15. The era of Muning.

The nobles were both worried and pleased.

Certainly, if Huana, the next emperor-designate from her home country of Persia, made such a statement, it would inevitably put great pressure on Aran.

,However, Her Highness Huana is very bright when it comes to politics. She must know that His Majesty cherishes Her Highness, so would she say such a thing? No matter how much of a next emperor she is, the current emperor is still alive and well.”

,She’s bright when it comes to politics, so she’d do even more so.”

,What do you mean by that?”

Countess Elin glanced around and leaned closer to the round table.

Then she gestured for the others to do the same.

Only after the women’s faces were close together did she open her mouth.

,Her Imperial Highness hates His Highness and His Highness’s Great Kingdom very much.”

,We know that.”

,And this land has more fertile land than Persia. In particular, the three southern regions, including Logos, are known as fertile lands even on the continent.”

,What are you trying to say? Don’t be so frustrating.”

,When His Highness ascends to the throne… how long do you think this kingdom will last?”

,”

,At the earliest, three years… at the latest, it will eventually be merged within five years. If that happens, what would that person need to govern this land? Wouldn’t it be the nobles who were here with us?”

,Indeed…!”

,So His Highness will want to get along with us. She must be waiting. For a chance to intervene in some way.”

,That’s exactly Her Highness’s commoner project.”

,Isn’t it a good cause? Not only is she employing commoners for a major event that could determine the fate of the nation, but she’s also giving them excessive authority. There couldn’t be a clearer cause than this.”

The nobles nodded.

Her words certainly made sense.

Huana hates Aran very much, so she also hates the existence of the Great Kingdom where he is king. And the land where the Great Kingdom is located is fertile and productive, making it a land worth drooling over.

In this situation, what would she do first if she became emperor?

,I think differently.”

Then, a woman retorted.

,Her Highness Huana will not interfere in the affairs of the home country for the time being.”

,How can you be so sure?”

,We have Lord Terrin here, as well as Her Majesty Queen Iliana and Her Majesty Queen Moae. Each of them is a hidden card among hidden cards.”

,…Of course, that’s true, but.”

,Especially Her Majesty Queen Moae is a headache the more I think about it. How can you easily dismiss her status? She is the first princess of the Mei Empire. With such a person as the queen, how can you easily touch her?”

The nobles buzzed at Countess Ebena’s words.

Certainly, Moae has an enormous status that can destroy several countries with a single word.

,Come to think of it… there was also talk that His Highness and Emperor Seorae were on good terms.”

,Ah, I heard that too. But is that true?”

,Most people dismiss it as just a rumor, but those who heard it on the spot say it’s true.”

She opened her mouth again.

,I heard that the emperor himself said so. If that’s true, then His Highness not only has the princess of the Mei Empire as his wife, but also has a connection with the emperor. Is that all? He also has the daughter of Lord Terrin, the head of the largest faction in both his home country and his current country, as his wife. And what about Her Majesty Queen Iliana? I’ve never seen such a complicated marital relationship in my life.

In this situation, how can Her Highness Huana, who is only a crown princess, touch His Highness Aran? This is just an optimistic view from our perspective.”

Some nobles nodded.

Her words made sense and seemed plausible at first glance.

But Elin didn’t back down.

,That’s why Her Highness Huana needs to keep him in check before it’s too late. Once His Great Highness stabilizes and the home country gains some strength, it will be too late. His Highness is definitely! Waiting for an opportunity to intervene.”

,Even so, if she accidentally touches him and provokes the Mei Empire’s intervention, then Her Imperial Highness can’t guarantee her future either. You know His Majesty’s temperament well.”

The two were in sharp conflict.

Because the range of actions they could take differed greatly depending on whether Huana could intervene or not.

,And, this is just my opinion, but I don’t think His Highness’s commoner project is that bad.”

,What did you say?”

The nobles, including Elin, were greatly surprised by Ebena’s unconventional statement.

,Even commoners are people. There will surely be talented people among them, and if you appoint such people and place them in the right positions, it will surely be of great help to the national interest. If the national interest grows, the pie that we nobles can have will also grow as a result. In that sense, I’m saying it’s not that bad.”

