Mother...

Good job, Jessica. You did a great job with that thing.

I couldn't stop shaking the whole time. Mother. Who is that man........who is Noah Whitefield.......?

　It's a short interval of time before the signing ceremony.
　The Queen of the Kingdom of Orvance, Feliana, was in her room with her daughter, Jessica.
　As it is the Queen's private room, no one other than the royal family is allowed to enter this room. Even if you are a member of the royal family, no one can enter it without Feliana's permission, it is a completely isolated room.
　And there is no better place for Feliana to talk to her beloved daughter than in this room.

'It would be easier if we could lump them all together as 'monsters.... To be honest, I don't really understand it either.

When I heard your mother's words last night, I had my doubts. But now I can understand your thoughts. If left unchecked, he will bring destruction and disaster to Orvans. Angering him would do us all no good.

Yes, the nations may say that we are in league with the Demon King. The nations may say that we're in league with the Demon King, but since we're living next to such a country, there's nothing more we can do.

My deployment will bring further prosperity to Orvance if we can continue our good relations. I believe that the clauses you have devised are designed with due consideration for your side.

　Hmmm, Feliana smiles at Jessica's words.
　Jessica Northlea Olvance. This daughter is indeed the daughter that Feliana gave birth to with a bellyache. Feliana was only fifteen years old.
　Feliana, who was born with the profession of a king, was pre-determined to be crowned when she reached the age of twenty. But if she reigned as queen, she would find it difficult to spend time on pregnancy and childbirth afterwards - so she was ordered by the previous king to conceive and bear her husband's child, who was the king's maid, at an early age. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.
　But the daughter who inherited Feliana's talents most strongly was Jessica.

''Yes ... Jessica, you know how you should move on from now on.

'Yes. As a little girl, I will play the role of the innocent daughter. I will suppress this fear and approach him unpretentiously. I think it would be in her best interest if I... if Jessica Northlea Evans were to become Noah Whitefield's companion.

'Enough. For now, you need to think about not alarming him yet. I have a long way to go.

Yes, mother. I will act so that in ten years' time, the seeds I've sown will be ready to bloom.

　She's a horrible girl, Feliana thinks.
　Jessica is only eight years old. It's a good thing that you're not the only one, because even at such a young age, you've already read Feliana's plan.
　The fact that Feliana decided to dispatch Jessica as an ambassador also means, of course, that she is a hostage. I'm sure that by providing a hostage, the surrounding countries will be able to see how much the Kingdom of Orleans appreciates Grandizia.
　But at the same time, it is one of the reasons why Jessica is a daughter with a head on her shoulders, which is unthinkable at her age. She is able to read Feliana's plans, take Feliana's intentions and then act fully on them - that's how Feliana evaluates Jessica. At least to the extent that she trusts him more than any of her vassals in terms of brains.
　When the time comes, though, I would have liked to see him wield his wisdom as my right-hand man in the future.
　It didn't work out.

"Jessica.

Yes, Mother.

The Empire says they've executed his parents and brother. Head on, I agree with you that you have put up a fight with him.

''Perhaps in two years' time, the empire will be gone. For Olvance, an avenging enemy can perish on its own accord and control half of its territory... that's enough of a victory, but I believe your mother is more greedy than that.

Yes. So, how does it work?

How about sending some people to Grandizia as students? From what I hear, the country of Grandizia doesn't have any humans, and most of its soldiers are demons. I've heard that the remaining people are also elves, and I'm guessing that they don't have a way to maintain the territory they've expanded. Therefore, I thought it would be better to dispatch people from Orvans in the form of study abroad and have them take charge of guarding the territory.

Do you think you can trust me with your domain so easily? Won't they think you're just a foreigner?

Let those who study abroad be selective in selecting those who excel in domestic affairs. If a country has no one to rely on for diplomacy and domestic affairs, we will bring out the best in those who are capable, even if they are from outside. At the very least, let them do so much good that Master Noah Whitefield would have no problem entrusting a city to you as his lord. Since we originally wanted to prolong the destruction of the Empire as long as possible.

What about the people who study abroad?　Do you want me to inculcate in you some loyalty to your country before you go?

There is no need. It's not necessary, in fact, we need them to be loyal to Grandizia. It's better to be thought of as 'a superior person who only comes from Olvance' than to have a connection to the Kingdom of Olvance that is inexplicably left behind.

....

　Gulping, Feliana involuntarily swallowed her spit. She felt as if her own daughter was reading everything she had to say.
　Ten years later - that's the one endpoint that Feliana thinks she'll be able to reach.
　For ten years, she will help Grandizia to avoid suspicion. At the very least, I will work to ensure that the Kingdom of Orvance does not become a virtual enemy within Grandizia.
　And after ten years have passed, the treaty we signed this time will be reviewed. At that time, we will propose deeper ties.

''If you were originally from Orvance, you wouldn't have much of a reaction if the control of the territory was transferred from Grandizia to the Orvance Kingdom. If it's an invasion, even less so if it's a peaceful one.

Yes it all depends on what you do. It's up to you, Jessica.

I know. The best thing would be for me and Master Noah Whitefield to merge in marriage. If that is not possible, I think the next best thing is to merge them. In the first place, there's an elven woman on the other side....

　The main reason why Feliana decides to send Jessica to him.
　She wants Noah to take a daughter named Jessica to wife in the future. Then all that was left to do was to merge the two countries.
　Someone with the breath of the Olvance Kingdom would rule the country, and the front line would be left to the demons of Grandizia to fight. After that, as long as Noah is recognized as a member of the royal family in the Kingdom of Orvance, there will be no problem in merging the two countries. At the very least, Feliana is confident that Noah will be able to carry on the conversation without arousing any suspicion.

''Don't worry, you're my daughter.

'I hope so...'

　Jessica's lips twitched a little bit.
　At her daughter's words, Feliana can't help but relax her mouth. I think she is indeed a charming girl, but her low self-esteem is her only flaw, isn't it?
　But Feliana is convinced.
　Jessica will definitely deliver,'' she said.

'It's okay, Jessica,'

Mother...

'You must play the pretty, innocent girl. Noah Whitefield will protect you as long as you are not an enemy. Play a woman like that.

Yes sir. I will make sure that Orvance has peace.

　Feliana's daughter, Jessica Northlea Olvance.
　She is only eight years old, her wisdom and intrigue. It is supported by her innate profession.

'I will strive to marry into Lady Noah Whitefield.

Yeah.

He's a "Strategist".