The news of Juno’s actions was known throughout high society. Some of the more powerful aristocrats grasped the meaning behind the confrontation between Juno and Marquis Thunia overnight.
“The rumor spread more quickly than I expected.” As soon as she got out of the carriage, Juno smiled at the gazes drawn to her.
Looking at the approaching servant, John said, “House Thunia was involved with many nobles.”
Indeed, there were more than Juno thought.
“That’s good for us.” Juno winked at the servant to show them the way.
She recalled the invitation she received earlier this morning. It was from the emperor, and it arrived a day after the meeting with Marquis Thunia. What will you do? There are words an emperor was expected to say, but there was no guarantee they’d all be said. Juno was at the Imperial Palace a few months ago when she had to deliver the Protective Barrier. She was upset at the servants who didn’t spare her a glance.
“It was effective. They can’t afford not to look at me.” Her smile was filled with ridicule and pity at those who changed their attitudes at a moment’s notice.
“You may take this opportunity to add more dolls as servants to the royal family,” John said.
“That’d be nice.” It wasn’t a bad idea if things went well with the emperor. Juno turned her head at the sight of the dolls.
Then, the servant stopped in his tracks. “My lady.”
They had arrived. Juno looked at the servant who certainly heard her and John’s conversation. She nodded.
“Your Majesty, Countess Sergien is here.”
“Let her in.” It was the emperor’s voice.
The door to the throne room opened. As always, the emperor was by himself.
“Your Majesty.” Juno gracefully greeted him.
The emperor grinned. “Thank you for accepting my invitation.”
“Of course. How could I refuse His Majesty’s summon?”
He was satisfied with her words. “I heard what happened the day before. It’s quite a shame.”
Juno politely smiled without saying much, so the emperor continued speaking.
“I heard you’re going to try something else,” he said.
“I spent a year mourning my husband’s death, but as you know, things changed. I thought I had to act.”
“Indeed, Marquis Thunia was a little rude this time.”
“Thank you for understanding.” Juno lowered her head.
The benign-looking emperor had a troubled look on his face. “It’s difficult to do business with other nobles.”
Juno looked up at the emperor. She was waiting for this moment after she signed the contract with an aristocrat from another kingdom. Since the emperor heard about it, he had no choice but to call her here. I’m sure you’ll try to coax me. Juno waited to see what he’d do. She was Countess Sergien, an alchemist of House Sergien, but she had no recognition. That’s why she needed the support of high-ranking nobles for now. And the highest-ranked aristocrat in the empire is the emperor himself. Juno planned to work with the emperor to stabilize her position. Then the opposition will have no choice but to admit defeat.
Nodding, Juno said, “My apologies, but if I trade with them, my products will be of higher quality.”
“Then they’ll be in other countries…”
“I’m certain I can provide the same quality to Your Majesty.”
The emperor, realizing the meaning behind her words, narrowed his eyes. He coughed. “What does that mean?”
“Your Majesty said I would receive help with being recognized. Should I not repay the favor?”
The emperor leaned forward, covering his mouth with his hand.
“I may need your help from now on, Your Majesty.”
“Well, it’s a simple matter for the woman who led the empire to victory by providing those Protective Barriers.” He was greedy under the pretense of rewarding her for her contributions.
“I hope to cooperate with the royal family in the future.”
When Juno insisted they’d join hands, the emperor was more pleased. He saw the capabilities of the Protective Barrier and understood the consequences of working with an alchemist during this time. Moreover, it felt like Juno swallowed her pride in this situation, unlike what she’d done with other nobles.
“I feel the same way, Countess Sergien.”
***
By joining hands with the emperor, things progressed smoothly. He refused to compensate the nobles who suffered losses by cutting ties with Juno; people also realized Juno had the emperor’s support because the emperor did nothing. Along with the families related to House Thunia, Marquis Thunia lost power. Juno Sergien showed what happened to people who dared to mess with her.
Naturally, some began to wonder if they should continue to watch the situation.
“Are you going to side with His Majesty and watch Countess Sergien run wild?”
“I can’t help Marquis Thunia since he did that.”
“Then…”
However, the doubt soon faded. A nobleman visited Juno Sergien, knelt before her, and obtained a Protective Barrier. The rumors about bribes and flattery working on her held a lot of weight.
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“Have you heard?”
“She lent money to a writer who was about to go bankrupt…”
“Then the baroness…”
“You said you were going to offer her a deal!”
“What do you mean?”
As long as Juno Sergien looked good, a person would enjoy the power she offered. Even those wary of her tried to win her favor. So, Juno began to be recognized, and she, watching it all unfold, became colder and more ruthless.
***
Exhausted, Juno visited the workshop to look at Jupiter, who was still sleeping. Since she allied herself with the emperor, there were many balls she had to attend. She needed to meet the demands of those who flattered and bribed her.
“Teacher?”
Peter looked back. “I told you to rest.”
“I haven’t looked at how far you’ve gotten in the past few days.”
Peter recorded his findings in a journal for Juno. “The progress is slow, but research is research.”
Juno began to read the procedures. Then, John entered the workshop.
“My lady.”
“John, you’re here,” Juno greeted after returning the journal to Peter. “My teacher is doing quite well.”
“Of course.”
“I look forward to next time.”
“Give me a break.” Peter tossed the journal aside and returned his attention to the item he was looking at earlier.
John approached Juno. “It’s good that you look well, but there’s been a development.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Is it another noble?”
“No, not that kind. I found out why the Kingdom of Darnan and the empire are on bad terms.”
“…Do I have to know?”
Juno felt she just needed to know the results. From the time they attacked the delegates to improve relations, Juno’s hostility had been directed at the Kingdom of Darnan.
“Yes.” John glanced at Peter. “Someone tried to take the princess of the Kingdom of Darnan to the empire by force. The princess was unharmed, but the other party suffered heavy losses.”
Juno sighed. “…Are there not others who care?” It wasn’t Juno’s business to kill the nobleman who harmed the princess. Wasn’t Jupiter someone who had nothing to do with this?
“It was His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“What?”
“Do you remember the servant who arrived before Master’s funeral? The one from the royal family?”
Juno recalled that before Peter closed the door to the mansion, a customer visited them.
“I can’t believe someone’s here late at night. How inconsiderate,” Juno had said. “Why is he here?”
With an annoyed look, Peter responded, “His Highness has been gravely injured. Even the medicine I have may not be enough to save him.”
“Are you going to give him the medicine then?”
“No.”
“Why don’t you give that a try?” Juno had asked. “The medicine I made. I want to see if it works…”
“It’s not bad, is it? All right.”
Peter gave Juno’s medicine to the servant and sent him away. A few days later, they received a letter thanking them for the crown prince’s improved condition.
“Is that why they needed it?”
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“Yes. The royal family didn’t apologize for His Highness’s conduct and demanded compensation for the crown prince’s injuries.”
“…Why wasn’t I told this earlier?”
“It wasn’t good for the princess or His Highness, so everyone kept quiet. Also, we didn’t have the insect dolls made at the time.”
“So, His Highness and the royal family are to blame for Jupiter’s current condition.”
John and Peter silently agreed with Juno. She laughed. It seemed she had joined hands with another target for her revenge.