Arkan felt somewhat embarrassed by Erdene’s words. His feelings were clearly expressed on his face.
Erdene’s fingertips, which had been caressing the rounded bones, moved towards Arkan’s elbow and firmly grabbed his arm.
“Do you understand, Your Majesty? Of course, we will keep our promise to Princess Limepale. We should do so even more so when we think about the future. Unless we plan to wage an all-out war against the duchy and absorb it into Vetor’s territory, there is no need to treat her as an enemy.”
Arkan sighed, turned Erdene’s hand around, and grabbed it.
“If a war breaks out inland, it won’t just be the two countries that suffer. All the other countries bordering it will be on edge, and if there are piles of firewood, there will be bad people who want to throw matches at them. So no matter what the case, no matter who... There will never be an all-out war.”
So naive. Erdene thought. But her expression and eyes did not show it.
She could be so cool when talking about politics and war.
In Erdene’s opinion, the inland was structured in such a way that it could not avoid being involved in a huge war at any time.
Someday, one country with the strongest military force would conquer the other countries, declare itself an Emperor, or make them vassals, and in effect, transform them into one huge empire.
But that would not happen during Arkan’s reign.
Even if Erdene’s prediction was correct, it would be a long time later. However, once it starts, after that...
‘If a fight breaks out, unless there is a magical way to get out of it, you have no choice but to jump in actively. You have to seize the initial momentum, push it forward tenaciously, and become the final victor.’
Otherwise, why bother fighting a war?
Erdene smiled and held Arkan’s hand as if to reassure him.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. At least, that won’t happen while Your Majesty and I are alive.”
Arkan, who was looking at her, shook his head.
Yes, now is... It was not the time to think about the chaotic all-out war in the inland that had not yet occurred.
First, he had to think about what position Vetor would take on the duchy’s problems and how he would respond if an accident occurred.
Arkan said.
“Let’s say Princess Limepale killed her own brother. I don’t think the nobles of the duchy would change their attitude and make the Princess their successor just because of that. Grand Duke Joelvy would be a little more complicated. He must know that his son’s strongest supporters are the loudest nobles in the duchy, and on the other hand, he would soon find out that they used his son to manipulate the duchy’s politics. In that case, the Grand Duke, as a father, would be sad and miserable, but as a monarch, he might be fortunate. If he makes the Princess the successor and rules the duchy, it will produce much better results than Deger.”
“That’s right. However, as Your Majesty said, the nobles who supported the existing minor Duke would never want the Princess to become the new successor. They would be afraid. They would do anything to block the Princess’s succession to the title, and perhaps the moment they find a reason, they would use it as an excuse to get rid of the Princess and then recommend that Grand Duke Joelvy adopt a child.”
“Does the Princess have a good way to turn those nobles over to her side?”
A complicated battlefield unfolded in Erdene’s mind.
What would she have done if she were in Limepale’s position?
He was particularly skilled among the court doctors, and he regularly examined the Emperor and Empress’s health and treated their illnesses.
Tenek promised Brus an unimaginable life of luxury and asked him to make the Emperor lie down slowly.
He did not forget to urge him not to collapse suddenly.
Roelica, who was listening to the story, let out a sharp and nervous laugh.
“That’s typical of him. If His Majesty the Emperor, who was so strong, had suddenly collapsed, he would have been in trouble, and Princess Erdene would have returned to the palace immediately and done everything she could to track down the culprit. She must have known that she could never hide.”
Erdene’s fingertips, which had been caressing the rounded bones, moved towards Arkan’s elbow and firmly grabbed his arm.
“Do you understand, Your Majesty? Of course, we will keep our promise to Princess Limepale. We should do so even more so when we think about the future. Unless we plan to wage an all-out war against the duchy and absorb it into Vetor’s territory, there is no need to treat her as an enemy.”
Arkan sighed, turned Erdene’s hand around, and grabbed it.
“If a war breaks out inland, it won’t just be the two countries that suffer. All the other countries bordering it will be on edge, and if there are piles of firewood, there will be bad people who want to throw matches at them. So no matter what the case, no matter who... There will never be an all-out war.”
So naive. Erdene thought. But her expression and eyes did not show it.
She could be so cool when talking about politics and war.
In Erdene’s opinion, the inland was structured in such a way that it could not avoid being involved in a huge war at any time.
Someday, one country with the strongest military force would conquer the other countries, declare itself an Emperor, or make them vassals, and in effect, transform them into one huge empire.
But that would not happen during Arkan’s reign.
Even if Erdene’s prediction was correct, it would be a long time later. However, once it starts, after that...
‘If a fight breaks out, unless there is a magical way to get out of it, you have no choice but to jump in actively. You have to seize the initial momentum, push it forward tenaciously, and become the final victor.’
Otherwise, why bother fighting a war?
Erdene smiled and held Arkan’s hand as if to reassure him.
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. At least, that won’t happen while Your Majesty and I are alive.”
Arkan, who was looking at her, shook his head.
Yes, now is... It was not the time to think about the chaotic all-out war in the inland that had not yet occurred.
