Sonia was sitting facing the Emperor of Lemuria.
　On the table were three kinds of cakes, cookies, and macaroons.

　A servant pours fragrant tea into a teacup.

　Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?
　...... If I had to say, I'd say coffee.

　The Emperor of Lemuria smiled as Sonia said, "I see.

　I see. That's a shame. ...... I prefer tea, though. Oh, well. I'll get you some coffee next time. By the way, do you like milk or sugar in your coffee?
　"...... Yes.

　Sonia gave a small nod and picked up the cup.
　And drink the freshly brewed tea.

　(...... delicious)

　It was one of the most delicious teas Sonia had ever tasted.
　Then Sonia looked at the sweets on the table and gulped.

　In the kingdom of Cerda, there is a law against extravagance.
　It is a law that restricts the importation and use of luxury goods.

　This law was issued by the previous king, Raus I.
　The law was issued by the previous king, Raus I. And ...... defines what is considered a luxury in the Kingdom of Chellda.

　These are goods imported from the Lemurian Empire.

　For example, spices and silk, which are typical examples of luxury goods, all pass through the territory of the Lemurian Empire and come to the Kingdom of Chelda.
　Other items such as tea, coffee, sugar, ceramics, jewelry, and glassware are all produced in or imported through the Lemurian Empire.

　Purchasing these items is synonymous with bringing wealth to the Lemurian Empire.

　Therefore, certain restrictions have been placed on them.
　And ...... because of the state of war until recently, Sonia, the daughter of a great nobleman, could not afford luxury either financially or emotionally.

　But ......
　Sonia is just a girl.

　She loved sweets, that is to say, sweets of the Lemurian empire with lavish amounts of sugar, and coffee with lots of milk and sugar.
　Her envy of such luxuries was strong because she could rarely eat them.

　And now it was right in front of me.

　"Do you like sweets?
　"........................... ......... I don't really like them.

　Sonia replied, desperately looking away from the sweets.
　I don't like sweets.

　I'm not sure if the Lemurian emperor knew of Sonia's strength or not, but he smiled.

　I am proud to say that Lemuria's pastries are the best in the world. I'm sure it will suit your palate.
　"............

　The sweets of the kingdom of Cerda are better.
　I'm sure you'll like it." Sonia tried to say, but couldn't.

　The Kingdom of Cerda, which gets its sugar only through the Lemurian Empire, is not capable of making sweets as sweet as those of the Lemurian Empire.

　In the Kingdom of Chelda, sweetness is limited to dates, watermelons, melons, figs, grapes, and other fruits.

　(I'll just eat a little bit of ...... and then pretend I don't have a sweet tooth.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

　"......!

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.
　To accentuate this sweetness, the fresh fruit juice overflows, mingling the sour and sweet flavors.

　Sonia couldn't help but swoon.

　"...... Ah!

　She found herself eating the entire slice of cake.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　Sonia's cheeks flushed red from embarrassment.

　I'm glad you like it.
　"...... Yes.

　You can no longer deny that you don't like it.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　There are still two kinds of cake, cookies and macarons left. There are two more cakes, cookies and macaroons left, and there are refills if you want them.
　"Oh, I'm not such a picky eater!

　Sonia shouted and stood up.
　Then she sat down silently, her face flushed red.

　Her reaction was clearly a mistake.

　"Princess Sonia.
　"...... What is it?

　The Emperor of Lemuria said in a gentle voice to Sonia, who had reopened her mouth and started eating the sweets.

　In a couple of weeks, all the prisoners will be transferred to Nova Lemuria.
　"......
　"You'll be coming to Nova Lemuria. You will be coming to Nova Lemuria.

　Emperor Lemuria said. ......
　Sonia glared at the Emperor of Lemuria.

　The war is not over yet. The Kingdom of Cerda is not defeated!
　Of course we know that. That's why we're transporting the prisoners to the capital. To use them as bargaining chips.

　In other words, Sonia herself is a bargaining chip for the Lemurian Empire to extract concessions from the Kingdom of Chelda.
　Sonia bit her lip in frustration as she realized this.

