Seven years since the war ended. The continent barely maintained a balance on the foundation of the peace treaty. While peace seemed to hold on the surface, in reality, each nation was engaged in a constant tug-of-war over the interpretation of the treaty.

The most sensitive issue was the 'Protectorate Treaty.' This clause, which allowed the victors to indirectly manage the diplomacy and economy of the defeated nations under the guise of stabilization, was effectively a treaty to expand the influence of the victors, including the Artein Empire.

Wine and food moved across the table, but the conversation had already quietly stepped into the realm of politics. None of the high-ranking officials of the victorious Artein Empire opposed this treaty; instead, discussions continued on how to maximize its effects further.

Serena sat at the center of that conversation as the Princess of the Artein Empire. Of course, her opinion was clear. She hoped to scale back the treaty that exploited and plundered other nations simply because they were the victors. She believed a more peaceful alternative surely existed and that it was more desirable and just. However, she did not go out of her way to contradict the arguments of the high-ranking officials. That was the nature of her position as a princess, no matter how weak her standing was. She simply maintained her convictions by not aligning with their opinions.

And there was a man observing her expression closely. The war hero of the Artein Empire and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Theodore Voltaire. He quietly set down his glass and spoke.