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"The problem is fixed, isn't it?" Camilla inquired, her gaze falling on them. It's been 5 days since they fixed their own matters. I wasn't planning to eavesdrop, but maybe it's one of Camilla's habits.
"Did you see how romantic the Grand Duke's daughter is?" Am I not romantic enough? Should I go around grabbing people's hearts and giving them to her? I might prefer it that way too. "She is, now focus on your practice." Vien looks at me with such an entertaining expression on her face.
"Someone's jealous." I felt like this wasn't a knights' camp anymore. But just a triple date. I cynically smile as I gaze at Vien. "And that's an additional 35 minutes of training for you, General." Who's going to laugh who?
"You're being considerate, Your Majesty."
"So don't test my patience and keep your muscles working. Another violation will be 24 hours of training." Teasing me is equivalent to looking down on me. Unless she's Camilla, she's not allowed to talk. The audacity of this woman!
But Vien only chuckles as she and Lithia continue to wield their swords. "YOUR HIGHNESS!" A shrill voice screamed. He was running towards our position, flailing his hands..
"You don't have to shout unless it's necessary." All of these problems are causing my ears to hurt. He should've spoken about the matter when he was running. At the very least, his yelling voice will be useful once in a while.
The guard opens the scroll, reading with a dreadful face. His voice cracks as if cold water was poured all over his body. "Your Highness, I haven't written a letter to anyone in a long time. But I'll keep it short and direct so your messenger doesn't have to read too much. At this time, it's not a treaty of peace. I propose that His Highness abdicate the throne and pass over the Empire to us. Be our ally, and I'll make sure your Empire is well-managed. Of course, there are advantages for you as well. If you insist, I can make you a Lord or even a Grand Duke. And I can make your two daughters my wife. I can provide you with territories to preside over, as well as even a palace. But if you push it the hard way, "
"Then there's no talk of negotiations."
"--Prince Razhan." Prince Razhan, he said. How can a prince run an entire empire? His father must be out of his mind. He doesn't want his son to ascend as the Emperor. So he's planning to have us? "Isn't he informed that I'm the current Emperor?" How can they be so uninterested in my empire? How dare those asshole bullshits come to me and threaten me in my own territory?
They must've had a death wish.
"They're not informed, Your Highness." Vien chuckles a little as I aim my blade towards her. "You have some job ahead of you. Get out of my sight. Continue the training, and prepare 5 knights for me. We'll be moving in the evening. Including the two Knights in Major in service. " I gaze at the guard once more, wearing my disgusted grimace on my face.
"You're fired. How dare you get agitated over some small matter? You're a guard and not a kitten. I don't raise cute animals in my territory. PACK ALL YOUR THINGS AND LEAVE." A pathetic fool. He's displaying his frailty in front of me. How can he even survive?
One shouldn't be afraid no matter what news they hear. After all, I hate people who show such fearful expressions. I feel like they don't trust their leader enough. "Those who are afraid to fight beside me should leave right away. I don't need slackers in my army. You're aware of the rules "Camilla guffaws as she looks at me.
"You look stressed out." My displeased eyes are telling me to fire all of those guards. But I'm considerate enough to let them serve in this palace. "You look confident enough. Aren't you bothered?" Talking about the first time I met her, she was just a cupcake who looked sweet and delicate. It reminds me of Lithia and Luna at the same time.
But here she is, adapting my attitude little by little. "Perhaps, I just have faith in the person in charge? I wanted to accompany you, but I'm afraid I'd be too much of a burden. However, I can't leave you to battle on your own." Her arms are crossed behind her as she glances at the knight.
"The rest of you will be stationed inside the main hall to keep an eye. No one is allowed to go outside." The strategy must be: "No one is allowed to go outside as they can be assassinated one by one." It might be a good plan.
"I prefer some knights to guard my mother and father's room inside." Lithia states as she stretches her arms, looking like a proud leader.
"Isn't it against the law? They have privacy." Vien was cut as Lithia looked at her. "In terms of this situation, I don't think so."
"We sounded like a battle was just a game." Vien sighs as she massages her temples. "We don't need to injure the people. We negotiate in a Lucifer kind of way. After all,"
"The father is hiding in the palace, living lavishly. And now he's using his own son as bait. So we offer our help. Pretend that he's dead. And later on, we'll turn him into an ally. That's why I only need 5 knights."
"A sword over his neck as a menace, two disguised knights guarding the tent, and two knights roving the area to secure the place." It's not that difficult. "They've encroached on our land, and all they have is a tent." It wasn't my fault that they were outside on such a frigid day. It's their folly that has brought them here.
"No one will get to sleep this night. Unless I tell you to, you're not allowed to make any moves or follow us. I trust the rest of you. Guard the palace. Make no mistake: this is a must." My order should be enough to keep them all in. It'll be their choice in the end.
The palace started to fill with silence as we went back to the main hall. For a while, I let Lithia and Vien rule the knights. At the same time, I was paying attention to Camilla's advice. "It could be of some assistance, but it could also be of no assistance. However, I recommend dressing as a commoner and fooling them into thinking you're merely passing through. Allow Vien to signal the other knights so that the plan may go out without a hitch."
"Keep in mind not to hurry. You may be apprehended."
"You don't have enough faith in me." But all she does is chuckle as she stares at me. "Make sure to come back."
"If it can't be negotiated, then why would I choose tranquility?" I could just slit his neck and chop his head off.