"Y-Your Majesty…!"
The vassals could not hide how taken aback they were at the command that was too different from what they expected.
However, when the emperor's cold eyes passed over them, everyone bowed their heads as if they never tried to speak up.
At that time, one of the vassals who politely avoided the emperor's gaze raised his head.
"Your Majesty, may I dare speak up?"
"Speak then."
It was Duke Pacour who calmly opened his lips.
The Duchy of Pacour was a household that contributed to the founding of the Northern Empire. Hannibel Pacour took over the Duchy around the time of Siervian's birth, and he was known to be an ambitious man. He was also Empress Cybelle's older brother.
"I apologize for the impertinence, but I'm afraid that the timing is not good, sire."
At the brave words that he spouted, the center of the throne room had become so quiet that their ears rang.
"Timing? You say that timing something to be considered more important than my daughter's birthday…"
Tapping on the armrest of his huge throne, Alderuan spoke in a low tone. It was a quiet voice, but it was nothing less than striking as lightning.
Alderuan Erveldote. The Emperor of Iron and Blood, who led the Third Continental War to victory, was famous in more ways than one.
"That's right, Your Majesty."
The reputation built on blood was usually something that would strike fear.
However, Alderuan dispelled such fears a few years after he ascended to the throne as emperor.
Because of his outstanding sense of diplomacy, his powerful command over magic, and the many practical policies he had passed, he gained the support of the empire's people.
Therefore, Emperor Alderuan was revered as a wise emperor by his subjects.
"Do explain, Duke."
Even so, the side of him that was a war hero never left him.
If the empire's people praised His Majesty's mercy, then the duke and the other vassals feared the emperor.
This was because the emperor was merciful to the people, yet relentless towards aristocrats.
"It is due to the situation in Garambell, sire. While one side of the continent is suffering, our Empire should hold back and—"
"So what you're saying is that Garambell is in danger, therefore my daughter's birthday shouldn't be celebrated."
The emperor cut off the duke's words ferociously, but the duke just bowed his head calmly.
Seeing him confront the emperor in this way, the elderly vassals just gulped dryly. They could sense what lay beneath the duke's words.
"Firstly, there's one thing wrong with what you said, Duke."
"Please enlighten me."
"Garambell is no longer in danger. The news arrived here at the palace today that cases of the epidemic had declined sharply."
Because it was information that he had yet to get his hands on, the duke inwardly cursed.
"In particular, the elderly King of Garambell had also recovered. Do you think that the Empire should still lay low?"
It wasn't easy to get in touch with people during the storm season because communication spells became several times harder than usual. The mages surmise that it's because of the strong weather that mana becomes unstable.
During this period, the imperial palace uses artifacts that amplify communication spells several times.
"And who do you think saved Garambell?!"
When the emperor hit the armrest, there was a fluctuation of mana at the same time. The vassals quickly bowed their heads as they directly felt through their bodies the emperor's anger.
The pure and dense mana also made the duke become aware of the cold sweat running down his back.
"However, Your Majesty. Foolish rumors are spreading in the Imperial Palace. It is said that Your Majesty's resolute decision was swayed by the young Princess."
The vassals also inwardly agreed with this statement. To them, the young princess' reputation was too inflated as it had spread too quickly.
Only the chancellor, the emperor's close aide, knew that the strict emperor always cared about his daughter.
"It's true."
"That's right Your Majesty …"
"No. What I mean is that it's true that Siervian changed my decision."
The vassals couldn't hide their surprise. And right then, some of them were reminded that the name of the princess, who had no presence, was Siervian.
Crown Prince Damian's position was very solid, so the princess was relatively unnoticed. No matter how young she still was, she surprisingly had no outside activities.
"Your Majesty…!"
The duke, who didn't even know that the emperor would admit that he shared his authority, shouted indignantly. Weren't things going too differently than he expected?
"Garambell was on the verge of ruin. Because I had decided not to extend help."
Upon hearing the kingdom's supposed fate, the vassals unconsciously questioned this in their minds.
According to a report by the commander of the imperial order who had personally gone to Garambell, the situation would have gotten out of control by now had the empire not sent support.
"It was Princess Siervian who changed the kingdom's fate. Even though she's still young, she said that upholding good faith is important."
"Ah…"
The rumors that had gotten out of hand were, in fact, true.
When the emperor declared it himself, the vassals were turning their heads and thinking fast. They were gauging the existence of the princess, who was mentioned during a meeting on political affairs, for the first time.
"So the Princess who saved Garambell deserves great praise. Understand?"
"…Yes, as you command, Your Majesty."
In the end, the duke had no choice but to step down, grinding his teeth.
"Will it be alright, Your Majesty?"
Following close behind the emperor's footsteps, Hex asked.
The rumor that had been spreading recently became an excuse. He was worried, but Hex was so delighted to see Duke Pacour backing down with a distorted expression as though he was chewing on poo.
"I'm afraid that the rumors will ignite even more, sire."
Despite Hex's concerns, Alderuan was relaxed.
He didn't make it up anyway, so he didn't hesitate to say it. Especially in a situation where it was clear that the duke was making up nonsense.
"There's no reason that it won't be fine."
Something about today's war of words in the throne room struck him as strange. It was odd for Duke Pacour, the head of the aristocratic faction, to say that it was natural to hold back on showing the imperial family's luxury.
As he recalled the duke's attitude, Alderuan's eyes were filled with a bleak energy.
"It's grating on me. Isn't it suspicious that he's blocked all of Siervy's birthday banquets?"
Hex was still worrying about the princess' reputation being raised too much, but at this, he had to shut up.
Until the age of four, the princess' birthday celebrations couldn't be held because of good reasons. However, Hex also couldn't help but doubt the significance of this year's incident as well.
"What are Marquis Parma's movements these days?"
"It's the usual. I have an insider with him."
Meaning that there wasn't anything particularly noticeable happening yet.
"Hm."
This time, the Marquis, who lost the Pharim medicinal herbs, was also a representative of the aristocratic faction and was close to the duke. However, the connection between the two had yet to be revealed.
"Keep an eye on him."
"Yes, Your Majesty."