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nChapter 110

nProofreader: somnium

n“Debt?”

n“I didn’t point out anything about your remarks.”

nAmalie looked at Gayan silently. Gayan smiled.

nRiagan Duchy was a matter between the Emperor and the Empress.

nLawrence has already turned away from Miraila to win the Empress’ approval. The Emperor watched it.

nFavors for Lawrence are not the same as they used to be. This time, however, he dared to touch the Duke of Riagan, which the Emperor himself had chosen, for the Empress.

nRather, it would be okay to touch a powerful nobleman or a government official.

nThe Emperor would have been proud if he had succeeded in trampling Chancellor Lin, or if he had developed control over the court by taking Amalie or Gayan as a scapegoat.

nHowever, the Duke of Riagan is the dog of the Emperor.

nWhen a grown-up, hateful son kicks an old dog that has been raised for 18 years, he will get angry. Even if the dog started to disobey.

nIf he’s lucky, he’ll get everything, but rather, the Empress is more likely to demand more and incur the Emperor’s anger.

nGayan did not point that out in front of Lawrence.

nHe did not even point out that Amalie could not make such a high-risk proposal.

n“….”

nAmalie turned her gaze without having to deny it.

nLawrence seldom listens even when one gives advice. Gayan knew that Amalie had been feeling skeptical from the beginning.

nIn fact, her remarks have declined dramatically in recent years.

nPutting it all together, what she said today couldn’t have been done for Lawrence. Amalie is not a young official in a hurry to build her achievements.

nGayan said.

n“Lord Lawrence doesn’t know how to fear His Majesty. I guess I’m not the only one who realizes that.”

n“Did you not know before?”

n“I did.”

nGayan’s carriage reached the front door. Still, Gayan continued to speak without thinking of moving.

n“Miraila is still alive.”

n“….”

n“To be honest, even if His Majesty is angry, I don’t think he’s going to give up on Sir Lawrence.”

n“Is that so?”

n“Countess Eunice is someone whose vision is only in her family’s troubles, and Countess Josiah ran away from the capital because she was too scared. The husbands, too, were chosen by His Majesty deliberately to be quiet and passive….. Now, it is difficult to teach them about imperialism.”

nGayan evaluated the other two illegitimate daughters of the Emperor as such.

nSo, if the Emperor decides to hand over the crown to his child no matter what, it means there is no other alternative.

nGayan must have guessed who Amalie decided to kneel to. After erasing the children of the Emperor and Grand Duke Roygar, there is only one royal family left.

nAnd when it comes to human affairs, he probably knows that Amalie’s choice is the best for them.

nOn the other hand, he also judged that the Emperor’s will is more important than who the king is.

nAmalie said.

n“Who doesn’t know it’s difficult to get off the boat on a flowing river?”

n“Thank you for your understanding. I trust Dame Harper’s eyes. Please leave it to me.”

nThat meant he wouldn’t disturb her.

nThat was enough. He will turn this way the moment he thinks that Lawrence’s ship is likely to sink.

nIt could have been better than visually increasing power or even taking a hit on Lawrence.

nGayan waved and said goodbye to Amalie.

nAmalie also lightly nodded and greeted each other. Then, watching Gayan’s carriage, she muttered to herself.

n“For Sir Lawrence to arouse His Majesty’s anger…….How can that be a simple thing?”

nThere was no one else who could hear that.

n***

nCountess Eunice’s eldest daughter Fiona, who turned 16 not long ago, was sitting in front of the piano.

nWhen she dressed up in nice clothes and raised her hair, she looked quite a pretty lady. The Emperor stood next to her with a smile and handed over a sheet of music.

nFiona’s performance was frankly incompetent. She was sitting next to the Emperor, so she was nervous by the pressure and she made more mistakes.

nEven if he is her maternal grandfather, he is also the Emperor. And Fiona was at the age that already knew what power was.

nHayley had never played the piano, and she wasn’t familiar with it. However she knows for the first time that when the piano keys were tapped, it could make such a scratching sound.

nEven though it was a terrace with an open space toward the garden.

nEven Countess Eunice, who was sitting across, didn’t look good.

nFiona tried to exaggerate her skills in order to be seen by the Emperor and she failed.

nIt was a matter of being seen affectionately. But the Emperor smiled.

nFiona’s insidious attitude resembles Countess Eunice. One way or another, it was cute to the Emperor.

nWhen the performance was over, the Emperor escorted Fiona back to the tea table, and he said.

n“You practiced a lot,”

n“Oh, yes, Your Majesty.”

n“You don’t have to struggle to perform too difficult songs, Fiona. A lady’s playing skills should be good enough to entertain her family in the salon.”

n“Yes…..”

nFiona replied with difficulty. She bit her lips firmly, and looked around the terrace.

nAnd she pointed out to Lysia, who looked easygoing and young, among them.

n“How about Morten Heir Apparent?”

n“Yes?”

nLysia, who was playing with the bunny doll and the ten-year-old younger daughter Larni, was surprised and asked again.

n“Me?”

