Loganfield, the capital of Medea, was much warmer than the countries we'd visited so far. It was said to have a mild winter climate, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing, and frequent rain during the rainy season.
The sound of raindrops tapping against the morning window was soothing. A garden landscape formed a circle in the water droplets sliding down the window.
The garden floor, planted with a mix of sugar maples, ginkgoes, and dogwoods, was ablaze with colorful leaves, and the maple trees were laden with brown, gourd-like fruits. The path was visibly clear of fallen leaves, hurriedly cleared.
The gray sky, heavy with wet rain clouds, had a completely different color from the sky filled with the smoke of the lonely war.
Noah seemed to have gone to Tempshire Palace early in the morning to meet the Queen.
Yesterday, I barely managed to kick Noah out of the room.
He became very sullen and argued with a sad voice, saying things like, "You promised to sleep with me every day." But I still lacked the inner strength to be surrounded by such a pitiful man who was constantly showing off his sexy side.
I stretched lazily. My body felt light, having had a good night's sleep for the first time in a while.
After bathing, I changed into my simple everyday attire: a striped silk blouse and a long, plain skirt. Wrapping a shawl around my neck, I went downstairs, where a maid smiled and asked about the meal.
Molly now seemed more like a secretary, like Vincent, than a maid. I heard Vincent was also at Medea, but I haven't met him yet.
When asked about Molly's continued employment with the evil employer who shot her in the arm, she responded with a materialistic remark: "He pays a lot of money."
"I bet the secretary did the same," I added. "So this is how voluntary slaves of capitalism are born."
I went to the dining room and had a simple meal of buttered white bread and coffee. A square radio on the table played a popular jazz song.
As communications and radio technology were in full development at the time, the first floor even featured a rotary telephone. It was a refreshing experience, as if I was experiencing modern civilization firsthand.
“This place is developing really quickly.”
The maid, who often laughed at monologues, smiled innocently at me. The wrinkles on her nose were quite adorable.
“Will we fly to the moon someday?”
I chuckled and asked the maid, who responded like a line from a fairy tale.
“Lenny, how old are you this year?”
“I’m sixteen, miss.”
“If I do well, I’ll be able to see Lenny while you're still alive.”
Lenny, whose dark green eyes had been wide at my words, smiled awkwardly, wrinkling her freckled nose. She scratched her neatly combed hair, as if she were displeased.
“Hey. That fast?”
“It could be more.”
Who said that even if there were other worlds, as long as humanity ruled, history would all flow similarly?
"But how come your hair is so pitch-black? Like Medea's pure bloodline. Usually, only high-ranking nobles or royalty have completely black hair. Most people have dark brown or dark chestnut hair."
Lenny looked closely at my hair and admired it. To others, it might look the same, but there are slight variations.
"Well, I don't know. My father is Belford. I've never seen my mother."
“Really? Your skin is incredibly white. It’s amazing.”
It is said that Medea women, like Snow White wannabes, prefer pitch-black hair and pale skin. So they use cosmetics like lead or mercury to make their faces white, and dye their hair black with sulfur, lead, and lime...
In modern times, this would be terrifying. Premature deaths from mercury or lead poisoning would be commonplace. Fortunately, Noah's hair didn't seem to be dying afterward. You could see it gradually turning ash-gray and fading.
But when is Noah coming?
Noah was at Tempshire Palace with Vincent. Noah tilted his head in puzzlement as he saw Vincent sweating profusely and looking nervous, uncharacteristically so.
“Why are you so nervous?”
“I can’t believe I’m meeting the Queen in person.”
“Is it something to be so nervous about? I’m not a tyrant.”
“Isn’t it beautiful? I saw her from afar when she came to Frogen for a while, and she was so radiant...”
“Yeah, she’s pretty. Like Diana.”
“The Queen is more beautiful.”
Vincent, who had arrived at the door of the audience room, wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, cleared his throat, and cleared his throat. His eyes, swept back his light brown hair, trembled slightly.
The door to the audience room, ornately carved with pumpkins, opened slowly, and Vincent stared ahead, barely able to breathe.
Queen Grace II, holding a scepter and wearing a crown, sat in a luxurious armchair, beaming with a dazzling smile. She wore a gorgeous white dress embroidered with gold thread and a royal blue sash, the signature color of the Medea royal family.
“May God bless Your Majesty Queen Grace II, the eternal sun of Medea.”
Vincent looked nervous and polite, and Noah just smiled faintly.
“It’s been a while.”
Vincent's wheat-colored eyes widened, and he straightened his back, which had been bent. He looked back and forth between Noah and the Queen, his face filled with disbelief.
