On the morning of the National Foundation Day, the bells of the cathedral rang out. As the white pigeons flew, it rained in the sky. The square in front of the Imperial Palace was decorated with a sumptuous dining table that lined luxuriously.
The fragrant wine and food were the mercy of the Empress. People celebrated the foundation day with a bright face.
However, this was a luxury that only took place inside the capital. Bells were heard on the outskirts of the capital, but no pigeons or petals flying over the roof. In the square, dogs licked greasy plates but couldn’t even smell them from the outside.
Under the prosperity of the empire, someone filled the boat that had been cast as a relic. But no one questioned this.
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“Today, Lady Lena will be announced as a southern agent.”
An old man in a south uniform told the lady in the same uniform.
The elderly, the Duke of the South, Duke Arles strode ahead and seemed unpleasant.
“I think I’ve already taken care of the neighborhood.”
“It wasn’t in the neighborhood.” (I’m unsure with this)
“Good.”
Lena’s silent excuse made Duke Arles’ face puffer and even worse.
There was already no one who didn’t know the incident that happened last night at the eve of the ceremony, that Lena and Ruvid picked each other up on champagne.
Furthermore, at that time, Lena was in the southern uniform. Duke Arles had a headache by the thought of how many nobles were talking about this.
“But I still kept the honor of the South. I won.”
“Yeah, you’re very good.”
At the end of Lena’s comment, the southern Duke shook his head. In fact, he was thrilled to hear that the northern prince had been attacked by Lena. However, apart from him, Lena was uncomfortable, and then he said with a stern voice.
“From now on, watch your behavior. At least do not let me hear it.”1
“Yes, I’ll keep it in mind.” Lena steadily replied.
However, Duke Arles didn’t satisfied with it because her reply felt dry. With a grumpy back, he spoke.
“Today, the Empress will order you to come to visit.”
“She decided to expand the territory of the empire.”
“It’s funny. When the South was eroded, she crossed the river, went to the barracks, and watch.” The Duke spoke, his face was rougher.
When the silent war was in full swing in the South, the Empress stood by his side. Then, as the South returned to life, she planned to plunder.
The Duke had a thousand dollars in his pocket, but he was frustrated because he couldn’t even complain.
“Does everyone know where this conquest is?”
“No, they don’t know anything other than the Dukes. Probably not even the ministers.”
His voice was weary now. The old man already tired of the Empress’s whims and the imperialism returning to dogmatism.1
“Then, I’ll announce it today.”
“I suppose so. This trip is the stage of the North and East anyway. We just have to stay behind.”
“Why should we stay behind?”
“You don’t have to be the first, in the frontline. But we shouldn’t be too far behind.”
Lena explained to Duke Arles. However, it wasn’t Lena that wasn’t able to understand, but it was the Duke.
“So, you’re just saying to do it in the middle?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m a little confused.”
“What is it?”
“I’m confused about whether I have to go in the middle or be in the middle.”
The Duke looked puzzled and then he briefly sighed.
In other words, he would arrange the first, middle, or end strategy according to the order. The Duke soon burst into laughter at her stubborn attitude.
“It’s good to be confident, but I’d like you to understand the situation before that.”
The chat ended there. The two walked across the hall and reached a big door. The big open door showed the hall of the convention. The ceremony, filled with sacred symbols, was already full of high-ranking aristocrats and officials.
And among them were those in black.
‘Sir Lynn.’
Lena found a welcome face among the Northern men. It was Lynn.
Lynn glanced at Duke Arles, then he laughed and shook his head. With that arrogant attitude, the Southern Duke inevitably clenched his teeth, and Lena was impressed with his new appearance.
There were also people wearing red uniforms next to them. It was from the North.
There was also a face Lena knew. It was Ruvid, who stood proudly, and the other was her father, Marquis Rubel. And in the center, there was a man resembled Ruvid, he was the Northern Duke, Iura Flanus Grascha.
Three Dukes supported the Empire stood side by side. However, the Cardinal hadn’t seen yet.
It was then.
“Be quiet and courteous.”
The solemn voice echoed with the sound of ringing bells and an embossed trumpet. Then, the nobles bent down as the reed laid in the wind.
What it meant was unique. High-nobles stared at the tip of their feet, and a heavy static ring of heels echoed.
Soon, a loud voice was heard.
“Raise your head.”
It was ridiculously cheerful.
The older nobles looked calm, while the younger ones looked at the throne, swallowing embarrassment.
There was an unknown woman sitting there, which was empty until just now. A woman with a short white hair cut, but her face was still young, with a colorful ribbon on her corset, and she was even more lightly decorated.
A woman who sat on the Empress’s seat but they weren’t sure of her identity.
She was the beginning of the empire, the apex, the Empress Niheal Grascha.
The Empress, who was over a hundred years old this year, appeared very young.
Although they faced a living miracle, the aristocrats didn’t know where to put their eyes, on the white-faced Empress, shoulders, or her legs.
“It’s good to see you all. I’ve never seen one, and I’ve seen one a few times already.”
The Empress’s voice was still sluggish.
“In fact, it’s difficult to distinguish. She’s a little girl, he’s a little boy, young ones are all similar. It’s like you’re telling me to die because I’m very old.”
