episode_0273

Episode 273

Monaz’s hands were folded on the desk and she looked very nervous. His expression was more frozen than his hands.

“In the end, what you were trying to protect was the petty stubbornness of a bastard from the distant past.”

“…Yes…”

Adrian may be like this, but Monaz is not a villain. At least in my opinion.

However, the reason he took the lead in evil and even laid hands on the princesses, Na and Carmel, in the name of protecting the royal family was because of his so-called naive nature.

Accepting what has been passed down for a long time and what was acknowledged by one’s predecessors. Sometimes it is something that is taken for granted, but at least a judgment should have been made.

His hands on the desk began to tremble more and more.

“What can I… do?”

I sighed softly.

“Tradition Next, are you looking for answers from me?”

Monaz raised her head and looked at me as if she was surprised. His face, which I always thought was simple, now looked like a child on the verge of crying.

“Ugh…”

“I think you need some time to think. Please rest except for basic duties related to the security of the palace. And think about what you can do to repay what you have done.”

“…I understand…I understand…”

Monaz hid her hands under the desk and lowered her head. I left his room and left him there.

* * *

Today, with no special schedule, an unexpected person spoke to me while I was leisurely walking in the garden.

“It’s been a long time, Princess Sera.”

“Luna!”

Even though quite a bit of time has passed, his silver hair still looks like it was cut with a knife. Luna Laurencia seems to really like that hairstyle.

“I heard it was a great performance in Saint-Seine. Now, the noble council will have no choice but to bow down.”

“Thank you. But what happens in the palace? Without any notification of coming…”

“I gave you a message in advance… but it seems you didn’t know because you were away in Sanctuary. I am on my way to report the situation of the territory to His Majesty the King a little while ago.”

“Luna herself? This is unusual.”

“Because we are in a position where we have to show loyalty somehow. Moreover, there is news that is too important to be conveyed through humans.”

“What is that?”

Luna looked around. There was only me and Luna in the garden right now. There was only a faint scent of lilac.

“It’s so open here. Is this a good place to talk about secrets?”

“Yes, it’s okay here. Please tell me.”

Luna came closer to me. Luna whispered to me from a distance so close that our faces were almost touching.

“People came from the empire.”

“…What is your business?”

“Although it was expressed euphemistically, the final demand was ultimately an instigation of rebellion. Originally, Laurencia and Lustier were on equal footing, and asked if they had any intention of restoring the stolen territory.”

From the beginning, the empire was involved in Laurentia’s rebellion. Now that Elrond has been executed and Laurentia seems to be stabilizing, it appears that they have once again attempted to lure the people to their side.

“They intentionally withheld it as if there was room for it. That way, there will be room to understand their intentions. This matter has not yet been reported to His Majesty the King.”

“That’s… why?”

“I am the princess’s person rather than His Majesty the King.”

There was not a single smile on Luna’s face as she said that. Rather, that attitude seemed sincere.

“I believe that you, the princess, will use this information most effectively. I also believe that you have a significant position within the royal family.”

“I understand. It’s an empire…”

For a long time, the empire has been targeting the fertile lands of our Lustier Kingdom. You may feel that this is your last chance.

Laurencia, Sancerne, and Roberts. If the royal authority becomes stronger than this, invasion will become more difficult.

“What is the situation on the empire side?”

“The empire cannot be said to be in a smooth situation either. It is said that Emperor Ruper II’s condition has become critical recently. Competition for succession is expected to intensify.”

“Then can we say that we have some time?”

“You can’t guarantee that. In fact, it may be brought forward. If we succeed in conquering Lustier, it will become an extremely powerful card in the succession competition. I can’t be sure that there won’t be a prince who makes reckless attempts.”

Does this mean that the Lustier Kingdom, which is everything to us, is nothing more than an achievement for the empire to stand out in the succession competition? The difference in country size is once again realized.

“I understand. If you find out anything more, please let me know right away.”

“Not yet, princess. There is one more thing left to say.”

“Please tell me.”

“The situation in the north also seems to be unusual.”

“If it’s in the north… you mean Margrave Wihart?”

“Yes.”

Margrave Wihart already had a precedent of going over to Carmel and allowing Rika’s troops to pass through. Even in the novel, he is a character who betrayed the kingdom at an early stage.

According to Carmel, at some point, no matter how many times she contacted him, he stopped responding. There has been no special movement until now.

“What specifically?”

“This is a story I heard from merchants passing through that area. It appears that tax rates on farmers and commoners have been sharply raised and military supplies have begun to be stockpiled. This is not certain, but there is also talk of strengthening the military. It is a meaningful story now that the activities of the immigrants are quiet. This matter has also been reported to His Majesty the King.”

“What did your father say?”

“He didn’t say anything directly to me, but it seemed like he was taking a wait-and-see approach. Originally, military authority in the North belonged to the Margrave, so under normal circumstances, it would not be a wrong decision.”

“Do you think the Empire made contact?”

“I think the possibility of that happening is extremely high. However, there is still no confirmation.”

Even if there is information that the Empire’s Ganja was in contact with Laurentia, the same is true. It’s just a heartache. That alone cannot be evidence that the Margrave is acting for the empire.

“…That’s a difficult problem.”

Margrave Wichard’s military prowess is well known. If he began to invade the south in response to the empire’s invasion, it would have been a desperate crisis for the kingdom.

“There is nothing we can do about the empire’s ambitions. In that case, we must find out Margrave Wihart’s intentions as quickly as possible. If necessary…even purge.”

“I think so too.”

Luna calmly nodded.

From what I heard, it was indeed important information that the lord of Laurentia should have delivered in person. The fact that you told me this directly shows that you trust me that much.

“Thank you, Luna. I will not forget your loyalty. I will definitely use this information meaningfully.”

“I am very grateful for your words. If you need cooperation, Laurencia will do her best to be on your side at any time.”

As soon as the problem in Sanctuary was resolved, a crisis came again… No, it may be that crises come all at once in the first place. Like a pack of wild dogs chasing a wounded animal.

My heart felt a little heavy after a refreshing walk through the garden. It may be time to change your mind again.

I asked Luna, thinking of offering her a light meal.

“Do you have any future plans, Luna?”

“Oh, yes, there is.”

What came back was a knife-like answer. There is no mercy even for those who are loyal.

“Yeah, really? What is the schedule?”

“I heard that my daughter is being taken care of at the Roberts Mansion. I’m worried that I’m causing trouble to the Baron, so I’m thinking of going to take a look.”

“Hmm, that’s right. If it’s about Tina… hmm?”

Tina is obviously at the Roberts mansion.

The problem is the behavior.

William Roberts opened his eyes to the somewhat suspicious castle walls. To dress the duke’s daughter in a maid’s outfit and have her serve.

These are two people who have just opened their eyes to the opposite sex. There are only servants in the mansion. There has been nothing to curb William Roberts’ restless instincts since he arrived at the academy.

I couldn’t even imagine what form their relationship would have evolved into while Lurie was away. If Luna Laurencia, not anyone else, comes into the place…

“Ugh, mmm. okay. Did you tell Tina or Baron William that you were visiting?”

“No, I didn’t tell you that on purpose. That way, you will be able to see your usual self.”

Luna’s expressionless expression suddenly feels a little scary. Will Roberts die? Or will I end up living a life worse than death?

If he messed with Tina, he would have done it to some extent, but he still couldn’t let that guy die. I told Luna.

“Then may I accompany you? I didn’t see those two people while I was in Seine.”

“The princess? Of course it’s okay.”

Luna has the same expressionless expression as before. But at that moment, it seemed to me that he was smiling somewhat coldly.