249. The Edge of Winter (2)
249. The Edge of Winter (2)
- 1 -
The late winter sunlight fell softly upon the garden of Narcissus Palace.
Warm light seeped over the flowerbeds where the white frost had yet to melt, making them sparkle.
"Did a battle really..."
'happen here?'
Yurena stood in the middle of it all, unable to hide her astonishment as she looked around.
She had heard that a battle had taken place here just last night, but...
It was because her eyes could barely find any trace of it.
Of course, upon closer inspection, places where the ground had been gouged remained, but the black lilies and purple daffodils were still blooming in full glory to greet her.
To Yurena, that was both strange and pleasant.
Because it felt like it represented Libertas's 'omnipotence'.
"Sister!"
Yurena's cheeks flushed red as she waved and greeted Libertas, who happened to be looking down at her from the palace.
The sight of her sister standing by the window, the hem of her black dress fluttering, always seemed to take her breath away.
When Libertas waved back, Yurena gave an even brighter smile.
Thud.
A woman approached her.
Esther's explosive figure, visible through her green nun's habit, stood in strange contrast to her status as a saintess.
But to Yurena's eyes, that contradictory charm was incomparably beautiful.
"Ah, Esther unni!"
"Lady Yurena."
At the princess's voice, Esther's stiff expression softened gently.
The saintess and the princess.
The two, whose trust and affection for each other were deepening by the day, were the most important figures in Libertas's plan.
'She's really pretty.'
Yurena watched with sparkling eyes as Esther's glossy blonde hair shone beneath the frost.
Libertas's followers all possessed beautiful and noble appearances.
Though many of them exuded a rather fearsome aura, Esther was always gentle, so she liked her the most.
'She's adorable.'
Esther also genuinely cherished her.
There was no reason not to like the only blood relative on the surface who was close to her beloved and respected master—her master's niece...
But it was also because Yurena had maintained her innocence despite her unfortunate upbringing.
Even if Esther had abandoned the Holy Kingdom, she had not abandoned humanity.
"Good morning, Lady Yurena."
The girl with blonde hair streaked with black wore a rather modest and neat dress.
She looked more like an ordinary noble girl than a princess of a nation, but that only served to highlight her purity even more.
It was a look that matched Esther well, who wore only her green habit and no accessories.
"Just call me Yurena, unni."
"I cannot do that. Lady Yurena is my master's niece."
"... Is that so..."
At the saintess's firm refusal, Yurena felt slightly dejected.
Esther's reasoning was something Yurena could understand, but not easily accept.
Esther pondered how to explain it, then changed her mind and whispered quietly.
"When we are alone, I will be informal. Yurena."
At the softness in Esther's quiet whisper, Yurena's heart beat faster.
Esther was famous for always being strict and displaying perfect etiquette.
It felt special that she was showing this side of herself.
"...! Yes!"
Esther smiled at the princess, whose face brightened up instantly.
Afterward, the two walked through the garden together.
Esther's white eyes were so mysterious that Yurena often slowed her pace without realizing it.
"They said there was a battle in this garden yesterday. Did you know about it, unni?"
"Of course."
Esther nodded.
It was something she couldn't have not known.
Because it was she who had set up the barrier to prevent the demonic power that erupted in this garden from spreading outside.
Her power was unrivaled in terms of 'defense' and 'interception'.
Neither the Kingdom nor the Holy Kingdom would have any real idea of what had happened here.
"I feel disappointed that I missed all the important moments because I was asleep. I could have been of help too..."
Esther unconsciously held back the hand that had been about to rise to pat Yurena's head.
She had nearly acted on instinct for a moment.
It was because Yurena's words stemmed from loyalty toward Libertas, and she felt proud of her for it.
Instead, Esther patted the girl on the back and said,
"Please don't say such things."
Esther's voice was somewhat stern.
After being silent for a moment, she added in a much softer tone,
"Because things like today can happen any number of times in the future."
"Do you think so?"
"Yes."
Esther looked up at her master, who was looking down at them from the inner palace.
The one who originated from the deepest darkness and the furthest bond, and who would soon become the source of all darkness.
Even though she would eventually swallow up even the faith Esther held, Esther's loyalty only deepened.
She had only just occupied one central part of the continent, but Esther believed without a doubt that she would soon claim everything on the continent.
"... Because a great war will break out soon."
"Then I will be able to help you too, unni!"
"Of course. Lady Yurena's power will surely be a great help."
"Hehe."
At Esther's words, Yurena's eyes filled with life.
"Because I will sweep away anyone who stands in Libertas unni's way."
Sensing her innocent cruelty, Esther prayed that Libertas's protection would surely be upon Yurena's path forward.
That she would not be swept away by frenzy and lose herself.
- 2 -
Bathed in the midday sun, Narcissus Palace boasted a serene elegance.
Before its gates, dozens of nobles were already lined up in a long queue.
It was to have an audience with Princess Yurena, who was acquiring new influence within the royal capital.
"Hoho. To think so many have come..."
An old baron murmured to himself.
"Well, yesterday's incident was indeed that significant."
At the whisper of the young viscount beside him, the baron nodded.
The death of Regina en Berno.
It had plunged the kingdom into sorrow, but it had also created another hope.
It was because a rumor had spread that Yurena, her mercenary corps, and her knights had captured the culprit who killed Regina.