The Empress spoke to herself, and the hall was quiet. Then, the Empress ordered in a dry voice.
“Laugh, I’m joking.”
At the end of the muffled silence, a forced laugh was heard. Soon after, the aristocrats began to laugh. Not to mention Lena. It was a crazy sight.
In front of her, the Empress yawned greatly. Then, she leaned against the armrest.
“I’m glad anyway. But why did you gather today.”
“Today is Foundation Day.” A man said by her side. It was Klavis.
“Oh, yeah? Then start.”
The Empress gestured to Klavis with her chin. At that time, Klavis stood before the nobles on behalf of the Empress.
“Happy Foundation Day, everyone. Under the care of Her Majesty, the history of the Empire has reached a hundred years.”
When Klavis came forward, the aristocrats were relieved. He spoke skillfully on behalf of the old tyrant.
“In commemoration of this day, Her Majesty decided to expand the territory. Duke Iura Flenus Grascha, Duke Arles Grascha, and Duke Lignan Eitner. In the name of Her Majesty, pioneer and conquer a new horizon.”
The three Dukes, who was called, raised their heads. And the aristocrats swallowed their excitement awaiting the announcement of the conquest.
They remembered. The abundance of the East that they enjoyed 10 years ago, the wealth that was found 30 years ago across the continent, and the splendid relics they got across the desert 70 years ago.
Each time, the nobles of the Empire were able to live a more luxurious and refined life. They listened to the Cardinal’s declaration, hoping for a ‘boom’. Klavis knew what they were up to and smiled plainly.
“Her Majesty’s new desire is the tomb below the earth.”
Tomb?
“Her Majesty has ordered the tomb, the land of the dead, to be conquered.”
The aristocrats were stunned by Klavis’ announcement.
“It will be fun. There are a lot of interesting things there.”
Then, the Empress muttered in a relaxed voice.
“I’m tired of killing the ki’ngs, and anything on the ground is mine if I can reach out anyway. So now I’m going to get something a little different. You guys like it too, right?”
“Everything is as Your Majesty’s will.”
When Klavis spoke softly, the aristocrats belatedly clapped and cheered. The Dukes also clapped their hands to match this skit.
“Then, before you go, pay tribute to Duke Arles Grascha, for protecting Her Majesty’s territory.”
When his turn came, Duke Arles, the Duke of the South stepped forward.
“Your Majesty the Empress, the victory of the South is all thanks to Your Majesty’s care.”
“Of course it is.”
The Empress mumbled unpleasantly. Duke Arles briefly gained his strength, but his voice remained calm.
“The only thing I want as a servant is to serve Your Majesty with all my heart, but my increasingly debilitating body will only a struggle. So please allow me to delegate the mission of the South to another reputable young woman.”
“Yeah, who?”
The Empress mumbled and extended her hand in a dry manner. When she grabbed the ceremonial sword the servant brought, Lena stepped forward.
The Empress stared at Lena, she tilted her head and asked.
“Your name?”
“Lena Rubel.”
“Well, Dame Lena.”
The Empress lifted the sword, and Lena tried to kneel for her appointment. But, before she knelt down, the Empress’s sword pointed at her neck.
“You came all the way here in a humble name.”
The Empress said with her sword’s tip stabbed Lena’s neck.
“Don’t you take me less than a worm. So risk your life and go to the tomb.”
The Empress gave power to the hand with the sword without expression. The tip of the sword penetrated her skin, and Lena’s neck bleed.
Red blood soaked the uniform’s white-collar, but Lena didn’t retreat.
Then, a faint smile spread around the Empress’s lips.
“If you can’t, you can die. I’m merciful, and I’ll forgive your incompetence.”
Only then did the Empress take the sword from Lena’s neck.
Although she was forced to be loyal without any respect, Lena still knew what to say. She stepped back and kissed the Empress’s sword. Then, all the aristocrats repeated words like a spell.
“Everything is as Your Majesty’s will.”
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The monstrous tyrant returned to her palace as soon as the ceremony was over. Because of this, the subsequent luncheon was meaningless, leaving the aristocrats stranded and deserted.
Lena and Duke Arles weren’t attending the luncheon. The schedule for the afternoon was tight. It was time for Lena to follow the Southern Duke to attend the ceremony.
“Lady.”
An unexpected voice called Lena.
“Would you please spare me a moment?”
It was none other than Marquis Rubel. It was a sudden approach, but Lena wasn’t surprised. Instead, she shook her head as if she had heard something strange.
“Lady?”
Then, with a regrettable look, she asked the Marquis, “Isn’t Dame Lena the right name, Lord Rubel?”
Lena’s question was soft and firm. Thanks to this, the Marquis was embarrassed.
“You’re right. I made a mistake. Then, Dame, please give me a moment. It won’t take long.”
The Marquis, who had been reluctant to make unexpected remarks, asked for her again as if he had appeased his subordinate.
Lena glanced at Duke Arles and he nodded reluctantly. When the permission fell, Lena responded with a cheerful smile.
“For a moment.”
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Dame: the title given to a woman equivalent to the rank of knight.