This was the fifty-sixth day since he disappeared.
That morning, Meliya suddenly threw up. She hadn’t even had breakfast yet, but it was as if she was trying to vomit up her entire stomach, retching dryly.
Vera, at a loss, immediately brought over a doctor from the Order of the Imperial Army.
After examining her, the doctor delivered a reality that left her utterly shocked:
“She’s pregnant.”
After her shock faded, Vera’s first reaction was anger—what on earth was this? That damned bastard moved too fast!
…No, wait, they’re husband and wife! Could she really have expected nothing to happen on the wedding night between Lian En and her?
So should she be happy now? After all, the person she cherished like a younger sister and the man she loved had created a child together…
But Vera couldn’t bring herself to be happy. Not just because that bastard wasn’t here right now, but also because of a certain, inexplicable emotion she couldn’t quite name.
I can’t feel this way. I have to take good care of Meliya before he comes back… then, for the little life growing in her belly, I’ll give him a good beating when he returns…
Even now, she still firmly believed he would return.
…
……
………
This was the one hundred and tenth day since he disappeared, and the snow and ice covering the entire Northland were slowly melting.
Meliya’s belly had already grown noticeably larger.
“Sephy… I have to return to the Imperial Capital. I’ll be counting on you to look after her these days.”
Vera had already packed her things and was ready to depart. She and her army could not remain in the Northland any longer.
Though Vera wished she could make all those people in the Imperial Capital, who pointed fingers at her, disappear, she couldn’t let her personal feelings put her subordinates at risk.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her. I read a lot of books about this before coming here.”
Sephy, sitting face to face with Meliya and rocking back and forth in her chair, waved a hand behind her, her voice full of confidence.
Beside her stood two figures who looked exactly like her but wore indifferent expressions—Vera guessed they might be puppets or clones of some sort.
She was always so reliable. If it weren’t for her, Vera truly wouldn’t know what to do.
“Meliya…” She walked up to Meliya, leaned down, and held her hand.
“Take care on your journey.”
Meliya smiled at her. Ever since she became pregnant, she seemed much more spirited.
Though the sorrow that lingered in her eyes hadn’t vanished, she could now speak normally with Vera and those caring for her.
“Please take good care of yourself. I’ll be back soon.”
With that promise, Vera left the farm with reluctant steps.
…
……
………
The three hundred and ninth day since he disappeared.
“…I’ve already told you, Father. I must return to the Northland. Surely you know what those people stirring near the Northland are planning.”
Ignoring the hundreds of gazes cast at her in the White Throne Hall—filled with envy, suspicion, resentment, and even admiration—Vera spoke to her father, who sat upon The Throne.
“She can’t be allowed to go!”
“She wants to lead the Empire’s army to aid that lowborn woman! How could someone of noble royal blood demean herself by helping a mere commoner—”
Before the Emperor could respond, several nobles in the hall shouted harsh criticisms at Vera.
In an instant, Vera singled out the noble who had slandered Meliya with such venomous words among the crowd:
“…Watch your words, Lord Yebul. You are insulting the Duke of the North, as well as my friend. If you dare speak so insolently again, I will cut off your head right here.”
As soon as these words left her lips, silence fell over the hall.
For the female officer standing on the audience platform, hand on her sword, was exuding a chilling murderous aura—
“Eeek—”
The middle-aged noble named Yebul collapsed to the ground, his face ashen.
He felt as if ten… no, a hundred razor-sharp blades were brushing against every inch of skin beneath his splendid robes.
If they went any deeper, they’d slice him open and leave him bleeding.
“She’s mad…”
“To release such killing intent before His Majesty…”
“Your Highness Vera. Please, restrain yourself. Do not forget, this is the Emperor’s presence.”
A middle-aged man in a purple robe slowly stepped out from the crowd and addressed Vera. His voice was calm, seemingly unaffected by the killing intent that would send most people fleeing in terror.
“Lord Steinheim, you are the Duke of the South. If it were your friend or kin being insulted in this way, would you not wish to cut off the culprit’s head yourself?”
Facing the deep gaze of the Duke of the South, Vera did not waver in the slightest. She kept her hand at her waist, poised to draw her sword at any moment.
“…That woman leads in her husband’s stead. She can’t be considered a true Duke of the North. And you shouldn’t be calling someone like her your close friend, either.”
“My friendships are none of your concern, Lord. And I don’t recall any tradition of the Empire that forbids a woman from taking her husband’s place. Besides, the child she’s carrying now is the Hero’s blood—by every right and custom, she is the most legitimate ruler of the Northland.”
“I have no wish to argue with you needlessly. What I’m telling you is that, with the Hero gone, that woman is nothing but a commoner with no noble blood. The Empire cannot allow someone of such birth to govern an entire Duchy—she has neither the qualifications nor the ability. Those loyal nobles waiting in the Northland are there for the safety of the realm, awaiting her delivery—”
“That’s exactly why I must go. I need to stop those ‘well-meaning’ nobles massed on her borders, and assist her as the Second Princess of the Empire until her child grows up and inherits the land.”
“…You’re speaking nonsense. Beyond being a princess, you are also the Highest Commander of the Empire’s Army. Are you fully aware of your position?”
The Duke’s gaze grew dark, as if to ask: must you truly oppose us?
“As for my position, I believe I understand it even better than you, Lord Steinheim.”
Do you think I’ll let you greedy hyenas… lay a single finger on her or her child? If you think you can, then try it.
With a smile, Vera conveyed her resolve to him. The dangerous atmosphere between the two of them sent ripples through the hall—
“Enough.”
The Emperor struck the ground hard with the Scepter, and finally, the crowd was brought to order under the weight of imperial authority.
He looked down upon his daughter, his expression unreadable to those standing below, bathed in the light streaming down from the dome.
“My daughter. Have you truly made up your mind?”
“Yes, Father. My mind is made up, without regret.”
“Then go and do what you wish.”
“Your Majesty…!”
The Duke of the South, Steinheim, turned toward the Emperor in shock and anger. At the same time, three figures stepped forward from the crowd, jointly advising the Emperor—
“Your Majesty, please reconsider.”
“How can the Empire’s army be mobilized for such a reason?”
“Your Majesty, please do not ignore the Empire’s traditions and rules out of love for Her Highness.”
Even before the Emperor, these three did not bow their heads. For they were the most powerful nobles in all of Irancia—the Dukes of the East, Center, and West.
“You… Are you going back on your word?! You were the ones who decided together to grant the Northland to the Hero—”
Vera trembled with rage. She had not expected these usually rivaling nobles to set aside their differences and unite at this moment… Even her father could not ignore their demands!
“I, too, ask Your Majesty to reconsider.”
The Duke of the South, Steinheim, also joined them, and the four directed unimaginable pressure at the man upon The Throne.