Chapter 34
“No. Your Majesty.”
She turned her head, hearing an unexpected voice.
“Marquis Cyrka.”
“If you do this, how are you going to handle the people’s anger? The people of the Empire will be uneasy.”
“Uneasy?”
“That’s right. Rumors are circulating that the barriers of the country were almost destroyed by someone but were protected by Your Majesty’s magic. It can be said as a blessing for the country because you’re strong, but if the Princess, who has no magical powers, takes the place as the successor, talks will surely come out.”
She knew very well that those words were spoken among nobles, not imperial citizens. Berthas’ aura didn’t break the barrier, so she was well aware that the rumors were inflated.
“So, how about doing this?”
“Oh, the Marquis must have a brilliant idea!”
“Please, tell us!”
At those words, the nobles’ appearance rushing around was like watching a play. At least, that was how it felt in Isilis’s eyes. Those who acted like leeches for their own benefit… those who lived by relying on her magical power, talked a lot.
‘Should I kill them all…’
As she was seriously thinking, Marquis Cyrka spoke first.
“An imperial wedding.”
“Imperial wedding?”
“Yes.”
“Hasn’t that talk already ended?”
“You have the Princess, but she isn’t born with magical powers, so you need a successor to the Empire. So, it seems appropriate that you should marry.”
“Do you think so, too?”
Isilis asked as she watched Cyrka continue. She sighed at the sight of him responding to her words by bowing his head.
“Is there really no one here who thinks otherwise?”
When Duke Verus looked at her and tried to step out, Isillis gazed at him to stay still. They hadn’t yet noticed that she had a positive relationship with Duke Verus.
“That would be it, then.”
Isilis took a moment to catch her breath before she spoke.
“If you want, I will marry. However, I will set the conditions. Only royalty from other countries or sword masters are qualified to be my companion.”
“Yes?!”
“Don’t even think about bringing in stupid Lord. It doesn’t matter whether you are an imperial citizen from a foreign country or a normal citizen from another country. Those two conditions. That’s the condition for being my companion.”
She saw the nobles buzzing in embarrassment. Of course, it was since not just anyone couldn’t make the candidates.
It was Isilis’ cunning plan not to move as they wished.
“I will accept your orders. Your Majesty.”
When Cyrka, her aide, hurriedly bowed his head, the other nobles who were following him said the same thing and bowed their heads. It seemed to make her feel a little better. Feeding them a shot was not so refreshing.
Now, the one who satisfied the conditions Isilis said was Marquis Cyrka in this empire.
That was it.
“Envoys from other empires are also here, so let them know. I’m looking for a consort.”
“Is there any need for that?”
Count Monto stepped out again.
“Isn’t Marquis Cyrka enough as a candidate here?”
“What nonsense. Although Marquis Cyrka is from a great family, he couldn’t be the same as those who are the royalty of the Khalifa Empire and who are sword masters.”
Marquis Cyrka stood expressionless at her words. Isilis, who had been watching him, opened her mouth again.
“Don’t you think so, Marquis?”
“Everything according to Your Majesty’s will.”
Seeing the always obedient Marquis, Isilis was pleased.
‘It would have been nice if the other nobles had been like that.’
It was not fun if it was too easy, but it was tiring to deal with the snarky nobles as well.
“Let them know for now.”
“All right.”
Watching the nobles disperse, Isilis laughed. She felt pretty good.
Even though she didn’t say it, Berthas was among the candidates. He was the closest to being the candidate she wanted the most. He was a person who couldn’t inherit the imperial family or the throne of another country. Although unknown, he was a sword master.
“If only…”
“What did you say, Your Majesty?”
She waved her hand when the chief attendant asked when he did not hear her well. Taking a step back, she walked with the chief attendant behind her.
Isilis was very satisfied.
“Did you hear? Your Excellency?”
“What do you mean?”
Hector opened Berthas’ door and entered.
“The Empress declared an imperial wedding.”
“…Imperial wedding?”
“Yes.”
“With whom?”
“There are no candidates yet. They say there are conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“Someone who is an Imperial Family from another Empire or a sword master.”
When he heard Hector’s words, Berthas laughed. It was an amazing idea.
‘Did she say that with me in mind?’
