Episode 79: Luna’s Plan ②
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Gordasht Castle, Audience Chamber.
A Royal Council.
A sacred atmosphere permeated this space, attended by many central nobles.
These central nobles were, so to speak, relatives of the Naia Royal Family.
Currently, they gathered under the Queen, but in the future, many were trying to abolish the customary Queen worship and cozy up to First Prince Alberto’s faction.
Colorful light streamed in from the large circular stained-glass windows, illuminating the Queen’s chair, which was set on a slightly elevated platform.
Seated on the chair was the current Queen of the Kingdom of Naia, Carlina von Naia.
In terms of age, she was a middle-aged woman, but possessed a beauty that could easily be mistaken for someone in their twenties or thirties.
“Luna von Naia, I hereby appoint you as the representative of the delegation for the Ceasefire Talks with Ortenos.”
Carlina spoke to the girl standing before her.
“I humbly accept.”
Luna bowed to her mother, the Queen.
It was a beautiful gesture that caught everyone’s attention.
“Nicolas, I appoint you as one of the envoys. Support Luna well.”
Next, Carlina addressed the young man with blond hair and blue eyes standing next to Luna.
“I accept your command.”
Nicolas followed Luna’s example and bowed.
So far, everything was proceeding as planned.
Luna found Alberto’s silence unsettling.
From Alberto’s perspective, he shouldn’t want Luna to achieve any success in diplomacy.
She had expected some kind of interference.
“With that, the Royal Council is adjourned…”
Just as Chancellor Gianluca was about to conclude, the large doors burst open, and Stella-Class nobles poured in.
“I’m afraid we can’t allow you to decide things as you please, Your Majesty Queen Carlina.”
Leading the way was a burly, middle-aged man with a mustache and a scar on his face.
Their eyes were sharp, and the aura of intimidation unique to those who spent their lives on the battlefield was not common among the central nobles, causing them to shrink back.
Queen Carlina’s expression did not change as she looked at the intruders.
This development had been anticipated.
“What is your business, Marquis Hoshiros? I don’t recall granting you permission to attend.”
“Well, I thought it was rather presumptuous to hold ceasefire talks in secret without us. I came to offer some advice.”
“Let us hear it.”
“We will crush those mad dogs without fail—a ceasefire is unnecessary.”
House Hoshiros.
One of the Marquis Houses that directly bordered House Ortenos, which had become an Imperial noble.
Among the nobles of the Kingdom of Naia, they were the most specialized in combat, and had been engaged in fierce battles with Ortenos for many years.
Their expressions were veiled in nobility, but their hatred for Ortenos was impossible to conceal.
“The ceasefire with Ortenos is already a predetermined course of action, no further discussion is necessary,”
Chancellor Gianluca replied to Marquis Hoshiros’s rude remark.
Gianluca was the head of the Paduan Dukedom, the leader of the central nobles.
He was an excellent man, highly trusted by the Royal Family.
After a staring contest between the two, Marquis Hoshiros relented.
“Very well. But include us in the Ceasefire Talks. That’s only fair, wouldn’t you agree?”
“The personnel have already been decided. Changes are impossible.”
“That won’t do. We Hoshiros have the most to lose from a ceasefire. Nevertheless, ignoring our intentions and entrusting full authority to that half-baked individual is utterly unjust. It is simply unacceptable.”
Marquis Hoshiros glared at Luna.
It was sometimes mocked that Luna was chosen only to build up her achievements.
However, it was largely due to Luna’s efforts that the Ceasefire Talks were achieved, as she succeeded in persuading the central nobles.
Luna could not remain silent after being told all this.
“It is not unjust, Marquis Hoshiros. Originally, it was Hoshiros who started the conflict with Ortenos without permission. And then Bangwall was captured, so you have no right to interfere.”
“Hmm, I must say, I sense a strong conviction. If it weren’t for that incident, you could have become a good leader. But such things are irrelevant, Lady Luna. What matters is not what you say, but what you do.”
Marquis Hoshiros assessed Luna, but suddenly began to gather Magical Power.
The Hoshiros retainers behind him also shifted into battle stances.
“W-What, do you intend to turn the Audience Chamber into a battlefield?!”
“That depends on your answer, wouldn’t you say?”
Gianluca was flustered.
House Hoshiros was a powerful force that had been fighting Ortenos for many years.
If they released magic even once, they would be branded as rebels and face annihilation.
But Marquis Hoshiros possessed a terrifying aura that suggested he might do it anyway.
As a tense atmosphere filled the air, Queen Carlina made a proposal.
“Very well, Marquis Hoshiros. I will allow two members from your side to participate in the Ceasefire Talks.”
