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After admiring the garden, they returned to the manor and had lunch on a balcony overlooking the rose garden. Though called a balcony, it was spacious enough to rival the entire lot of the one-room apartment the corporate slave of her previous life had lived in.

At the far edge of that wide balcony stood alternating guards from the Knights of Jurnova and the Imperial Knights, holding spears and standing motionless like ornate statues. Attendants moved busily near the dining area, sometimes bringing in portable stoves so that chefs could perform flambé shows right before the guests. There were even tasters waiting at a small table nearby—so the space was by no means excessive.

A gentle breeze carried the scent of roses; it was perfect weather for dining outdoors, and the table’s atmosphere was warm and pleasant.

“Such a powerful dragon is said to dwell within the domain of Sein as well,”

Said the Empress, after the Emperor had asked Aleksei if there were any issues with his provincial governance. Aleksei had mentioned that logging operations were being delayed due to the appearance of a massive dragon, which was said to be the oldest of its kind—the Black Dragon King of the North.

“The dragon of Sein is a sea dragon. With a shining, emerald-green body, it is called the Emerald Dragon. It usually lives deep in the ocean and never interacts with people—but when humans pollute the sea, it appears and destroys cities in its fury. Yet when it takes human form, it becomes a woman of breathtaking beauty. —Perhaps because of that, in the old port towns that date back to the Astra Empire, there remains a custom during the summer festival to offer a ring to the Emerald Dragon. A chosen young man throws a golden ring into the sea, proposing marriage.
“*‘O fair one, as a token of my love, I offer this ring to you and vow to be yours forever—to make you mine for eternity.’*
“—If the youth catches the dragon’s eye, she appears before him in the form of a beautiful woman.”
“My, what a romantic tradition!”

Ekaterina couldn’t help exclaiming.

It reminded me of the Marriage of the Sea ceremony that took place in Venice in my previous life. The Doge of Venice would throw a ring into the water, declaring, *”We espouse thee, O sea, as a sign of true and perpetual dominion.”*
After centuries of this ritual, Venice was now said to be sinking year by year—like the poetic end of a smooth-talking man ensnared by a devoted woman.

“To offer love instead of slaying it—how peaceful and beautiful that is. If we were to offer gifts to the Black Dragon, might we too achieve reconciliation?”

Could it be that this was actually a clue for unlocking the hidden route to romance the secret character, the Demon Dragon King Vladforen, from the otome game?
I’d only seen him on search results back in my past life, but he was a breathtakingly beautiful man with black hair and red eyes. I had wanted to try his route, honestly. But Onii-sama was more my type, so I held back. After all, even if he wasn’t a capture target, and only a small character who would stick to the villainess and spoke up every once in a while, Onii-sama had been my source of life.

With that being said, if the Black Dragon was angered by deforestation, and the Emerald Dragon by ocean pollution, then these mighty beings must be functioning as divine guardians preserving Jurgrahn Empire’s sustainability. Thank you, divine dragons!

“If Ekaterina were to offer a ring and plead for love, even the sun itself would descend from the heavens to claim her.”

Said the Emperor with a faint smile.

“To receive such gracious words from Your Majesty is more honor than I deserve.”

Wow. The Emperor’s flattery skill was on par with Onii-sama’s. Unlike Aleksei’s subtle sincerity, the Emperor’s words were clearly formal pleasantries—but that made them all the more charming. Years of diplomacy had clearly honed that.
Would the prince grow up to be like that one day…? Hm. Maybe I’d rather he stayed the way he is.

“Whether it’s a dragon or the sun itself, I have no intention of giving my sister away. Should the heavens send down a suitor, I will challenge him to a duel.”

Aleksei said flatly.
Oh no, Onii-sama, please stop—now Their Majesties have witnessed your sister complex firsthand.

“My, Onii-sama. If you are to duel, then allow me to assist you as your second.”

Ekaterina said with a smile, and words made the Imperial family burst into laughter.

“How valiant, Ekaterina. Do you have any training in swordsmanship?”
“None whatsoever, I fear.”
“I can handle a rapier. Perhaps I should give you a few lessons.”
“How wonderful! I would be truly honored!”

Her Majesty the Empress is a rapier-wielding lady!? That’s a whole new level of cool! I *must* see that!

