Chapter 107

In the audience chamber of the Imperial Chambers.

The Empress Lianhua, dressed in a long and slender silhouette of a grand ceremonial robe, was inspecting the gifts laid before her.

Soon, she would visit the Britannia Empire—right about now, crossing the seas, the envoy of Chinguk was on his way to her.

Presents for the envoy who would deliver these gifts to her feeble father, still seated on his throne, included fine calligraphy and crafts.

For her late mother, who cherished her musical talents, she prepared sheet music written by her own hand.

She also prepared gifts for her siblings; even for her nephews, whose faces she had never once seen. Even royal family members of Chinguk, who could possess anything they desired, needed the sentiment behind such tokens.

But worry clouded Empress Lianhua’s face as she examined the gifts.

Was she missing her family?

That may have been part of it.

However, what truly troubled her was not Chinguk—it was managing well on its own.

“It’s this country that concerns me.”

The empire was undoubtedly facing a crisis. On the surface, it might still seem as if it was enjoying a golden age. The empire had successfully expanded its territory, securing half of the Great Forest as tributary land and reaping millions in high-grade timber, natural ores, copper, and silver every month—a truly staggering profit.

But the state affairs were bleak.

Incidents could occur, and they were happening too quickly, and yet they seemed to be resolved just as fast. The dissolution of the Wolphall family was a prime example, and it was affecting her husband deeply.

“The emperor… burnt my two brothers alive in the square in front of tens of thousands of spectators. Their families were sent to labor camps. How much they must hate and resent me.”

“His Majesty has shown leniency. Beheading them would have set an insufficient example. Though execution by fire may seem cruel, it is preferable to dismemberment. Moreover, His Majesty spared the lives of those with lesser crimes.”

“What is dismemberment…?”

“It’s best if you didn’t know.”

The Empress, even delaying her own intake of psilocybin, tried to engage in conversation, but the Emperor’s expression remained unchanged. Despite knowing he wasn’t usually a tender-hearted man, this seemed to hit him hard.

“Initially allowing that family to wield military power was… no, it wasn’t.”

Better to leave it unsaid.

Only 150 years ago, the empire was a place where nobles inherited their own territories as a matter of course. Even now, distant parts of the empire were still governed by nobles, not the imperial family. This tendency to lean on each other through marital alliances created a tangled web.

Though there were indeed differences between the two kingdoms…

At such a tumultuous time, the emperor who should be steadfastly guiding the country through these troubled waters was instead drowning in alcohol, even during working hours in the audience chamber, and elsewhere in the palace. His main drink was strong liquor.

“So, I must step in.”

That was why she had made time to summon her daughters today.

She wanted to relieve her husband’s burdens, who drank hot brandy in the evening and tea-whisky during the day like water.

“Both Imperial Princesses have arrived at the waiting room.”

The maid reported.

“That one?”

“He’s come along.”

“Of course.”

The Empress had only summoned her two daughters, but she knew Alan Medoff would come with them.

It wasn’t for protocol or protection that he accompanied them; no one in the current state would consider Alan Medoff a knight.

‘Those three must be waiting in the antechamber.’

The Empress could predict the atmosphere.

But she knew she shouldn’t act based on mere assumptions, so she ordered, “Let Alan Medoff enter first.”

She had one final thing to confirm with him.

As Alan Medoff appeared soon after, fortunately without his mace, he was instead carrying an elegant medicine case full of psilocybin powder. Though the medicine supply was currently ample, there was no reason to refuse additional supplies.

“Always grateful.”

“I don’t know where to go.”

Indeed, Alan seemed to be at a loss among the princesses.

Part of this predicament was due to the Empress’s decisions.

She decided to ask one question out of consideration.

“Alan Medoff, have you done enough? Really?”

“Yes.”

Though brief, no further explanation was necessary. Alan’s face clearly said, “I’ve done what I was asked.” It was unusual to see someone who could occupy foreign lands without an army, struggling so.

“Understood.”

The Empress then had her two daughters, with no family ties by blood, enter.

Empress Lianhua, Her Imperial Highness Princess Victoria, and Princess Siena.

Excluding the Emperor, the most honored figures in the empire sat together in an awkward silence.

Their appearances and attire were disparate: Empress Lianhua in her ceremonial robe, Victoria in a red coat with a tricorn hat set on her lap, and Siena in a humble dress for someone of royal stature. A subtle tension filled the jade surface of the table.

‘The Empress wouldn’t call us here for no reason.’

Perhaps she had called them to resolve the tangled relationship she, Victoria, and Siena shared.

