Grandmother's chamber was far more spacious and magnificent than either mine or Charlotte's.
As the former lady of one of the wealthiest merchant families in Brandenburg, the splendor of the room did not feel excessive in the slightest.
Every furnishing had been chosen with impeccable taste.
Carved wooden cabinets.
Tables and chairs draped in fine velvet.
Shelves adorned with porcelain ornaments, flower vases, and paintings of remarkable value.
Everything had been arranged with such meticulous care that not a single piece disturbed the harmony of the room.
Grandmother had always been fond of order.
She was equally fond of the union of blue, white, and gold.
For that reason, nearly every corner of the chamber was dominated by those three colors.
Elegant.
Serene.
Yet still carrying the quiet authority of a woman who had guided a great family for many long years.
The three of us took our seats in one corner of the room.
Grandmother had already been waiting there.
Aunt Adela, Charlotte, and I settled into our respective seats almost at the same time.
Silence lingered for a brief moment.
Even so, I could already guess why we had been summoned here.
Tonight's discussion would undoubtedly revolve around our departure for the Imperial Capital.
The day after tomorrow.
Far sooner than originally planned.
Charlotte and I had been expected to remain in Brandenburg for roughly four more days.
Father and Mother had discussed those arrangements with Grandmother and Aunt Adela long in advance.
If the schedule had changed now...
Then something unforeseen must have occurred.
A new variable had entered the board.
I released a quiet breath.
Rather than continuing to speculate, it would be wiser to hear the explanation directly from them.
Aunt Adela was the first to speak.
Her gaze shifted between Charlotte and me.
"Ian, Charlotte."
"The plan is for Grandmother and me to accompany you to the Imperial Capital. To be more precise, all of us shall be traveling together."
"Lucas and Dorothea will also escort you there. Your father and mother have already informed you of that, have they not?"
I nodded.
Charlotte did the same.
Neither of us spoke.
Aunt Adela clearly had more to say.
Interrupting her would only lengthen the explanation.
Charlotte appeared calm as well.
Not the slightest change surfaced on her face.
As though news of our accelerated departure had not stirred her emotions in the least.
Aunt Adela continued.
"However, the situation has changed. Your grandfather will no longer be able to accompany us. In truth, that alone would not have been a serious issue. Grandmother and I had already prepared nearly everything necessary for the journey."
"Even without him, the departure could have proceeded according to plan. At least... that was what we believed at first."
She paused.
Then released a long breath.
"But that is not the only problem."
I studied Aunt Adela carefully.
Her dark crimson hair, usually arranged with flawless precision, was now slightly disheveled.
Several loose strands had fallen across the side of her face.
She made no attempt to fix them.
Highly unusual.
It meant her state of mind was far worse than she wished to show.
Meanwhile, Grandmother remained seated in silence.
She had not spoken a single word.
Her eyes remained fixed upon us.
Her expression was calm.
Unreadable.
Yet it was precisely because of that composure that my certainty deepened.
She was contemplating something far greater than either Charlotte or I had imagined.
My thoughts immediately began piecing together the possibilities.
Grandfather had previously been summoned by the City Lord.
Combined with the sudden change in our departure schedule...
There was a strong chance the two events were connected.
After all, a senior executive of the Brandenburg Merchant Association was not someone who could be summoned without an important reason.
His standing was comparable to that of the leaders of major guilds, including the Alchemists' Guild.
If the City Lord himself had intervened...
Then this was clearly no ordinary matter.
As my curiosity continued to grow, I finally spoke.
"Aunt... does this have something to do with the City Lord?"
A faint smile appeared upon Adela's face.
For the first time since entering the chamber, her expression softened ever so slightly.
"Indeed. Ian is as sharp as ever. With only a handful of clues, you have already reached a conclusion remarkably close to the truth."
I answered only with a small smile.
Yet Aunt Adela gently shook her head.
