“Leaders must know how to dominate their vision.”
One night, it was a remark that Shi-en heard during a private audience with the Emperor.
She had been summoned to discuss the rapidly changing political situation. As the newly returned Imperial Princess from the Academy, it felt like a sudden remark.
The incident that had recently taken place at the Mountain Court had caused a massive tectonic shift in the power structure of the Holy Kingdom. This was merely a prelude to changes that would soon take place across the continent.
Until now, the Heavenly Deity, who had remained silent, sent down his beloved daughter.
There were many who believed in the Heavenly Deity scattered across the continent. Even beyond the Holy Kingdom, there were many who claimed to be children of the Heavenly Deity. Of course, their numbers were countless.
How would they have received the incident at the Mountain Court?
There was no need to ponder. The name of the Lady Virgin Saint, who was the subject of the miracle, was rising to new heights every day, and the streets were filled with praises for the Heavenly Deity.
After all, public support is one of the most important assets for a ruler.
As an Empire, they could not ignore the Lady Virgin Saint. Likewise, the young knight who was also a key player in the narrative was the same.
Ian Fercurus.
Before long, he was even praised as “the star that dispels darkness.” His achievements at the Mountain Court left a deep impression on the minds of many.
Love stories are often like this.
They sparked empathy among the common folk more than themes such as “the retinue of the evil deity” or “the plots of the Dark Cult.” Not to mention, he had even managed to inflict wounds on the body of the Saint, who had maintained the strongest position in the Holy Kingdom for centuries.
By now, the eyes of the continent were focused on the man’s next move.
The reason the Imperial Princess was summoned to the palace was for this very reason.
Shi-en, being a member of the royal family and a colleague of Ian, had some acquaintance with the Lady Virgin Saint. It was only natural to ask for her opinion on the unfolding situation.
At that moment.
Just as the girl’s heart swelled with admiration for the man she fancied, the Emperor unexpectedly offered a piece of advice.
“Shi-en, do you know? Humans depend a great deal on sight… No one can escape their own line of vision… You, me… even those who have reached the level of Master.”
“Yes, yes. I know, but…”
The Imperial Princess had to sneak glances at the Emperor, unable to fathom his intentions.
The Emperor wore his usual expression.
His eyes appeared somewhat weary and tired, and his face, beginning to bear wrinkles, had a faint shadow over it.
Only the blue pupils gazed at Shi-en with a hazy affection.
“Soon, the Holy Night Festival will be upon us.”
“……?”
Shi-en tilted her head in confusion once more.
Be that as it may, the Emperor continued speaking in a subdued voice.
“The Holy Night Festival is a day commemorating the descent of the Heavenly Deity; men and women who dance together are said to receive the Deity’s blessing… With the existence of the Heavenly Deity now proven, this year’s festival will attract more interest than ever before.”
The Emperor’s hand rested on Shi-en’s head.
Shi-en looked at her father with a mixture of disbelief and concern.
“I would like you to be paired with Sir Ian.”
At his brief wish, the girl’s gray eyes went blank.
For that moment, Shi-en trembled, her face turning frightened.
“W-Why would I dare…!”
“Why wouldn’t it be possible?”
With a light smile, the Emperor patted the girl’s head.
Shi-en’s face contorted and relaxed in response to his touch.
“You are the daughter of a dragon… Show yourself to the people in this opportunity.”
The Emperor, who wore a hollow smile, stared into the void.
What his unfocused gaze reflected was something even Shi-en, who possessed the eyes of a dragon, could not discern.
“Just as the Heavenly Deity has a beloved daughter, I too have a beloved daughter.”
And that was why.
After returning to the Academy, the Imperial Princess began to take a more active role. It was not just because of the Emperor’s directives.
She could no longer afford to fall behind.
Like a surge of impatience, her heart raced. As the Emperor said, the only opportunity that could create even a slight crack in public perception was the “Holy Night Festival.”
Not only the Lady Virgin Saint.
I, too, am close to Sir Ian.
To prove that fact, the Imperial Princess was unhesitatingly willing to revert to the role of a cunning trickster.
Fortunately, the favor of fortune was with her.
The most formidable competitor, the Lady Virgin Saint, was preoccupied with expelling the remnants of the Dark Cult.
The next most powerful candidate, Elsi, had been out of contact for a long time, and the other women were showing no significant movement. It was truly an opportune moment.
Foolishly.
After pretending to be naive a few times, it seemed like she was regarded as a cute pet by the Imperial Princess. After all, as long as she could be with Ian, she didn’t mind being considered a pet.
