Translator: Nox

Chapter 30

30

‘Spending the night with the Great Witch.’

Maria overheard Ero and Nora's conversation from outside the door. Among other things, she heard very clearly that Gunther would spend the night with the Great Witch after the Winter Rite.

‘So what? What does it have to do with me?’

It's not like they are lovers or a married couple. It was just that Gunther unilaterally tattooed her back, marking her as his. That was only Gunther's business, not her feelings. Above all, she had allowed it for Ero's sake, with no other meaning. But she didn't know why she felt disappointed. She had vowed never to like a man again, yet here she was wavering.

‘Why should I care who the Great King sleeps with?’

Maria, who had been on edge, smiled bitterly. She knew from her time as Empress that a King of a nation often had to do things he didn't want to do. Especially if it was a procedure for a ritual to pray for the prosperity of the country, it was something the Great King should rightfully do.

‘Don't worry about it. It's none of my business.’

Maria shook her head, trying to shake off her distracting thoughts. Just then, the door opened, and maids appeared, each carrying a large box.

“What are those?”

Ero asked the maids, and they opened the boxes one by one, explaining that they were items to be used for the Winter Rite.

“Silk.”

“This is jewelry.”

“Oh my, there's even makeup.”

As the boxes were opened one by one, Ero and Nora couldn't hide their surprise. Then, one of the maids explained to the three of them.

“These are the ceremonial robes you will wear for the Winter Rite.”

“We're attending too?”

Ero asked, her eyes sparkling. She had thought they were just supposed to make the items needed for the Winter Rite. But to think they would attend! She was so happy that she could wear pretty clothes and jewelry too.

“The Winter Rite is the biggest event in the Kingdom of Helland.”

At that moment, Nora looked at Maria with a determined face, then turned her gaze to Ero.

“Ero, the opportunity has come. It's time to show off our skills.”

“Of course.”

Ero understood Nora's intentions at once. She would definitely show them at the Winter Rite who was the most beautiful in this Royal Palace. No matter how great the Witches' beauty might be, they could be just as beautiful if they dressed up. The two of them stared at Maria with burning eyes. But Maria, not knowing what was going on, just tilted her head.

“How pretty can they be? Hmph! I'll never lose.”

Ero wrapped the silk around her body, reaffirming her strong will. Maria found Ero's reaction amusing and just laughed silently. Ero didn't really know how beautiful she was.

‘Yes, you will shine the brightest.’

Maria thought as she looked at Ero. There was no one as radiant as a woman in love.

---

Gunther, Solskjaer, and several State Ministers were gathered, holding a serious meeting. They were divided on how to manage the people immigrating from other countries.

“We need useful people to come, but all we get are serfs and thugs.”

“That's right. It seems knights can't easily immigrate because of their pride.”

“Still, what else can we do but accept them? The construction of the Royal Castle is urgent.”

“That's a problem, but it's also important to decide which areas to place the newly immigrated people in, how to manage them, and where to manage them.”

These so-called State Ministers only offered opinions but didn't really suggest any solutions. That's because most of them were Heland Warriors, skilled only in fighting and ignorant of administration.

“Even if the construction of the Royal Castle is urgent and we need to increase the population, we can't just accept anyone.”

Gunther was firm. He would be overjoyed if talented people from various countries came, but when he screened the immigrants, most of them were criminals who had committed crimes and fled to Helland.

“Still, there are a few knights from Lastonia among the immigrants this time. There are even nobles.”

Everyone couldn't hide their joy at Solskjaer's words. Knights were high-quality personnel with both literary and military skills. If their treatment was guaranteed, they wouldn't easily betray them, which was their rule. Moreover, he felt a sense of pride that a noble wanted to become a Helland person. At that moment, Gunther said something unexpected to Solskjaer.

“Bring Maria.”

“Yes...? Yes.”

Solskjaer seemed surprised at first, but soon understood Gunther's intention. Solskjaer hurriedly went to get Maria. Then, the State Ministers each threw in a word.

“Why a woman at a men's meeting...?”

“No, what do women know?”

Gunther sighed as he looked at them. They were ignorant people who mistakenly believed that men were superior to women, even though they were ignorant. Of course, he himself was not much different from them at one time. He thought the world belonged to men. But the person who shattered that thought was Maria Stuart, whom he met at the age of seventeen. The young girl had changed the life of a wandering boy.

