Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Tripartite Conference (1)
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Lea draped my cloak over her shoulders.
Then, she returned to the office with an expressionless face, as if nothing had happened.
"Damian, it's about time to go."
The cloak properly covered her thighs.
Thanks to that, I could let out a sigh of relief.
"Don't need the jam anymore?"
"Yeah, I grabbed something quick with a veil at the market."
She had eaten with that man at the market.
At those words, Jane, who had been receiving Damian's instruction on the sofa, was considerably surprised.
However, the girl was even more flustered by her sister's next words.
"Jane, I'll give you a ride on the way."
The First Imperial Princess, who had been indifferent to her until now, was offering to take her all the way to the carriage.
At that, the girl replied in a deeply touched voice.
"Yes...!"
The candidates stood in line, following the princess.
They exchanged greetings with Bale and headed down to the first floor.
"Bale, you don't have to come out."
"Yes, take care on your way back, Your Highness."
Damian went ahead first to check the carriage.
Thanks to that, the princess and the candidate strolled slowly down the hallway, just the two of them.
My gaze kept drifting to her thighs.
Fortunately, my jacket covered them well, but I could see a slight flush of color on her skin.
"..."
Throughout the walk side by side, Jane kept glancing at her sister's mood.
Sensing this, Lea spoke to her cousin first, in a casual tone.
"Was the field training enjoyable?"
"Yes, yes...! It was very rewarding!"
The princess looked down at her rigidly tense little sister with relaxed eyes.
"Why are you so tense? Speak comfortably."
"I-Is it really okay...?"
The blonde girl with a ponytail swallowed deeply and asked.
Lea, hands clasped behind her back, replied leisurely.
"Yes, when it's just the two of us, you can call me sister."
Sister.
Jane was moved by Lea's permission to address the Empire's First Imperial Princess so intimately.
"Yes, sister...!"
Lea looked down at her little sister with affectionate eyes.
She was extending kindness now that she had deemed her useful.
"Did Bale teach you well during the training?"
At her sister's question, Jane's lips curved into a slight smile.
"Yeah, he taught us so much."
Jane half-closed her eyes, recalling the day's events.
Then, she reported to her sister matter-of-factly.
"At first, he seemed like a super lazy old supply officer. He slept lying in the chair every morning."
"I figured as much."
Lea smirked, already knowing his daily routine.
"Still, he gave us snacks and told us to relax. He was totally kind. It was different from all the field training stories I'd heard."
"Yes, Bale has this knack for putting people at ease."
The princess spoke of the defense knight as if he were a friend.
Jane found the sight novel.
Lea had never spoken of anyone so familiarly before.
"Plus, he taught us mana operation through apples. That was really valuable experience."
"Apples...?"
When Lea asked back, Jane smiled brightly.
"Yeah, picking apples, peeling them, and so on... Doing it all with mana made me way more proficient."
The princess chuckled softly upon hearing the training details.
"Apples this time, huh..."
"Oh, and something really important!"
Lea listened closely to her cousin's emphasis.
"He taught us how to work less and slack off efficiently."
The princess let out a wry chuckle at that.
"That's his one flaw. No sense of belonging, I suppose."
The commander looked regretful that she still hadn't reeled in the man.
Noticing this, Jane glanced up at Lea and asked.
"Sister, you're trying to bring Senior Bale under your control, right?"
Lea fell silent for a moment at her little sister's blunt question.
Then, she replied with the fierce gaze of the Conqueror King's descendant.
"Who knows. Putting him under control might not be enough."
Lea stepped onto the carriage stairs.
From there, she looked down at her sister and spoke sweetly yet menacingly.
"I want to make him completely mine."
Jane realized what she meant.
She covered her mouth with her palm, her face stunned.
"W-Will His Majesty be okay with that...?"
"No need to worry about Father."
Lea replied to her sister's concern with the leisurely gaze of a queen.
"I'll make sure he can't lift a hand first."
Jane swallowed deeply.
Then, she boarded the carriage after the princess.
"Alright, let's go."
With those meaningful words, the princess's carriage departed Noston.
The majestic rumble of the wheels was unusually lighthearted.
「――――――.」
Two days later, on the returned Monday.
In the small, secluded garden of the central imperial palace, the Andalusia Sanctuary.
Three princesses arrived one by one at the small crystal table located there.
"It's been a while since I've been here—."
The first to arrive was the Third Imperial Princess.
