The Slave Princess Every Night - Chapter 14

Hilderude answered absentmindedly. The complex political issues between nobles and royalty were outside her interest. Roughly grasping the situation, the nobles who had promised support to His Majesty, including her uncle, were all trying to seek personal gain by using their positions, and the Emperor was steadfastly trying to prevent such things, which was causing conflict.

As for her, she didn’t understand His Majesty’s side. Wasn’t it the nature of nobles to enjoy all the natural rights? It didn’t make sense to restrict that while trying to gain their power.

But surely His Majesty had other deep intentions. That was the characteristic of handsome men.

“And what about the promise to divide the Akien region among the lords?”

Hilderude, who had been listening quietly, was startled and stopped walking.

“Uncle. That’s a bit…….”

The Akien region was a granary located in southern Taringia, a wide and fertile plain. It was also a directly controlled territory that provided the Emperor with solid taxes for war funds.

When Godfrey was still a weak prince, he persuaded the nobles to be on his side, promising other benefits and subtly mentioning the Akien region.

For some ambitious nobles, that may have been interpreted as a promise to divide the Akien land.

But in Hilderude’s view, it was more appropriate to take it as a sign that he would become a leader with a solid foundation through the strong economic power supported by the Akien territory.

If the king they had worked so hard to enthrone were to collapse easily due to a weak foundation, the nobles who supported him would also be scattered to the winds.

“It doesn’t seem right.”

It was the garden closest to the Emperor’s residence. Even a gardener nearby was likely to be a loyal subject of the Emperor, so to openly talk about taking over a directly controlled territory like that.

If she made a mistake, he could become the next target of punishment for coveting the royal family’s property.

“Ahem, is that so.”

Duke Kernten quickly realized that the time and place were not appropriate to vent his dissatisfaction. No matter how much he disliked it, Godfrey was now the most powerful monarch in the world, and this was his most private area.

“I’m going to go into the meeting now.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

After the Duke hurriedly headed towards the central building where the office was located.

Hilderude, who was strolling through the quiet garden in the hope of meeting the Emperor, encountered an unwelcome face.

“Who is this!”

The dry, gray hair now had a luster like silver threads. Her sunken cheeks were plump and full, as if she had been eating well.

Seeing Lena, who had become more beautiful, Hilderude felt a surge of anger. Moreover, unlike the last time when she looked like a complete whore, she was now dressed as if she were some modest noble lady, with maids on both sides.

‘Ha!’

As expected of a vulgar woman, she must have extorted gifts from Godfrey between her legs. Hilderude approached her with a combative spirit.

“Hey.”

It was clearly within earshot, but Lena didn’t even acknowledge her and turned to the side. Hilderude was momentarily stunned by the blatant disregard for her. No one dared to ignore her, the Emperor’s fiancée and Duke Kernten’s niece, like that.

“Hey you!”

“…….”

“You crazy woman who doesn’t know your place!”

She ran to catch up, not even noticing that the hem of her dress was stained with grass, but Lena glanced at Hilderude with an expression as if she had seen a passing wild animal.

“Princess…….”

“Not that flower, pick the one next to it.”

“Ah, yes.”

The maids, who had been glancing back and forth between the two women, finally seemed to come to their senses and picked the flower, handing it to Lena. Lena put it in the basket on her arm and replied.

“What does it matter to you how I’m doing?”

“What?”

“If you are truly the future Empress, you can kill someone like me without any repercussions. That’s what the position of the Queen is all about.”

“…….”

Lena’s blue eyes and Hilderude’s brown eyes exchanged fierce glares. Then, Lena gave a slightly twisted smile.

The most resentful person was Godfrey, but she couldn’t possibly look kindly on the woman who was constantly trying to harm her. Every time she opened her mouth, she would denigrate her with vulgar words. The more she did that, the more Lena could see how many other Taringians thought of her, and she became exhausted without doing anything.

She was tired of those who forced ‘favor’ on her, something she had never wanted, and then harassed her for having it. All she wanted was the happiness of just one person, Regnos.

Yes. She would soon be going to his side. Since she was already noticed by that woman, it was impossible to spend the day quietly, so she decided to say what she had to say, even if it meant leaving.

“Are you anxious?”

“What, what did you say?”

“When Taringia’s territory was only Loren and the surrounding outskirts, you and the Emperor were a good match.”

“…….”

“But as countries fell one by one under his sword, and as he gradually became the master of a larger country, you must have been anxious. Compared to the larger world of Taringia, your status is gradually decreasing, and the number of women who are worthy to stand next to the Emperor has only increased.”

“…….”

“Or is that not the case? So you ended up envying me, who has no home, no lineage, and no family.”

“Envy!”

Hilderude screamed as if she couldn’t bear it any longer.

“You crazy bitch, who would envy someone like you, you cheap prostitute!”

Lena straightened her back and pursed her lips into a straight line. She raised her eyes as if it didn’t matter how she spoke, and Hilderude raised her hand, panting.

“A woman like you needs to be taught a lesson……!”

“Hit me.”

“Oh, I will!”

“If you’re curious to see how much the Emperor will hate you with just that one gesture, go ahead.”

Hilderude glared. She was so enraged that she could see the blood vessels bursting in her pure white sclera. But Lena’s one word finally broke her will. The hand raised in the air trembled, then eventually went down.

“Tch. I’ll avoid you first, since you’re so dirty.”

With a whoosh, the hem of Hilderude’s dress drew a semicircle in the air. Clutching the green skirt with both hands, she hurried away.

“P-Princess…….”

“How did you chase away that bad-tempered Kernten heiress?”

The maids who were attached to Lena poured out admiration, half flattery and half sincerity. Lena quietly put her hands together and replied.

“I came out for a walk after a long time, but my mood was ruined. Let’s stop picking flowers and go inside.”

“Yes, yes…….”

The scattered girls scurried to Lena’s side, who was small in stature. They returned to the Emperor’s chamber together.

That night, after hearing the whole story of what had happened, the Emperor bestowed the entire eastern garden to the princess of the fallen kingdom. So that those who caused unnecessary disturbances would not enter his front yard.

Regardless of how indignant Duke Kernten and his niece were, the princess of the fallen kingdom led her maids on a walk through the garden every day, picking flowers.

By the time everyone took her walk for granted.

Lena, who had entrusted the preparation of food to the maids and went out to the garden first, disappeared from the Imperial Palace as it was.