Chapter 41
Eden gazed at Ennon, who had arrived unannounced late at night, with a somewhat displeased expression.
It was time to make preparations. Eden had intended to visit Cecilia with a convincing excuse. Naturally, a visitor at this hour was far from welcome.
“Did you really need to report this at such a late hour?”
“I believed it was something Your Highness should know immediately.”
Eden let out a low sigh. However, knowing that Ennon was not the type of secretary to speak without reason, he couldn’t bring himself to rebuke him.
“What is it?”
“Fishermen from Laner Island have reportedly been detained by the Venian navy.”
The hand that had been idly brushing near his eyes paused momentarily. Ennon straightened his posture under Eden’s slowly returning gaze.
“Who did it, and why?”
Eden opened a drawer in his desk, rifling through it as if searching for something. What emerged between his fingers was a cigar, taken from a small case hidden within the drawer.
“One of them is said to be the father of Alice—the girl who works as a maid at the townhouse.”
As Eden clipped the end of the cigar, he sighed quietly. It was a name he couldn’t simply ignore.
“They say he was caught casting nets in a restricted zone during the early hours of the morning. He’d already received a prior warning, as well.”
A flame lit the end of the cigar that Eden now held between his lips. Though his face resembled that of a refined gentleman, with the cigar, an oddly decadent air surrounded him.
“At this rate, developing the island within a year is out of the question.”
However, Eden took only a few puffs before extinguishing the still-long cigar. Then, he opened a window to let the smoke dissipate before it could cling to anything. It was wasteful, certainly, but it was the reason no scent ever lingered on his person.
“They can’t simply give up fishing. It’s their livelihood.”
“…Indeed.”
Ennon, who had been distracted by Eden’s graceful movements, replied belatedly.
“The best approach is to clearly demonstrate the potential of tourism. And to make them realize that fishing is no longer viable.”
It was as Eden murmured those words that a sudden knock sounded from outside the study.
“Your Highness, Her Grace, the Grand Duchess…”
The visitor to his chamber was Cecilia. Upon hearing the attendant’s voice, Eden immediately stood and opened the door himself. Fortunately, Cecilia stood before him not in nightclothes, but in a comfortable indoor dress.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
At Eden’s question, Cecilia briefly glanced at Ennon.
“I heard Mr. Carlton came to see you in the middle of the night… I was worried something might have happened to you.”
Unless a man held a grudge against his wife, no husband would find her concern suspicious or unpleasant.
“There’s nothing wrong with me. You needn’t worry.”
“Then what is it?”
Cecilia stepped into the room as she spoke, and the door closed behind her.
“I didn’t want to cause you concern, but perhaps it’s better that you know.”
Eden looked down at her quietly before sighing softly. Cecilia blinked her large eyes, like a child unaware of the situation.
“The fishermen of Laner Island have been detained by the Venian navy.”
“…”
“One of them seems to be the father of Miss Alice, your chambermaid.”
“Oh, dear.”
Cecilia furrowed her brows and sighed briefly—her reaction so natural, one would never suspect she was involved in any way.
“So what Alice said was true. It’s worse than I thought.”
Ennon nodded.
“I promised Alice I’d look after her family… Your Highness, you’ll be able to resolve this, won’t you?”
Cecilia murmured with a deeply troubled expression. To Eden—half out of his mind trying to stay in his wife’s good graces—it was a face he couldn’t ignore.
“Don’t worry, Cecilia. This is a matter of international relations. The Venian navy can’t harm him recklessly.”
“But what if it happens again?”
Cecilia grasped Eden’s arm as she asked.
“Right now, you can help. But what if it keeps happening?”
If someone else were detained—if it wasn’t Gideon—would he be left to suffer? Of course not. Protecting the citizens of the Empire was the duty of the Imperial family.
“A fundamental solution is needed.”
Eden spoke softly as he tucked Cecilia’s hair behind her ear.
“I was just thinking about how to address this. It’s a matter of diplomacy.”
“Are you talking about something like a peace treaty?”
Eden nodded.
“You plan to negotiate an agreement with the Venian kingdom under Imperial authority?”
“That’s right. I’m considering requesting an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, to act as his representative in the matter.”
As if confirming Cecilia’s guess, Eden gave a faint smile. He was the Emperor’s beloved second prince, the Grand Duke of Burnett. Receiving proxy authority from His Majesty was never difficult.
