Episode 46

I headed to the audience chamber with Vitrain by my side like a bodyguard.

As the ornate doors of the audience chamber opened and I entered, I saw Aiden and Lian already there for some reason.

Just below the imperial throne, Aiden and Lian were glaring at each other, while my brother Isaac and my second sister Martina stood awkwardly, looking somewhat intimidated.

As I entered the chamber, Isaac and Martina’s faces brightened with relief, but they quickly bowed, glancing nervously at Aiden and Lian.

Without acknowledging them, I walked straight up to the dais and sat on the imperial throne.

Aiden, who had been standing on the left side, naturally moved to stand behind me, and Vitrain took the place where Aiden had been.

With Lian on my right, Vitrain on my left, and Aiden guarding my back, it felt strange, almost as if I were the emperor myself, looking down upon everyone with these three beasts by my side.

My brother Isaac, whom I had barely spoken to during my time at the Dirmil royal palace, greeted me with a beaming smile.

“Sione, no, Your Imperial Majesty of Belpator. It’s been a long time.”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. It felt awkward to use formal speech while sitting on this throne.

Trying to hide my discomfort, I slightly raised the corners of my mouth and responded to Isaac’s greeting.

“Welcome, Crown Prince and Princess of Dirmil. You must have had a difficult journey.”

Isaac exchanged a surprised glance with Martina before looking up at me again.

“No, Your Imperial Majesty. How could the journey to see you be considered difficult? Our father was very worried, but seeing you so dignified fills us with emotion.”

“Did Father worry much about me?”

“Of course. When he heard what happened to His Imperial Majesty, he was extremely anxious.”

Despite his anxiety, I hadn’t received a single letter in over two months, but he must have been worried, fearing that his daughter sent to the Empire might return empty-handed.

With a bitter smile, I asked why they had come all the way here.

“Did Father send any message for me?”

As if he had been waiting for this, Isaac’s face lit up, and he spoke with a conspiratorial expression.

“Your Imperial Majesty, are you aware that the Kingdom of Byerson has declared war on the Kingdom of Dyron?”

“I have heard of it.”

“That’s a relief. As you know, our Dirmil has maintained friendly relations with Dyron. Therefore, our father has decided to raise an army to assist Dyron!”

Isaac finished speaking grandly, but I had no idea what he expected me to do about it.

I waited, thinking there might be more to his message, but he just stood there, chest puffed out, looking proud.

Eventually, I asked.

“So?”

“So? Your Imperial Majesty, I just told you that our Dirmil is going to war.”

“And what does that have to do with Belpator?”

I tilted my head and asked again, causing a look of confusion to spread across Isaac’s face.

When did it become “our” Dirmil when they didn’t even ask for my opinion before marrying me off to Belpator?

Isaac looked perplexed, glancing back at Martina as if asking for help, but my second sister simply bowed her head after briefly looking at me.

Isaac, frustrated, opened his mouth to speak again.

“His Majesty wishes for Belpator and Dirmil to join forces to aid the Kingdom of Dyron.”

It seems my father sent his conscience along with me as a dowry when he married me off.

Join forces? What forces does Dirmil even have to join?

I could see how the situation had unfolded.

Byerson, backed by the Enser Empire, declared war on Dyron, and Dyron requested aid from its neighboring country, Dirmil. My father, the king of Dirmil, likely boasted, trusting that his daughter, who serves as the regent of the great empire, would come to their aid.

Dirmil and Dyron have always been similar in size and power, constantly comparing themselves. My father must have been thrilled.

It was ridiculous.

“Crown Prince of Dirmil.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“Has Belpator ever formed a military alliance with Dirmil?”

“No, but—”

“But because I am from Dirmil, you want Belpator’s soldiers to bolster the king of Dirmil’s prestige, is that it?”

“That’s not it…”

Not it? That’s exactly what it is.

I had expected my father to try to use me in some way after successfully marrying me off to a great empire. He must have been biding his time, waiting for me to settle in, and now he thinks I have.

But asking for troops right away is too much, isn’t it?

If I propose sending troops not for the sake of Belpator but to boost my father’s morale, the nobles here will not simply comply.

Slamming my palm onto the armrest of the throne, I spoke to Isaac.

“If Belpator were to intervene in the war between Byerson and Dyron, it would be a decision made internally by Belpator and has nothing to do with Dirmil. Tell your king that the Empress of Belpator has rejected his request.”

Isaac stared at me with his mouth agape until Martina nudged him, prompting him to bow his head finally.

He must have been quite shocked, not even responding with an acknowledgment. He never imagined I would refuse.

Clicking my tongue inwardly, I continued.

“The formal audience ends here. You may stay as siblings who have come to visit their sister. I have prepared a dinner banquet; we shall meet again later.”

Though they had come unannounced without any formal diplomatic procedures, I was at least showing minimal courtesy to my kin who had traveled a long way.

Isaac, however, seemed far from pleased, being dragged out by Martina with a disgruntled expression.

After sending Isaac and Martina away, I looked around and saw the three beasts glaring at the doors through which they had just exited.

From the perspective of those who protect Belpator, their request must have been even more absurd.

Despite my firm rejection, they seemed quite enraged.

“About the war between Byerson and Dyron…”

“No, absolutely not. If we mobilize troops after those people have visited, rumors about the Empress will spread again.”

Before I could finish, Lian firmly objected.

“I don’t intend to send troops to Dirmil. But if the Enser Empire seizes Dyron, it could lead to a larger war later…”

“Why should we care about a war that might happen in the future? Those unhappy with Your Majesty serving as regent will immediately start frothing at the mouth.”

I was about to appreciate Lian’s genuine concern for the Empire despite his madness, but something felt off.

Just as I was about to point out that the current uproar was more important than a potential future war, a sinister voice came from behind me.

“This could be an opportunity to tidy things up a bit. Belpator has too many nobles.”

What’s wrong with him now?

The mad dog suddenly expressed dissatisfaction with the empire’s noble system.

“You can tidy up quietly. There’s no need for unnecessary rumors about Her Majesty.”

“That’s why we should get rid of those who spread rumors.”

“What are you two talking about? The Enser Empire is using the south to prepare for an invasion of Belpator.”

Trying to calm the two who were growling over a trivial issue, I spoke. Then, Vitrain, who had been listening quietly, approached and held my hand.

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. No one will cross Belpator’s borders. Didn’t I say I would protect you?”

I thought he was the sane one, but is this the time for sweet talk and kissing my hand?

“Let go of my hand, Eagle.”

Why is he drawing his sword now?

“Are you insane, drawing a sword in front of Her Majesty?”

Why is the mad dog getting agitated?

“Both of you, step away from Her Majesty.”

Lian, with a twisted smile, walked up the dais.

In a critical situation where the Empire’s army’s deployment was to be decided, Lian, Vitrain, and Aiden surrounded me, starting a glaring contest.

Are they serious?

“All three of you, step down from the dais.”

I glared at the three beasts, but they hesitated, glancing at me while stubbornly standing their ground.

“I said, step down from the dais.”

This time, genuinely angry, I spoke in a more forceful tone.

Only then did the three beasts slowly descend the dais, kneeling on one knee in unison.