Chapter 14 – Irien and Camellia, and Usher

The Queen’s birthday.

From early morning, congratulatory envoys loaded with gifts crowded into the palace, their line stretching far beyond the gates.

People gathered to watch, making the capital’s main street bustling.

“Next, Weldon Kingdom’s envoy enters!”

Only a handful could actually meet the Queen in person.

The Queen’s audience hall, beautifully illuminated by light streaming through grand white pillars and stained glass.

From early hours, high nobles and the Senate gathered, all eyes on the Weldon Kingdom envoy as they entered.

“There, the lady sitting at the bottom of the stairs is the Queen’s half-sister, Countess Cassel. The one standing on the opposite side is the Captain of the 1st Knight Order, the war hero Egon Istarr. He was once called the ‘Black Calamity’…”

“The rumors are grand.”

It took a long time just to pile up the gifts brought from Weldon Kingdom. Meanwhile, the confidant standing beside Prince Fernan, the envoy’s representative, whispered information to him.

Fernan, handsome and polished, wore a dignified expression, but his voice betrayed irritation.

He glanced indifferently at the beautiful Countess Cassel, Murien, then at the ‘Black Calamity.’

He shuddered.

The massive Captain, clad in pitch-black armor, was also watching him. Fernan quickly avoided his chilling gaze.

‘How is that a knight?’

Just a brief eye contact was enough to make him shudder. He was used to intimidating others, but not to being intimidated himself, so the noble prince cleared his throat awkwardly.

He wasn’t alone in reacting this way. Everyone entering the audience hall would be entranced by Countess Cassel’s beauty, then flinch at Egon.

‘Of course.’

‘I know. I know that feeling…’

The nobles of Delva Kingdom watching thought so.

They themselves had only recently become accustomed to Egon’s intimidating aura. Or rather, they just learned not to show their fear.

Those who had witnessed Egon’s prowess in the civil war still avoided even his hair.

His wife and another war hero, Captain of the 2nd Knight Order, Hilde Istara, was similar.

The royal monsters of black and white.

The existence of these two captains, secretly called monsters, was the foundation of the Queen’s peaceful reign.

‘The Queen’s presence is faint. They say she’s the kingdom’s greatest flower, but with her face covered, who knows.’

Today’s main character, the Queen, sat quietly on the highest throne, veiled. Her dress of fine fabric from the Western Continent and the jewelry she wore were impressive, but Fernan was disappointed he couldn’t see her face.

‘Gentle but reserved, shy, is it true?’

For Fernan, once considered Weldon Kingdom’s heir and famous for his affairs with many beauties, these traits weren’t attractive.

But he felt the eyes watching him from the sides and behind, so he didn’t show his true feelings.

His half-brother, the current King of Weldon, once wanted Fernan to leave the country by marrying a foreign Queen. Having lost the throne, Fernan had no way to resist.

Then, among the gifts brought in order, a red-haired woman picked up the smallest vial and smiled.

“Oh my, this oil is from the Southern Continent.”

“…!”

“As expected of Weldon Kingdom, the king of maritime trade. It’s a precious thing that can’t be bought even for a fortune in our country.”

“Southern Continent…?!”

“The legendary item that can only be reached via the Western Continent…”

“It really existed!”

Delva nobles, bored by the audience, all murmured at once. Even the envoy, surprised that someone recognized the most valuable gift at a glance, showed shock.

Fernan looked at Countess Cassel, Murien, who calmly added, “Her Majesty will like it,” with distaste.

‘How does she know about something that can’t be bought for a fortune?’

He had intended to use the Queen’s interest in a new item as an excuse to approach her. But instead, the Queen only checked the oil vial and nodded politely after learning its origin from Murien.

“Ahem, hmm…”

A member of the envoy, a noble sent as the King’s eyes and ears, coughed to signal Fernan.

So Fernan forced himself to speak.

“Your discernment is impressive. But to open that oil vial, you need a unique southern method. If Her Majesty allows, I could demonstrate the method myself…”

“Cough…”

A small cough interrupted him.

Murien suddenly jolted in surprise.

“You there, bring Her Majesty her tea.”

“Her Majesty…?”

“Sorry, Prince of Weldon. Her Majesty caught a cold recently. She’s almost recovered, but her throat is still a bit uncomfortable.”

While Murien spoke smoothly, the Queen received a steaming teacup from her maid and lifted her veil slightly.

Those hoping to glimpse her noble face were disappointed as her jawline appeared for a moment and disappeared again.

Murien, on the other hand, closed her fan with no regret.

“All the gifts offered are precious treasures, hard to value. On behalf of Her Majesty, whose throat is uncomfortable, I thank you. The attendant will guide you to your quarters. Please enjoy your time in Delva Kingdom.”