　It's your fault. Because of you, the Kingdom of Chelda is ......".


　That's right. Because I am the Emperor of the Lemurian Empire.

　The Emperor of Lemuria said coldly to Sonia.

　It is the sovereign who acts in the best interest of his subjects. I may be the cause, but ...... it is your king who is to blame.
　"......

　Sonia could not refute any of this.






　A month later, in mid-May.

　"...... What's for dinner today?

　Sonia rubbed her eyes sleepily as she waited for her meal in the guest room she had been given at the Lemuria Palace.
　After waiting for a while, a servant brought her a delicious looking breakfast.

　It included Sonia's favorite coffee with milk and sugar.

　She ate until dessert and stretched out.

　It's too comfortable.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
　I've been a prisoner of war in Nova Lemuria for a while now, and it's been very comfortable.

　Although she was a prisoner of war, she was actually treated as a guest of honor.
　Three meals and a snack were provided every day, and she could take a luxurious bath at night.

　The undergarments, dresses, and ornaments provided were of a much higher quality than what Sonia possessed.

　Moreover, the Emperor of Lemuria had even told her that she could take them all back with her when she returned home, since they had been prepared for her.

　I can understand if it was underwear or a dress, but he also gave me a beautiful ruby and pearl necklace and earrings that came with the dress.

　It was so generous that Sonia felt sorry for him.


　In addition, entertainment was also provided.

　They would lend her books as much as she wanted, and sometimes they would even take her to the library.
　With permission, I could rent an exercise facility, and at ...... I could even meet the two empresses of the Lemurian Empire, Carolina and Scheherazade, there.

　I was allowed to visit churches and chapels every day, and even had an audience with a medium.
　If I jokingly said that I wanted to take a walk in Nova Lemuria, I was actually allowed to do so, albeit under supervision.

　It was an unbelievably good treatment.

　If ...... this treatment had been given only to Sonia, she would not have been able to enjoy it quietly.
　However, Sonia was not the only one to receive this kind of treatment.

　Of course, Sonia was the one who received the best treatment in terms of status. ......
　The other prisoners of war were also guaranteed a fairly comfortable life.

　The generals of the kingdom of Cerda were also allowed three meals, a bath, and a certain amount of freedom in entertainment.
　Even Iason, who hated Sonia, spent every day in the library of the Lemurian Empire.

　The soldiers of the commonwealth are also provided with warm meals and enough environment to keep their bodies clean. ......
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

　Once, Sonia went to see the soldiers of the Red Wolf Corps, who had also been captured,.......
　Many of them looked better than before they were captured.

　So, Sonia was relieved and received good treatment from the Lemurian Empire, but ......
　But she never forgot her hostility towards the Lemurian Empire.

　Rather, he kept it burning in his heart so that he would not forget it.

　The goal of the Lemurian Empire was to make the prisoners, including Sonia, pro-Lemurian.
　Sonia was not foolish enough to fall for such an obvious ploy of the enemy.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and how you can get it.
　You can find a lot of people who have been in the same situation for a long time, but they are not the same people.

　...... Speaking of which, I have a tea party with the Emperor of Lemuria today.

　Sonia stood up.
　I'm going to dress up ...... more than usual today, Sonia thought subconsciously.







　......Have you been preparing for that desert crossing that long?
　Well, yes. It was expensive and dangerous. But the return was also great.

　The Emperor of Lemuria told Sonia with great pride.

　In the name of deepening their friendship, Sonia and Emperor Lemuria had been having regular tea parties.
　Sonia thought that Emperor Lemuria's intention was to make her pro-Lemuria .......
　In fact, Sonia felt that her ill feelings toward Lemuria were slowly fading away.

　But that didn't change the fact that Lemuria was still an enemy nation.

　Sonia had been asking the Lemurian emperor about various things, hoping to steal some important secrets from him.
　But ......

　(He doesn't talk about important things, or ......)

　The way he speaks so smoothly, so eloquently, so smoothly, he seems to be very light on his feet. ......
　The Lemurian emperor would never give Sonia the information she wanted.