It’s been a while? What's that crazy Duke talking about? What kind of arrogant attitude is that towards the Queen! No, he's just a madman; he doesn't have a title.
“How have you been?”
“Yes. How have you been, Your Majesty?”
The two are talking like old siblings. The man is even respectful to the Queen.
Vincent heard they were close, but he was nervous, looking around, wondering if this was even allowed. He was afraid he would be arrested for being rude, but the kind and dignified Queen simply smiled and accepted him. Thank goodness.
“I heard the girl you brought is sick. Is she feeling better?”
“I let her rest because she had a bit of a fever. I’ll bring her back later.”
"Yeah, you're engaged, right? Isn't Erita crying and making a scene? She's a girl who has to get what she wants to feel satisfied."
...My goddess is speaking like an ordinary human being. Vincent stared blankly at the Queen's beautiful face.
With her jade-colored, jewel-like eyes, her wrinkle-free, pure white face, and her doll-like, well-defined features, she could have been in her 20s.
Her thick, jet-black hair was neatly braided, highlighting her long, white neck. Only then did she blink her doll-like eyes, long-lashed, and look at Vincent.
“Did you say Vincent Ford?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
"You helped Duke Rotsilt and Medea's child. I hope you find comfort in Medea."
“Yes, yes. Your grace is like the sea, Your Majesty.”
Even as Vincent stuttered, Queen Grace smiled gently. Noah gazed at her smile with a complex expression.
"Now that you've been stripped of my ducal title, you'll have to use my Medea title. You'll become Count Noah Rotsilt."
Noah nodded at the queen's words.
"Thank you."
"You've already grown into such a fine young man. It seems like only yesterday you were a young boy, and now you're getting married."
Lost in her thoughts, she rested her chin on her elbows on the chair's base and sighed deeply. Vincent, with his eyes fixed on her refined expression, took in every single one of her actions as if he were admiring a masterpiece.
When will she ever look less pretty? She's in her mid-30s this year. She'll probably still be pretty even as she gets older.
The Prince who almost became the Crown Prince died young, and it is widely known that it has been no Crown Prince or consort has been appointed, nor has a lover been taken. Since royals tend to marry early, it's not surprising that they already have an adult daughter.
"Let's get to the point. About the Frogen Empire."
Noah relaxed his upright posture slightly and smiled leisurely. Queen Grace, who had been resting her chin on her hand, raised the corners of her mouth slightly as she looked at Noah.
"Yes. We did form an alliance and help, but I don't want such a savage and barbaric nation to become the world's leading power. However, the prolonged war has also weakened Frogen's national power."
"Let's just let the Frogen take control through military force. Belford has already lost much to the Frogen, so there's no need to worry about it anymore."
“Why?”
“Once they have seized power, they will become intoxicated by their own strength and recklessly abuse their power. They will eventually be branded a public enemy and isolated in the middle of the world.”
"Ah."
Queen Grace gave a brief exclamation of understanding. Turning the entire world into an enemy and being eliminated. The surrounding powers were already taking steps to contain them.
Vincent, who was admiring the Queen's beauty with his eyes wide open, swallowed hard at Noah's strong words.
This is because it reminds him of the Esatian massacre committed by Frogen in the past.
This is a clear violation of international law and a crime against humanity, and it is a justifiable basis and reason for international condemnation and judgment.
Noah's mother was an Esatian who was targeted for slaughter, and Noah's father, Noel Rotsilt, rescued her from the concentration camp and married her.
Although this was something that would have angered the Emperor, he went so far as to obtain official permission from the archbishop, saying that it was not a rebellion against the state or a political challenge, but only 'love'.
The statement, "Is there always a reason for love?" left everyone speechless.
Duke Rotsilt had fallen out of line of succession to the throne, renounced his right to succession, and declared himself a loyalist. Furthermore, the military forces that had been leading the fierce war to victory at the time held strong influence within the country, so they could not openly touch him.
In the end, the Duke and Duchess died in an 'accident'.
The oppressive rule wielded by the empire creates fear in those around it, making them objects to be excluded, and instead, it tends to backfire and be expressed as revenge, hatred, and anger.
Noah's coming to Medea and Frogen's attempt to lead him down a path of decline appear to be a chain reaction of a similar nature, but in reality, that is not the case.
That crazy man doesn't want to be bothered by a woman named Diana, so he's going to make an example of an empire and put Medea on top.
Vincent, who knew his intentions well, was staring at Noah with a tired expression.
"Your Majesty, I will tell you my plans for the future."
