There are things everyone knows but rarely speaks of—unwritten rules, or taboos.
Today's meeting was exactly like that.
The nobles stepping outside wore stiff expressions as they quickened their steps. They acted as though they had heard something they shouldn't have, leaving without a word. If anything, their shoulders slumped as if they were the ones who had committed a crime.
Isaac simply bowed toward their retreating backs in farewell.
Watching these conservative nobles so visibly flustered gave him a secret thrill.
Finally, the condemned Liana made her way out of the audience chamber. Walking along the red carpet, she kept her head bowed low, unable to look ahead.
"...."
Should he offer some words of comfort?
Isaac, the one most involved, pondered it but couldn't think of anything truly reassuring to say.
In the end, instead of comforting her, he patted her back as she walked with heavy steps.
"Liana, the princesses will come to see you. Let's go back for now."
A nod.
And so, the place they returned to was a sort of solitary chamber. Given the unusual nature of her situation, locking her in the underground cell wasn't appropriate. Instead, she was confined in a small storeroom repurposed into a guest room.
Some time passed.
Princess Adeline and Princess Clarice entered, their attire now much lighter than before.
Formalities were skipped. They had already exchanged words during the meeting, and between them, such things weren't all that important.
"How is Liana doing?"
When Princess Adeline asked with a sly smile, Isaac glanced at Liana before answering in her stead.
"She's terribly embarrassed. I doubt her face will lose its redness for half the day."
Thump!
Liana abruptly shifted her hips, bumping lightly against Isaac's side—a silent protest against his words. Unfortunately, in her current state, it only came across as an adorable tantrum.
Adeline nodded in satisfaction at the sight.
"I'm glad Liana has returned safely. Don't dwell too much on what happened this time—no one doubts your sincerity."
Truthfully, Liana's body still yearned to move, to kill Princess Adeline. But the chains and shackles binding her couldn't be broken, and with Isaac—who had subdued her himself—standing openly by her side, there was nothing to worry about.
Isaac cautiously removed her gag after a quick glance at her.
"I'm sorry."
The moment her mouth was freed, Liana immediately apologized, her brows furrowing as if frustrated she couldn't kneel.
"Because of my shortcomings, the sword meant to protect the royal family was instead turned against them."
"Hah, being turned into a subjugation vassal has its uses. At least this way, we've confirmed Helmut's loyalty."
Adeline smiled faintly, having witnessed Helmut's true devotion. Given her habit of coveting talent, it seemed she now desired Liana for herself.
"A while ago—"
Clarice, who had been watching, suddenly blinked and interjected.
"Big sister once tried to seduce Isaac into her bedroom."
"Princess?!"
Isaac called out in alarm, but Clarice's gaze was already fixed intently on Liana, as if curious about her reaction.
Liana flinched slightly before calmly lifting her head to meet Clarice's eyes.
"Isaac is a man of that much charm. Even if Her Highness desires him, I suppose there's nothing to be done."
"Oho."
Clarice seemed impressed by the unexpectedly composed response.
Isaac sighed in relief before scolding Clarice.
"Princess, no matter what, teasing Liana like this is—"
"But it's a no."
The gazes of all three turned to Liana at once.
Her crimson eyes darted toward Isaac, silently urging him to gag her again—but her mouth was faster than her hands.
"Don't take him."
"I want Isaac to stay with me."
"I'd rather he not be with anyone else."
"Even if it's a princess, another woman shouldn't—"
"Ah—ahem!"
Isaac hastily gagged her again.
Adeline chuckled softly, patting Liana's head.
"Don't worry."
"..."
As Liana blinked her clear eyes, Adeline added in a comforting tone:
"If I were to take him, I'd take both of you together."
'She's insane.'
Isaac felt grateful he hadn't been turned into a subjugation vassal.
***
The next day, in front of the royal palace.
The kingdom, which had been in chaos, was now bustling with restoration work.
"Sigh, it's such a shame we barely got to talk, and now you have to leave right away."
Clarice sighed in complaint as she stood before the carriage heading to the Magic Tower.
