The Abandoned Empress

“When he noticed we were approaching, he quickly opened his eyes and told us to go back.

So, we watched him at a distance. He looked at you for a long time, took off his robe and carried you in his arms.”

What?

My eyes popped out. I thought somebody carried me to this place because the place I fell asleep was different from the place I woke up, but I never thought he carried me in person.

Not caring about my surprised look, Sir June continued, “And then, he laid you on the bed and looked at you for a long time, he came out with a deep sigh. I was alarmed at his deep sigh.”

“… ”

“This is why youth is good. Oh my, I wonder if I will ever have a date…”

“Sir June, stop there,” said Sir Seymour.

“But…”

“That’s enough. Hey, that’s the problem, man.”

“Okay, okay. So stop frowning like that.”

Sir June shook his head at his warning voice, then remained silent. I walked on silently, covering my blushing cheeks.

I was escorted to one of several restaurants in the Central Palace. When I stepped in after taking a deep breath, the young man with blue hair sitting at the head table said, “Good morning!”

“… I’m honored to see the Sun of the empire!”

Normally I would not have cared, but today I found myself conscious of people around me.

Maybe it was because my father and the two dukes were here, or because not only the pro-emperor faction but also the noble faction led by Duke Jena and Marquis Mirwa’s son were there.

“Sit down.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A heavy silence lasted even after I took a seat. I was not sure whether it was because they stopped talking in the middle or the ranking members of both factions gathered. The silence continued after the second main course was served.

How much time passed? After pushing aside the plates, Marquis Mirwa’s son said, breaking the long silence, “I’m sorry to tell you this again when you already talked about the state affairs all night. Your Majesty, how are you going to deal with the arson attacks spreading in the capital these days? It’s been quiet for a while, now the arson is back. Don’t you think you should increase the investigation staff to find the criminal?”

‘Arsons again?’

I was puzzled because I was never briefed about it. I clearly told my house vassal Baron Carot to report to me about every little thing, but why didn’t he tell me about it?

“Well, I would love to, but there are already many involved in the search efforts. I am afraid I can’t make more staff available for the investigation.”

“However, the arsonist is not targeting ordinary people, but the noble families in the capital. I’m afraid that the people will scorn the imperial family and noble families as the suspect is still on the loose.”

Obviously, he had a point. But only Marquis Enesil nodded. My father and the two dukes did not respond. I felt uncomfortable somehow. Was there a conspiracy here?

Duke Jena slowly put down the glass and giggled, saying, “Well, it looks like he is a blessed criminal because we can’t catch him at all.”

“What do you mean by that?”

When he asked curiously, Duke Jena explained, “Oh, you might not know about it, but he made a great disturbance in the capital ten years ago. There was a similar arson at that time. After all, we couldn’t catch him.”

“Really?”

Duke Verita said after looking at the son of Marquis Mirwa lost in thought, “I’m not sure if that guy was responsible for this arson. That guy’s arson attack took place a long time ago.”

“I’ve never heard of any wolf stopping hunting because it was old.”

“I know, but there were lots of rumors about that suspect from the beginning, but he was never identified. Now ten years later he is at it again? I think that’s pure speculation.”

“Not identified yet? That’s nonsense…”

As both sides’ argument was getting heated, the emperor said, “Stop it. Let me order the security department to pay more attention to it. If they can’t, let me consider dispatching the knights. Okay?”

Although they were not satisfied, the successor of the Jena family nodded as if he couldn’t help it. Duke Verita also nodded with a smile.

Duke Lars, who was watching the scene for a while, said, putting down the fork, “Your Majesty, what are you going to do with your coronation ceremony? I think we have to begin discussing the matter.”

“Well, I was going to discuss the agenda at tomorrow’s cabinet meeting. The ceremony itself is not a problem, but what really matters is the issue of noble succession and amnesty.”

At that moment everybody’s eyes were glaring. As this is a matter that can have a tremendous effect on the national political scene, both factions would most likely confront each other over the issue.

“Your Majesty, I told you yesterday about it, but I think the succession of Earl Penril is still premature. This is a matter that permanently grants the status of the command of the Royal Knights to his family. I don’t want to look down on the earl’s loyalty, but the succession of the noble title of his family is a different matter,” said Duke Jena’s successor.

But my father balked at him and said, “Is it your own opinion or that of the Jena family?”

I hurriedly shut my mouth to hold back a peal of laughter because it was so funny that a man at my father’s age was still called Duke Jena’s successor.

In fact, he was old enough to inherit his father’s title. Given the nature of the imperial nobles in charge of various affairs, it was customary to take over the title from their fathers in their mid to late-twenties.

“What are you talking about? I don’t know why you are trying to separate my opinion from my family’s. Actually, my opinion is my family’s.”

“Hmm, as you are so sure, it seems like you are here after getting permission from your father today.”

When my father said that, there was heard someone letting out a chuckle silently. Everyone’s gaze turned towards him.

“Hmmm…Sorry.”

Marquis Enesil hastily changed his expression and apologized, but the face of Duke Jena’s successor was already contorted.

Clicking his tongue at that, the emperor said, “It looks like you are on edge because you sat up all night. Please stop it.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

“…I’m sorry. ”

Although he responded reluctantly, the successor of Duke Jena was still angry in his voice because his eyes fiercely glowed at Marquis Enesil.

“Now, let’s stop talking about complicated political affairs. Please enjoy your food now. You can discuss this at the cabinet meeting.”

Everyone nodded at his suggestion and held the forks. I also put the fork to the plate in front of me.

‘Oh, it’s a grilled mushroom dish. I really enjoy it. ‘

When I was enjoying the taste of the dish happily, a servant approached me carefully and put down another plate. I asked with a small voice, tilting my head, “What’s this? I think I already got my share. ”

“His Majesty has told me to bring this to you.”

“His Majesty?”

When I raised my head and looked at him, he smiled, staring at me.

I opened my eyes wide. How did he know I really liked this dish?

I blushed when I noticed him winking at me to enjoy it. While I took my eyes off of him, I met the eyes of Marquis Mirwa’s son. I was embarrassed when he smiled at me brightly, as if he knew something about me and the emperor.

How much time passed?

Except for one more argument, both factions enjoyed the breakfast in a comfortable atmosphere. After the emperor left the place, expressing thanks for their work, the successor of Duke Jena who was staring at my father sharply and Marquis Mirwa’s son who bowed politely also left.

Only

Duke Verita, looking at them from behind with a smile, said, looking back at me, “Good morning, Lady Monique. Did you have a good sleep last night?”

“Oh, well…”

“Hey, Ruth, why are you teasing her? Let’s go. We can’t afford to spend time here to prepare for the new emperor’s coronation ceremony.”

“Okay, okay. See you later, Lady Monique.”

When the two dukes and Marquis Enesil left the place, my father said, “What happened?”

“Well, I fell asleep while talking with him about the late emperor…”

“You fell asleep?”

“Yes. I took a walk with him briefly in the garden and sat down for a while walking, then…”