26. Ascension.

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

“Abdication… you say?”

“That’s right.”

“….”

 

 

Huana was more worried than happy.

It’s true that Mother had declared she would abdicate within the year, but still, now was too early.

Besides, saying this the day after collapsing, wasn’t that a sign of something wrong with her health?

 

 

“Mother, don’t do that, let’s go to the Holy Empire. Okay?”

“What good would that do?”

“The Saintess might be able to heal you!”

“I know my own body best.”

 

 

She flatly rejected Huana’s suggestion and advised her on the country’s broad policy directions and how to handle the nobles.

She had completely made up her mind.

 

 

“…Then, Mother… what are you going to do?”

“I will go to the Great Kingdom.”

“Huh?!”

“Don’t misunderstand. If I stay in the homeland, this place can’t fully become your country. Only when I’m gone can you carry out your politics.”

“But… still, why the Great Kingdom of all places!”

“Being in a vassal state would have less influence than being in the country. Also, I no longer intend to stay here. I want to rest a little.”

“….”

 

 

Huana looked at her resolute expression and didn’t say anything more.

 

Cornelia’s firmness was famous. Unless it was a joke, she never took back words she spoke with sincerity.

 

 

 

 

“Huana.”

 

 

Cornelia raised both hands and took Huana’s hands.

 

“I am a tyrant. But I don’t want you to become a tyrant. I have laid the foundation, so you should rule with benevolence and raise the country. The people are tired of war, so you must soothe them well. Do you understand?”

“…Yes, Mother.”

 

 

Was it because of the atmosphere?

Huana answered quite heavily.

 

“Then go out now. I want to sleep a little more.”

“…Mother.”

 

 

Huana choked up.

Just thinking about the worst thing that could happen made her feel heavy.

 

 

She stared at Cornelia, who had closed her eyes without replying, for a while, then turned and left the room.

Her confidant, Sprout, was standing and reviewing documents.

 

 

“Ah, you’re out.”

“…Shall we go?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Huana’s voice, more subdued than usual, even took away Sprout’s bright energy.

 

 

A rather long silence followed as they walked to Huana’s office.

Except for the sound of nobles and maids greeting them and Sprout turning pages, it was almost silent.

 

 

It was Huana who broke the long silence first.

It was when they had almost arrived at the office.

 

 

“How are the schools doing?”

“Yes? Ah, you mean the commoner schools.”

“Yes.”

“We’ve set up three in the capital, Constantinople, but we’re having trouble in the other territories because most of the nobles are against it. We’ve set up a total of 13, and even those are mostly set up one each in large territories like duchies or earldoms.”

“That’s difficult.”

“I’m sorry. It’s because of my lack of ability…”

“No, it’s not because of your lack of ability. It’s the corrupt nobles who are the problem.”

 

 

Huana relaxed her stiff expression.

Anyone who saw her would believe she was a saint, she had such a benevolent face.

 

 

“The reason why the people are poor and frequently oppressed is because they are ignorant. Because they have not learned and have not realized anything, they receive unfair treatment and do not know that it is wrong, and even if they know, they cannot resist.

To correct this, the people must know how to read, read books, and be able to realize things. Opposing this is proof that they are not thinking of the people but only seeking their own interests. Corrupt nobles should not exist in this country.”

“Ah… Your Highness…”

 

 

Sprout’s expression loosened dreamily.

Huana is indeed the greatest ruler and emperor in history.

Who else would think of and care for the commoners so much and provide them with a way to live?

 

 

“I heard that there are also commoner schools in the Great Kingdom.”

“Yes. Anyone with talent can take courses in swordsmanship, archery, magic, administration, mathematics, etc., whatever subjects they want. It was a bit unexpected.”

“That’s probably a deception.”

“Deception…?”

“Yes. They deliberately spread such rumors. You’ve tried it yourself, haven’t you? Schools that educate the people for the sake of the people face very strong opposition from the nobles. But have you ever heard the nobles of the Great Kingdom oppose it?”

“No… I haven’t.”

“So that’s why it’s a deception. There’s no way that there wouldn’t be opposition from the nobles when setting up commoner schools. But we hear that they’ve set up schools, but there’s no news of the nobles’ rejection or resistance, so what else could it be but deception?

This must be a dirty trick to deliberately spread false information and agitate our people.”

“Now that I hear it…”

 

Huana stopped and turned around.

Then she wrapped Sprout’s hands in hers.

 

 

“Sprout, there are so many evil and corrupt people in this world. There are countless people who don’t care about the lives or livelihoods of the people for the sake of their own power and wealth. I need your help to overcome them and create a true paradise.”

