“Aren’t you busy? Since Her Majesty removed the barrier, the border territories must have gone into chaos. What if the monsters attack right away?”
Allure said while looking up and down at Pillair.
With his words, the Margrave, who had a territory closest to the border, moved.
Other nobles, who had been watching the Margrave as he hurriedly left the palace, also hurriedly left as well. All those who stepped faster and ran out were those who had their lands on the border, while the remaining nobles watched the situation.
“I never knew that such a disrespectful person to Her Majesty would set foot in this imperial castle. If I had known, I would have killed you before Her Majesty knew… You only disturbed Her Majesty’s heart for no reason.”
Hearing Allure’s words of casually discussing the murder of a noble with a Marquis title, the nobles confirmed his loyalty to the Empress with their own eyes.
Even though they knew that a group of wizards were crazy about the Empress, Isilis, it was the first time they had personally confirmed it.
At the same time, many nobles breathed a sigh of relief as they were glad that the chief wizard did not participate in the assembly. If he had witnessed the scene where the nobles forced Isilis to marry, the chief wizard wouldn’t have stayed still.
“It’s a week off.”
“Her Majesty went too far.”
“I know.”
It was so comfortable.
When she cut off all the things that consumed her magic, her body felt so light. Isilis, who came out to the Imperial Palace garden and sat down on a long bench, heard what the wizards were saying, but she ignored it. She just wanted to rest like this. The wizards also shut their mouths, perhaps sensing her presence.
As she listened to the story of the wind, entrusting her body to the gentle breeze, she saw Allure approaching from afar, and she straightened her body again.
“What happened?”
“The Marquis was imprisoned in the Wizard’s Tower. Maybe Ignardo’s black magic won’t work.”
“I hate the word ‘maybe’.”
“They struck the barrier three times, but they will strike more.”
He opened his mouth again, crossing the eyes of the wizards who were staring at Allure, who was casually talking about multiple barriers.
“Now, what should we do?”
“Nothing.”
“Your Majesty… then, the problem will grow.”
“I know, but what more do we have to do to those who ignore wizards?”
Isilis’s words made the wizards’ hearts resonate. The Empress binding herself to ordinary people was a spell that made their loyalty even stronger.
“Isn’t it like that?”
Seeing the smile on her face, Allure couldn’t say anything. A calm, lingering feeling remained in his heart.
“Everything according to Your Majesty’s will.”
Isilis gestured to him as he bent down. Raising his body, he casually went behind her, and she smiled at him as she leaned back against the armrest.
In the meantime, an Empress shouldn’t show a disheveled look in the open place to save her face, but when she put everything down, her attitude changed. She laid sideways, legs outstretched on the bench.
“The day is getting cold.”
Allure said.
She smiled at him as he spoke without looking away from her disheveled posture. It was a peaceful time.
“How did the Marquis educate his children?”
“Give us a solution now!”
“The people are agitated. At this rate, they are about to invade the mansions of nobles…!”
Isilis’ wizards had already put the details into the video stone and distributed it throughout the empire with the words that the Empress was enraged at the nobles’ negligence.
Upon hearing the news, the people of the Empire were furious. They trembled in fear as the Empress’ magic that had protected them disappeared. Even though nothing happened, a vague fear arose among those who were accustomed to protection.
To alleviate that fear, daily demonstrations were taking place in front of the mansions of nobles who were the main culprits.
It all happened just two days after Isilis recalled her magical powers.
“Let’s go to Her Majesty!”
“What are you going to do when you go?”
“No, is Marquis Cyrka in his right mind? How dare he say something about Her Majesty’s magical power?”
An elderly nobleman exclaimed in anger. His territory was also on the border, so he was one of the nobles who needed Isilis’ protection magic. When he, who had the same Marquis title, stepped forward, other nobles also began to step forward.
“You didn’t say anything. Were you also thinking of something like that?”
“You are crazy, too!”
When one of the young nobles spoke up, the other nobles held him back. Another count opened his mouth.
“You didn’t get proper education in the County. How could such a person be a noble of the empire… Tsk!”
Hearing the Count’s words, another viscount opened his mouth. This time, too, it was a young noble.
“That’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“The truth? What truth? Are you out of your mind now?”
“No matter how harsh he may say, Marquis Cyrka is a noble of the Empire. To put such a person in the ‘tower’ without trial.”
“That’s right. Isn’t that the case with the Imperial Family not too long ago?”
