Chapter 81

Adelina took a sip of her cold drink.  

These were envoys who would soon return to their homeland. Time was running out.  

“Wood and manpower needed for post-war reconstruction and civil engineering. What do you think?”  

“Manpower as well?”  

At Adelina’s additional suggestion, the envoys all turned their heads toward her.  

“Sadly, the war will take place on the mainland of Ernst and Iberis. Afterward, we plan to quickly restore the devastated areas. For that, we will need a lot of wood and manpower.”  

“That’s quite a bold proposal. It’s also quite tempting.”  

Finally, the envoys, who had been trying to maintain neutrality, leaned back in their chairs and gave a positive signal.  

“However, we cannot make such an important and significant decision based solely on the your words, Queen. Especially since you even mentioned Iberis.”  

The envoys’ gazes landed on Adelina’s silver hair. Seyra stepped in front of Adelina, blocking their stares, and glared at them.  

“How dare you! Are you questioning the Queen’s authority?”  

As the maids’ sharp gazes turned toward the envoys, they turned their heads and raised their palms in a gesture of apology.  

“If we have been rude, please forgive us, Your Majesty. However, we are putting the lives of our people on the line. Given the gravity of this issue, we would like to hear from an authority figure appropriate to the matter.”  

Hearing their words, Adelina took Seyra’s hand.  

“Seyra, what rudeness have they shown? They are merely asking for something reasonable.”  

“Your Majesty.”  

Adelina shook her head at Seyra, who seemed ready to argue further on her behalf.  

‘Even I… wouldn’t want to discuss post-war reconstruction with a Queen who might not even remain after the war…’  

Their request was entirely reasonable.  

That made it all the more frustrating.  

‘If only… I had black hair like in my previous life… If only I had black eyes…’  

For the first time, her own radiant silver hair, visible before her eyes, felt like a nuisance.  

“Who goes there! Reveal yourself!”  

Suddenly, the terrace window swung open, and a figure dressed in black, with a black mask covering their face, stood before them.  

The swords of Jaeyon and Hailyn, who were in the room, immediately pointed at the intruder’s neck from both sides.  

Startled maids surrounded Adelina, shielding her so that neither the intruder nor Adelina could see each other.  

“So, an authority figure, is it?”  

When the intruder removed his black mask, everyone in the room rose from their seats.  

+++

“Greetings to His Majesty, the King of Ernst!”  

All present bowed their heads in unison.  

Lexion removed his hood and gloves, standing beside Adelina.  

“There are many familiar faces here.”  

As Lexion raised his right hand, everyone lifted their heads.  

The scent of the sea and the cool outdoor air emanating from him refreshed the stifling atmosphere of the room.  

“Did you come here on a wyvern?”  

When Lexion sat in the chair next to Adelina, the most positive envoy from the Suichen Empire asked.  

“Yes.”  

Lexion answered briefly, making eye contact with the envoys.  

His confident gaze dispelled the unease and tension that had lingered in the room until now.  

“The Queen is currently negotiating matters related to post-war reconstruction…”  

The Suichen Empire envoy hurriedly began speaking.  

With Lexion’s confirmation, they could finally end this prolonged meeting and move on to discussions about supporting the war effort.  

“Enough.”  

But Lexion raised his hand, interrupting him.  

He furrowed his brow slightly, showing his displeasure.  

“I understand that the Queen has already spoken on the matter.”  

“Yes, Your Majesty. If you could just confirm it…”  

While the Suichen Empire envoy resumed speaking, Lexion, under the curious gazes of those present, slowly rose from his seat.  

“Adelina Ernst.”  

He knelt on one knee before Adelina, who was still sitting in her chair, bewildered, and kissed the back of her hand.  

“I, Lexion Ernst, will kneel before only one person—Adelina Ernst, Queen of Ernst.”  

“Your Majesty…”  

Adelina met Lexion’s gaze as he knelt before her, then slowly rose from her seat.  

Lexion stood as well, taking her hand, which was hidden beneath the folds of her dress.  

“I am the Queen of Ernst. My will is the will of His Majesty the King, and my words are the words of His Majesty the King. Trust in me and follow my lead.”  

Adelina spoke each word with conviction, her gaze unwavering as she looked at the envoys.  

‘Lexion… came here to support me. He crossed the sea for me…’  

She would not back down.  

She would not shrink away.  

At this moment, she represented Ernst as its Queen.  

She was the Queen acting on behalf of the King.  

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will trust in your authority.”  

The envoys rose from their seats and bowed to Adelina.  

Now, they would no longer doubt her silver hair.  

The atmosphere in the room became charged with a fervor as if they were swearing loyalty to their own Emperor.  

+++

‘Ah, I can’t breathe! This atmosphere is so overwhelming!’  

At this rate, even if Adelina asked the envoys to change their nationality to Ernst, some might actually do so.  

If that were the case…  

Adelina’s lips curled into a sly smile, but the only one who noticed was Lexion, who had been intently watching her face.  

After instructing the envoys to take their seats, Adelina smiled brightly and began to speak.  

“Everyone, regarding the materials and manpower for the post-war reconstruction and civil engineering, I will allocate proportions on a first-come, first-served basis.”  

