Episode 131

Rea draped my cloak over her shoulders.

Then, she returned to the office with an expressionless face, as if nothing had happened.

“Damian, it’s time to go.”

The cloak appropriately covered her thighs.

Thanks to that, I was able to sigh in relief.

“Do you no longer need the jam?”

“Yes, I had a quick bite with Vail at the market.”

She had eaten food in the market with a man.

Hearing that, Jane, who was receiving Damian’s instructions on the sofa, was quite surprised.

However, the girl was even more bewildered by her cousin’s next words.

“Jane, I’ll give you a lift on the way.”

The 1st Princess, who had been indifferent to her until now, offered to take her to the carriage.

At those words, the girl responded with a very touched voice.

“Yes…!”

The cadet stood up in line, following the Princess.

And then they went down to the first floor, greeting Vail on the way.

“Vail, you don’t need to come out.”

“Yes, please take care, Your Highness.”

Damian went ahead to check the carriage first.

Thanks to that, the Princess and the cadet walked slowly through the corridor, just the two of them.

My gaze kept drifting towards her thighs.

Fortunately, my jacket covered her well, but I could see a slight redness in her complexion.

“……”

Throughout their walk, Jane kept glancing at her cousin.

Feeling this, Rea casually started a conversation with her cousin.

“Did you enjoy the field training?”

“Yes, yes…! It was very fulfilling!”

The Princess looked down at her tense cousin with a relaxed gaze.

“Why are you so tense? Speak comfortably.”

“May I really do that…?”

The blonde girl with a ponytail asked, swallowing deeply.

Then, Rea, with her hands clasped behind her back, spoke leisurely.

“Yes, when it’s just the two of us, you can call me ‘sister’.”

Sister.

Jane was moved by Rea’s permission to call the 1st Princess of the Empire so intimately.

“Yes, sister…!”

Rea looked down at her cousin with an affectionate gaze.

She treated her kindly, perhaps seeing her as having become useful.

“Did Vail teach you well during the training?”

At her cousin’s question, Jane’s lips curled into a smile.

“Yes, he taught me a lot.”

Jane half-closed her eyes, as if recalling the events of the day.

Then, she calmly said to her cousin,

“At first, he seemed like a very lazy old quartermaster, always sleeping in a chair in the morning.”

“I knew it would be like that.”

Rea smiled, as if she had known about his daily routine all along.

“Still, he was very kind, offering us snacks and telling us to make ourselves comfortable. It was different from the field training reviews I’ve heard before.”

“Yes, Vail has a strange talent for making others feel comfortable.”

The Princess spoke comfortably about the knight as if he were a friend.

Jane found that sight to be intriguing.

After all, Rea had never spoken so familiarly about anyone before.

“Moreover, he taught me how to manipulate mana through apples. I think it was a really valuable experience.”

“Apples…?”

When Rea asked back, Jane smiled.

“Yes, picking apples, peeling them, and so on… Doing all that with mana made me more skilled.”

The Princess chuckled upon hearing about the training.

“So it’s apples this time…”

“Ah, and something really important!”

Rea listened attentively to her cousin’s emphatic words.

“He taught me how to work less and slack off efficiently.”

The Princess snickered as if she couldn’t help but laugh at that.

“That’s his only flaw, I suppose. A lack of belonging.”

The commander looked regretful for not having captured the man yet.

Noticing this, Jane glanced at Rea and asked,

“Sister, are you trying to bring Senior Vail into your grasp?”

Rea was silent for a moment at her cousin’s direct question.

Then, she responded with a fierce gaze befitting the daughter of the Conqueror Emperor.

“Well, just having him under control seems insufficient.”

Rea stepped onto the carriage steps.

From there, she looked down at her cousin and spoke in a tone that was both sweet and menacing.

“I suppose I want to make him completely mine.”

Jane, realizing what she meant, covered her mouth with her palm, looking stunned.

“W-would His Majesty be alright with that…?”

“There’s no need to worry about Father.”

Rea responded with the leisurely gaze of a queen to her cousin’s concern.

“I’ll make it so that he can’t make a move first.”

Jane swallowed hard.

And then, she boarded the carriage, following the Princess.

“Let’s go.”

With those meaningful words, the Princess’s carriage left Nostrun.

The majestic sound of the wheels was more cheerful than before.

Monday, two days later.

In the small and secret garden of the Central Imperial Palace, the Andalusia sanctuary.

The three princesses arrived one after another at the small crystal table located there.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been here.”

The first to arrive was the 3rd Princess.

A black dress clung to her body, showing her smooth curves.

Wearing a silk dress, she had a sullen expression on her face today as well.

“Why is everyone so late? How insolent.”

