things in order to achieve good. I told him you and Alda would always love him, no matter what.”

  “Well said. Then you already know your role. Help Ulric with his mission. Remember: you will one day be queen of this nation and a fundamental part of my son’s life. Whether you love him or not is secondary—I need you to be more than an ornament on the throne. Think for yourself. Analyze the situation and look for a way to make everything turn out well.”

  Her gaze became serious.

  “I will call you when there are meetings with nobles or the army. For now, that is all. I am certain you will make me proud.”

  “I will do my best!”

  Girasol knew her plan would not be simple. Love could not be forced, and she sought an organic path for Ulric to fall for Ingrid.

  Yet there was an invisible barrier between them.

  Ulric treated Ingrid kindly, even affectionately—but always with a certain professional distance, like an adult dealing with a younger child.

  The reason was complicated.

  As a reincarnated soul from another world, Ulric retained aspects of his former personality. For him, the idea of marrying a child while possessing the mind of an adult man was repulsive—an unforgivable thought he would never allow to become reality.

  No one else understood this. Not his mother. Not Alda. Not even Ingrid.

  My son is strange… but perhaps he only needs time. Children are not aware of romance until they grow older. I will let them live their childhood for now. But when they turn sixteen… I will not rest until he falls in love with this girl. For the sake of the kingdom—and his own happiness.

  With several years still ahead as Queen Regent, Girasol had much work to do.

  End of Interlude