Chapter 877

Chapter 877: Aid Request from the Northern Region

Titania, Rose Palace.

Empress Lily Aisote was now sitting in front of a dressing mirror, allowing several maids to comb her hair and dress her. The imperial meeting this week would commence in half an hour, and she would also be present.

Although many of the High Nobility regarded her as a mere decorative Empress, with the assistance of the Regent, the prestige of the royal family still remained intact.

“Are we done?” Lily glanced at herself in the mirror. The luxurious long dress with three layers of red was complemented her figure. Perhaps she wasn’t considered exceptionally beautiful, but under such elegant attire, she gradually exuded a regal aura.

Clothes could indeed change one’s demeanor.

Lily stood up, lifting her skirt, feeling a slight sense of emotion. She then picked up the child beside her bed and left the palace with the maids.

The grand and magnificent Imperial Hall was bathed in sunlight through the glass windows with intricate patterns, revealing floating dust particles in the air.

These irregular polygons on the glass windows easily reminded one of butterfly wings, while the vine carvings at the edges were filled with fairy-like charm. As a nation jointly founded by humans and elves, Titania retained much of its early fantastical and splendid architectural style.

The heavy doors were slowly pushed open by the palace knights, followed by the gradual entrance of nobles in formal attire.

Once they were all in place, the palace servants announced their arrival. Soon after, two rows of brightly armored red guards entered the hall, standing on either side to separate the nobles from the central aisle.

“The Empress has arrived!”

“The Regent has arrived!”

Following this, the red-clad Empress entered the hall, accompanied by Prince Edren in military uniform.

After both took their seats on the thrones, the court official began to preside over the meeting.

As usual, the officials first informed everyone in the hall about the latest news from various regions, then proceeded to propose and discuss their ideas. There were debates among them, with each side stating their reasons. If neither side was willing to compromise, the Empress or the Regent would make the final decision.

“Beautiful Empress, esteemed Prince, I come from the northern region of the Empire, the distant Cold Leaf Territory.”

After being summoned by the court official, a knight clad in black iron armor entered the hall. Of course, his weapons were left outside, and he had removed his helmet.

“Please rise.” After receiving a response, the knight raised his head, revealing a square face under his short black hair, around 30 years old, with a bit of stubble and traces of wind and frost on his face, indicating he had been on a long journey.

After performing a knee-bend, the knight stood up, introduced himself, and then stated his request.

“Due to the continuous heavy snowfall in the northern region, the food supply in our territory is dwindling. Therefore, Lord Tousen sent us south to seek aid from the Empire.”

He spoke steadily, reciting the words he had memorized last night, while his two companions remained tense, lowering their heads.

Not every noble had the opportunity to enter here, and this was their first time seeing so many great nobles. Moreover, the two seated above could easily decide their fates, making it hard not to feel nervous.

However, before the two monarchs could speak, a tall and thin noble stood up beside them.

“I know you are in trouble, but this is already the twenty-second similar message and request this month.”

“The solutions to the matters in the northern region of the Empire are currently being prepared. So please return; if there are any developments, we will notify you,” said Elder Count Disser, a former close aide to Prince Aimanke and now the court’s chief minister.

In the past six months, the people in the hall had witnessed such scenes multiple times. Initially, some noble families would symbolically donate supplies out of respect, but as more requests came in, even with repetitions, they gradually became indifferent.

Compassion was not infinite, and they were tired of hearing these tragic stories.

“How boring.”

“Matters in the north are well-known. We have dispatched several batches of aid.”

“We have no better solutions. This is a natural disaster.”

“We can only hope they endure through it. Everyone is having a tough time.”

Whispers began to spread throughout the hall. After a while, a clear sound of a bell echoed, and the hall fell silent once more.

“I deeply empathize with the calamities and sufferings in the northern region. The Empire is currently working on finding solutions and will provide certain aid and support,” said Prince Edren, repeating the same words as always. Then, the court official stepped forward to call the next envoy.

“But…” the knight wanted to continue, but his companion pulled him back, stopping him from speaking and obediently retreating.

After they exited the hall and stepped outside the palace, the knight spoke again.

“Why didn’t you let me speak? Do you know the situation in the territory?”

“We do, Hertlin,” his companion replied, and the others also stopped.

“But you were too impulsive. If I hadn’t held you back, you might have started complaining,” said the Black Knight after a moment of silence.

“Yes.”

“But that would only make things awkward. We are already in a state of seeking aid, so we shouldn’t offend those great figures anymore,” he said.

“I understand, but—”

He paused.

“This is our best chance. If we were to purchase grain ourselves, the little money we have wouldn’t be enough,” he clenched his fist, feeling a bit of resentment, but unsure how to vent it.

“Alright, let’s find another way then.”

They shook their heads, somewhat dejectedly walking out of the palace gates.

That night, in the Rose Palace where Lily resided.

After her bath, Lily sat in the study, a place formerly used by Aimanke for work. The room was equipped with an alchemical array for heating, so even in October, she felt no cold.

Wearing a loose nightgown, Lily looked at the pages of paper in her hand. These were lists and intelligence reports of recent envoys to the imperial capital. Besides her, there were two maidservants in the room, one rocking the cradle and the other standing beside her.

“The situation in the north is getting worse,” Lily sighed, looking at the report. She had seen what happened during the day but did not speak up.

“Yes, Your Majesty. But there isn’t much surplus in the treasury. If we open up more, there might be more requests,” the maid advised, warning the Empress against sudden acts of kindness.

“I understand. Sigh,” Lily put down the paper.

Since the Empire’s defeat, all income and expenditure had begun to tighten. Some of the previously suppressed great nobles were starting to reemerge. Although everything seemed harmonious on the surface, things were not so peaceful behind the scenes.

Even she, an Empress secluded in the inner palace, had heard many rumors.

Prince Aimanke’s claim to the throne was unjust. The true successors should be the brothers of Crown Prince Ansel.

It was less about the nobles caring about the legitimacy of the throne and more about expressing their hatred over losing power. Over the years, Prince Aimanke’s policies had offended many great nobles, causing them to lose benefits.

The deceased Crown Prince brother was merely a banner they collectively used to push their agenda.

(End of Chapter)