Chapter 18: The Pillars That Support the Empire (part two)

　Liselotte takes a step forward. At the same time, the door closed without a sound. This is because from here onwards, it is not a place where maids can enter. With no companions, Liselotte will face the great monsters alone.

“Sorry for the delay, Your Majesty.”

“Kuhahaha! It doesn’t matter. I’m not a cold father who would reprimand his beloved daughter just like that, you know?”

“Of course I do.”

　For starters, when Liselotte uttered an apology, Emperor Friedrich laughed loudly and said there was no problem. The appearance of the Emperor Friedrich was rightly bold and openhearted. His openness to trivial matters was evident.

　And Liselotte also understood that she wouldn’t be reprimanded for something like that. Friedrich has that kind of personality both as an emperor and as his father, and it was none other than him who ordered the tea party with Ruth to be given top priority in the first place.

　Hence, this is just a preface. It’s nothing more than a stone thrown for the purpose of starting a conversation.

“Come, my sweet Lise. Don’t call me “Your Majesty” in such a formal way. We are only your relatives here.”

“Hey, you little shit. Don’t make me your daughter without my permission, you creep.”

“Old lady……Have you lived too long and finally become an old geezer? How can you be my daughter when you have been an old hag since my infancy? Also, I honestly don’t want a girl with a sarcastic personality like yours.”

“Hahaha. I’m gonna burn you, you little shit.”

　……It was a stone that was supposed to be thrown in order to facilitate the conversation, but it seems that it created an unexpected ripple effect.

　In an instant, the emperor’s office turned into a tavern on the outskirts of town. The great emperor who reigned over the empire and the goddess of fire, worshiped as a guardian deity, were transformed into a boisterous guest and landlady at a tavern.

　The ugliness of two people who can be said to be the symbol of the empire. A sight that would leave the average person appalled and speechless, or a brave person would complain about their attitude.

　Even in the face of such a spectacle, Liselotte did not show any upset.

“… it’s still the same.”

　This is because this exchange between the emperor and the demi-god, if not in public, takes place with a certain frequency.

　Friedrich the Dragon Emperor. He is a great emperor who shows tremendous talent in many fields, but his personality is at best openhearted and at worst brusque or rough. He often clashes with Axia, who has a similar personality, but is even more unpredictable than he is.

　Axia, the goddess of fire. She is revered as the guardian goddess of the empire and is an eternal maiden whose beauty has not diminished over time, but that is only in appearance. Her longevity has given her a wild personality, and contrary to her ladylike appearance, she is completely unpredictable on the inside. Because of her background and her position, she doesn’t hold back when she speaks, and in informal settings she can even lash out at the emperor without hesitation.Since they have been in contact with each other since childhood, she frequently teases Emperor Friedrich.

　…… As a side note, Axia, because of her immense power, was once married to a son of a member of the royal family. Although it happened many generations ago, since she is still alive, she is a member of the royal family, and Friedrich’s statement that she is a relative is not at all incorrect. Of course, both of them are aware of this.

　In the end, what was happening right now in front of Liselotte’s eyes was a spectacle similar to a perverse grandmother messing around with her grandchildren. Therefore, Liselotte thought that it would be rude to intervene with her mouth, and with a wry smile she headed towards the reception sofa. ……Such as sitting without the guidance of the Lord of the room, it is an act that would otherwise be insane. However, Liselotte closed her eyes to the etiquette around that since she had taken the promise of having a discussion with her relatives.

　When I sat down on the sofa, Lionel, who had the same wry smile, spoke to me.

“Haha. Mrs. Heisenberg is really a lonely person.”

“That’s what’s so wonderful about her. Even though she has lived forever, she has not forgotten her human sensitivity. While ancient stories tell us that immortality corrupts people, I respect her strength as a woman for remaining so youthful.”

