June 12.
Iris, Les Herbiers, Vendome Manor.
Iver was lounging in his room, lying on the bed, drinking tea, and reading a novel.
Isabel was likewise curled up beneath the blankets beside Iver. She rested her head on Iver's shoulder and read along with him.
It was rare to have a few days when they didn't need to worry about anything and had no pressure weighing on them—though saying that probably wasn't very considerate toward Yulia, who had just ascended the throne and was still working overtime at home. After all, the New Herasul Empire had only just been established and was still in the process of integrating.
The balance of power among the various countries, administrative divisions, laws, culture, military authority, education, social welfare... there would be endless arguments over all of that.
Part of the reason Isabel had hurried after Iver and fled was that she was somewhat afraid of all this.
Although she had already developed the bearing of a Queen and was capable of handling governmental affairs, that didn't mean she wouldn't get a headache when faced with such troublesome matters. If it were merely a matter of granting Avalon preferential treatment, Isabel could still bring out some of the Iron-Blooded Queen's resolve... But the New Herasul Empire hadn't been conquered by Avalon. The people on the other side had voluntarily brought their families and surrendered.
Under those circumstances, it wouldn't be right not to offer them some preferential treatment. After all, there were so many people and so much talent among them—and they had always been one family. Even their languages had not diverged that much. Besides, Iris was still isolated outside the empire. They had to set an example for the people there so that they could absorb them back and rebuild the New