The Princess Imprint A Traitor - Chapter 33. A Toast to Sisterhood in the Belladonna's Poisoned Cup (4)

“……Continue.”

Her past acts of filial piety were paying off. Desmond II was suspicious but gave her a chance.

“The subjugation of the Black Dragon is imminent. The Empire has been peaceful for so long that it has been forgotten, but war exploits are the best reason to grant territories and titles. Emphasizing this point will be good for suppressing the nobles who demand territories and titles without any merit.”

“And?”

“The Imperial Guard holds the rank of knight, and some have risen to the rank of Knight Commander with this reorganization. They are in a better position to receive titles than commoners. If we emphasize that this does not violate the Empire’s fundamental class system, the nobles will not be able to attack easily. After all, they themselves are the biggest beneficiaries of the class system.”

“…….”

Desmond II rested his chin on his hand and pondered. The silence he created pressed down on the Emerald Hall. Nervous, Eve swallowed hard. After careful consideration, Desmond II commented.

“Indeed, it sounds plausible.”

Desmond II was grinning. It was a much more positive reaction than expected. Eve’s proposal aligned with the goal of maintaining imperial power, and the gradual easing policies, such as the Pioneer District Saga and the Knight Commander system, had reduced resistance.

‘As expected, the Imperial Family can be reformed during Father’s reign!’

Eve briefly shed tears inwardly. At that moment, Hestia, realizing that the policy was disadvantageous to Bridgette, desperately tried to stop it.

“To, to give titles to Homunculi! It’s outrageous. Eve is reverting to her old habits and trying to ruin the Imperial Family’s laws……!”

“Silence, Hestia. Do you think I don’t know that you are Bridgette’s spokesperson?”

“…….”

She had to shut her mouth immediately after being scolded.

“Hmph, how audacious. Sometimes, act for your father instead of your sister. Huh?”

“……I, I, I apologize.”

Desmond II’s clicking tongue echoed through the hall. It was then that Rubio stepped forward, hoping to change the atmosphere.

“It’s a family gathering, so it might be best to stop talking about politics. Perhaps another topic…… Hmm, now that I think about it, Nia has been quiet. Nia, why are you so quiet? Say something.”

As if on cue, everyone turned their attention to Stephania. Desmond II did the same. She was waiting for the right opportunity to bring up an important matter. Now that she had Desmond II’s attention, it was the perfect time.

“Then, Your Majesty, may I say something?”

“Hmm? Go ahead.”

It was when Desmond II gave his bewildered permission that Stephania suddenly stood up from her seat and knelt on the floor.

“Nia?”

Then, a heartrending plea echoed through the Emerald Hall.

“Your Majesty! Please, avenge Derek!”

The atmosphere in the room instantly turned cold.

“……What?”

The voice that repeated the question was icy. But Stephania did not care.

“The circumstances surrounding Derek’s death are not clear. Snoret Wint, who should have been by his side at the time, was elsewhere, and it is suspicious that Mikaelis Agnito was with Derek. There may have been a conspiracy. Please reveal the truth, Your Majesty!”

“Ahem!”

A loud cough echoed through the hall, replacing a roar. Stephania’s plea was a topic that could stir up the Imperial Family, which had only just begun to stabilize. Desmond II could not have been pleased. Eve calmly lowered her eyes and thought.

‘Bridgette instigated this.’

Although Mikael was mentioned, Eve did not feel the need to defend him. Desmond II had made a purely political decision to leave Derek’s death unresolved. To challenge this was to go against the Emperor’s will and to provoke his guilt as a father. As expected, Desmond II spoke in a cold voice.

“Refrain from making statements that cause discord in the Imperial Family.”

“Ah, Your Majesty!”

Stephania showed signs of protest, but Desmond II did not even glance at her.

“……I understand, Your Majesty.”

With that, Stephania fell silent, but an uncomfortable silence hung in the Emerald Hall. Rubio tried to change the atmosphere again.

“Well, now that Rosie has woken up, should we send Sir Millard back to the Vermilion Room?”

“…….”

This topic selection was not very good either. Just as Eve was about to bring the teacup to her lips, she flinched, and Rosenitte opened her mouth.

“No.”

The decisive denial drew everyone’s attention. Rosenitte said as if declaring it.

“Silvestian, or rather, Sir Millard, should continue to be cared for by Sister Eve. I would like to receive another Homunculus as my direct knight this time.”

“A new knight?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

There was no regret on Rosenitte’s face as she answered demurely. Eve looked at her as if trying to gauge her intentions.

‘She has high standards and is possessive, but she’s letting go of Silvestian Millard?’

Rosenitte had her own explanation.

“It was too difficult to imprint, so I don’t want to do it again. Of course, I need my sister’s permission. Is that okay, Sister?”

“……Yes.”

Eve’s eyes darkened as she replied. Regardless of her intentions, it was not good to easily say that she would take on a new direct knight. Eve was overcome with a sense of futility, wondering if this was the limit of royalty.

