The Inner Palace Tale of a Villainess Noble Girl

--The Imperial Palace was bubbling up. I've never experienced an Exiga since she was born.

"... so to the temple."

"By the way, what's going on with your contact with Elgrand?

"About two days ago, I was given a seabird flight." Today is the scheduled departure date of the Royal Mission of the Kingdom of Elland, but the ship cannot leave because the sea is very rough. I need to stay for a while. "In fact, there is no doubt that the seas are rough these days."

"Whoa. Isn't it as if the sea were giving us the Virgin?

"Exactly. - About three days before the letter crossed the sea, about five more days before it arrived in the capital of Elgrand… I received the letter to King Elgrand, and even if they took measures, it would be all over by then."

"No, not at all... I always thought it was a dumb country, but I didn't realize the existence of the Virgin who was born in my own country and treated her as just a woman. I feel a little sorry for being so stupid."

"No, no, this is rather a sophisticated diplomacy, showing a willingness to bow away by sending the Virgin to our country?

The leadership of the Stanza Empire - the Emperor's side of the forgiveness - leaked a sneer around the round table. From them, who do not know the reality of the Kingdom of Elgrand, it would appear that King Elgrand and his subordinates knew nothing and left Diana helpless to throw into the Stanza Empire.

"--How is the Virgin?

"Thank you for your continued dedication to His Majesty's treatment. The doctor told me that the instructions were correct, and the doctors were very drunk."

"You're not supposed to be in contact with the outside world.

"Of course. You are permitted to enter and exit only one maid designated by the Virgin as a herbal transporter, and you will always be on watch when your maid moves outside the rear palace (Halem). --That's right, we can't keep an eye on the Emperor's sleeping quarters, but the lady who proposed the Virgin's assistant didn't stay that long. The women of Elgrand who are stuck in the rear palace (Harem) are not standing up and making noise, they are being quiet."

"Hmm. It seems that all the women who came to our country this time served the Virgin in the royal palace in Elland. It makes sense that the people below would not be able to move without the life of the LORD, and it was a good idea to summon the Virgin to the Emperor."

"After all, female servants are only half-prepared and half-headed inferior species. If you pull away from the Lord, there will be no problem abandoning it."

They don't know, laughing at each other. How much do the daughters who accompanied her this time as Elgrand emissaries care about Diana and do their best to protect her? To protect Diana, be courageous daughters who will never be afraid to confront high-ranking men.

Those daughters can't be foolish enough to spend their time in helplessness when their dear lord is trapped in the back of the palace. Since most people in the Imperial Palace do not understand Elgrand, it is self-evident that they cannot read their true intentions when they are watched. However, "women" and "low-status servants" are just that, and the men here decide and despise the daughters of Elgrand as stupid and helpless beings.

Even the upper echelons of the kingdom, solidified by such a sweet perception, cannot be rivalled by the kingdom of Elgrand, which recognizes and reuses excellent humans regardless of gender or status.... I finally know that I can participate in the highest meeting of the country without trying to do so.

"Your Majesty is down, and tomorrow is the sixth day... Doctors say it's time to wake up. After His Majesty is awakened, we will prepare ourselves to make an oath in the temple as soon as possible."

"I understand. --Nevertheless, it was good that the seat of the Empress was vacant. It is not a very fortunate thing for this celebration to coincide with the abandonment ceremony of the current Empress."

"Indeed. In welcoming the Virgin of Miracles, there is no better stain on blood than less."

Sure. It is also a divine gift to welcome the Virgin to our country.... it may have been foreseen that His Majesty's seat had been vacant for so long. "

The Stanza Empire is a polygamous kingdom, but for the sake of clarity, only one queen is chosen. The side chambers are also the Emperor's wives, but the Empress is the only one recognized as the "Emperor".

And in the Stanza Empire, royalty is lost only by death. In other words, if you want to marry another woman as queen in the presence of the queen, you have to execute the current queen and vacate your seat. For as long as the lives of those who are already seated are not interrupted, they cannot give their seats to the next.