The Princess sat in a luxurious royal chair, arms crossed by herself.

As she crossed her legs, her plump thighs, disproportionate to her figure, were revealed.

It seemed she became even more graceful than before, perhaps from practicing gymnastics and dance.

Following light footsteps, Irina also arrived.

She tucked a shirt over her sleek tights.

It seemed she had been working out diligently, as her figure became more pronounced.

The tights gently wrapped around her striking thighs and beautifully curved abs, which stood out against her slender figure.

“You’re late.”

“You must have come early.”

The 2nd Princess responded to the 3rd Princess’s teasing with a leisurely smile.

Before long, she, too, had developed regal composure similar to Rea.

The two sat opposite each other at a round table.

Then, after indifferently observing each other, they finally turned their heads toward the woman who had arrived last.

The First Princess of the Empire, Rea.

She attended the meeting calmly, dressed in a white uniform.

Today, her expression was particularly relaxed.

As if she had just conquered a castle.

The two princesses silently observed the woman in the unremarkable uniform, as usual.

“Why is everyone staring?”

Rea asked with a poker face.

“No.”

Both indifferently shook their heads.

Then, they waited for Moshian, the Royal Minister who had summoned them here.

“Now, all the princesses have arrived.”

As they all sat around the round table, Moshian entered from the garden.

In his hand was a scroll with the Emperor’s decree.

“So, what command has Father given, Moshian?”

Rea asked on behalf of the others.

Then, the Royal Minister respectfully bowed his head and unfolded the scroll.

“Yes, I will begin.”

Moshian first asked them,

“Do the princesses know the purpose of this meeting?”

Irina answered his question first.

“It’s about the upcoming meeting with the northern empire, Bakal, right?”

Bakal.

The only northern superpower capable of confronting the current empire.

Those living at the rugged edge of the continent were famous for their individual military prowess.

There was a saying that if a fight breaks out, hire a Bakalian first.

“That’s correct. Especially this year, as His Majesty the Emperor has awakened, it holds even greater significance.”

The Royal Minister looked at the 2nd Princess with satisfaction.

Then, he clasped his hands and got to the point,

“The princesses each have roles to play in this major event, tasks directly assigned by His Majesty himself.”

The first official command given by the Emperor to his daughters after awakening from his illness.

Upon hearing this, they all became serious.

“Alright, recite it.”

Seated, Rea commanded with a queen-like sensuous gaze.

“Yes, then I will start with Lady Rea.”

The Royal Minister respectfully bowed his head as a sign of courtesy.

Then, in a solemn voice, he recited the Emperor’s decree,

“Lady Rea is tasked with negotiating with General Ulrut of the Bakal Empire.”

She must assess their strength and skillfully lead the negotiation to maintain peace between the two nations.

She would act as the Emperor’s representative in this negotiation.

“At least until we deal with the Southern States Alliance, you must strive to maintain peace.”

The Royal Minister emphasized this with a cool gaze.

“I understand. I will heed the command.”

The 1st Princess of the Empire responded in a solemn voice.

A sense of responsibility as the eldest daughter sparkled in her eyes.

The provocative appearance she showed a few days ago was perfectly concealed.

“And, Lady Irina…”

The Royal Minister turned his gaze towards Irina.

Then, he announced her first official command,

“You are currently the only princess whose face is not known in official public appearances.”

Having no power, she had been excluded from all diplomatic affairs until now.

This first opportunity for her meant that the Emperor recognized Irina.

“After all… she was Father’s only sore spot.”

Lidia chuckled as she spoke.

“Not anymore, as the leader of one of the Seven Knights’ Orders, His Majesty has given a special command.”

Moshian smiled broadly as he answered on her behalf.

“Lady Irina, you are tasked with accompanying and guarding the youngest princess of the Bakal Empire, Lady Christina.”

“Accompanying her as a guard…?”

Irina asked with an inquisitive look, and the Royal Minister nodded.

“Yes, Lady Christina has always had a great fascination with our empire and is the most diplomatically friendly.”

Moshian added with a relaxed smile.

“Apparently, she believes the rumor that the men in our homeland are handsome. Thus, she may want to inspect various parts of the capital…”

Lidia snorted at the absurd rumor.

Irina also looked embarrassed.

“It would be appreciated if the 2nd Princess could accompany her with the Sinrok Knights.”

“Understood.”

The silver-haired Princess nodded.

“If you wish, you can also receive military support from other Knights’ Orders.”

“If necessary, I will do so.”

Irina also humbly accepted, and the Royal Minister finally looked at Lidia.

“The last command from His Majesty to Lady Lidia.”

“Recite it.”

The youngest Princess snickered.

Her red eyes already brimmed with confidence.

