Chapter 41

7. Failed Chess Piece

November.

After the peak of autumn, branches became thin and the garden lost its color, making the world approach winter.

The nobles held frequent meetings around this time as if they were trying to change the atmosphere of the room to see how wonderful each other’s mansions were.

The Imperial palace was also extensively refurbished according to the trend.

Remarkably high-priced winter trees filled the gardens, newly woven tapestries hung all over, and huge-sized furs adorned all over.

It was already magnificent and great, but the Empress thought it wasn’t enough.

The Empress hired a young interior designer who was in the midst of a surge in popularity in the capital these days.

The news that the designer’s unique decision to dress the Empress’ sofa in dotted fur, like that of a young bourgeoisie, was a very interesting topic in the social circle.

Empress Diana laid slanted on the spotted furry sofa, with her blonde hair flowing down.

The Empress boasted an incredibly slim figure and flawless skin that made it hard to believe that she had two kids.

Indeed, she was the most beautiful beauty in the Empire.

The beauty was born from perfect care.

Empress Diana, whose hair was being brushed, sighed.

“I don’t think my hair is as shiny as it used to be. I’ve grown old.”

Far from wear and tear, she showed off her more seductive beauty.

(T/N: What a pick me.)

The maid, who was brushing the hair, smiled and flattered her as if she had oil on her tongue.

“Don’t say those things. You’re still as pretty as you were when you were a young girl!”

Diana burst into laughter.

“You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?”

It was when everyone was laughing.

Another maid, who was brushing her hair, pulled hair without knowing that the Empress’ hair was caught in the comb.

“Ah.”

When the Empress briefly let out a sound of pain, the atmosphere that had been harmonious froze instantly.

The maid, who made a mistake in combing, fell on the floor in contemplation.

“P-Please forgive me, Your Majesty!”

Empress Diana looked into her fingernails without looking and spoke softly,

“Remove her.”

“Your Majesty! Please forgive me! Please save me, Your Majesty…!”

Knights rushed in from the maid’s plea and dragged her out immediately.

The other maids in the bedroom were silent.

The Empress, from her red lips, spoke.

“What are you doing, why aren’t you brushing?”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

They smiled again, chattered, and resumed to help the Empress groom herself.

The touches were much more cautious than before.

The Empress acted like a generous person, but was cold-blooded and heartless.

As the strange tension was circulating in the bedroom, the maid Helen entered.

“Your Majesty the Empress, Duke Agnes has arrived. He went to the Imperial Palace first.”

“Already?”

The Empress invited Nikan to the Imperial family a few days ago under the pretext of a new interior decorator.

‘It’s been a year since he’s had his foster daughter, so it’s time for some trouble.’

Nikan hid his foster daughter tightly without exposing her to the outside world.

“Navia needs absolute stability because of the shock of losing her whole family.”

The cause was good, so people had no choice but to hold their breath and wait.

However, Diana had people who were her eyes and ears without having to see or hear in person.

“I heard she’s taking a special class. I’m not sure because access is restricted near the study room.”

“Young Master Wood hates her exceptionally. His friends make fun of him for having a sister who has an inappropriate background.”

When she heard that Navia was a very mysterious girl with silver hair and bright red eyes, the Empress drew a twisted smile on her lips.

Her son, Ares, had a hobby of collecting animals with silver fur or red eyes.

But his new foster daughter happened to be a silver-haired girl with red eyes? Haha. It was laughable.

“My, did he say that the young Lord Agnes is okay? Wasn’t there a mana explosion?”

“He has recovered consciousness today. He says there’s nothing wrong.”

The Empress snorted when maid Helen explained.

“God is taking care of Agnes.”

A wizard lost his life from a mana explosion.

Even if you didn’t die, the aftereffects would be formidable.

The Empress knew exactly what kind of child Wood was.

Although duller, more violent and more emotional than his father, he was not a child who would act recklessly in the midst of Nikan’s full attention.

But he caused an immense mana explosion?

To deal with a weak little girl?

Nothing made sense.

‘Except for the fact that the opponent is strong enough to do so.’

“Hm…”

The Empress somehow had a hunch that the foster daughter was not just a dull and ordinary girl as she was rumored to be.

And her gut had never been wrong.

Helen spoke,

“And Duke Agnes has brought another guest. Edward Spencer.”

‘Edward Spencer.’

It was said that Edward was paid a large sum of money by Nikan to work as a tutor for Navia.

She thought he just hired a great tutor for his foster daughter to make up for her low profile. Was there something else?

The Empress’ eyes narrowed.

“I should go to the Imperial Palace.”

At that time, the Imperial Palace’s Ceremony room.

Only Nikan and Edward stood alone in the solemn space where the nation’s great affairs were discussed.

If Nikan had simply wanted to report on the cause of the mana explosion, he would have visited the Emperor’s private drawing room, not the Imperial ceremony room.

However, what he will report was the treatment for the mana reflux disease.

Wouldn’t it be a waste for this great discovery, which must be recorded in history books, to be reported in a private parlor?

The wait was short.

The chief of staff appeared in a hurry and informed the two.

“His Majesty is entering.”

Nikan and Edward straightened their posture and bowed to the man walking in.

“We greet the great Emperor.”

Emperor of Eden, Yulrich Duphman.

He was a wild handsome man with gray hair and blue eyes.

With an overbearing stature of over 2 meters and a well trained body, he looked more like a warrior than a wizard.

The Emperor passed between them and sat in his seat without an expression.

“Stand.”

It was the voice of a ruler with dignity.

Nikan instantly raised his mana to check if his mind was well protected.

His opponent was an Emperor with military power, but he was also a wizard who could use powerful mental control magic.

Usually, aristocrats would build up their mental barriers since childhood due to the magical abilities of the Imperial family. It was the same with Nikan.

The layers of mana was like a knight’s armor.

Emperor Yulrich asked, looking precisely at Edward.

“Did you say you figured out a way to cure the mana reflux disease?”

Edward replied with a slight bow.

“That is correct.”

“…I’m surprised.”

Nikan flattered the Emperor when he burst into pure admiration.

“Your Majesty’s reign has given us such a glorious achievement, and this is all your blessing.”

This happy news will be declared by the Emperor himself, so it will be very positive for his influence.

Equally aware of the fact, the Emperor smiled heavily.

“I will award you generously. Give Sir Spencer the title of Count. Wayne will be a good name.”

Nikan spoke, looking at Edward with a nice smile.

“Congratulations, Count Wayne.”

Edward knelt on the floor.

“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”

“If you receive a title from a good job, how can you call it grace? Anyway, I don’t know what would be good for Duke Agnes.”

Nikan’s smile grew thicker.

“How can I receive a reward when I haven’t done anything? It’s embarrassing.”

He deliberately showed modesty once.

The Emperor also said it was okay because he knew it was empty words, urging him to say what he wanted to quickly.

It was Nikan’s loss if he made excessive demands on such an opportunity, as it would cause the Emperor to freeze.

The Emperor also guessed that Nikan would demand proper compensation.

Nikan finally let it out.

“Then, may I speak to you about a matter that I would like Your Majesty to consider, rathe than a reward?”

“Speak.”

Nikan began to bring up what he and Edward had spoken about before coming to the palace.

“It’s none other than about Duke Eseled’s successor.”