Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In the deepest and most secluded room of the imperial palace, the Lianness Council Chamber was full of tension.

This room couldn’t be compared to other conference rooms and banquet halls where countless events were held. It was the most solemn and secret location of the Lohan Empire, where only the four feudal lords of the lands of the four cardinal points could enter.

“Your Majesty, what would you like to do in response to the Lichten Kingdom’s provocation?”

“……”

Limal, the lord of the East, bowed his head to the man standing behind the golden seat in the center of the room.

The man who had been looking out the window, seemingly uninterested in the meeting, slowly turned his head.

“Well, what do you think I should do.”

“……”

At the brief reply, the shoulders of the three feudal lords present stiffened. The blond hair that seemed like a strand cut from the sunlight shook as the man turned to face them. His red eyes glowed, coldly shining, able to frighten anyone who saw them into tears.

An unspeakably handsome man.

People said that it was if someone had nailed the portrait of the nation’s founder, a god who was said to have descended from the heavens, onto the emperor, giving one shivers at the uncanny resemblance. They weren’t saying he actually looked like the god. It was just that when people looked at his chilly, ethereal face, sins they hadn’t committed would slip out of their mouths.

Even if one didn’t take into account that he was the sovereign of a great empire that defeated two continents and ruled over twelve kingdoms, his physical presence was enough to crush people.

“Is this their first provocation?”

“Ye-yes, it is. As a new country, it seems their government doesn’t really know what they’re doing and was incited by the countries surrounding them.”

“…….”

Following Limal’s words, Set, the lord of the western region, spoke up. Despite his old age and many years of experience, he remained as one of the emperor’s most loyal supporters.

“There is no need for Your Majesty to personally lead a war campaign, but why don’t we suppress them properly so they don’t have any other unnecessary thoughts?”

“Leave it as it is.”

“……Yes? But then, if the neighboring countries get encouraged and start to provoke us as well… ”

“Then we’ll burn them all down together.”

“…….”

Smirk. The small smile on his face made one shiver as much as his red eyes did.

His beautiful appearance played a firm part in putting pressure on others.

However, those who knew what he was hiding behind that smile wouldn’t be able to smile with him.

“……It looks like it’s raining.”

Drip.

The man’s smile deepened at the sound of the raindrops knocking on the window.

The two feudal lords looked at each other as they felt the atmosphere gettier chillier, and then tried to find someone to change the mood of the conference, turning to the one person who hadn’t spoken.

“Well, what does the Lord of the North think?”

“……Yes? Me?”

“Though you aren’t the official ruler, you are still the northern region’s representative, so of course you can’t remain indifferent to national affairs. Since the southern land’s feudal lord isn’t here today, you must say something in their stead as a lord.”

Limal spoke, cornering the woman with a blaming tone.

Limal’s target was a young, beautiful woman seated on the North Lord’s position, shimmering like silver and diamonds. Though it was said she was quite the partier, looking at her somber appearance today, it seemed the rumors weren’t true.

‘Even if she came in her deceased husband’s place.’

All eyes on the woman were filled with mocking laughter. As the lords looked at what she was holding on her lap, they snorted as their lips twisted upwards.

‘……Well, what can a woman who carries something like that possibly know?’

They did not attempt to hide their inner thoughts from their faces.

Though the northern household was a family that had defended all sides of the empire since its founding period, they still had an eat or be eaten relationship with the other households.

Right as they were about to press the unofficial Northern Lord to speak up, the emperor’s shoes turned to face them.

“I’m tired. All of you leave.”

“……Ah, yes.”

Even if there was prey in front of them, they couldn’t disobey the emperor’s command.

When the two lords failed to raise a complaint about the North Lord, they politely retreated, and the woman got ready to stand up and sneak away.

“Y-Your Majesty.”

No well, she tried to get up and leave.

“Is something the matter, Your Majesty.”

“……You must be curious about what I want.”

The man had blocked her way with natural movements, drumming his fingers on the table. The sound of his fingers mingled with the raindrops pattering on the window.

She closed her eyes tightly and put on a thin smile, speaking with a trembling voice.

