The man glared at her as though she were utterly ridiculous before finally letting out a sigh of resignation.
“Your Highness truly hasn't changed.”
There was a bitter smile in his voice.
Talia narrowed her eyes.
“And what exactly is that supposed to mean...?”
“Y-Your Highness!”
Just as she was about to sharply rebuke the knight for his insolent attitude, Varkas's clumsy attendant came running toward them in a panic.
Apparently believing he had just witnessed her falling right before his eyes, the boy's face was as white as kneaded dough.
“A-Are you all right? Is there anywhere you're hurt...?”
“I'm perfectly fine.”
Despite her firm reply, the attendant continued examining her with anxious eyes.
Then he suddenly turned around.
“Just in case, I'll fetch a healer! Please wait here for a moment!”
Before anyone could stop him, he dashed down the corridor.
Watching him disappear, Talia frowned before turning back to the knight.
He too was glancing worriedly at her swollen stomach.
Feeling unexpectedly uncomfortable, Talia subtly concealed herself beneath her cloak.
“You said you'd explain why you came. Stop standing there like an idiot and start talking.”
“First, I think you should sit down.”
“That's unnecessary. There's no need to—”
She had been about to refuse out of habit, but the slight tightening in her lower abdomen made her stop.
Perhaps the baby had been startled.
She gestured toward the sitting room across from the staircase.
“Fine. Follow me.”
Crossing the corridor lined with thick carpets, they passed through an arched entrance into a comfortably furnished room.
Talia walked over to the fireplace, where glowing embers still burned, and carefully lowered herself into a chair.
The man looked around awkwardly from the doorway before finally taking the seat opposite her.
Only moments ago he had confidently scolded her, yet now he seemed strangely uncomfortable.
Looking at the fidgeting knight, Talia pressed him.
“All right, now tell me. Who sent you?”
“The person who sent me was Sir Raoric Alderheim, the current Commander of the Imperial Knights.”
Caught off guard, Talia raised one eyebrow.
“Why would the Commander of the Imperial Knights send you?”
The man hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking.
“Recently, suspicious movements have been detected in the North. After learning of this, His Majesty ordered troops to be concentrated in the regions bordering Valto in order to keep the North in check. His Majesty also wishes for the East to actively participate in this operation.”
Talia's entire body stiffened.
A cold chill suddenly ran down her spine, raising goosebumps across her skin.
“Does that mean... there's going to be a war?”
“No!”
The knight hurriedly waved both hands.
“His Majesty has no desire for a direct military conflict. At present there still isn't sufficient evidence of treason... He merely intends to strengthen the defenses along the Valto border as an implicit warning.”
“But the North could interpret that warning as a threat and respond even more aggressively.”
Talia challenged him sharply.
“The Northern Noble League will feel cornered once they find themselves surrounded by the Imperial Army. If they believe the Imperial Palace won't spare them now that their ambitions have been exposed, they might decide they have nothing left to lose.”
The knight merely blinked blankly.
Looking at his foolish expression, Talia spoke with obvious frustration.
“If His Majesty truly wishes to avoid war, then instead of openly displaying military force to intimidate them, he should be secretly gathering evidence of their treason. Once he has undeniable proof—proof no noble could possibly dispute—he should arrest the leader of the Northern Noble League in a surprise operation. That's the safer course!”
“...What Your Highness says certainly has merit. However, if the North were to make the first move before such decisive evidence could be gathered, the situation would become impossible to control. His Majesty judged that assembling the army was necessary, if only to prepare for the worst.”
Talia frowned.
The Emperor's response seemed far too indecisive.