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Chapter 20
After changing her outfit and putting on a deep golden wig, fortunately, no one recognized him.
It could have been said that things were going smoothly, except for a few people who patted Vivian on the back, marveling at how she had managed to find such a handsome man.
Vivian did not bother to reveal the truth to those who seemed to have a huge misunderstanding.
If she said they were not a couple, they might end up acting like Jay did. Fortunately, it seemed that the citizens of the kingdom didn’t realize what their reactions meant, and he didn’t make an issue out of the behavior of several of them.
As they carefully made their way near Aetherna Tower toward the outskirts of the capital, they decided to quell their hunger.
So the two of them entered a white building and sat down. The restaurant was inadequate for the governor to visit, but for ordinary citizens, it was quite acceptable.
Vivian watched him flip through the menu. Sitting by the window in the sunlight, his golden wig shimmered unusually brightly.
“I thought the kingdom had its own traditional cuisine,” she said.
It was a casual remark from the governor that woke her from her thoughts.
“Everything here is Empire-style.”
Vivian felt a surge of emotion rise within her at his calm statement. The menu was indeed filled only with Empire-style dishes; in reality, almost every restaurant on the street was the same.
“Have the tastes of the kingdom’s people changed?”
Even though the two countries share the same roots and aren’t far apart geographically, years of estrangement had left them almost worse than enemies. Their lifestyles could not possibly have become the same. Eating Empire-style food occasionally was possible, but every meal would be impossible.
“Tastes don’t change so easily. For people who have lived their whole lives on kingdom-style food, fifteen years is a short time.”
Vivian smiled lightly, though her voice carried a certain cynicism.
“Then?”
“Are you asking because you don’t know?”
“Yes. I’ll ask since I don’t know. As you said, why is it that only these kinds of restaurants remain after fifteen years?”
Vivian moved her lips slightly and gestured for him to speak as he finally put the menu down.
“I’m not sure if I should say this.”
“Today I brought you here for that reason, so say it—whatever it is. Not saying it would actually be neglect of duty.”
Vivian inwardly rejoiced at his clear permission. With this, he could no longer criticize her for speaking her mind.
At least for today, she didn’t have to worry about the watchful eyes of the Trahafut Empire, which had ruined her country.
As Vivian was pleased with this small fact, a waiter approached, curious that the two hadn’t ordered anything despite having been inside for some time. The governor calmly pointed to two items on the menu and sent the waiter away.
“Then, I’ll ask first.”
After the waiter left, Vivian spoke.
“Your Excellency, are you unaware of how the Governor’s Office has governed this place?”
She had learned quite a lot from an unexpected meeting.
First, the most certain thing: this man was in conflict with high-ranking officials of the Governor’s Office like Werner. Moreover, it seemed possible that, if properly handled, the conflict could be intensified.
Even separately, the conflict between Werner and Herald was no minor matter.
And now, he was asking her about matters that previous governors and senior officials like Werner and Herald should obviously have known.
The Governor’s Office had been isolated from the Empire’s mainland for so long that corruption had set in deeply.
“Such people wouldn’t have left a detailed record of my misdeeds,” she thought.
They surely hadn’t left even a small record.
“But at the very least, they shouldn’t have hidden it from a newly appointed governor.”
It would be absurd to assume that ministers would withhold prior administrative knowledge from a freshly instated leader. A ruler who cannot fully understand the affairs of their land cannot realize their will.
The newly appointed Governor, Peron Edwin, stood at a rotting pool solidly formed in a place where the Trahafut Emperor’s influence was faint. Perhaps he was being tested by the ministers.
“Then that test is probably to see whether Peron Edwin is a governor who can threaten the cartel they’ve been carefully building for fifteen years.”
Vivian quickly deduced why the governor had reached out to her.
“He must have judged it difficult to gain full support within the Governor’s Office. So he’s using me to sway public opinion in his favor.”
Moreover, this man was not the real Peron Edwin who received orders from the Emperor, so he could not assert his authority by presenting himself before the Emperor.
And from the situations she had observed throughout the day, Vivian’s speculation was confirmed by his response.
“Exactly.”