Noah smiled faintly at the Queen.
Princess Erita, upon hearing that Noah had arrived at Tempshire Palace, dressed herself in a blaze of color and headed toward the audience room. Perhaps just as he was leaving the audience, she saw Noah, with his black hair, walking down the arched corridor.
She pushed away the maids, hiding the look of urgency in her eyes.
“Noah, you arrived safely.”
“May God bless Your Highness Princess Erita.”
Vincent made a greeting of her, but Noah just looked at the Princess expressionlessly.
“Would you please step aside? I have something to say to you alone.”
Princess Erita glared at Vincent with her proud, cat-like blue eyes. He glanced at Noah and left first. Noah looked down at the Princess with an expressionless expression.
“What do you have to say?”
“Are you going to keep speaking informally to me?”
“What is it?”
"Ha."
The Princess, her lips twisted, fanned herself with her hand to suppress her anger. But even that indifferent face was so handsome that she couldn't give up on him, even though he was rude.
“I have no intention of becoming Queen.”
“So?”
"I'm thinking of throwing everything away. You told me to throw everything away."
“Did I do that?”
“You're just trying to make sure I really throw everything away.”
“I didn’t really mean to check.”
Noah, who had been staring blankly at Princess Erita, who was lashing out in a dry tone, sneered. The Princess, who thought it was a smile directed at her, stared at Noah with a face on the verge of tears.
“I heard that when my mother had me, she promised that you would protect me and marry me.”
“That’s not you.”
“I heard it clearly. Even if it was something she said as a child, she's the kind of person who doesn’t just say things.”
“That’s right.”
"You're engaged to another woman. You're deliberately trying to pressure me into giving up the throne. You're trying to confirm my feelings!"
Noah, who had been looking down at her in silence for a moment, opened his mouth.
“You’re smart, do your best.”
At Noah's gentle words, Princess Erita lifted the hand she had been clenching tightly and covered her flushed cheek, looking back at Noah as he walked away.
He's truly a unique man. He put her through such trials, yet he abandoned everything to become Medea. He's like an example.
The Princess, who was in a very strange delusion, bit her lip and muttered to herself.
"What's the Admiral doing? He's not getting things done quickly. If he keeps going like this, he'll end up marrying that woman."
Noah, who had turned away from the Princess and was walking down the hallway, was laughing silently, covering his mouth with his slender hand.
The sound of raindrops tapping against the morning window was soothing. A garden landscape formed a circle in the water droplets sliding down the window.
The garden floor, planted with a mix of sugar maples, ginkgoes, and dogwoods, was ablaze with colorful leaves, and the maple trees were laden with brown, gourd-like fruits. The path was visibly clear of fallen leaves, hurriedly cleared.
The gray sky, heavy with wet rain clouds, had a completely different color from the sky filled with the smoke of the lonely war.
Noah seemed to have gone to Tempshire Palace early in the morning to meet the Queen.
Yesterday, I barely managed to kick Noah out of the room.
He became very sullen and argued with a sad voice, saying things like, "You promised to sleep with me every day." But I still lacked the inner strength to be surrounded by such a pitiful man who was constantly showing off his sexy side.
I stretched lazily. My body felt light, having had a good night's sleep for the first time in a while.
After bathing, I changed into my simple everyday attire: a striped silk blouse and a long, plain skirt. Wrapping a shawl around my neck, I went downstairs, where a maid smiled and asked about the meal.
Molly now seemed more like a secretary, like Vincent, than a maid. I heard Vincent was also at Medea, but I haven't met him yet.
When asked about Molly's continued employment with the evil employer who shot her in the arm, she responded with a materialistic remark: "He pays a lot of money."
"I bet the secretary did the same," I added. "So this is how voluntary slaves of capitalism are born."
I went to the dining room and had a simple meal of buttered white bread and coffee. A square radio on the table played a popular jazz song.
As communications and radio technology were in full development at the time, the first floor even featured a rotary telephone. It was a refreshing experience, as if I was experiencing modern civilization firsthand.
“This place is developing really quickly.”
The maid, who often laughed at monologues, smiled innocently at me. The wrinkles on her nose were quite adorable.
“Will we fly to the moon someday?”
I chuckled and asked the maid, who responded like a line from a fairy tale.
“Lenny, how old are you this year?”
“I’m sixteen, miss.”
“If I do well, I’ll be able to see Lenny while you're still alive.”
Lenny, whose dark green eyes had been wide at my words, smiled awkwardly, wrinkling her freckled nose. She scratched her neatly combed hair, as if she were displeased.
“Hey. That fast?”
