Episode 78: Luna’s Plan (1)
My beautiful world exists only in the past.
My harsh grandmother, my perfect aunt, and my admired cousin have all died.
Unlike those three, I don’t have any special powers, nor was I destined to become queen from birth.
I was just a normal princess who liked to read books.
But fate, for some reason, gave me trials.
From a certain day, I became the Crown Princess and was shunned by my brothers.
From a certain day, I could no longer even dream of love.
From a certain day, I began to think that I had to become queen.
My beautiful world is broken and cannot be recovered.
But if there’s anything I can do for this country I love, it’s…
◇◇◇◇
The Valeria Mausoleum.
Located across a stone bridge from Gordasht Castle, this mausoleum was built with all the wealth of the Kingdom of Naia during its peak.
In a word, it’s magnificent, reproducing the architectural style of a superpower that existed over a thousand years ago.
In this vast space, filled with such solemn air, stood a beautiful blonde girl with a sorrowful expression.
“Aunt Martina, and Sister Luana, I’ve finally made it this far… It’s still just a passing point. But I will definitely avenge you both…”
Before a massive stone monument, the girl added a few yellow and orange flowers, and with a determined expression, she confessed her hidden thoughts.
This place was special to the girl, a place where she could remember the happy days of the past.
Picking Freesia Gold flowers in the backyard and paying respects to her ancestors in the mausoleum was part of the girl’s daily routine.
“So, you were here, Luna.”
A young blonde man called out to the girl from behind.
The First Princess of the Kingdom of Naia, Luna von Naia.
Above her lustrous, golden hair, cut to shoulder length, was a black hairband resembling rabbit ears.
Between her white knee-high socks and skirt, a glimpse of her slightly plump, erogenous zone in the midst of puberty could be seen.
Luna knew immediately who it was from the gentle tone of his voice.
“Brother Nicholas.”
Luna’s greatest supporter and her fourth brother, Nicholas.
Luna’s expression softened slightly at the sight of one of the few people she could trust.
“It’s almost time. Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’ve been laying the groundwork for today. There are no oversights.”
Luna and Nicholas were dressed in the formal ceremonial attire of the Naia royal family.
The ceremonial attire for women of the Kingdom of Naia consists of a red miniskirt with ribbons and a loose-sleeved jacket like a shrine maiden’s robe.
Considering her age of fourteen, her chest was remarkably developed.
Today was the day the project Luna had been rapidly advancing would begin, the first stage of a major undertaking scheduled for a few weeks later.
It was impossible not to be motivated.
“Then, I’ll be going.”
Luna bowed to her ancestors at the monument and left the mausoleum.
The two walked through the castle corridors, accompanied by their attendants.
Then, they saw a group dressed in Naia royal attire, just like Luna and her brother, approaching from the front.
“Luna.”
“I know.”
Luna and Nicholas tensed up, their faces stiff with anxiety.
The group in front of them had the same destination as Luna and her brother: the audience chamber.
Both parties stopped before the large doors.
Before Luna stood three Stella-Class individuals.
“Oh, if it isn’t the barren woman.”
“…Brother Alberto, and Brother Pasquale, it’s been a while.”
One of the three, First Prince Alberto, hurled an insulting remark at Luna.
He had a large build and a presence that intimidated those who looked at him.
The second, Third Prince Pasquale, was of medium build, and he also wore a contemptuous expression.
“I heard you’ve been chosen as the envoy for the ceasefire talks with Ortenos.”
“Yes, I have been honored with the appointment.”
“Mother seems desperate to give even this barren woman some credit. It’s foolish, considering a ceasefire is impossible.”
“No, I believe I can achieve it. Mother believes so too, and that’s why she chose me as the envoy.”
Alberto sighed and placed his hand on Luna’s shoulder.
Luna flinched and trembled slightly.
Seeing this, Alberto grinned maliciously.
“What’s wrong, Luna? You seem to be trembling?”
“…No.”
“It’s good that Barbat is dead, isn’t it?”
“That’s not what I think…”
Luna answered hesitantly.
