Chapter 115
When Riana sat down next to Ianheart in the seats prepared for them at the head of the hall,
“May I ask why Her Highness the Princess is here with us?”
The question came from Count Ludden, a stiff-faced old man.
Judging by both his tone and choice of words, it was clear that the count didn’t think very highly of Riana.
He even spoke exactly like the nobles back in Roan.
‘…Hmph.’
Riana already knew well how to deal with such men. Years of experience had taught her how to crush their pride with ease.
The only reason she didn’t immediately respond was because she hesitated—should she let it pass for Ianheart’s sake?
But before she could decide, someone else spoke up for her.
“Her Highness greatly contributed to defeating the monsters earlier. His Majesty himself invited her. Is there a problem with that?”
The speaker was Nathan Zerden.
Commander of the First Imperial Knights—and father of Lady Luna Zerden, whom Riana had invited to today’s tea party.
He was also the one who had commanded the knights against the Kalti earlier, under Ianheart’s orders.
“…What, Marquis Zerden, are you implying I caused a problem? I never said anything of the sort.”
“No, Count. I believe your words themselves were the problem. If you don’t even realize what was wrong with them, perhaps you should take a few more lessons in rhetoric.”
“W-what did you say?!”
“I said less than I could have.”
“Y-you insolent… Marquis Zerden!”
“My hearing is perfectly fine, Count. No need to shout.”
…Wait a second. How did this turn into a fight between those two?
Count Ludden’s barb had been aimed at her, yet now Marquis Zerden was the one arguing with him.
Riana leaned slightly toward Ianheart, whispering,
“…Shouldn’t we stop this?”
“Why?”
He replied so casually, as if this were nothing.
Because this wasn’t nothing. The council chamber was starting to sound like a marketplace instead of a meeting hall.
So Riana softened her words.
“The council is supposed to begin.”
But Ianheart wasn’t persuaded. His gaze instead cooled, settling sharply on Count Ludden—the one now flustered and on the defensive.
Why on earth…?
“We should crush one like him before starting. That way, others won’t dare to disrespect you.”
“…Ah.”
“And besides, those two have never gotten along. Don’t trouble yourself over it.”
As his words sank in, Riana felt a strange emotion stir inside her.
The same feeling as when Ianheart had asked her to attend this meeting earlier.
Ah.
Now she understood.
‘…So this is what it feels like to have someone on my side.’
Someone who acknowledged her. Someone who stood up for her.
It was odd—but not unpleasant.
Of course, she hadn’t always been alone. She had her sworn guards, and knights like Marquis Verce and Marquis Diago who were loyal to her.
But they were people she was meant to protect and lead, not ones who could freely shield her in return.
‘Being backed by someone with real power… it feels different.’
For the first time, she allowed herself such a thought.
Until now, whenever nobles slighted her, she had handled it herself—charging in head-on with sharp words and an unyielding temper.
That was why, even when she was dismissed or excluded, she never let it weigh too heavily on her.
But today, she had someone defending her. Not just anyone—a man standing at the very peak of power, higher even than the emperor.
So this was what it felt like.
‘…Though maybe calling him a “partner” is more accurate. Or a… suitor?’
Whatever the case, having someone stand up for her wasn’t bad. In fact, it felt rather good.
“Both of you, enough. This is not a matter we can afford to delay.”
It was Prime Minister Vernian who finally stepped in to cool things down.
“The chancellor is right.”
“……Tch.”
Marquis Zerden looked satisfied, having said everything he wanted, while Count Ludden could only stew in red-faced frustration.
“Now that the shouting’s done, let’s begin.”
Ianheart’s calm but firm voice ended the dispute for good. Ludden had no choice but to swallow his anger.
Riana didn’t feel the slightest bit sorry for him. After all, he had brought it on himself. If it had continued, she would have dealt with him personally anyway.
“First, I will briefly summarize what we discussed at the last meeting.”
Vernian’s composed voice filled the chamber.
“There have been troubling reports from the empire’s southeast. Monsters are appearing in villages near the Forest of Death. That was the main concern raised previously.”
“That’s nothing unusual, is it? Of course monsters appear near the Forest of Death. I don’t see why it’s concerning.”
“Not entirely wrong,” Vernian admitted. “But the problem is, that is not the only abnormality.”
“Not the only one…?”
Vernian sighed before continuing.
“Monsters that should never leave the forest at this season have begun to appear. Please, take a look.”
He distributed reports. Some nobles gasped with grave faces, while others seemed unconcerned.
Most in the room, including Ianheart and Riana, immediately grasped the seriousness.
“Is this really so alarming? Situations change. Perhaps it’s just temporary.”
One of the clueless nobles finally spoke, making the atmosphere sour.
“Things are always shifting one way or another. In my opinion, it’s nothing more than a passing occurrence.”
What nonsense.
Before she realized it, Riana’s voice had gone cold.
“So, you would say snow falling in summer or flowers blooming in winter is normal?”
“…Excuse me?”
“The Forest of Death has its own order. Just as animals hibernate in winter and wake in spring, the monsters there each have their own seasons and territories. That order being broken—is that something you’d call trivial?”
“T-that is…”
The young noble stammered, unable to answer under Riana’s unrelenting words.
“…My apologies. My judgment was shallow.”
Fortunately, he wasn’t completely stubborn. Though embarrassed, he bowed his head in apology.
Had he insisted otherwise, he would have earned nothing but Riana’s contempt. But she did not despise those who admitted their faults.
“As I said, this cannot be dismissed as a minor issue.”
Her words, though polite, were steady and commanding. And no one looked at her dismissively this time.
Even Ianheart lent weight to her authority.
“Would you explain in detail?”
“Of course.”
Riana pointed to six names listed in the report.
“These six species almost never leave their territories. And if we include the Kalti that attacked the palace today, that makes seven.”
Seven.
If it had been only one or two, it could have been written off as coincidence. But seven species, all in the past month—this was far from normal.
“The only time these monsters leave their domains is before their mating season.”
“Then perhaps their mating season is now?”
“No. The Kalti’s was four months ago. The Wyrm’s was three months ago. These others were half a year past.”
Her explanation flowed without hesitation.
For years, she had been Commander of the Border, guarding against the Forest of Death. She had pored over every record, memorized every scrap of knowledge, and gathered new information tirelessly.
Her words carried the weight of that experience.
“Hold on a moment.”
She paused mid-sentence, raising her hand toward the air.
