Chapter 53
53
Ramona smiled leisurely and spoke to Nancy. As Maria had said, Nancy scrutinized people from head to toe. It was said to be a habit formed from serving nobles for a long time, and that was exactly right. She had a habit of assessing people who came to see her master on her own.
"My sister used to work as a maid for Countess Laurent Seradu a long time ago, and she suffered a lot of terrible things."
Ramona spoke of the past as if it were not her own affair. Nancy seemed overly wary at first, but gradually listened to Ramona's words.
"So you had a grudge against Laurent. Then your sister is now...?"
"She suffered a lot of mental and physical wounds and is living in seclusion. She has become an astrologer now."
"An astrologer?"
It was an unexpected answer. At the same time, she had a good feeling for some reason. But she decided to find out more because she shouldn't readily believe the words of a woman she didn't know.
"According to my sister's divination, Laurent Seradu will soon be expelled from the Imperial Palace."
"What?"
Only then did Nancy lean back from her chair and show a delighted expression. It was something she had always hoped for, so she wanted to believe it even if it was a lie.
"And..."
"And what else?"
"A woman of humble origin but with brilliant intellect and strategy will become the Empress. I thought that person was Madam Akman. So when I came to the Imperial Palace as a maid, I was so happy to be assigned here."
Nancy's face brightened. But she tried to calm down, making an effort to suppress her excitement. Even though she was young, she was not an innocent person who didn't know the world.
"Work as my maid for now. We'll know if your sister's divination is correct if we watch."
"Yes, Madam Akman."
If Laurent was soon to be expelled from the Imperial Palace, there was no reason not to trust Ramona. Besides, because of her fierce temper, she must have done many things to incur resentment here and there. Only Henry didn't know that fact.
Ramona turned around with a satisfied expression. She returned to her quarters, wrote down the current situation on the paper Stone had given her, and burned it.
'Laurent Seradu, I will repay all the atrocities you committed against me.'
Ramona's eyes became fierce. Meanwhile, flames flickered in Stone's hand, gradually subsiding and leaving a piece of paper in his grasp. It must be Ramona sending news. Before Ramona left Helland, Stone had taught her several spells. This level didn't even count as magic, but he was pleased that Ramona was doing so well.
"Did Ramona send it?"
Everyone's gaze, including Maria's, turned to him. Then Stone nodded.
"First of all, there was no problem becoming Nancy Akman's maid. She said she gradually lowered her guard when she did as Maria instructed."
Maria smiled contentedly at Stone's answer.
'Nancy, just as you know me well, I know you very well too.'
In the end, she was betrayed by the axe she trusted, but she wouldn't be fooled twice. This time, she had the axe in her own hands.
'Nancy, I will make you the Empress.'
Maria's clenched fist trembled, and veins popped out on the back of her hand.
* * *
It was the day of Maria and Gunther's Royal Wedding. It was held modestly within the Royal Palace, but as Maria wished, she invited foreign merchants and the heads of various schools as honored guests. Since she was not yet divorced from Henry, she deliberately did not invite nobles or royalty.
Maria, wearing a dress with a bare back, decorated the red dress with red feathers and wore shining gold ornaments on her neck and upper body. No one could deny that she was the wife of Gunther Paisley, the Red Dragon of the North. Some of the honored guests didn't even recognize that Maria had been the Empress of Lastonia.
If the former Maria was an Empress who exuded elegance and grace, now her impression was very strong, like a resolute woman. The Red Dragon Tattoo on her back played a big part in creating that atmosphere. No Empress or Queen Consort in the world would have such a tattoo on her back. But what was truly amazing was that it didn't look vulgar or cheap. It gave off an aura of strength that was not easily approachable, even though she was a woman.
"Beautiful, Maria."
Gunther said, placing a crown on Maria's head.
"Now, no matter what anyone says, you are my wife and the Queen Consort of Helland."
"And Gunther is my husband and the Great King of the great Helland, right?"
"Husband... I am Maria's husband."
Gunther was filled with emotion as his long-cherished wish came true. The two entered the wedding hall on equal footing and announced to all the guests that they were husband and wife. Maria couldn't believe her fate had changed so much in just a few months. Although no one was left around her, now there were Nora and Ero, Stone, and Jamie and Solskjaer, who were moved to tears, congratulating her on her Royal Wedding.
