novelraw Chapter 11
Chapter 11
11~ Brewing~
"..."
The little Princess sat on the extremely conspicuous throne watching Fei give her speech in front, her expression extremely complex.
It wasn't that she couldn't handle others' gazes. Even before coming, the Empress had already removed her collar for her. It was just that the image of her being held by the Empress had been recorded. It probably wouldn't be long before it spread to Glaze Nation. At that time, she'd really lose face big time!
Although the vast majority of people would think she sacrificed herself for her country's safety and would feel respect for her, if her old man saw it... that really would be hard to say.
Her father in this world, as a nation's monarch, naturally had to be an old fox. He'd definitely discover some clues from it.
After the speech, the Empress picked her up onto her lap again, in front of the entire nation's citizens.
Uwah... never been watched by so many people before...
Almost everyone's gaze was focused on her, constantly discussing. If she wasn't mistaken, the vast majority of these people below were discussing her identity.
The Empress had never disclosed to the citizens about negotiations with Glaze Nation, so naturally no one would guess that she was Glaze Nation's princess. Moreover, there were almost no portraits of her within Glaze Nation's territory. She also rarely appeared in public, so it was normal for people of other countries not to recognize her.
Fortunately, no one recognized her. Otherwise, she'd die of social embarrassment on the spot.
"Who's that girl? A royal family member?"
"Don't talk nonsense! There's no one else in the current royal family besides the Empress!"
"Hey hey, aren't you afraid of dying discussing this here?"
The man nudged the two, signaling them to look at the soldiers behind who had already locked their gazes on them. The two were so frightened they quickly shut their mouths, wishing they could seal them permanently.
Since she wasn't a royal family member, then who was she?
Because it was an unfamiliar face never seen before, this question puzzled most people at the scene. Only perceptive people or nobles could roughly guess something.
"I've never seen that girl before."
So beautiful. If he'd seen her before, he'd absolutely never forget.
He roughly concluded that Mo, sitting on the Empress's lap on the throne being held by the Empress, had definitely only appeared in recent days.
"Pelan, what identity do you think she has?"
"This... I can't guess."
But I've never seen this Empress casually show a smile in front of others, especially a genuine smile from being close to someone.
He could tell the Empress's smile wasn't put on. It was from the heart.
"...Can you get her identity?"
"I'm afraid it's very difficult. The Empress dares to bring her out openly, so she's definitely taken complete measures. We might even lose our lives because of this."
"..."
Quinn was silent for a long time.
Was he afraid of death? The answer was yes. He was much more afraid of death than others.
Honored as a noble, a great noble at that, with status second only to the royal family. And now with only the Empress as a royal family member, normally officials didn't dare do anything to him. Unless the Empress personally ordered it, almost no one could do anything about him.
The so-called high position and great power made one fear death more. So he feared death more than anyone. The status and wealth he'd finally fought for, he absolutely didn't want to die just like that.
But... that girl might just be the opportunity for him to advance further!
"Investigate! Must investigate her identity!"
Quinn made up his mind.
He was certain that handling this girl so close to the Empress would definitely bring him unprecedented benefits! Even possibly let him leap to become a royal family member! Maybe even become Scarlet Phoenix Nation's new emperor!
As a merchant, he couldn't refuse absolute profit, especially this kind of opportunity that could let him climb to the top in one move.
Try it! Must try it! If it succeeded, that would be wealth and glory lasting several lifetimes!
Very risky, but the benefits were beyond imagination. High enough to make anyone take risks, trample all laws!
This was a gamble that once started couldn't be stopped!
Not only him. The heads of all the great noble families probably thought the same. So what needed guarding against wasn't just the Empress, but also other great nobles.
And minor nobles had almost no possibility of competing among them. Even knowing this was a "business" with huge profits, they had no competitive advantage and could only rely on other great nobles for some leftover scraps.
A riot was brewing in the shadows...
...
"Mo, what do you think?"
"..."
The little Princess still didn't really want to acknowledge the Empress, but considering this was in front of the nation's citizens, she still had to give face. After all, this was the Empress's territory.
"What about what?"
"The atmosphere, environment, people's hearts."
"...Pretty good."
Indeed pretty good, no exaggeration intended. From the citizens' behavior and expressions, these citizens very much supported their Empress. It wasn't like what was said outside, that the Empress plundered externally and tyrannized internally. This was also what she'd always believed...
However, she still wanted to figure out where Scarlet Phoenix Nation's powerful military force came from. It couldn't be forcibly conscripting door to door, right? In that case, the citizens absolutely wouldn't support the Empress like this.
Perhaps ask the Empress? Maybe she'd tell her?
No, no!
The little Princess shook her head, decisively throwing this thought out of her mind.
Forgiving her all at once like this, wouldn't that be like a tsundere in 2D? Better find the answer herself.
Her self-esteem absolutely wouldn't allow her to do this!
"Hearing your affirmation makes me very happy."
"..."
Heh, even if you coax me like this, I won't forgive you!
As time passed, this funeral gradually approached its end. After the Empress finished the final speech, she brought her back to the palace. After resting for a while, dinner was just served.
After finishing dinner and waiting for the sky to darken some more, Mo was brought to the highest point within the Imperial City to overlook the night view of Scarlet Phoenix Nation's largest city.
Inside the Imperial City was quiet and comfortable. Outside the Imperial City in the urban district, lights blazed and it was extraordinarily lively. One could see the common people's lives were very good.
"How's the scenery?"
"...So, Fei, what exactly is your purpose?"
Still that question. She still hadn't figured it out.
Forcing her to sign the pet contract, she could completely trample her dignity at will, train her into what she wanted. She'd seen this kind of thing before. But the Empress hadn't done this kind of thing at all...
"..."
The Empress still chose to remain silent. Still couldn't ask for any reason. The little Princess no longer hoped the Empress could answer her.
"Because you're special."
The Empress said so.
This... what the heck! That didn't count as an answer at all!
Although she only got an answer that didn't count as an answer, for some unknown reason, she felt a little excited in her heart.
Heh! Absolutely not moved or anything. Just a bit surprised, that's all!
She thought so in her heart.
Looking at the night view within the city, she leaned on the railing, blankly appreciating it.