Chapter 15: Chapter 15

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Chapter 15

“So, what is the price for providing the information?”

“He just wants you to let it go quietly.”

“Will he ask for more?”

“He is not that kind of person.”

“…Not that kind of person?”

“Yes.”

Isilis loved the strong-willed. She loved even those with high self-esteem, so she felt euphoric when that lofty pride offered allegiance to her. Berthas Hillenton of the Hillenton Empire was far below her standards.

“Then, there was no need for me to hurry back.”

“But… you won’t come back?”

“That’s not true.”

This time, Isilis thought that this time she would shake everything off from all sides. It was unknown how much power the Crown Prince had, though this visit must have put him to the test.

“How dare…”

Faylos, who watched her immersed in her thoughts, pulled the flower out of her ear.

“You were in a relationship?”

“I was.”

He opened his mouth again, seeing her taking the flower from his hand and casting preservation magic on it.

“You must have liked him quite a bit.”

“He’s not bad.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Whether I have a child or not, it’s time to go back. I’ve been dreaming for too long.”

“Dreaming…?”

“Yes, a dream.”

“Did you have a good dream?”

“It was such a good dream that I, as the Empress, could feel that I had become an ordinary person.”

“Ilis, I have something to say…”

Faylos’ lips flapped towards her as she looked at him, wondering if there was something going on with her, before shaking his head.

“…No. Nothing.”

“What’s with you.”

She smiled as she glanced at Faylos, who called her for nothing. On the other hand, he was just smiling faintly towards her.

‘…It might be better not to know.’

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Yes.”

“Then, two months later.”

“Yes. Two months later, I will go directly to the Imperial Castle.”

“Wait.”

With those words, Isilis left Faylos’ guild. Even though she was going to go back tomorrow, she had to go back a little early because of Faylos’ emergency. It would be funny if she was to come back and go back to the man now.

Leaving this port city, she wouldn’t ever meet that man next time.

‘I’m sorry…’

The sky was cloudy as if it knew her heart. As she glanced up at her sky, Isilis casted the space-movement magic, leaving nothing behind.

“Your Majesty…!”

“How have you been?”

Her aide, Marquis Cyrka, who was watching her duty in the office, stared at Isilis with astonished eyes. Isilis smiled casually and spoke again.

“Bring me the paperwork I need to deal with urgently, Marquis.”

“Understood.”

The Empress was absent for one month. During that month, they could not even hold a cabinet meeting and only quietly informed the Duke, who was nearby.

“Where have you been?”

“Just here and there?”

Isilis replied as she read the papers that Marquis Cyrka had laid down.

“Oh, and I heard that the one visiting from the Hillenton Empire this time is not the Emperor but the Crown Prince.”

“What…?”

“Bring down the protocol.”

“No, is that true?”

“If not, do you think I’m joking around with something like this?”

As she spoke sharply, Marquis Cyrka bowed his head.

“Go now and call the Duke. Because the plan has been severely disrupted.”

“Yes.”

Sighing, she lowered her head as Marquis Cyrka left the office.

“As soon as I come back, I can’t even take a break from work.”

What could she do? It was the Empress’ destiny.

The next moment, the door of the office slammed open and Duke Bornadi Verus, Duke of the Larchen Empire, entered.

“No, what are you talking about?”

“Welcome, Duke.”

“When did Your Majesty return? No, who else did the Hillenton Empire send? Are they crazy?”

“Duke Verus.”

She called Duke Verus softly, who was talking with agitation. The Duke, startled by her voice, straightened his posture.

“What happened?”

“Information has been obtained.”

“Then, you mean they lied to us?”

“Looks like they want war… the Emperor and Crown Prince of that country.”

“Is that true…?”

“If not, they were just being arrogant. They didn’t even know that this place would be their place to die.”

Duke Verus clenched his fist at her cold momentum as cold sweat was running down his hands.

“What are you going to do?”

“What do I do? We have to treat him like the Crown Prince.”

“Then…”

“Treat him like the imperial family of a small country.”

“What?”

Isilis casted a sharp gaze at the Duke, who asked in surprise and repeated her words again.

“No matter how much it was the Hillenton Empire’s behavior, it was all tolerated because of Larchen. If Larchen had not been watching, they could not have expanded their territory enough to bear the name of Empire.”

“That’s right.”

“They have to do it right from the first greeting, but they couldn’t do it properly. So, we have no choice but to take the name of the empire away.”

“How are you going to do it?”

“There will be nothing for Hillenton to gain from this trade deal.”

When her words fell, Duke Verus bowed his head.

“Please, give me your orders.”

“We assume that there will be no trade negotiations. Immediately dispatch a battalion of wizards to the border of the Hillenton Empire to occupy a castle.”

“Everything is according to Your Majesty’s will.”

“I will be there soon.”

“Your Majesty is not allowed to vacate the Imperial Palace.”

“Why?”

“You have no successor, so please leave it to others this time.”

That moment, she was immersed in thoughts for a moment when she heard the Duke’s words. He was right. If she went to the border now and got hit by a blind arrow when she had no heir, it would certainly be a disaster.

“Then, I will send a battalion of wizards.”

“I will convey your order.”

“Prepare for the cabinet meeting.”

“Yes.”

And so, the Duke bowed and stepped outside.

The Larchen Empire was a country that rose under the emperor’s magic. Thus, the Emperor enjoyed unparalleled power.

For Isilis, who have all the loyalties to the imperial family, it felt casual for the Duke to show respect to her. Even though he was a duke, he bowed down to the Imperial Family — that was the strength of the Larchen Empire.

The imperial family in this country was her… There was only one Isilis. Now that her mother was missing, she was the only imperial family defending the country. As long as she made her decision, her ministers had no choice but to follow.

That was the driving force that led the Larchen Empire. A country that has grown with the power of the emperor. Therefore, a country without an imperial family was indispensable.

“Your Majesty has not been here for a while, so the Imperial Palace is quiet.”

Said one of the dedicated handmaids.

“Your Majesty, this is…”

The handmaid who was organizing her robe took a necklace out of the pockets of the robe.

“Bring it.”

Taking the necklace from the handmaid’s hand, Isilis dismissed everyone.

“Where did I see it…?”

The familiarity she felt with that man was not a misunderstanding.

“…That idiot I saw as a kid.”

Judging out of bounds, she opened her personal drawer that had been sealed with magic. The same necklace was in the drawer.

“That dull-wit hasn’t changed since then.”

‘What is he going to do with the necklace? He probably didn’t think I was going to wear that necklace.’

Isilis, who had alternately gazed at the two identical necklaces, placed the necklace back into her drawer. In the drawer were two necklaces, a flower with preservation magic, and a bracelet.

“Is this fate?”

It was inevitable that they would meet for the third time, so Isilis closed her eyes. At that moment, she decided that she would reconsider.

She was tired.

“Your Majesty, it’s all ready.”

“Let’s go.”

When Marquis Cyrka called her outside, the woman got up from her seat.

Her tired expression was gone, and there was only a cold and sober impression. Isilis, clad in a robe symbolizing her as the Empress, stepped out of her bedroom. She saw numerous servants, maids, and aides bowing her head in front of her.

“Rise.”

“Yes. Your Majesty.”

Countless people followed her as she moved. They were the people of this Empire to whom Isilis was responsible for.

—

Thank you so much for always supporting the novels I work on, even if you don’t buy me a coffee, I really do appreciate it a lot. ❤︎

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