There was no pretense, envy, or jealousy on their faces. The only regret was that her parents and siblings could not attend, but she was not sad because she would achieve that in due course. She didn't have time to be sad because there was so much to do before that. Finally, it was time to exchange vows. Gunther and Maria exchanged Dragon Tattoo rings and vowed to each other about the promises they had to keep for the rest of their lives.
"Gunther, don't forget. I am your wife and a woman before I am a Queen Consort."
Maria's words contained many meanings. She had lived only as an Empress, and had not been respected as a wife and woman of a man. As a result, she had gone through very harsh trials.
"Of course. But I need Maria's unconditional trust, faith, and love."
Gunther craved Maria's love. Without having to list conditions in grand words, all he wanted from her was 'love'.
"Gunther, I knew when you came to find me in the desert. That you are a man I can trust for the rest of my life."
"!"
"How can I not love such a man?"
Maria's voice trembled with emotion. When Henry had thrown her into the abyss, Gunther was the one who reached out to her. Maria felt an indescribable happiness welling up in her heart. But no less than that, a strange anxiety accompanied it. That was probably the excitement of facing a new beginning. Above all, it was the first life she had chosen with her own will. She had lived a life as determined by her parents and family since she was born. But not anymore. From now on, she would have to take responsibility for the choices she made after thinking for herself.
The two showed everyone that they had become husband and wife with a deep kiss of oath. Soon, thunderous applause and cheers erupted in the wedding hall. Rather than a splendid and grand Royal Wedding, it was somewhat noisy and chaotic, but it was full of sincere congratulations and joy.
* * *
In the evening, a more magnificent banquet was held than the ceremony. Everyone rejoiced and enjoyed the wine and food, and when the musicians played exciting music, couples paired up and danced without hesitation.
"Congratulations, Queen Consort."
Nora and Ero greeted her politely.
"You can treat me comfortably as before."
"We can't do that. The Queen Consort must establish the system of the Helland Royal Family."
Nora said in a very serious tone. Of course, Maria agreed with that idea. Being informal was an expression of friendliness, but as she said, she had a lot to do as the Queen Consort of Helland in the future.
"Nora, Ero."
"Yes."
"Do you swear allegiance as my maids?"
"We will give our lives to be loyal to the Queen Consort."
Unlike before, Maria treated the two with a solemn attitude, and they bowed their heads and kissed Maria's ring. As a result, Nora and Ero became the official maids of Maria, the first Queen Consort of Helland.
Meanwhile, Gunther was in serious conversation with the heads of major merchant groups invited from various countries.
"The finances of the Lastonia Imperial Family are a mess."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, the imperial citizens are leaving in large numbers because they are oppressing the nobles and forcibly extracting taxes. There may be a riot soon."
"Besides, the former Empress is borrowing money from here and there and spending it lavishly..."
"King Henry is currently desperate for every penny."
"This is all the result of dethroning the former Empress. When she was there, the Imperial Palace was not in bad shape."
An old merchant, who did not know that Maria was the deposed Empress of Lastonia and currently Gunther's Queen Consort, spoke passionately. Soon, another merchant next to him whispered to him, and his eyes widened.
"Great King, congratulations indeed."
"Thank you."
Gunther answered with a hearty laugh. Come to think of it, Maria's atmosphere had changed a lot from before. So people might not recognize her. At that moment, Maria approached Gunther.
"Maria, let me introduce you. These are the people who control the economy of the continent."
Gunther introduced the heads of the major merchant groups to Maria. They were filled with surprise and admiration as they congratulated Maria. But none of them mentioned the tragic events of Lastonia. Instead, they exchanged well wishes and maintained a consistently friendly atmosphere. After a while, the honored guests left, and Maria and Gunther were left alone for a moment.
"Great King, I have something to tell you."
Maria also showed respect to Gunther.
"What is it?"
"I am not planning to respond to this invitation from Lastonia."
"Is that so?"
It was welcome news. In fact, it was not a very pleasant situation for Maria to return to Lastonia and face Henry again. Not just because of simple jealousy, but because he was worried that it might bring back bad memories and hurt her.
"Instead, please grant me a request."
"A request? Tell me, Maria."
"I need the most fierce, ignorant, and reckless person among the Great King's subjects."
"It's not like I only have one or two of those guys."
"In addition, they must be stubborn and have strong loyalty that will not betray under any circumstances."