n“Yes. What is Morten Heir Apparent learning these days?”

nLysia’s face turned red.

n“Shooting.”

n“Are you any good at it?”

n“It’s a crossbow.”

n“It’s not cultured.”

n“Isn’t it close to being cultured? It’s almost useless in practice.”

nFiona gazed at her nervously.

nThe answer Fiona wanted was something like a musical instrument or embroidery. She must have learned it in some village within Evron. She asked with the intention of laughing at her at whatever came out.

nBy shooting, let alone a crossbow. As she talked, she didn’t show the gap, and Fiona couldn’t tell her to try it out here.

nThe Emperor laughed.

n“You lost, Fiona. It’s no wonder that crossbows are cultured in Evron.”

n“I think Lady Fiona and Lady Larni will be able to enjoy it as much as an arrow throw.”

nLysia said with a bright smile.

nShe thought she couldn’t entertain the people in this place with what she had learned, but she was excited because she wanted to come up with a good idea.

n“Arrow throw?”

nLarni asked.

n“Have you never tried it?”

n“No.”

nLarni, who has a lively personality, sparkled her eyes. Countess Eunice frowned at her.

n“She is wearing a new dress after a long time.”

n“It’s okay. Throwing an arrow doesn’t mean running or rolling on the floor.”

n“Rolling on the floor?”

nFiona asked back in an astonished voice. “No rolling,” Lysia replied, as she wasn’t able to get the exact meaning of the word.

n“Grandpa, I want to try it.”

nLarni said, shaking the Emperor’s knees.

nThe Emperor laughed again. Then he called the attendant and ordered him to bring an arrow and a barrel that could be used for throwing arrows.

n“I can’t even remember when I’ve done that.”

n“Who’s playing with that kind of thing these days? I’d rather have taught them how to shoot an arrow properly.”

nCountess Eunice shed her eyes.

nDespite the sudden order, the attendants brought arrows and a beautifully decorated basket.

nLysia kindly took Larni’s hand and stepped down the steps into the garden. The attendants put the basket.

nFiona had a nervous face. She was forced to take Larni out instead of the Emperor, who was watching them with a pleased face.

nA realization came that it was time to tell the stories of adults.

nHayley hesitated for a moment as to whether to follow Lysia or remain.

nArtizea beckoned her with a tired face. Hayley sat there and fixed Artizea’s hem.

nThe Emperor picked up the rabbit doll that Larni was hugging and fiddled with it.

nAnd he smirked.

n“You have a lady-in-waiting who doesn’t match you. It’s a precious thing to be comforted by. Cherish it.”

n“I’m grateful.”

n“I think you got a smart kid.”

n“Because there are many hidden talents in Evron. And also trustworthy people.”

nThen the Emperor laughed again.

nHayley lowered her eyes, unable to hide her tension.

nAt first, Hayley thought that the Emperor’s call to inviting them into a private space could be ignored.

nShe thought that he had to courteously welcome the Grand Duchess of Evron.

nBut she saw that it’s not. This was the position of real power.

nThe Emperor did not greet the Grand Duchess of Evron, but received the greetings of his nephew’s wife, which gave Evron a seat with the imperial family.

nAll the authentic goods brought from Evron Grand Duchy were officially accepted, and gifts were given in return. That is all the formal courtesy.

n“You look tired.”

nThe Emperor said to Artizea. Artizea sighed a little.

nIt was neither polite nor wise to show fatigue in front of the Emperor.

nBut she couldn’t pretend to be calm now. She couldn’t even cover it with makeup, so the shade under her eyes turned black.

nArtizea said honestly.

n“It’s been a long journey, so I can’t get rid of my fatigue.”

n“It’s not easy for a winter trip. You must have been thinking about the benefits.”

nAt the Emperor’s words, Countess Eunice opened her eyes wide. She thought Artizea had escaped the war.

nAnd so she was surprised to think about the profit.

nThe Emperor continued.

n“You sounded pretty cheeky in front of Grand Duke Roygar.”

n“I didn’t say anything wrong.”

nArtizea replied calmly. The Emperor laughed with his teeth exposed.

n“Is Evron Grand Duchy really in danger? Or, was your investment suddenly shrunken and you’re scared?”

n“I’m flattered, Your Majesty. I’ve never had an investment.”

n“Then, did you buy a lot of land and grain in the west because you were scammed by a merchant? You should quit the joke. You know I don’t like it.”

nAt that, the Emperor laughed loudly.

nArtizea gave a pale smile.

n“If you really didn’t like it, you would have called me to a royal court. Not a terrace.”

nThen she threw her gaze toward the garden.

nThe spring breeze carried the scent of flowers. Small petals that had naturally fallen off rolled around the edge of the terrace.

nLarni threw an arrow into the basket and shouted cheers. Fiona, with a dissatisfied face, also seemed a little excited. Lysia’s arrow was deadly accurate.

nArtizea again turned her gaze, looked at the Emperor, and politely bowed her head.

n“It’s something we do to survive. Please forgive me.”

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