Chapter 109
#109. A Strange Negotiation with Heferti (1)
The Princess frowned at Baroness Luhan's cautious question.
"Of course, I'm planning to use Maria Etel, what else would I do?"
Baroness Luhan felt a pang of worry at the Princess's hushed tone.
Had she already forgotten the trouble Maria Etel had caused her last time?
Though foolish, the Lady had a cunning streak.
The sight of her brazenly arguing even within the dignified Imperial Princess Palace, and her antics of threatening to hold her engagement ceremony as if to ruin the Summer Ball, were still vivid.
No, if it were just that, Baroness Luhan would have cheered the Princess on.
But now, the Princess's image was poor, not only in society but also among her childhood playmates. To try to cause trouble again at a time when she should be lying low…
"So, is Maria Etel still in my brother's palace?"
The Princess pressed, noticing Baroness Luhan's hesitation.
"Well… I will check again."
"Check and let me know. Even that brazen thing's recent movements."
Baroness Luhan lowered her head. Soon, the Princess began to walk again.
Following behind her, Baroness Luhan called the maid closest to her.
"…So, go to the Crown Prince's Palace and find out every single detail about Lady Etel's current situation."
"Yes, Madam."
The clever maid quickly headed to the Crown Prince's Palace.
Watching her go, Baroness Luhan thought, trying to reassure herself.
'If only the ladies who are close to the Empress follow me well, the Princess's plan will surely work. After all, the Princess is the flower of society.'
Anxiety was already rising from the depths of her heart like a candle flame, but Baroness Luhan forced herself to ignore it and followed the Princess again.
* * *
His Majesty the Emperor glared at the door the Princess had exited with fierce eyes.
"Don't worry about Maria Etel, Your Majesty. I am keeping a close watch on her through the Chamberlain of the Crown Prince's Palace. These days, she only sleeps all day and looks out the window,"
The Empress's words from last night echoed in his mind. If he had done this much, he could at least manage the Maria Etel situation, even if he wasn't happy about it.
All expectations for the Princess had long since vanished.
Admitting that the Princess, who used to be competent, the proud Saintess of the Empire, was nothing but a facade was quite a bitter pill for the Emperor to swallow.
Nevertheless, he had entrusted the matter to the Princess to finish, meaning that she should act in accordance with the Empire's dignity. If they were to form a marriage alliance with another country, they had to show something, at least when the Heferti Delegation was present.
The Crown Prince…
The Emperor shook his head, clutching his aching head.
Why were his grown children causing him so much trouble now? For the Crown Prince of a nation to do nothing but control Maria Etel in this situation…
Before the first negotiation with the Heferti Delegation today, he had to call him in and confirm the story about Madeleine.
It would have been a little easier if he had discussed this with Duke Madeleine last night.
The Emperor sighed, trying to soothe his burning insides. The sigh that escaped his lips was hot, almost scalding.
* * *
He should have realized it when he thought she resembled the Princess whenever the Lady's green eyes flickered…
Blinded by revenge, the Emperor had missed the most important point.
'What if… what if the Lady also has mysterious powers?'
The thought alone made his mouth dry.
So last night, as soon as Duke Madeleine entered the office after entering the palace, the Emperor asked without even bothering with polite greetings.
"Thank you for coming at this late hour. I called you because I have a few questions to ask you. Have you ever sensed anything strange about your eldest daughter?"
"…Anything strange, you say?"
"Anything is fine. Something, anything peculiar. Like she acts like a dancer. For example…"
But Duke Madeleine only wore a strange expression at the Emperor's roundabout questions. He seemed somewhat dazed, or perhaps he didn't understand the questions well.
In the end, the impatient Emperor had to ask directly, as if letting it slip.
"…Didn't she enjoy singing, or anything like that?"
Even as he asked, the Emperor realized his mistake. He couldn't let his guard down, even while thinking, 'Surely the Duke doesn't know the connection between singing and green eyes.'
In any case, Duke Madeleine was the Lady's biological father and had lived with her for a long time.
Only after the Emperor's repeated prodding did Duke Madeleine finally say one word.
"…I don't know."
"Then, what about your memories of her mother?"
Before the words were even finished, his fierce anger was directed at the Emperor.
"Duke…! How dare you give me such an insolent look!"
Even though the Emperor roared in anger, the Duke only lowered his head and didn't even say a word of apology.
The Emperor clicked his tongue and glared at the Duke with displeasure. But it was the Emperor who had first mentioned the eldest daughter's mother, even though he knew it was the Duke's sore spot.
But the Emperor truly wanted to know about the mother. If a Lady with clear green eyes had appeared, surely her mother must have had clear green eyes as well.
Could she be related to Lowell's princess?
Whether he was angry or trying to appease him, Duke Madeleine would not open his mouth.
His head was throbbing to the point of dizziness. Annoyingly, Duke Madeleine had left through that door as soon as he was dismissed.
He thought the mine was the biggest problem, but even greater misfortune might befall him. As he let out a heavy breath, a knock was heard from outside the door.
"Your Majesty. There are nobles requesting an audience today."
The Chamberlain, with perfect manners, entered the office and reported. Come to think of it, the sunlight coming through the glass windows was already bright.
"…The ministers are requesting a brief audience for the negotiations with the Heferti Delegation this afternoon, and lastly…"
The Chamberlain, who had been reciting the list skillfully, paused and glanced at the Emperor before continuing.