“Nonsense! The only imperial family in this empire is Her Majesty and the Princess! Who dare…”
“The Marquis is right! You can’t cheat your own bloodline! It makes no sense! How dare he, a noble, shake the very foundations of the empire? This is how all the illegitimate children came forward and started calling themselves nobles!”
It didn’t matter who the heirs of the imperial family of Larchen were, as long as they had the blood of the imperial family, they were born into the Imperial Family. Nobles also accepted heirs, just like the Imperial Family.
However, like the imperial family, bloodline was the most important. A wife who did not hold a title or an illegitimate child of the husband could not become a nobleman. The condition of the bloodline is to inherit the blood of the person who holds the title.
That was it.
The young nobles flinched at the words of the old marquis. They also had pride in inheriting their title, and that pride was the source of their power. The words that a nobleman had just uttered in the cold were words that denied the Empire’s succession law.
“If a person who thinks like this is a noble of the empire, Larchen will soon perish.”
“Anyone will challenge to become Emperor, and anyone will challenge to become a noble.”
The young nobles lowered their heads at the words of the old nobles, who spoke in a lament. Their heads lowered so no one could see them exchanging secret glances. It was not easy to convince them because they were already imbued with Marquis Cyrka’s thoughts.
Meanwhile, Allure was watching the noisy nobles from a distance.
“Hmm… I see.”
“Your Majesty. It’s not normal.”
“They still haven’t come to their senses… right.”
“There are words that shake the imperial succession law. If it was said among nobles, especially among young nobles, problems may arise.”
Isilis nodded at Allure’s words. Even today, there were many eyes watching her come out to the garden and gaze at the flowers leisurely.
A large number of people, from the imperial guards to wizards, came forward to escort her. The Princess and her nanny, Meryl, were also with her because of an unfortunate incident that had occurred not too long ago.
“Meryl.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What do you think?”
“…If you ask me for my opinion, I will ask Your Majesty one thing.”
Isilis’s head tilted at Meryl’s words.
“Your Majesty, are you trying to find out those with strange thoughts?”
“I’m trying to cover them all.”
“Then, watch a little longer.”
“A little more?”
“It is. Their dissatisfaction has not yet prevailed. When it reaches its peak, something unexpected will come out of nowhere.”
“Hmm.”
Isilis nodded her head. It made sense.
She then took the Princess from her hands.
Everything Isilis was doing now was for this child. In order for her to pass on the imperial authority, which had become more powerful in her generation, to this child as it was. Since the child had no magical powers, it was difficult for this child to properly rule the country unless she had a strong imperial authority.
Berthas could be seen in the child’s face staring at Isilis with clear eyes… selfless eyes. Looking into the mellow eyes, she felt relieved.
‘…Everything for the Princess.’
She asked Meryl, looking down at the child with unknown eyes.
“She seems sleepy.”
“It’s time to take a nap now.”
“Do you want to go back to her room?”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t go alone, go with them.”
As she beckoned, Allure and one of the knights stood behind Meryl. Isilis, who handed over the child, spoke to them.
“Nothing should happen.”
“I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”
“I take orders.”
With a satisfied smile, Isilis leaned back in the chair in the garden. It was a peaceful time. It’d been four days since Berthas left as news of him was coming from the border.
‘I don’t know why he who should have returned to Hillenton was on the borders of the Khalifa Empire.’
If it were the Berthas she knew, there would be a reason. There was nothing wrong with what he was doing.
“…Looking closely, he was a thorough man.”
“What did you say, Your Majesty?”
“No, nothing.”
Isilis shook her head. A cool breeze blew, and her hair fluttered in the wind. She felt good in the twinkling sunlight.
“It’s a nice day.”
“That’s right. I am glad that the past few days have been good.”
“There is nothing wrong even if I don’t use my magic. In the meantime, it seems as though I’ve been maintaining the barrier for no reason…”
“Your Majesty…!”
A messenger came running from afar.
“What is it?”
“Your Majesty! It’s urgent news. Monsters have appeared on the border!”
“Which territory is it?”
“Marquis Cyrka’s estate!”
After the messenger reported, Isilis laid her body back.
“Let them take care of it.”
“Your Majesty, the people of the empire are hurt.”
“I have warned them enough. I have no intention of sharing my power with those who do not recognize my hard work.”
“Your Majesty…”
There were nobles running from behind.
“Your Majesty! Did you hear the news?”
“Your Majesty—!”
She was completely lost, getting called here and there. The leisurely afternoon was gone, and only the nobles chattering clamorously remained by her side.
“Why are you here?”
“Your Majesty! Monsters on the border! Monsters have appeared…!”