"However... the matter is not that simple. If the City Lord summoning your grandfather were the only issue, I would still be capable of managing everything."
"Our departure could proceed as scheduled. Grandmother would still be able to accompany us. Lucas and Dorothea could still travel alongside us as well."
She paused once more.
The seriousness in her eyes gradually deepened.
"This time... there is another matter, one far more complicated."
Silence descended upon the chamber once again.
Charlotte and I exchanged a brief glance.
No words were needed.
We both understood the same thing.
Whatever Aunt Adela was about to reveal next...
Would most likely alter every plan surrounding our journey to the Imperial Capital.
Charlotte, who had been listening with unwavering attention all this while, finally broke her silence.
The curiosity shimmering within her elegant features was impossible to conceal.
Those deep obsidian eyes rested directly upon Aunt Adela.
"Aunt... has something troublesome happened? If it has, you may ask for my help. Perhaps there is something I can do."
There was not the slightest trace of pride in her words.
They were spoken with nothing but sincerity.
As a member of this family, Charlotte was genuinely worried about them.
A gentle smile graced Adela's face.
Her affectionate gaze lingered upon her beloved niece.
"There is no need to worry, my dear. It is not exactly a troublesome matter. It is simply... far too complicated to be explained so easily."
Having spent the entire conversation weaving together countless possibilities, I decided to speak before Aunt Adela continued.
"Does this have something to do with Count Flammenberg's arrival in Brandenburg two weeks from now, Aunt?"
The moment those words left my lips, Aunt Adela fell silent.
A flicker of unmistakable surprise crossed her eyes.
"Ah... Ian. Wherever did you hear about that?"
I understood perfectly why she was so astonished.
Among the nobility, the leaders of the great guilds, and the influential families, news of the Count's impending visit was hardly a secret anymore.
Even so...
I had only just arrived in Brandenburg.
By all rights, it should have been impossible for me to learn of it so quickly.
I answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Lucas told me, Aunt."
Understanding immediately dawned upon her face.
"I see."
At that very moment, I felt an unusually sharp gaze from my right.
Charlotte.
She was staring at me with an expression filled with unmistakable dissatisfaction.
It was almost as though I had concealed a great secret from her.
"Ian. Why did you not tell me about this?"
I tilted my head ever so slightly.
"You never asked."
The answer escaped my lips naturally.
Calmly.
Without the faintest hint of hesitation.
Charlotte blinked several times.
Then the annoyance on her face only deepened.
"What? Do you expect me to somehow guess it first and then ask you about it? Every day you become more skilled at twisting your words just to evade me."
I slowly shook my head.
"It is not wordplay. That is simply the truth."
Charlotte let out a quiet huff.
"Hmph."
She promptly turned her face away, clearly unconvinced by my answer.
To me, such reactions had long since become familiar.
And, admittedly...
Rather adorable.
Charlotte often grew irritated whenever she felt she had been left behind, especially when it came to information I already knew.
Watching the two of us, Aunt Adela could no longer suppress her laughter.
A soft, melodious chuckle escaped her lips.
The oppressive atmosphere that had weighed upon the chamber gradually lightened, if only for a fleeting moment.
Once the laughter faded, however, she gently steered the conversation back to its true purpose.
"Very well. Since both of you wish to know everything."
I immediately focused my attention.
Every piece of information Aunt Adela shared could prove valuable.
She drew a slow breath before continuing.
"In roughly two weeks, the ruler of this territory will arrive in Brandenburg. However, he will not be traveling alone. Count Flammenberg shall be accompanied by an official envoy sent by the Duke."
"They will preside over a formal assembly attended by the nobles, the leaders of the great guilds, and the most influential figures throughout this city."
She paused for a brief moment.
Then continued in the same composed tone.
"You both understand Brandenburg's standing well enough. This city is one of the greatest centers of commerce within the Southern Duchy."
"Its influence is surpassed only by the ducal capital itself. Even Count Flammenberg's own capital holds greater prestige solely because it is the seat of House Flammenberg."
