episode_0008

The Empress’s solo concert lasted for over an hour.

First, she played the qilinzheng, and then the pipa.

She showcased her musicality while handling instruments brought from her hometown, Jinkuo.

Her talent was outstanding enough to be award-worthy, but the atmosphere was terrible. Everyone listened with a hopeless expression. Only Sienna seemed to enjoy it, clapping her hands lightly.

“Ouch!”

The finale of the performance was the Empress’s cute scream. Her hands seemed to be injured from the intense playing.

“Your Majesty!”

The maids shouted, but the Empress ignored them, spreading her arms wide and wearing a refreshed expression. Then she performed some stretching… or at least it looked like stretching. She muttered something about her body being stiff.

That’s when Sienna intervened.

“Oh my.”

She was complaining and sulking in front of me earlier… but now Sienna appeared as a friendly stepdaughter. Still, she had the same charisma as her appearance.

“Huh?”

“I’m very pleased to see you in good health. Your performance was also excellent. How are you feeling right now, by any chance?”

“Feeling? Of course, I feel good.”

The Empress stuttered, about to reflexively answer Sienna’s question, but then she hesitated. Ah… she stumbled, realizing that she was being observed by Princess Anais, who looked at her emptily.

Until now, she must have been absorbed in the enchantment of the moment, but still, wasn’t Anais her own creation? The only one resembling herself in this bustling empire of white people. Unlike the stoic First Princess or the wicked Second Princess, Anais was the adorable daughter she gave birth to, despite the pain.

Sienna gradually pressured the hesitant Empress. Pointing at me with her eyes.

“The name of the medicine you just took is Silovin. It’s a medicine prepared by Alan Maydoff, my personal guard.”

“A guard giving me medicine?”

“A clever friend, isn’t he? But unfortunately, it seems he won’t be able to investigate further.”

“What?”

The Empress grabbed Sienna’s wrist tightly, momentarily frowning. She also looked at me with a mournful gaze. This can’t be happening. Why now, like this?

It was natural. Emotions that had died out years ago were revived, and I was enjoying a distorted form of happiness. However, it was like being notified that someone would take away that opportunity.

“Siena, what are you talking about? Cost? If that’s the issue, I can cover it.”

“It’s not about the cost. It’s just… Anais seems to have doubts about the effectiveness of Silicibin. You heard her mention the poisonous plant. Of course, I won’t blame Anais for something like that.”

“Right, as sisters…!”

“We should be close. But I want to protect my honor and that of my knight. I don’t think it reflects Anais’ true intentions… It’s probably because of the influence of her advisors.”

“I see.”

“I want those people severely punished for their betrayal.”

In the end, it meant cutting off Anais’ advisors. It also implied asking the Empress, who was their mother, for permission.

A difficult situation where she had to choose between the medicine and her daughter.

Would the Empress manage to protect her daughter even without resorting to violence?

It might be normal to have doubts, but the Empress, who had tasted a new world, made up her mind before a minute had passed. Or maybe she simply judged it as a game that was already over.

“You scoundrels who dare to harm your own kin by killing them. Can I punish them?”

“Does that mean we can punish them?”

“Yes!”

The Empress nodded decisively and immediately stood up. It was as if she was saying, “What’s the big deal about dealing with a few nobles?”

She didn’t seem to care how much this decision would impact her daughter.

“I guess I have to go and perform my duties. I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be around when things get too serious.”

After lightly pinching Siena and Anais’ cheeks, the Empress left gracefully.

Clutching her fist tightly, as if she had an important duty to perform immediately.

This was also one of Silicibin’s characteristics. The obsession that I couldn’t just sit still because ideas kept flooding in. I didn’t expect it to manifest in the form of musical instruments, but from my perspective, it didn’t matter much.

The important thing is that the empress was extremely satisfied. The remaining task was surrender negotiations.

After the series of events came to an end, there was a period of silence within the palace. By now, Anais would probably want to chew me up and spit me out. Unfortunately, it was something foreseen. Since I had possessed Sienna’s closest confidante, friction with the other princesses was inevitable. However, since my presence had been firmly established in the empress’s mind, they wouldn’t dare touch me recklessly. In the future, the empress would become dependent on me for her existence, just like she couldn’t live without the medicine I provided. It wasn’t as if the intense happiness I felt, similar to the absence of withdrawal symptoms from opium, erased even the memories. “We’ve overcome this hurdle.” Preventing the empress from becoming ailing and stopping Sienna from taking an interest in the opium business. Honestly, I couldn’t be sure about the latter. But it wasn’t yet time to let my guard down.

“Lord Allen, could we have a brief conversation? I heard you played an important role.”

