7MIP - Chapter 57



Unlike before, a servant from the city government came in and respectfully held up a scroll containing the imperial edict.

“Marquis Aratus. Marchioness Aratus. His Majesty would like to invite you to afternoon tea.”

It was a response to the petition she posted this morning.

“I guess I’ll just have to eat and get ready right away.”

Enoch nodded, accepting the scroll.

“Tell His Majesty so.”

“Yes, Marquis, Marchioness. I will now take my leave.”

The servant withdrew. Agatha, who had lightly sipped her wine, stood up from her seat.

Enoch took her hand.

“Where are you going, Agatha?”

“I’m getting ready to go. I’ll have to take the evidence you brought and the evidence from the raid-”

“Wouldn’t it be enough to just give the order to your aide?”

“I also need to prepare to enter the palace.”

“It’s also afternoon, so there will be plenty of time.”

Is that so?

Agatha, who was momentarily convinced, sat back down. Enoch was ordering the butler, Allen, to call his assistant.

“There is still a lot of food left. Eat more.”

It was around this time that Agatha continued eating as he had suggested.

The two aides who entered the breakfast room bowed politely.

“Did you call, my lord?”

“You have been called, Marquis.”

Enoch's assistant, John Witney, and Agatha's first assistant, Ethel Maslow.

As he ordered the evidence to be organized and the reports to be written, Agatha finished the rest of the soup.

'Is this okay?'

Of course, she wasn't doubting the First Secretary's abilities, so she thought it was okay for things to be like this.

“Go out and look.”

"Yes."

Meanwhile, Enoch, who had given the order, was dismissing his aide.

Enoch smiled innocently as he saw Agatha's plate completely empty.

“Would you like some dessert too?”

“Well, how about some fruit?”

“There will be other things prepared. Butler, bring out dessert.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

Agatha, who had eaten a hearty meal including dessert, slowly got up and moved to prepare to enter the palace.

She's been busy lately, and she's been to salons and banquets, so it's been a while since she had a meal at a restaurant.

Agatha was sitting leisurely in her bedroom, choosing the dress, accessories, and shoes she would wear today, when there was a knock on the door.

“Madam. This is Allen.”

“Come in.”

The butler who came inside, Allen, bowed politely.

"What's the matter?"

“The Marquis sent a gift.”

The butler opened an antique velvet box. The maids gasped as they discovered a pair of purple sapphire earrings neatly placed inside.

Enoch said he'd buy her new jewelry when he came back.

Unlike the bracelet, which was closer to purple, these earrings had a color similar to Agatha's eyes.

“Tell him I’m happy.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

He just got back so he probably didn't have time to buy any gems.

“Did you buy it on the way here?”

Agatha tried putting the earrings on her ears herself. The jewels were shining beautifully as if light had been added to her sparkling eyes.

"Pretty."

“Would you like to wear these earrings today?”

“Yeah. I should also choose a dress that makes my earrings stand out.”

It was a fascinating white dress with a voluminous skirt made from several layers of thin fabric.

Agatha, who had finished putting on light makeup, stood up from her seat, holding a folding fan.

Because she was wearing slightly heeled shoes, her field of vision was a little higher than usual.

"Let's go."

The time was already past noon.

In the hall on the first floor, the back of a man dressed in formal attire was visible.

"Enoch."

The man's eyes, looking back, softened noticeably.

He came closer and kissed the back of Agatha's hand.

“The earrings suit you well.”

“I was surprised when the butler suddenly came with a gift. When did you get this?”

“The castle of the last family we conquered was quite large. I found something that caught my eye in the jewelry store I stopped by while I was infiltrating, so I bought it. Do you like it?”

“It’s really great.”

But is it actually dangerous to infiltrate before an occupation battle?

Although she was curious, looking at him smiling gently, she wondered if that was how it was.

Today, Agatha, who had her hair braided to one side, tilted her head slightly to the side. Her earrings, each as big as a gold coin, were completely exposed to Enoch’s gaze.

The white, slender neckline next to it.

“Doesn’t it go well with the bracelet?”

Agatha smiled and gently rubbed her wrist with her eyes. The man, who had been silent for a while, slowly nodded.