Execution of the current Queen in order to marry a new Queen is called the Abandonment Ritual and has been commonplace throughout the long history of the Stanza Empire. In the name of the reluctant emperor, you can also see the statement that it took place three times in a year.

Since the current Emperor is vacant from the throne of the Empress, the Abolition Ceremony will not be executed. Theoretically, you can marry the queen at any time as long as the temple approves.

Normally, however, women who are chosen as queen candidates must pass through several trials and rituals to prove that they are worthy of the royal family. It will generally take more than a year for the candidate to be awarded a shrine and to take an oath with the Emperor.

"Somehow - the Holy One whom heaven has sent to our country. There is no one more to call Her Highness the Queen. If there is no difference between Lord Daikin and me, there will be no problem with you taking an oath at the same time as your awakening."

"Left, left. It would be troublesome to get Elgrand's spear in while you stick to the routine with the Undark Yacod."

"It's just a story of beating a spear where it's in. Even if the Virgin's birthplace is turned into a sea of fire, it would be troublesome to make her testify against Stanza."

... the leadership and the temple will tie Diana to the Stanza Empire as queen now. It seems to be a policy to actively forget that she is the princess who was given quasi-royalty at the head of King Elgrand's side chambers.

(... even if this plot was carried out successfully, I can't believe the Kingdom of Elland is silent.)

Even though there was no love between Diana and the King, it was no different that the King cherished Diana wholeheartedly as head of the side chamber and as a human being.... it's unlikely that Diana's king will ever take care of a marriage she doesn't want.

(And...)

"That night... the mysterious existence that Diana entrusted herself with - its existence and signs alone will overwhelm others, and perhaps even life will be easily taken away." And if Diana is still protected, the success rate of this project itself will also decrease.

--Anyway, marrying Diana as queen is bad for the Stanza Empire. And, at a level close to certainty, there is only Exiga so far.

"I...."

Exiga opens her mouth carefully as she gazes at the timing of the breakdown in the leadership's words.

"At least I think it is necessary for the princess - the Virgin - to be convinced of her desire to remain in the Empire as the Queen. If you proceed here without asking your own questions, you may be unhappy."

"Ha--no, Your Highness, what are you saying?"

Speaking in search of easy drops, the polite leader laughed lightly with his nose.

"Isn't the Virgin so devoted to the Emperor's care? I'm sure the Virgin doesn't hate you enough to see how you behave."

"If she were a 'Virgin', it would be strange not to dedicate herself to a sick person.... in fact, the princess can reach out to the suffering being in front of her." We have to think separately about the compassion of the Virgin and the feelings of coming to each other. "

"There's no need for that. Whatever the Virgin thinks of the Emperor personally - there is no way back to the country, and there is no choice when the people of the Elgrand Embassy fall into our hands."

In vague terms, the point is that I intend to threaten to obey the Stanza Empire if the life of the Elgrand Mission is spared. Exiga sharpens her expression and turns back to the leadership.

"Do you want to tie up the princess with the work of others while worshipping her as a 'saint' and saying that she is a blessing from heaven? If the princess is truly in heaven, then God will never miss the left-handed behavior."

"Your Highness is still young. It is by no means true that there is a great need to rule the country. --How widely can you believe that it is convenient for you to rule? That's what we need to think about."

... I mean, the people gathered here didn't believe Diana was a "Virgin" from the beginning. I acquired an exotic daughter reminiscent of the legendary "Virgin" and used it to empower the imperial family by standing as the queen. That's all I've been thinking about from the beginning, so I'm sure you're not afraid to look at anything that's not convenient.

(I knew that.... I'm still helpless)

Exciga was allowed to attend this round table in addition to the other princes, probably because she spent the longest time with Diana among the Stanzas and knew her and the Kingdom of Elland well. Exiga's own opinions were not sought in the first place, so to speak, as she was called upon to act as an advisor because of the uncertainties that arose in devising a solution.