“Very well. Do as you wish.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Desmond II was still lenient with his beloved Rosenitte. It was when Eve was sighing inwardly that Rosenitte spoke in the same lovely expression and voice as before.

“And Your Majesty, I have a request.”

“Oh? Tell me, Rosie.”

“Could you hold a grand banquet? I miss the atmosphere of high society.”

“Hmm, a banquet……”

Desmond II pretended to hesitate. Eve lifted her teacup and predicted negatively.

‘The New Year’s banquet is in a month, so it’s awkward to suddenly hold an unscheduled banquet in the meantime.’

Then Rosenitte came up with a justification to persuade Desmond II.

“I need to let people know that I’m healthy to quell the rumors. And……”

“And?”

“It’s also Sister Eve’s birthday soon. It’s a double celebration. Yes?”

‘What?!’

Eve almost choked on her tea. Rosenitte, of all people, was celebrating her birthday. What was going on? While the person in question was experiencing cognitive dissonance, the atmosphere at the table was amicable.

“Ah, that’s right. It’s Eve’s birthday soon.”

“Yes. I would be happy to be celebrated with my sister. So please hold a banquet, Your Majesty. Yes?”

“Yes, it’s good to see sisters taking care of each other. I understand.”

“Wow, I’m so happy!”

Eve was dumbfounded by the easy approval.

‘What are you up to, Rosie?’

Unlike before, it was difficult to read Rosenitte’s mind. She needed to grab Rosenitte quickly and exchange a few words to get even a piece of information to speculate. So, she was eagerly waiting for the morning greetings to end when a problem arose.

“Eve, you stay for a moment. I want to talk about the personal title you proposed earlier.”

“……Yes, Your Majesty.”

Eve looked back at Rosenitte with a regretful expression. Then she witnessed an astonishing sight.

“Sister Nia.”

Rosenitte was approaching Stephania in the hallway.

“Would you like to have tea with me this afternoon? I have delicious macarons in my chambers. Ah, you can join us too, Sister Hestia.”

“…….”

She lost the macarons. Stephania was clearly Bridgette’s minion. Moreover, she had just pleaded to tie Eve’s feet. Eve’s face darkened at the ominous meeting.

At that moment, Rosenitte turned her head and looked at Eve. Even as she walked away with Stephania down the hallway, what did those ruby eyes, which stubbornly stared at Eve, want to say? It was a riddle that was difficult to answer hastily.

❇

Four days later, Alvin returned from his secret business trip to the South.

“Your Highness, I trust you have been well!”

“You’re back sooner than I expected.”

“I couldn’t let your wandering affections fall on Sir Agnito while I was away! I hurried back, fearing my position as your most trusted aide would be usurped!”

“Perhaps you should have shown such dedication when you were dispatched on your mission.”

“Kuh-hem, I shall endeavor to do better.”

Eve chuckled and offered Alvin a seat. Alvin greeted Mikael as well.

“I trust you have been diligently attending to Her Highness in my absence, Sir Agnito.”

“Attending to Her Highness is my duty, whether the Redmon heir is present or not.”

After that brief exchange, they immediately delved into the report on the business trip.

“As Your Highness commanded, I posed as a merchant guild owner and contacted the families responsible for resource production. Those nobles kept seeking me out at every turn; it was quite bothersome.”

“It seems you’ve built up quite the reputation and trust.”

“Heh heh heh, I do have a trustworthy air about me, don’t I?”

“Ah, indeed. So it’s not just my perception.”

“Hee hee hee!”

Oblivious to the fact that Eve was subtly manipulating him, Alvin squirmed with delight. However, he soon adopted a serious expression and said,

“I’ve stirred up greed to create rifts within the alliance. By now, the Phellioz Earldom, which monopolizes silver production, should have begun their machinations. I plan to meet with them periodically to fan the flames further.”

“Good.”

Eve and Alvin were exchanging predictions about receiving good news around the time of the Founding Festival when Alvin suddenly remembered something.

“Come to think of it, the Department of Protocol seems to be quite busy with an unscheduled banquet. Is it perhaps the Eighth Princess’s Easter Ball?”

“Ah, that. It’s my birthday banquet.”

“Pardon?!”

Alvin’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. From the side, Mikael interjected in a nonchalant tone.

“It seems you’ll have to relinquish your position as the second most trusted aide. To be ignorant of your lord’s birthday.”

“Ah, no, that’s…!”

Alvin, rarely at a loss for words, floundered. Unable to find an excuse, he made a futile attempt to deflect the blame.

“Ah, did Sir Agnito know?”

“That question is not worthy of a response.”

Mikael smiled serenely. Having recovered the memories of his past life, it was safe to say that Mikael knew everything about Eve. Alvin despaired in defeat.

“This, this can’t be! I haven’t even served as Chancellor yet, and I’m already losing favor!”

“Enough, Alvin. Don’t make a fuss. I’ve always quietly celebrated my birthday with Sedella, so a sudden banquet is rather awkward.”

“Ah, Your Highness…”