"Furthermore, all administrative affairs of the county are governed from there."
I gave a slow nod.
Her explanation made perfect sense.
Brandenburg truly was the lifeblood of commerce throughout the southern territories, second only to the ducal capital itself.
The presence of prestigious institutions such as the Alchemists' Guild alone was enough to demonstrate just how extraordinary Brandenburg had become.
Its strategic location had only strengthened its prosperity, and for many years Count Flammenberg had deliberately fostered the city's growth, shaping it into the foremost economic power within his domain.
If the Duke wished to discuss commerce, trade, or relations with the numerous guilds that flourished across the region, there could scarcely be a more fitting place than Brandenburg.
It also carried an unmistakable political message to every lesser noble.
No matter how prosperous or influential their own lands had become, they all remained subjects beneath the authority of the Duke.
Aunt Adela continued.
"That is precisely why the City Lord summoned your grandfather. He is not the only one. Every noble, every leader of the major guilds, and every prominent figure throughout Brandenburg will attend this gathering."
"The purpose is to discuss the many preparations required before the arrival of Count Flammenberg and the Duke's official envoy."
Her gaze slowly returned to Charlotte and me.
"As the Head of House Handler... I will naturally receive an invitation as well."
She offered a faint, knowing smile.
"In all likelihood, the official summons will arrive tomorrow."
She released a slow, weary breath.
"The problem is... before any of this happened, our departure for the Imperial Capital had already been arranged. Because of that, it is impossible for me to attend to both matters at the same time."
Her gaze shifted between Charlotte and me once more.
"At first, Grandmother was willing to represent me. That way, our plans to depart would not have needed to change."
"However... just as with the Duke's representatives in previous years, gatherings of this nature are never concluded quickly."
"It takes a great deal of time before every party can reach an agreement. That is especially true for the leaders of the guilds. Your grandfather represents the Brandenburg Merchant Association, and every decision he makes concerns the countless merchants who stand beneath its banner."
"The same holds true for the Alchemists' Guild, the Mercenaries' Guild, and every other great guild. Each arrives carrying its own interests, and none of them are inclined to yield so easily."
Aunt Adela paused.
Her eyes drifted toward Grandmother.
Marianne answered with a gentle nod, silently encouraging her daughter to continue.
"That is why we ultimately decided to depart earlier than planned. And if I remain in the Imperial Capital for too long... Grandmother will be left to shoulder the affairs of House Handler alone."
"Although House Handler possesses capable secretaries and experienced stewards, the final authority always rests with the Head of the House. That responsibility cannot be neglected for an extended period."
A faint smile appeared upon her lips.
Yet behind that smile lingered unmistakable guilt.
"And so... I must ask for your forgiveness."
"I will not be able to remain with you in the Imperial Capital for very long."
Silence once again settled over the chamber.
No one answered immediately.
I understood every word Aunt Adela had spoken.
The arrival of a Count alone was enough to unsettle the balance of an entire domain.
Yet this time, he would arrive accompanied by an official envoy of the Southern Duke.
That meant the discussions ahead would not merely be ceremonial.
They would concern the governance of the realm itself.
Trade.
Taxation.
Relations between neighboring territories.
And countless other policies capable of shaping every corner of Count Flammenberg's domain.
It was only natural that the nobles and influential figures of Brandenburg had already begun their preparations.
Yet, just as Aunt Adela had said...
The truly exhausting part would begin only after the gathering commenced.
The leaders of the great guilds were not men and women who accepted decisions without resistance.
Each represented thousands beneath their banners.
They carried wealth.
Influence.
The livelihoods of their people.
And the future of the organizations entrusted to their care.
For that reason, every decision demanded lengthy negotiations.
They would bargain.
Offer new proposals.
Reject unfavorable terms.
Then return once more to seek common ground.
The political treatises I often read described negotiations such as these as the sovereigns' game.
No swords were drawn.