“It could be more.”
Who said that even if there were other worlds, as long as humanity ruled, history would all flow similarly?
"But how come your hair is so pitch-black? Like Medea's pure bloodline. Usually, only high-ranking nobles or royalty have completely black hair. Most people have dark brown or dark chestnut hair."
Lenny looked closely at my hair and admired it. To others, it might look the same, but there are slight variations.
"Well, I don't know. My father is Belford. I've never seen my mother."
“Really? Your skin is incredibly white. It’s amazing.”
It is said that Medea women, like Snow White wannabes, prefer pitch-black hair and pale skin. So they use cosmetics like lead or mercury to make their faces white, and dye their hair black with sulfur, lead, and lime...
In modern times, this would be terrifying. Premature deaths from mercury or lead poisoning would be commonplace. Fortunately, Noah's hair didn't seem to be dying afterward. You could see it gradually turning ash-gray and fading.
But when is Noah coming?
***
Noah was at Tempshire Palace with Vincent. Noah tilted his head in puzzlement as he saw Vincent sweating profusely and looking nervous, uncharacteristically so.
“Why are you so nervous?”
“I can’t believe I’m meeting the Queen in person.”
“Is it something to be so nervous about? I’m not a tyrant.”
“Isn’t it beautiful? I saw her from afar when she came to Frogen for a while, and she was so radiant...”
“Yeah, she’s pretty. Like Diana.”
“The Queen is more beautiful.”
Vincent, who had arrived at the door of the audience room, wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, cleared his throat, and cleared his throat. His eyes, swept back his light brown hair, trembled slightly.
The door to the audience room, ornately carved with pumpkins, opened slowly, and Vincent stared ahead, barely able to breathe.
Queen Grace II, holding a scepter and wearing a crown, sat in a luxurious armchair, beaming with a dazzling smile. She wore a gorgeous white dress embroidered with gold thread and a royal blue sash, the signature color of the Medea royal family.
“May God bless Your Majesty Queen Grace II, the eternal sun of Medea.”
Vincent looked nervous and polite, and Noah just smiled faintly.
“It’s been a while.”
Vincent's wheat-colored eyes widened, and he straightened his back, which had been bent. He looked back and forth between Noah and the Queen, his face filled with disbelief.
It’s been a while? What's that crazy Duke talking about? What kind of arrogant attitude is that towards the Queen! No, he's just a madman; he doesn't have a title.
“How have you been?”
“Yes. How have you been, Your Majesty?”
The two are talking like old siblings. The man is even respectful to the Queen.
Vincent heard they were close, but he was nervous, looking around, wondering if this was even allowed. He was afraid he would be arrested for being rude, but the kind and dignified Queen simply smiled and accepted him. Thank goodness.
“I heard the girl you brought is sick. Is she feeling better?”
“I let her rest because she had a bit of a fever. I’ll bring her back later.”
"Yeah, you're engaged, right? Isn't Erita crying and making a scene? She's a girl who has to get what she wants to feel satisfied."
...My goddess is speaking like an ordinary human being. Vincent stared blankly at the Queen's beautiful face.
With her jade-colored, jewel-like eyes, her wrinkle-free, pure white face, and her doll-like, well-defined features, she could have been in her 20s.
Her thick, jet-black hair was neatly braided, highlighting her long, white neck. Only then did she blink her doll-like eyes, long-lashed, and look at Vincent.
“Did you say Vincent Ford?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
"You helped Duke Rotsilt and Medea's child. I hope you find comfort in Medea."
“Yes, yes. Your grace is like the sea, Your Majesty.”
Even as Vincent stuttered, Queen Grace smiled gently. Noah gazed at her smile with a complex expression.
"Now that you've been stripped of my ducal title, you'll have to use my Medea title. You'll become Count Noah Rotsilt."
Noah nodded at the queen's words.
"Thank you."
"You've already grown into such a fine young man. It seems like only yesterday you were a young boy, and now you're getting married."
Lost in her thoughts, she rested her chin on her elbows on the chair's base and sighed deeply. Vincent, with his eyes fixed on her refined expression, took in every single one of her actions as if he were admiring a masterpiece.
When will she ever look less pretty? She's in her mid-30s this year. She'll probably still be pretty even as she gets older.
The Prince who almost became the Crown Prince died young, and it is widely known that it has been no Crown Prince or consort has been appointed, nor has a lover been taken. Since royals tend to marry early, it's not surprising that they already have an adult daughter.
"Let's get to the point. About the Frogen Empire."
