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셀리나 reached into the desk drawer and pulled something out.

What she took out was a small, jade-colored stone.

It was about the size of a child’s fist and had a smooth, bead-like surface.

‘Is that… the Oath Stone?’

It was the Oath Stone infused with the Emperor’s powers.

Members of the three great Duke houses were required to vow before the Oath Stone at least once in their lifetime.

Though it’s called a vow, fundamentally, it’s a structure where the Emperor commands and the Duke house obeys.

“Are you going to use the Oath Stone to issue a command?”

“I intend to.”

“I heard that the Oath Stone is an absolute command right that can only be used once.”

“If there’s enough value to use it, it should be used. Previous emperors and their summoned ministers hoarded it until it was worthless.”

Selina smiled brightly. She purposely used a casual tone to soften the atmosphere.

The atmosphere was undoubtedly warm.

But the content was far from warm.

‘No way!’

Viola didn’t want to be part of the Empire’s ministerial ranks. Besides, the shadow of Bellatu always advanced through ‘Viola’s gaze’, so she was not well-versed in the Empire’s affairs. Viola had not operated within the Monarch Empire.

Her main activity range was Winter Castle and the ‘Place Where the Eye Shines’, and she was not knowledgeable about what was happening in the Empire’s heart.

‘Ugh, just thinking about it terrifies me.’

The royal palace was a place where invisible blades passed back and forth.

A place overflowing with dreadful court intrigue and schemes.

It was a world too far from the happy one Viola dreamed of.

“I think it’s too great a treasure to use just for scouting a mere thirteen-year-old like me.”

“Then all you need to do is accept my proposal so that you don’t have to use it.”

“That’s…”

“You, Young Noblewoman Viola, have always made rational decisions. You’ve led everything to the best outcome. My proposal will also be the best choice for you. Am I wrong?”

“That’s true.”

Selina’s scouting offer was a family glory. If she could survive the court intrigue, she could enjoy riches and fame for generations.

‘Not for me.’

A fierce battlefield where geniuses gathered to scheme.

That was the royal palace.

To ask her to engage in a battle of wits against geniuses in an environment where she couldn’t utilize the knowledge from [The Shadow of Bellatu]?

Viola absolutely could not accept that proposal.

“I think it’s a very good offer as White Bellatu. But before I am White Bellatu, I am the Young Noblewoman who inherits the Bellatu name.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Bellatu has existed isolated since ancient times at the northern edge.”

Thanks to that, the Central Nobility of the Continent often viewed Bellatu as mere barbarians. Many in the Central Nobility were unaware of the horrors of monsters.

In reality, encounters with monsters were quite rare.

“Protecting humanity from the Place Where the Eye Shines is the great mission of Bellatu, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“Therefore, I do not wish to leave Winter Castle.”

“If you achieve something greater here, you could save many more lives than merely holding back the monsters.”

“However, I don’t know if that’s something valuable to Bellatu.”

Selina’s eyes narrowed. “So, you’re refusing my proposal? Do I really have to use the Oath Stone?”

“I don’t think a wise minister would expend such a precious command right on a minor opportunity.”

“Because it’s a precious command right, I wish to use it to scout Young Noblewoman Viola. Young Noblewoman Viola is undervaluing her worth.”

Selina saw that Viola was not just an ordinary genius. She had the qualities to rise higher than anyone else. That’s why Selina wanted her by her side.

She put the Oath Stone back into the desk drawer.

“Since today is the first day, please unpack and rest a little. Let’s meet again in a few days.”

Carlton had been given a strange task.

Carlton headed towards the royal palace.

He was told that he might have to return the ‘Silver Star Medal’ if necessary.

However, it was unclear exactly what that necessary case might be.

The Duke had said, “You’ll know once you meet Lady Selina. If she goes too hard on you, then return the Silver Star Medal.”

So, Carlton formally requested to meet with Selina.

“It’s an honor to meet the renowned Chief Butler Carlton.”

“I am honored as well, Lady.”

The two enjoyed warm jasmine tea and exchanged some light conversation.

“What order did Duke Heron give?”

“He instructed that I return the ‘Silver Star Medal’ if necessary.”

“And what constitutes that ‘necessary’ case?”

“I am not sure.”

“That’s a strange command.”

“Yes.”

It was an unusual order for Heron. But Selina immediately grasped Heron’s intention.

“I’m considering using the ‘Oath Stone’ to scout Young Noblewoman Viola.”

“The Oath Stone?”

