Chapter 140: The Speech(1)
Chapter 140: The Speech(1)
Elodia, the political heart of Albenheim, was more than just an audience chamber. It served as the residence for various politicians, including the Senate, and boasted heavy security as the seat of Albenheim's government.
The Queen’s situation was no different. Her official residence was located on the highest floor of Elodia, featuring defenses far more robust than those of the Senate’s quarters.
Unless she was working, Arwen usually spent her evenings there. Numerous attendants managed the residence, utilizing magic to ensure the utmost comfort.
Above all, Elodia was built directly in front of the World Tree, which brought peace to the mind. While political institutions are typically rife with noise and messy power struggles, Elodia remained exceptionally quiet for this very reason.
The mana emitted by the World Tree was so divine and sacred that it could purify even one's inner evil. Furthermore, having the World Tree right before one's eyes served as a constant reminder that the gods were always watching.
Consequently, Elodia possessed a unique atmosphere for a political body—one where even harsh words felt out of place.
Though heated arguments had occurred between the Senate and the Queen in the audience chamber, even those were considered mild compared to what they could have been.
"...I just want to give up on everything."
However, there was one person whose heart could not find peace even with the World Tree's mana: Queen Arwen herself. She sat on her vast bed, head hung low in frustration.
Tomorrow was the day she had promised—the day of her national address. It was a speech that would be attended not only by the citizens of Albenheim but also by dignitaries from around the world.
Normally, when a foreign leader gives a national address, other nations don't send high-ranking guests unless they share a special relationship. Usually, only journalists looking for a scoop attend.
But the situation for tomorrow's address was different. It was her first speech since her coronation, and Albenheim was currently in a state of turmoil.
People were naturally curious: would she use this speech to capture the public's heart and stabilize the government, or would it end up being a mediocre performance? If it were the former, neighboring countries would be wary of Arwen; if the latter, they would look down on her.
For these reasons, Arwen grew more anxious with each passing day. Her heart wouldn't settle even with the World Tree's mana, to the point where she couldn't sleep properly.
Fortunately, she was a sturdy Elf; had she been human, she likely would have collapsed from sleep deprivation by now.
Can I really do this...
As her confidence waned day by day, Arwen stared at the papers in her hand. It was the speech Isaac had delivered to her in less than three days.
Normally, she should have memorized it and disposed of it, but her crumbling confidence made her clutch it tightly.
Publicly, she was known as a kind, benevolent, yet occasionally strict and firm Queen, but in the end, she was just a person. Moreover, the constant pressure from the Senate caused her stress to accumulate daily.
There’s nothing wrong with the speech. If I just say it like this, it’ll be enough.
She checked the speech once more with a troubled expression. The draft Isaac had provided in such a short time was truly sufficient to quell the current chaos in Albenheim.
It began with the creation myth of the Elves and described the sacrifices their ancestors made to protect Albenheim. Arwen believed the final section, in particular, was a masterpiece, containing quotes that couldn't be bettered.
Yet, she feared whether she could deliver such a speech well. Those around her comforted her, saying she would be fine, but she couldn't tell if they were being sincere or just offering empty flattery.
Having experienced betrayal in the past by someone planted by the Senate, she found it difficult to fully trust even the staff within Elodia.
The pressure is too much...
She hadn't felt it as much during her arguments with the Senate, but the thought of speaking before the entire nation felt like a massive weight pressing down on her shoulders. It was as if the fate of Albenheim rested on this single speech.
She desperately wanted it to go well, but she couldn't control her racing heart. Part of her wanted to abandon the throne and run away, but...
I can't do that. I am the Queen.
Her heavy sense of responsibility as a monarch wouldn't allow it. Arwen steadied her breathing once more and turned her gaze back to the speech.
"Isaac..."
Looking at the script, the image of Isaac—the handsome man with red hair and golden eyes—floated into her mind. The value of a speech written by an author capable of shaking the world was immeasurable.
Yet, Isaac had readily accepted her request. He had even coached her on her speaking style to help her deliver a better performance.
She couldn't help but be moved by his warm kindness, but she worried about how to repay him after the speech. It would be easier if he asked for something, but if he didn't, that would be a problem in its own right.
Money, fame, women, power—Isaac already had them all at his young age. Even if Arwen wanted to give him something, there was nothing left to offer.
"Sigh..."
A sigh escaped her lips. The speech was one problem, but the reward for Isaac afterward was another.
Even if Isaac didn't ask for a reward, she had to give him one. That was the proper way of the world and a necessary virtue in life.
Human hearts are fickle; Isaac might feel slighted if she did nothing. Given her history of making a major mistake regarding him, she wanted to prevent that at all costs.
"...Still, I'm glad Isaac is here."
Arwen smiled bitterly and folded the speech carefully. Then, she flopped back onto the bed.
Her silver-gray hair, scattered across the bed, seemed to glow even in the dark bedroom. Her silver-gray eyes were the same.
If Isaac hadn't been here...
Though their bond was forged through coincidence and her own mistake, Arwen considered it a blessing. While her past actions were inexcusable, the fact that they had led to a connection with him was a stroke of luck for her.
