TL: Zimmings

Empress Yvonne, standing in front of the window, asked with her eyes fixed on the snowy sky.

Hows Blake Arabel?

The lady headed to Dubblede with her father. As there was no other response from Dubblede, it seems that the Arabel family wasnt forgiven.

Is there any mention of me?

No way. There wont be any mention of Your Majesty unless they want to die.

Those who are driven into a corner will lose their reason.

At the words of the empress, the court lady glanced at the parchment paper on the side table and responded.

Ah, it seems like Your Majesty already did some safety measures.

The empress directed everything and invested a significant sum in Arabel.

So when they failed, they had to pay back a large amount of money that even some nobles couldnt pay back.

The Arabel family is already ruined. Adding to that was Dubblede family who wouldnt do any business with them.

If it was for her sister, the terrible Arabel wouldnt break her promise. Above all, the Arabel family will not be able to handle this without their eldest daughter, Frances, becoming empress. They will still need my help.

The empress smiled.

I need to see His Majesty.

I will prepare for it.

Things went awry for a while, but her original purpose was achieved.

Now that Cecilia Olga and Dubblede are covered in mud, its time to bring them down.

Imperial Palace.

When the empress entered the room, the emperor, who was working, put down his glasses and looked at her.

Did the sun rise in the west? Why are you here?

Im sorry for coming when Your Majesty is busy. But I need some advice.

What is it?

The empress sat on the sofa and glanced at him.

Its about the finalists.

Do you have any reason to talk about that? It shouldnt be a topic brought up by you.

The empress hardened.

It was originally the Empress Dowager whos in charge of the finalists, and the worst case could be avoided if it was her.

They knew that the Empress Dowager wanted to do that because she wanted to keep Empress Yvonne in check.

However, she suddenly started supporting Cecilia Olga.

She thought she could somehow coax the Empress Dowager, but Deglid, who was known for her fairness, became involved in the final judgement.

Then the desired result will not come out.

Thats why she used Blake. To somehow stop Cecilia Olga.

Empress Yvonne, who quickly corrected her expression, opened her mouth.

The atmosphere is chaotic because Dubblede made a formal protest to Arabel. How can I, who foresee the inner palace, stand by and watch this?

What do you want to say?

A problem arose between the finalists family. Either way, it must have been on purpose. If Your Majesty accepts Dubbledes protest and punishes Arabel at such a time, it will be considered that Your Majestys intentions lie with Cecilia Olga.

.

If Cecilia Olga becomes Empress, there will be those who doubt the transparency of the contest. Your Majestys eyes have been blinded by love, and there will be those who protested.

So I cant choose Cecilia Olga?

The emperor snorted and looked at the empress.

If so, is Francis Arabel a suitable choice? Arabel worked behind the scenes to gain victory. Even if we choose Frances, there will still be protests.

Revoke the contest then.

Your Majesty!

No candidate is eligible.

Cecilia Olga doesnt deserve it because shes my lover? Do you think that makes sense?

She had many rumours surrounding her. Dont you know the rumor about Lady Dubblede being the illegitimate child of the Duke and Cecilia Olga? Thats why Dubblede made a formal protest.

Its not true.

It doesnt matter if its not true. It is important to note that there is a possibility that the honor of the Imperial Palace may be tarnished by something that is not true.

Anger appeared on the emperors face. The empress said, while holding the emperors hand in pity.

I have also been looking forward to finding someone you can lean on, but as the mother of the country, I cannot help thinking about the future of the imperial family.

.

Please dont advise me to seek help from the temple.

The words was meant to pressure the emperor.

As the emperors face hardened, a smile appeared on the empresss face.

After she left, the emperor struck the desk.

Thud-!!

The chamberlain lowered his head at the sound.

The temple will keep the emperor in check against tyranny. If the temple meddled in the imperial family affairs, it would be recorded as a shame.

Call in the Duke of Dubblede!

He wont be able to enter the palace for a while because of the protest.

What!

When the emperor shouted, the chaplain said,

But, Your Majesty. When I told the news that they couldnt enter the palace, the lady conveyed some words to me, which were strange.