No blood stained the earth.
Yet every sentence carried enough weight to determine the fate of thousands.
A single misguided decision could overturn the balance of power throughout an entire region.
Meanwhile, a carefully forged agreement could bring prosperity that endured for years, perhaps even generations.
Aunt Adela was right.
Over the next two weeks, Brandenburg would become busier than ever before.
Nobles from across the territory would arrive.
Delegations from the great guilds would fill every inn and manor throughout the city.
Powerful merchants would anxiously await the outcome of every negotiation.
Even the influential families would undoubtedly begin adjusting their own affairs to whatever changes lay ahead.
If Aunt Adela remained in the Imperial Capital while all of that unfolded...
Then nearly the entire burden of House Handler would fall upon Grandmother's shoulders.
Although our household possessed exceptionally capable secretaries and loyal servants, none of them possessed the authority to make decisions of true consequence.
The highest authority remained with the Head of the House.
And at this moment...
That person was Aunt Adela.
I understood something else as well.
There were questions I wished to ask.
Why could Grandmother not simply accompany us to the Imperial Capital instead?
Or...
Why could Charlotte and I not travel there on our own?
Yet those questions never found their way to my lips.
It was not because I feared the answers.
Nor because I lacked the courage to ask.
Rather...
From the very beginning, I had felt the sincerity within their every action.
Grandmother.
Aunt Adela.
Even Grandfather.
They had done everything within their power to give Charlotte and me the very best they could.
Not once had they treated us as a burden.
Quite the opposite.
They had willingly altered carefully laid schedules.
Sacrificed their own precious time.
Even rearranged matters of tremendous importance simply to ensure that our journey would proceed without hardship.
Aunt Adela's earlier words continued to echo quietly within my heart.
"I will not be able to remain with you in the Imperial Capital for very long."
Such a simple sentence.
Yet its meaning reached far deeper than those few words alone.
Despite the immense responsibilities pressing upon her shoulders, she still insisted on accompanying us herself.
Even though she would be forced to return to Brandenburg almost immediately afterward.
To me...
That alone was more than enough.
This was not the first time Charlotte and I had journeyed to the Imperial Capital.
But this visit was unlike any before it.
We were not traveling merely as guests.
We were stepping into an entirely new chapter of our lives.
Before I even realized it, a faint smile had found its way onto my lips.
Deep within my heart...
I was truly grateful to belong to a family such as this.
And in the quiet of my thoughts, I offered a simple prayer.
May every affair of House Handler unfold smoothly.
May the Gods forever watch over them beneath Their eternal grace.
My elder sister was the first to break the silence.
Sincerity flowed gently from every word that left her lips, so genuine and heartfelt that the warmth within the chamber deepened all at once.
"Thank you, Aunt... Grandmother. And forgive us for causing you so much trouble."
I wished to say those very same words.
The sentence had already reached the tip of my tongue, yet for reasons I could not explain, it caught within my throat, unable to find its voice.
The deep obsidian of Charlotte's eyes gradually shimmered with unshed tears.
She had never been someone who was easily overcome by emotion.
Throughout the years, my sister had always appeared steadfast, as though she could bear every burden without complaint.
Yet that unwavering strength invariably melted away whenever the people she treasured most stood before her.
Her gaze drifted from Grandmother to Aunt Adela before she slowly lowered her head, as though she wished to keep anyone from seeing the emotions quietly overflowing within her heart.
The sight reminded me of the day we departed from home.
Charlotte had quietly wept in Mother's embrace.
I had not been much different.
Charlotte concealed her sadness behind a gentle smile, yet she was also the first to be swept away by sorrow whenever those she loved were involved.
Even so, she was nowhere near as emotional as Ryan.
Grandmother, who had simply watched us in silence all this while, finally spoke.
The gentle smile adorning her face made the fine lines at the corners of her eyes seem warmer still, carrying the quiet kindness that only the passing of many years could bestow.