Exiga's meeting is now a gathering of His Majesty's closest associates, but yesterday he was summoned to a meeting of a faction that is taking charge of the First Prince and asked to speak for Diana. Because the power map of this country is changed by His Majesty's grace, there are a certain number of people who want to rub against the next emperor and gain power in the future. The movement is further accelerated by the aging and illness of the emperor.

Of course, the current emperor's favorite leadership wants to remain in power for as long as possible. That is why we are putting Diana - the healing 'Virgin' - next to the Emperor, trying to keep her life in this world for as long as a day.

When an emperor of a country is on the sick floor, all the people around him think about is his loss. If you look at it like this, it becomes vain what it is worth to be an imperial family.

(After all... I couldn't do anything today.)

At the end of the meeting, Exiga stood in her seat and returned to her room in the Imperial Palace under the impression of helplessness.

"--I apologize for disturbing you when you are tired."

I met a soldier who said that he had visited Exiga, and he soon took a break. This is Brad, a soldier of the Imperial Guard, whose name has been known all at once in the last few days.

Just before the fall of the Emperor, the last royal decree was issued, and I hear that the preparations for the surrender of the sideroom Archiolene are well under way. If that story were true, he would be at the climax of happiness right now...

"Today, I had the courtesy of asking His Highness to fold in, and I prayed as you saw."

Appreciating Exhiga before him, he doesn't seem to be the man who won the highest honor of his life. The expression was steep and full of sadness - above all, it was chopped.

I don't know why Brad came all of a sudden, but it is imperial duty to listen to the people. Suggesting a chair for the time being, he lowered his hips across from Brad and asked Samba for tea.

Samba, who is as comfortable as ever, seemed to have anticipated this development before asking (Samba was also the one who kept Blood waiting for him before Exiga came back), and as soon as Exiga ordered him to bring the cooled tea to the right temperature.

Each other, first moisturized his throat with tea - a breathtaking Brad ejected Exhiga with serious eyes.

"I understand how arrogant it is for a lowlife like me to complain directly to the Crown Prince. But at the risk of my life, I must say."

"... what are you doing?

"Your Highness, please do not stay until you welcome Princess Diana Crester, the emissary of the Kingdom of Elland, as queen. I want to return the princess to the Kingdom of Elland immediately."

There is no hesitation in Brad's words, which are directly opposed to the current flow of the palace. He spins words with only grief in his innocent eyes.

"If you had been watching Diana in our country, you would have noticed the 18th Prince.... he doesn't want to bury his bones in the Stanza Empire."

"That's...."

"Deanna can't understand the irrationality in front of her, and she can't abandon her disappearing life. Therefore, I asked the Empire and the people to come in person, but his heart was always with the Kingdom of Elland and he wanted to return to his familiar country. --That should still be the same."

I don't know, maybe.

"I will not be forgiven for choosing the queen in contempt of the princess's heart. If we are to be ashamed of our country, we will never bring a better future."

... was this man such a brilliant brain? Brad accurately discerns that the current move to push Diana to the Queen could lead to a strangulation of the Stanza Empire.

"... I understand your words very well. But why would you put that on the princess's shoulder? I remember you were thanked for saving the princess before, but you weren't involved anymore?

Brad was visibly relieved because the royal family, Exiga, accepted the word without blame. After quietly breathing, open your mouth again.

"... can you promise not to say anything else?"

"I understand."

"Princess - Deanna is the benefactor of me and Alciorene."

"... what?

The name of the side room that suddenly came out and decided to surrender. Brad smiles quietly when he leans his neck unrelated.

"This is a mine in the Kizuna region that I recently discovered.... technically, it wasn't my fault."

"What do you mean?

"Dear Diana, who knew that I wanted Alciolene and that Alciolene also wanted me, helped me. --let me know that there is a mountain in Kizuna with lots of iron sleeping, so that I can earn Alciolene as a reward for discovery."

N-na!

To the unexpected confession, Exiga, as well as Samba's mouth, which she had heard on the side, opened rapidly.

Exiga changed her posture without thinking.

"True story, it is. The princess tried to keep you company until she ran the risk of having Stanza discover one mine?

