Queen of Revenge - Chapter 96

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

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Chapter 96
Laughter rang out from the glass greenhouse in the Queen’s Palace garden, bright and melodious.
Cecilia frowned, glaring at the greenhouse. Seven noblewomen she hadn’t invited had crowded in and taken over the space.
‘The Marchioness of Hesenberg, the Countess of Valenstein, the Countess of Neuwald and her eldest daughter, and even the Dowager Folkner…?’
They had nothing in common with one another.
Strictly speaking, their lack of commonality was itself their commonality. They were nobles from families belonging to no faction.
Among them sat the Princess of Elovis, blending in like part of the group.
Though I couldn’t hear their chatter clearly from this distance, the atmosphere seemed remarkably warm and convivial.
Cecilia was utterly bewildered.
What possible connection could the Princess of Elovis have with Kalande’s nobility?
“How did these people even get into the Royal Palace?”
“They submitted a request for an audience with His Majesty this morning. They asked to meet the Princess of Elovis, and His Majesty granted permission.”
If the King had approved it, there was no justification for blocking the noblewomen’s visit. I had failed to intercept them at the Queen’s Palace, thinking it unlikely they’d find the Princess—and that negligence had caused this trouble.
‘How on earth did she manage to gather these nobles?’
“That’s… not all, though…”
The Head Maidservant trailed off uncomfortably.
“What? What else is there?”
“There are more who wish to see the Princess. The Marchioness of Rosika, the Countess of Adler, the Young Lady of Count Eberstain, the Young Ladies of Baron Crausen, the Baroness of Schwartz and her two daughters… are all waiting.”
Ah.
As the endless list of nobles continued, Cecilia felt her composure shatter once more.
At least this time the pattern was clear. They all belonged to families within Prince Dietrich’s sphere of influence.
The reason was obvious.
Since Dietrich had taken Kairon into his service, these families sought to establish connections with his wife, the Princess.
Cecilia bit the inside of her lip hard.
“Turn away the Second Prince’s faction nobles. The Princess will be taking tea with me this afternoon.”
“Ah, well…”
The Head Maidservant didn’t know what to do.
Now Cecilia felt anxiety creeping in as well.
“What now? Is there someone else looking for the Princess?”
“It’s…”
Upon hearing the Head Maidservant’s next words, the Queen’s eyes narrowed.
* * *
“You can’t imagine how devastated I was when I heard what happened to Count Uter, Your Highness. The seventh volume of the 【Treatise on Salvation】 that I entrusted to the Uter Library is such a precious manuscript that I could call it the achievement of my life.”
The Marchioness of Hesenberg spoke with evident melancholy.
She had been the first noblewoman to request a visit with Iolet this morning. She was an Academy alumna of Count Uter.
The Eldest Daughter of Count Neuwald chimed in from beside her.
“It’s the same for me, Your Highness. I secretly entrusted three items from my collection to the Uter Library because I didn’t want the Academy to take them, but surely they weren’t confiscated by the Elovis Royal Family as well?”
“Please don’t trouble the Princess like this. Didn’t you all receive letters from Uter?”
The Dowager Folkner, the eldest among them, gently chided the women. She had been Count Uter’s professor during his student days.
“We all heard the library was safe, didn’t we? Isaac Uter isn’t the sort of man to handle such precious collections carelessly, so let’s put our minds at ease.”
“And yet you yourself hid the five-hundred-year-old coronation crown of Queen Shalina in House Uter! So that’s why you came…!”
Iolet found herself surrounded by the bickering noblewomen, laughing along with them.
‘Thank you, Master.’
She had intended to leverage Uter’s connections even here in Kalande, but she hadn’t expected them to respond so swiftly. It was thanks to Count Uter writing individual letters to inform them of her arrival.
Dowager Folkner cleared her throat.
“Do you know how valuable that crown is! There’s nowhere safer on the entire Continent than the Uter Library, which is why it was entrusted there!”
“Oh, and Princess, there’s another matter I wished to discuss.”
The Countess of Valenstein leaned toward Iolet and whispered.
“If you happen to have an interest in the history of the Demon Tribe, do visit Valenstein Mansion sometime.”
“The history of the Demon Tribe?”
“Yes. My husband is something of a zealot who collects ancient theological texts, and the history of the Demon Tribe is closely intertwined with theology. Since you and Lord Kairon are stationed near the Unregistered Territory, it wouldn’t hurt for you to be informed.”
The history of the Demon Tribe—perhaps there might be clues within it about extending one’s lifespan or methods of utilizing demon stones.
“Of course. I would be delighted to visit if you extend such an invitation, Countess.”
