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Chapter 102…………………..
“He said in two days! He said he would come through the Gate!”
I kept replaying Illia’s excited voice in my head, eagerly waiting for those two days to pass.
And finally, two days later, news spread that the Pope and his priests were arriving at the Imperial Palace. Everyone gathered to prepare for his welcome.
He said he would come through the Gate, didn’t he? Then I suppose he’ll come straight into the Audience Hall.
Although the Temple and the Imperial Family were long-time rivals, they were both under the Goddess’s protection. When important matters arose, they could use the Gate to travel directly to one another’s Audience Halls.
This was possible because the Palace had inscribed a teleportation ritual connected to the Temple’s Great Blessing Hall, and likewise, the Temple had inscribed one leading to the Palace’s Audience Hall.
The news quickly reached the other children. Isabell, Yevgeni, and Dmitri—who had arrived first—were already waiting in the Audience Hall with us.
Emin had sent a letter saying he would likely only arrive on the day of the eve-festival itself, since he lived on the distant frontier.
I entered the Audience Hall and curtseyed before the Emperor and Empress.
Following me, Yevgeni asked in an excited voice:
“Is it true that this year’s eve-festival will choose one of us to light the beacon fire?”
“Of course, Second Princess~.”
The Empress raised the corners of her lips with a confirming smile.
“Just so, Pope Maridris also said he would cast his vote for the one to light the beacon fire. That means there will be an aptitude test.”
“Aptitude test?”
Isabell tilted her head.
So it wouldn’t simply be the Emperor, his retainers, and the priests deciding the candidate in a private meeting—it would involve something more formal.
Isabell frowned deeply, making no effort to hide her annoyance.
“Well… isn’t Brother Dmitri the most suitable anyway?”
“Mm, I think so as well. But Pope Maridris seemed to have a different opinion.”
The Empress gave Isabell an understanding, gentle smile.
I, knowing the truth behind things, simply kept my silence.
Then—
The Empress’s eyes flicked toward me, and she spoke.
“As for the First Princess… since you were born without divine power, you’ll likely be excluded. Such a pity, isn’t it?”
“I am fine with that.”
“There’s no need to act so detached. Ah, that’s right. If one of the other children is chosen, perhaps we should assign the First Princess a position at their side. You could be of some help.”
In other words, if Yevgeni, Isabell, or Dmitri were chosen, I would be relegated to following after them like a mere attendant.
With my power diminished, the gathered retainers, as well as Isabell and Yevgeni, glanced at me with smirks.
They seem so sure their own child will be chosen.
Little did they know, among my few connections, the most powerful was none other than Pope Maridris himself.
The Empress was unaware of my frequent exchanges with him, which explained her arrogant demeanor.
What will she do if I’m chosen instead?
I shook my head inwardly, already foreseeing another dark chapter in her history.
And at that moment—
Fwoooosh—!
A massive magic circle appeared in the center of the Audience Hall.
The blinding light was so intense it nearly swallowed the entire hall.
It was a teleportation ritual.
When the light subsided, five priests stood there, dressed neatly in pure white vestments.
And in their midst, guarded closely, stood a familiar face—Pope Maridris.
Despite the years that had passed, he still bore the face of a young, handsome man.
For a brief moment, our eyes met.
His face lit with joy at the sight of me, but quickly, conscious of the many watching eyes, he composed himself.
“Clear the way.”
At his command, the five First Division priests surrounding him stepped back.
The Pope advanced forward.
His gaze shifted to the Emperor and Empress.
He bowed gracefully.
“I greet Your Majesties. I am Michael Maridris, one who dwells within the embrace of the Goddess. May the light of the Goddess Eridium forever shine upon the Sun and Moon of the Empire.”
“Lius Epsilon Kaliberg greets the Goddess’s Vicar. It is good to see you, Pope Maridris.”
“Dolores Del Kaliberg greets the Goddess’s Vicar as well. A pleasure, Pope Maridris.”
“The honor is mine, to meet you so.”
“Blessings of the Goddess.”
“Blessings of the Goddess.”
The five priests followed suit, bowing before Their Majesties. The Emperor then signaled us forward.
We, who had been standing in two neat lines, approached and greeted the Pope and priests.
“Dmitri Epsilon Kaliberg.”
“Isabell Van Kaliberg.”
“Lirien Sha Kaliberg.”
“Yevgeni De Kaliberg!”
“It is a pleasure to meet one Crown Prince and three Highnesses.”
The Pope smiled kindly and bowed. The introductions concluded.
The courtiers swallowed hard, silently marveling at his beauty.
Even aesthetic-obsessed Yevgeni let out an awed “Waaah—,” forgetting herself.
She glanced about, then asked:
“Will we also take part in the meeting?”
The Pope was first to answer, nodding as if she had asked an excellent question.
“Yes. A small number of the Central Nobility Council, certain nobles, Their Majesties, and I will participate. Of course, as the main candidates for the beacon fire, you princes and princesses will also attend.”
“Then when will the meeting begin?”
“The three leading representatives of the Central Nobility Council have not yet arrived. Once they do, the meeting will commence. Until then, return to your palaces and wait.”
We all nodded. Just as we prepared to leave with our guards, the Emperor stopped us.
“Ah, and one more thing.”
He crossed his legs regally and spoke.
“Through this eve-festival, we will also be selecting a new member for the Central Nobility Council. As the Pope said, only a few nobles with voting rights will be chosen to participate.”
“In that case…”
I began, and the Emperor finished my thought.
“Yes. Each of you should bring noble supporters who possess voting rights. The deadline is tomorrow. Today’s meeting will be brief, so do not worry about that matter just yet.”
“…!”
My eyes widened.