“What?”  

What did we just hear?  

The envoys, who had barely sat down, looked at Adelina in surprise.  

“Based on the proportion you receive, you will also need to provide military support, so think carefully.”  

“Wha… What, Your Majesty!”  

An envoy, still unable to make a decision, looked at Adelina with a bewildered expression.  

While even the maids were taken aback, Seyra hurriedly brought over paper to record the allocations.  

“First, 40%.”  

Adelina raised her right index finger decisively.  

“Our empire will take the first allocation!”  

As expected, the most positive envoy from the Suichen Empire raised his hand enthusiastically.  

“Then, second is 30%.”  

In the end, the envoys each received their respective allocations during the meeting.  

+++

After the meeting ended, Lexion shook hands with the envoys, reaffirming their alliance.  

“We will surely emerge victorious. You will not regret choosing Ernst.”  

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will provide our full support.”  

Once the envoys had left the room, Adelina collapsed into her chair.  

The maids approached to wipe the sweat from her forehead and massage her shoulders.  

Seyra handed Adelina the document listing the allocations.  

“Your Majesty, but… is it really okay to decide such an important matter like this?”  

At Seyra’s question, the other maids perked up their ears.  

In truth, everyone was curious.  

They were uneasy about deciding such a critical matter so hastily.  

“Hahaha, Seyra. The envoys must have already had some idea of the level of support they could provide. They just lacked the confidence to commit.”  

“Is that so?”  

“Indeed. Seeing His Majesty arrive on a wyvern must have solidified their confidence. Once they were convinced, there was no need to waste time. I simply helped them make their decision quickly. Time is of the essence for us.”  

As Adelina explained, Lexion leaned casually against the terrace window, as if preparing to leave again.  

‘Did he come all this way just for such a short time? For me?’  

Adelina stood and faced him.  

“Lexion…” 

Lexion wore his hood, frowning endlessly as if questioning whether he truly had to leave.  

‘I haven’t even had a proper conversation with her yet…’  

“I must go. There’s an operation scheduled this morning.”  

Lexion gently lifted Adelina’s chin with his ungloved hand.  

He stared intently at her dry, cracked lips, as if displeased by their condition, and then leaned close to her ear.  

“I’ll leave the mirror in a secret place. If there’s ever an emergency, enter the mirror. No matter what it takes, I’ll come to get you out. Even if I have to drain every drop of my blood.”  

‘Is this… supposed to be a romantic whisper?’  

Adelina, who had felt a pang of sorrow at the thought of their imminent separation, suddenly found her tears retreating.  

“Understood. Don’t worry too much.”  

Her voice carried a hint of disappointment, as if she had expected a more romantic farewell.  

When Adelina tried to push Lexion’s head away to create some distance, he pulled her into an embrace, his gaze once again settling on her dry lips.  

“Useless.”  

‘Who? Me? Hey! Do you know how hard I work for you?’  

Clicking his tongue softly, Lexion’s words left Adelina glaring at him in disbelief.  

“Because you’re too beautiful.”   

With a voice tinged with frustration, Lexion’s lips pressed against Adelina’s.  

Noticing the dryness of her lips, he kissed her gently before pulling away.  

Before the sensation of his lips could even fade, Lexion disappeared.  

‘So… being too beautiful… makes you angry.’  

Adelina stood frozen in place, absentmindedly touching her lips.  

+++

‘Lady Adelina… I wonder if the people of Ernst truly recognize your worth. Do they know how hard you’re trying to endure all of this?’  

Jaeyon approached Adelina, who was staring blankly at the sky, and pulled her hand away from her lips.  

“Let’s go, Your Majesty.”  

“Jaeyon. I think people get angry at me because I’m too beautiful.”  

Adelina, her face flushed and smiling dreamily as if lost in a fantasy, looked so irritating to Jaeyon that he could barely stand it.  

“…Go on your own.”  

Jaeyon released her hand and turned around, striding toward the door.  

“Jaeyon?”  

Adelina’s voice called out to him from behind, but he ignored the curious stares of the maids and walked out, closing the door behind him.  

‘Yes… Lady Adelina… I’m angry because you’re too beautiful.’  

Because the one who made her blush wasn’t him.  

Because the one who kissed her lips so confidently wasn’t him, but Lexion.  

The silver moonlight illuminated Jaeyon’s tense shoulders and clenched fists as he walked away.  

That moon would soon become a full moon.  

+++

Two days before Thanksgiving, most of the envoys had returned to their homelands.  

The delegation from the Petrus Empire also boarded their ship this afternoon to head back.  

About four hours after departure, as the distant sea grew dim, Leophris and Isabelle stepped onto the deck.  

“The Emperor of the Tiola Empire will eventually choose Ernst.”  

The wind, which had seemed to blow from all directions earlier, now shifted to a land breeze, causing Isabelle’s jacket to flutter in one direction.  

“Yes, Princess. However, several empires that have seen the dragon have already contacted us. They will keep the Tiola Empire in check.”  

Leophris, watching his companions lower a small boat into the sea, slipped on his black gloves.  

“May everyone return safely.”