261. Two Doors (1)
261. Two Doors (1)
- 1 -
Two months had passed since the Kingdom of Haisen was split into three.
It was the second day of May, a morning drenched in warm spring sunlight.
As the gates of Hylash opened, countless travelers flooded in like the tide.
They were envoys dispatched from various nations as soon as they judged that the situation in the three states, including Hysen, had stabilized.
"Oh... this is truly astonishing."
"I have never seen flowers of such a hue before. They are most peculiar."
"I heard the symbol of the new royal family is the purple daffodil, but I never imagined it would be so beautiful..."
"But what are those black flowers blooming over there?"
"Well... it is a species I am seeing for the first time..."
Amid the sparkling sunlight, the city filled with daffodils, lilies, and carnations captured the travelers' gazes.
The city had been renovated to give off the atmosphere of a divine sanctuary.
Along every major street, between buildings whose exteriors had been clad in black marble, splendid flower-filled streets stretched out as if one were strolling through a garden.
It was a completely different landscape from the Hylash of before.
"The scent of flowers is exceptionally thick."
A low voice echoed from within a pure white carriage moving among the travelers.
It was Archbishop Robert, the Holy Kingdom's envoy to Hysen.
His gaze lingered on the flower beds along the street.
Under the sunlight, the purple-glowing daffodils and the black flowers dotting the spaces between them fluttered in the wind.
The new symbol of Hysen.
"It is a landscape I have not seen before."
The priest beside him swallowed dryly.
Admiration and a subtle unease swirled in his words.
"It must be the influence of the new King and the Saintess."
The Archbishop spoke in a low voice. However, he did not seem entirely certain of his own words.
Two months ago, the scenery here had been utterly different.
Tall spires and walls symbolizing the revival of the royal capital had decorated the city.
It was a city with a cold and splendid majesty, never an elegant and beautiful place like a garden.
But now...
'This place has become a completely different city.'
Lost in deep contemplation, Robert stared at the Royal Castle of Hysen revealing itself beyond the carriage window.
That black castle approaching beyond the black streets, despite its elegance, gave him the feeling not of a human structure but of a Demon Lord's castle.
There was no way he could know that his sentiment was, in fact, true.
- 2 -
A throne room where brilliant gold decorations and black marble pillars came together in harmony.
The multicolored, radiant halo of light created by passing through the Mosaic window embroidered the floor.
At the center of that brilliant space, a girl sat upon the throne.
Yurena Sen Gerlang Nisch Heirasch Heissen.
Though a young queen who had not yet reached the age of adulthood, the dignity she exuded felt as natural as if she had occupied the throne for decades.
"We behold the noble King of Hysen."
The delegation from the Holy Kingdom knelt and greeted her.
Yurena gave a dignified smile.
"You have endured great hardship in traveling so far. Raise your heads."
Her voice was certainly youthful, yet a calm dignity swirled within it.
When the Archbishop raised his head to meet her gaze, he could not hide his astonishment.
One could tell the Queen was young no matter how they looked at her, yet she gave absolutely no impression of being unsuited to that massive throne.
'I assumed she would appear crushed by the weight of responsibility, being a young woman.'
But from her appearance, not a single speck of such a feeling leaked out.
A white ceremonial robe adorned with gold and rubies richly enveloped her delicate curves, and a golden crown set with amethysts further enhanced her grace.
The sight of her holding the royal scepter with slender, long fingers was as perfect as a painting.
"I have heard that the Holy Kingdom is concerned for the well-being of Her Holiness the Saintess."
The conversation was led by Evangeline.
Officially, she was the Court Countess and the Royal Steward.
But the cool aura that permeated her entire being, along with her gentle gaze, ensured no one could consider her a mere civil official.
"You need not worry. Her Holiness is caring for the people at the newly built sanctuary. She is the pride of Hylash, with a dignity and benevolence not unbecoming of a Saintess."
She smiled gently as she looked down at the kneeling delegation.
Clad in a blue ceremonial robe, she was the picture of a flawless noble representing a kingdom.
"She is currently serving at the newly built sanctuary. She offers prayers each morning, comforts the people, and brings light to their lives."
Archbishop Robert nodded.
A Saintess serving at a sanctuary was only natural—her destined duty.
"I am curious to see the sanctuary. If possible..."
"Of course. I shall guide you there tomorrow morning, aligned with the worship service time."
While the conversation passed between them, a quiet exchange took place at the throne.
"Shall we have tea together in the garden this evening, sister?"
As Yurena whispered to Philia and Libertas, a smile spread across her lips.
The two sat side by side, glancing at each other and sharing a small laugh.
In that instant, the atmosphere of the throne room subtly changed.
Tension flickered across the nobles' faces.
Their gazes turned toward the two before hastily moving elsewhere.
Robert did not miss that momentary shift.
'Indeed, just as the rumors said.'
Archbishop Robert's gaze was directed at the dark lady standing beside Queen Yurena.
Philia Elskopf.
She was the woman known as the true power behind Hysen.
'...I would believe it if she were the queen and Queen Yurena was the princess.'
His intuition was accurate.
Because whenever her gaze turned toward the nobles, the atmosphere in the throne room turned to ice.
Robert unconsciously swallowed.
The presence of this dark lady, who seemed only a bit older than Yurena, was overwhelming.
'I must pay respects separately.'
To operate smoothly in this kingdom, he absolutely had to build a rapport with that woman.
The Archbishop intuited that.
