A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 49

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————

49.
“Conducting the test through discourteous means was my first method to distinguish those capable of obedience from those who are not.”
The Princess hailed from another nation—a small kingdom within the Holy Kingdom, no less.
Someone might unconsciously dismiss her.
By deliberately provoking such reactions, I filtered out those who would openly defy me in the first round.
“I can also identify spies. A spy would still wish to become a handmaiden despite such discourteous treatment, so surely one among the five was a spy.”
“Ah, I see. And what of the next part? Why did you have the Guard Knights draw their swords inside the room? Surely it would be unreasonable to expect a noblewoman to pour tea properly under such threatening circumstances?”
“Precisely. Which is why a noblewoman who pours tea well under such conditions is suspicious.”
When I had them pour tea while engaging in pleasant conversation, three noblewomen trembled.
Two noblewomen poured well.
One of them was renowned for her impeccable etiquette above all others, so it was natural that the remaining one seemed suspicious.
“Of course, you cannot be certain, so you likely had Alex verify. However, you would not keep her close.”
“So you chose from among those three?”
“Yes. I heard it was the noblewoman whose answer to your question pleased you.”
“What question was that?”
“Whether she could willingly kill someone if you asked her to. Along with her reasons.”
At those words, Leonard Blake’s hand, which had been polishing his sword, stilled.
“So who was chosen?”
“Your Majesty.”
William looked directly at Leonard Blake as he asked.
“Your Majesty, do you truly love the Princess?”
“…I do love her truly. Why ask such a question?”
“Because she appears to have sufficient value as an Empress.”
“William?”
Nicholas cried out in bewilderment at such excessive insolence, but William’s expression remained unmoved.
“Before going to Sincester, Your Majesty told me that the lady would certainly be chosen for her value. Yet suddenly you pushed this marriage through, calling her someone you love.”
“…And so? Do you have an objection?”
“No, Your Majesty.”
William shook his head decisively.
“As you know, I opposed this fiercely at first. I thought her an inexperienced, incompetent Princess with no benefit to the Empire whatsoever. Honestly, if you had said it was necessary for an alliance with Sincester, I would have understood and accepted it.”
“Yet you consented in the end. Why bring this up now?”
“If my instincts do not deceive me, it seems Your Majesty intends to send the Princess back to Sincester someday.”
“William?”
Nicholas called out again in disbelief, but William remained unmoved.
Before Leonard Blake, whose face had grown cold, William continued as an even more composed Aide, offering his counsel.
“However, I must now genuinely support this marriage. So please, go and reconcile with her.”
“…”
“For I must serve my Empress faithfully.”
* * *
After the handmaiden interviews concluded, I returned to Sara’s Reception Room and wrote personal letters to each of the ten noblewomen.
It was an apology letter stating that 【I had been discourteous due to my unfamiliarity with imperial etiquette as someone from a foreign land】.
Anyone with a modicum of sense would understand the nature of this interview, and rumors would inevitably spread in due time.
Yet this letter represented merely the surface of my modest sincerity.
Seated on the sofa and nibbling on pastries Dorothy had brought, I asked Alex to investigate the remaining candidates.
“I shall assign a shadow knight to Josephine, who poured tea flawlessly. As for Johannes, who pleaded to remain a handmaiden until the end, let us discover her true motivations through discreet inquiry.”
“The Empress likely influenced Johannes as well. Though her family holds considerable sway in Blueheart, they desperately needed power.”
“Yet Josephine was decidedly suspicious. When she departed, she offered a hand kiss—but despite her noble station, her fingers bore calluses.”
“Precisely. Once we investigate further, darker truths will certainly emerge.”
Phew—it’s finally over!
I stretched languidly and collapsed onto the sofa, whereupon Alex broke into a radiant smile.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“You appear far more exceptional than I anticipated.”
“Oh—would you praise me more? I do so enjoy compliments.”
“However, there remains a matter for reflection. Had Josephine truly possessed dangerous abilities and attempted to claim your life in that moment, it would have been perilous.”
“I’m well aware of that. I was defended by a magical artifact.”
Alex laughed heartily once more, shaking his head.
“Alas, you leave me nothing to lecture you about.”
“Then please conduct the investigation I requested. And… what of the Cedilac family matter?”
The Kedilac Family—those who had insulted Dorothy previously.
Wishing to compel an apology from them to Dorothy, I had inquired into their affairs and discovered that Alex was financing the Kedilac Young Master’s ventures.
“Give it a little time, and he shall realize his financial lifeline has been severed. He will come to you of his own accord, head bowed. Have no concern.”
“I truly appreciate it, Alex.”
“Oh.”
My words caused Alex to wear an expression of surprise.
“Did you just address me as Alex?”
“Ah, forgive me. It slipped out. Would it be better to call you the Third Prince?”
“Hmm.”
He appeared to deliberate for a moment before offering a playful wink.
“Then might you call me ‘Al’? All the ladies do.”
“I absolutely despise that.”
“Precisely! That is no proper way for a future queen to address a prince!”
Dorothy’s sharp interjection was followed by Alex winking at her in turn.
“Then would Miss Dorothy be willing to call me ‘Al’?”
“I dislike philanderers. Though handsome ones are acceptable.”
“By the way, when does Thetis arrive?”
Abigail, who had returned with a fresh plate of cookies to replace the vanished ones, posed the question to me with considerable excitement.
It seemed she harbored great anticipation at the prospect of someone her own age becoming a handmaiden.
“Ah, since she’ll be a handmaiden for wedding preparations, she arrives then. For now, she’s packing belongings to take to the Blackwood Territory.”
“She seemed truly graceful and dignified. Though you selected only one handmaiden, I do hope she becomes a wonderful friend.”
“So do I. And her answers truly impressed me.”
“I will not kill her.”
“Why not?”
“A maid serves Her Highness, yes, but she is also the one who must dissuade her from making wrong decisions.”
“Regardless of the reason, taking a life is not a decision the future Empress should make.”
“However, I do not intend to be a moral arbiter. I merely wish to be a safeguard that makes you pause and reconsider, even once.”
“That is the mindset an Empress’s Maid must possess.”
“Truly a perfect interview answer… no, a magnificent response.”
Yet what troubled me was that I had no intention of becoming Empress.
‘Well, I can simply hand over my duties to whoever becomes Empress next, so there’s no need to worry.’
I shook my head and rose from my seat.
“Now then, shall we resolve the final matter?”
“What… matter are you referring to? Hasn’t everything been settled?”
“We must express our gratitude to our noble Empress.”
I glanced around at everyone’s faces, which bore the unspoken question of ‘how’, and smiled brightly as I spoke.
“Abigail, you’ve already selected sacred relics from Sincester to send to the royal family on the wedding day, haven’t you? Send them at once.”
* * *
[ Your Majesty the Empress, in gratitude for sending me your handmaidens, I too send you a sacred relic from Sincester.
This vase possesses the ability to bestow a minor curse upon those who harbor impure intentions, one curse at a time, so I earnestly hope you will display it in the Reception Room of the Empress Palace.
I trust you would never commit the discourtesy of breaking a sacred relic of Sincester or placing it somewhere out of sight.
Just as I have humbly accepted your consideration, Your Majesty. ]
“How dare she…”
The Empress crumpled the letter in her fist.

—————

This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

—————