Chapter 147
A long-awaited regular meeting was held at the Imperial Palace.
During midsummer, many officials were away on vacation, and right before the autumn seasonal festival, the meeting had been canceled as well.
After that, it hadn’t been held because of Clois’ health.
In truth, aside from the essential attendees, most officials could attend at their discretion, so it was rare for every seat to be filled.
But today was different.
“Could you move a little closer, please?”
“If there’s no seat, I’ll stand to attend!”
The ministers in the back, normally seated in fixed chairs, frowned at the noisy crowd, which seemed almost like a market floor.
There was only one reason so many people were present today:
The appearance of the new royal, Eve.
Although recognized as royalty and now residing in the inner palace, Eve’s name had not yet been officially registered in the royal family records.
Normally, she would have received her full name—her given name, her mother’s surname, and the royal surname Harkia—making her Evebien Shell Harkia.
Yet the emperor still had not given her that name.
So she continued to be called by the vague title “Lady Eve.”
In the noisy back row, Count Aradman surveyed the nobles sitting around him calmly.
Today, this back row probably contained more high-ranking nobles than the fixed front seats.
‘I’ve gathered them desperately, after all.’
The count remembered the past few frantic days.
The news of a new royal, almost certainly the daughter of Clois, was enough to stir even the most stubborn old nobles into action.
They hurried to the capital, and Count Aradman, along with other nobles assigned to him, went to meet them.
There was only one reason:
“Finally, someone has appeared to serve as the firm pillar of this empire, which has long lacked an heir! We hope Lady Eve will soon reclaim her name, bring joy and peace to His Majesty, and lead the empire to a bright future.”
The count’s words were smooth and calculated.
The old nobles nodded.
Their greatest worry for years had been the empire’s succession.
At first, they had repeatedly written to Clois, encouraging him to remarry.
But after Clois had shown his power by almost destroying a noble family as an example, no one dared suggest a new empress.
‘And even if one of the sons of the Kaelen or Ragselve families had royal blood from generations ago, it’s impossible for them to become the next emperor.’
Their loyalty was genuine. Though the heads of those families had no desire for power, the future was uncertain.
So when rumors spread that the emperor would choose an heir, they were deeply anxious.
Then, the emperor’s daughter appeared.
Naturally, the old nobles urged that she be recognized as a princess and publicly announced across the empire.
Failing to do so would almost be considered treason.
Unlike the determined old nobles, the group sitting together in the back had a different attitude.
They had remained neutral during the succession war.
After Clois became emperor, they feared punishment, yet he had left them alone.
“Wanting to destroy everyone who didn’t take sides? Does he want to make me the greatest executioner in the empire?”
Though some were blinded by revenge, Clois was not insane enough to kill them all.
They survived, but their opportunities to participate in government had been limited.
Regretful, it was too late.
Now Count Aradman extended his hand. They had no reason to refuse. This was a chance they could not miss.
It was not an empty dream. Aradman was proof of that.
Once disgraced in the capital’s social circles because of his daughter, he had now been restored.
All dishonor on his family was removed, and he received a massive reward for protecting the new royal.
Rumors even said he was already negotiating to buy a luxurious mansion near the Terrins’ estate in the capital.
Even before Eve was officially recognized as a princess, Aradman had received immense wealth and honor.
So now, he could only rise even higher.
If the girl he brought eventually became emperor, his family might become the most prestigious in the empire.
Naturally, nobles around him had to fawn and support him.
From now on, he would be the one steering their fates.
The nobles waited eagerly for the emperor to enter.
They expected that their loud voices would overwhelm him throughout the meeting.
Yet when Clois entered the room, scanning the murmuring crowd with a cold gaze, all their confidence vanished.
No words were needed to understand: today’s emperor would not tolerate even the slightest irritation. Any offense could see someone punished as an example.
Even those about to raise their voices lowered their heads immediately. Aradman was no different.
‘Why is he acting like this?’
The count could not understand. Didn’t Clois already grieve enough for his deceased wife and daughter?
He had played at being a father with that abandoned little girl, and now his real daughter had returned—so why the cold demeanor?
Sitting down, Clois spoke in a commanding voice:
“It pleases me to see all of you here. I hope to see you often.”
No one truly believed it.
When the meeting began, Aradman and his allies remained silent, while the old nobles from afar pushed forward, pleading with Clois.
“Your Majesty, please officially declare Lady Eve as a princess so the empire can rejoice.”
“Yes, this will also show that the royal family will endure for another thousand years and dissuade those harboring foolish dreams.”
The old nobles’ words were not wrong.
As a father who had regained his daughter, this was his duty.
“I understand your wishes,” Clois said, raising a hand to stop more comments.
“The delay in announcing her is not due to negligence. Everyone believed the princess had passed, so I have been ensuring all matters are properly resolved. I, more than anyone, care deeply about this. Therefore, refrain from further urging.”
Essentially: let him handle it and keep quiet.
No one could argue, since it was for the princess.
Even Aradman was anxious.
‘I can’t end the meeting like this.’
He still needed approval for what he and his daughter had requested regarding Eve.
“Your Majesty, I have a request regarding Lady Eve.”
“Speak.”
“She is lonely in a place without peers. Would it not be suitable to enroll her in the Academy to help her make friends and prepare her for her future as a princess?”
Meanwhile, at the Academy…
“Ah, insane. Who decided this?”
Seraphina stomped her foot in frustration.
Already burdened with many responsibilities, now she had to accommodate a royal child?
“Even the one we expelled is coming back! What is this?”
As a royal and soon-to-be princess, Eve would surely arrive with an entourage, unlike the normally quiet Clois.
“This will disrupt the learning environment! It’s impossible!”
The staff exchanged worried glances. “We can’t do it; the headmistress must handle this.”
After sighing heavily for a while, Seraphina’s eyes suddenly lit up.
‘Fine. Annoying tasks are handled quickly.’
“How? What will you do?” asked someone.
Seraphina smiled brightly, almost unnaturally.
“I will show her what kind of place the Academy really is.”
She would make her cry and promise never to return.
Biting back her true feelings, Seraphina began planning the Academy tour for the royal child in her head.
‘I’ll send her back to the palace within two hours.’