“Mother?!”
Luna was bewildered by Queen Carlina’s words.
Marquis Hoshiros’s participation was the worst-case scenario for Luna.
“Hmm, I’m glad you understand. We will continue to pledge our loyalty to the Naia Royal Family.”
With that, Marquis Hoshiros gave a somewhat rough bow.
For a moment, Marquis Hoshiros exchanged glances with Alberto.
Luna saw this and realized that it was Alberto’s sabotage, and she felt like she had bitten into a bitter bug.
“Well then, Lady Luna, I look forward to seeing you again at the Ceasefire Talks.”
“…”
Marquis Hoshiros said triumphantly and left the Audience Chamber.
A young noble who followed sent a worried look to Luna.
He was an acquaintance of Luna.
The young noble reluctantly followed Marquis Hoshiros.
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The Queen’s Bedroom.
Unable to accept what had happened at the Royal Council, Luna had rushed to her mother Carlina’s bedroom.
“Mother, why did you allow Marquis Hoshiros to participate?”
“It’s simple. I thought it would be interesting to send Luna to the Ceasefire Talks with Marquis Hoshiros, that’s all.”
Queen Carlina said, turning her back to Luna.
Two female attendants undressed her, and she became completely naked.
Her body, like Luna’s, had distinct curves, and especially her full thighs drew a more relaxed curve than Luna’s.
Luna saw her mother start to change and thought that she must have another appointment later.
“With Marquis Hoshiros involved, there won’t even be a discussion about a ceasefire. Even now, we should reconsider the personnel…!”
“Luna, you seem to be misunderstanding something.”
Carlina interrupted Luna and slowly approached her.
“The Naia Royal Family doesn’t necessarily want a ceasefire.”
“Huh?”
“What Naia needs now is a successor with strong leadership. Do you understand what this means?”
“…Yes.”
Luna was pierced by her mother Carlina’s eyes, filled with the strong will of a Queen.
“Luna, there are plenty of replacements for you.”
“!”
“The fact that I, who was never supposed to become Queen, am Queen is proof of that. Since you can’t even bear children, you must demonstrate enough ability to contend with the mad dogs of Ortenos and accumulate achievements that everyone recognizes.”
“That… I understand.”
Luna was at a loss for words.
Given her personality, which did not favor conflict, she knew that she was not fit to be Queen.
Perhaps aiming to be Queen was just her ego.
“Naia is now greatly divided. That is solely because you lack power. I allowed the Ceasefire Talks because I thought it was the last chance to see if you have what it takes to be Queen. If you are intimidated by Marquis Hoshiros, it will be impossible for you in the future.”
“…I understand.”
Carlina was a Queen before she was a mother.
If it was for the sake of the country of Naia, she would abandon her own child without hesitation.
Letting her take the lead in the Ceasefire Talks was probably the last bit of affection as a parent.
If she were to be defeated by Alberto at this rate, she would have to take other measures.
“I don’t care what you’re thinking when you choose a ceasefire. Whether it’s achieved or not, the day will come when we settle things with Ortenos.”
“Then we will give the East an opportunity to gain a foothold! The incidents involving my aunt and sister Luana must never happen again!”
While investigating the past poisoning incidents, Luna’s suspicion that they were the work of spies from the East grew stronger.
Even if she appealed to them in her current position, the threat from the East would not be conveyed.
In order to save the Kingdom of Naia from such threats, she had no choice but to become Queen.
The ceasefire with Ortenos was absolutely necessary for that purpose.
“Then show me the ability worthy of a queen. If you don’t achieve any results in this Ceasefire Talks, I will have you relinquish your right to the throne. And of course, I won’t allow you to inherit ‘Alfrear’.”
So saying, the Queen pointed to the heart-shaped crest etched on her lower abdomen.
That was—the symbol of power passed down through generations in the Naia Royal Family.
Marquis Hoshiros’ words echoed in my mind.
For Luna to become queen, she had no choice but to get her mother to acknowledge her.
“I have nothing more to say to you. Leave.”
“…Yes, excuse me.”
Luna dejectedly left the Queen’s bedroom.
For Luna, the ceasefire was more meaningful than anything else, but her mother and the others didn’t consider the Ceasefire Talks to be that important.
That was the saddest thing of all.
(What in the world should I do?)
Take the initiative from Marquis Hoshiros and mediate.
In addition to the Bangwall incident, Luna was further troubled by this most difficult homework assignment given by Carlina.
In the room where Luna had disappeared, Carlina sighed.
“Luna… might be hopeless.”
The two attendants, as if they had heard nothing, diligently began to dress Carlina in underwear and plain clothes.