Chapter 47
“Pope Danderion of Arcelion is here.”
Leticia turned her head at the gatekeeper’s voice. The sight of his silver hair and eyes so transparent that they seemed to reveal everything inside him instantly cleared her mind.
Leticia wanted to approach him immediately and ask about her mother. She wanted to know what kind of conversation had taken place, where she had gone, and if there was anything she could be told. She hid her anxious feelings, stood up, and welcomed the pope.
Today would be recorded as a significant day in the Brivant Kingdom. It was the first time a pope who had never visited before came to the kingdom and bestowed the queen’s blessing.
“Thank you for coming such a long way. I never expected a visit from Arcelion to the Brivant Kingdom, so it’s truly a joyous occasion.”
Pope Danderion smiled and replied to Arden’s words.
“I’m worried that it might be too late.”
“Though it’s somewhat late, there is no such thing as a wrong time for a blessing.”
The two continued their conversation. Leticia maintained a polite smile, trying to hide her impatience. Now was not the time to reveal her feelings. If Arden noticed her discomfort with the pope, it might turn against her.
“It seems the music has ended just in time, so we should start.”
“I never imagined I’d see the pope in the kingdom. It’s surprising that he is here.”
Cardius interjected with a sly smile, causing an immediate chill in the air. Everyone seemed to hold their breath, listening intently to their conversation.
“Oh dear, the atmosphere has become awkward. Since everyone has been waiting for this moment, it would be best to start without further delay.”
Arden gently took Leticia’s hand and led her discreetly to the back, hiding her from Cardius’s view. Leticia blinked in confusion, hiding her face as she looked at his back.
‘Why does he dislike the emperor so much?’
There was no reason for him to hate Cardius. Was it just because he had been inappropriate with her? Though, as the queen of Brivant and his wife, it was somewhat understandable.
“It would be best to continue the discussion in the meeting afterward. My purpose here is the blessing of Her Majesty the Queen.”
At Danderion’s words, everyone nodded in agreement.
After the conversation between the three ended, the blessing ceremony began. Those who had returned to their respective places stared at the pope standing on the platform.
“How childish.”
Arden’s eyebrows twitched at Raymond’s comment.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen such an aggressive dance with a glare that looks like it’s going to devour you.”
“……Isn’t it natural to dance to the music?”
“A dance to the music, you say…… Do you really think so?”
Arden nodded. Once the intense dance ended and the two people returned to their seats, a sigh of relief flowed through the banquet hall, which had been filled with a chilly atmosphere.
Soon, with the arrival of His Majesty, the relaxed mood turned back to tension.
“Well, it wasn’t a bad sight. Seeing Your Majesty lose your cold demeanor, everyone must now understand how much you care for Her Majesty the Queen.”
“Even if it wasn’t.”
“Yes, yes. I understand. By the way, blessings are indeed mysterious.”
He quietly watched Leticia kneeling in front of the pope. She bowed her head and received the pope’s blessing. People’s eyes sparkled at the sacred ceremony.
Pope Danderion, dressed in pure white garments, looked like an angel descending from the heavens. His silver hair, free of any light, fluttered with his gestures.
When the pope’s hand touched her shoulder, a golden wave enveloped her, and sparkling light poured down from the air. The sight was so beautiful that people gasped in awe. They began to understand why everyone called the queen beautiful.
As the shimmering golden light fell upon her, Leticia appeared as though she did not belong to this reality. She was so beautiful and enchanting that those who watched felt an involuntary urge to bow their heads. It was only now that they understood why the king wanted her by his side.
Arden gripped the armrests of his chair tightly. With so many people already eyeing her, this event would only bring more trouble.
“Are you anxious?”
“Not at all.”
“I’m glad to see that Your Majesty is showing more of your emotions these days.”
“It seems like you’re excited now that it’s the right moment.”
“Have I been caught?”
“You’re such a transparent person.”
Raymond shrugged his shoulders and looked at Arden, who had an unpleased expression. Among the gazes directed at the queen, the most noticeable was, of course, Cardius.
‘Seeing someone look at her so blatantly, I’d be angry too.’
He feared that a storm might brew. He didn’t know who the dice had favored, but he was curious about the outcome. He hoped his lord would win, but it was hard to tell how the queen’s feelings would turn out, making the story’s end uncertain.
Soon, the ceremony ended, and people erupted into applause and cheers. It was an act of genuine emotion, not just for show. Awe for Leticia was evident in their eyes.
It seemed that the palace’s dynamics would change.
❖ ❖ ❖
She was not pleased with the situation. Arden had prevented her from attending the meeting, which meant she couldn’t speak with the pope.
‘Things aren’t going as planned.’
Cardinal Cavita would provide a chance for a separate meeting, but she didn’t know when that would be. The emperor was returning to the empire today. That meant the pope would also return to Arcelion soon.
With the emperor leaving, the pope couldn’t afford to leave the Vatican unattended. Given the strained relationship between the emperor and the pope, war could break out at any moment. However, the deteriorated relationship between the two was good news for the Brivant Kingdom, as it meant less burden on the kingdom due to the distribution of power.
“Your Majesty the Queen, I am Orbo Bellita. Greetings.”
Bellita? Wasn’t she the one who had once been considered for the queen’s position? If she hadn’t become queen, Lady Orbo would have taken that place, being from a powerful count family. Although a count family, she was a collateral branch of the former queen, so it wasn’t problematic.
Why would she, who had never approached her before, now bow first? Leticia smiled and responded.
“Lady Orbo, you are still as beautiful as ever.”
Her attire was so extravagant that one might believe she was the star of the event. Her sumptuous brown hair with red highlights and her green eyes, reflecting the greens around her. The necklace and ornaments around her neck, if converted to money, could cover someone’s monthly salary.
“You flatter me. Compared to Your Majesty’s beauty, I am nothing. The true star of today is undoubtedly Queen Your Majesty.”
“Thank you for saying that. I thought you didn’t like me very much.”
Leticia didn’t want to engage in unnecessary conflicts. However, she wasn’t going to avoid a confrontation if it came her way. Her involvement signaled that she had reliable support, which also implied she had some leverage.
Lady Orbo was a cautious person. It was rare for her to take the initiative, but the confident posture she displayed suggested she had something up her sleeve. Leticia watched her without losing her smile as she sat in her chair.
“My neck is starting to stiffen.”
“……”
“I’m too tired to stand. Do you have something to discuss?”
“Ah…”
Orbo’s lips trembled slightly. She lowered her body and reduced her posture. Her hand gripping the dress’s hem was visibly shaking. It seemed she was still eager for the position.
Why hadn’t she taken action before? Had she lacked the opportunity then? What had changed now?
Her relationship with the king had improved, and she had received the pope’s blessing. Compared to before, her position was clearly different.
“It doesn’t seem like the place for what you want to say. May we move to a different location?”
“If it’s something that shouldn’t be overheard by others… I am curious. In that case, I will inform the maid to guide you to the prepared lounge.”
Orbo nodded. Leticia watched her as she turned and headed towards the room before rising from her seat. She called the head maid to inform her where to take Orbo and then headed to the room herself.
New stories always made her heart race. She was curious about what Lady Orbo had to say. She also wanted to know who had prompted her to take action.
Eager to hear what was coming, she quickened her pace.