[I express my gratitude to Her Highness Yurena and her followers who stopped that brutal murderer from the west.]
That rumor spread even larger and faster when Rastain en Handelbart, who was originally of the princess faction, indirectly acknowledged the matter.
Good rumors also spread about Rastain's honor in quickly recognizing the princess's achievement.
Even though it was almost a dishonor to himself, the assessment was that he had driven the wedge to ensure everything was done justly.
"It is remarkable. Both Her Highness Yurena's own power and the new soldiers she has drawn in."
"I hear that some of them are even monsters..."
"What does that matter? I heard they don't cause any trouble. They even say the rumors about pets in the capital being eaten turned out to be false."
"Hmm."
However, they did not know.
That a significant number of the nobles gathered here had actually come not to meet Princess Yurena, but the one behind her.
And that some of them were already monsters in human form.
The terrain of power, no, the very foundation itself, was being twisted.
"It is an honor to meet Her Highness, Princess Yurena."
A noble with a splendid mustache bowed deeply and entered.
He had been a close associate of Duke Astermark, and as soon as he confirmed that the duke had moved away from the center of power, he had set out to find a new lord.
Expecting that he could serve the new hero rising in this capital, Princess Yurena.
"Welcome, Count."
Sure enough. The Princess Yurena he met seemed like a pure figure who knew nothing about politics.
But beside her was an unexpected figure.
"Your Highness. That person is..."
A woman in a black dress, possessing an extraordinary dignity and beauty even at a glance.
Her purple eyes captivated the count's gaze.
The count recognized her as 'Philia Elskopf,' a noble from the Kingdom of Rugnisah who had recently arrived at the royal castle.
'Has my chance been stolen...'
Thus, he could not help but deeply misunderstand why she was sitting beside the princess.
Because Yurena was nodding along, listening intently to her words.
'Tch.'
He clicked his tongue inwardly.
His ambition to become Princess Yurena's closest confidant and build a new power base had been thwarted before it even began.
"Yesterday's incident was truly unfortunate, Your Highness."
"No one could have predicted that the Prince of Han would commit such an act."
Watching Yurena answer his words better than expected, the count continued the audience confidently.
Even though he knew there were dozens before and after him who thought the same way, he was certain he could become her close aide.
He was the advisor who had enabled Duke Astermark to seize power.
Whatever anyone else said, he thought so himself.
'... But for now, it can't be helped.'
The woman in the black dress was clearly no pushover at a glance.
Her gaze seemed to peer into the very bottom of his soul. The count had known a few others with such eyes, and all of them had been extraordinary individuals.
'It's like looking at His Majesty the King.'
The second or third closest aide position was fine too, but... the regret was unavoidable.
"A useless fellow."
Libertas muttered, watching the departing count's back.
The surrounding maids tensed at her cold voice.
But Yurena simply nodded.
She didn't even ask for the reason. Her words were truth to the princess.
"Such people overflow in the royal capital."
But Libertas taught Yurena clearly.
Because she was a lord who took the growth of her people as her own joy.
"As long as you hold power, you can manipulate them all you want, so there's no need to value them highly. You just need to pretend to treat them well outwardly."
"I understand, unni."
"Good."
Stroking Yurena's head, Libertas looked at the nobles entering next.
"It is an honor to meet Your Highness and Lady Philia."
A representative among them stepped forward and greeted.
He mentioned both Yurena and Libertas simultaneously, but his gaze was directed solely at Libertas.
Yurena did not miss it.
Such nobles were increasing as time went on.
Those who came ostensibly to pay respects to her, but in reality came to meet Libertas.
'Amazing unni.'
Yurena felt pleased inside.
Watching the number of nobles who pledged loyalty to Libertas grow one by one was an incomparable joy for her.
Whether their true nature was demon or human.
"I would like to hear about future matters..."
When the noble cautiously broached the subject, Libertas nodded.
"It would be better to discuss that all at once later."
At Libertas's words, the noble let out a sigh of relief.
In this royal capital, monsters with human bodies and memories like him were gradually increasing.
- 3 -
I stood by the window and watched the nobles leaving the audience chamber.
One group, my monsters. Another group, those who came purely out of loyalty to Yurena. And in every corner, the jackals who came to use Yurena.
Their robes fluttered like a flock of birds fawning over their leader.
It felt like watching a power shift in a kingdom of beasts.
Beasts, every one of them, chasing the shadow of the powerful.
What they did not know was that the shadow they were chasing was darkness itself.
Looking at my purple eyes reflected in the window, I did not hide the smile that crept onto my lips.
"Yurena."
"Yes, unni?"
"I'm sorry. It seems the territory you will rule will have to shrink."
At my words, Yurena shook her head.
The face she buried against my arm was instead filled with joy.
"Not at all! According to what you said, unni, Lady Elena should actually receive her own land. And on top of that, your kingdom will be established in the south!"
"... Yes."
"I'm actually happy. This way, we can become stronger. When Lady Elena, who will become the border countess, and that unni named Amelia each rule their own territories, we will all be united under your banner."
I couldn't help but smile at her pure loyalty.
While looking forward to the work she would do in the future.
"... Yes. Thank you for saying that."
Tomorrow morning. The royal capital would be turned upside down once again.
I did not stop the scoff that escaped me.
This royal capital felt just like a stage for clowns.
A stage where the lead changed every time the curtain rose.
'But.'
Now, that lead role was mine alone.