You plan to use that precious thing for merely scouting? Carlton restrained himself.

‘Even if Viola has exceptional qualities, that’s just too much.’

It was absurd. Yet, it seemed Selina intended to pursue that absurdity.

“Viola’s potential is limitless. If she grows in good soil, she could become a World Tree. She could become a magnificent tree for the Empire, providing a safe shade for its people.”

“You hold Young Noblewoman Viola in high regard.”

“I’ve assessed her as conservatively as possible. If she were from the imperial family, she could probably be recorded as the greatest emperor in history.”

“If the Emperor hears that, he might feel upset.”

“He acknowledged it, though?”

“…Is that so?”

“I wanted to use the ‘Oath Stone’ to obtain such a child. Knowing this, Duke Heron sent me the Silver Star Medal.”

The Silver Star Medal was the highest rank among the decorations granted directly by the Emperor.

A person possessing the Silver Star Medal did not have to bow to the Emperor and could receive salutes anywhere in the Empire.

Endless privileges were granted to heroes of the Empire who held this ‘Silver Star Medal.’

One of those privileges was the right to refuse orders.

“By returning the Silver Star Medal, you can nullify the command of the ‘Oath Stone.’”

“…Ah.”

Whether Selina planned to use the ‘Oath Stone’ to recruit Viola or Heron intended to nullify it by returning the ‘Silver Star Medal,’ Carlton found both individuals incomprehensible.

‘Have those who reached the very top a different perspective than mine?’

Carlton was honestly a bit shocked.

Selina and Heron stood at the pinnacle of this world.

Their views and perspectives aligned.

‘They perceive things I cannot see. There’s something hidden in Young Noblewoman Viola that I can’t see!’

His talents and achievements could not compare to theirs, yet he had always been confident that his outlook on the world was not narrow. He had believed he was supporting Heron well through a broad perspective.

But that seemed not to be the case.

‘I am unqualified as Chief Butler.’

It became urgent.

He needed training as well.

He had to become more competent.

He felt he had become too complacent in reality.

Meanwhile, Heron and Selina had risen even higher, while he felt stuck in place.

‘I need to grow as well. I should possess a viewpoint like the two of them.’

The small flaps created by Viola began to impact Chief Butler Carlton as well.

*

Zeno bent down to ask for permission.

“Our princess prefers Strawberry Ade over tea. If it’s not too much trouble, may I serve her Strawberry Ade?”

“Sure. Could you get me one as well?”

In the second meeting with Selina, Viola drank Strawberry Ade instead of jasmine tea.

Selina was greatly impressed by the Strawberry Ade.

“Indeed… it’s worthy of its reputation.”

“Not at all.”

Selina closed her eyes and savored the Strawberry Ade. This taste was new to her.

“I envy you, Young Noblewoman Viola. To be able to drink such high-quality Strawberry Ade daily. This is the first time I’ve ever had such a drink.”

“Zeno is quite capable.”

“I should petition the Emperor for the title of Master. What do you think? Would you like to become a Master? You could grasp wealth and fame.”

A Strawberry Ade artisan receiving a Master’s title from the Emperor.

They could make a fortune.

Zeno smiled lightly and shook his head.

“I’m a butler for just one person.”

Becoming a Master would make him too busy.

It was obvious that he would receive many requests from various places.

That would naturally reduce the care he gave to Viola, and the quality of the Strawberry Ade he made for her would surely diminish. So Zeno declined Selina’s proposal.

Selina was further impressed.

‘Viola has a knack for truly making people around her hers.’

She was the fastest-growing child as the next Lord of Winter Castle.

More than anything, her ability to turn her surroundings into her own was the most fearsome and astonishing talent.

‘I covet that. I truly covet her.’

Viola was the first person she had ever been so drawn to.

“Actually, I was planning to use the Oath Stone to scout Young Noblewoman Viola.”

“You’re the first person to make me this eager.”

“Thank you.”

Though she maintained a calm exterior, Viola’s mind was in turmoil.

She was deeply contemplating how to decline Selina’s proposal without it seeming odd.

“However, it seems difficult to keep you by my side.”

Viola’s eyes widened slightly.

She had to make considerable efforts to manage her expression.

“Duke Heron sent this.”

It was the Silver Star Medal.

“I want to ask. Why did Duke Heron take such a drastic step to return the Silver Star Medal? While I also recognize Young Noblewoman Viola’s worth and potential, it’s not like I’m harming her. It would likely be a beneficial recruitment. Why is that? Could you answer me?”