Without Isaac, she wouldn't have been able to write a speech, let alone quell the chaos in Albenheim. Of course, the true result would only be known tomorrow, but Isaac's help had been immense in getting her this far.
And if the speech was a success... her debt of gratitude to Isaac would only grow. Arwen placed both hands over her heart and slowly closed her eyes.
Come to think of it, they said Isaac arrived at Yggdrasil today.
She had already received a report about the incident at the immigration inspection office. There had been an uproar because an inspector refused entry to a guest from another country—Cecile.
Fortunately, Supervisor Keir had handled the situation well, preventing it from escalating, but an official protest from Helium would likely arrive soon. The thought gave her a headache, but compared to the current situation, it was a minor issue.
Arwen briefly wondered what Isaac was doing now, and then the white-haired woman she had seen at the lodging came to mind. If Cecile was a secret lover, the woman named Mari was his official fiancée.
They were clearly in a very deep relationship—deep enough to engage in those kinds of activities at the lodging. Fortunately (?), Arwen was well-mannered enough not to witness the scene directly, but the thought made her heart flutter strangely.
She wasn't sure if she felt a bit disappointed or just uncomfortable.
For Arwen, who hadn't had anyone she could call a 'friend' for over a hundred years, these were very unfamiliar emotions.
"..."
Arwen slowly opened her eyes. Her silver-gray eyes, shining like stars, revealed themselves.
Instead of moping like this, it would be much better to practice her speech one more time. Just as she was about to get out of bed and head to the full-length mirror—
Vroom—
"Hm?"
She felt a faint ripple of mana. Someone had entered the bedroom after inputting the password for the barrier.
Normally, passing through the barrier would trigger an alarm, but there was no reaction. That meant...
"Siris?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
It meant it was someone Arwen had personally given the password to. Arwen tilted her head at Siris, who emerged from the darkness.
Usually, Siris visiting meant either something had happened within the Dark Elf community or Isaac had a message to deliver.
The Dark Elves were currently restless because of Rain, so there shouldn't be any news from them. That left only Isaac.
"Did Isaac send you?"
"Yes. Isaac-nim has something he wishes to convey to you."
"Something to convey?"
"I have a letter here."
Siris handed over a letter—or rather, a small note. It was folded in a unique way.
Arwen's eyes widened slightly at the unfamiliar folding style, but she accepted it without hesitation. She was curious to see what Isaac had to say.
When she unfolded the note, a single sentence caught her eye.
[If you're nervous about tomorrow's speech, look at the back.]
Look at the back? Arwen blinked and obediently turned the paper over.
And there, written on the back, was:
[You've got this, Queen!]
It was a short message of encouragement.
"...Pfft."
A small laugh escaped Arwen's lips.
It might seem trivial, but the strength contained within those words was by no means small.
She gazed at the message with warm eyes before folding it back up. Since she didn't know the original folding method, she just folded it roughly.
Clutching the note tightly in her hand, she asked Siris about Isaac's current status.
"Do you know what Isaac is doing now?"
"He is currently sharing a room with his fiancée."
"...I see."
Arwen's expression stiffened slightly at the mention of Isaac sharing a room with Mari.
There was nothing wrong with him being with his fiancée, but somehow...
"...Understood."
It just felt uncomfortable.
*
The day of the long-awaited national address dawned. Despite the need to wake up early, I had been troubled by Mari’s constant clinging, but fortunately, I managed to wake up on time.
However, that only applied to me. My beautiful girlfriend, who was currently fast asleep beside me without a stitch of clothing on, was a different story. Perhaps because of the vigorous exercise we had engaged in last night, as usual, she showed no signs of waking up.
"Wake up, Mari. It's morning."
"Mmm... five more minutes..."
"I told you, we have to get up now."
"Give me a kiss..."
She wasn't exactly a Sleeping Beauty. I smiled at Mari's grumbling and complied with her request.
As I kissed her softly, Mari gave a silly grin and sluggishly sat up in bed. The blanket barely hung over her chest, yet she still exuded a sensuality that rivaled Cecile's.
I almost pounced on her again but managed to restrain myself. After a quick wash, we dressed and headed down to the first floor.
As expected, Cecile, Lina, and their guardian knights were waiting for us. It seemed we were a bit late because I had helped Mari wash up.
"Sorry. We're a bit late... Lina?"
"Y-yes?"
"What's wrong with your face? Are you sick?"
Lina's condition seemed a bit strange. Her face looked haggard, as if she hadn't slept a wink.
Her natural beauty hadn't faded, but the fatigue was unmistakable.
"N-no. I'm fine. Yes... perfectly fine..."
"I don't think so..."
"M-more importantly, let's eat quickly. There's only about an hour left until the speech, so we're on a tight schedule."
When I expressed my concern, Lina waved her hands dismissively and hurried to change the subject. As she looked back and forth between Mari and me, her face turned beet red, which was definitely suspicious.