"Charlotte, your grandmother does not feel burdened. Nor does your aunt. We have never expected anything in return for helping you walk toward your future. As those who are older, and as your family, this is simply our duty."
She allowed a brief silence to settle, giving each word the chance to sink into our hearts.
"So let go of that guilt you are carrying. Only then will your aunt be able to accompany you to the Imperial Capital with a peaceful heart."
"That is right. Neither of you needs to be so reserved with us. I do not find this journey troublesome in the slightest. Besides, when else will I have another chance to spend time with the two of you? Think of it as a small but delightful journey. Dottie will be coming along as well."
Those simple words drifted through the chamber like a gentle spring breeze, slowly washing away the unease that had settled within our hearts.
Aunt Adela rose gracefully from her seat before walking toward Charlotte.
With all the tenderness of a loving mother comforting her own daughter, she wrapped Charlotte in a warm embrace.
"It is all right, my dear. You are not a burden to me. So do not be sad, or little Dottie will become sad as well after seeing her beloved elder sister cry."
"Aunt..."
"Charlotte..."
"Thank you."
"My little girl, have I not been telling you all this time that none of this is a problem?"
Slowly, Charlotte lifted her face.
The smile that had vanished only moments before blossomed once again upon her lips, warm, radiant, and utterly sincere.
"I love you, Aunt."
"Oh my... so I was right after all. I love you dearly as well."
So alike?
I tilted my head ever so slightly.
Perhaps Aunt Adela was referring to Mother.
Grandmother cleared her throat softly, pretending to wear a dissatisfied expression.
"And have you forgotten your grandmother already?"
"Hehe. I love you too, Grandmother."
"You truly do know how to win people's hearts."
A gentle smile immediately spread across Grandmother's face, dissolving her feigned displeasure in an instant.
Warmth once more filled the chamber.
Our conversation continued, though no longer about anything particularly important.
From time to time, Grandmother and Aunt Adela asked after Father, Mother, Ryan, and Karina.
It was nothing more than ordinary family conversation, yet there was something profoundly comforting about it, as though every exchange quietly reminded us that family would always remain the place where our hearts belonged.
By the end of our conversation, one matter had been settled beyond question.
We would depart for the Imperial Capital earlier than planned.
The day after tomorrow.
That meant only one day remained for us to enjoy Brandenburg.
Though, if I were being honest, I suspected only Charlotte and Dorothea would truly make the most of it.
True to her promise, my sister intended to spend the entire day accompanying Dorothea in play.
As for me, I already had other plans.
Reading.
A brief training session with Lucas.
Then returning to my books once again.
Lucas, however, would not be accompanying us.
Aunt Adela explained that he would remain behind to assist Grandmother.
As the future head of House Handler, Lucas had long received both formal instruction and practical experience in governing the family and preserving the honor that generations before him had painstakingly built.
Once everything had come to an end, I excused myself and quietly returned to my chamber.
Charlotte remained in Grandmother's room, continuing her conversation with Aunt Adela and Grandmother, cherishing the precious moments the three of them still had together.
The silence of the night welcomed each of my footsteps.
I walked toward the wooden table standing beside my bed.
Resting upon its polished surface was a book chronicling the history of the Empire.
It was the very same volume I had immersed myself in since the afternoon, reading so intently that I had scarcely noticed the passing of the hours.
I picked it up with care.
Then stepped onto the balcony and settled into my seat, allowing the cool night breeze to brush gently across my face before reopening the pages where I had left off.
I drew a slow, measured breath.
The evening air was wonderfully cool, carrying with it a tranquil peace that words alone could scarcely capture.
Once more, I lost myself among line after line of carefully written history, each page drawing me deeper into the story of an empire that had endured through countless generations.
Time slipped quietly through my fingers.
The night grew ever deeper.
My eyelids gradually became heavy, while the letters before my eyes slowly blurred beneath the pale moonlight.
At last, I gently closed the book.
Good night.