"…Duke Elkin is requesting to see His Majesty the Emperor in front of the audience chamber."
Duke Elkin, you say. The Emperor frowned at the sound of that name.
"I don't even want to see his face. Even if it's the Aristocratic Faction's business, how could he not know about this disgrace in advance when the Heferti Delegation is here!"
"Your Majesty, I respect you, but that's not it…"
It felt like only yesterday that he had chased away Duke Elkin, who had come to visit, and now he was coming again. There was no need to hear more. The Emperor waved his hand dismissively.
But the Chamberlain, who would normally obey without question, hesitated and approached the Emperor with a look of distress. Then, in a very cautious voice, he added.
"…Your Majesty. Duke Elkin says he has something he must tell you."
"Whatever it is, tell him I don't want to see the Duke right now."
"Well, he says it's about Duke Madeleine's eldest daughter, Your Majesty."
The Chamberlain closed his eyes tightly as he reported. And at those words, the Emperor's sea-blue eyes flashed.
The leader of the Aristocratic Faction was not one to make reckless and dangerous statements, even though he was excessively secretive.
* * *
"Tell me first, how does the Duke know about Madeleine's eldest daughter?"
As soon as he entered the office, the Emperor's icy voice fell.
It was a natural question for the suspicious Emperor. How could the leader of the Aristocratic Faction know about the Lady of the Imperial Faction, with whom he had no contact?
But Duke Elkin chose his words carefully, unlike his smiling face. He felt parched.
What would the Emperor's reaction be if he were to win over the Lady? Suddenly, he thought of Duke Madeleine, who had visited the Imperial Palace first thing this morning.
He had to throw the most powerful bait.
"I, in fact, made a significant contribution to the Lady's birth."
"What?"
In front of the Emperor, who was glaring at him with raised eyes, the Duke smiled once more and recounted the events of that day.
"On the night the Lady was conceived, Duke Madeleine was drinking with me. I shouldn't have let him go alone. But because I didn't go with him, I believe the Lady was able to be born."
"Spend the night with this man."
"Who is this person?"
"What business is it of a lowly thing like you to know? Your only job is to serve this man very well."
Duke Elkin recalled his own voice from that day, adding a little embellishment.
Duke Madeleine should be grateful to him, at least. It was he who had painstakingly embellished the woman who had never been a dancer. The woman who seemed to have given up and put on the dancer's clothes at the promise that all her debts would be forgiven flashed through his mind.
"It was a long time ago, but I remember it in flashes. I think I passed her by briefly. The mother, who looked very much like the Lady."
"…You saw the mother?"
The Emperor's voice was thickly subdued. The Duke was pleased with the reaction. At least the Emperor was more interested in his story than last time.
Duke Elkin lowered his voice even more subtly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. It's not like the Lady is hiding my bloodline. I'm thinking of talking to the Lady about her mother."
The Emperor's expression was strange. Duke Elkin skillfully noticed that the corners of the Emperor's lips were turning up.
As expected. He knew that the story of winning over the Lady would work. So Duke Elkin revealed his true intentions to gain favor.
"Wouldn't the Lady, who longs for her mother, open her heart to me instead of that heartless father?"
The Emperor stroked his chin. Just as the Duke was waiting for an answer with a brief moment of tension at the relaxed gesture, the Emperor spoke.
"…That's quite an interesting story. But Duke."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Duke Elkin lowered his head at the positive reaction.
"What was the appearance of the mother you saw?"
* * *
"That, thing. I think she resembled Duke Madeleine's daughter. She had green eyes and was quite beautiful."
As if it was an unexpected question, Duke Elkin paused for a moment before answering. At the answer, the Emperor tried to sigh but cleared his throat instead.
The grand conference hall of the Imperial Palace. A strange atmosphere flowed through this place, which was now a negotiation table to hold Heferti accountable for their defeat.
Looking at the Heferti Delegation, who were looking at him nervously, the Emperor said solemnly.
"…Now, as it is our first meeting, let us speak frankly. Duke Elkin will first speak about the damages we are asking Heferti to pay."
Duke Elkin cleared his throat and took out a long document, rattling off the words.
"What our Empire wants is a smooth peace treaty and Heferti's will to uphold it. Therefore, in order to maintain the stability of Heferti, the land from Heferti's Nickelrn Peninsula to the Arerine Islands…"
As Duke Elkin continued to speak, the faces of some of the Heferti Delegation gradually turned pale.
Watching their expressions, the Emperor suppressed a smile.
What the Emperor was demanding now was Heferti's most fertile land, mines of minerals that were the raw materials for swords, and even the closure of knight schools that could train knights, weakening their military power.
It was no different from completely breaking the arrogant Heferti's lifeline and branding them with the image of a defeated nation so that they could never dare to challenge them again.
It was the most unreasonable demand ever made to defeated nations. Nevertheless, the Empire's nobles said nothing. Rather, they simply exchanged glances as if they already knew.
Everything was going perfectly.
From the Crown Prince setting the atmosphere to Duke Elkin and the other nobles.
"…Both countries have suffered damage due to the long war. According to the term 'peace treaty,' there is a need to readjust the reparations."
At that moment, a handsome voice that suddenly cut in poured cold water on the smooth atmosphere.
The nobles, who had been watching leisurely, straightened their postures. At the same time, the Emperor's brow furrowed.
It was him again. Grand Duke Bikander.
