Obey Me

“How could you hide it from us!”

Laura exclaimed. She grabbed Kyrie by the shoulders and shook her, then cried out.

“If that was the case, you should have told me beforehand, Kyrie! I was afraid you had been stuck with some really tough guy and I wouldn’t be able to talk to you again!”

“That’s right, I was surprised.”

Maria, who usually didn’t have much time, chuckled. Kyrie smiled embarrassedly and immediately made Laura sit down.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think it’s a good idea to talk about this.”

“I understand. It’s the Legendary Lord.”

“But still!”

Laura paused for a moment to catch her breath and then calmed down. She looked more lively, if not belated.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter! You cutie! I knew you were going to pull something like this off one day.”

“Am I that bad?”

“You’re that bad! Isn’t that right, Maria?”

Laura winked at Maria as her shoulders shook. The ‘mother of all information in social circles’, the heiress to the Duchy of Ciudad, nodded her head in such a way as if to say it wasn’t that big of a deal.

“The Second Lord (Legendary Lord), who was only mentioned in legends, is here. Many people consider this to be an auspicious sign.”

“It’s the first time since the founding of the country!”

“There’s not a person in the country who doesn’t know your name, Kyrie.”

“Of course! And compared to that person, who stole someone else’s fiancé, she’s no match for you!”

“And five years from now, you…”

Maria looked at her with admiration.

“You’ll have two-thirds of the entire country.”

“Whaaaa!”

Laura, who was in a much better mood than Kyrie, laughed excitedly. She giggled at Kyrie, who hadn’t come to the same realisation yet, and smiled as she touched her pudding with the tip of her spoon.

“Well, I know some people won’t like that!”

This was Laura’s way of mentioning serious topics; laughing about it while she spoke.

At the same time, the emperor’s image appeared in all three of their minds. She could never be pleased with the fact that Kyrie would have more land and military strength than her. However, the three of them skillfully acted unfazed and focused their attention on someone else.

“By the way, why does Rubinia Cassner have an unusual hatred for Kyrie in particular. Have you ever done anything to her, Kyrie?”

“Do you think I’m that kind of person?”

“Yes, the problem is that Kyrie, a model citizen, can’t possibly do those sorts of things! Maria, do you know anything?”

“My family didn’t gather any information regarding that specifically. All I know is that she likes books and has an irksome propensity for progressive things. That’s all.”

“Hmm! I have the feeling that she dislikes all seven great families, but she seems to hate Kyrie in particular…”

Laura said, picking up her bowl of pudding and putting it away.

“But I was with Kyrie most of the times that she met with Rubinia. And you didn’t do anything particularly wrong to her, did you? If anything, you were the one who overlooked Cassner’s mistakes.”

“Mistakes? Was there such a thing?”

“Don’t you remember? That time…”

At that moment, Maria interrupted Laura and whispered in a low voice.

“Guys. It’s Duke Elaine, the chief palace official.”

Q/C: Pronounced as ‘elainee’ not ‘elain’.

She rose from her seat, hiding her friend, who had not yet finished her pudding, with the hem of her dress. At the same time, all three of them placed their hands down on their laps gently and posed in a graceful, serene and ladylike manner.

Duke Elaine was a court official who dealt with both the grand and small affairs of the royal family, and although he did not belong to any of the seven great families, he was the head of the historic Elaine family. He approached the three women and spoke respectfully.

“Her Majesty, Emperor is here to see you.”

Naturally, his eyes were fixed on Kyrie. Laura secretly snuck a glance at her.

‘You said you didn’t want it, right?’

* * *

The magical garden, which was said to have been created by Vallabriga, was so warm that visitors would often forget what the current season was and there was even a picturesque lake in its center. The three of them were stunned as they viewed the garden, which radiated the essence of spring.

The Emperor smiled kindly.

“The true beauties of Trevereum have gathered here.”

“We’ve united with Your Majesty under the sun’s precious rays.”

“There’s no need to be so modest today.”

Kyrie made every effort to avoid making eye contact with the Emperor. The reason why the Emperor had called her in the first place was all too clear. She wanted to know what Nathaniel was like, what kind of relationship he had with her and whether this relationship would be harmful to the royal family.