A black dress that clung tightly to her body, revealing smooth curves.
Wearing silk fabric, she had her usual haughty expression today.
"Why are you all so late? So arrogant."
The princess sat alone in the luxurious imperial chair, arms crossed.
When she crossed her legs, her thighs—plump compared to her figure—came into view.
They seemed even smoother than before, perhaps from practicing gymnastics and dance.
―――.
Next came Irina, with light footsteps.
She had tucked a white shirt into sleek tights.
Having trained hard lately, her figure stood out more.
The tights softly wrapped her prominent thighs and beautifully contoured abs, contrasting her lithe build.
"You're late—."
"You just came early."
The Second Imperial Princess replied to the Third's jab with a relaxed smile.
She now carried the same sovereign poise as Lea.
The two sat facing each other at the round table.
They gazed indifferently at one another, then turned their heads toward the last woman to arrive.
――――――.
The Empire's First Imperial Princess, Lea.
She attended the meeting in her white uniform, nonchalantly.
Today, her expression was especially relaxed.
As if she had just conquered a castle.
The two princesses silently watched the woman in her usual plain uniform.
"Why are you all staring like that?"
Lea asked expressionlessly.
"Nothing."
The two shook their heads indifferently.
Afterward, they waited for Mosian, the imperial chancellor who had summoned them here.
"Everyone's here, Your Highnesses."
As they all sat at the round table, Mosian entered the garden.
In his hand was a scroll inscribed with the imperial decree.
"So, what command has Father Mosian issued."
Lea asked on behalf of the group.
The chancellor bowed politely and unrolled the scroll.
"Yes, let us begin."
Mosian first asked them.
"Do Your Highnesses know the purpose of this meeting?"
Irina answered first at his question.
"It's about the upcoming talks with the Northern Empire of Bakal, right?"
Bakal.
The only northern powerhouse currently capable of rivaling the Empire.
Famed for their individual martial prowess, living at the rugged edge of the continent.
There's even a saying: 'When trouble brews, hire Bakal men first.'
"Correct. Especially this year, with His Majesty the Emperor awakened, the implications are even greater."
The chancellor looked pleased at the Second Imperial Princess.
Clasping his hands, he got to the main point.
"Your Highnesses have duties to perform at this major event. Direct orders from His Majesty himself."
The first official command from the emperor awakened from his sickbed.
Their expressions all turned serious.
"Good, recite them."
Lea, seated, commanded with a queenly, sensual gaze.
"Yes, then starting with Lea."
The chancellor bowed respectfully in courtesy.
Then, in a solemn voice, he recited the emperor's decree.
"Lea, you are to handle the talks with Sir Ulut, Supreme Commander of the Bakal Empire."
She must assess their forces and skillfully steer the talks to maintain peace between the nations.
In effect, she would serve as the emperor's representative in these talks.
"At the very least, maintain peace until we deal with the Southern Alliance."
The chancellor emphasized with a cold gaze.
"Understood. I shall obey the command."
The Empire's First Imperial Princess replied in a dignified voice.
Her eyes gleamed with the responsibility of the eldest daughter.
The lewd woman from days ago was perfectly concealed.
"And for Irina..."
The chancellor turned his gaze to Irina.
He stated her first official command.
"You are the only princess whose face is not yet known in public."
Having no faction, she had been excluded from all diplomacy until now.
This first opportunity meant the emperor acknowledged her.
"Well, she was Father's one sore spot—."
Lydia chuckled.
"Not anymore. As commander of one of the 7th Knight Orders, His Majesty has issued a special command."
Mosian replied with a broad smile instead.
"Irina, you are to serve as escort and companion to Bakal Empire's youngest princess, Christina. We would be grateful."
"Escort and companion...?"
When Irina asked back with an intellectual gaze, the chancellor nodded.
"Yes, Christina has long harbored grand illusions about our Empire and is the most diplomatically friendly."
Mosian added an explanation of her with a leisurely smile.
"Rumor has it she believes the tales that our men are handsome. She'll likely inspect various streets in the capital..."
At the absurd rumor, Lydia snorted.
Irina looked embarrassed too.
"Second Imperial Princess, we would appreciate you traveling with the Verdant Knight Order."
"Understood."
The silver-haired princess nodded.
"If desired, you may request reinforcements from other knight orders."
"I'll do so if needed."