Just as a chilling smirk curled at the corners of the Imperial Princess’s mouth.
“Y-Your Highness…?”
The Imperial Princess’s first target faltered in confusion.
As her bewildered gray gaze met the ordinary common Emma, she had to plead with an even more flustered expression.
It was the proper respect a subject should show to their ruler.
“I, uh, you can stop now…”
“No way!”
However, the Imperial Princess merely shook her head resolutely, as if she deemed a commoner’s plea unworthy of consideration.
“You seem very tired. You’ll have to endure hardships for a while longer…”
Eventually, Emma had no choice but to bow her head, her face flushed with embarrassment.
The Imperial Princess’s delicate hands were pressing and kneading Emma’s neck and shoulders.
To anyone watching, it would not be surprising to receive the death penalty for such sacrilege. Whether she was aware of it or not, the Imperial Princess simply smiled lovingly.
“Please take good care of me in the future, Emma… Hehe.”
Thus, after long persuasion, Emma decided to support the Imperial Princess.
It was the moment when the Imperial Princess’s first plot succeeded.
Senior Elsi’s residence was not far away.
Mages generally had workshops. Especially among the older students in the Magic Department, some would not even apply for dormitories.
After all, most lived out of their workshops.
They served as places for research, lodging, and even training.
The place I reached was no exception.
As one of the top students in the Magic Department, Senior Elsi’s workshop boasted a spacious and comfortable environment. Even before entering, I could infer the size from beyond the door.
There were only two rooms on the floor, after all.
I admired its appearance from the outside for a while before carefully knocking on the door.
No response came from inside for a while.
When I knocked again, an annoyed voice oozed out.
“I’m busy!”
It was a refusal more decisive than I had imagined.
However, since I was expecting this, I knocked on the door once more.
I could hear footsteps approaching, apparently irritated.
Was it time to reveal my identity?
Just as I was considering that,
Bang! The door abruptly swung open.
On the other side stood a girl with her left hand on her forehead. Unkempt brown hair and the distinct pallor on her face revealed her tired state.
She had clearly not slept well for a long time.
Even her unkempt appearance was invariably beautiful. It somehow felt refreshing from my perspective, but that was a story limited to me alone.
Elsi’s gaze, anxiously pressing her temple, gradually turned toward me.
“What the hell is this…”
And then, silence.
Upon locking eyes, Senior Elsi froze, and I found myself hesitating, unsure of how to greet her.
The only greeting I could manage to muster was a simple word.
“Long time no see…”
Bang! The door slammed shut.
Next, I heard a shout filled with embarrassment.
“Ah! Ah! Aaaah!”
Was my visit too sudden?
I decided to patiently wait in front of the door, which opened for a long time without a response. Given the commotion inside, it seemed Senior Elsi was indeed putting in some desperate effort.
After a few minutes had passed, the door finally opened again.
The Senior Elsi who reappeared looked completely different from before. Not only was she wearing her signature hooded hat, but she also had neatly arranged clothes and subtle makeup.
She must have even washed her face in that short time.
As I marveled at Senior Elsi’s transformation, she wore a bright smile.
“Welcome, my master!”
“Uh, well…”
I wanted to add something to my words, but Senior Elsi’s smile exerted a silent pressure on me.
Don’t say anything.
The previous encounter was nothing at all.
Ultimately, I decided to accept Senior Elsi’s warm welcome.
“It’s been a while, Senior Elsi.”
“Yeah, I’ve been pretty busy…”
Senior Elsi led me into her workshop, still unable to make proper eye contact with me.
It seemed that her sudden disappearance and lack of contact weighed heavily on her mind.
In reality, I wasn’t bothered at all.
I couldn’t even begin to fathom how Senior Elsi felt after losing her uncle. She must have wanted to retreat to her study and comfort herself.
Instead, I felt only regret for not being able to comfort her so far.
Especially as we were about to get engaged soon.
As I hesitated, Senior Elsi asked her question.
“Um, so what brings you here?”
My gaze casually drifted toward Senior Elsi. Still avoiding my eyes, she pressed her hat’s brim down to shield her face. She nervously scratched the floor with her toes.
“You didn’t come here to say something, did you? Sorry, but I’m really busy these days…”
“The Holy Night Festival.”
At the sudden mention, Senior Elsi froze.
Her blue eyes, reminiscent of blue sapphires, stared blankly at me.
“Would you like to dance together?”
The only comfort I could offer was this much.
Senior Elsi’s lips quivered and then closed.
And then silence.
Finally, our gazes aligned as if they were drawing a line in parallel.
