239. Winter Flower (1)
239. Winter Flower (1)
- 1 -
"Would you turn your gaze this way, Your Highness?"
At the words of the royal painter, Yurena slightly turned her head.
Her golden hair reflected the sunlight streaming in through the window.
The unique shade, born from the blend of blonde—the symbol of the Haisen royal family—and the black hair of darkness, was enough to captivate the painter's gaze.
"You are truly beautiful. It is an honor to capture Your Highness's beautiful likeness on canvas with my own hands."
"Th-thank you..."
The painter's fluent flattery was heavily laced with genuine sincerity.
Meanwhile, everything was a burden for Yurena.
A dress more beautiful than any she had ever worn in her life, and far too many ornaments.
This situation where her own portrait was being painted.
And even 'the Father' sitting beside her.
It was terribly difficult.
Hiding a heart frozen with malice.
"This must be your first time in such a setting."
Ruihareuteu's voice was gentle.
As though the memories Yurena held from the past had returned exactly as they were.
Yurena now knew his true nature, yet she still felt as though she might succumb to him.
The inertia she had carried since childhood was asserting its power.
"Yes... Father."
The little girl's shoulders stiffened with tension.
She swore to herself again, deep inside, that she must not succumb to him again.
Yurena was now the king's enemy.
"Do not be tense. This is now a place where you belong."
However, the king merely wore a fake smile, as if looking at a cute little daughter.
Completely unaware of Yurena's hostility and wariness.
"That's right. Rest assured, Your Highness."
Just then, a small whispering voice from the side loosened the tension from Yurena's shoulders.
The disguised demon Yuran and the monster Etna, the two head ladies-in-waiting she had brought in, stood at her side.
Even so, Yuran was perfectly camouflaged in human form, but Etna was not.
Etna, revealing her ant-humanoid form, had pitch-black eyes that glittered.
At that moment, the king also focused his gaze on Etna.
"Etna Clever, was it? Never in my life did I imagine a being of such refined dignity existed among monsters."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty."
While Etna elegantly paid her respects, the king's gaze swept over her peculiar joints.
His effort to conceal the disgust that flickered across his face for an instant was all too apparent.
'Naturally, that's how it would be.'
Etna's eyes were calmly observing the look in the king's eyes.
The position of a princess's head lady-in-waiting came in two types: one appointed by the royal family and one brought in personally, and the culture dictated that both were accepted as is unless there were significant flaws.
Even so, the existence of a monster as a head lady-in-waiting was shockingly unconventional.
'This is troublesome. This is a situation where this child must become a perfect hero.'
To the extent that, if the public knew, there would be those among them who would unconsciously harbor resistance toward Yurena.
If Yurena hadn't been immediately popular, such an appointment would never have been permitted.
The king fell into brief contemplation, thinking he had to find a way to remove this presence from Yurena's side.
'It's just as my sister said.'
Watching all of this, Yurena nurtured her respect for the one who had taken her in.
- 2 -
Meanwhile, a different discussion was continuing in the court conference room.
"The number of monsters being brought into the royal capital is growing too large."
Adhenbar spread documents out on the table.
Over six hundred monster mercenaries and even a head lady-in-waiting.
The concerns of the nobles were only natural.
"This is unprecedented in the history of the Haisen Kingdom. A response is certainly needed."
The air in the conference room grew heavy.
Seven of the nine high-ranking noble families were present, and more than half of them nodded at Adhenbar's words.
Even some of the rival faction, the nobles of the princess faction, did so.
"Bringing monsters into the royal castle itself is utterly..."
"That's strange."
Grisella's voice cut off the prince's words.
"Didn't the court mage say he was more than capable of monitoring them? Brother."
Fury flickered in her cold eyes.
It was because she hadn't been able to sufficiently cut off Adhenbar's limbs to get the approval for Yurena's troops and the head lady-in-waiting matter.
'Once all this is over, I must surely expel that wench again.'
"Moreover, that head lady-in-waiting is no simple monster."
Grisella bit her lip slightly and took out a report.
The content written there was about the forest where Haisen-made ironwood grew.