"Thank you on the left. Providing mines and so on to our country, which always wants weapons for war, should be a threat to the Kingdom of Elgrand… but Deanna said, 'The discovery of mines in the Stanza Empire would be good for both countries if used well.'"

"... I don't know what that means."

"Dear Deanna - 'The people of the Stanza Empire do not yet fully understand the grace of the earth in which they live. Only the soil that grows well in crops is not the grace of the earth. If you realize the nature of the earth at your feet and know the art of obtaining its grace, you will be able to live without taking it from anyone."

It was a thunderbolt. ― ― Brad's words brought her back to Exiga's mind, one after the other, at Stanza.

Looking closer at the lives of slum dwellers, he was angry at his helplessness for saying "nothing can be done."

At the university, I was intrigued by the research that the Empire's history, industry, and plant research buildings are mainly working on to produce "crops that grow well in poorly drained lands."

In addition, in the eastern commercial and industrial district, we are keen to ask questions about craftsmanship, machining technology, inheritance, etc. - there are days in the university library building to confirm the findings of the inspection.

(... I was looking for it. The princess, always. The people of the Stanza Empire use their magic to "live" themselves. The princess has always been looking for how the earth of Stanza brings grace to humans and how we can receive it!!)

You can't even breathe into poverty and buy medicine even if you get sick. After all, when I gave all the medicinal herbs I brought to those poor people, it was only temporary.

To truly save them. You need to be able to earn enough money to buy your own medicine.

... that's why she searched? A path for the Stanza Empire to keep itself alive without stealing from anyone. Live with the earth.

And... I entrusted one of the paths I found to Brad. I showed guidance and gently sowed a new way of life.

(What do you mean?)

It's a light of hope, small enough to be missed. From the point of view of the Elgrand ambassador, he would have dared not say anything to the central counterpart and proceeded secretly because he felt that even the proposal could be said to be interference in internal affairs.... believe that no matter how secretive it is, it will always be passed on to the mindful Stanza.

(What's so embarrassing about being a princess together...)

While Exiga was trying to win Diana, she looked to the future far ahead. Instead of relying on a prominent Savior, the people of Stanza stand up on their own and seek a way to save each other.

Ever. Perhaps from the moment I first set foot in the land of the Stanza Empire.

so that those who suffer in front of them can have a definite hope -!

"Deanna is a benefactor for me and Rene... and has given a lot of gratitude to the whole of our country."

Brad talks quietly in front of Exige.

"We can never miss a situation where such a person is trying not to sacrifice his filthy desire for power. Deanna is neither a tool for power struggle nor a symbol of imperial dominance.... even if you have the same miracle as the legendary Virgin, Deanna is Deanna. Be one of the kind-minded daughters of the Kingdom of Elland who came to build friendship with the Stanza Empire."

"... people? Not by heaven."

"If that's the case, we need to respect Deanna's heart with our human gratitude in mind. It's only natural to be a messenger of God to save people before stupid arrogance decisively hurts her."

... I don't like making it myself. I didn't try to see such a good person properly just because I was low, and I didn't even realize it existed. If you had seen him as the same person, regardless of his identity, you would have seen how extraordinary Brad was when he saved Diana.

Ultimately, the identity system of the Stanza Empire is hindering the emergence of talented people and, in the long run, the development of the country. At the expense of the country's growth, some of its rulers may be fattening up.

"Your Highness... thank you for saving Deanna."

Last but not least, after a deep salute, Brad left.

In the room left, Exiga quietly closes her eyes.

(I know, I know. Why can't I be stronger as a royal family and let the ministers do what they want?)

Because she is a low birth mother, a prince named after the imperial family, and does not have any authority.

After all, no one listens to my opinions, no matter how much I have said.

... all, all excuses. If you care, there are many ways to make them listen.

(Ultimately... my inner self is still full of unfinished business with the princess. I forgave enough to entrust everything to myself in that situation. I knew that someone existed in the princess, but I couldn't give up.)

Exiga is hesitating to move hard to save Diana.