“Who knows, since she was once an Empress, she might know a little more than other women, as much as an ant's booger.”

“Quiet.”

Gunther rebuked the ministers' sarcasm.

“I apologize, Great King.”

Just in time, Solskjaer brought Maria. She also seemed surprised at first that she had been called to a conference room filled only with men. Gunther told Maria about the situation they were currently discussing. Maria listened to Gunther's words seriously and began to write her thoughts on a large piece of paper.

Solskjaer smiled contentedly as he watched Gunther's warm gaze reach Maria. Finally, when Maria finished writing, Solskjaer showed the paper to the State Ministers.

“Wow!”

“As expected, royalty is different.”

“That's right. Look at the handwriting.”

“But what does it say?”

“It must be good words.”

The ministers were all impressed by the beautiful handwriting. Of course, Gunther was also surprised. In fact, he didn't know how to write until he was seventeen. But everything had changed since he met Maria. He realized that the world wasn't just about being good at fighting, and that he had to learn and know a lot, so he learned to write from Liberio.

“Solskjaer, read it.”

What was even more interesting was that Solskjaer had also learned to write from Pope Liberio with him.

“First, establish an Immigration Office.”

“Ah! An Immigration Office.”

The State Ministers didn't even know such an office existed.

“Second, the people in the Immigration Office should be able to speak the common language and the languages of various countries. Third, criminals among the immigrants will have marks on their bodies, so be sure to identify them. Fourth, give the immigrants temporary residency permits and only recognize those who adapt well to Helland as citizens of the kingdom. Fifth, send envoys to various countries to offer good conditions to outstanding talents in each field and encourage them to become citizens of the Kingdom of Helland. Sixth...”

Gunther's heart pounded violently. He already knew it, but he was overjoyed that he had a talent like Maria by his side. When he thought about it, she was the one who knew the system of a country best. When Solskjaer finished reading, silence filled the conference room.

“From now on, Maria will attend every state affairs meeting.”

People buzzed at Gunther's words. Of course, Maria was also greatly surprised. Of course, there was also opposition.

“I don't know about other things, but there's no such thing as a woman meddling in state affairs meetings.”

“That's right, Great King. Even if they are Empresses, other countries do not participate in state affairs meetings.”

“All they have to do is give birth to children... How dare a woman interfere in what men do...”

Bang! Gunther slammed the table with his fist, and everyone was surprised and shut their mouths.

“Solskjaer, cut off the heads of those bastards who oppose me and hang them on the castle gates.”

Gunther's anger was greater than expected.

“Yes, Great King.”

The conference room became a scene of chaos. Soldiers who were outside came in and dragged out the ministers who had opposed Gunther's opinion indiscriminately. Then Maria approached Gunther and shook her head violently.

“Those ignorant bastards are not qualified to be State Ministers.”

Gunther didn't budge, and Maria hurriedly wrote her thoughts on a piece of paper and showed it to him. Gunther's face turned white as he read the paper Maria handed him.

<You are not qualified either, Great King. When punishing people, procedures and trials according to the law are necessary. It is not right for people to live and die at the word of the Great King. That is not a country.>

All of it was right. To the point of feeling self-loathing. Especially the part about following the law resonated with him. When he thought about it, Helland didn't even have a national law. In that moment, the old Maria flashed through his mind.

[You should use a fork and knife when eating.]

He wondered why he felt a sense of déjà vu, but it seemed to be because it was a similar situation to that time.

“Sigh! Everyone out.”

Gunther said, barely suppressing his rising anger. Soon, the people in the conference room left like a receding tide, and Maria was about to leave, watching Gunther's expression.

“Come here.”

“!”

‘The Great King must be very angry. Was I too harsh?’

It seemed he had hurt his pride. As Maria approached, Gunther sat her on his lap and just stared at her with a serious face.

“You told me clearly like this even in the past.”

“!?”

Maria looked at him in surprise. Had she met him before? She didn't remember. Maria tried to find the answer in his face, but he didn't seem like he would say anything more. Maria's mind became confused at his words.

‘Have I met you before?’

She wanted to ask right away, but she couldn't speak, so her heart felt heavy. Then, suddenly, Gunther's face hardened and he glared at Maria with sharp eyes.

“Maria.”

“……”

“Like me.”

“?”

“No, make yourself love me. Very much.”

“……”

“That's an order.”