CH 111

Subjugation and Rakain (2)

“As much as she couldn’t enjoy it so far, I’m going to throw a big party for her. Let me show her that there are a lot of people who feel so happy and grateful that she was born.”

The depth of emotion in Kergel’s voice was not nonchalantly felt. So even Bert, who was casually running his mouth, remained silent with his lips all closed up.

“I will do as I am commanded, Your Majesty.”

Heinez bowed to Kergel and replied in a low voice. Then, Kergel immediately added as if he had forgotten one more thing.

“And call forth all the merchants of the Cesan continent.”

“The merchants?”

“Yes, not only Seroif, but all the merchants of Pazolan and Kaizenen as well as the entire merchants of Rakain.”

A fierce smile began to spread around Kergel’s mouth, who had been wearing a serious expression. He continued while raising the corners of his mouth.

“The birthday of the Rakain’s Princess? Tell her to get a present if she can. Before that, it would be enough to simply shake off all the merchants.”

“What do you mean, you’re going to shake them off like that? …You’re not some kind of a bandit.”

Bert, who had been silent for a while, muttered in an outrageous tone. At the same time, his eyes began to shine like a naughty boy who was looking at an interesting task ahead.

Heinez nodded after he soon collected the expression of his mouth as he smiled at the plan which Kergel was just about to execute.

“I see… Well, I haven’t been able to serve Her Majesty properly so far. Therefore, the Palace’s budget has been accumulating, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to use it casually this time.”

Heinez smiled at Kergel with a rather uncharacteristically expression of his.

It was right at that moment when the three people  became in a complete agreement with each other.

* * *

“What?”

While she was taking a stroll in the garden, Roelin suddenly saw that Kergel was talking to a servant right over there and soon began to approach him with pleasure.

“Ker…”

“Ah! Ro… Roelin!”

As soon as she tried to call out to him, Kergel first felt an indication of Roelin and looked back at her at once. However, his movement felt more excessive than usual.

How should she have put it?

Should she say that it seemed like he was in a hurry to hide something before talking to her?

That was also something that she could feel every time she dealt with him these days. No, not only Kergel, but the people around him were all like this as well.

‘It’s just an illusion. Kergel has nothing to hide from me at all.’

Roelin shook her head lightly to shake off her thoughts and extended a greeting towards the servant before turning her gaze as she opened her mouth to Kergel.

“I must have interrupted your conversation.”

“No! It’s not. We’ve already talked about everything anyway. Don’t you think so too, Chief of Staff.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. Then, I shall prepare as you’ve ordered.”

After the Chief of Staff bowed politely and answered with respect, he showed the same courtesy towards Roelin as well. Roelin tilted her head slightly as she received his greeting.

‘The Chief of Staff’s smile just now seemed a little bit strange……’

He left the place before she could even question it. Then, as Kergel spoke to Roelin, she had no other choice but to simply bury the question that was occurring for a while.

After taking a walk for some time while having a little chat, Roelin changed the subject without much thought.

“By the way, I think the Palace is somehow busy these days.”

“Huh? Oh, really? I… I don’t really know.”

Kergel showed signs of embarrassment at Roelin’s words, but he hurriedly rubbed his chin and replied. Fortunately, she still continued while pointing out somewhere in front of her as if she hadn’t noticed his rather awkward tone.

“Like that—I see a lot of people from some other countries. It doesn’t look like an official delegation, though…… Am I right?”

“No, of course. If an official delegation had come over, I would have definitely informed you, the Empress, of course. Since they have to greet you without any delay.”

Kergel managed to answer while thinking that beads of cold sweat seemed to have flowed down his spine already. Then, Roelin smiled softly and nodded along with an embarrassed expression.

“That’s true. I didn’t think of it that far. I still have a lot of faults in my duties as the Empress…”

“Your faults—you’re actually doing much better than any of the other Empresses in history. You can be proud enough of yourself.”

Kergel responded as if he was simply stating facts. But Roelin immediately shook her head and opened her mouth once again.

“I know myself so well that there are still many shortcomings. Honestly, I’ve never been taught directly back in Rakain. I just learned everything in a book and besides, I never got to see a lot of various books as well.”

Back in Rakain, she had basically lived while being deprived of the educational opportunities she truly deserved as a Royal Daughter. All she could ever do was read alone, but even that wasn’t easy at all.

The abandoned Royal Daughter was never allowed anywhere inside the Royal Library as well.

So, she always possessed a strong desire for learning. It was only after she had arrived here, in Seroif, did she finally find it.

She could now read books as much as she wanted and she was being taught directly by such outstanding people in various fields.

Therefore, Roelin was studying as hard as she could. At the same time, she continued to feel more of her own inadequacy.

Did he guess how Roelin had felt?