If the ministers continue to plan well, she will not return to the Kingdom of Elland. If you stay close, maybe eventually you'll have a chance to steal her heart-!

"Your Highness....."

Return to me with a modest call from Samba.... no, I had such an evil heart that I made Samba commit a sin. Samba only moved that night in anticipation of Exiga's true wishes. All blame lies with Exiga.

Don't do anything, Samba.

"But"

"There is still work to be done. But it's also true that I can't tie the princess up on my own."

"Your Highness....."

"In the first place... the princess couldn't show up in such a small way as to be tied up like me"

I know it in my head. I don't want any more pieces.

And yet, you're not convinced. Give up and try to scratch your feet.

(Once again, if the princess refuses from the front, will she give up...)

However, Diana is now under house arrest in the Emperor's bedroom behind the palace. Even an imperial family cannot enter His Majesty's throne without forgiveness.

Still... if only I could see your face at a glance, even without words. If I see her suffering from an unexpected situation, can I defeat the demon within me?

― ― Samba's gaze followed the slowly rising Exiga.

"Which way, Your Highness?

Let's take a walk.

Well, good luck with that.

"I don't need it. We're just walking around the palace.... I'm sorry, can you make me some tea again?"

"Ha...."

I knew Samba was worried, but I wanted to be alone for a while in order to settle my feelings. Leaving the room and proceeding through the familiar corridor... I see the door to the Emperor's bedroom, carrying my foot to the corner of the garden. You can't really see inside the room, but from here, you can see people coming and going.

― ― After the meeting that started in the evening and the conversation with Brad afterwards, the sun is already completely sunken. No matter how lively the royal palace was at night, there could be no noise behind the fall of the LORD, and the unpopular corridor was quiet.

How long has it been... the door opened unexpectedly, and a daughter dressed as a maid of Elgrand came out of it. Yes, the maid Diana ordered me to carry the herbs.

Following her, Diana walks out into the corridor in a simple dress that looks easy to move. For the first time in about five days, Exiga's chest rang out as if she were a lovely woman.

The two men who went out into the corridor spoke with a calm expression. I don't forget to work as a medicinal herb transporter, Princess.

-What is it?

And then, "something" pierces Exiga. The moment I tried to find out who it was, the maid who was talking to Diana changed her posture. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Did they notice?)

I don't think so. No matter how many doors you can see, it's quite a distance from here to the bedroom. And Exiga wasn't looking at Diana with malice or death. With such a gaze, I wonder if even a trained soldier would notice...

"......!

"Something" stuck to EXIGA instantly increases the pressure. The maid who hid Diana from Exiga came looking at us for a moment.

- I warn you, "It's not the third time." Serious anger and murder are in your sight.

(Ma, is that so?)

Within EXIGA, one doubt arises.

"That night," Diana asked for help.

"Ah...."

I can't hear your expression. But on the other side of the maid's body, Diana's arm moved, and she saw her white, soft fingers touching the maid's hair.

In response, the maid's shadow slowly approached Deanna...

――

No longer seen, Exiga turns her heel and leaves the scene behind. Because of the loss of sight, the pressure that had been stung until now disappeared as a dexterity.

(Whatever. Why...!!)

The sights you've seen surprisingly upset your mind. Apart from King Elgrand, you already knew that Diana had a "someone" in her heart, and that her "someone" had a great power in trouble.... until I could see reality in my eyes, I was just going to figure it out, and I didn't know it at all.

(Who is that? What the...!

Same. Just as I saw Brad under the symbol "Soldier Without Identity," Exiga only saw the daughters of the Kingdom of Elgrand as "servants of Diana," except for Diana. I was just curious to acknowledge the ability and mood, and I carefully observed each person as a person and did not think about identifying "pieces".

From the beginning, if you look at everyone but Deanna properly. I should have seen the strange presence that was mixed up right away.

― ― Samba, who was waiting for tea to be brewed, greeted the exhiga who ran back to the room in total chaos.

"Your Highness!? How dare you, with such a pale face?"

"... Sanba. I need you to check something out -"

In confusion, Exiga told Samba that.