Inside the carriage heading towards the imperial palace.
[Your true nature is slowly showing through your actions.]
Shir chuckled and said to Ern.
[It’s not surprising. The true nature of a dragon can’t be hidden with normal means. You’ve been enduring and suppressing such nature for so long, so incidents like this happen. I’m curious to see what you will do someday.]
Hehe.
Shir laughed as if amused and asked.
[By the way, is your only human companion the contractor? It seems your obsession is solely directed at her.]
Ern, unable to keep silent any longer, responded.
‘What can I do? It’s not like I have many connections besides Epherna.’
[Hmm. Were you often isolated, then?]
‘Not exactly.’
He has many friends.
He just lost the opportunity to see them after retiring.
[Anyway, there’s one way to permanently stabilize your uncomfortable feelings.]
Shir’s expression became serious as he continued.
[Making the contractor your female partner.]
Ern almost asked if he was joking but quickly shut his mouth.
He could tell from Shir’s expression.
He was speaking nothing but the truth at this moment.
[Historically, the Dragon Clan has always sought to possess what they cherished in any way possible to soothe their rage. However, it’s not easy to make a living spirit into something of your own. They have a self. One rare method is through offspring. You should make the contractor bear your child.]
Ern frowned.
‘…That’s nonsense. Epherna isn’t even an adult yet.’
There are many problems beyond that.
So many that it’s hard to list them all.
[If that concerns you, you should periodically relieve your stress.]
‘How?’
[That’s something you’ll need to figure out.]
Shir gave one last piece of advice.
[Let me tell you, the ancient Dragon Clan had a strong tendency to hold onto and not let go of what they cherished. A similar method of relieving stress might be best for you.]
*****
Four days after arriving at the Imperial Palace.
After a day of briefly easing her fatigue, Epherna began handling the accumulated official duties and was surprised by the unexpectedly few tasks.
“Who dealt with the investigation and judgment of the corruption issues in the Royal Treasury?”
“The Minister of Finance had the recently appointed inspector for the Royal Treasury handle it.”
“An inspector appointed from the Department of Finance? Come to think of it…”
Epherna recalled the past.
When the Second Prince fell into a coma and she had to attend the Academy, making it difficult for the royal family to be involved in national politics.
Epherna had appointed Schneider, the most trusted and authoritative Commander of the 1st Corps, as the royal family’s representative, but it was deemed impossible to fully control the greedy nobles.
She entrusted the newly created Department of Inspection to the Minister of Finance, who was loyal to her.
The role of the Department of Inspection was to check for corruption and crimes every month, regardless of whether the target was a noble or a public official, and to judge based on the severity of the offenses.
Epherna granted them summary judgment authority to ensure their work was thorough.
Fortunately, with two Dukes on her side, gaining the consent of the noble faction was not difficult, and Epherna herself applied significant pressure to successfully create the new Department of Inspection.
“The Department Chief’s handling of affairs is impressive. Everything is spotless, without any unsettling aspects.”
“Yes… However, due to this, there has been a recent rise in dissatisfaction among public officials, especially those affiliated with the noble faction.”
“What do you mean? Explain.”
“There are many opinions that the Department of Inspection’s powers are too strong. If they refuse an investigation, they are presented with the Emperor’s seal, which constitutes an imperial insult. Yet, if they obediently accept the inspection…”
“They must be guilty of their own crimes.”
“Exactly.”
“Hah.”
Epherna scoffed.
“After being away from the palace for only a few months, are there people who dare to underestimate the authority of the royal family?”
A sudden thought crossed her mind.
As said, the authority of the imperial family after the war has pierced the heavens.
Even now, in the Much-Sector area, there are performances praising the Grandeum imperial family everywhere.
When recruitment notices are posted in the name of the imperial family, there are at least tens of millions of fanatic followers who rush in like a pack of wolves.
It’s not without reason that everyone, whether professors or students at the academy, flattered her with “Princess, Princess” even in the Academy, which aspires for equality and fairness.
