Dante, lost in thought, slowly opened his mouth.
"You said assassination?"
"Yes. Didn't the Dawn members also do contract killings for a long time to raise funds for treason?"
That's right. Dante knocked on the desk. The following hypothesis came to mind. Ten years ago on that day, the Dawn members received a contract to kill and dispatched them to the Parje Forest. While carrying out the request, they realized that a certain girl had gotten involved, but they failed to kill her. As time passed, the Dawn members, who were being persistently pursued, mistakenly thought that the Duke was chasing them to avenge their wife's death... If the hypothesis was true, the conclusion was simple.
'It was murder. That day, Ariana's maternal grandfather and mother were not killed in a carriage accident, but at someone's instigation.'
"...Should I tell Ariana?"
Rio asked cautiously. At those words, Dante thought back to the servants' complaints.
"You don't even eat properly."
"You don't sleep well. Even when you're sleeping, if something comes to mind, you immediately run to your desk."
Ariana was already pushing herself to her limits. It was an immersion that no one, not even Dante, could stop. Whether it was revenge or a creative spirit... It was probably both. If Ariana, in that state, were told that her family was actually murdered...
Well. She might collapse. A full cup will overflow with just one drop. Dante shook his head briefly.
"No. Keep quiet for now."
"Yes."
Rio nodded. He also thought it would be better not to tell anyone until the foundation of the nation was over. Dante stood up and continued.
"And keep your hands off that guy."
"Yes? But he hasn't really confessed much yet..."
Rio suddenly closed his mouth after saying that. Oh, no way. Dante said as he put on his outerwear.
"I'll interrogate him myself."
***
Colorful spring flowers began to bloom. As spring approached, people took off the thick coats they had worn all winter. Then, they celebrated the fact that they had survived the winter this year as well and drank here and there. The most frequent word among the excited voices was the upcoming founding ceremony.
"The procession of carriages entering the island was endless today!"
"I heard that guests from the Kingdom of Ende and the Kingdom of Hesti arrived today. I heard that the Prince from the Kingdom of Ende himself came."
The Kingdom of Ende was smaller than the Empire in size and power, but it was famous for its unique artistry and refined sensibility.
"But after the sun went down, some strangely shaped carriages lined up. Which country's guests do you think they belonged to?"
"Oh... Those thin, black carriages?"
Someone said quietly.
"They must have been carriages from the Kingdom of Karka. I heard that their envoys are attending this year."
"Oh my."
The Kingdom of Karka, located in the middle of the desert, was a country of desert tribes. The people of the Kingdom of Karka, who were cold and belligerent, were the object of fear.
"Is it true that the people of Karka keep snakes as pets?"
"It's true. I've also heard that they subjugated the barbarians who plundered their territory and drank alcohol from their skulls."
"Oh my, it's scary. Anyway, even the Kingdom of Karka, which has little contact with the outside world, sends a distinguished guest, so I can see once again how grand the Foundation Day is."
"Of course! The Foundation Day is the greatest attraction and pride of our empire."
As if to prove the pride of the people of the empire, the system began to bustle long before the festival began. The street trees were cleaned up, signs were repainted, and even huge banners were hung here and there. People happily watched this scene and talked about how splendid this year's Foundation Day would be.
And finally, on the day of the festival. The vast garden of the palace, open to everyone, was filled with people. Carriages moved ceaselessly along the street from the main gate of the palace to the main palace. The rich and famous sat at the entrance to the main palace and watched the carriages lined up.
"I think they're ambassadors from the Kingdom of Ende."
"Wow, everyone's attire is so weird this year."
Even though they said that everyone knew that next year, the clothing worn in the Kingdom of Ende would become a trend in the islands.
"Isn't that the first Prince of Ende? He's so well-versed in art...?"
"Oh, I see ambassadors from the Kingdom of Karka over there."
People could easily recognize the people of the Kingdom of Karka because of their tanned skin and unique silver hair. The islanders slowly avoided them, glancing at them with their fierce eyes and blunt expressions, befitting a warrior race.
"Oh my. What's that flower carriage? It's so extravagantly decorated."
"That's the emblem of the Lopez family... Oh, that's right. That woman is getting out there."