“Your Highness…”

“Please, will you follow me, who is so lacking and inadequate?”

 

Sprout’s eyes filled with moisture.

How can this person be so virtuous?

 

 

She nodded her head wildly.

 

 

“I will serve you for the rest of my life… with all my heart!”

“Thank you, Sprout.”

 

Huana hugged her as if deeply moved, and the two shed tears of emotion.

Of course, Sprout was the only one who was truly moved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“She really does all sorts of things. Really.”

 

 

A woman watching that scene.

Aran was so dumbfounded that she couldn’t even speak.

 

What should she do with that lump of hypocrisy?

Watching her manipulate Sprout made her want to jump out right away, but that would disrupt the plan.

 

 

The goal was to cause Huana’s mental breakdown by giving her a triple shock: Huana’s ambitious plans collapsing, the true identity of Narcissus, whom she believed she loved, being revealed, and her mother becoming the wife of the villain (Aran), so it was best to endure for now.

 

 

“But I should tease her a little.”

 

 

She came up with an evil idea and jumped down.

It was just as Huana was about to enter the building.

 

 

 

“Huana!”

“Heot!”

“Who is it!!”

 

 

The knights who were opening the door were horrified and drew their swords.

But they awkwardly put them away when they saw Huana’s face brighten.

 

 

“Narcissus!”

“Hehe… long time no see.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I came because I missed you. Maybe… I shouldn’t have come?”

“Of course not!”

 

 

Huana was so happy that she even shed tears.

 

 

“Ah! Sprout, I met someone I’m happy to see… can you give us some space?”

“Of course. I’ll review the policies.”

“Thank you.”

 

 

As Sprout walked away, Huana turned her head back to Narcissus.

 

 

“Have you eaten?”

“Yeah. I dug up potatoes and ate them.”

“I see.”

 

Huana took Narcissus’s hand and headed to her bedroom.

 

 

“The Imperial Palace is different after all. It’s magnificent.”

“Hey. You’ve seen it before…”

 

 

She smiled sweetly.

The lovely face that showed no trace of the vicious face she usually showed to Aran was revealed.

 

 

 

Just as they arrived at the room, Narcissus opened her mouth.

 

 

“Actually, I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

“Do we really love each other?”

“…Huh?”

 

 

Huana, who was about to open the door, froze in place.

 

 

“What… are you talking about?”

“I’ve been feeling uneasy lately. I don’t know if you really love me…”

“….”

 

 

Huana, who was noticeably flustered, hesitated for a moment, then took Narcissus into the room.

Then she sat down on the soft bed.

 

 

“What are you saying all of a sudden? Uneasy…”

“I heard everything. You have a fiancé!”

“A, fiancé…? What are you talking about?”

 

Narcissus showed off her amazing acting skills and shed tears.

 

“I heard you’re having an affair with a king named Aran from the Great Kingdom? That you love each other?”

“N, no, that’s…”

“So I was just a joke. I guess you wouldn’t sincerely love another woman. Besides, I’m a commoner…”

“No! It’s not like that!”

 

 

Huana grabbed her shoulders urgently.

 

“I only love you! It’s true!”

“But you weren’t a virgin.”

“Huh? Th, that’s…”

“You must have been having an affair with that male king. The rumors are rampant!”

“Hoo… let’s calm down first. Let’s calm down.”

“How can I calm down now?!”

 

Narcissus, who shouted, shed even more tears.

Huana, who had no dating experience, could only struggle and panic.

 

 

Of course, it was Aran’s trick, so even if she had a lot of dating experience, it wouldn’t matter.

 

 

‘This is surprisingly fun.’

 

 

Aran laughed inwardly. She didn’t know that teasing Huana would be so fun.

 

 

 

 

“Listen, Narcissus. That’s a rumor that that Aran person maliciously spread. I’m really innocent. I’m definitely not in that kind of relationship with that person!”

“Liar. Your eyes are shaking.”

“No… hoo… what do you want me to do?”

“Marry me. Let’s live together.”

“…It’s difficult right now.”

“Why? Because you have to marry that man?”

“I told you no…”

“Then why can’t you marry me?”

“Well, we’re both women…”

“So it’s because I’m a woman? You actually don’t like me? You just wanted my abilities.”

“That’s not it…”

 

 

Huana was sweating profusely from the persistent attacks.

No matter what she said, she was attacked somehow, so she couldn’t figure it out at all.

 

 

‘Aran, you son of a bitch!!’

 

 

It’s all because of Aran.

If she hadn’t become his Vagnil, this wouldn’t have happened.

Because she became subordinate, she blurted out ridiculous things like ‘We love each other,’ and now that’s making her lover cry.

He was a truly hateful person.