It’s an unspoken rule to show basic respect to the royal family.
Of course, objectively speaking, there are still issues with the current imperial family. The Emperor and the Second Prince’s coma remain unresolved.
But.
“Despite continuously showing that I’m still in power…”
Unless special problems arise, such dynamics should be maintained for at least 100 years, but already people are pursuing personal interests over the country’s welfare.
She didn’t know if she should call it foolish or brave. Is human desire surpassing common sense?
Haron, the attendant beside Epherna, continued her words.
“…Princess, it also means that if you were to disappear, anyone could aim for the pinnacle of the Empire at any time.”
“I’m aware.”
That’s probably why assassins continue to infiltrate the Imperial Palace even now. Although with Ern by her side, she has never once felt threatened.
“Perhaps you should rest for today.”
“Indeed. There’s nothing left to do, even if I wanted to.”
The nobles’ corruption and incidents had drastically decreased, and she had fewer tasks as a result.
Since she had also taken care of all the accumulated work, she could enjoy a period of relative leisure.
“I’m going to visit my fiancé. I plan to have lunch with him.”
“Understood.”
*****
Starting from this summer vacation, Haron, who began assisting Epherna with her duties, followed her around.
Her movements, which had lightened up as soon as she got off the chair, looked quite unusual.
‘Is it really that exciting?’
As Haron understood, the engagement between Epherna and Ern was more of a political marriage to dispel some rumors rather than a romantic one. A marriage without love, meant for politics and reputation.
That was his thought.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Just standing here.”
“Let’s have lunch. I’m done with my work.”
“Alright.”
They spoke to each other informally.
Holding hands naturally as they walked through the flower garden, it seemed like they were a couple.
‘Looks like they get along well.’
However, up to this point, it could be seen as the Personal Guard escorting the princess.
Their expressions were neutral, so it seemed that was indeed the case. Moreover, their officially known relationship wasn’t just a façade.
Hero and princess.
Fiancé and fiancée.
There were many people in the Empire who indulged in romantic fantasies that seemed fit for a romance novel. To satisfy such people, preliminary practice must have been necessary.
“Hey, Mister. Have you heard about Sierra? She’s planning to apply for the position of Royal Pension Association Chair after graduating from the academy.”
“Sierra isn’t from a main branch?”
“She has an older brother. And she says she’s not interested in a main branch position.”
At first glance, it seemed like a normal conversation.
It was the kind of casual chat that friends might have, with no hidden motives.
However, a slight frown appeared on Haron’s forehead as he observed.
‘They’re linking arms.’
Even though they were only holding hands, Epherna’s natural gesture of crossing their arms was quite noticeable.
‘And he seems to have noticed it.’
Does the atmosphere suggest she actually likes it?
“Haron, what are you doing over there?”
“…!!”
Startled by the familiar voice, he turned his head.
It was Merien, the Chamberlain.
Haron bowed deeply upon seeing her.
“Oh, you’re surprised?”
“…I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
“Still, you should be careful. There was a pillar right in front of you.”
“…Ah.”
Haron looked ahead and saw a white pillar right in front of him.
He would have collided with it if Merien hadn’t called out.
“Thank you.”
“Were you daydreaming so much that you almost bumped into it?”
“Well…”
Haron glanced subtly towards Epherna and Ern.
“Is it because of Princess Epherna and Lord Astra?”
Then Merien poured out her words as if she was venting her frustration.
“I understand. Many people in the palace are troubled watching those two.”
“It’s called a political marriage, but it’s obvious that they would rather die than live without each other. I don’t understand why there’s no progress.”
Is it really that bad?
Was the relationship between the princess and the hero so strained?
For Haron, who had only been in the palace for a few days, this was shocking information.
“Fortunately, they’ve recently started sleeping together.”
“…Yes?”
“I don’t know what changed, but it’s happened.”
“…What?”
Haron’s eyes widened in disbelief, questioning again.
