I Won’t Accept Your Regrets

I shook my head in response.

"No, I didn't plan that for Jeremy to molest Lisa."

"No?"

"I didn't even know in advance that Marquis Sios met with Duke Drua."

"It turns out that the heir of Duke Drua helped us by accident. As far as I heard, His Majesty even threatened to kill Jeremy… So he’s also a self-willed and dangerous person."

Lumont also didn’t understand Jeremy's motives.

Although the latter explained that he threw out his trick on impulse, this seems unlikely to me.

It looks like he was playing his game.

"Self-willed… One way or another, everything has already happened. What’s more important, tell me what is the reaction of the nobility to the emergence of a successor?"

"As I know it’s neither hot nor cold. What is strange, because this guy burst in like a comet. His appearance alone is worth something…"

"Really. Lumont, I hope you can help me stop this heir if his moves seem malicious."

Lumont smiled.

"What about Duke Croft?"

"He's doing well. Especially with the latest venture. Everyone was interested in our dealings with Celine's house. The nobles seem to have no other worries… Why don't we make a good impression on the commoners?"

Lumont had an idea.

It would be nice to make a donation to the common people of the Empire and earn yourself some support among the commoners.

"Hm…"

"How about a donation to an orphanage?"

"An orphanage, then?”

Perhaps the most eye-catching donation is donations to the Empire's orphanages.

The problem was that it was customary to make donations to the orphanage through the temple.

Temple of the God of Light, Temple of Luminas.

It was the state religion of the Empire, and a religion with a long history that stretches from the very foundation of our state.

Because this belief entails such a long history, it is now covered in mud from start to finish.

"Instead of making donations through the temple, it would be better to send things straight to every shelter, bypassing the holy men."

If you send a donation to the temple, most likely it won’t reach shelters.

"I don't think the Templars would like that much if we send the money directly."

"Even so, I'm not going to send money to the temple. Obviously, it will immediately settle in other people's pockets."

I couldn’t believe the priests, because I had seen enough of them, while I was the Empress.

Lumont agreed, as if he had also heard about the corruption of the church.

"Okay."

Looking back at the flowers to cool my weary mind, I opened my eyes wide and saw a striking silver bud.

"It's a Belus."

"Haha, yes, a Belus. A very valuable flower that grows in the mountains in the desert.“

"How could you…"

A Belus was not easy to find, even in the desert itself.

Since it blooms in the mountains, it was not easy to collect and there were not many flowers.

"Haha, I had to strain myself. When I studied the catalog of flowers allowed in perfumery, I found that this Belus scent enjoys a reputation on the continent. That's why I pulled the strings and pulled it out."

Lumont added impulsively.

Another time I would have laughed at his complacency, but now I truly admired him.

"That's great. I never imagined that I would see a Belus here."

As Lumont said, the scent of the Belus was outstanding, so there is no such imperial noblewoman who wouldn’t want at least one flower for herself.

While I sincerely admired him, Lumont scratched his chin in embarrassment.

"No, well, if you think about it, this is not such a feat on my part… I brought very little. After all, they grow on the rocks, so I'm afraid now if they will bloom in the greenhouse…"

"You don't have to worry about that."

I smiled at him with a hint.

When the ashamed Lumont turned away, I pulled my hands to the Belus. I carefully unfolded the bud that had not yet blossomed.

However, how pretty it was.

A faded white light seeped into the bud, which Lumont, fortunately, didn’t notice.

Belus will suddenly bloom into a beautiful flower, filling with vitality.

Lumont turned his head to me again.

“Tell Rosaleen to work with Belus first.”

"I'll arrange everything. By the way… I've heard a thing or two about Marquis Sios."

"What?"

"They say the Marquis met a magician."

"A magician?"

I frowned. If Sios is mustering his strength, it was disturbing news.

Not that magician couldn't use violence, but magic warriors were rare and weak.

For several hundred years, the Empire had not seen truly great magicians, and our contemporaries were mainly engaged in research that was useful in life, such as the development of magic tools.

"Do you already know what they are up to?"

"No. I was only told that he came to Sios with a proud look, and immediately left."

"Do you know who this magician was?"

"Most like water mage."

"Water, then?"

Water magic was the least destructive when used for aggression.

Most likely, he wasn’t needed for an open battle.

"Dig this way and find out more. And about Duke Drua at the same time."

"Yes."

Water mage…

I think something will happen soon.

An ominous foreboding overtook me, and I left the flower garden.

* * *

The Emperor's office.

Two days after the party at the Croft estate, Marquis Sios requested an audience.

"Was the meeting with Duke Drua just to discuss a contract?"

Raymond snapped his fingers over the contract in his hands.

"Yes. Right. We are digging a mine, and the mine has long been recorded under a joint name with Drua… I met with Duke Drua to organize everything. And nothing more…"

Marquis Sios shook his head.

"Hm…"

There were no flaws in the Marquis's justification. And it looked suspiciously exactly like the last newspaper article about him.

Now it won't be difficult for him to get out.

Firstly, there was no evidence of what the Marquis and the Duke were really doing, except for a pocket watch confirming their meeting.

Raymond knew this because he read all the newspapers. Nevertheless, he was already suspicious of the Marquis. So the words of the latter didn’t reach the ears of the Emperor.

"Sire. Rumors from the street are never true. I’m the grandfather of the future Emperor. How can I plot something against Your Majesty?"

"Yeah, it looks like my prime minister is unhappy with my rule."

At this moment, Marquis Sios shuddered sharply and shouted:

"It can’t be! I would never take such a risk!"

"We only live once, and sometimes we make risky steps," Raymond told the Marquis. His voice was soft, but the hidden meaning cut through the living.

"My life belongs to you anyway. If you doubt me, you can kill me right here."

The Marquis bowed deeply and spoke resolutely.

"I believe you, Prime Minister. Raise your head."

Marquis Sios slowly raised his head. At that moment, their gazes met.

The Marquis instinctively looked into those dark, abyss-like eyes.

"I beg your pardon, I’m causing inconvenience again."

"Everyone can make a mistake. But remember, not everyone will deserve forgiveness afterwards."

"Yes, sire."

“Get out now.”

Marquis Sios bowed deeply and left the office.

Raymond sent all the servants away and burned the Marquis's contract as proof.

The butler's voice came as Raymond regretted not being able to burn the Marquis himself.

"Your Majesty, the young lady Celine has arrived."

"Let her in."

With that, Raymond stood up. Celine entered the office and showed a befitting greeting.

"Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor, Sun of the Empire."

"Raise your head. Let's sit here."

Raymond went to the couch.

Celine held herself straight and stared straight ahead with a tense face.

Raymond took the tea from the tray and opened his mouth first, nervous.

"You must be very surprised by my sudden invitation. It's not a big deal, so stop shaking like that."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Rosaleen answered with an awkward smile.

Since they were friends with Ellie, Ray spoke with that soft voice, but it didn't seem to help.

"It would be great to finish working on the perfume sooner," Raymond said, putting down his mug.