She never thought it was good; if Naia was considered, a prince’s death in battle was the worst possible news.
However, it was also true that she felt relieved on an emotional level.
“Ah, is that why you’re trying to cozy up to Ortenos? You’re grateful to Ortenos for getting rid of the guy you hated, aren’t you?”
“…No, I just want to normalize relations with Ortenos. Fortunately, Ortenos is considering the ceasefire positively. We can’t afford to miss this opportunity.”
Luna retorted without succumbing to Alberto’s provocation.
Knowing the historical circumstances of Naia becoming a kingdom, Luna was in a position to acknowledge Naia’s faults to some extent.
Considering Luna’s future plans, improving relations with Ortenos was essential.
Sharka’s willingness to correspond was a godsend.
“You really don’t understand anything. Ortenos is only thinking of destroying Naia. No matter what you do, it’s useless.”
“That’s not true. Naia and Ortenos were originally one country, and if we talk, surely…”
“Know your place!”
“Eek!”
Luna cowered at Alberto’s shout.
For Luna, male nobles were terrifying figures.
The memory of the violence she suffered from her second brother, Barbat, resurfaced, and she superimposed his image onto Alberto.
“You’re not fit to be queen! You have a fatal flaw of not being able to bear children, and if you become queen, it will only hasten the country’s collapse! Hurry up and die in battle or commit suicide!”
Alberto brought his face close to Luna’s and shouted even louder.
Luna was frightened and her words became choked.
Nicholas, who had been watching the exchange, rushed to Luna’s side in a panic.
“Please stop, Brother Alberto! Any more than this…”
“Nicholas, you should side with Brother Alberto soon. If you continue to be involved with Luna, you won’t get away with it either.”
Fourth Prince Nicholas urged Alberto to stop, but Third Prince Pasquale interrupted.
“No, I will support Luna no matter what anyone says. Luna is everything to me.”
“Tch… This freak.”
Pasquale frowned at Nicholas, who seemed infatuated with Luna.
Pasquale knew that Nicholas was abnormal in a different way from the dead brother Barbat.
“What’s wrong, Luna? Can’t you say anything?”
“Even so… even so, I will become queen! Because I believe that is the only way to bring the Kingdom of Naia back to normal.”
“You…!”
Alberto flinched for a moment at Luna’s eyes, which held a strong will.
Those jade eyes, like glass beads, were looking at Alberto, but also staring at the enemy lurking within.
Luna believed that Naia’s decline was clearly due to the malice of someone.
“Bring Naia back to normal, you say? That sounds like you’re saying the current state of Naia is abnormal.”
From behind Alberto, a third large Stella-Class man stepped forward.
His bulging eyes pierced Luna.
“…Serpens.”
The man who came from the Kingdom of Hoberia in the east the year after Barbat caused an incident with his fiancée.
He began to rise to prominence a few years ago and is now Alberto’s advisor.
For Luna, he was a political enemy, but even without that, Serpens’ gaze somehow destabilized Luna’s core.
“Lady Luna seems to be mistaken about something. The end of a foolish king who has strayed from the path they should take is usually tragic. If you truly care about this country, you should renounce your right to the throne.”
“…No, I will not take your orders.”
His eyes did not see Luna as an enemy; furthermore, even Alberto was not much different.
“Oh, by the way, it seems the Bangwall Fort was attacked by the dark side of Naia.”
It was information she had heard for the first time.
It was sure to have a negative impact on the ceasefire talks.
It was the worst possible timing.
“What! Why… Could it be that you ordered it?”
“Who knows? Just let me say that there are more people who are against the ceasefire than you think.”
“Damn…”
Serpens spoke with implications.
Looking at Alberto and the others laughing gleefully, it was clear who the culprit was.
Luna’s eyes welled up with frustration.
“Well, that’s how it is. I’m expecting great things from you, Luna.”
Alberto spat out those parting words and proceeded through the large door.
Luna racked her brains about the plan from now on.
One issue was that Naia’s dark side had caused an incident, creating a situation where even holding the Ceasefire Talks was in jeopardy.
And the other was that she had betrayed Sharka’s trust in her.