11. Gift.

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Take it.”

“Thank you.”

 

 

A woman with an overall dignified impression held a teacup with both hands.

It was an action that came out naturally, probably because the woman in front of me was of high status.

 

 

“I’ve always wanted to talk to you someday.”

 

The one who said it with a slight smile was Huana.

Although not yet announced, she is already decided as the next Emperor with Cornelia’s internal decision.

 

 

As soon as her succession to the throne was confirmed, she immediately began gathering people.

 

She met the heads of the numerous factions of the nobility, and also the Tower Lords of the Magic Tower.

She also met famous scholars in academia and nobles who were showing growth.

 

 

The woman in front of me is a little different, but anyway, the context is similar.

 

 

“It’s an honor.”

“Hehe. We even played together when we were young. Was it already 15 years ago?”

 

The woman smiled slightly.

I definitely have such memories.

 

 

Thanks to her mother, who was a childhood friend of the current Emperor, she often hung out with the princesses from a young age.

 

“Where is your mother these days? Do you keep in touch often?”

“We keep in touch often. It’s just that she’s always traveling around… but she’s likely to come to the home country this time.”

“Oh my. That’s great. I want to see her after a long time. My mother will too.”

 

Huana wore a happy expression.

 

“My mother will also be happy to see His Majesty after a long time.”

“That’s right. The two of them are close friends, after all.”

 

Huana chatted about good things.

The summoned woman wasn’t the type to chat, but somehow the story progressed smoothly.

 

Then,

 

 

“By the way, what business do you have for calling me?”

 

She asked very directly.

For a moment, it seemed like there was a disturbance on Huana’s face, but it subsided in a very brief moment.

 

 

“There’s no particular business. I just wanted to see you after a long time and have a conversation.”

“…Is that so.”

 

 

As if she wouldn’t know.

Huana is now exploring and recruiting her own people.

She judges whether a person is beneficial to her through conversation and records evaluations of each person.

And when she later ascends to the throne, she plants the people she has looked at in advance here and there.

 

 

‘My mother and I are probably also subjects of evaluation.’

 

 

If you look at her as herself, she is not the type of talent that the next Emperor would covet.

She is definitely a great woman, but she wasn’t that impactful.

 

But the background she has is something that even the next Emperor cannot ignore.

It’s because the Persia’s First Sword, ‘Terrin de Yerina’ is her mother!

 

 

She is respected by many knights, and as a Duchess of a country, she also has a considerable number of soldiers.

Also, there are many nobles who follow her, so if you count factions, she is one of the top three influential figures in the country.

 

 

However, the flaw is that she is almost always abroad.

 

 

 

 

“By the way, it’s almost that child’s memorial day. How are you these days? Are you okay?”

“…Yes. I’m much better.”

 

The expressions of the two women darkened.

 

 

“Forget it now. That would be better for that child too. A princess should live the life of a princess. It’s already been 4 years.”

“…It’s not easy.”

 

It can’t be easy.

It’s not just breaking up with a loved one, but bereavement, so it can’t be easily forgotten.

 

 

Huana doesn’t have the experience, but she heard about it, so she didn’t say anything more.

In the first place, her purpose was to build friendship, not to really comfort her, and she didn’t have the ability to do so.

 

 

 

 

 

Ttokttok.

 

 

At that time, a maid came in.

 

 

“Your Highness, Her Majesty is calling for Princess Theodora-nim.”

“…My mother?”

“?”

 

 

What’s going on all of a sudden?

If she really has something to say, she can call Theodora when she has time. To call her when she’s meeting with Huana.

 

 

She was puzzled, but she couldn’t refuse to go.

 

 

“It was fun. Let’s meet again next time.”

 

She greeted with a smile, and Theodora bowed to her once and stepped back.

 

 

“…Well, it’s probably nothing.”

 

 

She felt strangely ominous, but she tried to calm her mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Did you call for me, Your Majesty?”

“Come in.”

 

Theodora, who was called, bowed in front of Cornelia.

 

“….”

 

 

Cornelia looked at her with a gaze mixed with various emotions, and then told her to sit on the chair.

 

 

Theodora sat on the chair with a slightly uncomfortable face.

Originally, Cornelia should have become her mother-in-law, but due to the death of her fiancé whom she couldn’t protect, their relationship became quite twisted.

 

Even now, Cornelia was sitting on the opposite side of her and glaring at her slightly.

Even now, when she sees Theodora, she can still see Merlin’s face smiling brightly.