“Your Highness, in that case…”
Cecilia spoke, hesitating with uncertainty in her eyes.
“When you form the agreement, could you also clarify the ownership of the island?”
At her unexpected question, Eden tilted his head slightly, an expression of mild curiosity on his face. His posture clearly showed he was listening attentively.
“As you know, I’ve read many books about Laner Island—history, mythology, even geography.”
“I’m aware.”
“In one of them, I read that Venia was the island’s first owner.”
At her words, Eden’s eyes widened slightly. Even Ennon, who had been standing quietly in a corner, reluctant to intrude on the affectionate couple’s political conversation, reacted the same way.
“They might dismiss it now as insignificant, but I’m worried they could bring it up later.”
“…”
“I just want, as Alice wished, for her family and the people living on the island to live peacefully.”
Eden looked down at his wife’s clear, sincere face. There wasn’t a trace of selfish intent in her expression.
“Is that too much to ask?”
To her question, Eden shook his head silently. Until now, the Wyatt Imperial Family had neglected the island under ambiguous pretenses, so they could hardly claim they bore no responsibility.
Moreover, Venia’s stance was clear—they viewed Laner Island as a parasite drawing on their resources. The Wyatt Empire’s clarification of ownership would likely be welcomed.
“Ennon.”
“I’ll submit a request for an audience immediately.”
The reply came before Eden could even issue the command. He glanced at Ennon with a satisfied smile.
“Don’t worry and head back for now.”
“Your Highness…”
“I’ll stay and speak with Ennon a bit longer.”
Eden pressed a brief kiss to Cecilia’s forehead. She glanced at Ennon with a startled look, then blushed and quickly left the room.
Only after her figure had completely disappeared beyond the door did Eden turn to Ennon.
“Also, contact Roy Dillon. Tell him I want to meet him then. It would be best if he joined me when I meet His Majesty.”
Ennon responded promptly. Roy Dillon, the recently retired imperial court painter, had become the talk of the capital with his first—and final—exhibition.
“Wasn’t Roy Dillon supposed to paint Her Grace’s portrait? Why involve him in this matter…?”
Ennon trailed off, unable to finish the question. He couldn’t quite read Eden’s intentions.
“If we want the tourism industry to thrive, we need something from the start to draw people to the island.”
Eden replied calmly.
“The final work of a court painter whose skill is beyond question.”
“…”
“If he paints the island’s beautiful scenery and tells a story of love blossoming there…”
Eden smiled gently.
“Many nobles will want to visit.”
“And at that point, I’ll use imperial authority to restrict access to the island.”
Why? Ennon’s eyes widened in surprise. Though Laner Island belonged to the imperial family, visitors had never been restricted—not before, not now.
“That will only heighten curiosity. They’ll think, ‘I’ve seen the painting, I’ve heard the rumors—why can’t I go?’”
Eden leaned his chin on his hand, his expression relaxed, and spoke each word deliberately.
“Then they’ll be desperate to visit.”
“And the island’s residents will believe there are countless people eager to come.”
The peace treaty with Venia would protect the islanders, but it would also serve as a form of restriction. Of course, Eden would offer alternatives, but those whose fishing rights were now more limited would naturally seek new options—and tourism would become an appealing path.
“He’ll be the starting point for the growth of Laner Island’s tourism industry.”
Having organized his thoughts, Ennon nodded. Such a plan was only possible because Eden was the Emperor’s favored son. He knew His Majesty wouldn’t hinder him.
“I’ll need His Majesty’s understanding as well.”
That didn’t mean the task itself was insignificant. Tales of princes unable to make use of their given authority were far from rare in Wyatt.
“Spread the word among notable artists and society figures. Plant the seed early.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
How fortunate I am not to serve under one of those princes. Ennon straightened his back with pride and answered firmly.
“Make sure nothing interferes with what Cecilia wants. If you’ve said all you need to, you may go.”
With that, Eden turned, as if ready to leave immediately.
“Is what Her Grace wants truly that important to you, Your Highness?”
Ennon, nodding out of habit, suddenly paused, tilting his head in confusion. Not long ago, Cecilia’s wishes would never have factored into Eden’s decisions.
With one hand on the door handle, Eden turned back to look at him—an expression of mild exasperation on his face, as if staring at someone slow to understand.
