Time to Step Forward! The Road to Empress!
“… that dress… that color… could that mean?…”
Gulp…
The noble swallowed his saliva.
No, it is just because it is a contractive color.
“I can’t think of any other reason… wearing a dress with the imperial color on this day… Her Highness… does she really want to inherit the throne…”
Another noble said in a tense voice.
No. It is simply because Mia ate too much.
“Is she going to upend longstanding traditions? I never expected her to be that kind of a person… Was she hiding such intentions from such long ago…”
No, she is just hiding the expansion of her stomach.
A quiet chaos started within the nobles, but before it could subside, they received a further shock from Mia’s announcement…
“Today, there are some people that I would like to introduce to everyone gathered here today.”
Saying that, Mia beckoned. And responding to that, two boys approached Mia.
“Huh? Aren’t those…”
Not many knew their faces. However, those who knew were at loss for words. Because the two were…
“These are my schoolmates. Prince Abel and Prince Sion. Prince Abel is the second prince of Remno Kingdom, and Prince Sion is the crown prince of Sunkland.”
After Mia’s announcement, the whole hall fell silent.
“They’ve come all the way here to celebrate my birthday.”
Mia continued as if she didn’t notice the noble’s reactions.
Since it was the princess birthday, it is not uncommon for guests and nobles from other neighboring kingdoms to come and celebrate. The royal family of Perujin Agricultural Country and Ganudos Port Town were well known royalties that attended her birthdays in the past.
But… no royal family has ever come from a country as powerful as Sunkland. Moreover, Prince Sion, who Mia just introduced, wasn’t just any royalty. He is the crown prince. The next expected successor to the throne. This shows how much Sunkland values Mia.
“No way… the prince of Sunkland…”
“Don’t forget about the other prince.”
Speaking of Remno Kingdom, although it is inferior to Tearmoon and Sunkland, it still commands respect. Its military power could not be underestimated.
Moreover, Abel is the second prince. Unlike Sion, who is first in line for succession, Abel is fully qualified to be in the position to marry into the Tearmoon Empire….
Dressed in supreme imperial colors, and introducing the two princes from powerful neighboring kingdoms…. The nobles couldn’t help but bewildered on what exactly could their princess be meaning…
But their shock wasn’t far from over…. Something greater was even in store that came right after.
While the nobles were still processing what happened, the doors to the hall opened…
“My apologies for being late, Mia-sama.”
The one who appeared was Esmeralda, the daughter of Duke Greenmoon….
…well, it didn’t really matter much. It was a common knowledge that she was a good friend of Mia. It wouldn’t have gotten any reaction from the nobles, if only it wasn’t for the girl who was behind Esmeralda.
It was a girl with pure smile. She seemed to be in the same age as Mia. Her light blue hair was as cool as a clear stream, and what was peeking out from between her hair was her translucent white skin. There was an air of divine beauty as she walked in.
Not a single soul hadn’t seen her before. If not personally, then through her portraits. It was the continent’s leading Saint, the Holy Lady herself.
“Greetings Mia. And Happy Birthday.” She giggled.
The appearance of Saint Rafina Orca Belluga changed the atmosphere of the hall once again. The existence of the two princes was something that could not be ignored. But Rafina was on a whole new other level. Turning her into an enemy is the same as turning multiple countries, including Sunkland, into enemies. All the nobles realized how much influence Rafina carries.
And… the fact that Rafina came all the way to the empire to celebrate Mia’s birthday…
Rafina headed towards Mia with light steps. The sheer intensity of the turn of events was too much for the stupefied nobles.
“Ra-Rafina-sama, why are you here?”
“On? Isn’t it only natural to celebrate with your friend on her birthday?”
Rafina said with a mischievous giggle at the surprised Mia.
“Fufufufu, it seems that I was able to surprise you. Seeing your reaction was worth coming over here secretly.”
“My… I’m happy to hear that you’re having fun.” Mia responded with the kind of tense deference one would exhibit when favored by someone much more important, “This was a long way to come for a simple prank.”