As Irina humbly accepted, the chancellor finally looked to Lydia.
"Lastly, His Majesty's command for Lydia."
"Recite it."
The youngest princess smirked.
Her red eyes already overflowed with confidence.
"Didn't a hot spring emerge recently in the capital's eastern district?"
"Yes, we're currently measuring the vein's scale."
The chancellor looked approvingly at the Third Imperial Princess, already handling it adeptly.
"The Bakal guests are very interested in that hot spring. Their culture includes hot spring bathing."
All three princesses nodded, already aware of the information.
"So, please complete it swiftly so they can enjoy it before leaving. We would be grateful."
"That's no problem. I'll build it lavishly in our eastern style, so just trust me."
Lydia pointed her thumb at herself, as if ready to dive right into the hot spring she'd build.
"Very well, that concludes the imperial decree."
"Good work, Mosian."
The Conqueror King's descendants encouraged the chancellor with formal smiles.
In response, Mosian bowed and slowly withdrew.
"Will the three of you stay longer?"
At the old man's question, the princesses looked at one another.
Then, they simultaneously smirked and replied.
"Yes, we have some 'business' to discuss among ourselves."
"Right, some 'issues' for fellow commanders to coordinate—."
The chancellor was moved by the princesses' passionate demeanor.
"Understood. Please finish your discussions."
Dreaming of the Empire's bright future, he withdrew politely.
"..."
With the chancellor gone, only the three princesses remained in the garden.
They stared at one another intently.
And...
"All knight orders, stand by outside."
They ordered their knights out in solemn voices.
――――――.
The sound of military boots faded away.
The garden fell utterly silent, like a dead mouse.
Perfect for a secret talk.
"You all look well rested. Your complexions are great."
Lydia spoke first.
Legs crossed, she smiled seductively like a little devil.
"We've been fine. Seeing you in that outfit, looks like you've had plenty of leisure time?"
Irina crossed her arms alone.
She was no longer the pure, pitiable Second Imperial Princess the chancellor had admired.
She was a lady grown bold to protect her prize.
"Seems more interest in personal primping than state affairs."
"Is that so? You think it looks pretty good too?"
But Lydia was no pushover.
"Well, Bale was totally entranced by this body."
She gracefully placed a hand on her chest.
With a leisurely smile, she attacked again.
"Your momentum's soaring lately, huh? Flaunting that you got a direct order from Father?"
Lydia rested her arms on the round table.
Propping her chin on her hand like a goddess overlooking all creation, she gazed at Irina.
"But I'm worried—. Can that fledgling knight order really escort a foreign princess properly—."
Irina smirked at the sly 19-year-old's provocation.
She fiddled with the cloak on her shoulders and replied leisurely.
"Don't worry. I was planning to request support forces anyway."
"Support forces, good. Proper for your station."
The youngest princess chuckled mockingly at Irina seeking help from others.
But...
"Hm...?"
Her seductive smile soon froze.
"You're not thinking of requesting him for support..."
She realized who that "other" Irina meant to ask was.
"Right, I'll ask the Supply Division."
Irina smiled broadly.
Relaxed as if a brilliant halo shone behind her.
"Don't make me laugh. I'll claim support first."
"Who knows—. Why would someone better than our knight order need support—."
Irina half-closed her eyes leisurely.
She struck at the sore spot of Lydia, who always bragged.
"As befits the Eastern Knight Order, handle your own business."
Lea silently watched the two.
Her unusually quiet demeanor drew their gazes.
"What, why are you so quiet?"
Lydia asked Lea sharply.
Irina answered instead.
"Because there's no pretext to call Bale to a strategy meeting."
Lea was no longer surprised by their reactions.
She sipped her tea gracefully, sending a commander-like leisurely gaze.
"Right, so I met him ahead of time recently."
She had met Bale recently.
At those words, the princesses smirked.
「Really—?」
As if they all had words for each other.
"Did you at least kiss?"
Lydia stroked her smooth abdomen, once flaunted as a dancer.
It felt sensually textured, like a cheongsam.
"Who knows. Up to your imagination."
Lea pulled down her hiked-up skirt to cover her thighs.
Just brushing against the skirt made her body feel hot somehow.
"Kiss..."
Finally, Irina.
She lightly brushed her left breast as if dusting it off.
And then...
"Just the lips?"
She spoke with a mature gaze, lips curved up.
It was the moment all eyes focused on her meaningful words.