- 3 -
Two months had been enough time for judgments to be formed about the current Hysen.
Although its territory had shrunk quite significantly compared to before, the dominant assessment was that the political situation was more stable and its military power had become much stronger.
Those who knew the secret of that 'stability' did not yet exist.
The delegation from the Holy Kingdom departed, and afterward, countless envoys came to greet Yurena.
"We shall now receive the delegation from the Kiza Kingdom."
With the attendant's words, the doors of the throne room opened again.
A delegation wearing white ceremonial robes adorned with gold and blue entered.
"They are Special Envoy Count Marcel of the Kiza Tripartite Government and his retinue."
They were the first delegation dispatched since the change that occurred in Kiza a month ago.
It was the second such delegation since the revelation Yurena had set in motion in Hysen.
As evidence emerged that the majority of the royal family had been affected by Hysen's magic, Kiza had fallen into great chaos.
In the end, a representative of a collateral bloodline, confirmed free of the magic's influence, along with two other powerful figures, came to lead the country.
It had practically become a republic.
"I greet the Queen of Hysen."
Count Marcel paid his respects with proper decorum.
The splendid golden ornaments on his body shimmered, revealing his commanding presence.
"Please, come forward. Citizens of the brother nation. You are welcome."
Yurena smiled.
Her face was full of a warmth and delight that seemed genuine.
"Your Majesty. I have come to reestablish relations with the new Haisen Kingdom."
After a brief exchange of small talk, the main topic came up.
"I have heard the news that the kingdom has been divided into three, but our Kiza will only recognize and support Your Majesty's Hysen as the legitimate authority."
His voice, filled with strong conviction, resounded through the audience chamber.
"Furthermore, I wish to inform you that we absolutely cannot accept the western rebel faction's claim to rights over the former Cheoks Border Margraviate."
Evangeline took a step forward.
"The rebel faction... I fully understand the position of the Kiza Kingdom. However..."
Amid her gentle expression, her green eyes glinted with a cold light.
"But that matter is already under discussion. The suppression of the rebels is an internal affair of Hysen, so it is not a matter in which Kiza should interfere."
Of course, it was only natural that the Kiza Kingdom wanted to protest.
Because the territory occupied by the former Elena Ironfield—now Elena Leophere—was land that Hysen had been set to cede to Kiza prior to the unification of the two kingdoms.
That arrangement had become nominal after both royal families were overthrown two months ago.
It was inevitable that Kiza would want its sovereignty over a territory the size of a marquisate recognized again.
"The matter concerning that territory will proceed under negotiation between Hysen and Leophere. Of course, we shall take the support of the Kiza Kingdom into consideration."
Naturally, there was no way the current Hysen—Libertas—would acknowledge that.
Whether it was Leophere, where Elena's older sister was Archduke, or this Hysen, it was her land.
There was no need to create favorable public opinion for the Kiza Kingdom, which had not yet come under her dominion.
"However..."
Count Marcel's face stiffened.
He had been ordered by two of the three representatives of the Kiza Kingdom to obtain a definite answer on this matter.
If he returned empty-handed, there would be no results for him to show.
But no one present had any intention of listening to additional statements from him.
"A banquet has been prepared, so I hope you will enjoy it, Count."
With Evangeline's gentle dismissal, Count Marcel and his party had no choice but to slump their shoulders and retreat.
- 4 -
"Master. Some people have come to see you."
After the official schedule ended, I was reviewing documents in Countess Elskopf's private office.
As I nodded at Shue's report, she immediately opened the door and ushered in the visitor waiting outside.
"I behold Countess Philia."
The visitor was one of the attendants of Count Marcel from the Kiza Kingdom.
"I have brought a personal letter from His Excellency the Chancellor."
He secretly handed over the letter.
The seal of the Kiza Chancellor was vivid on the thick, wax-sealed envelope.
The content of the letter was clear as well.
First, that they would entirely defer to Hysen's decision regarding the border issue with the Duchy of Leoper.
Second, that they requested the opening of a new trade route through the Duchy of Orbis.
And...
"The Chancellor said that Hysen's help is desperately needed for the stability of the current government."
He added in a lowered voice.
"The political situation in Kiza is currently unstable. The Knight Commander and the Royal Representative are preoccupied with war preparations, contrary to the initial plan established when the government was founded."
The public opinion within the Kiza Kingdom was currently divided.
The main argument of the pro-war faction was that if they could break through the Hinness Duchy to the north or the Cheoks Border Margraviate to the west, they too could expand further.
"So, what does the Chancellor want?"
At my gentle question, he smiled and gave a deep bow.
He seemed to sense the goodwill that had been built.
"The Chancellor believes that with Hysen's support, there is a chance of winning the confrontation with the pro-war faction. If Hysen were to officially announce a stance of reconciliation with Leophere..."
I tilted my head while resting my arm on the armrest of the chair.
It was an interesting proposal.
"Your nation's Chancellor is quite bold."
"He truly wishes for peace. He says war benefits neither Kiza nor Hysen..."
"I can see it that way as well."
I rose from my seat, plucked one of the purple daffodils from the nearby vase, and handed it to him.
"This flower is..."
"It is a token of my answer. Deliver it to the Chancellor. Tell him I shall review his proposal carefully and with due deliberation."
After the secret envoy departed, I stood by the window and gazed toward the Kiza Kingdom.
"It's just as you thought, Master..."
I smiled at Shue, who approached and whispered to me, and nodded.
A new era on the surface was approaching.
