The Duchess of Roam’s gaze gradually regained its composure.
“Do you recall the rumors that circulated when Her Majesty the Empress was attacked by Monsters? It was said the Monsters transformed into animals to approach. And that a Dullahan appeared as well.”
The Duke of Roam, who had been silently listening to his wife’s explanation, asked in a weary voice.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying it could all be a play staged by Anelli herself, trying to manipulate everything with her own hands.”
“Has Lilia made another strange prophecy?”
“That cunning child is trying her best to captivate my heart. But I am not saying this because I am swayed by that. My dear, I simply wish for you to establish a successor you can control.”
As if it were all for the Duke’s sake, the Duchess smoothly continued her words and gracefully approached her husband.
“Moreover, I hear His Majesty is displeased with the First Prince consorting with the Magic Tower. His status, having fallen out of the Emperor’s favor, is precarious. If one must lend him strength, a marriage alliance must proceed, but whom can we send to the First Prince?”
The Duchess reached out and calmly smoothed her husband’s shoulder. After repeating this a few times, the tension in the Duke’s stiff shoulders eased slightly.
“The situation has changed, my dear, just as you said.”
“We cannot send Anelli away. That child is of Roam’s bloodline.”
Not just of Roam’s bloodline, but a very valuable one at that.
The Duchess understood what her husband meant to say. She shared his opinion.
Anelli, the Resurrected One chosen by the goddess—undeniable, a living idol no different from a deity. Sending her outside of Roam was unthinkable.
“I’m not saying we should cast her out. Merely… that we should be cautious. We still have options, don’t we?”
Though they had been closely aligned with Maxel for a long time, they had nothing properly established with Heinri.
Had they solidified the relationship with the most certain card—a marriage alliance—they might have been unable to withdraw, but that was not the case.
The Duchess continued.
“Lilia said this: the Crown Prince will soon lead troops on a large-scale Monster subjugation. Through this, he will gain the praise of the imperial citizens and ascend the throne.”
That Lilia’s foresight had returned was a fact both of them knew.
The Duke said nothing. Yet, deep anguish was etched into the furrows of his brow.
The Duchess spoke unhurriedly, in a measured tone.
“Though the goddess sent down the Resurrected One to repel the Monsters, how could such a tremendous task be accomplished by the Resurrected One alone?”
The Duke swallowed a sigh.
While he could believe it was the goddess who resurrected Anelli, he did not believe Anelli could exterminate all Monsters by herself.
Even if the Duchess hadn’t pointed it out, he had likely considered it.
Anelli seemed to possess no particular power, and the only image she had shown to the outside world was that of being kidnapped by Monsters time and again.
Of course, she had returned unharmed each time… but her abilities remained shrouded in mystery, did they not?
“If the Crown Prince leads troops and handles the Monsters, he would certainly gain support.”
“Yes. Roam needs the Resurrected One, but we must not forget our close ties with the imperial family either.”
After saying this, the Duchess thought of Anelli.
Anelli was the future Empress she had meticulously groomed.
A daughter who obeyed her mother’s teachings and executed them splendidly. Yet a foolish thing who, unable to withstand her own burdensome greed, was heading toward self-destruction.
Recalling how she had crumbled in the past, placing that girl as a minor duchess based solely on the reputation of being the Resurrected One was indeed an unsettling matter.
“Externally, the Resurrected One’s momentum is favorable, so take care that she does not act capriciously. It would be troublesome if trivial matters concerning servants twisted her disposition. Sayri needs time.”
“I will have the message delivered immediately.”
In the end, it was the Duke who took a step back.
Recalling last night’s conversation and calmly organizing her thoughts, the Duchess rose.
Had Anelli gone to the imperial palace?
“Tell them to prepare, as I must go out.”
“Yes, my lady. And this is a letter that arrived for you.”
A direct attendant carefully placed down a letter. On the outer envelope was written the name of the Phrygian.
Confirming this, the Duchess clicked her tongue with an irritated expression.
“Let us go out first.”
The unopened letter disappeared into a drawer.
* * *
“Her Majesty the Empress has still not awakened.”
I had thought she would open her eyes immediately once the Rusalka was killed.
Hearing the news that the Empress remained asleep, I pensively pressed my lips together. Perhaps it would be better if I examined her myself?
‘If it’s a matter of authority, I must see it with my own eyes.’
Heinri gave me time to think sufficiently.
Sitting across from me, he quietly sipped his tea in silence, only opening his mouth again around the time I let out a long sigh.
“It was after the Magic Tower and the Temple caused quite a commotion.”
“Yes.”
“His Majesty’s wrath was considerable.”
Tsk. If the Emperor was angry, the one who would have suffered beside him must have been Heinri.
When I looked at Heinri with a hint of pity, he shook his head with a bitter smile.
