“Your Majesty, please…”

The pleading voice was desperate, but today, the man’s monarch rendered his pleas meaningless again. The letter he had painstakingly placed in her hands lay discarded on the floor.

“If you want to convince me, bring that old man’s head. Not some scrap of paper.”

“How can you say such dreadful things?”

Ikael gasped, hurriedly glancing around. Though he knew no one present might reveal what was said, he still feared the possibility of word spreading.

“No matter how heinous the crime, he is still the heir to a county. Shouldn’t this be resolved within reasonable bounds?“

“Fine. Then bring me the Count’s head instead. Consider it punishing the father for failing to raise his son properly.“

“Can’t we resolve this without bloodshed?“

“Sherok venom doesn’t spill blood, they say. Go fetch some of that.“

“Stripping him of his title and confining him to live out his days in prison should suffice.”

Helia glared at Ikael with evident displeasure. Yet Ikael held her gaze firmly, declaring that he would not back down this time.

Enoch, who had been quietly listening nearby, spoke in a low voice at that moment.

“If we act too aggressively when the kingdom’s foundations are still fragile, we risk inciting fear and dissatisfaction among the nobles.“

“Exactly what I was saying!“ Ikael exclaimed, seizing the opportunity to agree.

Enoch sighed inwardly as he observed Ikael’s enthusiasm. He had only come here to deliver a report after hearing Ikael was present, but somehow, he’d been dragged into this situation. Waiting outside the room, he’d heard the argument escalate, and someone had pushed him inside to intervene. Though he acted as a mediator, his face clearly showed how much of a hassle this was. Privately, however, he entirely sided with Helia.

Count Leiphir was a wealthy southern baron in Bailey before he climbed the ranks. Sensing the kingdom’s decline, he aligned himself with the revolutionary forces, materially and politically supporting them. His exceptional political acumen and sharp strategic mind earned him a promotion to marquis.

Unfortunately, he failed to raise his successor. His only son, emboldened by the family’s prosperity, fell into debauchery with foreign nobles, ultimately dabbling in the abhorrent pastime of slave trading.

In the continent, the status of slavery had long been abolished, but those he claimed to be slaves and wagered in gambling were none other than his own subjects. Specifically, he deliberately selected the children of impoverished commoners. It was, in essence, human trafficking.

“Yes, you’re right about that.”

Ikael smiled brightly, thinking his opinion had finally been accepted. But it lasted only for a fleeting moment. The following words plunged him back into despair.

“It’s because the foundations of this nation are still weak that such scum can act so brazenly. This is an opportunity to behead the Count and his son, demonstrating the crown’s authority. Then they’ll learn what true foundations are.“

“Your Majesty!”

Ikael couldn’t hold back and shouted. Helia shot him a glare as if annoyed by the noise.

“But the children were all rescued safely.“

“Thanks to Crown Prince Cedric’s cooperation, not because of that fool.”

Helia rubbed her deeply furrowed brow with her fingers. Her scowl showed no sign of easing.

She had already been contemplating how to properly thank Cedric. To say the least, owing a debt to the empire in diplomatic terms was a nuisance. Of course, that sly man with a cheerful demeanor would laugh and say, “Debt? Between us? That’s quite hurtful.“ But his meticulous aide, Basen Patru, would quietly present a “bill“ afterward.

“That makes it all the more infuriating.”

Given the circumstances, she’d have to prepare a gift and invite Cedric. The empire was currently experiencing tensions between the imperial and noble factions due to the emperor’s declining health, so she had a rough idea of what kind of gift would be appropriate.

For now, however, the pressing issue was right before her. Ikael spoke firmly, unwilling to back down.

“He is a founding contributor to this kingdom.“

“Yes, the Count is. I said if he gives up his heir, I’ll only demote his title.“

“That’s not how people feel, Your Majesty. The Count has only one child. No matter the crime’s grave, a parent’s instinct is to protect their child at all costs. Please, consider his feelings.“

“Is that even a child? Tell him to adopt someone better. Even a stray dog would be an improvement.“

“Your Majesty!“

“Oh, you’re not deaf.“

“I wasn’t shouting because I thought you couldn’t hear me. I was shouting for you to stop.“

“Stop what? I haven’t even started.“

“Your Majesty, please. At this rate, people will truly call you a tyrant.“

Ikael’s voice was full of earnest desperation. But such a warning was the least compelling argument against Helia.

“I don’t mind.”

Helia replied nonchalantly. In truth, no title was more familiar to her than “tyrant.“ She had likely been called that more often than her actual name.

But the listeners didn’t seem to feel the same way. As if accused of a crime, both men fell silent. Enoch lowered his head, unable to meet her gaze, while Ikael’s face turned deathly pale before flushing bright red.

In truth, Helia had already considered the compromise Ikael was suggesting. Count Leiphir was among the few nobles who had pledged allegiance to her early on, turning his back on the kingdom. Given the bloodshed it had taken for her to reach this position, adopting a lenient stance now was likely the most prudent course of action, even if it clashed with her nature.

And more importantly, she felt that if she continued to deliberate, Ikael might collapse on the spot. Helia finally sighed in exasperation and waved her hand dismissively.

“Fine, fine. We’ll settle for lifelong imprisonment.”

Ikael, who looked ready to throw himself to the ground and proclaim himself the worst villain, brightened visibly. Even so, he hesitated, pressing her further.

“Really? No going back on this?“

“Yes.“

“And no secretly sending someone to handle it?”

Ikael asked insistently as if he didn’t fully trust her. Helia looked at him and said, “What do you take me for?“ before sighing again.

“I said yes.”

Only after securing repeated assurances did Ikael breathe a sigh of relief.

The Count would pay a massive fine, essentially forfeiting his wealth, and be demoted back to the rank of baron. It would be a title in name only, with his estate managed by the kingdom. While it was effectively a complete loss of everything but his life, it was still better than losing his family. The Count had written a lengthy plea to Ikael, begging him to dissuade the queen.

As Ikael happily pondered which administrative matters to tackle first with the confiscated “fine,“ his face lit up with a smile.

“If we’re done here, get out.“

“Yes!”

Ikael responded energetically and left the chamber with Enoch, not even glancing back.

Left alone, Helia glared at the stack of documents on her desk. Knowing she couldn’t focus on work, she got up without hesitation. It was time for lunch anyway.

However, she didn’t head to the dining hall.

“To the mage tower.“

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Her lady-in-waiting, Della, and her escort knights followed behind her.

Sunlight streamed warmly through the long corridor leading to the mage tower. Helia walked forward without hesitation, her stride confident, as though she were treading on sunlight.

“You’re building the mage tower within the royal palace?!”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“It’s dangerous! What if the witches suddenly turn against you?”

“Witches? Attack me?”

“…I misspoke.”

“You’re right; I’ll be fine. But having individuals with power enough to overthrow the palace within its walls could pose problems for future generations.”

“That’s correct. They’re not formally under Carden’s jurisdiction, are they? Alliances can break at any time.“

It was a reasonable objection. Ultimately, the central Mage Tower was built in a remote forest near Carden’s border. Instead, Helia gifted the witches a small magical palace or Magical Hall. Officially, it temporarily accommodated witches dispatched to the royal palace. Most witches, including the Tower Master, practically lived there.

Helia had the Magical Hall built in the palace not for the witches’ sake but for her own. Supporting their research, providing space, and ensuring they lacked nothing was ultimately for her benefit. On a larger scale, it was for the kingdom’s stability; on a smaller scale, it was for her personal enjoyment.

“Lette.”