Noah relaxed his upright posture slightly and smiled leisurely. Queen Grace, who had been resting her chin on her hand, raised the corners of her mouth slightly as she looked at Noah.
"Yes. We did form an alliance and help, but I don't want such a savage and barbaric nation to become the world's leading power. However, the prolonged war has also weakened Frogen's national power."
"Let's just let the Frogen take control through military force. Belford has already lost much to the Frogen, so there's no need to worry about it anymore."
“Why?”
“Once they have seized power, they will become intoxicated by their own strength and recklessly abuse their power. They will eventually be branded a public enemy and isolated in the middle of the world.”
"Ah."
Queen Grace gave a brief exclamation of understanding. Turning the entire world into an enemy and being eliminated. The surrounding powers were already taking steps to contain them.
Vincent, who was admiring the Queen's beauty with his eyes wide open, swallowed hard at Noah's strong words.
This is because it reminds him of the Esatian massacre committed by Frogen in the past.
This is a clear violation of international law and a crime against humanity, and it is a justifiable basis and reason for international condemnation and judgment.
Noah's mother was an Esatian who was targeted for slaughter, and Noah's father, Noel Rotsilt, rescued her from the concentration camp and married her.
Although this was something that would have angered the Emperor, he went so far as to obtain official permission from the archbishop, saying that it was not a rebellion against the state or a political challenge, but only 'love'.
The statement, "Is there always a reason for love?" left everyone speechless.
Duke Rotsilt had fallen out of line of succession to the throne, renounced his right to succession, and declared himself a loyalist. Furthermore, the military forces that had been leading the fierce war to victory at the time held strong influence within the country, so they could not openly touch him.
In the end, the Duke and Duchess died in an 'accident'.
The oppressive rule wielded by the empire creates fear in those around it, making them objects to be excluded, and instead, it tends to backfire and be expressed as revenge, hatred, and anger.
Noah's coming to Medea and Frogen's attempt to lead him down a path of decline appear to be a chain reaction of a similar nature, but in reality, that is not the case.
That crazy man doesn't want to be bothered by a woman named Diana, so he's going to make an example of an empire and put Medea on top.
Vincent, who knew his intentions well, was staring at Noah with a tired expression.
"Your Majesty, I will tell you my plans for the future."
Noah smiled faintly at the Queen.
***
Princess Erita, upon hearing that Noah had arrived at Tempshire Palace, dressed herself in a blaze of color and headed toward the audience room. Perhaps just as he was leaving the audience, she saw Noah, with his black hair, walking down the arched corridor.
She pushed away the maids, hiding the look of urgency in her eyes.
“Noah, you arrived safely.”
“May God bless Your Highness Princess Erita.”
Vincent made a greeting of her, but Noah just looked at the Princess expressionlessly.
“Would you please step aside? I have something to say to you alone.”
Princess Erita glared at Vincent with her proud, cat-like blue eyes. He glanced at Noah and left first. Noah looked down at the Princess with an expressionless expression.
“What do you have to say?”
“Are you going to keep speaking informally to me?”
“What is it?”
"Ha."
The Princess, her lips twisted, fanned herself with her hand to suppress her anger. But even that indifferent face was so handsome that she couldn't give up on him, even though he was rude.
“I have no intention of becoming Queen.”
“So?”
"I'm thinking of throwing everything away. You told me to throw everything away."
“Did I do that?”
“You're just trying to make sure I really throw everything away.”
“I didn’t really mean to check.”
Noah, who had been staring blankly at Princess Erita, who was lashing out in a dry tone, sneered. The Princess, who thought it was a smile directed at her, stared at Noah with a face on the verge of tears.
“I heard that when my mother had me, she promised that you would protect me and marry me.”
“That’s not you.”
“I heard it clearly. Even if it was something she said as a child, she's the kind of person who doesn’t just say things.”
“That’s right.”
"You're engaged to another woman. You're deliberately trying to pressure me into giving up the throne. You're trying to confirm my feelings!"
Noah, who had been looking down at her in silence for a moment, opened his mouth.
“You’re smart, do your best.”
At Noah's gentle words, Princess Erita lifted the hand she had been clenching tightly and covered her flushed cheek, looking back at Noah as he walked away.
He's truly a unique man. He put her through such trials, yet he abandoned everything to become Medea. He's like an example.
The Princess, who was in a very strange delusion, bit her lip and muttered to herself.
"What's the Admiral doing? He's not getting things done quickly. If he keeps going like this, he'll end up marrying that woman."
Noah, who had turned away from the Princess and was walking down the hallway, was laughing silently, covering his mouth with his slender hand.
Comments
Post a Comment