“...It’s pretty.”

“Please wait a little bit for the thank you gift. Of course, you can look forward to it.”

When Agatha reached out her hand, he quietly supported it.

Enoch wiped his eyes briefly and moved forward. Before he knew it, the time for tea with the Emperor was approaching.

The palace was a familiar place to Agatha. Until she was sixteen, it was the place she stayed whenever she got divorced, and she often came to see the Emperor or the Crown Prince or was called there.

Because of her status, she was always exposed to public attention whenever she entered the palace.

Even for such an Agatha, the gazes pouring down today were a bit special.

“Marquis Aratus. Congratulations on your victory.”

“Thank you.”

Even the Emperor's chief chamberlain, who ruled over the central government, offered his congratulations.

Agatha Nobilis was armed with force, and the voices of the nobles whispering from afar could be heard in the wind.

Bloodline, status, wealth, power, and even force.

Come to think of it, Agatha had already had the best of everything.

Even her husband.

'Is a peaceful life finally coming?'

Agatha smiled and leaned into Enoch's arm. The man's body stiffened slightly.

“Where is His Majesty? Are we perhaps late?”

“No. His Majesty has just finished lunch, so you may proceed at your own pace.”

It looked like there were guests invited to lunch.

'I think you sent me an invitation to tea time.'

“Where is the place?”

“I am your number one sponsor. Please follow me.”

Before she entered the Emperor's patronage following the general, many interests followed her.

Jealousy, longing, envy, desire, calculating glances.

Such interest disappeared silently as soon as she entered the First Palace, where no one could enter without the permission of the royal family.

All that remains are the palace servants and knights.

“Please wait a moment. His Majesty will be here shortly.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Chief Chamberlain.”

The pavilion built in the center of a flower garden beautifully colored with gold and white roses was the venue for today's tea party.

Soon after, the Emperor, Womilai II, appeared.

“I see the sun of the empire.”

“You’ve come, Agatha. Congratulations on your victory, Marquis Aratus.”

The Emperor, wearing a splendid purple cloak and a light growth, tapped Enoch on the shoulder.

It was the Emperor who was so pleased with the news of Enoch's first victory.

The expression of welcoming Enoch was as evident now as it was then.

“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

“Come on, come on, sit down. I have prepared some really good tea for you today.”

As Agatha's status, which had nowhere else to go, rose, Enoch's status also soared to unprecedented levels.

The Emperor himself poured tea and offered it to Enoch and Agatha.

It was a slightly sweet and cold tea that suited her taste, and a tea and dessert with a clean aftertaste that suited Enoch's taste.

“I have high expectations for thr Marquis.”

Enoch bowed his head in reverence.

“I only did what I had to do, Your Majesty.”

“The only one who has done what he was supposed to do has been the Marquis. He may have made things a bit more difficult, but if a man has drawn his sword, isn’t that the only thing he should do?”

Five families, including the second in line of succession to the Nobilis, were blown away, but they were not even direct families; they were just five collateral families.

“Yeah. You put all five families in prison?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Agatha took a sip of tea and smiled gently.

“I think it will have to go through a trial.”

The Emperor, who had already figured out what she wanted through her letter, laughed heartily.

“Of course. Of course, we should do that. There is clear evidence that the assassination plot has been carried out in the past, so why throw away the opportunity to gain both legitimacy and profit?”

The Emperor's aged blue eyes flashed coldly.

“Furthermore, I have no intention of protecting them since they did not hesitate to do things against my will.”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

“Would a private execution be enough for you?”

“I would be happy if you confiscated my property, gave half to my husband, and returned the land to me.”

“Are you saying you’re giving half to me?”

The Emperor, seeing Agatha laughing silently, burst out laughing.

“Your wish will be granted.”

“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor's judgment is absolute.

No one can now disagree with the legitimacy of the battle of honor and its aftermath.

Since it was something that was going to be offered anyway, it was good for the Emperor to get the desired verdict and offer it voluntarily, as it would be good for both sides.

'The rumors will probably die down.'

That price would be enough to cover half of the wealth the five families had accumulated so far.

Agatha and Enoch, who had achieved the best results, ate their refreshments with relaxed faces.


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