Maria and Laura were aware of this too. They blabbered on cheerfully, trying to keep Kyrie out of the conversation.

“I hope to meet the Duke of Old Ciudad soon.”

“I’m afraid he’ll criticize me later for monopolising even a moment of Your Majesty’s spare time.”

“I heard that FortDucane has recently been endeavouring, albeit with much difficulty, to build a new trade route to the Northern Continent, is that right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty! It’s a difficult voyage because there are many sea monsters and the currents are so erratic, but I’m sure we’ll be successful in the near future!”

“Successful? You’ve been struggling for quite some time, haven’t you?”

The Emperor’s eyes twinkled. Laura said calmly, without looking at Kyrie.

“Until now it has been difficult to open up new routes because of the currents, but we’ve recently secured a safe base port!”

“Where is that?”

“Oh, it’s a secret, isn’t it? It’s a secret but I’m going to tell you, and only you! It’s the Classico.”

Everyone’s smile faltered and Kyrie was slightly taken aback. The Classico was a part of the Patriotic Lord’s territory.

“The Patriotic Lord has always adhered to the principle of closed territorial management. Did he allow this?”

“I think it was because of my earnest request and amazing conversational skills that made it possible.”

Laura replied cheerfully, but the Emperor’s gaze was already fixed on Kyrie.

“Well, you are Kyrie’s old friend.”

Laura laughed, instantly calming the tense atmosphere.

“That’s right. He seemed to have noticed that I was close to Miss Buchanan.”

This was the first time Kyrie had heard of this. She finally realised why people had been rushing to get to know her.

‘They’re using my name without my knowledge. For what reason?’

The Emperor looked uncomfortable.

Like a magician’s spell, they seemed to hear a crackling sound from the wind around them, like sparks of fire were whizzing by.

But it was just for a fleeting moment. Old noblemen don’t show their emotions so easily.

“That’s nice. It’s always beneficial to be in contact with other continents.”

After a few moments of self reflection, the Emperor raised her hand with dignity.

“Okay. I’m very happy to talk to both of you ladies. But Kyrie, why have you been so quiet?”

The inevitable moment has come. Kyrie bowed her head cautiously.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, so I’ve been nervous.”

“We can talk freely, just the two of us.”

Just the two of us? Kyrie’s heart sank coldly.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a friendly chat with you, would that be too much to ask for?”

The Emperor’s eyes expressed a firm determination to not allow rejection.

“Of course, it’s my pleasure.”

“Good. Miss Ciudad, Miss FortDucane, you ought to take a look at my pet leopard. Elaine will guide you.”

Laura and Maria dared not refuse the Emperor’s words and were led deeper into the garden. Once they were gone, the Emperor shifted into a more comfortable posture.

“Finally, it’s just the two of us. It’s been a long time, Kyrie. Have you been well?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Kyrie smiled at her. As if she cared. If she did, then it would have been a long time ago. The words the Emperor said in the past passed through her mind as she smiled.

‘Kyrie, there’s been a lot of gossip about Eden’s behaviour recently, hasn’t there?

‘Yes, Your Majesty.’

‘Don’t worry about it’

‘Pardon?’

‘That’s the way it is with men. Anyway, you’re Eden’s fiancé, and it’s only a temporary set-back, so I hope you’ll be kind enough to turn a blind eye to his unscrupulous behaviour.’

‘… Understood, Your Majesty.”

She couldn’t dare say, ‘I can’t do that’ to the Emperor. Kyrie remembered the Emperor, at that time, was never pleased with anything she did.

“I’m sorry that things turned out the way they did with Eden. I really thought you would be a worthy match for the Crown Prince, but that boy does not have eyes for people.”

This time Kyrie was able to smile sincerely. Someone had already told her that the Crown Prince does not have good eyes for people.

”Don’t worry, Your Majesty. In fact, I’m sorry that I have caused unnecessary anxiety to someone who has more important things to worry about.”

“Thanks for being so considerate.”

The old Emperor’s jade-colored eyes gleamed beneath her hollow, age-ridden eyelids.