The man before her paused briefly and smiled. At that light acknowledgment, Vivian habitually fidgeted with the bracelet on her wrist.
“Clever.”
He admits so easily that he doesn’t know? Not knowing is a weakness. Does he believe he can defend himself even when attacked in unknown territory? He was arrogant.
Vivian, who could barely respond, was addressed by him.
“You said you’d ask first? I’ve answered; now it’s your turn. Continue.”
“Captain Werner, did you fail to hear His Excellency’s instructions to keep a distance?”
“…Sir Herald.”
Werner, who was about to enter the city street past Herald where the restaurant stood, glared at him with bloodshot eyes.
At that gaze, the kingdom citizens who happened to recognize Werner scattered in fright. Herald, however, was not intimidated by such a look.
Would he remain composed even in front of a gun?
It was more venting than a sudden question. Werner pulled out a revolver from his coat. The wrinkles on Herald’s face deepened as he watched.
“Will you shoot?”
“If I were to, what would you do?”
“What can one do? If cutting out the Empire’s rotten parts could be done with this old man’s life, I would accept it gladly.”
There was steel in his words. Werner’s hand, shaking with anger while aiming at Herald, spun the cylinder roughly and removed the bullets.
“Why take it so seriously? I never intended to shoot.”
No matter how reckless Werner was, he was not insane enough to shoot Herald.
An elderly man with white hair, loyal to the Trahafut Empire for decades, Herald had earned his position as Minister of Internal Affairs in the Governor’s Office. Everyone knew he held the second-highest power, right after the governor.
In other words, he was the second-in-command of the Governor’s Office.
Even if he were not the so-called second-in-command, killing a high-ranking official like Herald for no reason would obviously cause trouble.
Werner did not want to risk such trouble, nor see his hard-earned position and power collapse. There was no need to shoot Herald; under the land governed by the Governor of Roztea, he could take out anyone who irritated him.
“You’re not acting like Captain Werner,” Herald said, seeing Werner holster the revolver. Usually, whenever Werner drew a gun, blood would be shed, but somehow he had restrained himself this time.
Had he regained his senses after being scolded by His Excellency Peron?
Herald, thinking this, quickly dismissed the idea. Leaning against a wall, Werner looked sulky.
“Being myself is not for Minister Herald to judge.”
Having arrived at Roztea Governor’s Office in his late twenties, Werner had now reached a respectable middle age. Not as much as Herald, but he had also accumulated wisdom and humility over the years.
Yet somehow, he could be worse than children who hadn’t even graduated school.
Herald was increasingly amazed day by day. Seeing the expression in Herald’s eyes, Werner crossed his legs, took out a cigarette, and lit it.
“Since we’re here, I’ll ask one thing. Minister Herald, why do you interfere in my affairs every single time?”
As he lit it, Herald stepped back.
“Interfere? I’m not idle enough to dispute everything Captain Werner does.”
“What…?”
“And correct your statement about ‘every time.’ I’ve repeatedly said I do not pay that much attention to what Captain Werner does.”
Without letting Herald reply, Werner fired back, exhaling the smoke he had held in.
“Ha! Fine, I’ll correct myself.”
He flicked the ash off the tip of his cigarette.
“Why have you been meddling in matters under my authority?”
Werner stepped closer. To the bent-over old man, the middle-aged man now seemed quite threatening. Herald, however, was not intimidated.
If he had been scared by this, he wouldn’t have become Minister of Internal Affairs. Having faced far worse, Herald calmly waved away the smoke Werner exhaled.
“If you’re going to harass this old man, I’d like a detailed explanation.”
“You’ve been interfering from inspections to the size of the guard, and even minor matters.”
“That falls under my jurisdiction as well. If I don’t intervene in the overall matters of the Governor’s Office, what is the point of my position as Minister of Internal Affairs?”
“Even military training falls under your jurisdiction?”
The voices rose. Werner blew smoke at Herald’s feet in defiance. The pale smoke dispersed quickly but left a sharp scent.
“I am the Minister of Internal Affairs, unrelated to the military. So why have you lately involved yourself even in bayonet training?”
