Siervian just wanted to let him know that she didn't mean to interrupt the meeting. But then, this intention went in a completely different direction.
"Sebi is…"
As her father was holding her, he was strangely silent.
Scared, Siervian grabbed her father's sleeve and gave it a small tug.
It was at that moment.
[ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ] [ Favorability: +100 ]
Huh?
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Mood: So. Very. Touched. because of the actions of ♡my daughter♡
Thoughts: Could there be any other child out there who's as admirable and praiseworthy? I can't believe you're being patient enough that you don't want to interrupt the meeting. Indeed, it is the virtue of a member of the imperial family.
But unlike the very loud status window, her father's expression did not budge at all.
The serious glance he gave towards the rest of the people in the throne room could even be called arrogant.
While he still had Siervian on his lap.
'No, I have to say I'll go out now. I'm sure the ministers will have a lot to say!'
Siervian, alone in her urgency, peeped out of her father's embrace and looked at the faces of the nobles.
Focusing on the people who hated her.
[ Thoughts: So adorable! ]
[ Thoughts: His Majesty has been bragging about how cute Her Highness is, but it's all valid after all. ]
[ Thoughts: Mm-hmm, that's definitely His Majesty's daughter. Fufu. ]
What's wrong with them all?
Surprisingly, the general atmosphere was friendly.
Anxious all this while, Siervian chose to keep quiet for now.
It seemed impossible for her to stand out even more than this.
"Minister of Finance, continue."
"Yes, Your Majesty. The import of grain from the Southern Kingdom has consumed ten percent of the budget more than usual, and…"
Fortunately, with just a few short words from her father, the throne room returned to a serious atmosphere.
The nobles concentrated again in an instant, as if Siervian had indeed become invisible.
She was also curious about how this huge empire was being run.
'What a relief.'
In particular, she was afraid that her father would insist on asking why she was here, but he was quiet anyway.
Still, just in case, Siervian peeked at everyone's status window from time to time.
In the eyes of the adults, it seemed like she was only looking around because she was amazed by the throne room she had come into for the first time.
'The Minister of Finance is having a hard time.'
Unexpectedly, it's a good thing that she could join this meeting, too.
She could see just how different the recorded facts she knew from her previous life compared to how reality really was.
Until now, there seemed to be no noticeable changes.
However, as she listened to them speak more, Siervian's face also became serious.
'The grain crisis… Is it going to be next year?'
The Minister of Finance reported that this year's budget increase was unusual, but Siervian knew the truth of it.
She knew that the grain prices in the Southern Kingdom would continue to increase.
[ Alderuan Erveldote ]
Thoughts: This is going to be a long meeting.
Then, an unexpected status window appeared.
'As expected, you're worried about the budget, too, right?'
She didn't know why, but her father continued to decide on the things he needed to tackle.
Indeed, the meeting lasted very, very long.
Until even Siervian, who was secretly listening intently to what they're saying, became tired. She started nodding off.
"Also, I heard that your son has started taking social dance classes recently, Baron Cambi."
She was about to doze off, but she woke up again at the random topic that her father brought up.
"I-I am doubtful that my son who lacks conviction is working hard, sire."
As he answered, the Baron bowed his head and averted his gaze.
Why did something like a nobleman's son's social dancing classes come out of the emperor's lips?
Or was it a roundabout warning that the family was under surveillance, and that they should watch themselves?
'Is this something that's also brought up in a council meeting?'
Blinking her eyes, Siervian peeped out again in curiosity.
Somehow, the minister's face had a darker complexion compared to how he was a while ago.
And there was a great deal of weariness on his demeanor.
'Has a lot of time passed?'
Once again, after the emperor's seemingly random words, another unexpected topic was brought up.
The meeting, which should have ended a long time ago, had already gone one for several hours longer than how it should have just been.
"Her Highness the Princess is very cute."
Then, the duke interrupted briefly, and silence ensued because of his words.
After he spoke, Siervian looked at him reflexively.
And, she was shocked.
[ Hannibel Pacour ]
Occupation: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
Favorability: 0
Mood: Bored
Thoughts: It'd be great if this meeting's done and over with.
In a daze, she looked at his status window.
And what stood out here was his favorability, which was exactly zero.
Perhaps feeling her gaze, the duke turned his green eyes and looked at her squarely.
Those green eyes looked exactly like the empress' eyes that Siervian felt a chill run down her spine.
'It's scary.'
Siervian pulled her father's sleeve unconsciously.
And the emperor's gentle arms covered her face.