 

 

‘…Let’s send him off now. Completely.’

 

Cornelia closed and opened her eyes slightly.

 

She tried to get rid of her animosity towards Theodora somehow.

 

 

“…You met Huana.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What did she say?”

“Just… we had a casual conversation.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes.”

“….”

“….”

 

 

The conversation didn’t go well.

They were awkward with each other, and above all, Theodora found it difficult to be around her.

 

 

Cornelia sighed inwardly.

Seeing her so uncomfortable made her feel sorry for no reason.

 

 

“Huana will be the next Emperor. She is preparing for that. She has probably met many other nobles or influential figures besides you.”

“She probably met me because of my mother.”

“Yes. It’s because of Terrin that bitch.”

 

 

Terrin.

A truly missed name.

She’s a heartless human who has been abroad for several years.

 

 

“By the way, I told her I’d spank her ass if she doesn’t come back this time, but she’s not going to another country again, is she?”

“N-no. She said she would definitely come back this time.”

“Hmm. That’s a relief then. Historical events will happen one after another, so it would be a shame if she wasn’t there.”

“Historical… events?”

“Yes. When Aran finishes the negotiations and returns this time, I’m thinking of making him the Grand King.”

“Yes?”

“I’m going to create one of our vassal states under Srodia. If it’s an Empire, shouldn’t it have a vassal state?”

“T-that’s true… but wouldn’t there be a lot of opposition? He’s still a man.”

“Aran made the biggest contribution in this war, so there won’t be that many. Even if there are, I will push it through.”

 

Her face is full of determination.

 

Originally, Persia is a country where the imperial power is strong, and the power of the nobles has been greatly reduced due to the 4-year war with Srodia, so there won’t be a big problem.

But I was curious about the reason why she was making a man the Grand King.

 

 

“Is there a reason why you’re appointing the Prince-nim? I think it would be more natural to appoint another Princess-nim.”

“Are you lecturing me?”

“N-no, that’s not it.”

 

Theodora is noticeably flustered.

Cornelia chuckled.

 

 

“I’m joking.”

“….”

“There are several reasons. First, I think he knows the situation there better because he’s from Srodia, second, he’s the one who practically did everything in the war. And third… it’s to protect Aran.”

“Protect… him?”

“Yes. Protect him.”

 

Cornelia looked complicated.

It was like she was looking into an ominous future.

 

 

“Huana is the problem. If she was the type to cherish and care for Aran more, there would be no need to appoint Aran… she’s dangerous. She’s definitely going to harm Aran.”

“Would she really go that far?”

“Of course. I’m here now, so she’s quiet, but I know her personality well. Something will definitely happen. So, to prevent that, Aran must also have power.”

“…Excuse me, but wouldn’t it be better to appoint Princess Iliana as Emperor?”

 

Cornelia frowned.

 

 

“That rotten bitch has no interest in politics. Of course, she doesn’t know anything and only knows about swords and men. How can I appoint such a bitch as Emperor?”

“T-then the third…”

“The third or fourth are all the same. They’re all obsessed with strange things. They don’t have the qualifications of a Princess. At least the third is magic, so I can understand, but Lena is obsessed with some sculpture… tsk tsk tsk.”

 

 

The fourth Princess Lena is a so-called recluse.

It’s very rare for her to come out of her room, so she only comes out about 4 days a year.

 

 

She recently showed her face when Aran was adopted, and according to rumors, she held Aran’s nervous hand.

Seeing that, it’s not that she avoids people, but she’s always locked in her room, so I’m very worried.

 

“Anyway, for that reason, I will appoint Aran as the Grand King. And…”

 

 

She paused for a moment.

And she pondered.

 

“?”

“And… I’m thinking of sending your family there.”

“Yes?”

 

I couldn’t help but be greatly surprised by this.

 

Her words mean that she will take one of Persia’s largest factions and give it to Aran.

This is not something that can be easily discussed, and it is a major event that could potentially collapse the balance of Persia.

 

 

It’s extreme, but if the balance collapses and territorial wars break out everywhere, it will be no different from the Warring States period.

 

 

Moreover, it is questionable whether that faction will go to Aran’s Grand Kingdom and quietly submit.

Persia had been lowering its tail because the Emperor’s military power was so strong, but once they go to the Grand Kingdom, that’s not the case, so a rebellion might break out.

 

 

“…You must be careful, Your Majesty.”

“I know that too. So, Theodora.”

 

 

She stuttered unlike herself.

 

 

“Marry Aran.”