He thought it would be nice. Hector, whether aware of Berthas’ thoughts or not, teased him frivolously.
“The Empress is not normal. A sword master… Is she going to do business with the marriage in the end?”
“That mouth!”
Berthas raised his voice. Startled by his voice, Hector flinched.
“What’s wrong?”
“Have you forgotten where this is, Sir Hector?”
“Ah… Still, isn’t it true? Only a sword master and the Imperial Family can become her companion. How many people meet the conditions…”
“There are more people than you think.”
“Yes?”
“There would be me, Marquis Cyrka, and Usman, the crown prince of Khalifa.”
“Your Excellency. You’re not trying to reveal that you’re a sword master, are you?”
If that happened, it was clear that sanctions would come from Hillenton. Berthas would be summoned to his home country, where he did not know what would await him. It was because they hadn’t yet known that he had become a sword master that they had left him free until now.
“What do you think?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you think the Regent of Hillenton is better or the spouse of Empress Larchen?”
“Of course, the Regent of Hillenton is better!”
“Do you think so?”
“You speak for granted! If you become the spouse of the Empress, wouldn’t you have to live under the influence of the Empress? If it were me, I would be the Regent of Hillenton.”
“Why, the Empress of Larchen is not good?”
“I hate scary women!”
Berthas laughed at Hector’s firm words.
Everyone would think that way. They must be saying that because they don’t know Isilis’ weak side. They say that because they don’t know that she only showed her heart to Berthas. If they knew that side of her, there would be many that would jump for her.
Even now, when they did not show such a figure, there were two people who had Isilis in their hearts. Usman and Marquis Cyrka… How would they react when they hear this news?
“They will come at her.”
Of course. It would be obvious.
“Who are you talking about?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“How mean!”
‘Mean.‘
At least Hector told him of the news. Berthas would have rolled him over and over again if he had gossiped about Isilis without telling him the news. Hector, not even knowing what Berthas was thinking, opened his mouth again.
“What are you going to do?”
“What?”
“Will you come forward?”
He asked, afraid that Berthas might try to become the Empress’ spouse.
“Not yet.”
“Not yet? Do you have any thoughts?”
“If not?”
“Then, why!”
Berthas laughed at Hector’s upset voice. If he had heard the news the other day, he would have volunteered. It was clear that he was trying his best to somehow connect with Isilis. Though not now… He had other goals. He saw a future not only with Isilis but with his daughter.
That was why Berthas just smiled.
Hector, seeing his smile, looked at him with a strange look. Regardless of his gaze, Berthas just smiled. Isilis’ tricks were to his liking, but if they went wrong, they could hold her back because Usman Khalifa and Marquis Cyrka were here now.
“I’ll watch and see for now.”
“Why would you watch? Let’s just get out of here, Duke.”
“I can’t.”
“Why is it!”
“Sir Hector.”
“….”
“It’s not that I don’t know how you feel, but I have thoughts, too…”
“I understand your thoughts, but you must not change your mind from yesterday.”
“Mind?”
“That feeling of wanting to become the Regent! It should never change. I dreamed of a future where Your Excellency becomes the Regent and rules Hillenton.”
“Why do you dream of that?”
“It would have been nice if I hadn’t had any expectations at all, but it’s a feeling that has already been formed. I have started dreaming of an ideal, so I have to see the end.”
“The end may be the road to death.”
“I know. Still, this, Hector… I will do it, even if I die.”
Berthas shook his head, hearing Hector’s firm words.
“You are too reckless.”
“I did not know if Your Excellency is someone who should say such a thing to me.”
“I didn’t even know I was going to say this to you. Please, spare your life.”
“Why?”
“For my child.”
“…You are completely determined.”
Berthas smiled at Hector, who spoke with his eyes shining. The smile was so brilliant that Hector couldn’t help but stare at it in awe. It was the most lively and confident smile he had ever seen of Berthas.
This also proved that his choice was not wrong.
Sunlight streamed through the window and shone over his head. Berthas’ sun-baked face shone with determination.
Seeing his face, Hector knelt down. It was a tribute to the reborn Imperial Family.
Berthas, who had been watching him, nodded and patted him on the shoulder. It was the moment when the person who had escaped from his role as the Imperial Family returned to his place.
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