And the story of the monsters who controlled it.
"Monsters who refuse all other humans, but permit the cutting of trees only when carrying Princess Yurena's banner... What do you think this means?"
Haisen-made ironwood, one of the resources considered a specialty of Haisen, was a high-grade timber used for countless purposes—both extraordinarily hard and yet pliable despite being wood.
One of Haisen's central economic interests was at stake, so to speak.
"You don't mean to say that the head lady-in-waiting is the one who has unified those monsters?"
"At the very least, it's certain she is involved."
Grisella's cool gaze, which had not answered the question, swept over the assembled nobles.
Then, she stared directly into Adhenbar's eyes and declared.
"Consider the military leeway and economic benefits we can gain by accepting this woman now. That is all."
A murmuring among the nobles followed.
This wasn't a simple discussion about the appointment of a head lady-in-waiting; it was about the position of the ruler of the Mistheim Plateau being at stake.
Naturally, a backlash exploded forth.
"Haisen ironwood has long been managed by our family. To say we must hand over those management rights in their entirety now!"
The objection of the marquis who had his capital in Copherin and ruled the Copherin and Guileus areas.
"But in exchange, there would be military leeway..."
"That's right. Moreover, that ironwood is..."
The response from the nobles to that was lukewarm.
That marquis belonged to the neutral faction, and there was no reason to support someone who had held that interest while displaying arrogant words and behavior.
"We must acknowledge it. That there are more hidden monsters in our land than we thought."
Another marquis spoke up.
He was the lord of the northern border principality of Sitimia, not subordinate to Libertas, but one who had experience employing monsters as mercenaries anyway.
"I am also acutely aware that if we can utilize them as a military force, military costs are greatly reduced. Interaction with monsters is now unavoidable."
"But isn't that a story of the frontier? Hayrash is the royal capital. It is the heartland of a great power comparable to Zenota or Norn."
Another noble immediately refuted. Anxiety was cast over his eyes.
"Then, what do you propose to resolve this issue?"
Grisella's voice cut across the conference room.
Her eyes turned toward Duke Astermark, who had voiced his anxiety.
She disliked him immensely.
For he was a man who had placed political burden on Haisen in order to take a saintess as his wife.
"Are you suggesting we abandon the economic interests and military power those monsters hold? At this rate, Your Grace, it seems you might even volunteer to return your private soldiers to the royal capital. Seeing as you so oppose the newly brought-in military force."
"Th-that is..."
"It is exactly as Her Highness the Princess says."
Another marquis stood up and spoke.
His gaze went around the table, singling out the assembled nobles one by one.
"Now, on the cusp of integration with the Kiza Kingdom, we need stability beyond imagination. In this situation, how about we consider the advantages gained by drawing the numerous monsters within the kingdom to our side as allies?"
"Even so, we cannot deny that this matter is dangerous."
Adhenbar stood up again.
He took a step forward and raised his voice.
"And besides, those monsters are not under the royal family's control, but under Princess Yurena's banner. Ironwood interests and royal guard military power. For one princess to hold such great power is..."
"Enough."
The king's voice rang through the conference room.
As Ruihareuteu entered, accompanied by Yurena, all the nobles rose from their seats and bowed their heads.
"Your Majesty."
"Father."
"Everyone seems worried about the power my youngest holds. But there is no need to worry."
The king placed a hand on Yurena's shoulder.
His voice was filled with certainty.
"Now, Yurena. Tell them. Whose orders have all the monsters you brought agreed to follow?"
"They have agreed to follow Father's orders."
Yurena's voice was quiet but clear.
The nobles' eyes simultaneously widened.
Beside her, the two ladies-in-waiting bowed their heads.
"That is so. The monster mercenary band and the head lady-in-waiting, all of them shall be under my direct control. Yurena is my daughter, and the monsters she has brought shall also be my subjects."
No one could refute the king's declaration.
In the face of the traditional notion that all armies of Haisen were under the king's direct command, something like a monster mercenary band was rather a minor issue.
"It shall be as Father wills."
Yurena maintained an expression that revealed no emotion, just as she had learned from Libertas.
