A rumbling roar shook the great hall.
“Hey, you! You! You dare, Eve! What are you doing?!”
Desmond II had a fierce expression on his face. But paradoxically, Eve and Michael felt that the intimidating atmosphere had disappeared from him.
Even so, Michael was truly courageous as he answered the question directly again.
“I love her. I love her with my whole body, mind, and soul.”
“Ha! Me too! Ha! You’re really crazy!”
“I am not crazy. I am pure and sincere, without a single speck of filth.”
“Shut up, you impudent thing! How dare a knight harbor evil intentions toward the royal family, I cannot forgive... ”
But he couldn't finish his speech.
“Father!”
Eve again hid Michael behind her back, blocking him from Desmond II's view.
Her determined face showed her determination to protect her knight.
“Ah, no..."
Desmond II suddenly sensed something and looked as if he had been hit.
During that gap, Michael continued speaking.
“My wish is simply to stay by Her Highness the 7th Princess’ side while she continues to shine.”
It meant that he would be content with the position of a Prince rather than an Emperor. Of course, Desmond II did not calm down but rather breathed more heavily.
If things continued as they were, Michael would be banished to the cold, desolate North on another charge. Eve felt the need for a quick solution.
“Father, please stay still and listen to what I have to say. From the perspective of the imperial family, Sir Agnito is someone who must be embraced rather than rejected. And I am the royal family member who can give Sir Agnito what he wants. You should seek the safety of the imperial family through me.”
It was a much more politically refined tone than Michael's words. Thanks to this, Desmond II was able to think calmly and politically.
Homunculus is the power base of the imperial family. If you can buy power by giving love, isn't it a very profitable deal? Desmond II's mind decided so.
But when he thought about the specific way to do business, he couldn't understand why his jaw was tense.
“Father.”
Eve's call, by good timing, roused Desmond II's mind. Soon, she spoke seriously, as if she were the Princess of the Empire.
"In any way, in any form, I can handle Michaelis Agnito. The situation that Father is concerned about will never happen. Also, I consider it my mission to preserve Father's Empire gloriously and I will fulfill my duty. So, Father, trust me. Just once, just this once, is enough. I will never let you down.”
Desmond II, who had barely managed to control his unmanageable expression, kept his mouth shut for a long time.
At that time, there was someone who broke the silence that seemed like it would last forever.
Clap clap clap.
A dry applause echoed through the grand hall. Someone came to the center, drawing everyone's attention. It was the Third Empress, Pilinelli.
“I think it’s a monumental union. I’ll be rooting for them both.”
“Filinelli. Why you again!”
“Ah, now that I think about it, cheering alone won’t be enough. If the 7th Princess wants, I’ll support the two of you as your mother’s representative. What do you think?”
There was some truth to Filinelli’s words. Traditionally, the marriage of the royal family is presided over by the Empress or the imperial father. Filinelli used that as an excuse to give strength to Eve and Michael.
'Empress Philinelli did this to me and Eve?'
Michael, who was quick-witted, rolled his eyes and glanced to the right. Among the nobles who were watching, he saw Alben, smiling with a mean face and raising his thumb.
‘Hehehe, our Highness told us to prepare for something like this. I recruited the Third Empress. For my younger brother!’
After all, he who gets the Alben Linus gets the world.
"Ha..."
Meanwhile, Desmond II let out a sigh that sounded like a sigh. Eve watched him with longing eyes.
“Oh, Father. Please.”
All of Eve's wishes were contained in that one word.
'A wise choice. Otherwise, I... '
It was when Eve, who had swallowed her long words, bit her lip in pain.
Desmond II squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. Now it was his turn to make a decision.
Even the nobles who were unaware of the situation seemed to sense that the current atmosphere was incredibly serious and precarious. The sound of dry spit being swallowed could be heard here and there.
Desmond II squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. Now it was his turn to make a decision.
Even the nobles who were unaware of the situation seemed to sense that the current atmosphere was incredibly serious and precarious. The sound of dry spit being swallowed could be heard here and there.
Finally, Desmond II opened his mouth.
“Michaelis Agnito.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You, no, to you..."
It was the next moment when he politely corrected the words he was referring to.
“I grant you the land of Yggdras, the castle, and the title of Duke.”
Michael raised his head without realizing it. The face of Desmond II, who looked up, was clearly displeased. Nevertheless, Desmond II spoke.
“From now on, you are the Duke of Yggdras. This is the name I personally give you, so either drop the lowly surname Agnitos or use it as your middle name!”
“Your Majesty... I'm...devastated.”
Michael gave an example in a dazed manner. Next to him, Eve was frozen as if her mind had been blown.
It was truly an unprecedented event. The fierce reaction to it was the responsibility of the nobles who were present.
'Du, du, du, Duke?!'
'No, the atmosphere was bad just now?'
'What the hell is going on!'
At this point, the conservative nobles rose up.
“No, Your Majesty! The title of Duke seems a bit too much!”
“Even if you give him a surname? A title that matches the name of the territory is the exclusive property of the traditional noble families!”
“If you give excessive special treatment to a single homunculus, the status of our nobles will be lowered!”
“That’s right! You should give up his surname and raise his title to a Marquis...!”
The pointless protests did a good job of irritating Desmond II's already seething temper.
“Shut up! He’s someone who should be attached to Eve, but shouldn’t his status be at that level? Oh, well! If you’re not satisfied, then you should each catch a demon dragon and bring it to me!”
The nobles were silent. Not only was he incapable of catching the demon dragon, but the words ‘he might have to be attached to Eve’ shocked them even more.
