29. A Gift for the Empress Consort

Larael, as usual, finished her light breakfast and went for a walk in the garden.  

Thanks to the Marquis of Argen’s efforts, the replacement of her guards had proceeded smoothly. The newly assigned guards came to greet her.  

Larael paused her walk and, guided by the head maid, looked at the approaching guards, her expression noticeably brightening. They were Berser and Handelson, just as she had hoped.  

“Greetings to Her Highness, the Empress Consort.”  

“We will devote ourselves entirely to protecting Your Highness.”  

“Please value your own lives more than mine.”  

‘And I mean it.’  

With a gentle smile, Larael resumed her walk.  

Initially, Berser and Handelson had resisted the orders from their superiors. As members of the Imperial Knights, it was not uncommon to guard members of the imperial family during peacetime. However, for knights of their standing—neither rookies nor low-ranking members of the order—to be assigned as guards to the Empress Consort, who had been the subject of rumors, was difficult for them to accept.  

Upon hearing the news, the two knights immediately requested a meeting with the commander of the order, hoping to have the decision reconsidered.  

They had heard about the unfortunate incidents that had occurred to the Empress Consort due to the incompetence of her previous guards. Furthermore, they learned that the Marquis of Argen, the Emperor’s right-hand man, had personally selected them for the role.  

The commander of the knights had initially resisted the decision as well. However, since this was the first time the Marquis of Argen had made such a request, the commander had no choice but to comply.  

When Berser, still filled with reluctance, came to greet the Empress Consort, he found himself utterly captivated the moment he saw her.  

Standing in the middle of the garden, where sunlight scattered brilliantly, Larael turned to them with graceful movements. Berser couldn’t tell whether the radiance came from the sunlight or from Larael herself. Loyalty that hadn’t existed before suddenly surged within him.  

Feeling embarrassed about being so mesmerized, Berser glanced at Handelson. However, Handelson appeared even more entranced, staring at Larael with a dazed expression.  

After exchanging greetings with Larael and watching her walk away, Handelson continued to stare blankly at her retreating figure. Berser nudged him in the side.  

“Handelson, what are you thinking about?”  

At Berser’s words, Handelson seemed to snap out of it, his eyes regaining focus.  

“Huh? I won’t let those bastards get away with it.”  

“Who?”  

“Holland and Josh.”  

Holland and Josh were the Empress Consort’s former guards.  

“To think they almost caused harm to someone like her…”  

Handelson gritted his teeth, clenching his massive fists tightly as his body trembled with anger.  

—

“Your Majesty, this is the first mana stone we’ve mined.”  

The Marquis of Argen, who had returned from inspecting the mana stone mine, entered the meeting room as soon as he arrived. He opened the box he was holding, revealing a raw mana stone that emitted a dazzling bluish light.  

The Marquis presented the box to Edward. The stone, still in its unrefined state, had an exceptionally high purity. When the first mana stone was mined, the workers had cheered and celebrated, and the mine had turned into a festival.  

Now that the results of their efforts were being presented to the Emperor, all the nobles in the meeting room stared at the mana stone in awe, its mysterious glow reflecting in their wide eyes. They burst into applause and cheers. Even the nobles who were typically at odds with the Emperor joined in clapping.  

Edward, too, smiled brightly, not bothering to hide his joy today.  

As he smiled and looked around at the nobles, his eyes met Dean’s. When Dean gave him a slight bow, Edward fixed his gaze on him and spoke.  

“I have something to announce here.”  

Count Winters furrowed his brows, feeling a sense of unease.  

‘Surely not…’  

“Y-Your Majesty!!!”  

Dean abruptly stood up and hurriedly walked over to Edward, his hurried and clumsy movements drawing disapproving looks from those who knew of his usual behavior.  

“Your Majesty, if you’re planning to commend me publicly, I beg you not to. If I receive excessive attention, I won’t be able to continue assisting you.”  

Dean whispered desperately, his voice low enough for only Edward to hear. Edward narrowed his eyes as he looked at Dean, who was practically pleading with him.  

It was unusual. Most people would exaggerate their achievements to gain recognition, but Dean was asking for the opposite.  

‘Does he have another motive?’  

Edward did have some doubts about Dean. How Dean had come to know about the mana stone mine was still unclear. However, despite his suspicions, Edward couldn’t deny Dean’s contributions. Respecting his request, Edward decided to remain silent.  

After the meeting, Edward headed to his office with his aides.  

Waiting for him there were wizards from the Magic Tower.  

The wizards, who rarely left the tower, had come to the palace for one reason: the mana stone. When they saw the stone the Marquis of Argen placed on the table, they couldn’t hide their astonishment.  

“Your Majesty, this mana stone is extraordinary. May I create a magical artifact for you as a commemorative gift?”  

Edward chuckled softly. He knew exactly what the Tower Master, Ferma, was thinking. Though she claimed it was a gift for the Emperor, she clearly wanted to test such a high-purity mana stone herself.  

“Very well. I’ll leave it to you. In fact, I’ve already sketched something I’d like to request from you someday.”  

Edward walked over to his desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a sketch he had made in his spare time. It was a design for a teleportation artifact. He spread the sketch out in front of the wizards.  

Ferma looked at the crude drawing and clicked her tongue.  

“Your Majesty, forgive me, but… is this supposed to be a snake?”  

Edward frowned, his expression darkening.  

“It’s a bracelet. I don’t usually like accessories, but a bracelet wouldn’t be too cumbersome.”  

“For whom, Your Majesty?”  

“It’s a gift for my Empress Consort.”  

Ferma froze, dropping the sketch and pen she was holding onto the table.  

She picked them up again, half-skeptical, as she glanced at Edward, who remained composed.  

Sensing the tension in the room, she forced a smile and spoke.  

“Given the size of the mana stone, only a small amount will be needed for the bracelet, so there will be plenty left over. Is there anything else Your Majesty requires?”  

Edward scratched his temple lightly, his gaze drifting.  

“I haven’t thought of anything else… The remaining mana stone can be used by the Tower Master. You’re the one who needs it most right now.”  

Since the full-scale mining had just begun, there would soon be an abundance of mana stones. Hearing this, Ferma’s face lit up with delight.  

“Truly? Your Majesty!!! You can’t take it back. Shall we draft a contract?”  

When Edward lowered his gaze, Ferma, meeting his eyes, trembled slightly and mumbled under her breath.  

“I’ve been scammed too many times…”  

“Ferma, please handle it as quickly as possible.”  

Ignoring her muttering, Edward spoke.  

“I’ll make sure it’s crafted perfectly to delight Her Highness the Empress Consort.”  

Ferma carefully cradled the box containing the mana stone.  

“Let’s go.”  

Having achieved her goal, the Tower Master led the wizards out of the office after bowing to Edward.  

That night, Edward couldn’t shake the guilt he felt about kissing Larael while intoxicated. Even though she had resisted, he had kissed her. He couldn’t bring himself to face her.  

Had he doubted her because of Herwen’s words, or had it been his true feelings brought out by the alcohol?  

Burdened by guilt, Edward felt unworthy of facing Larael.  

In the coming days, Edward planned to visit the Kayaneuman Mountains with Herwen and the Marquis of Argen to inspect the mines and oversee the construction of defensive lines.  

Before leaving, Edward resolved to see Larael. However, the Marquis of Argen pressed him.  

“Your Majesty, when will we depart for the Kayaneuman Mountains?”  

Edward clenched his lips and shook his head.  

“Let me handle a few urgent matters first, and then we’ll leave.”  

He replied as he sat down at his desk, piled high with documents.