First, he had to think about what position Vetor would take on the duchy’s problems and how he would respond if an accident occurred.
Arkan said.
“Let’s say Princess Limepale killed her own brother. I don’t think the nobles of the duchy would change their attitude and make the Princess their successor just because of that. Grand Duke Joelvy would be a little more complicated. He must know that his son’s strongest supporters are the loudest nobles in the duchy, and on the other hand, he would soon find out that they used his son to manipulate the duchy’s politics. In that case, the Grand Duke, as a father, would be sad and miserable, but as a monarch, he might be fortunate. If he makes the Princess the successor and rules the duchy, it will produce much better results than Deger.”
“That’s right. However, as Your Majesty said, the nobles who supported the existing minor Duke would never want the Princess to become the new successor. They would be afraid. They would do anything to block the Princess’s succession to the title, and perhaps the moment they find a reason, they would use it as an excuse to get rid of the Princess and then recommend that Grand Duke Joelvy adopt a child.”
“Does the Princess have a good way to turn those nobles over to her side?”
A complicated battlefield unfolded in Erdene’s mind.
What would she have done if she were in Limepale’s position?
The atmosphere in the empire was very different from that of the duchy, and things would have been much easier. Also, her and Limepale’s strengths were different... Limepale was not the kind of person who could seize the throne with swords and blood.
If she could, she would have gladly done so, but the conditions were not met.
‘No...’
Erdene’s expression turned serious for a moment as she lowered her gaze.
Even if she didn’t hold the sword herself, if there was someone who could hold it and swing it instead... and if that person was trustworthy in many ways, she would be worthy of being entrusted with the vanguard.
And there was one such person by Limepale’s side.
“I don’t think the Princess will ask us for military support. What she needs is some incident that will silence the nobles who want an incompetent next Duke... a trigger.”
Arkan immediately responded.
“That seems like an area where we would have difficulty helping.”
After a moment of silence, Erdene shrugged and smiled.
“We’ll see. It would be good to keep a close eye on the situation in the duchy for the time being. It would be better if we could watch from a close distance if possible.”
Arkan suddenly realized something at her words. He had forgotten something important because of what had happened to the little Duke.
“Plat! Come here!”
Plat, who was nearby, came in right away. Arkan said,
“Choose the messengers to send to Grand Duke Joelvy of Stradhog. Discuss with the Minister of the Household and prepare the condolence money.”
Plat was taken aback by the sudden order but soon lowered his head.
“I will go right away, Your Majesty.”
Erdene looked up at Arkan with a surprised expression.
“Your Majesty, you have learned to read my thoughts quite well now.”
Arkan replied.
“I have been able to do this for a long time.”
He kissed Erdene on the cheek.
Once on each cheek, once on the bridge of the nose, and once on the tip of the nose. Then their lips covered each other. After a short kiss, Arkan said,
“There is not a single day that is quiet.”
“There is a quiet place.”
Arkan raised his eyebrows slightly as if asking what that meant.
Erdene said,
“Etonhorn and Vinothin. Especially Etonhorn. Actually, the one who targeted us two most actively was Etonhorn, but they strangely easily gave up and have been quiet until now.”
“Unlike Kensilom, he has no room to evade, so that must be why.”
“That could be true, but I’m not sure... There might be another problem. If possible, I would like to look into Etonhorn’s situation as well. While Your Majesty and I are visiting the Empire.”
Arkan’s face darkened instantly.
However, Erdene stroked his wet lips with a calm expression as if she didn’t care about such a trivial matter.
“It’s difficult to provoke everywhere at once and then deceive them. If both sides are facing each other, it’s easier because it’s a showdown of power, but if you’re going for a surprise attack, it’s important to figure out the variables faster than anyone else.”
“In other words, you’re saying that it’s better to send someone who can figure out the situation to Etonhorn as well.”
Erdene nodded.
“That’s right. I decided to leave the Kensilom case to Prince Damon, so it was a bit of a hassle.”
Savina quietly knocked on the door of the bedroom where Roelica was. When she heard a small sound from inside, she went inside.
Roelica, who was lying on the bed, got up.
“What happened?”
Savina said, bowing her head politely.
“Sir Thelma and Sir Aiman have come. They hid the palace in one of the separate rooms of the Empress’s Palace for now.”
A small sigh escaped Roelica’s lips without her knowledge. It was a sigh of relief.
“It was taken care of well. You did it secretly, right?”
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty.”
At that moment, urgent footsteps were heard.
Savina looked outside, checked Thelma’s face, and nodded, gesturing for her to come in.
Thelma hesitated for a moment as she watched Roelica through the open door. But when Roelica gestured, she pursed her lips and strode inside to bow.
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
“It seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Sir Thelma.”
“Yes. How is your health?”
Roelica smiled faintly and shook her head.
“You don’t have to worry about my health. Tell me. Did you get anything from him?”
“Of course.”
Thelma’s eyes were still gleaming like a beast, a mixture of murderous intent, excitement, anger, and joy.
Roelica listened to her story, quietly and calmly accepting those fierce eyes.
In less than ten minutes, Delsh of the palace had told the whole story in Thelma and Aiman’s hands.