Surely, she wouldn’t preach to her daughters about stability in the imperial court or strongly coerce one of them to abandon her affections for him. Once, even he was baffled by the Empress, but it didn’t seem like she’d use such a shallow strategy now.

What came out of her mouth first, though, was unexpected.

“Victoria, Siena. I require your help.”

“Help?”

“An envoy from Chinguk will soon arrive. The head of the delegation is the Left Patriarch of the Bureau of Imperial Clans. He is not just an ordinary guest.”

“Yes.”

“I wish for you to help me secure some meaningful diplomatic achievements. This is why I summoned you.”

While mentioning the Left Patriarch and diplomatic concerns, Empress Lianhua’s announcement startled both Victoria and Siena, though neither sought eye contact. They clearly weren’t planning to face this problem together.

The Empress, seemingly not caring about their reactions, continued.

“Victoria?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I understand there are no pressing issues between our two countries, but I suspect Chinguk’s court is highly interested in the state of our empire. It’s not just interest—it’s caution. I won’t elaborate further.”

“I understand. We will be sure to prepare adequately to reduce their concerns.”

“Thank you. Your efforts will preserve my face.”

Victoria readily nodded despite the odd request.

The empire has no obligation to explain itself to Chinguk. But if a great power that could match the empire held some unknown asymmetrical weapon—or was actively using it—it would be natural for them to be cautious.

The Empress then turned her attention to Siena.

“And, Siena.”

“Yes?”

“I have a favor to ask of you. It’s not a demand to smile politely at diplomatic events.”

“Go on?”

“I would appreciate it if you allow the export of psilocybin. After all, I have more than enough for myself.”

“Can I decide that?”

“I understand. Alan Medoff standing there will determine it. But Siena, wouldn’t Alan gladly oblige you if you asked?”

“Yes, he would.”

Siena’s face subtly brightened as she nodded. She even glanced back at me with a meaningful nod.

Supplying mushrooms was not a big issue. The psilocybin stock was abundant, and we knew how to produce more. If the empress wanted to share it with acquaintances from her homeland, there was no need to conserve it.

What I couldn’t understand was her attitude.

“How odd, handling diplomatic matters at this moment?”

As a former princess of the Britannia Empire, it was commendable for her to take the role of a bridge between the two nations.

However, that wasn’t the pressing issue at this juncture. No one in the empire was concerned about an envoy from Britannia now; everyone was talking about the recent execution by flame.

Most importantly, her two daughters were about to engage in a potential civil war over my favor. Why would she focus on seemingly irrelevant matters?

“Wait, maybe…”

The feud between the princesses.

And the envoy from Britannia.

Perhaps these problems were connected.

“Alan Medoff, do you have anything you wish to say?”

The Empress stared at me. Both princesses turned their eyes toward me; they had already sensed my suspicions.

“Speak up. What are you questioning?”

I hesitantly began.

“Empress, from what I know, the Bureau of Imperial Clans oversees the royal family members, titles, fiefs, and posthumous names. So, it’s strange that the chief minister of this bureau, and not a member of the Ministry of Rites, leads the diplomatic envoy.”

“What of it?”

“The empire has individuals with titles granted by Britannia.”

“Nonsense. Is there anyone who doesn’t know I was a Britannian princess?”

“My apologies, but I am not referring to Your Majesty.”

“…”

“There is the lady who holds the title of County Lord, the Emperor’s granddaughter. The visit from a high-ranking official of the Bureau of Imperial Clans at this point seems related to her. If my assumptions are incorrect, I sincerely apologize.”

That was my conclusion.

Fortunately, I was not punished for disrespect. The Empress smiled faintly, signaling I was on the right track.

“Yes, Alan Medoff. You’re correct. It seems Her Majesty wishes to help her unworthy daughter before she follows the mandate of heaven. She is concerned for me, her only daughter living separately, and insists on offering special assistance.”

“The Empress, surely not…”

“The Britannian imperial court plans to petition for the reinstatement of my daughter. They will offer an enormous reward, far exceeding any punishment for Anais’ sins.”

The Britannian Emperor was petitioning for the reinstatement of his granddaughter.

Precisely, he would create the grounds for reinstating her. It wasn’t difficult to guess whose work this was, and it seemed clear that it wasn’t just about bringing Anais out of the monastery.

“Anais will be coming back soon.”

The Empress announced flatly, without any trace of a smile, implying that this was the outcome they had brought upon themselves.

Both princesses stared at the Empress with hardened expressions.

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