Hiding the small laugh blooming within her heart was more difficult than she thought.
'Am I doing well? Sister...'
The acting wasn't perfect, but at least her hardened face wasn't a lie.
For she was now suppressing her disgust for these people who had known her situation from the beginning.
To the nobles' eyes, it looked like the sorrow of someone forced to give up their interests.
"Have the head lady-in-waiting introduce herself."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I am Etna Clever. Noble lords and ladies, I have been given the honor of attending Her Highness the Princess from now on, so I humbly ask for your kind regard."
At Ruihareuteu's words, Etna stepped forward.
The sight of her, offering a greeting following perfect etiquette with the peculiar, otherworldly form unique to the Clever clan, completely defied the nobles' expectations.
"This much should suffice, no? We shall discuss the remaining management structure tomorrow morning. You are dismissed."
With the king's declaration, the meeting was adjourned.
The nobles rose from their seats, each carrying their own thoughts.
Soon, a ceremony was prepared where the princess would reveal herself to the public, and the royal family would acknowledge and praise her achievements.
"Thank you, Father."
"Whatever for? It is only natural that your people should be accepted. Are you not alone here?"
Yurena smiled, bowing politely to the king.
'Soon now...'
But that smile was not directed at the king.
It was for the master she served.
None of them knew.
That the seeds of the monsters they so loathed were already sown throughout the Haisen Kingdom.
- 3 -
The room was very quiet.
Because the owner of the room was absent, and those who served the owner had all gone outside.
Sarak—
I ground the fallen branches into powder and scattered it into the soil. It would become fertilizer just like this.
"It's a more decent hobby than I thought. Pleasing to the eye. And satisfying to the touch."
A multitude of flowers arranged around the purple daffodils at the center.
The flowers, whose growth direction had been guided by mana, had a small swing placed in their midst.
Just like a flower garden.
Upon the swing, a doll of a girl with long blonde and black hair was swaying.
"You're the only one who uses mana to tend potted plants, Master."
"Magic is a hobby to me, Eve. And hobbies should be enjoyable."
"Of course."
Eve answered my words quietly.
Inside the room, the breathing of two other people could be heard besides her.
Saya and Shue. All my people.
A scene just like my private room inside the dungeon.
But this place wasn't actually mine.
Deolkeong!
"Sister!"
"Welcome back, Yurena."
Just then, the owner of the room returned and flew into my arms.
I closed my eyes for a moment at her scent.
The subtle fragrance spreading from her golden hair was of the kind that calmed the heart of whoever smelled it.
This child was now becoming completely mine.
As the princess of Haisen, and as one of the most beautiful flowers to bloom in my garden.
"Were you watching the ceremony?"
"Of course. I watched. You were truly beautiful, Yurena."
"Hehe..."
The proclamation that had taken place in front of the royal castle earlier had been the royal family announcing her circumstances and praising her as a hero.
[Until now, Her Highness has been unable to appear in public due to deep emotional wounds, however...]
Traces of effort to somehow disparage Yurena's worth were visible throughout the announcement, but that wasn't bad either.
For all of it would ultimately become a blade turned back upon them.
"What were you doing?"
"I was making a flowerpot to decorate your room. Take a look."
"It's so pretty! This is me, right?"
"Yes. It's a garden for you."
"Wow...!"
On the surface, it looked like a princess acting cute towards her lady-in-waiting.
In reality, it was the complete opposite.
I thought to myself as I stroked her golden hair.
This child was a flower of my garden.
And at the same time, the child who would be Haisen's deadliest poison.
I nodded my head toward Etna, who had approached from the side.
- I shall report. The king is...
"Did you really grow this with magic? How?"
"Well. You can do it too, you know. Here. Try copying me."
"It's not working..."
She came to my side and began whispering through message magic about what had happened in the conference room.
While listening to it, I began playing with Yurena.
I didn't like whining children, but if that child wasn't a troublemaker, there was no reason to dislike her.
All the more so if that child was decorating a garden for me.
Sararak.
The flowerpots I had prepared for Yurena were glowing on their own, illuminating us.
It was a beautiful light, blessing Yurena's future.