“...He said that the death of His Majesty the Emperor was a fabrication from the beginning.”
Roelica’s fingertips gently gripped the sheet. It was expected, but it was still shocking.
According to Delsh, it was like this.
A month or so before the Emperor's death, Tenek secretly summoned Bruce, a high councilor of the Council of the Apostles.
If she could, she would have gladly done so, but the conditions were not met.
‘No...’
Erdene’s expression turned serious for a moment as she lowered her gaze.
Even if she didn’t hold the sword herself, if there was someone who could hold it and swing it instead... and if that person was trustworthy in many ways, she would be worthy of being entrusted with the vanguard.
And there was one such person by Limepale’s side.
“I don’t think the Princess will ask us for military support. What she needs is some incident that will silence the nobles who want an incompetent next Duke... a trigger.”
Arkan immediately responded.
“That seems like an area where we would have difficulty helping.”
After a moment of silence, Erdene shrugged and smiled.
“We’ll see. It would be good to keep a close eye on the situation in the duchy for the time being. It would be better if we could watch from a close distance if possible.”
Arkan suddenly realized something at her words. He had forgotten something important because of what had happened to the little Duke.
“Plat! Come here!”
Plat, who was nearby, came in right away. Arkan said,
“Choose the messengers to send to Grand Duke Joelvy of Stradhog. Discuss with the Minister of the Household and prepare the condolence money.”
Plat was taken aback by the sudden order but soon lowered his head.
“I will go right away, Your Majesty.”
Erdene looked up at Arkan with a surprised expression.
“Your Majesty, you have learned to read my thoughts quite well now.”
Arkan replied.
“I have been able to do this for a long time.”
He kissed Erdene on the cheek.
Once on each cheek, once on the bridge of the nose, and once on the tip of the nose. Then their lips covered each other. After a short kiss, Arkan said,
“There is not a single day that is quiet.”
“There is a quiet place.”
Arkan raised his eyebrows slightly as if asking what that meant.
Erdene said,
“Etonhorn and Vinothin. Especially Etonhorn. Actually, the one who targeted us two most actively was Etonhorn, but they strangely easily gave up and have been quiet until now.”
“Unlike Kensilom, he has no room to evade, so that must be why.”
“That could be true, but I’m not sure... There might be another problem. If possible, I would like to look into Etonhorn’s situation as well. While Your Majesty and I are visiting the Empire.”
Arkan’s face darkened instantly.
However, Erdene stroked his wet lips with a calm expression as if she didn’t care about such a trivial matter.
“It’s difficult to provoke everywhere at once and then deceive them. If both sides are facing each other, it’s easier because it’s a showdown of power, but if you’re going for a surprise attack, it’s important to figure out the variables faster than anyone else.”
“In other words, you’re saying that it’s better to send someone who can figure out the situation to Etonhorn as well.”
Erdene nodded.
“That’s right. I decided to leave the Kensilom case to Prince Damon, so it was a bit of a hassle.”
***
Savina quietly knocked on the door of the bedroom where Roelica was. When she heard a small sound from inside, she went inside.
Roelica, who was lying on the bed, got up.
“What happened?”
Savina said, bowing her head politely.
“Sir Thelma and Sir Aiman have come. They hid the palace in one of the separate rooms of the Empress’s Palace for now.”
A small sigh escaped Roelica’s lips without her knowledge. It was a sigh of relief.
“It was taken care of well. You did it secretly, right?”
“Don’t worry, Your Majesty.”
At that moment, urgent footsteps were heard.
Savina looked outside, checked Thelma’s face, and nodded, gesturing for her to come in.
Thelma hesitated for a moment as she watched Roelica through the open door. But when Roelica gestured, she pursed her lips and strode inside to bow.
“Your Majesty the Empress.”
“It seems like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Sir Thelma.”
“Yes. How is your health?”
Roelica smiled faintly and shook her head.
“You don’t have to worry about my health. Tell me. Did you get anything from him?”
“Of course.”
Thelma’s eyes were still gleaming like a beast, a mixture of murderous intent, excitement, anger, and joy.
Roelica listened to her story, quietly and calmly accepting those fierce eyes.
In less than ten minutes, Delsh of the palace had told the whole story in Thelma and Aiman’s hands.
“...He said that the death of His Majesty the Emperor was a fabrication from the beginning.”
Roelica’s fingertips gently gripped the sheet. It was expected, but it was still shocking.
According to Delsh, it was like this.
A month or so before the Emperor's death, Tenek secretly summoned Bruce, a high councilor of the Council of the Apostles.
He was particularly skilled among the court doctors, and he regularly examined the Emperor and Empress’s health and treated their illnesses.
Tenek promised Brus an unimaginable life of luxury and asked him to make the Emperor lie down slowly.
He did not forget to urge him not to collapse suddenly.
Roelica, who was listening to the story, let out a sharp and nervous laugh.
“That’s typical of him. If His Majesty the Emperor, who was so strong, had suddenly collapsed, he would have been in trouble, and Princess Erdene would have returned to the palace immediately and done everything she could to track down the culprit. She must have known that she could never hide.”
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