Doesn’t that mean I can bring my own ally into the Central Nobility Council?!
What an unexpected turn of events—a golden opportunity. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to remain calm.
“I shall take my leave.”
“Very well.”
The Emperor dismissed me without hesitation.
Yevgeni hurried after me, asking:
“You already have someone in mind? Who is it?”
“Why would I explain that to you?”
“Well, you never know! What if it’s someone easily swayed—someone who might betray you and side with me instead~?”
She was implying that with just a word, she could steal my allies away.
My elder brother the Crown Prince, and in his hands, even my lost power—the Orichalcum.
Who would choose to side with you, who has nothing left?
That was her meaning.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to her. She also halted, smirking smugly, and sidled closer.
“You know, Sister, I used to think you were so impressive. But now… you just look so pitiful.”
“On what basis do you say that?”
“Mm… Lanya told me! She said you handed over all authority of the Orichalcum to Brother Mimir because you yielded to him! So isn’t it the same with me, your younger sister? You’ve already yielded to me too. That’s why I feel sorry for you!”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! You’ve never once stood above me, have you?”
She chuckled under her breath. I had to clench my fists tightly to suppress my laughter.
“?”
Yevgeni frowned, surprised that I was calm instead of ashamed or angry.
Just as she opened her mouth again, I spoke.
“But isn’t it the same with you?”
“…What?”
“Just as I’ve never stood above you… you’ve never once stood above me either. Have you ever been invited to breakfast with His Majesty without throwing a tantrum? Have you ever, like me, developed medicine that healed someone’s illness?”
“W-what did you just…!”
“See? Instead of countering with facts or reasoning, you just get angry. Doesn’t that say it all?”
Her face flushed crimson as she glared at me.
“Yevgeni. Unlike you, who was forced into breakfast with His Majesty through Tiara’s authority, I earned it through my own efforts.”
“…!”
“That’s something I achieved for myself. Though yes, I suppose Tiara’s authority is also something you earned, so perhaps it’s the same.”
“Hah! There you go. While you were floundering in secret without Tiara, I gained everything with ease. Understand?”
Yes, I knew well.
Everything I had struggled desperately to obtain, she had been handed effortlessly.
“But… is it still that way now?”
Her eyes widened at my words.
I smiled faintly.
“Does His Majesty still treat you like that even now?”
Because at some point, His Majesty began sharing his affection equally between the two princesses.
If he had tea with me, he would also have tea with Yevgeni. If he had two teatimes with her, he would also grant me two.
Gone was the Emperor who favored one daughter above the other. All her boasts were nothing but faded glory now.
Yevgeni bit her lip hard.
Nothing more to see here.
Instead of mocking her further, I turned away and quickly left for my palace.
When I arrived, servants rushed up, asking who had been chosen to light the beacon fire. I ignored them and summoned Illia and Mullin.
“Both of you, bring writing paper to my chambers immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Mullin nodded quickly.
“What about the matter of the beacon fire, Your Highness?”
A nameless servant asked. I replied briefly:
“It’s under review.”
* * *
“Madam, a letter has arrived from the Imperial Palace.”
“A letter?”
Beisa paused, teacup halfway to her lips, and blinked at the envelope in the maid’s hands.
“The banquet is already over, so what could this be?”
“I’m not sure… Ah, but the sender is the First Princess.”
“The First Princess?”
Beisa’s curiosity grew.
She dismissed the maid, suspecting the letter might contain sensitive matters, and broke the seal.
But as her eyes scanned the content—
“What in the world…”
Her hand tightened around the letter.
She reread Lirien’s words several times in disbelief before leaping to her feet.
Crash!
Her chair toppled backward from the sudden motion.
Alarmed maids called out to her from beyond the door, but she ignored them, seizing the communication stone instead.
Beep— Beep—.
Click.
After several rings, someone answered. Beisa shouted:
“Where are you right now? Are you at the Palace?”
[Beisa…?]
It was her husband, Marquis Robin Iolin, currently working at the Imperial Palace.
Startled by her urgency, he quickly asked if she was in danger.
“Contact Her Highness the First Princess at once and go to her palace!”
[W-what? All of a sudden…?]
“Yes, suddenly! This may be an opportunity you will never have again!”
[Wait, explain! I can’t just barge into the princess’s quarters with no context. I need to know what’s going on to speak with her properly.]
He had a point.
Realizing she had been too abrupt, Beisa cleared her throat and explained.
“Is the Pope and the First Division of priests at the Palace right now?”
[How did you… Don’t tell me the First Princess sent you a letter?]
The selection of one of the Emperor’s children to light the beacon fire was being kept strictly secret.
So his wife knowing about it was shocking enough.
As the Marquis blinked slowly, Beisa pressed on.
“They’re holding a meeting, yes? With the Central Nobility Council and nobles who hold voting rights. And it seems those nobles are being chosen by His Majesty’s children.”
[…! Which means…!]
“Yes. Her Highness the First Princess has chosen you to attend.”
[Good heavens…]
The Marquis trembled, clenching his fists.
How long had he yearned for this moment?
No matter how he struggled, gaining entry to a Central Nobility Council meeting had always been out of reach.
Would he die without ever stepping into their circle? He had nearly resigned himself to that fate.
But now, as if the heavens themselves favored him, Princess Lirien had given him the chance.
Still, he asked, voice shaking:
[But… can we truly trust Her Highness the First Princess? Did she not once hand all authority of my Orichalcum to the Crown Prince? What if she is not chosen in the end…?]
“What did you say?”
Beisa’s voice hardened.
“Don’t you dare speak like that when you don’t understand Her Highness.”
[…U-understood.]
The Marquis wilted under her rebuke, quietly raising a blank sheet of parchment