　The Lemurian emperor has not relaxed his guard against us at all.
　So Sonia had half given up on trying to steal information from the Lemurian emperor.

　Even so, the reason why she continues to have tea parties with Emperor Lemuria is ......
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　The tea, coffee and sweets served are delicious, of course, but more than that, the Emperor of Lemuria is a good speaker.
　His high level of education could be clearly seen from his conversations.

　He also listened to Sonia's not-so-good Lemurian pronunciation without laughing. ......
　Sometimes she even spoke in fluent warbeast.

　Best of all: ......

　"By the way, Princess Sonia.
　"...... Yes. What is it?
　"Those earrings, did you buy them in ...... Nova Lemuria?

　Sonia nodded at the Lemurian emperor's question.

　Yes. I bought them the other day in the port of Nova Lemuria.

　The Emperor of Lemuria smiled and said, "It suits you.

　It looks good on you. You look more mature than usual.


　"Thank you, .......

　Emperor Lemuria is quick to notice Sonia's little fashions.
　And he compliments her on it.

　(......That man would never do that.)

　Inwardly, Sonia compares her fiancé with the handsome man in front of her.

　The former had a fiancée of his own, but he was obsessed with a human woman and didn't care for her in any way.
　On the other hand, the latter never misses even the slightest change and praises her.

　Sonia's liking for the Emperor of Lemuria had increased greatly.
　However, ...... there is still something that doesn't add up.

　It is the fact that he humiliated Alicia Crom by making her strip naked in public.
　I can't imagine what he would have done if he hadn't been such a gentleman.

　"Your Majesty.
　What is it?　Princess Sonia. You want a refill?
　"I'm not a glutton!

　Sonia denied that she wanted any more cake. ......
　And then she asked Alicia why she had done such a terrible thing to her.

　"Oh, that. ...... Hmm, well, no wonder you feel that way. It's a terrible thing to do, I know.
　...... If you know that, why?
　If you know what you're doing, why not?

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why. 　
　Alicia Crom had come to the Emperor of Lemuria and the Empire for help.

　How can we reach out to those who have killed, robbed, and raped our people?
　Is it that easy?

　No, Sonia thought, you can't.
　At least the Kingdom of Cerda would not accept the Lemurian Empire's request for help.

　It's the same thing.
　Let's starve the Bulgurons to death!　There must have been many who insisted.

　But in the end, the people and their vassals agreed. ...... Now, the Bulgaron region is the territory of the Lemurian Empire, and its people are treated as its subjects.

　In order to create this situation, the Lemurian emperor dared to become the bad guy and humiliate Alicia Krom in order to make them drink.

　You are ...... a wonderful monarch.

　Sonia sent her heartfelt words to the Emperor of Lemuria.

　You are a cruel and brutal man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
　He is a cruel and brutal man who does not hesitate to use any means to achieve his goals. Even though people around him think of him as such, and he is regarded as a villain, ...... he enriches his people and shows mercy even to his enemies.
　He is a man who has a reputation for being a bad guy.

　It was the ideal monarch for Sonia.

　(At least, not like ...... those guys.)

　Her father and his political opponents are engaged in a political struggle despite the fact that they are at war.
　A general with no ...... patriotism who wants to turn on his enemies simply because they have captured him.
　And then there is ...... the king who is a coward, indecisive and only cares about his own reputation.

　It's not like he's selfish and doesn't care about the country or the people.

　At least, that's what Sonia thought.

　That's an exaggerated assessment. I'm not a great ruler, at least not a great ruler. I'm more of a tyrant.
　No, you're not. I can see it in the faces of the people of this country, the citizens of Nova Lemuria.

　You can see how much this Lemurian emperor cares for his people.

　At least that's what Sonia saw.


　I wish you were the King of ...... my country .......

　Sonia muttered, from the bottom of her heart.
　This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your time with your family and friends. ...... The young princess did not yet understand what that statement meant or what thoughts were budding in the depths of her mind.