I wondered if she had heard us because the room wasn't soundproofed, but the innkeeper had assured me that the rooms were heavily protected, including soundproofing magic. Indeed, no one had complained despite our being a bit noisy.
Then why was Lina reacting like that? I looked at her curiously as she avoided eye contact, but then I let it go.
It wasn't like she had that kind of hobby, so I figured I might be overreacting.
"Please come again~!"
After finishing our meal, we were seen off by the innkeeper and headed toward the Grand Plaza. The Grand Plaza was where the speech would take place; I had heard that in its center stood a tree that had remained steadfast for hundreds of years, though it was no World Tree.
As we walked, I looked around. Since it was a national address, people were starting to gather in droves. They were likely trying to secure spots where they could get a better view of Arwen.
After walking for a while, we arrived at the Grand Plaza. A platform resembling an altar had been erected in the center, with a massive tree standing behind it.
While not as large as the World Tree, it was certainly a giant. Its trunk was so thick that it would take dozens of grown men holding hands to surround it.
"Where should we sit?"
"Over there. They said the front seats are for the Senate and the noble families."
Lina skillfully pointed out our seats. Since she was experienced in such matters, we followed her without a word.
The distance between the seats for the Senate and Albenheim's nobility and the seats for foreign dignitaries was quite far, so there was no discomfort. Moreover, nobles from other countries were also beginning to appear.
Seeing this, it was clear how important Arwen's speech was. I worried whether she could overcome the pressure and deliver it well.
I had secretly called Siris last night to deliver the note, but I wasn't sure if that would be enough encouragement.
"Isn't that woman a Demon?"
"You're right. A Demon attending the speech..."
"Hmm..."
As time passed and more people gathered, attention began to focus on Cecile. The glares from the Elves in the front seats—presumably members of the Senate and Albenheim's nobility—were particularly sharp.
If even I felt it, I could only imagine how the person herself felt. I glanced at Cecile with concern.
"Achoo! Sniff."
"..."
Regardless of the glares, she seemed to be suffering from her allergies. She looked better than yesterday, but the symptoms persisted.
Moreover, her nose had turned red like a strawberry, which, combined with her cute sneezing, gave her a dazed appearance. It was a moment where I rediscovered a different side of Cecile's charm.
"I wish they'd hurry up..."
"Pfft!"
I finally burst out laughing at Cecile, who was speaking with a nasal voice because her nose was blocked. When I laughed, Cecile narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
"Are you laughing? You're laughing at me right now, aren't you?"
"Hehehe... Ow!"
She ended up pinching my thigh. I let out a sharp cry of pain as if my skin were being torn off.
As I clutched my thigh and trembled, Cecile turned her head away with a huff. I figured I should apologize later.
Murmur— Murmur—
Just before the speech was about to begin, a massive crowd had gathered. There were Elves in front, Elves behind, and Elves to the left and right.
Only those in the VIP section were of races other than Elves. As I looked around, feeling the strangeness of the situation, someone's voice caught my ear.
"Isn't that Her Majesty?"
At those words, countless gazes shifted toward the platform. I did the same.
"It's the Queen."
"It's Her Majesty."
"Hey! Be quiet!"
Arwen, the Queen of Albenheim, made her appearance. She was slowly walking toward the center of the platform, wearing the tight silver dress I had seen before.
No one had told the crowd to be quiet, but as soon as Arwen appeared, the noisy surroundings fell silent in an instant. Consequently, the only sound in the vast plaza was the sound of Arwen's footsteps.
Click— Clack— Click—
With a dignified posture, Arwen walked toward the center, step by step. The aura of the cheerful girl was nowhere to be found; she exuded a dignity befitting the leader of a nation.
It made me wonder if this was the same Arwen I knew, but her silver-gray hair confirmed it. As the speech was about to begin, I fell silent and entered observation mode.
Click—
Finally, standing at the center of the platform, Arwen slowly turned to face the crowd. Because of the tight dress, her hips—one of her greatest physical features—were even more pronounced.
To be honest, this was one of the reasons I had come to see the speech. I was curious about how she would perform, but the hip line I had seen last time was unforgettable.
I figured this was reward enough. I focused my gaze on Arwen's face, adorned with a laurel wreath, and the line of her hips below.
It might seem a bit perverted, but since this would be the first and last time I could look openly (?), I intended to enjoy the view to my heart's content.
"...You have all gathered."
As I was admiring Arwen's beautiful face and figure, she opened her mouth to signal the start of the speech.
Perhaps she was using voice amplification magic, because even without a microphone, her voice filled the entire plaza.
"Before I begin my address, there is something I must tell you all."
She paused for a moment, looking over the audience once more. Then, her eyes met mine.
Since red hair isn't common, it wouldn't have been hard for her to find me. As soon as our eyes met, I silently raised my hand and clenched my fist.
It was a silent gesture of encouragement.
Fortunately, bolstered by that support, Arwen wiped the stiff expression from her face and gave a soft smile. Then, she spoke to the audience.
"I, Arwen Elidya, Queen of Albenheim..."
The words she uttered were...
"Am a half-blood."
It was a confession.