Chapter 33

33 “Border Inception”

Eleanora’s pov ~

After finishing my bath, i fall asleep as soon as i closed my eyes.

It’s been three days since i returned from the imperial palace.

Is the Imperial Palace different from other places?

Every time i returned from the palace, I barely left my sickbed.

I still felt heavy, though I felt much better.

Then i got to know about the sudden visit of Marquise Derrick Roselia and Duke Keiran Heartz.

Marquis Roselia had light pink hair with golden yellow eyes, where Duke Heartz had Dark green hair with light green eyes.

As if they were very busy, they came into our house directly even before the butler asked them about their purpose of visiting.

.....

I went to greet them and my father made me sit beside him.

Duke Heartz spoke to my father, “Do you remember what your daughter said the other day? The emperor’s and the other nobles expression was hilarious.”

“I just regretted for not taking a recording magic stone to capture their expression.” Marquise Roselia added.

“Why are you suddenly bringing it up?” My father asked with a calm demeanour.

“It looks like we’re going to see more pissed off faces from this year, espeically Duke Raven.”

“Duke Heartz, really can’t stand Duke Raven...”

“...I see. What is the problem? I think they were actually just asking for it, right?” My father spoke as he took a sip of his tea.

Are they really the most powerful and fierce people of the empire? Because infront of me is just the picture of three friends chatting and laughing.

Even in my past life, i never saw them so relaxed.

“Of course they did. But there is one problem. Despite the government’s earnest request, it looks like there occurred looting in some of the provinces. So, I hear there are signs of riots in those areas.” Marquise Roselia spoke with an annoying tone.

Duke Heartz, who sighed deeply as if he was frustrated, unfastened the top button of his jacket.

Looking at Marquise Roselia blankly, my father asked, “What you mean is we have to dispatch knights to stop the riot?”

“Yes. In addition to that, they’re thinking of appointing squadron leaders as the supervisor who ensures the safe distribution of foods to them.”

“Supervisor?”

“That fucking bastard suggested this fucking solution.” Duke Heartz said with a sneer and i guess this fucking bastard must be Duke Raven.

My father glared at him because he used bad language infront of me. Because he doesn’t know from a very young age i have been cursing everyone in my mind silently.

I suddenly felt guilty.

“Watch your language!” My father warned Duke Keiran.

“Who’s gonna look after our estate if we all, as the heads leave? Who is gonna look after our family?”

Then marquise roselia sighed as he continued speak again.

“As the main border areas are under the direct control of the imperial family and defended by the four dukes and eight marquise, they pose no problem, but they are worried about the upcoming riot..”

That was true. The four dukes, defended our empire by four side.

Duke Dalton of east, Duke Heartz of west, Duke Ravens of north and finally, Duke Richards of the south.

Even if they lived in the capital, they had full control over their area and border.

Marquis Roselia was a special case but the rest of the marquis families could not move to the central political stage because they were busy defending the borders from generation to generation along with the dukes.

It was all because of the first emperor’s decision to have them keep their estates near the borders, to keep their powers in cheak.

Because of that, they barely had any power in the central government, but their military power was great.

There was no need for the central government to worry about the border area.

The only problem was the estates of the lower aristocrats, who lacked their own defenses and had little assets, which made them more likely to rip off the peasants in their own estates.

Like the duke said, they couldn’t afford to dispatch a civil officer alone in a situation where many hungry people could turn into dead.

This is why, My father who is the first imperial squadron leader and Duke Heartz, who is the the second squadron leader, have to go to the border along with their knights.

Then again Duke Heartz voice made me focus again.

“Just in case something goes wrong, some of the royal guards and the 1st Knights must remain to protect the palace, However... ”

“You mean that all the 2nd Knights and more then half of my knights must be dispatched.” My father said with a serious face.

“Yes. In addition, I have to send all the knights of my family, too.” Marquis Roselia said with a gloomy voice.

“I see. Then, you are probably the only one to stay here, Derrick.” My father spoke to the marquise.

“Well, the emperor would have wanted a loyal guy like you instead of someone like me. But you know there are other nobles watching the emperor’s action. So someone from the imperial noble council has to stay.”

According to my father and Duke Heartz, part of the 1st Imperial Knight, all of the 2nd Imperial Knights as well as all the private knights of the Duke Heartz, Marquise Roselia’s family and my family have to go.

And my father and Duke Heartz had to lead them.

I was afraid that I might not be able to see my father for years in the worst case. What should I do if my father never returns?

‘Let’s not think about it, Eleanora.’

In the past life, he came back after three years, when i was about to leave for the upcoming war.

At that time he left me in the imperial palace, which only drew me more closer to Cathain.

I shook my head slightly. This is not gonna happen again.

“Got it. I’m sorry to say this, but Derrick, please take care of my daughter while I’m not here. ”

“Your daughter? I thought you was going to sent her to the imperial palace...”

“No. As she is smart, I think she can manage well, but she is still too young, as you know. So, I hope you can come here and check if she needs any help.”

I look up to see my father’s face and somehow i felt a little happy in my heart.

“Okey, Not a problem,”

My father expressed thanks to Marquis Roselia by nodding and said, “Thank you. Can I ask you one more favor?”

“Sure, go ahead.” Marquise Roselia said with a smile.

My father suddenly put his hands on my ears and i looked up to him.

‘Why is he covering my ears? Is he cursing?’

“Keep that crown prince away from my daughter.”

“...”

“...”

I wondered about, what my father had said with such a serious face that, both Duke and Marquis become dumbfounded.