Elin rushed in.

,What are you talking about? His Highness’s commoner project is a complete denial of the will of heaven! How can you say it’s not bad!”

,How does that deny the will of heaven?”

,Status is bestowed by heaven! If denying that is not defying the will of heaven, then what is it that forsakes the will of heaven!”

,If you put it that way, then His Highness’s very existence is an act of defying providence! Furthermore, it means that His Majesty, who crowned His Highness as king, also did so. Can you go to His Majesty and speak these words as they are!”

The words became heated and the voices rose.

Kwang!

Eventually, Elin slammed the table and stood up.

,I misjudged you. I thought we would be on the same page!”

Ebena also stood up to face her.

,I feel the same way. I didn’t know you were such a narrow-minded person.”

,Hmph!”

In the end, Elin turned away from Ebena and left the room.

And a little more than half of the nobles also left the room with her.

About ten people remained, including her.

It was the moment when the faction that had been largely divided into the Terrin faction and the faction that checked her was divided into three.

* * *

,Hoo….”

She sighed.

Lately, there were many things to worry about and many things that didn’t go as planned.

,Your Highness, is there something you’re worried about?”

,No, it’s nothing.”

Huana said with a slightly dark face.

She is living a life that is not a life these days because of Aran, who can be said to be her enemy.

,I need to do something about that bugger somehow.’

She’s not a fool.

After thinking about it for the past few days, she was able to come up with a fairly simple answer.

Aran is a vampire, and she has become his Vamgnyr.

In other words, she has become a slave who cannot disobey him.

Just thinking about it makes her feel faint and grind her teeth. Heaven is so heartless, why would it give her such a trial?

She invisibly stroked the nape of her neck.

A pattern is engraved here.

A pattern that she is Aran’s property.

,I need to gain strength. I can’t touch that bastard, but… it wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t me.’

The point is that she shouldn’t recognize it as an act that harms Aran. Then, what if something she doesn’t know is happening somewhere she doesn’t know, and that unknowingly harms Aran?

For that, she needs an excellent confidant who understands her situation and can understand her intentions without her having to say anything.

And she also needs to be active enough to carry out the work on her own without informing her.

She glanced at the maid next to her.

,This one is definitely not going to work.’

In the first place, she doesn’t have anyone who can be called a confidant.

She herself doesn’t trust people, and because of her picky nature, not many people approach her. Even if they do, they only flock to her to get some benefit.

,How’s the Great Kingdom doing?”

,It’s a bit noisy.”

,Noisy? Did they have a baby or something?”

,Well… they’re hiring a lot of commoners because they’re capable, and they’re giving them a lot of power, so it’s causing problems. Also, they’ve ordered the army to find a woman named ‘Soup’, so the whole country is buzzing.”

,Ah, you mean that woman who was his benefactor.”

She’s heard of her.

She didn’t hear it directly, but it was a name that came up while Aran was talking to Iliana.

,Tsk tsk tsk. How many people have the name Soup? It would be easier to find a needle in the desert.”

She clicked her tongue.

She felt a sense of schadenfreude because it didn’t seem to be going well.

,And hiring commoners… even a passing dog would laugh.’

It started out flashy, but it’s sure to fail soon.

,Your Highness, if you’re not feeling well, how about taking a walk?”

,A walk….”

After thinking for a moment, she nodded.

It seemed like it would be good for a change of pace.

.

.

After leaving the building and walking around looking at the beautifully decorated lawn and flower garden, she discovered soldiers training.

,…Was her name… Soup?”

,Yes? Ah, yes. She’s from the Srodia Palace Guard.”

A woman training archers in the distance.

She was the palace guard that Huana had brought in to build her power.

,That bastard was also from Srodia.’

She felt inexplicably bad.

Normally, she would have grabbed anyone and done whatever she wanted, but she can’t do that now.

Just as she was about to turn away and pass by,

A thought suddenly flashed through her mind.

,Wait, Soup?”

She was startled.

A miraculous coincidence.

,N, no. It might just be the same name.’

Even as she thought that, her steps were already heading towards Soup.