CH 129

Irene swallowed dryly as she watched the scene unfolding before her. Was this really the same empress she’d seen this morning? When she’d arrived at the palace, she was concerned to find Cecile utterly exhausted. She feared that Cecile might end up committing a faux pas and disgracing herself in front of Princess Yuliana. Irene began brooding over how to cover the empress’s blunders if such a situation should arise, but once they had boarded the coach, the empress began to slowly transform. By the time they had arrived at their destination, she was an entirely different person. ‘What in the heavens is happening?’

Irene’s confusion stemmed from her unawareness that Cecile was the type that thrived on practice. Her lessons were deliberately harsh, with her alternating between derisions of “Can’t you even master this?!” and bellows of “I won’t let you off if you lose to Yuliana! Imperial dignity is at stake! Losing to the likes of a foreign princess? Unacceptable!”

Her belief that the title of empress would soon be hers made Irene unable to endure the thought of the title suffering any ridicule. ‘It’s the empress of the empire we’re talking about! What sort of position do you think that is!’ Dignity lost was difficult to regain, so the best plan was to prevent it from being lost in the first place. With such thoughts in mind, Irene had taught Cecile with the hope that she would not be overshadowed when faced against Yuliana. ‘Yet, she’s perfect?’

The empress’s execution of decorum was so perfected, no flaws could be discerned. Irene wondered if her lessons had been too effective. She felt a slight tinge of regret watching everyone kneel before Cecile. This wasn’t the outcome she’d intended.

There was also the matter of the pegasus too. In truth, the idea to have the pegasus draw the coach began with Irene. Cecile and Irene had been brainstorming ways to display the empress’s majesty. Fancy clothing was a given, and anything else that would support their cause was quickly incorporated into their plans. As they continued to rack over what other additions to make, she offhandedly voiced one more suggestion.

“It would be nice if we could borrow the pegasus,” Irene mused.

“Is it forbidden to use it?” Cecile asked.

“Your Majesty, the pegasus is a phantom beast. While the emperor did capture the beast, that does not mean he tamed it.”

Apart from Estian, the pegasus had refused to accept the orders of anyone else. Although, the emperor in question neglected the beast, remarking that “White isn’t my color.” It was a shame, since Irene had often daydreamed of requesting Estian take her on a ride once she became empress. She imagined it would feel wonderful to soar through the skies.

As Irene was shedding invisible tears over her unfulfilled dream, Cecile jumped to her feet and excused herself. A few minutes later, she returned with a very well-mannered pegasus harnessed to a coach. Irene was dumbstruck. This was the same pegasus who paid no heed to anyone but Estian. How had Cecile made it submit?

* * *

Girgantia was incessantly flapping his wings, which elicited an annoyed yell from Tania. “Why are you suddenly acting all vain?”

“Because I feel like I’ve regained some pride as a dragon,” Girgantia replied happily.

The dragon was feeling immensely satisfied. Cecile had dropped by that morning and asked, “Could you talk to the pegasus for a bit? Dragons can communicate with phantom beasts, right? And you can make them submit, since dragons are far superior?”

“How did you know that?” Girgantia had replied with surprise. Cecile had hit the truth on the nail.

“I read it in a book,” she shrugged.

Cecile’s answer left the dragon feeling dubious and puzzled, since the knowledge she spoke of should’ve been unknown to the human world. Regardless, Girgantia accepted Cecile’s request after she promised another special seasonal feast. Perhaps it was his mistake to appear in front of the pegasus with his wings folded. The pegasus was resting, and after taking one look at the dragon, had scoffed, “Oh wow. The emperor caught a baby wyvern this time.”

Girgantia was enraged. How dare a mere pegasus talk smack to a dragon? What nonsense was this foal uttering? For the first time in a while, the dragon unfurled his four wings and let out a roar. Tania blocked her ears and grumbled about the noise, but the pegasus immediately sprang to its feet and bowed its head low to the ground. Dragons were the apex—or perhaps something even beyond that—of all phantom beasts. There was no phantom beast that would not cow in fear of a mighty dragon. Girgantia regarded the pegasus trembling on its feet, and commanded, “Chant. On one, ‘Being presumptuous!’, and on two, ‘Is bad!’ Commence!”

Thanks to the impromptu meeting with Girgantia, the pegasus willingly accepted the order to pull the empress’s coach. “I will serve her safely and comfortably. Worry not, great dragon,” the pegasus vowed in a polite and deferential manner.

“Yeah, alright. Take care on the way back.”

The pegasus bowed so low its head was almost touching the ground, as Girgantia bid it a haughty farewell. In such a manner, Cecile managed to secure herself a pegasus.

* * *

Irene trailed behind the empress as they headed into the casino. There hadn’t been any major issues yet. ‘We already landed a solid punch too!’ She felt exhilarated recalling how Yuliana had hung her head in defeat moments before. She was relishing the memory, but quickly shook her head. ‘N-no! This isn’t it!’

Cecile was still an intruder that had usurped her place, so why was she cheering for the woman? Irene chided herself for momentarily mistaking them for being on the same side. ‘No, Irene, no! They’re all hindrances in your path to reclaiming the position of empress. This is just a temporary alliance.’

Clearing her mind, Irene continued to walk forth. While she’d been lost in her thoughts, Cecile had already descended the stairs and was entering the casino by herself. She hurriedly chased after the empress, but at that moment… Smack! Irene felt her body lurch forward. Somebody had shoved her from behind!