Queen Bethnal Etuvel Reindel, the matriarch of the Royal Family, former queen of an era, brother to another, and mother to a third. Now, she was leading the Alzar Kingdom as the temporary monarch once more. She was one of the handful of women in this male-dominant society, rising to the apex of power! Furthermore, her illustrious achievements and accomplishments were known by all. She abolished the Impure Magic Proclamation, led the birth of the Zino Kingdom, and singlehandedly transformed everyone's perspective on magic! It was no longer a vile demonic art, attempting to cheat the heavens, but an honest science, attempting to understand the world! Although countless people stayed rigid in their ways and criticized Arcania, Queen Bethnal charged through all opposition and carried on.
Later, people begun to forget about her era. She was, after all, the queen from more than fifteen years ago. Receding from political matters, she abstained from interfering in the mundane world. It was no longer her time, and so she peacefully handed over the reins to the next generation. However, do not be misled. Queen Bethnal remained as the matriarch of the Royal Family, a pinnacle figure atop the world! When Elizabeth disappeared from the castle almost a year ago, Lord Korogin had to request her approval before utilizing the crown's authority! When the kingdom descended into turmoil over Lord Korogin's death, she stepped up and stabilized everything. Even the haughty and proud Royal Assembly and Grand Nobility Households lowered their heads!
Just thinking about how she ordered the destruction of the Lannisail Household and the Whispering Shadow drenched people in cold sweat. These two great existences that dominated several generations, one in the light, the other in the dark, they were powerful enough to shake the kingdom to its roots! However, with a single cold order, Queen Bethnal annihilated both down to the last hair and in the span of two weeks, no less… Grand Nobles could flaunt above all others, but the Royal Family, and especially Queen Bethnal, was a forbidden taboo existence! She was undoubtedly one of the most fearsome characters in the entire Alzar Kingdom!
Elizabeth was rightfully afraid of her grandmother too and felt as helpless as a lamb in her presence. The girl explained her motives and rationale in leaving for the Xingyuu Empire. On the other hand, Queen Bethnal said nothing but listened patiently with a blank expression. No one could tell what she was thinking. Eventually, Elizabeth ran out of words to say. Although she felt this was a fool's errand, she tried anyways. She earnestly wanted to stop the flames of war from erupting again! Right when she expected a firm denial, the next words shocked her to the core.
"I'll approve of it," Queen Bethnal said.
"As I was saying, there's plenty of advantages… Huh?" Elizabeth was stunned silly. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that again? I thought I misheard…"
"I said I'll approve. You can go to the Xingyuu Empire if you want."
Elizabeth cocked her head cutely and put on a frown. Just like her aunt, she did not expect her grandmother to approve, but to her surprise… That was why Elizabeth was confused. What was happening here? Queen Bethnal was always stern and calculating, always keeping the Royal Family's interests in mind. When Elizabeth was kidnapped by the Whispering Shadow, the woman did not hesitate to order a crusade against them. In the end, she thoroughly exterminated the Whispering Shadow and the Lannisail Household! That was how highly Queen Bethnal regarded Elizabeth! After all, Elizabeth was the last hope for the Royal Family to continue, otherwise they would have to step down. Anyone would treat her like a golden egg, afraid of breaking it from the lightest tremor. And yet, the very same woman who destroyed a Grand Nobility Household for her sake permitted Elizabeth's venture into troubled waters?
The girl felt her mind lag. "Are… Are you sure? Are you feeling okay? Are you sick or something?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" the woman snapped. "I'm giving you the role of Royal Army General for the Xingyuu Empire operation, which means you'll be representing the crown authority in this endeavour. Of course, the real work will be handled by our Third-In-Command of the Quinvoren Army, General Yan, so you'll just be spectating. However, you will still depart the capital in one week to rendezvous with the main army at Pelangi Fortress. The rest of the deployment information will be passed over to you in a few days."
"You're actually serious?"
"Didn't you want to do this yourself? Why are you asking so many questions?" Queen Bethnal narrowed her eyes in displeasure.
"No, no, I do want to go. It's just… why?"
"This is an opportunity for you too. If you can showcase your talents in handling the Xingyuu Empire, it would bode well for you in the inheritance race. Depending on your success, those Grand Nobility Households have a strong chance of supporting you," she explained.
"Well… That's true…" Elizabeth pondered.
"You should go and prepare. I am expecting great things from you, Elizabeth."