“He grows more sensitive by the day.”
“Tsk.”
I sighed and picked up my own teacup.
“Perhaps he may wish to recall Maxel to his side. Coincidentally, I heard Maxel requested an audience with His Majesty today.”
“Is that so?”
“When I subtly inquired, it seemed he was seeking permission to leave the palace.”
“I see.”
Nodding in response to his words, I set down the cup.
In a tone that suggested he had no idea what Maxel’s intentions might be, Heinri said,
“It seems he intends to visit the Ruejak barony. But wasn’t the young lady of Baron Ruejak close to you?”
“…….”
My hand, about to pick up a snack, inadvertently halted in midair.
But it was only for an instant, and I picked up a pastry as if nothing were amiss.
The crumbs sticking prickly to my fingertips were quite bothersome.
“We were close friends.”
My mouth felt dry upon hearing that name after so long.
“Right, so it sounded familiar.”
Watching Heinri nod nonchalantly, I swallowed a sigh with mixed feelings.
I carelessly set down the uneaten pastry on the table and wiped my hands with a handkerchief. Then, I took out a paper I had brought with me and handed it to him.
Confirming that Heinri received and unfolded the paper, I gripped the teacup handle.
“It’s an unbelievably foolish choice.”
When I muttered sullenly, Heinri replied as if to himself,
“Indeed. Truly mad. Is this really her prophecy?”
“Yes. It’s the novel she’s been writing very diligently every night lately.”
So diligently that Tristan’s hardship in relaying its contents was no small matter.
Heinri calmly read through the paper, confirmed the last sentence, and then folded it. He then brought it close to a nearby candlestick and held it to the flame.
As I stared fixedly at the paper curling black, Heinri subtly posed a question.
“Will you be alright?”
It was an unkind question, but I could understand what he was asking. I nodded and took a sip of tea.
Rinsing my bitter mouth with the warm tea water left a much fresher feeling.
“I told you. We were close friends.”
At that moment, I recalled the young lady of the Ruejak barony, elegantly raising her head and staring at me.
My friend, whose turn was pushed back quite a bit because there were so many people to hate.
She was one of the common folk moved by Lilia’s kindness and who criticized my coldness.
A woman who, under the pretext of wanting her friend to walk the right path, diligently pointed out my actions.
If Lilia was the pastry, the young lady of Ruejak was like the crumbs clinging to it.
“She was a close friend to me, but with Lilia, it was a relationship of life and death. She was transformed by Lilia’s influence into a warm and benevolent young lady.”
Moreover, the young lady’s long-unrequited love bore fruit thanks to Lilia. Taking that as an opportunity, she became Lilia’s spokesperson and admonished me.
Heinri murmured.
“Oh, I see.”
“So you need not worry about me. Rather, it’s a fortunate thing. They gather on their own without any hassle, without me even asking.”
After comfortably emptying my cup, I smiled faintly at Heinri.
“So, when do those bastards depart for the Ruejak barony?”
“You know the atmosphere in the imperial palace as well. It won’t be easy to get permission all at once.”
The Ruejak barony’s territory was quite far from the capital.
Using a warp gate would get one there quickly, but the Emperor would not like the idea of leaving the palace in these turbulent times with the Empress collapsed.
Especially these days when he distrusts Heinri, wouldn’t he hold onto Maxel even more?
Tilting my head, I speculated about the conversation between the Emperor and Maxel, then spoke in an unconcerned tone.
“But since His Majesty’s mind grows more clouded by the day, he will likely grant permission soon.”
“Tsk, speaking such irreverent words so casually.”
“So, will you have me arrested for irreverence?”
I asked calmly while refilling my own teacup. Having dismissed all the maids to converse freely, I had no choice.
A gentle steam rose from the adequately filled cup. Just like at the beginning.
“It is sad that His Majesty is losing his cognitive abilities, but as a son, I must accept it. I plan to begin His Majesty’s treatment as soon as Mother opens her eyes.”
As if the Emperor were truly ill somewhere, Heinri’s voice was laden with concern.
It was amusing. I hadn’t known Heinri was someone who could exaggerate emotions so much. He had skill worthy of taking the stage in a play right away.
“Her Majesty the Empress must open her eyes soon.”
I rose. On the table sat a teacup still full as if untouched from the start, but I didn’t much feel like drinking it.
“I wish to see Her Majesty the Empress.”
At my words, Heinri readily nodded and called for an attendant.
“The Resurrected One wishes to convey a prayer of blessing to Her Majesty the Empress. Have them prepare to receive the guest.”
The Rusalka was dead, and the authority the Rusalka held was now in my hands.
So if the Empress still cannot awaken due to an issue of authority, then surely I can resolve it.
I had to go and confirm that.