A man named Chrollo approached me amidst the restless atmosphere. He was a viscount-level figure within the Third Princess faction, Count Rikias. He was the majority shareholder of Higgens Bank, one of the most prominent banks in the empire. The world had already developed into a market economy. The nobles who only lived off their territories had almost fallen into ruin, while the power of the bankers was formidable. However, the viscount, at this moment, was nothing more than an old man stepping in to clean up the mess left by Anastasia, who had made a big blunder.

“Yeah, you probably don’t want to negotiate directly with Sienna.”

After receiving a nod from Sienna, I engaged in a conversation with him.

“Lord Allen, we must somehow resolve this situation amicably, don’t you think?”

“Your Excellency, the stage for an amicable resolution has already passed.”

“….”

“Her Majesty Sienna was subjected to disgraceful slander on the battlefield. Can you imagine how miserable she must have felt? Do you have any idea?”

“So, you’re suggesting that we try to make amends belatedly…! What about this? Soon, the two princesses will hold a tea party. There, Her Highness, the Third Princess, will publicly express her regret and gratitude for treating Her Majesty the Empress…!”

“A tea party? Are you mocking me right now!?”

Anaïs, who sent a sorrowful gaze in this direction, and Siena, who smirked. The fortunes of both sides were drastically reversed.

“No, that’s not it… Isn’t it because of the false report made by the knight Bono?”

“That friend will also be severely punished. In our own way.”

“Just tell me what you want.”

That’s how I should respond.

Pretending to ponder for a moment, I presented my negotiation conditions.

“Your Majesty must have heard the Empress’s words. We need to punish those treacherous individuals who instigated Princess 3’s conspiracy.”

“When you say ‘punish’…”

“The responsible nobles must confess to blasphemy charges in the Imperial Guard. It won’t be just one or two people. And I hope Your Highness, Princess 3, personally requests their titles to be revoked.”

“…”

“Of course, it doesn’t end there. The matter is serious.”

My proposed conditions were met with a chilling silence in the chamber.

When it came to blasphemy charges against nobles instead of the Emperor, they were usually disposed of leniently. If they publicly confessed their crimes during the trial and purchased expensive pardons to contribute to the Imperial Treasury, they would often be let off. But this time, with suspicions upon suspicions, it couldn’t end like that. Confiscation of assets would likely be added.

And if we add title revocation? It was practically a death sentence.

“Moreover, she has to confess to a crime she didn’t even commit.”

The main culprit was undoubtedly Princess Anaïs. But being a noble, she had the ability to shift the blame onto her close aides.

It was a form of tail-cutting, but that tail was the support base that carried Princess 3.

Since there wouldn’t be any noble willing to die obediently, I would have to use force to suppress or persuade them. They may be nobles in name, but it would still be a challenging process. Who would sincerely remain loyal after witnessing such a sight?

“These conditions are too harsh… Princess 3 is just a first-year at the Academy now.”

“Marquis, I apologize, but if you want an adjustment, you’ll have to speak directly to Princess Siena. I’m just a humble messenger.”

Lord Riccius, who eventually lowered his head after I interrupted and informed him. He must know that accepting these conditions will result in chaos, but he can’t refuse. He knows that if he does, things will escalate. Lord Riccius approached the stunned Anais and muttered something to her. A brief altercation ensued, but the outcome was submission. From now on, you will be at the forefront of the conflict, but I didn’t expect that. Even if Academy life becomes difficult for the Third Princess due to the aftermath of this incident, it’s not my concern. Surprisingly, the internal strife started too quickly. “You insolent brat! I told you to do it this way! I was just dragged into this!” “Oh, when did I…!” “Ladies, please be careful. The elder sister is still watching.” “Your Highness, please exercise caution! When you think about it, whose fault is all this? What if you simply believe the gossip from one knight claiming to have insider information?” “We… verified it.” Nobles blaming each other without holding back insults, Anais speaking disrespectfully while reprimanding them, and my superior, Siena, turning her back with a disgusted expression. It was a chaotic scene, even though I shouldn’t say anything. “Well done, Alan.” “Thank you. Will you go see His Majesty the Emperor?” “No, I’ll just leave. If Father calls me, I’ll refuse for a while because of the recent misfortune. That way, Father will feel guilty towards me without any wrongdoing. Anais will bear more burden.” “….” “Let’s have her drop out of the Academy and undergo rehabilitation for about two years. Dismissing a few close aides won’t be enough.” Sienna seemed to have opened her eyes to political maneuvering because of this incident, but I pretended not to notice. It’s because drawing more attention here wouldn’t be good. Anyway, this situation is over. As I stepped out of the Empress’s chamber, I faintly heard the sound of a piano. It seemed like the Empress wanted to hear the end of the music before her strength waned.