“Ekaterina.”

Came Aleksei’s admonishing voice, bringing her back to reality. Right, sorry.

“Your Majesty, I’m deeply grateful for your kind offer. However, my sister’s health is delicate, and I’ve asked her to avoid strenuous activity. After the entrance ceremony—and after the recent monster incident—she has fainted multiple times.”

NOO!! Even *that* incident got reported!? How!?
Yes, after the monster crisis, the one that could’ve triggered the Empire’s destruction route, I had joined my brother and the prince in giving statements to the Imperial Guard, then had him escort her back to the dormitory. But right before climbing the stairs with Mina—her maid—my energy had completely run out. Cue princess carry, again.
Mina must have reported it. Well, Onii-sama is her employer, after all…

Still, Onii-sama, I know you’re effectively saying *“She won’t be competing to be Empress”* behind those words! Thank you, Onii-sama!

“You fainted after that? Forgive me, I hadn’t known.”

Mikhail said, surprised.

“She is stout-hearted. I told her to rest, but she pushed herself anyway.”
“But… I just wanted to stay by your side, Onii-sama”

Ekaterina said, looking up at him shyly. There was a short pause before Aleksei gave a small cough.

“Well, since I forgave her for it, there’s no problem.”

…Both Their Majesties are now looking at my brother with very warm, gentle smiles. I’m so sorry for making him display his sister complex like this.

“I wonder if Magna is impeded by a powerful dragon too”

Said Mikhail, and Ekaterina was relieved that the topic had shifted.

“Hmm. Vladimir would know that. You should ask him.”
“That’s true. I don’t see him often at the Academy, but if I get the chance…”

Mikhail replied to His Majesty, then glanced at Ekaterina with a smile.

“Vladimir possesses more knowledge than most scholars. He has an incredible memory and can perfectly recall every text he’s read. His health is poor, so he probably can’t travel around his territory much, but I’m sure he’s mastered everything that’s been written about Magna. He can even read ancient Astra Imperial manuscripts as fluently as our own language.”

Uh…Vladimir? That’s the heir of Jurmagna, the one who threw shade at me in front of the prince some time ago, right? Super handsome, terrible attitude. *That* guy?
Now that I think about it, Onii-sama did say he was talented.
And come to think of it, I remember thinking he looked like someone from a visual kei band—thin and pale, with that slightly unhealthy air about him. My brother and the prince are both slim but firmly built, with a solid, strong presence. But Vladimir, despite coming from a martial lineage known for its warrior spirit, didn’t look like someone who could charge through battlefields in armor.

“He wasn’t in his best attitude the other day, but he’s actually shy and kind by nature. Aleksei, you’d know that, wouldn’t you?”
“…It’s been so long since he changed that I can’t even remember.”

Aleksei replied curtly.

“It’s seven years ago. I remember it clearly. Around the time your grandfather passed away and you couldn’t visit the Imperial Castle much, Vladimir also fell seriously ill and stopped coming for a long while. When he returned, he was completely different.”

Mikhail smiled faintly.

“And another thing I remember—let’s see, I must’ve been six at the time. When I first met the seven year old Vladimir, he was crying. The one who took his hand and brought him to me was you, Aleksei—you were eight then.”

Awww! What’s with that adorable, heartwarming story!?

“He was crying, saying he got lost on his first visit to the Imperial Castle.”

Aleksei said coolly.
Onii-sama, if that had been a girl, that would’ve been a total flag—first love material! Since it was a boy, it’s kind of a relief… but also kind of a waste? Wait, could that be… a BL flag!? Personally, as long as Onii-sama is happy, I will accept him no matter what!
No, no, stop—don’t get ahead of yourself, brain!

“Leaving his son alone on his first visit—Georgiy really was hopeless. The lords of Magna have always had that flaw—they neglect those closest to them.”

The Emperor sighed. Vladimir’s father, Georgiy of Jurmagna, was close in age to the Emperor and had been his playmate as a child. But it seemed their relationship wasn’t particularly close anymore.

“Aleksei, you and Vladimir are gifted men who will lead the next generation of the Empire. Whatever differences there may be, I hope you will cooperate and devote yourselves to the realm.”
“As Your Majesty commands.”

Aleksei said submissively to the Emperor’s words, bowing his head.