“Recently, hot springs were discovered in the eastern part of the capital, weren’t they?”

“Yes, we’re currently measuring the scale of the water vein.”

The Royal Minister looked proudly at the 3rd Princess, who was already skillfully responding.

“People from Bakal are very interested in that hot spring. They have a culture of bathing in hot springs in their country.”

All three princesses nodded, as if they were well aware of the information.

“So, it would be appreciated if you could complete it soon so that they can go there and use it.”

“That’s not difficult. Trust us, we’ll build it splendidly in our Eastern style.”

Lidia pointed at herself with her thumb, saying to just trust her.

She seemed eager to enter the hot spring she would create herself.

“Good, then let’s conclude the imperial command with this.”

“Well done, Moshian.”

The descendants of the Conqueror Emperor encouraged the Royal Minister with a formal smile.

Responding to this, Moshian also bowed his head and slowly stepped back.

“Will the three of you stay longer?”

The princesses looked at each other at the elder’s question.

Then, they all simultaneously lifted the corners of their mouths and answered.

“Yes, we still have ‘matters’ to discuss among ourselves.”

“That’s right, there’s a ‘problem’ that needs to be coordinated among the leaders.”

The Royal Minister was moved by the passionate appearance of the princesses.

“Understood. Please continue your discussion.”

He respectfully withdrew, dreaming of a prosperous future for the empire.

“……”

After the Royal Minister withdrew, only the three princesses remained in the garden.

They all looked at each other simultaneously.

And then…

“Have all the knights wait outside.”

They sent their knights outside with a solemn voice.

Stomp. Stomp.

The sound of cold military boots faded away.

Thanks to that, the garden became as quiet as if mice had died. ¹

Quiet enough for a secret conversation.

“It seems you’ve all been well? Your complexions look really good.”

Lidia was the first to speak.

With her legs crossed, she spoke with a mischievous smile, like a little devil.

“I’ve been well, but seeing you wearing such clothes, you must have been quite free?”

Irina crossed her arms alone.

She was no longer the pure and pitiable2nd Princess the Royal Minister had looked at fondly.

She had become a lady who grew confident enough to protect her target.

“It seems you’ve become more interested in personal adornment than in state affairs.”

“Is that so? Even you think it looks pretty?”

However, Lidia was not to be underestimated either.

“After all, Vail was utterly captivated by me.”

She elegantly placed her hand on her chest.

And attacked again with a relaxed smile.

“You seem very spirited lately, flaunting that you received a direct command from Father?”

Lidia rested her arm on the round table.

And then she looked at Irina, resting her chin on her hand like a goddess looking down upon all creation.

“But I’m worried… whether such a new Knights Group could properly escort a Princess from another country.”

Irina snickered at the provocation of the sly 19-year-old woman.

And then, playing with the cape draped over her shoulder, she spoke leisurely.

“Don’t worry. I was planning to request additional troops anyway.”

“Additional troops are good. It’s the right move for your status.”

The youngest Princess chuckled at Irina’s attempt to seek help from others.

But….

“Huh…?”

Her mischievous laughter soon stopped.

“You’re not planning to request troops as support from…”

Because soon, she realized who the ‘additional troops’ she was about to ask for help were.

“Yes, I will ask the Capital Defense Command Unit.”

Irina smiled brightly.

She was so composed it was as if there was a brilliant halo behind her.

“Don’t make me laugh. I’ll be the first to take charge of the support.”

“I wonder why someone who claims to be better than our Knights Group would need support.”

Irina casually half-closed her eyes.

And dug into the weak points of Lidia, who always acted superior.

“As befits the Eastern Knights, solve your own problems.”

Rea silently watched the two of them.

At her unusually quiet demeanor, the two younger sisters turned their gaze.

“What’s with you? Why are you so quiet?”

Lidia asked Rea with a sharp look.

Then Irina answered instead.

“Well, there’s no reason to call Vail during the strategy meeting.”

Rea was no longer surprised at their reactions.

She just sipped her tea and sent a relaxed, commander-like gaze.

“Right, that’s why I met him in advance recently.”

She met Vail recently.

At that, the princesses snickered.

“Really?”

As if everyone had something to say to each other.

“Did you even kiss?”

Lidia stroked her smooth belly that she had flaunted as a dancer.

It felt strangely textured, like a cheongsam.

“Well. I’ll leave it to your imagination.”

Rea rolled down her skirt and covered her thighs.

Just touching the skirt seemed to make her body feel inexplicably hot.

“Kiss…”

Lastly, Irina.

She lightly brushed off what seemed to be dust from her left chest.

Yet…

“Only on the lips?”

She raised the corners of her mouth and spoke with mature eyes.

It was a moment when everyone’s attention was focused on her meaningful words.