CH 25.1

“Don’t let your guard down, my Queen.”

Iveca blinked at the sternness Sid was meeting her with; blank-faced impenetrability that gave nothing away, “But it would be boring to stand still.”

“It’s all right.”

Sid, who had blue hair and a boyish face, was a short man. Though his body looked like it knew the way around the inside of a combat gym; firm and slim, muscular to boot. His voice was surprisingly low, coming out from thin lips. Iveca put the pen she was holding in her right hand, switched it to her left, then changed her mind again and Sid could tell there was a question on her mind.

“The Bureau of Investigation tried to assassinate Rihan Kadmin. Did his Majesty know about it?”

Reina and Sid looked at each other. Sid sighed, then answered.

“He found out later, but he did not approve of it.” Sid shook his head. “The Bureau of Investigation can use its powers to detain, or in this case remove, anyone who poses a threat to the Kingdom of Amethan.” He then glanced at the codebook in front of her. “Until the Constitution is proclaimed, of course. Then we cannot touch any of those threats, legally.”

The word ‘legally’ was spat out like a bullet. As Iveca listened to Sid’s words, she thought deeply. She then asked cautiously.

“Couldn’t you just tell His Majesty? I’m sure he’d be open to discussion, especially when it comes to threats to the Kingdom. Rihan Kadmin seemed like a dangerous person. The Bureau of Investigation’s judgment was correct. Didn’t he say he joined the rebels right away?”

“Your Majesty did not want to throw out someone who, for all intents and purposes, was an artist who had fled from the republican country. Because Rihan Kadmin is so influential on all continents…” Sid seemed to be deep in thought for a moment, before continuing. “Of course, he had to be conscious of the public to some extent. The potential for use was great.”

Iveca wasn’t swayed. “Had the King held talks for a few more days, do you not think the outcome would have been different?”

“He gave the Bureau of Administration personal protection, decreed by royal order. There was no room for compromise and, frankly, little time to waste on a discussion.”

Iveca’s brows furrowed. It was a lot more complicated than she thought. She pondered for a moment and asked again, recalling Article 1, which stated that “no one” could decide someone else’s life without legal process.

“At that time, you said that a Bureau of Investigation officer was sent to assassinate Rihan Kadmin, right? Can I meet him?”

“Yeah?”

Reina furrowed her brow. “May I ask why, my Queen?”

“I heard the backlash against the contents of Article 1 is too strong. The Rihan Kadmin case is a case where the command of the King and the authority of the Bureau of Investigation conflicted. And above all, it was about personal life. I want to use it as an example.”

“The employee in question cannot be called because he is currently dispatched abroad,” Sid replied calmly.

“When is he coming back? When can I see him?”

“I don’t even know that.”

Iveca tilted her head. It was a tone that seemed to want to cut off the conversation altogether rather than disclosing what she wanted to know.

“The officials of the Bureau of Administration have nowhere to go, so we can meet sooner, right?”

Reina sighed this time. “Let me see what I can do.”

“Please, as soon as possible,” said Iveca, “Also, please let me know when the Bureau of Investigation will return.”

Reina looked at her quietly, blinked her eyes, then said with a small smile. “My Queen, if you don’t mind me saying… it seems that the work in the Ministry of Justice is suitable for you.”

Iveca lowered her eyes and lost in thought for a moment, and then she nodded her head cautiously, unsure if she was being paid a compliment.

“I think it’s interesting because I have to think from the perspectives of different kinds of people. And it’s good to think about someone else’s point of view.”

“Pardon?” Reina looked confused by the declaration.

“All my life, no one has ever thought about my position. But as you said, if this law is going to be made public, and I think that the state has also considered my position, I would be very proud. Also, His Majesty said I am doing well. So, I live by that standard.”

She laughed involuntarily. Reina and Sid remained silent, with complicated expressions on their faces.

“Are you in a good mood, Queen?”

Sid glared at her, but Reina could not resist and asked. Iveca nodded her head immediately.

“Yes. Every day he praises me for doing well. But I, myself, also think that I am doing well. Even when I was homeschooled, I did better than my sisters in playing musical instruments, physical arts, philosophy, and liberal arts, and I got good grades in college as well, but I think this is the first time I’ve ever felt supported. So, I want to do better.”

Anriq’s words, “The Queen who was easy to be taken advantage of” were hidden inside. She liked the sense of accomplishment she was feeling right now, and she also felt satisfied with her own belief in dealing with the law. She did not feel that Daniel was using her. Because he spoke of people’s interests, he was also thinking about equality.