Chapter 147

First Act The Villainess’s Obstinate Reappearance The newly created nursery in Ellmeyer’s imperial castle—the lauded “alabaster palace”—is always noisy. It isn’t because the infant first princess, Claire Jean Ellmeyer, is a handful. Nor is it because of her nurse and attendants, who constantly wait at the ready. “Princess, that’s amazing. Genius!” “Over here, this way!” Aileen Jean Ellmeyer frowns at the voices she can hear even before opening the door. It’s nap time. Naturally, infants don’t bow to anyone’s intentions. They’re not the ones to blame. The voices aren’t human, but that isn’t her primary concern, either. “That’s right, Claire. Come.” The heart of the problem is that she can hear her husband, Emperor Claude Jean Ellmeyer, calling to his daughter in a voice sweet enough to melt candy. “I knew I’d find you here, Master Claude!” “Aileen.” She opens the door, and Claude turns toward her, beaming, having just picked up his beloved daughter. That dazzling smile almost makes her falter, but she grits her teeth and digs in her heels. She mustn’t let him disarm her. “Look, Claire came all the way over to me. My daughter is a genius!” Aileen and Claude’s first child is seven months old, and she’s just learned to crawl. Now that the baby has started to move on her own, both the demons and her father are completely enthralled, and they refuse to leave her side. The nurse and ladies-in-waiting simply watch, finding the demon king’s display of paternal affection oh so charming. His adviser, the one and only person who can control him, and his guards, who could admonish him, are all currently too busy to be there. And so, once again, Aileen finds herself delivering the lecture. “Enough of this. Please, return to your duties. We depart tomorrow!” “You say that, but all the preparations are complete, aren’t they? My brilliant retainers will handle the rest somehow— Claire, no, you mustn’t eat your father’s hair.” Although he’s scolding her, his voice is kind, and his expression couldn’t be more relaxed. Aileen pauses for the space of a breath. Then she smiles brightly. “There’s nothing dashing about a sappy father who doesn’t work. Isn’t that right, Claire?” “……” Claude’s face has gone blank, and he gently returns Claire to her cradle. “Almond, I’ll leave the rest to you.” “Understood!” The crow demon salutes, looking sharp in front of the king. The ladies-in-waiting promptly step in to wipe Claire’s drool from Claude’s hair and straighten his rumpled clothes. “Aren’t you glad you have such a dashing father, Claire?” Aileen bends over the cradle to plant a kiss on her darling daughter’s cheek. Claude nods solemnly. “That’s right. I am Claire’s dashing father, as well as your reliable husband.” “I’m delighted you’ve remembered. Now let us be on our way. Cyril is waiting.” Aileen turns on her heel, and Claude follows. Although he seems quite reluctant, by the time they step into the corridor, his expression looks every bit that of an emperor. The fact that he can switch gears like this is one of his virtues. “So your brother summoned you as well?” Claude asks. “Yes, since we are bound for the Queendom of Hausel. In fact, I wonder if I’m not actually the main one he wishes to speak to.” “Then I wouldn’t necessarily have to go, would I?” “When did you become the type of husband who’d leave me in Cyril’s care? If that is how things stand, then I trust you won’t mind if we do that from now on?” “…I misspoke. I’m sorry.” Claude looks uncomfortable, and Aileen’s eyes soften very slightly. The man simply finds his daughter hopelessly adorable. The trepidation and unease he showed when he first learned of Aileen’s pregnancy seem like a dream now. “You needn’t worry; tomorrow we’ll be embarking on a sea voyage with Claire. Let’s get this tiresome business over and done with quickly. After all, you are in charge of bathing her tonight, Master Claude.” He nods meekly. It’s rather charming. Claude’s adviser is waiting in front of the emperor’s office. “I’d expect no less of you, Lady Aileen. You’re very skilled at luring Master Claude out.” “You’ll gain nothing by praising me, Master Keith. Where is Cyril?” “Waiting inside. Master Claude.” Having given his master’s appearance a quick once-over, Keith straightens a nearly imperceptible wrinkle in the fabric. Then he opens the office door. “So you’ve finally emerged, Your Majesty. Excellent work, Aileen.” Acting almost as if the office were his, Aileen’s brother asks Keith to prepare tea. As the prime minister, Cyril is undeniably one of the highest-ranking members of the empire, and he shows no reserve even with Keith, who’s given nearly universal respect as the demon king’s adviser. Claude seats himself at his ebony work desk, so Aileen takes up a position on one of the sofas for guests, facing her older brother. Once they’re settled, Keith skillfully serves them all tea. Aileen’s lady-in-waiting, Rachel, would ordinarily be in attendance, but she’s taken the day off. They’ll be departing tomorrow, and Rachel’s husband, Isaac, has been away for more than half a month on business as well, so she said she wanted to take the opportunity to clean house. I do hope she’s relaxing a little, at least, Aileen thinks as she takes a sip of her tea. After a brief pause, they