　Those who live a long time continue to suffer the fate of separation. It is a story drawn many times from classical literature, and it is Axia who actually experiences it. The husband she loved, the children she gave birth to with gut-wrenching pain, and her children’s children. In addition to her relatives, Axia has witnessed the deaths of numerous friends and acquaintances.

　And yet, she still chose to engage with people. She chose to serve the empire and protect its subjects. If that is not called “strength,” what is? What would you call it if you didn’t call it “love”?

　Everyone understands this, which is why she is revered as a guardian deity in the empire.

“From an early age, children of the nobility are told by their parents, ‘Be like Mrs. Heisenberg’. She is the goal of the Imperial ladies”.

“Sometimes there are tomboyish girls who imitate her attitude instead of her way of being.”

“It’s also a tradition. It’s usually corrected immediately, so it’s just another one of life’s stories., right?”

　Citing the unique educational situation of ladies in the empire as an example, Liselotte lets out a mischievous laugh.

　Seeing Liselotte like that, Lionel tilted his head.

“It’s unusual for you, Lise to laugh like that. What kind of change of feeling is this?”

“…Lionel-nii-sama is as sharp as ever.”

　Liselotte gave a wry smile to Lionel, who saw through the discomfort in just a few conversations.

　It’s difficult to keep secrets in front of this crown prince. He is a man of terrifying powers of observation and insight. That is why he is known as “The Balance”. He is able to see the other party’s intentions, and then he prepares the best possible solution.

“Umu. I was also curious about that.”

“Haha…You guys are rude. If a maiden’s attitude changes, it’s definitely because of a man.”

“………… truly frightening people.”

　Even Friedrich and Axia agreed with him, and Liselotte let out a dry, unladylike laugh.

　Lionel, who had exchanged words face-to-face with her, had only exchanged greetings, and after that both of them were ignoring Liselotte and continued arguing with each other. Even though she was listening, she was overwhelmed with fear that her nonsense would be too much.

　The two most famous people in the world are the “Heavenly Dragon Emperor” and the “goddess of fire”. On the one hand, he is the father of two great princes that the empire is proud of, Lionel’s political talent is said to be inherited from his father. On the other hand, a veteran powerhouse who has been immersed in the imperial court for six generations. Her abilities are far beyond Liselotte’s imagination.

“So, why did you become like that? Did you fall in love with the new demi-god?”

“No. He was a wonderful person, but unfortunately I haven’t had enough time to be captivated by him.”

　A maiden is a maiden even if she is worshipped as the goddess of fire, I should say. Liselotte shakes her head with a wry smile at Axia, whose voice bubbles with excitement and clarity.

　She has only met Lut once. Liselotte is not so happy-headed as to fall in love with him because of that. Of course, if Friedrich ordered her to do so, Liselotte would marry Lute without hesitation and fulfil her role as a wife. She would love Lute and is not afraid to bear a child. But, to put it the other way around, it’s just that. Because Liselotte is an  ‘Imperial Princess’.

“Huh? So you stopped talking like you normally do? Is that what he likes?”

“I don’t think it’s a matter of preference, but…In my usual way of speaking, Lute-sama did not open up to me at all. For someone with so little experience in socialising, he was a splendid nobleman. …… It was a good enough score for a regular tea party, but not quite what I had in mind.”

“So that’s why Lise’s attitude has changed.”

“Yes. So we were finally able to get the tone as reported. I’m continuing to do so, just in case.”

　Although the possibility was quite low, she didn’t want to revert to her usual perfect ladylike character and let the distance that had been shortened open up again. Besides, Lute seemed to be more at ease after she lost the attitude. Liselotte decided that, whether or not he liked the opposite sex, if that was the way to get him to open up, then she should do it.

“I see what you mean. It’s as tough as the report says…. Hmmm. Then let’s put an end to this farce and move on to the main topic. You don’t mind, do you, old lady?”

“That’s right. It’s time to get serious about work. I came out of the territory on purpose after all.”

　Thus, the meeting of the thick pillars supporting the empire, “About demi-god Lute”, began.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter