Roelica visibly flinched at Erdene’s words.
Her face turned pale and her lips trembled.
Erdene grumbled at Tenek.
“If the Empress had even the slightest intention of embracing you.”
Tenek’s cheeks twitched.
He had a habit of twitching his face like that since he was young when he got angry.
Well, I can’t help it, so I can’t say it’s a habit...
Even though he was so angry, Tenek kept his distance from Erdene and didn’t take a single step closer to her.
It was an incredible effort to keep the distance as wide as possible.
Erdene suddenly burst into laughter, wondering what it would have been like if the Emperor had been there. He would probably scold Tenek until his face fell out and then throw away the Emperor’s crown on his head.
Tenek, who kept biting the inside of his cheek that kept twitching, said with a forced smile that pretended to be leisurely.
“You came back victorious from a long war, so how can you just go without receiving a reward?”
“I think the best reward would be to let me out of here right now?”
“That’s what it’s for.”
A smug smile spread across Tenek’s lips.
Erdene immediately knew that he was plotting something, something that was definitely unpleasant.
He had been good at tricking Erdene since he was young, and his expression was exactly the same as when he did that.
That smile that mixed inferiority complex and vulgar triumph.
“Hey, bring it!”
What do you want me to bring?
Her face turned pale and her lips trembled.
Erdene grumbled at Tenek.
“If the Empress had even the slightest intention of embracing you.”
Tenek’s cheeks twitched.
He had a habit of twitching his face like that since he was young when he got angry.
Well, I can’t help it, so I can’t say it’s a habit...
Even though he was so angry, Tenek kept his distance from Erdene and didn’t take a single step closer to her.
It was an incredible effort to keep the distance as wide as possible.
Erdene suddenly burst into laughter, wondering what it would have been like if the Emperor had been there. He would probably scold Tenek until his face fell out and then throw away the Emperor’s crown on his head.
Tenek, who kept biting the inside of his cheek that kept twitching, said with a forced smile that pretended to be leisurely.
“You came back victorious from a long war, so how can you just go without receiving a reward?”
“I think the best reward would be to let me out of here right now?”
“That’s what it’s for.”
A smug smile spread across Tenek’s lips.
Erdene immediately knew that he was plotting something, something that was definitely unpleasant.
He had been good at tricking Erdene since he was young, and his expression was exactly the same as when he did that.
That smile that mixed inferiority complex and vulgar triumph.
“Hey, bring it!”
What do you want me to bring?
Erdene thought.
Was he telling her to bring him a scaffolding that would tie him up and decapitate him?
Of course not. However, as soon as Erdene saw the ornate boxes that the servants were bringing in, she instantly thought that it would have been better if the scaffolding had been brought in.
She didn’t know what was inside, but it was clear that it was something that didn’t suit her at all. There was no way that a legendary blacksmith would put his soul into a box decorated with lace and ribbons.
Tenek smiled with great satisfaction as he looked at Erdene’s face, which was a mixture of confusion and doubt.
“To congratulate and encourage your victory, your one and only brother has prepared a one-of-a-kind gift.”
He commanded his servants in an arrogant voice.
“What are you doing? Open it.”
The servants knelt on one knee, placed the box on top of it, and opened the lid all at once.
As the lace and ribbons were removed and the contents inside were revealed one by one, Erdene wondered if she was dreaming.
Of course, it wasn’t a good dream.
“What is all this...”
Erdene, who had been speechless due to her shock, finally let out a single moan.
The boxes held above the heads of the servants were filled with white and shining things.
From veils made of lace that must have taken a whole year to dresses that were intricately embroidered with fine gold and silver threads, diamonds, pearls that were obviously the best, and other accessories, formal attire, and shoes.
Of all the splendid things, the one that most astonished Erdene was a letter.
The decorative handwriting that had no practical use, and the border patterns that must have been drawn by hand, were enough to tell that the sender was a person of considerable power.
But that was nothing...
Erdene’s attention was focused solely on the vivid patterns imprinted on the sealing wax. It was the emblem of the Kingdom of Vetor, the most prosperous of the Inland Alliance, the powerful focal point of the Alliance, and the one that might one day engage in the fiercest battle with the Hirschsten Empire.
Erdene raised his head and glared at Tenek.
“What are you doing?”
Tenek’s eyes narrowed like a snake.
“Why are you looking like that? This is something you should be happy about. Hirschsten has decided to establish friendly relations with the various countries inland. As you know, this country is only large in land mass, and it is difficult to grow even a single grain of rice.”
At this point, wouldn’t it be okay to kill him?
Was he telling her to bring him a scaffolding that would tie him up and decapitate him?
Of course not. However, as soon as Erdene saw the ornate boxes that the servants were bringing in, she instantly thought that it would have been better if the scaffolding had been brought in.
She didn’t know what was inside, but it was clear that it was something that didn’t suit her at all. There was no way that a legendary blacksmith would put his soul into a box decorated with lace and ribbons.
Tenek smiled with great satisfaction as he looked at Erdene’s face, which was a mixture of confusion and doubt.
“To congratulate and encourage your victory, your one and only brother has prepared a one-of-a-kind gift.”
He commanded his servants in an arrogant voice.
“What are you doing? Open it.”
The servants knelt on one knee, placed the box on top of it, and opened the lid all at once.
As the lace and ribbons were removed and the contents inside were revealed one by one, Erdene wondered if she was dreaming.
Of course, it wasn’t a good dream.
“What is all this...”
Erdene, who had been speechless due to her shock, finally let out a single moan.
The boxes held above the heads of the servants were filled with white and shining things.
From veils made of lace that must have taken a whole year to dresses that were intricately embroidered with fine gold and silver threads, diamonds, pearls that were obviously the best, and other accessories, formal attire, and shoes.
Of all the splendid things, the one that most astonished Erdene was a letter.
The decorative handwriting that had no practical use, and the border patterns that must have been drawn by hand, were enough to tell that the sender was a person of considerable power.
But that was nothing...
Erdene’s attention was focused solely on the vivid patterns imprinted on the sealing wax. It was the emblem of the Kingdom of Vetor, the most prosperous of the Inland Alliance, the powerful focal point of the Alliance, and the one that might one day engage in the fiercest battle with the Hirschsten Empire.
Erdene raised his head and glared at Tenek.
“What are you doing?”
Tenek’s eyes narrowed like a snake.
“Why are you looking like that? This is something you should be happy about. Hirschsten has decided to establish friendly relations with the various countries inland. As you know, this country is only large in land mass, and it is difficult to grow even a single grain of rice.”
At this point, wouldn’t it be okay to kill him?
Erdene glared at Tenek, tightly gripping the hand that was about to reach for the hilt of her sword.
“From what I heard you say earlier, it seems that you are the citizen who loves Hirschsten the most. Then how about showing your loyalty to your actions? It will be good for you too.”
“Speak clearly, Tenek. What are you talking about?”
Now Erdene’s speech was almost the same as when she was young.
It was no different from when Tenek stole or damaged her things and pretended not to know when she had been questioning him.
But there was something different from that time.
Now, she could not rush at Tenek like she had done when she was young and make him pay for his cowardly actions.
Whether he deserved it or not, he had already seized the glory of the name of Emperor, and it was Erdene herself who had not prepared a plan to defend it.
If Erdene had touched him with even a single finger, Tenek would have accused her of treason and harmed her in some way.
Considering his mean and cruel nature, she could have even made excuses to dishonor the knight commanders and officers under her command. She absolutely could not bear to see that happen...
“The King of Vetor has offered to take you as his Queen. He promised to form an alliance with us and to provide abundant food supplies from the interior so that the people of the empire would not starve. The era of war is over, Erdene!”
Tenek said his last words, dotting and driving a wedge into Erdene’s body.
He probably wanted to say, ‘Your era is over.’
“I’ll give you two days, so just pack your simple things. After all, Vetor is a richer place than us, so what can you take from here? Isn’t that right?”
Erdene felt her vision flash white and then waver and sway.
Although she had fought in so many wars and crossed the line of death countless times, this was the first time in her life that she felt so dizzy.
After all the knight commanders and officers who had been angry and indignant as if their own children were being sold had left, Erdene sent away all the people who were serving her and sat alone in her room. Tenek had become the Emperor, but the room in Hirschsten’s golden castle which was the sunniest and warmest all day long was still hers.
When she opened the curtains in the morning, she could see the vast northern landscape at a glance, and the mountain ranges reminiscent of the legendary dragons protected it like a fortress wall.
It was a room fit for the next heir to the throne, but it was useless now.
'If I refuse, it will be ruined anyway.'
Erdene stared at the sky burning red with the setting sun and thought.
Yes, she could have refused.
Although most people fell for Tenek's cunning tricks like fools, the most practical and useful officers were still loyal to her.
Erdene was confident that she would never be pushed back even if thousands of soldiers rushed at her at once.
However...
[As you know, this country is only a large landmass, but isn't it difficult to grow even a single grain of rice?]
Tenek's proud voice squeaked and circled around Erdene's head like a noisy monkey.
He was not stupid, just that his body was weak and he could not train in martial arts. He accurately understood that the people’s warlike nature was caused by their fear of starvation.
‘But then, why don’t we just take it away? That’s how we’ve been living until now.’
Erdene clenched her fist and bit her lips.
It was unknown when Tenek had started reaching out to the allies inland.
However, he must have used his wits to obtain enough food from them.
And he must have distributed it to his people, pretending to be a generous monarch.
Erdene recalled the sense of discomfort she had felt when she entered the capital.
The sounds that had been full of energy and joy had been cut off as if by a sword with the appearance of the soldiers.
They were not the glorious heroes who had returned with news of victory. They were merely scoundrels who had stirred up people who had just settled down to a peaceful and well-fed life, and who might send them to a battlefield where their lives were at stake at any moment.
'No one will fight under the flag of the empire any more.'
A sigh escaped her lips. Who would want to go back when they have already tasted the past?
I understand. Erdene thought.
It was the duty of the royal family and knights like herself to stake their lives on the spirit and pride of the empire, and the name Hirschsten.
The people should not betray their country. It was not possible to force them to love each and every one.
But even knowing this, she felt a stinging sensation in her chest as if a thick dust had settled.
No one would sharpen their swords for Hirschsten anymore. There would be no soldiers who would fight on horseback, spears in the forefront.
The knights' armor would rust from neglect, and the flags that once fluttered in the skies of the battlefield would be left in storage, rotting away until they were eventually discovered covered in rat droppings.
'Damn it...'
Erdene slowly closed her eyes.
The red sunset seeped through her thin eyelids, turning her vision blood red, and then it soon became pitch black.
When she was a Princess, she often sat here and leisurely enjoyed the sight of the setting sun.
But today was the last day for that.
“From what I heard you say earlier, it seems that you are the citizen who loves Hirschsten the most. Then how about showing your loyalty to your actions? It will be good for you too.”
“Speak clearly, Tenek. What are you talking about?”
Now Erdene’s speech was almost the same as when she was young.
It was no different from when Tenek stole or damaged her things and pretended not to know when she had been questioning him.
But there was something different from that time.
Now, she could not rush at Tenek like she had done when she was young and make him pay for his cowardly actions.
Whether he deserved it or not, he had already seized the glory of the name of Emperor, and it was Erdene herself who had not prepared a plan to defend it.
If Erdene had touched him with even a single finger, Tenek would have accused her of treason and harmed her in some way.
Considering his mean and cruel nature, she could have even made excuses to dishonor the knight commanders and officers under her command. She absolutely could not bear to see that happen...
“The King of Vetor has offered to take you as his Queen. He promised to form an alliance with us and to provide abundant food supplies from the interior so that the people of the empire would not starve. The era of war is over, Erdene!”
Tenek said his last words, dotting and driving a wedge into Erdene’s body.
He probably wanted to say, ‘Your era is over.’
“I’ll give you two days, so just pack your simple things. After all, Vetor is a richer place than us, so what can you take from here? Isn’t that right?”
Erdene felt her vision flash white and then waver and sway.
Although she had fought in so many wars and crossed the line of death countless times, this was the first time in her life that she felt so dizzy.
***
After all the knight commanders and officers who had been angry and indignant as if their own children were being sold had left, Erdene sent away all the people who were serving her and sat alone in her room. Tenek had become the Emperor, but the room in Hirschsten’s golden castle which was the sunniest and warmest all day long was still hers.
When she opened the curtains in the morning, she could see the vast northern landscape at a glance, and the mountain ranges reminiscent of the legendary dragons protected it like a fortress wall.
It was a room fit for the next heir to the throne, but it was useless now.
'If I refuse, it will be ruined anyway.'
Erdene stared at the sky burning red with the setting sun and thought.
Yes, she could have refused.
Although most people fell for Tenek's cunning tricks like fools, the most practical and useful officers were still loyal to her.
Erdene was confident that she would never be pushed back even if thousands of soldiers rushed at her at once.
However...
[As you know, this country is only a large landmass, but isn't it difficult to grow even a single grain of rice?]
Tenek's proud voice squeaked and circled around Erdene's head like a noisy monkey.
He was not stupid, just that his body was weak and he could not train in martial arts. He accurately understood that the people’s warlike nature was caused by their fear of starvation.
‘But then, why don’t we just take it away? That’s how we’ve been living until now.’
Erdene clenched her fist and bit her lips.
It was unknown when Tenek had started reaching out to the allies inland.
However, he must have used his wits to obtain enough food from them.
And he must have distributed it to his people, pretending to be a generous monarch.
Erdene recalled the sense of discomfort she had felt when she entered the capital.
The sounds that had been full of energy and joy had been cut off as if by a sword with the appearance of the soldiers.
They were not the glorious heroes who had returned with news of victory. They were merely scoundrels who had stirred up people who had just settled down to a peaceful and well-fed life, and who might send them to a battlefield where their lives were at stake at any moment.
'No one will fight under the flag of the empire any more.'
A sigh escaped her lips. Who would want to go back when they have already tasted the past?
I understand. Erdene thought.
It was the duty of the royal family and knights like herself to stake their lives on the spirit and pride of the empire, and the name Hirschsten.
The people should not betray their country. It was not possible to force them to love each and every one.
But even knowing this, she felt a stinging sensation in her chest as if a thick dust had settled.
No one would sharpen their swords for Hirschsten anymore. There would be no soldiers who would fight on horseback, spears in the forefront.
The knights' armor would rust from neglect, and the flags that once fluttered in the skies of the battlefield would be left in storage, rotting away until they were eventually discovered covered in rat droppings.
'Damn it...'
Erdene slowly closed her eyes.
The red sunset seeped through her thin eyelids, turning her vision blood red, and then it soon became pitch black.
When she was a Princess, she often sat here and leisurely enjoyed the sight of the setting sun.
But today was the last day for that.
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