get down to business. “Aileen. You’re aware that you will be the one who has to work the hardest at this intercontinental conference, aren’t you?” Cyril says, getting straight to the point. Aileen nods primly. “Yes. As a rule, men are prohibited in Hausel, and there are many places they are forbidden from going. It will be more efficient if I perform the inspections instead of Master Claude. We should avoid disregarding the local customs and turning the Queendom’s remaining citizens against us.” “Right. That means you will be Ellmeyer’s eyes and ears. The other nations will be working with the same limitations, so no doubt they’ll dispatch noblewomen as well. That said, I doubt they’ll get the better of you. My younger sister is brilliant.” Cyril himself is a genius whom Aileen always looked up to as a child. His trust makes her throw her shoulders back proudly. “Yes, I am the empress, after all. I won’t betray your expectations.” “Unfortunately, I don’t know whether the title of ‘empress of Ellmeyer’ connotes brilliance or not. Just that, as my sister, you should be brilliant.” “…I see. In other words, you’re putting the pressure on me.” “Not at all. Oh, this is the latest information on the conference attendees. Make sure you memorize it.” The stack of papers Cyril points at looks too thick to be held in one hand. “You want me to do it now…?!” “You’ll have time on the ship. That should be enough—at least, it should be for my brilliant sister.” “You’re just going to keep relying on that, are you?!” “Keep your wits about you. This conference is unique in many ways. I wish we were leading it instead of the Kilvas Empire.” Her brother smiles, his expression filled with meaning, as Aileen silently turns over the top page of the thick stack of documents. Tomorrow, she and Claude are scheduled to leave Ellmeyer to attend a great assembly called the intercontinental conference. As the name suggests, major nations on both the northern and the southern continents will participate in what will, in fact, be the largest conference ever held. The meeting will take place on the Holy Queendom of Hausel—an island nation located between the two continents. Ruled by a queen who could see the future, the country, until very recently, boasted authority and technology that let it shape world affairs as it pleased. Two years ago, the Queendom’s palace rose into the air, only to be brought down by none other than Imperial Ellmeyer and their close ally, the neighboring Kingdom of Ashmael. The loss of their queen—a major pillar of the nation—threw Hausel into confusion, and the Queendom collapsed. Ellmeyer and Ashmael were simply defending themselves, and neither attempted to step in to rule Hausel. However, every nation has a legacy of technologies and institutions left behind by the Queendom. The most conspicuous of these is the Kilvas Empire—a country on the northeastern continent that has female soldiers known as Valkyries, who were created using Hausel’s technology. “As you’re already aware, the conference is presenting itself as an exchange between the long-separated northern and southern continents, but that’s just window dressing. In substance, its goal is to determine what should be done about Hausel—specifically, in terms of its queen. It appears that one country has already put forward a candidate for the position.” “Even though they can’t hold a royal exam?” Rather than being determined by bloodline, Hausel’s queen is selected through the royal exam, which has only worsened the chaos in the Queendom. The royal exam is administered by the queen, who can predict the future, but the exam can’t be held now that the throne is empty. “Voices around the world wishing for Hausel to have a queen are growing louder every day. Pressing issues regarding refugees and immigrants are also significant factors. More than anything, Hausel is bursting with technology that transcends our era. It isn’t just the floating palace that our empire attacked. Even now, something may remain at the bottom of the sea.” During her visit to the Kilvas Empire the year before, Aileen happened upon a facility on the ocean floor in Hausel’s waters. She destroyed it in order to escape, but what she’d discovered had likely been just one part of the whole. Even the floating palace she and the others had shot out of the sky had vanished before they’d come close to fully investigating it. “Fortunately, it isn’t public knowledge yet that something like that has been left on the bottom of the ocean, but it’s probably only a matter of time. Up until now, Hausel’s peculiarities have given most countries pause, but they’ll scramble to be the first to extend a hand when it comes to choosing a queen. They’ll claim they want to ‘support’ her.” “What information do we have on the royal candidate from the other nation?” “All we know at present is that she is a grown woman who may be able to see the future, though reports on that are questionable. When all is said and done, it won’t matter who she is. What’s important is whether she views Ellmeyer as an enemy or not. Clever as you are, Aileen, I’m sure you know what should be done about a hostile queen.” Pressured by the sharp light in her brother’s eyes, Aileen nods. Cyril crosses his long legs, appearing satisfied. “On