'Oh my god! Really?!'
'I had a feeling something was wrong when Her Majesty the Third Empress came out earlier!'
It was when the nobles were in confusion and making a fuss that the chief chamberlain lightened the mood.
“The award ceremony is not over yet. Everyone, please remain quiet.”
It was as he said. There was still a reward left for the person who contributed the most to the Ambroxa expedition.
Desmond II himself called the name.
“The 7th Princess, Evienrose Chloelle Hadelamide.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Eve set an example.
Desmond II, who had finally called Eve, was silent for a while. He looked down at Eve with sad eyes, as if lost in thought, and only after a while did he speak.
'I had a feeling something was wrong when Her Majesty the Third Empress came out earlier!'
It was when the nobles were in confusion and making a fuss that the chief chamberlain lightened the mood.
“The award ceremony is not over yet. Everyone, please remain quiet.”
It was as he said. There was still a reward left for the person who contributed the most to the Ambroxa expedition.
Desmond II himself called the name.
“The 7th Princess, Evienrose Chloelle Hadelamide.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Eve set an example.
Desmond II, who had finally called Eve, was silent for a while. He looked down at Eve with sad eyes, as if lost in thought, and only after a while did he speak.
“Eve, you've got a lot going for you. Truly, you have done a great job.”
Eve raised her head at the tone of voice that seemed somewhat out of place in a public setting.
Desmond II looked more like his father than an Emperor.
“It’s not just this expedition. You have made countless achievements in the meantime. Among them, there are many that I have not been able to honor because the imperial family and the empire were in disarray. If we were to properly reward you for those, you should be given the title of Grand Duke. However... I have to give you something bigger and heavier.”
Everyone in the grand hall, including Eve, held their breath.
“I will make you the successor to my great cause.”
The moment after the calm announcement rang in Eve's ears, Desmond II made a loud declaration to everyone.
“Listen up everyone! The 7th Princess, Evienrose Chloele Hadelamide, is hereby appointed Crown Princess!”
Eve finally took a deep breath. It seemed as if it was the only noise that filled the air of the grand hall.
That was when.
Thud! Thud!
The nobles in the grand banquet hall began to kneel one by one. The royal family did the same. Rosenite, in particular, was the first to lower her posture and bow her head deeply.
There was absolutely no dissent about this award. Everyone in the grand hall paid their heartfelt respects to Eve.
'Ah.'
During the quiet yet magnificent celebration, Eve was at a loss for words when a stern yet warm voice was heard.
“Evienrose.”
“You are my proudest daughter. So I believe that choosing you as my successor will be the best decision of my reign...”
The words of trust seemed to resonate not with her ears but directly with her heart. For some reason, Eve felt her eyes grow warm at the recognition bestowed by the Supreme Being.
'Thank you. Thank you so much, Father.'
Only then did Eve realize that the best outcome she had ever expected was now right before her eyes.
Eve did not stop Michael from revealing his identity immediately after the subjugation of Ambroxa.
The purpose here was to torture Brigette into thinking she was headed for her own destruction, though she was never unaware that this might in return stoke Desmond II's anxiety and vigilance.
Nevertheless, Eve took the risk. No, she may have encouraged it.
Becoming the Crown Princess is by no means the end. The path of transformation that Eve will lead is only just beginning, and the formidable enemy she will have to fight in the future has already been decided.
Becoming the Crown Princess is by no means the end. The path of transformation that Eve will lead is only just beginning, and the formidable enemy she will have to fight in the future has already been decided.
The most powerful person supporting the current imperial system, the Emperor. Eve must prepare to go up against none other than her father.
Eve never attacks first externally. Therefore, using Brigette to plant anxiety and caution in Desmond II and make him stand at a crossroads meant that she had already started a fight with Desmond II.
Of course, apart from making steady moves due to political necessity, Eve's heart did not want to be in enmity with the Emperor. After all, Desmond II was her father.
So, although it was somewhat contradictory while preparing to fight her father, she sincerely hoped that he would not make a mistake and advised her until the very end.
And as if to repay her feelings, Desmond II chose to block any hostility towards her. He himself supported the righteous change in the empire.
Eve suppressed her overwhelming heart and bowed deeply. After moving her lips several times, she was finally able to speak in a well-organized tone.
“Father... I am truly grateful, Your Majesty. I will definitely live up to your expectations.”
As Eve stood up and turned around, congratulations poured in.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“Imperial sergeant, we're cutting back!”
In an instant, the grand ballroom became noisy. At this, Desmond II sighed, slumping his shoulders as if he was tired. It was understandable since he had made the biggest and most wonderful decision of his life.
The award ceremony was over. Eve approached Michael, who was still kneeling.
The first words Michael whispered as he stood up and took Eve's outstretched hand were these.
“You have passed the Emperor's test.”
Ah.
The affectionate purple eyes seemed to have already pierced Eve's heart. Eve smiled slightly awkwardly and confessed.
“A test? Tell me that my faith has been rewarded.”
“I think it’s good. Thanks to you, my wedding has been brought forward by at least three years.”
It wasn't just the wedding. All of Eve's plans with Michael would go smoothly.
It was a very embarrassing thing. The two exchanged bright smiles and formally opened their mouths.
“Then shall we go back now, Duke Yggdrasil?”
“Yes, I will, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
A large door swung open on both sides. Beyond the door was a long, carpeted path. It was a path of light, filled with dazzling sunlight streaming in through the windows.
Eve and Michael took a step forward, holding hands. A light that seemed eternal warmly enveloped the two of them.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment