Hate me, Miss Witch!

Chapter 434 - 220_2

But she doesn’t care.

As a ruler, one ought to possess a temperament to match.

In the end, Dyres is merely her subordinate, perhaps even part of her dowry.

As long as she doesn’t overstep boundaries in reality, Isadella doesn’t mind Dyres’s little dreams.

The adversaries in her eyes have always been Silvia, Enola, and that Golden Elf of the Black Tower whom Isadella has never met, yet heard of countless times.

"Mm, now that the Borgia family’s influence across the Empire has been eradicated... the Southern Territory is in some turmoil, after all, Borgia’s power was deeply rooted for many years, and removing it completely is bound to cause unrest."

"Those evil cults still fear the might you exhibited during the battle when you were crowned, not daring to show themselves in the Empire Capital... but in the border areas, they have not ceased their probing."

"Plus the chaos caused by bandits, wanted criminals, and marauding ruffians in the Lost Realm, the Empire’s control over the Southern Territory has indeed waned."

Reluctantly, Dyres withdrew her hand from the wooden table and spoke again.

"And Duke Leo’s reasons are to represent the central government in quelling the uprisings of the evil cults and bandits in the Southern Territory, lessening your burden, Your Majesty."

"Of course, Duke Leo has proposed corresponding requests—"

"To quell the rebellion, there is a need to enhance the authority of the Supervisory Envoy, granting not only supervision but full command rights over the local Branch Jurisdictional Bureau and Military Department in the Southern Territory, allowing the Envoy to stand above all local official agencies."

"Ha—"

"He claims it’s to lessen my burden."

"That final proposal, putting the Supervisory Envoy above the local Military Department and Jurisdiction Bureau, that is his true intention, isn’t it?"

Isadella picked up the coffee cup from the table and blew gently at the steam.

Suddenly, a smile curled at her lips, and her crimson eyes looked toward the hallway outside the door: "So, what do you think?"

"My dear Prince Consort."

Shiayar, who had been secretly observing for a long time outside, cleared his throat and pushed the door open.

"Why is Your Majesty free to stay at home today?"

"After all, handling state affairs anywhere is still handling them, there’s no difference."

"Moreover, staying here, at least I don’t have to see those hideous faces of nobles in parliament, all contorted in their pursuit of power."

Isadella lazily stretched and took a sip of coffee: "Moreover, didn’t someone previously complain in their heart... feeling that I spent too little time with you because of my duties for the Empire."

"If there’s a misunderstanding, it should be resolved earnestly."

"Though I know you were only joking and never meant it... but often, eventual estrangements between lovers start from insignificant misunderstandings, trivial matters."

"At first, no one cares, but eventually, over time, they escalate until irreparable."

Looking at Shiayar, Isadella’s crimson eyes held a serious gleam.

"I never wish for us to part ways someday, becoming estranged whose life paths can never intersect again, something I absolutely cannot accept."

"So, perhaps you might find me taking this too seriously, seeming unable to take a joke... but I still want to reiterate."

"Being the Queen of the Empire is a responsibility bestowed upon me by my father, my elders... and I do take this responsibility seriously."

"However, above the rise and fall of the Empire, I care more about you."

"I will strive to strike a balance, seeking a point where I can handle Empire affairs and maintain our relationship."

"But, should there come a day when the two cannot coexist, when I must choose... then I will unhesitatingly abandon the former and stand by you, Shiayar, whether to elope or fall into the Abyss, I do not care."

Shiayar sat beside Isadella.

He then felt Her Majesty the Empress’s slender leg resting on his knee.

"This is my promise."

"Not just here, when facing you."

"Even before the ministers, the elders of my family, or my father, this promise will never change."

Listening to Isadella’s firm and unwavering words, Shiayar could not help but feel slightly moved.

He’s encountered quite a few girls in his time.

Yet he must admit, the former Princess, now Empress before him, still possesses a unique beauty unlike any other.

The dignified authority she exudes when making such a promise is as awe-inspiring as Escarnia, at the end of the Third Era, when Black Knight Cain first encountered the Knight King.

"You’re right."

Shiayar nodded.

"If there’s a misunderstanding, it should be earnestly resolved."

"I also wish to avoid any pride-driven inability to communicate honestly at the outset, regretting only when the rift between us has irreparably solidified."

"However, Your Majesty, you’re mistaken on one point."

He smiled.

"Maintaining a relationship cannot rely solely on the effort of one party; it requires both parties to protect it together."

"Although you say you’d abandon the entire Empire for my sake... if things have reached a point where you’re caught in a dilemma, that also reflects my failure and incompetence."