that note, Emperor Claude, I have a proposal.” “…What is it?” The conversation has abruptly turned from Aileen to her husband, and Claude doesn’t look happy about it. No doubt it’s because Cyril’s “proposal” is something he’s already decided on. “The intercontinental conference is scheduled to sit every other day over a total of three sessions. In other words, the discussion will last for roughly a week. The first thing I’d like you to do is persuade the others to select the queen by vote. Each nation will get one vote, with the candidate who wins the most votes becoming queen. A ballot system should be accepted without much argument.” “To replace the royal exam?” “That’s right. Fortunately, our empire has solid relationships with both Ashmael and Kilvas. With seven countries attending the conference, four votes will give us a majority. I’ve already made arrangements with Ashmael and Kilvas, so I’d appreciate it if you’d make an ally of at least one other nation on your own.” Claude glances at Aileen, asking if she knew about this. She silently shakes her head. Noting the couple’s exchange, Cyril blinks in feigned surprise. “Are you not happy with this?” “No… You’re as masterful as always, which I’m grateful for, but what happened to discussing it with me?” “There’s no need to worry; you’ll find the distinguishing characteristics of each nation in the documents. Please work together and choose any country you’d like as your ally.” Those “distinguishing characteristics” likely include weaknesses and blackmail material. The sheaf of papers Aileen’s been thinking of as homework begins to look more like a demonic tome. “I’m asking why you didn’t discuss it with me.” “If I may be so bold, Your Majesty, I took the liberty of omitting it because I believed your time with Princess Claire to be more important.” “I appreciate your consideration.” “Master Claude, do you really intend to let that persuade you?!” Claude frowns at Aileen’s criticism, then plants his elbow on the desk, resting his chin in his palm. “A ballot system, though, huh? Kilvas has the demonborn, just as we have demons, so they should be easy to cooperate with, but the Holy King is shrewd. He may turn against us. This plan doesn’t seem all that safe.” “True, trouble arising from Your Majesty’s lack of personal magnetism is a constant cause for concern. In addition, there’s no telling what that face of yours may instigate.” “Is my face a weapon or something?” “I also considered putting forward our own royal candidate to take the throne. While this isn’t public knowledge, both the queen of Hausel’s daughter and granddaughter are in Ellmeyer. However, when I thought of what it would do to Your Majesty’s precious younger brother, Cedric—who is also technically still the crown prince—I had the feeling you would object. Both I and my family would highly approve of simply using and discarding him like rubbish, but I think that would displease you, Your Majesty.” Cyril is taking a dig at a complicated situation: Claude’s half brother, Cedric, once broke his engagement to Aileen in a humiliating way. While Claude hasn’t forgiven him for that, he also dotes on Cedric as his younger brother. Claude narrows his eyes, but Cyril raises an index finger, undeterred. “There is one other method of rule that one as inexperienced as I could propose that would be possible without charisma.” “So it’s just a given that I have no charisma. I see. Well, let’s hear it.” “World domination.” Keith, who has so far been listening to the discussion quietly, bursts out laughing. “Which will it be? Will you vote for the queen with other nations? Conquer the world? Or put a queen from our empire on the throne, fully knowing that it will require sacrifices and drag your precious younger brother into it? As your loyal retainer, Your Majesty, I will abide by any decision you make.” Claude’s eyebrows are drawn together as far as they’ll go. He heaves a long, deep sigh. “…Very well. The ballot system it is.” Once again, the emperor and demon king has been defeated by his astute prime minister. “I’ll be waiting to hear the good news,” Cyril says, looking as if everything has already been settled. The ship carrying the imperial couple and the first princess makes a leisurely departure from the capital city of Alucato, seen off by a crowd of flag-waving citizens. The Queendom of Hausel is a nation made up of several large islands. Men are banned from the central island, on which the royal palace once stood. Aileen’s group is bound for the largest island in the nation of Hausel, on which men are permitted. That is where the conference will be held. This island was originally the gateway to the Queendom. Heads of state stayed here when consulting the queen for a prophecy, and it also served as a health resort. Prosperity on the island withered after the queen’s death, but when it was decided that the intercontinental conference would be hosted there, the participating nations began to repair the local villas. Under the leadership of Kilvas, a grand assembly hall was also built to house the conference, and with these public initiatives creating more jobs, the streets are bustling again. Stone stairways, white walls, and blue roofs. A river flows in from the sea and enters the town through the