'That woman', Elena Lopez, got out of the carriage, showing off her extravagant dress. Some admired her beauty, but others gave her unkind glances. The scandal that shook the system ended with Lucas Pedegreen's imprisonment, but that didn't mean that the lyrics of the popular song that had hit the system had lost their impact.
"Count Lopez is next to me. By the way, I heard that Part 3 of <Fantasy Butterfly> is finally being released today?"
"Oh, you've heard old news. That one was canceled, and Count Lopez's own stage will be performed. According to my acquaintance who saw the orchestra perform, the level is amazing."
"Wow, really? I'm looking forward to it."
The eyes of the vagrants who had been chattering away suddenly widened like never before.
"Oh my, look over there. It's the Duke's carriage!"
The first to get out of the huge silver carriage was a black-haired man.
"His Excellency the Duke."
"This is the first time I've seen him in person since the triumphal procession."
The people forgot to talk and just stared at him. The Duke's appearance under the sunlight was so perfect that even the men themselves exclaimed in admiration. A height that was a head taller than others, and a solid figure that could not be hidden even by the immaculately dressed uniform. Beautiful features that drew admiration even from afar. Even the arrogant composure that the Duke wore around his body like a cloak seemed like an ornament.
When he reached out his hand over the carriage, the Duchess who had been the subject of many rumors finally appeared. Everyone looked at her with heated eyes.
'Oh my... She looks like a flower.'
A small, white face could be seen between her long, blond hair that hung like petals. If a lily or daffodil were to be shaped like a person, it would look just like that.
'She is indeed a Duchess.'
The appearance of the Duke and Duchess, who were not at all inferior to the rumors, but rather beyond imagination, drew countless gazes of admiration.
***
"His Excellency the Duke and Duchess of Heigenberg are here!"
When the servant announced, everyone's heads turned to one place. Those who had spotted the Duke and Duchess whispered.
"How. This is my first time meeting them in person, and they are a perfect pair."
"Of course. I know His Excellency the Duke adores the Duchess so much. Why?"
"Even at the banquet held at Count Lopez's mansion last time..."
"Ah, that anecdote about how he came to pick her up himself even though he hadn't seen her for half a day?"
"My goodness, newlyweds are really hot. Hehehe."
It was the first time the Duke and Duchess had appeared at an official event. Since neither the Duke nor the Duchess were socialites, this was a perfect opportunity for them to get to know each other. The nobles were watching each other's faces, wondering who would speak first.
A silver-haired man with brown skin walked toward the two without hesitation.
'Huh? He's from Karka?'
Those who were about to approach the Duke and Duchess were startled and backed away. KarKain continued to walk with a blunt and cold face. Could that foreigner really be Karkain's gaze, which was closer to the four hundred eyes than the three hundred eyes, approaching His Excellency the Duke?
It was so fierce that it was scary even if you just glanced at it. It was a moment when headlines like 'The Duke and the Karka Envoy, Armed Clash', and 'The Founding Nation Turned into a Sea of Blood' flashed through the minds of the nobles. Karkain, who had reached the Duke, put his hand on his heart.
"Your Excellency the Duke."
"Tommen."
The Duke looked back at Karkain and answered calmly. The people whispered excitedly as they watched him.
"Oh, by the way, I heard that His Excellency the Duke allied with Karka during the last war."
"I wondered why Karkain, who had no contact with the outside world, came to the Founding Nation... It was because of his friendship with His Excellency the Duke."
"That's really fortunate. I thought you two were having friction again, hahaha."
It was a moment when the nobles felt relieved.
"This person is..."
Karkain looked back at Ariana, Tommen twitched his lips. Dante slightly wrinkled one eyebrow. His expression seemed strangely displeased.
"My wife. Ariana Heigenberg."
"Nice to meet you. My name is Ariana."
Ariana greeted, lifting the hem of her dress gently.
"Please enjoy your time in the Empire, Sir..."
Ariana's words were left unfinished. Tommen knelt before her and looked up at her respectfully, as a knight would offer his oath. Or as if proposing to a lover. The three who had been watching with interest were startled.
"What, what?"
"Am I seeing things...?"
Tommen spoke in the air filled with astonishment.
"Would you please allow me the honor of offering the Desert Oath to you, Lady?"
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ahhh some vit. D ppl that’s been kissed by the sun at last 🥹
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