“Hmm, yes. Kyrie… is the Legendary Lord staying at Buchanan residence?”

Finally, the main question. Kyrie answered with a firm smile.

“Yes, he has.”

“How did you get acquainted with the Legendary Lord?”

“After the annulment of my engagement with the crown prince, during my trip to the Elsus, the Legendary Lord and I crossed paths. I lent him my carriage.”

“That’s it?”

Kyrie smiled nonchalantly at the blunt question.

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask?”

“No, only that polite question.”

The Emperor glanced at Kyrie, but from the expression on her face, she did not notice any signs of deception.

‘Buchanan’s not a wizard, so she doesn’t think I broke the taboo.’

It was fortunate. If she was caught, it would be difficult to keep her preparations for the upcoming battle for the secret

“So you don’t know anything about his past, right?”

“That’s right. He doesn’t say much.”

The Emperor looked into the distance, carefully choosing an appropriate thing to say.

“Could it be that the Legendary Lord hasn’t mentioned anything else?”

“What do you mean?”

“For example… a seal.”

Her jewel-like eyes glistened like the slick scales of a snake. The Emperor’s dignity and oppressiveness made it difficult for someone to be untruthful. But Kyrie simply smiled as gently as she always did.

“I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. I don’t know much about what kind of seal you’re talking about.”

“Is that so?”

“As you know, the Buchanan lineage of wizards has long since died out. Please think of me as an ignorant small child when it comes to these things.”

“That’s true.”

The Emperor smiled bitterly. Kyrie smiled brightly and what she said next deeply chipped away at her heart.

“If you’d like to tell me about it, I can inform Sir Nathaniel…”

“No! No. Hmm, I just overheard the court of wizards making such a fuss over it. We mustn’t bother him. Keep it as a secret.”

She was clearly embarrassed, though not explicitly so.

‘She doesn’t want to reveal that she has hostile intentions toward Nathaniel.’

Even Kyrie would have done the same. Nathaniel’s demeanour in the meeting hall could not be considered a joke. So it was only now that she spoke of this.

“Your Majesty, may I say something?”

“Tell me.”

“As you know, I have recently received an excessive amount of gifts from Legendary Lord and Patriotic Lord.”

The Emperor straightened her posture.

“I never thought you’d mention this.”

“As I’m no longer engaged to His Highness the Crown Prince, I was hesitant to say this, as I thought it would be too impertinent…”

“What do you mean by that?”

Kyrie placed her hand gently on her chest.

“I have not been formally educated as a successor, and am therefore very lacking fundamental skills that are needed to manage your estates. May I ask Your Majesty to advise me on any difficulties I may encounter in the future regarding the management of your estates?”

Kyrie’s eyes were downcast, but she did not miss the joy on the Emperor’s face as her reflection could be seen on the surface of her tea cup.

“…But how can I, when those two heroes care so much for you?”

“I know that there’s no one in this country on par with Your Majesty when it comes to taking care of land.”

“Haha, is that so?”

The Emperor raised her hand, pretending to be distressed in order to hide the rising corners of her mouth. She must’ve been very pleased with Kyrie’s proposal.

‘Right. You must think of me as versatile and beneficial, mustn’t you?’

Since the Legendary Lord and the Patriotic Lord were standing firmly against the Emperor, Kyrie couldn’t just come and bow down to the Emperor.

Kyrie could easily imagine Nathaniel slicing people in half with that strange, cold smile of his.

The Emperor could be forced to remain neutral because of coaxing from behind.

She wouldn’t hand over her rights, nor would she become completely independent. Like this the Emperor wouldn’t feel hostile towards her, who had greater power than she possessed.

‘Honestly, if those two people join forces, they can replace the dynasty, but I don’t want to see unnecessary bloodshed.’

Kyrie waited calmly. When the Emperor finally confirmed her own objectives, she said merrily.

“You know… the more I talk with you, the more I miss having you around.”

“You compliment me too much.”

“It’s fine. It is forbidden for the Emperor to favour one person over another, but who would be able to know what happened on a moonless night like this?” (T/N: “Moonless night like this”- Unavoidable Circumstances)

Kyrie replied with the same elegant smile.

“Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty.”