"Maybe I should come along? What do you think, Isaac?"
"I strongly advise against it. You have plenty of duties to attend to here. Look—Heirad face has gone pale."
Clarice turned her head toward where Isaac pointed. There stood Heirad, visibly worried that she might leave. Though injured from the fight with Liana, he still remained at his post.
"Sigh, what a shame."
Clarice shook her head repeatedly before glancing at Liana, who stood beside Isaac.
"…You two haven't gotten back together, have you?"
"No, we haven't."
Isaac's immediate answer made Liana's shoulders slump slightly.
"I see. Hmm, just so you know—Isaac, my offer still stands."
"…Offer?"
Isaac tilted his head in confusion, making Clarice exhale in disbelief.
"Are you joking? You forgot that a princess proposed to you?!"
"…!"
Liana, startled, alternated her gaze between the two.
"Sigh, Isaac, do you want a punishment? No matter how handsome you are, you can't just brush off a princess's sincerity like this."
"Hmm, to answer seriously—I have no intention of pursuing any romantic relationships for now."
"I know. But by the time you do, I doubt I'll have a chance. I'm just saying it now."
"..."
Clarice's gentle smile was warm, almost like a consolation.
"End this war quickly. I hope you'll get to rest properly someday."
"…I sincerely hope for the same."
"When that time comes, I'll visit Isaac's estate often. You'll at least be a count by then, won't you? You've done so much."
"Ahem, I never acted with titles in mind."
"Achievements should naturally be rewarded."
Clarice winked playfully.
"Take care. I'll be waiting here for you."
"Yes, thank you."
Isaac bowed before stepping into the carriage with Liana.
"Oh, you're here!"
"Yaaawn, I'm sleepy."
Inside the carriage, Sharen and the Grandmaster were waiting. Though they hadn't done much this time, they had come along just in case.
"Coachman, let's depart."
"Aye!"
At the Grandmaster's knock on the wall, the carriage set off. Thus, the somewhat lax escort of the condemned Liana began its journey to the Magic Tower.
"Big sis, isn't it uncomfortable?"
Sharen, sitting across from Liana, tilted her head curiously. The gag did look rather stifling.
"If it's bothering you, I can take it off. It's just us here."
Despite Isaac's offer, Liana shook her head.
'Is she resisting because she's thinking something dangerous right now?'
He was about to respect her choice, but Sharen mischievously reached for the gag.
"Hey! I wanna talk to you properly!"
Click!
The moment the gag came off—
"What if the princess marries Isaac?"
It became immediately clear what Liana had been thinking about—and why she hadn't wanted the gag removed.
"Of course, I know I should congratulate him if he's happy."
"But I'd still be so sad."
"I'd cry so much. Ah, I think I'm already tearing up."
"How many people even like him? We just got divorced!"
"Isaac, please gag me again."
The thought process of someone under subjugation spell was often hard to follow. One moment, words would pour out uncontrollably, and the next, she'd realize she shouldn't be saying them.
At Liana's desperate plea, Isaac re-gagged her.
'Yeah, she should probably keep quiet for the rest of the trip.'
"Hoh, fascinating."
"Ahem, I'm a little uncomfortable."
Isaac wasn't used to Liana being so openly affectionate.
"Liana was always the quiet type. I've never seen her express affection like this."
Liana hung her head as if feeling guilty, so Sharen sneakily removed the gag again.
"Call me Lia, not Liana."
"..."
"Huh? Call me Lia. You used to call me that before."
"Sigh, Sharen. Be reasonable. You're making Liana suffer."
"I'd be so happy if you called me Lia."
"..."
Sharon giggled in amusement while the Grandmaster stifled a laugh behind her hand.
Despite her unrestrained words, Liana's face burned bright red, utterly flustered.
"G-Gag. Isaac, please, the gag."
"Alright, just a second."
Just as Isaac moved to gag her again—
"Big sis, what do you think of Isaac?"
Sharen seized the moment to ask.
"I LOOOOOOVE HIIIIIIIM!"
Liana's eyes spun in frantic circles as if searching for an escape.