“Ah? Oh, thank you…”

“Next, please?”

Weldon Kingdom’s envoy, having wasted time, was pushed aside without a chance to do anything.

Similar things happened several more times. By the end of the morning audience, no one had seen the Queen’s face or heard her voice, and everyone who left the hall thought the same.

‘The Queen of Delva Kingdom is ruled by her sister’s hand.’

Whether she knew of their complaints, Murien naturally commanded the maids to escort the Queen to her quarters, effectively controlling the audience hall. Some were dissatisfied, but no one dared speak up against the intimidating aura of the Captain of the 1st Knight Order.

“Countess.”

Only one person, the Minister of Defense, Marquis Oro, who stayed until the end, glared fiercely at Murien.

“Is Her Majesty really in poor health?”

“Pardon? What do you mean…”

“I’m asking if you tipped Her Majesty off to pretend to be ill.”

“Oh dear, Marquis.”

Murien’s eyes curved leisurely at his blunt words.

“You’re terribly mistaken. Her Majesty isn’t one to fabricate lies, nor do I have any reason to give such a tip.”

“There are plenty of reasons.”

The seasoned Marquis struck his cane roughly. Once a general who led the battlefield with the late King, he stood firm even against the Captain’s intimidation.

“When a proper Sovereign appears, Her Majesty won’t be swayed by your silver tongue forever.”

“…Hehe.”

Murien let out a soulless laugh. It was something only someone unaware of their mutual manipulation could say.

She and Irien had orchestrated that misunderstanding, but for a moment, she wanted to shout, “You’re all being fooled!”

But she calmed herself and spoke sincerely.

“I want Her Majesty’s marriage more than anyone. She’s my only precious sister.”

“You may have fooled Her Majesty and other fools with your snake tongue, but not me.”

“…No, really.”

“It’s useless.”

“Well, all right…”

Murien nodded as if she never expected anything. Marquis Oro, feeling ignored, grew even angrier.

‘Just a Countess!’

By status, Murien, even as a former Princess, shouldn’t be able to stand against him. But the Queen’s favor, forced by him and his faction, had created this situation.

‘She must be pushing for marriage with some nobody to make her easier to control. That wretched woman.’

‘That old man’s lost his touch.’

Murien, guessing his thoughts, sighed and smiled deeply.

“By the way, I heard your second son is doing well as the Captain of the Capital Defense Forces. Since it’s a temporary post, it’s been hard to see him in society. I thought he’d come to the palace for Her Majesty’s birthday today…”

“Ahem! My son faithfully fulfills his duties. A woman shouldn’t meddle in military matters…”

“Oh, I see. I thought it was related to your third son, who’s been missing since last night…”

“…!”

Marquis Oro’s expression changed. Murien smiled gently in front of his obvious agitation.

“I must have been mistaken. Right?”

“…I’ll be going.”

Marquis Oro glared at Murien but said nothing more and left.

With his departure, the audience hall doors closed completely.

Grinding his teeth, Marquis Oro asked his aide in a low voice.

“How did it go? Did you find him?”

“T-that…”

“Ha…!”

Hearing the hesitation, Marquis Oro’s face twisted, but he quickly composed himself for the surrounding eyes.

There were eyes everywhere in the palace belonging to the red-haired woman. He couldn’t afford to be careless.

Marquis Oro, leaning on his cane, commanded in a low voice.

“Mobilize the entire Capital Defense Force. I don’t care what happens to the boy, but make sure to recover ‘that item.’”

“Yes, Marquis.”

His aide rushed off in his stead. The Marquis wished he could, but his old body wouldn’t cooperate.

But his ambition was not diminished by age.

‘I gave my youth, my whole life to this country. The blood of the Oro family must flow in the royal family for the balance to be right.’

Delva Kingdom had always had princes become kings.

Because there was inevitably a gap in succession, the Queen ascended the throne, but things would change from now on.

The black and white monsters guarding the Queen’s sides, and the reckless behavior of the red-haired temptress—he disliked all of it, yet endured only because the current leader was a woman.

If the Queen bore only his grandchild, he could win without shedding a drop of blood.

‘But this damned brat ruined everything…!’

Thinking of his third son, who disappeared after stealing the hard-won magic tool, Marquis Oro ground his teeth.

Because he was the son of a mistress, he’d forgiven every mishap so far. But this time, he might have to change the boy’s surname.

‘Surely he hasn’t already fallen into the temptress’s hands. If so, they would have made it public immediately.’

Trying to forget Murien’s words, the Marquis hurried out of the palace.

He had to resolve the matter before that cunning woman got evidence.