episode_0157

Luxurious decoration and splendid music.

And.. a banquet hall filled with abundant food.

But at this moment.

These things were completely ignored by the prime minister who arrived here.

There was only one person on whom his gaze was fixed.

A figure sitting on a throne in the deepest part of the banquet hall.

Mina Rosevetta Dragona, the new monarch of this duchy.

Immediately after confirming her location,

The prime minister slowly began to walk towards the new monarch of this country.

Although there were some who recognized his face and expressed surprise along the way, his appearance did not attract much attention in the banquet hall where so many different people were present.

And after a while, he finally reached the throne and met the eyes of Rosebetta who was sitting there, and Rosebetta gave him a cold look.

He gave her the same look as the one his granddaughter had given him just a moment ago.

He slowly got up from his seat and stood before Saladin Azak, the great vizier, in front of him.

“Oh, a precious person has visited this shabby place. Who would have thought we would meet in a place like this?”

Rosebetta bows her head politely in greeting.

Saladin also paid tribute to her and spoke to her in a polite voice.

“First of all, I would like to congratulate you, Mina Roseveta Dragona.”

“I am so glad that you have come to see me in person. Prime Minister Salidin Azak.”

Duke Rosevetta and Imperial Chancellor Salidin greet each other with such politeness that it seems as if they are greeting each other.

However, to those who knew the circumstances… especially to Elios who was standing next to Roseveta, that sight did not look ordinary at all.

No, it wasn’t just her, but all of Rosebetta’s associates here were showing a strong sense of wariness towards this human being, the prime minister, in front of them at this moment.

It was a natural thing.

Because they knew very well that just a few days ago, this prime minister’s plot had almost resulted in Rosebetta being in trouble.

However, apart from this cool atmosphere…

Duchess Rosetta spoke to him in a voice that was calm, despite her cold eyes.

“I’ve heard that Padishah’s health isn’t very good these days. It’s also said that the prime minister is quite busy because of this.”

“Yes. That’s why this old man has become involved in so many things. He also takes care of things that the Padishah has been unable to do.”

“Yes.. I guess so.”

Two people talking in gentle voices.

However, Elios, who was watching this, could feel it.

I’m talking about the razor-sharp blades that are going back and forth between them right now.

‘Prime Minister Salidin Azak… The one who is effectively ruling the empire in place of the currently sick Padishah… He has been hiding in the background and acting secretly until now, so it seems he took the time to come all the way here… to give a warning and test drive in relation to what has happened so far.’

It wasn’t just about the assassination.

Elios knew that the incident at the orphanage and the incident at the academy that had occurred recently, as well as the criminal organization causing chaos within the duchy, were also under the Empire’s influence.

And considering the political situation of the empire, with the Supreme Monarch, Padishah, lying sick on his bed, Elios recognized that the person at the end of the line was this man, the Prime Minister Salidin Azak, and so did Rosebetta, who had been hearing the whole story from her daughter.

Even though the roots were completely torn out thanks to this incident, it wasn’t the end yet.

“In these turbulent times, the role of the principalities will be very important. I hope that you will continue to be loyal to the empire, just as your predecessors have been.”

“That’s right. As a subject, I think that I should be loyal to my master, and that’s the same for both my husband and me. I hope you won’t worry too much. Worrying unnecessarily can actually cause trouble.”

“I was just doing what I had to do as the prime minister of the empire. Please don’t feel too uncomfortable. ”

Rosebetta issues a subtle warning about the Empire’s restraint towards the Duchy.

However, the prime minister answered without even blinking an eye, and seeing this, Elios felt inwardly displeased.

‘That sly old man… He knows where he is right now…’

From Elios’ perspective, it was as if the heads of the ‘enemies’ she had been dealing with were right before her eyes.

Although I really wanted to cut off the interest in one stroke, I couldn’t do it because of the position I was in, and more than anything, I had not received permission from the most important thing, the Duke.

“Anyway, since you are such a precious person, I think it would be nice to spend some time together. How about we have a cup of tea in the next room? We have some things to take care of among ourselves.”

“… That’s right..”

The prime minister showed a moment of confusion at Rosebetta’s words, but soon nodded and accepted it.

Elios and others expressed their doubts and concerns about this, but Rosebetta firmly stopped them.

“Okay. Then I’ll be back for a bit. Ah, Elios, but I still want you to come with me.”

“Yes, Mother.”

The three of them left the noisy banquet hall for a moment and went into a private room.

Immediately after sitting down there, Rosebetta said while looking at the prime minister who was furtively checking her expression.

“Please make yourself comfortable. You didn’t come here to commit any crime, did you? You look so anxious, like someone who came to kill me, unlike your majesty.”

“!..”

At those words, Saladin frowned without realizing it.

And, looking at him like that, Rosebetta spoke in a voice full of seriousness.

“Even though you say this… you must be anxious. You actually tried to get rid of me before, but you failed. Now, all the evidence is in my hands.”

“… .”

With those words, Rosetta takes a sip of the tea in front of her.

Then she looked at the prime minister with a quiet voice…

He said this while looking at the person who had been his political enemy all along.

“But… you don’t have to worry too much about that. Even though there were such unpleasant incidents, I also understand that they were all things that the Prime Minister did for the country. The Prime Minister has always worked hard for this country without any selfish motives.”

“… Thank you for saying that. ”

Saladin responds quietly to Rosebetta’s words.

Looking at him like that, Rosebetta spoke in a voice that was even more serious.

“Although our intentions were different.. I personally respected the prime minister’s extreme patriotism. That’s why when your daughter came into this house, and when the child who lost her mother was left alone, I accepted and took them in without any hesitation.”

“..I personally still feel grateful for that.”

Although she was a person who had to be eliminated for political reasons, the prime minister did not hate Rosebetta for her human side. Rather, he sincerely valued her generosity and abilities.

Although, for that reason, I have become even more wary of her politically.

And in that respect, at that moment, he could tell that Rosetta’s words were not just words to make people happy, but words that came from the heart.

“In that sense, Prime Minister… How about we stop fighting among ourselves?”

“!…”