"… As you wish, Your Majesty," she bowed politely and left, despite her questions.
Once the girl left, Queen Bethnal's face darkened by a shade and an imperceptible flicker flashed across her eyes. Not long after, another person entered the queen's quarters. Her appearance was strikingly like the queen in her youth, but that was not too surprising. With a breathtaking figure and cold demeanor, who else could it be besides Princess Samanthie, the youngest daughter of Queen Bethnal? She was also the Royal Ambassador for the Zino Kingdom, the one who represented the crown authority! That alone spoke volumes about her political maneuvering!
This woman rarely left the Zino Kingdom, but with her recent declaration of entering the inheritance race, things began to change. Despite lacking support from the Royal Family, and specifically Queen Bethnal, many Grand Nobility Households fell under her banner. After all, the alternatives were too unsightly for them to behold. Elizabeth's faults did not need explanation. To put it simply, she was a country bumpkin, without a lick of noble upbringing or heritage! Her connections with the rest of the nobility were nonexistent or even negative. Nobody would want to be ruled by a commoner like her!
Lord Fredrick was unquestionably better in all regards, from his temperament to his foresight and from his intelligence to his connections. Unfortunately, he was a junior in the end, a mere fledging. He never occupied an official post, nor earned significant merits. People admired his boundless potential, but that was it. Potential was nothing truly tangible. In the grand scheme of things, it was really a worthless concept! Therefore, the Grand Nobility Households chose to support Princess Samanthie's cause, leading her to become the third most popular royal candidate! As for why the Royal Family looked the other way, no one knew. However, her stance could easily be seen as challenging her family's integrity! No one knew what Queen Bethnal and Princess Samanthie discussed, but it would shock anyone silly because it was related to the future of the Alzar Kingdom!
***
After returning to her quarters, Elizabeth summoned her aunt and Lord Archibon. They arrived without delay, knowing that she had gone to Queen Bethnal for permission. This was a great deal. Although they knew that the chances were zero, deep down they felt the same sort of dread. It was like the calm before the storm! Elizabeth was someone who did not conform to common sense! And… in the end, their worst fears came true.
"Her Majesty approved," Elizabeth said.
A pin-drop silence ensued as the two's minds promptly collapsed. All their thoughts disappeared, fleeting like the wind. These two were not simple people either. Lady Christina was a proud Brigade Commander, and a close confidant of the late Lord Korogin. Lord Archibon was the heir of the Lannisail Household, and carried the title of the 'Artful Pen'. Their temperament could stay steady, even in the roughest of storms, so this made their shocked and speechless faces all the more comical. One could fit several whole eggs in their dropped mouths! It took a long time for them to regain their composure.
Lady Christina spoke gravely, "Elizabeth, it's not good to lie about this. The repercussions aren't something that you can imagine. There are some things that you can and can't say."
"That's true. If Her Highness had wantonly spread these rumors around, and abused the heir apparent's authority, then…" Lord Archibon also felt nervous.
"I'm not lying!" Elizabeth replied with a grunt. "I really went to Her Majesty and explained everything to her. Her Majesty said that I would be designated as the Royal Army General and that I would have to depart in a week for Pelangi Fortress."
"That's…" Christina remained skeptical.
That was when a knock came on the door. A messenger respectfully handed over several documents before departing. Carrying the personal seal of Queen Bethnal, the contents were of the highest order of significance! Elizabeth unfurled the scrolls and scanned through them, before revealing a look of surprise. Inside detailed the extensive deployment details for the upcoming operation in the Xingyuu Empire! Although the finer details were omitted, it was no less valuable. Such secrets, if leaked to the empire, would herald an unprecedented calamity! With Elizabeth's approval, both Commander Christina and Lord Archibon stole a glance. When they did, they trembled once more.
"This… You weren't joking?" Lady Christina was shocked. This was Queen Bethnal they were talking about! Granting Elizabeth's whimsical wish was not the queen that she knew!
Lord Archibon kept his silence and continued to stare at the seal. It was obviously no forgery, and the contents were earth-shattering too. There was no way anything could be falsified. Even if someone did forge them, then they were courting death! No… Death would be putting it lightly. The Royal Family would not hesitate to annihilate their family out of existence right down to the roots! Even the grass would be scorched to nonexistence! No one, even if they had a million times the guts and arrogance, would joke around like this. But the alternative was much more baffling and nonsensical. Did Queen Bethnal really grant Elizabeth's request? If so, then why?