waterways. Little boats of all different colors sail in and out. Even the white-and-blue awnings on the shopping streets are charming. Aileen clasps her hands in front of her chest, awestruck. It looks just as it did in the game…! The Queendom of Hausel served as the setting for Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens 4, an otome game Aileen played in her previous life. It was set seven centuries before the present day, in an age when Imperial Ellmeyer didn’t even exist. It may be because of the incredible respect Hausel has for tradition, but the view is identical to the still images from the game. While Aileen accepts that she was reincarnated into the world of an otome game, she sees reality and the game as different things. Even when she originally learned she was the villainess from the first game in the series, she wasn’t particularly impressed that Alucato—the city in which she’d been born and raised—and the academy she’d attended were locations from an otome game. When Aileen visited Misha Academy in the Duchy of Mirchetta, the setting of the second game, she was in no position to sightsee; she was kidnapped and sent to a harem in the Kingdom of Ashmael, where the third game took place. There, her abysmal treatment left her with no time to enjoy herself. In the Queendom of Hausel, the setting for the fourth game, the floating palace was transformed into a weapon intended to reduce Imperial Ellmeyer to ashes, so any other thoughts were out of the question. The Kilvas Empire served as the setting for a different game, Valkyrie of the Magic Lance. Aileen visited there last year, but her sojourn was nothing but a series of unpleasant events—the tension of a nation poised on the brink of war, and that body double business—and she returned home almost immediately. This time is different, though. She knows she’s here on business, of course. However, she’s also aware that this was the setting of an otome game and that the problems from the game have already been resolved, so there’s no reason for her to be wary. As a result, the sight of a familiar game world unfolding before her simply fills her with awe. In the parlance of her former life, this would have been what’s called a “fan pilgrimage.” It’s a new experience for her. You know, I really did like that series… The thought is oddly heartfelt. Still, sightseeing will have to wait. Ellmeyer’s imperial villa is located on a modest hill overlooking the ocean, a short distance from the center of town. The mansion was rebuilt for their stay, and as they reach it, they are met by a handful of elite servants who arrived ahead of them. The unpacking and inspection of their luggage immediately begins in a flurry of activity. Aileen and Claude promptly retreat to their room on the second floor, where they won’t be in the way. Aileen opens the terrace window, letting in a wind that carries the scent of the ocean. In the game, this building didn’t exist. However, as she looks down from the window, the blue ocean, the white sandy beach, and the lacy waves are all easy on the eyes. The sound of the surf breaking on the shore makes time seem to pass a little more slowly. “What a beautiful view.” She wants to just lean on the terrace railing and listen to the waves. Claude quietly comes up beside her, carrying Claire. “Claire, look. It’s a different ocean from the one we saw from the ship.” Their daughter is an extremely easy baby and almost never a handful. She was hardly flustered at all on the ship, and she was in high spirits all through the Demon King Love-Love Dance the giant squid and octopus demons had performed for them. Aileen is sure she isn’t imagining it, but even now, she can see a huge number of crows sitting a short distance away. They can’t think they’re hiding, can they? This, after I told them to wait for us in Ellmeyer… The demons have picked up on their king’s doting affection, and they echo it. However, this island isn’t Ellmeyer’s territory, and people from many other nations are gathered here. Who knows how they’ll react to demons? That said, all else aside, this is definitely a peaceful moment. “You must be tired from the voyage, Claire. Should we put you down for a nap?” In Claude’s arms, their daughter does seem sleepy. Her violet-tinged eyes are vague and bleary. Claude nods. “Good idea. Let’s all take a nap now, then go down to the beach when we wake up.” As usual, he is clinging to their daughter, and a sense of exasperation overcomes Aileen. “Master Claude, you promised to meet Master Baal and Master Vica shortly.” Although this can be classed as a private gathering between Claude and two of his closest allies, Holy King Baal of Ashmael and Emperor Vica of Kilvas, it’s actually an advance meeting before their official interactions with other countries begin in earnest in the form of inspections, balls, and tea parties. Cyril may have laid the groundwork, but if they don’t confirm they’re on the same page now, who knows how things may play out? “I know. Baal said he’s bringing his daughter as well. I hear she’s already walking and talking.” “Goodness. Come to think of it, I’ve only seen her once, just after she was born, and that was quite some time ago. She really must have grown. Her name is Princess Estella, is it