Comment by Introvert on Introvert

After the meeting, Marchioness Ortio angrily confronted Phileo outside the palace. She accused him of supporting a plan that threatened the East's independence and could give the imperial family control over the gates. Phileo calmly explained that he had actually voted against the proposal. He admitted that he understood why the East was upset but also seemed interested in seeing the tensions grow between the regions and the empire. The argument became heated. Ortio complained that the East had suffered more interference from the empire than other regions and could not allow outsiders to gain influence there. She was especially furious about the demand to hand over documents related to the gates. Phileo even jokingly asked why she had not started a rebellion yet, secretly wishing she would. Before leaving, he unexpectedly offered her a strawberry-flavored candy as a peace offering. Ortio was so angry that she threw it on the ground and crushed it after he left. Meanwhile, inside the palace, Emperor Subitheo, Viscount Olore, and Marquess Parlduce's son watched the exchange. Olore criticized the East, calling them hypocrites who only sided with whoever benefited them. Parlduce's son immediately warned him not to insult the East because his own family had strong ties there. The Emperor then announced that administrators would soon be sent to every region to begin inspecting roads and transportation networks. At the same time, back in the North, Leo was having a lesson with Varya. Although Varya and Phileo had confessed their feelings for each other, they were not officially a couple yet. Varya wanted to continue teaching Leo because she felt responsible for her education. During class, Varya introduced several books about morality and proper behavior.