“Count Uter subtly suggested it. He mentioned that you have considerable interest in such matters.”
Iolet bowed once more in her heart.
‘Thank you, Master!’
The lively atmosphere continued for several more hours.
“The news of the Crown Princess of Elovis’s international marriage was quite the hot topic even here in Kalande. And her betrothed was the former fiancé of her half-sister! We wondered if even a noble country like Elovis experienced such romantic entanglements!”
“Our Royal Family is equally chaotic. The Second Prince’s wife was originally betrothed to the First Prince. The scandal erupted when her pregnancy was discovered just before the international marriage ceremony was to take place, and the Capital was thrown into upheaval. Everyone had different opinions about whose blood the child in her womb carried.”
“Prince Leonhilt was so furious he kicked Prince Dietrich’s—well, you know!”
“From that incident, rumors spread far and wide that ‘Prince Dietrich had been rendered unable to father children.’ It must have been Prince Emeric’s doing. We laugh about it now, but back then we thought actual bloodshed might occur. It was absolutely brutal!”
The women of Kalande were generally forthright, and among them, none seemed to harbor particular regret over Prince Emeric’s death.
‘Still, these ladies certainly do enjoy their gossip…quite extensively.’
Iolet’s expectation of a mere one or two hours had been thoroughly dashed.
Did they hold tea time for three hours at a stretch? Was this the culture of Kalande?
But the appointed time was drawing near.
Iolet seized a brief lull in the conversation and spoke up quickly.
“I apologize, but I must take my leave. I have an appointment with the Chancellor.”
One noblewoman’s eyes widened slightly as she asked.
“The Royal Chancellor? Surely you mean Ulrich?”
“I apologize. I’m not yet familiar with his name.”
“There’s only one Chancellor. It must be Ulrich. Since he’s a commoner without a family name, everyone calls him either by his given name or his title. What business do you have with him?”
“It seems he had questions arise while inspecting the betrothal gifts brought from Elovis. I received a message this morning.”
“Oh my, just hearing about it exhausts me. Surely the betrothal gifts could be overlooked lightly.”
Instead of answering, Iolet drained the last of her tea.
The noblewomen’s conversation shifted to the Chancellor.
“I find him rather difficult. He has no expression, you see. It’s impossible to tell what he’s thinking.”
“He is quite handsome, though…. Sometimes when I see him, I can’t even tell if he’s breathing. Though I suppose that’s precisely why His Majesty and the First Prince trust him so.”
“With the princes quarreling as they do, without a bureaucrat like Lord Ulrich, this nation would have ground to a halt long ago. Among ourselves, we sometimes joke that whoever gains the Chancellor gains Kalande.”
“He must be quite remarkable.”
In other words, this meant dealing with a formidable adversary.
“I’ve heard that Ulrich maintains an exceptionally close relationship with the First Prince.”
“Well, there were whispers of other matters behind the scenes. Though those rumors faded after the Third Prince’s passing.”
The Marchioness of Hesenberg winked.
“In any case, if things become difficult, do tell me. My husband was Ulrich’s professor during his Academy days.”
“I’ll reach out if needed, Marchioness. Thank you.”
Iolet rose with a light farewell.
“Until we meet again.”
“Of course, Your Highness. Next time, let’s share something more scandalous, shall we?”
Laughter rippled through the greenhouse once more.
Iolet received the noblewomen’s parting greetings and stepped out of the Glass Greenhouse.
* * *
The Ceremonial Hall was silent.
Thick curtains filtered the light, casting the chamber in shadow. The dimness seemed to weigh upon the very air itself.
Ulrich was already there.
He stood holding documents, and as Iolet entered through the door, he turned to face her.
“You must be Kairon. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting?”
“You’re not late. Please, be seated.”
His voice was measured, his gaze equally composed.
Ulrich, Chancellor of the Kalande Royal Family—publicly known as the First Prince’s strategist.
Iolet observed him carefully.
He was like still water with gentle ripples. His transparent pale blue eyes were particularly striking.
Iolet shifted her gaze as she took the seat across from him. Organized boxes, cloth-covered objects, meticulously arranged records—everything was arranged with geometric precision.
“I understand you’re verifying the gifts sent from Elovis.”
The Chancellor nodded briefly.
Inspecting gifts brought by a diplomatic envoy and recording their contents was standard procedure, though in practice it was largely ceremonial.
The fact that he had summoned the envoy and the royal family separately for discussion suggested this was no ordinary matter.
With typical gifts, it would not be.
“Among the gifts, I found items that were not sent by the Elovis Royal Family.”
The Chancellor spoke quietly.

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

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