Every aristocrat in the room rolled their eyes silently at what they considered to be rather clumsy performance. As if Mia could have been oblivious of Rafina’s desire to attend, they reasoned. They couldn’t dispute its cleverness, but they also had to admit that it had a strong message. The overwhelming level of power and influence possessed by the present emperor’s daughter was made plain by the sight of Mia and Rafina joyously chirping as they took each other’s hands.
It was commonly known that Mia felt her father’s intense affection. Her recent charitable endeavors had also brought her a great deal of public favor. Despite the fact that this behavior was inappropriate, it nonetheless contributed to her power. She was also on very good terms with outland nobles, a group that naturally distanced themselves from the inner nobility, thanks to stories of her sympathetic attitude toward them. The nobility present had more or less known about all of these things.
But they were unaware of how far she had extended her power internationally. She had some significant acquaintances, ranging from the prince of Sunkland, a country frequently seen as Tearmoon’s equal, to the prince of Remno, a little but mighty nation that demanded respect. But Rafina Orca Belluga, with whom they were currently exchanging polite smiles, was superior to even this pair of handsome royals. Not only had Mia gained the favor of the rulers of two powerful kingdoms, but she had also developed a close friendship with the Holy Lady, whose dominance over the continent was unmatched.
Had there ever been a person in the empire quite like Mia? Definitely not! She just demonstrated an enormous amount of political clout in a matter of minutes, which was more than enough to silence her detractors. The overwhelming understanding that they were in the presence of an utter goliath soon spread throughout the majority of the room. They knew they couldn’t ever cross Mia, and they didn’t want to. Just the emperor’s affection made it foolish. However, given her extremely influential circle of friends today, it would be suicide. Many people’s foreheads started to shine with perspiration.
They then thought back to the emperor’s imperial order, which had purportedly been the princess’s wish. She had requested that everyone in the empire, including men, women, and children, celebrate her birthday by having a great time. Then, didn’t that imply that they should ensure that actually happened?
The terrified nobility returned to their lands and immediately opened them to their people, greeting their common visitors with false smiles and forced laughter. They were motivated by this new, terrifying realization. But given their desperate situation, they couldn’t afford to delay. Princess Mia’s wrath would be courted if they didn’t appease their people. If she had a problem with any of them… The majority of nobility simply began shaking their guests’ hands at that point without pausing to consider the horrible ramifications.
The nobles consequently ended themselves eating and drinking with their subjects. They began to take pleasure in themselves as they performed the usual birthday song in unison to honor their princess.
“We have a very kind lord, I say.” The word was said by one of the guests. When their master heard it, he didn’t find it very offensive. In fact, he enjoyed the compliments. Additionally, he reasoned that it would only last for five days. He would be safe if he could maintain a decent front for his people for only five days. He might as well enjoy what pleasure he could have in the interim. After all, the decree required it, and it also pertained to him.
This left him with memories of the celebration as well. Fun times with his people, many of whom had previously just existed as names on a tax list but were now faces he’d recognized over a cup of alcohol. They were enduring memories that would have a significant impact on both him and the numerous other nobles who also had a similar experience.
There were however others who resisted the trend and obstinately followed long-standing traditions.
“What a distressing development… Simply put, this is not the way. We should speak with Lord Sapphias and try to persuade him to take action.”
“No, no. Her lineup is strong. The average male has no chance. The House of Redmoon needs to be persuaded to take action against her. She needs to be restrained.”
However, the current diplomatic situation involving the younger branch of the Four Dukes was unknown to these nefarious conspirators. Even in the homes they were trying to convince, seeds of that had accidentally fallen out of Mia’s pocket while she was aimlessly wandering had grown into lively saplings with roots that sunk ever lower into the soil of friendship.
Additionally, they were unaware that Mia would soon learn about their covert plans.
Mia thus made her first triumphant step towards being an empress!
A path that was pretty much obvious to everyone but her…
