While the Holy Flame Empire's imperial palace experienced turbulent currents, on top of the Profound Sea Dynasty's tallest monument, amidst a starry night, a couple jested under the moonlight.

　　"What virtue! What morality! With such words, how can I decline?!

　　Though it profoundly grieves me, I accept! As long as unrest plagues this land, my regency shall continue!

　　And if eternity is what it takes for unrest to subside, then throughout eternity, I shall be regent!"

　　"Bwahahahaha!"

　　"Shameless! Konrad, you're utterly shameless! Truly, Olrich's most reasonable decision in his life was to make you his son. There probably isn't any other man able to call you -son- without blus.h.i.+ng in shame.

　　But now, the son has already surpa.s.sed the father, and he should call you teacher!"

　　Yvonne burst into laughter while mimicking Konrad's theatrical display of several days ago. Since then, he had entirely focused on official matters, spending his mornings, lunches, and evenings in court meetings to devise new economic strategies and hasten the recruitment of new talents.

　　This was inarguably their first intimate moment since he took his new position.

　　"So what if I'm shameless? Shamelessness is the first step to greatness! The more shameless, the better! It is because I'm this barefaced that I shall be supreme!"

　　Konrad candidly replied with a complacent smile and a dismissive wave of his hand.

　　"Oh? Good, very good. Even forcing those hundreds of officials whose families you kept in captivity to follow you in your shameless act. I really want to ask, in your previous life, did you major in acting? I'm really starting to feel like you're a reincarnated actor."

　　"Naturally! Not just acting, music, poetry, painting, writing…all the arts were subdued by me!"

　　"You really dare say anything, don't you? Please accept my bow."

　　With false seriousness, Yvonne clasped her hands and bowed toward Konrad.

　　"What, don't believe me? Good, tonight I must show you the depth of my skills, and sincerely convince you!"

　　"Hum, hum!"

　　Konrad sat crossed legged and cleared his throat. Meanwhile, Yvonne lied on her side to listen to his display.

　　"In the eye of a storm, I fly on crippled wings,

　　Rowing against the current, clawing at our lost love,

　　My heart roaring, my eyes vacant, and my soul crumbling.

　　Deprived of my half,

　　Deprived of my self,

　　Helpless, I beg you

　　Forgive and come home."

　　Konrad declaimed with an impa.s.sioned voice and expression that would have tricked onlookers into thinking his words genuine.

　　Even Yvonne was forced to admit that she almost mistook him for a desperate lover yearning for his partner's return.

　　"Not bad, I can see the semblance of a structure. But it doesn't rhyme."

　　She teased with an amused smile.

　　"Poetry doesn't need to rhyme. As long as it pulls your heartstrings, my aim is achieved."