Karl didn’t pull away as Mia leaned against his chest. He knew she was hurting right now.

Though Mia was usually mischievous and playful, there was no doubt she was kind-hearted and sensitive.

Watching a devoted pet beast killed by its own master left a deep ache in her heart.

Of course, Karl felt just as heavy inside. But given the other party’s status, he couldn’t voice his discomfort openly.

“Don’t cry. Everyone’s watching. You’ll smudge your pretty face.”

He lightly patted Mia’s shoulder to comfort her.

Mia wiped the tears welling at the corners of her eyes, let out a soft “Mm,” but kept her head nestled firmly against his chest.

“Come on, stand up. Your sister’s watching. We don’t want misunderstandings.”

Karl worried their closeness might seem too intimate—Freya could notice something.

To his surprise, Mia whispered,

“No way. It’s so rare you let me lean on you. I wanna stay like this a little longer.”

...

Karl was speechless. *So she’s using sadness as an excuse to get cozy with me?*

Just as he realized Mia’s little scheme, Freya walked over.

“Mia! What are you doing, clinging to your brother-in-law like that?!”

Mia instantly lifted her head, stuck out her tongue playfully, and said,

“I was just feeling down and needed someone to lean on. No one else was around… so I went to brother-in-law.”

Freya didn’t scold her further. She turned to Karl.

“You spoil Mia too much. If word gets out, how will she ever find a husband?”

Karl nodded vigorously. “Honey’s right.”

Beside them, Mia murmured too softly for others to hear:

“Marrying brother-in-law would be perfect…”

“What was that?” Freya hadn’t caught it.

Mia quickly amended, “I meant—it was my fault. Not brother-in-law’s.”

Freya studied them both, sensing a faint dissonance she couldn’t quite place.

She sighed softly. “I know why Mia’s upset. It bothered me too. That’s why I said—I can’t stand *their* behavior.”

Mindful of the crowd, she left “royal family” unspoken. Karl and Mia understood instantly.

Karl replied helplessly, “If I could, I’d teach him a lesson too.”

Freya’s expression darkened. “We can…”

Before she finished, Karl cut in gently, “Freya, drop it. Just be the devoted wife and mother you are. Leave this to me.”

Freya pouted inwardly. *A wife who doesn’t want her husband to become emperor isn’t a good wife. I’m doing exactly what a devoted wife should—securing the throne for him and our future children!*

Karl sighed at her unrepentant look. *Damn it… when will this villainess wife of mine ever see the light?*

“Revenge can wait,” he said aloud. “Plenty of chances later. For now, we lie low—send a gift, smooth things over with the prince. On the surface, he’s ruler; we’re subjects.”

No matter how much Karl disliked Prince Aljin, openly scheming would only endanger his family.

And so, the welcome ceremony ended on a sour note.

Prince Aljin and Princess Alice bypassed Count Watt’s residence entirely, boarding a carriage straight for Lord Winter’s mansion.

Karl and Count Watt knew why: Freya had offended the prince.

The only remedy? A carefully chosen gift during the celebration.

They began preparations at once.

This festival marked Sowani Territory’s liberation from the Old Empire—its 500th anniversary. The city buzzed with unprecedented excitement.

On celebration day, all main roads in Ironward City closed to carriages. Flower floats departed the city center, parading along the thoroughfares before circling the entire city.

They’d return the royals to the square for the prince’s speech, followed by dances, acrobatics, and fireworks deep into the night—all orchestrated by City Lord Winter.

No wonder he was the emperor’s man. A territory lord like Count Watt sidelined for a city lord? Highly irregular.

Truth was, Karl’s father-in-law had long been a figurehead—no troops, no authority. Not his fault; the title came stripped of power, likely since his grandfather’s time.

---

Three days flew by. Celebration day arrived.

Streets flooded with citizens honoring the ancient victory. A city-wide holiday. A day of joy.

Floats carried Prince Aljin and Princess Alice—the imperial representatives—around Ironward City.

Inside the royal carriage, Princess Alice gazed absently at the crowds.

*Mr. Karl… please hold on. I’ll save you once I’m stronger.*

She hadn’t forgotten him. Since hearing “Für Elise,” Karl’s piano-playing silhouette filled her every thought.

Beside her, Prince Aljin smiled warmly at the crowds through the window, clad in white-and-gold royal robes radiating innate nobility.

No one knew the smiling prince muttered impatiently inside:

“Hate these festivals. These commoners should be working fields, not playing. How much tax vanishes today?”

He believed they existed only to serve the empire. Without the founding emperor’s liberation, they’d still be slaves.

Behind the royal carriage, Karl sat with Freya and family, gift for the royals in hand, heart heavy with resignation.