Chapter : 28
The destination of Themis was clear.
Moreover, since she was going with Everett, it was safe to assume that nothing would happen to her.
However, the fact that “Everett” was accompanying her only heightened Akilan’s nerves.
Themis had changed.
She went out into society, mingled with new people, actively tried to solve incidents, and even volunteered for a dispatch this time that she didn’t have to.
The meaning behind her actions was clear: she wanted her abilities recognized and to rise in status.
“If she wants to step forward and make achievements, she’ll probably actively use whatever weapons she has too.”
Themis had a medicine made using her own ability—darkness.
Initially, only Themis and a few others knew of it; later, even Princess Aria came to know of the tranquilizer.
“She doesn’t fully know what weapons she has. Perhaps Everett might find out about that medicine.”
No matter how skilled the two of them were, closing a gate was not an easy task.
They never knew what dangers might arise, and if a situation required the tranquilizer, Themis wouldn’t hesitate to use it.
Just like during the palace incident, when Akilan had told her to stay still, yet she stepped in anyway.
Her intent to use her ability widely wasn’t wrong.
Everyone wants their abilities recognized.
It wasn’t strange that a child who had once been timid due to past memories was now moving toward her own desires.
Yet…
“Still, she must not use that medicine.”
Themis’ changes made Akilan uneasy because he never knew what she might do next.
“…I’ll have to ask her when I see her this time.”
Until now, he had only speculated why she had changed, never actually asking her.
He had always thought, I’ll do it next time.
But he could no longer postpone it.
He needed to meet her and talk.
Perhaps then he could determine why the changed Themis occupied his thoughts so intensely.
What was this feeling?
At that moment, the clock sounded loudly, marking the hour.
Akilan, lost in thought, slowly lifted his head.
“Ah… time for the meeting.”
He didn’t want to go. Tormented, he glanced at the clock and eventually turned toward the meeting room.
He realized belatedly that Duke Stern was among those attending the emergency meeting.
“How can the emperor, who strengthened drug regulations, be so steeped in drugs himself!”
“This is an act of deceiving all of us nobles!”
At the political meeting, which Princess Aria attended for the first time and had to attend forcibly, a fierce battle of words broke out.
The meeting was to investigate the recent terrorist incident at the imperial palace and appoint those responsible for catching the perpetrator. Opinions were sharply divided.
This was no ordinary matter; it was an attack on the emperor and the princess themselves.
Being suspected as the perpetrator alone was tantamount to treason, and for those with investigative authority, it could serve as the perfect pretext to eliminate political rivals.
Nobles aligned with the aristocratic faction argued that since the emperor was weak both mentally and physically due to drug use, he should withdraw from this incident and rest.
Meanwhile, nobles supporting the emperor argued that, due to his age, the emperor was simply unable to act immediately because of the terror incident, but he remained in very good condition and the influence of drugs was minimal.
Duke Stern, leader of the aristocratic faction, asserted that, given his status, the royal council should handle the matter.
“It is obvious that His Majesty requires rest. Therefore, we intend to step in so that he can focus on recovering safely.”
Duke Stern, currently second only to the Archmage in influence within the empire, spoke arrogantly.
“Isn’t Duke Stern now in a position where he must seek the temple and mage tower’s help due to the gate incident? Isn’t this adding to your burden rather than lessening it?”
Marquis Tien, head of the emperor’s faction and supporter of Aria, replied with a smile. He used the close ties between the temple, mage tower, and the royal family as a subtle warning.
“I am speaking only out of sincere counsel.”
Of course, Duke Stern was not easily swayed either.
“Considering the tribute Hart provides annually, I believe I am entitled to offer this counsel.”
As the lord of Hart, the empire’s largest and most fertile granary, he had the right to say so.
“Princess, what do you think?”
Finally, it was Aria’s moment.
The most pressing issue was that no one could manage state affairs on behalf of the emperor, who was weakened by long-term drug use.
For now, the emperor’s close aides and senior nobles maintained finances, but without a primary decision-maker, this situation could not last.
The royal family had planned to entrust this to Victoria, but nobles opposed it, citing the emperor’s addiction.
They already distrusted all existing members of the royal family.
Although Aria was also a member of the imperial family, she had only recently entered the palace. She was recognized as uninvolved in the incident and attended the meeting as the royal representative.
She now had the duty to use the emperor’s investigative authority to restore the fallen prestige of the royal family.
If she slipped and showed even a trace of her commoner past, she would be mercilessly attacked.
Aria took a deep breath and thought of Themis.
Darkness had once been a source of fear for her.
She hated being reminded of her parents in the quiet of the night, and she hated the all-consuming darkness.
Yet Themis’ pitch-black darkness protected her.
Unlike light, which reveals itself everywhere, darkness silently guards those in its shadow, and that ability seemed remarkable.
So did Themis, who wielded it with mastery.
“I want to get to know Themis.”
Until now, Themis had not shown her strength, but she had revealed her abilities for the first time—to protect Aria and the emperor.
Aria didn’t know if Themis had acted for purely selfless reasons or simply to gain her own advantage, as nobles in the emperor’s faction might.
Still, Aria believed in Themis’ kindness, shown when she had immediately come for Aria after hearing her faint groans in the lounge.
The way she treated Aria.
The promises they had shared.
“I hope you do not see me as disagreeable.”
She spoke in a serious, low tone to instill trust.
“The best course of action for you now is to step forward first. Make it clear that you are uninvolved in past royal scandals. And show that you act of your own volition, not at someone else’s command.”
She recalled the words of Archmage Akilan, who had come to check on the emperor’s wellbeing, and continued slowly.
“But I have come here with rightful authority and intend to meet the expectations of His Majesty, who trusts and grants me power.”
Aria had already been verified as a true bloodline of the royal family. She was the only legitimate daughter of the current dynasty and held the highest claim to the throne.
“As a princess who understands and respects all opinions, I will do my best to manage state affairs based on the foundation I have built in my life.”
Bend just enough to enter, but do not give away what you want—one of the lessons she had learned in the palace.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but we cannot accept your words.”
Duke Stern stepped forward again. Aria had expected he would not accept so easily and responded calmly.
“You acknowledge that the royal family’s trust has fallen, but you bear no charges, do you?”
“That implies you have lived entirely apart from the royal family until now. How could such a person be entrusted with a matter of this importance?”
Duke Stern still refused to relent. His rudeness was possible only because Aria, though a princess, had no power base.
Moreover, Aria was not the only one with a claim to the throne. Victoria, the second princess, also had a claim.
Nobles continued to weigh Aria and Victoria for their own gains, and few were willing to support Aria, whose only advantage was her legitimate birth.
“I’m sorry, but we cannot completely trust Princess Aria.”