Strange?

What prize will you give me this time?

Huh?

Thats what the lady said.

Prize?

Things went awry, so why?

Was that all?

Yes.

The emperors expression darkened.

But that afternoon, strange rumors began to circulate.

Did the empress use Arabel to sabotage the contest?

She threatened Blake with her sister. Their sisterly bond is great.

Oh my gosh, thats pathetic.

Right, but the rumours before are strange in the first place? Theyre strangely truly malicious.

Yes the rumours were strangely centered around Lady Dubblede and Cecilia Olga. Isnt that on purpose?

Thats right. A child that young wouldnt be able to spread rumours like that.

Did you hear? A distant relative of Duke Marche, who was attending the Empress Dowagers tea party, criticized Lady Dubblede in front of the crowd.

Lady Dubblede is so pitiful, imagine how much she had suffered because of the empress.

The rumours about Leblaine quickly disappeared.

And the atrocities of the empress to ruin a candidates chance quickly reach the empress ears as well.

Clash-!!

The teacup thrown by the empress shattered with a sharp sound.

What does that mean!

Y-your majesty, please be patient.

Be patient? How could I when that Arabel girl berated me!

Its not like that. The rumors did not start with Arabel. There was no breach in the contract.

What?

Then how did this happen?

***

I hummed and looked around the shopping district.

More and more people talked about the empress secretly.

Good, good. Well done! Talk more! Talk a lot!

Seria asked as I walked with a cheerful face.

How did that happen? Blake said she wouldnt be able to open her mouth because of the contract.

Blake doesnt have to open her mouth, right?

As I spoke with my eyes wide open, Seria and the chairman looked at each other curiously.

I grinned and pointed at Count Arabel, who was just leaving the jeweler.

Can you really repay that money this time?

Ah, of course!

Did you find some treasure? You suddenly pay back such a huge amount of money out of the blue. Arent you buying too many jewels?

Count Arabel chuckled and tapped the merchants shoulder.

Have you heard about interests?

Yes, yes. Please go in.

After hearing the conversation between Count Arabel and the merchant, Seria opened her eyes wide and looked at me.

I see!

I told Blake to do it.

So I should tell my father that?

Yes. The empress will not leave us like this. She is silent now because she is afraid of the rumors, but shell act soon. If things go wrong, she could hide under Marches name.

Will he believe me?

I dont know. But its important for your father to spend his money in peace.

I passed the money through the hope mercenary guild. Count Arabel only knew that it was the money passed on by the empress, so he spent the money in peace.

If Count Arabel whose finances was blocked because of Dubblede spent a lot of money. What would people think?

That the rumours might be true!

And I told Blake to spread the word The empress wont leave us alone. So what do you think this time?

They might think that the empress bribed them to keep their mouth shut?

Look, did Blake break any contract with the Empress?

No~!

Seria shouted with joy. The chairman chuckled.

It must have been easy to guess the situation, as the rumors spread that the guy who harassed me before was a distant relative of the empress.

Oh my gosh, my lady, youre so clever!

I smiled proudly.

Do you think Im the only one whos going to be rumoured?

Then I hummed again while looking at the imperial palace in the distance.

Now it must be the empress who gets the rumours.

Seria, who was smiling brightly, asked.

What would you do if the empress called Blake Arabel? If they know that lady is the instigator

I dont care.

Huh?

I am only nine years old. Will anyone think a child had the capability to scheme like that? If Arabel said that, she would be suspicious of her instead

Aha.

In the first place, the empress wouldnt even think of doubting me.

Because-

I said as I entered the tea shop next to the jeweler.

I want to have high-quality tea leaves for the empress!

The next morning, I entered the Imperial Palace. As soon as I faced the haggard empress, I shook my hand and covered my mouth.

The empress.

Why did the lady come and find me?

I said, gently holding out the tea leaves.

My aunt tells me that I might be able to help with this matter.

What?

I will help the empress. Because I like the empress the most!

So give me some land. Dubblede must be independent.

And even if Mina comes, cant you still be friendly with me? Lets be more friendly to each other!

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