“Ah, perhaps about the youngest princess…”

“Oh. Well, that’s.”

A small disappointed sigh escaped out of his mouth. No one knew what he had been expecting.

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“Haniel probably followed after Loam. She’s a child who was never able to adapt to the Imperial Palace, so she’s probably randomly following him around.”

“……”

It was a bit indifferent for an attitude of a big brother. But as if the woman had received some sort of reassurance, she seemed to hold what was in her lap more dearly.

“I-I see.”

“The communication line was broken, but I have nothing to worry about since she’s with the sorcerer Loam. If anything happened to him, the color of his pulse tone would have changed, but there is no sign of that. “

“……Of course. The princess must be safe…….”

“She should be safe. But if anyone does lay a hand on Haniel,”

“I-if they do?” 

“I’ll kill them.”

With the softest tone he could use, he spoke slowly, as if whispering, and lowered his head.

“I’ll break their bones and rip their flesh into pieces. I’ll personally lift their head for them and show them their ruined body. For anyone who dares to kidnap the imperial princess, that much should be an appropriate punishment.”

“……Hahaha.”

“But why are your hands shaking so much?”

The red eyes seemed puzzled as they looked down.

The surprised woman shook her head, saying it was nothing.

“No, it’s just a little chilly. Then I will excuse myself and return to my fief, Your Majesty. “

“Where are you going.”

“…….Yes?”

“It’s raining.”

He pointed his chin to the window. As he watched the rain falling down on the black marble window frame, his cruel smile became more satisfied.

“Catherine, didn’t you say you hate the rain.”

“……Yes, b-but.”

“Then stay here.”

His words were coercive but also not, confusing her of his intentions.

But one thing was clear; he seemed to have no intention to let her leave.

Catherine, who had no choice but to give up, forcibly bit her mouth and kept her back straight.

“……”

“It’s so cold your hands are trembling. Since it’s unlikely that the rain will cease, I’ll have a room prepared for you to stay in.”

“I, I am greatly honored.”

The golden cloak disappeared, and, as if seeking comfort, the woman lowered her hand to stroke the head of the white baby swan sitting on her legs.

The baby swan acted cutely, childishly rubbing its head against her hand as if it had been waiting for this moment of attention.

“……Did you hear that, sweetheart?”

Catherine swallowed a scream down her throat and lifted up the white baby swan she had been holding.

As she gazed at the baby swan that seemed immensely happy to be looking at Catherine face to face, her purple eyes shook violently.

“Sigh.”

Hey you…….Your older brother said he’s gonna kill me.

◇ ◆ ◇

I love fantasy novels, especially transmigration novels.

I mean, how great is it!

One day the heroine just opens their eyes and becomes a princess, or a queen!

As someone with an ordinary life, there was nothing better than that kind of life reversal.

But something like a life reversal that could happen to me in this world was winning the lottery, if it did happen, and I’d just end up buying a house in Seoul. The world might seem to fly for a few days, but in the end, I’d still have to go out and work everyday.

Whether it was using up all my money to pay for a one-room studio to live in, or living in a better apartment, my life itself wouldn’t change.

“Sigh, I guess this is my one life.”

Crunch crunch, I stuffed popcorn into my mouth, holding a smartphone that had 35 months of contract use remaining.

This was the only luxury I could afford without parents or siblings, working at a small zoo on a trial contract.

Of course, though I received a minimum wage, I did my best because I really did love animals.

In South Korea, however, there was a big difference between liking and being recognized.

No matter how hard I worked, devoting myself to the animals, I wasn’t sure if my contract was going to be renewed for the next year.

“Chief, it ’s not good to release all the animals at once! It’ll be like a hierarchy fight for them-”

“Ugh, seriously, who do you think you are to speak to me like that? Are you looking down on me?”

“……Huh?”

I think you’re the one who looks down on me.

I swallowed my words. The talk of next year’s contract was still coming up.

“And these animals? Are they your buddies? What a perfect match you guys all are!”

And so as always, I worked diligently and met with a difficult day.