not?” “Yes. Baal won’t shut up about how cute she is. I’m positive Claire is cuter, though. Since it’s clearly necessary, we’re going to have a contest.” Aileen has absolutely no idea what sort of a contest that will be. However, the holy king is just as crazy about his daughter as the demon king is, and if she leaves them to their own devices, it’s obvious that nothing will be accomplished at this meeting. If there’s one person to pin her hopes on here, it’s Vica, but the emperor of Kilvas is young and leaving the demon king and the holy king in his hands seems cruel. “…Lady Roxane and I will also be meeting to go over things. Rachel, how are the preparations coming along?” Her lady-in-waiting is standing just inside the terrace door, along with Claude’s adviser and guards. “Preparations for the visit are progressing smoothly. You still have time to spare beforehand.” “In that case, let’s take a walk on the beach first,” Claude says. “Yes, you’d like it if your mother came with us, wouldn’t you, Claire?” “Master Keith, take Claire from Master Claude.” Claude freezes up, as if he’s shocked by Aileen’s words, and his outstanding adviser capitalizes on the opportunity to retrieve Claire. “Come, Princess Claire, it’s nap time. Have a nice sleep, and then I’ll take you to see your father after he’s worked hard.” Keith amuses the infant in his arms by gently bouncing her up and down even as he keeps Claude in check. Shortly after, he passes her to the guards, who whisk Claire away to the room where her nurse and maids are waiting. Having had his daughter suddenly confiscated from him, Claude frowns. “But…if Claire isn’t there, it won’t be a contest.” “Claire is not the reason for that discussion, Master Claude.” “Oh, she’s not?” “A daughter won’t respect her father if he doesn’t work.” “Where am I meeting Baal and Vica? I mustn’t be late.” “This way,” Keith answers with a smile, and sets off in the lead. Aileen follows the pair quickly, so Claude won’t turn around and go back. They hardly have to wait in the room before the arrival of the holy king and the principal consort of Ashmael is announced, and Aileen and Claude make for the great entrance hall to meet them. From the top of the stairs, Aileen spies the figure of a tall woman with impeccable posture. Forgetting herself, she runs down to meet her. This is a private event, after all. “Lady Roxane! It’s been ages.” “Lady Aileen. Yes, it has been quite some time.” Roxane Shah Ashmael, principal consort of the Kingdom of Ashmael, turns and greets her with a quiet nod. Her face is expressionless, but her gestures are incredibly elegant and beautiful. “Even if we have corresponded by letter, it’s been a whole year.” “Indeed. I am glad to see you’re looking well.” “As am I, Lady Roxane. And Master Baal…whatever’s the matter?” The man standing behind Roxane, radiating gloom, is her husband: Baal Shah Ashmael, Ashmael’s holy king. The sight of his drooping friend seems to puzzle Claude. “Did you finally die?” he asks. “I’m alive, and you’re as rude as ever! It’s just…Roxane told us not to bring Estella to this meeting…!” Aileen steals a glance at Roxane, who is quietly watching her husband. “We would get nothing done if Estella were here,” she says. “So what?! It was the perfect chance to show this guy just how adorable she is!” “My daughter will not respect a father who doesn’t work.” Roxane’s remark leaves Baal speechless. For some reason, Claude looks triumphant. “That’s right. Daughters can’t abide fathers who don’t do their jobs. Claire is napping on the second floor, by the way. I’ll let you meet her if you’re quiet.” “Why are you gloating?! Do you think just having your daughter nearby means you win?!” “Winning and losing are trivial. My daughter is here, and yours is not. That’s all that matters. Your daughter may be able to walk, but she can’t make it all the way over here yet, can she?” “Heh… Claude, don’t tell us you think walking is all our sweet Estella can do.” “What?” “Just the other day, Estella called us ‘Fazza’…!” Claude staggers back, reeling. Baal puffs his chest out and laughs. “How’s that?! Your daughter can’t possibly be calling you ‘Father’ yet!” “…Time will resolve all of that. On the contrary, it means I have something to look forward to!” “Ha! Don’t bother putting a brave face on it! By the time your daughter calls you ‘Father,’ ours will be going for walks holding our hand!” The demon king and the holy king are waging a ferocious battle, but being forced to witness such a dismally pointless contest is painful for their wives. “Lady Aileen, I’m terribly sorry. It must make you feel quite hopeless, realizing that a father can be this incorrigible more than a year after his daughter’s birth.” “Thank you for your concern, Lady Roxane. I’ll prepare myself for that.” “How shall we induce them to work?” “Sorry I’m late!” A bell chimes, alerting them that a visitor has arrived, and a young man hurries in. Vica Tsar Kilvas, the young emperor of the Kilvas Empire, is out of breath, and he’s come without guards. He gives them a bashful smile. “I’ve had to make official visits to all sorts of places because of the conference. It’s been a long time since we last met.” Vica is Claude’s cousin, with identical features to the emperor of Ellmeyer. Baal hasn’t met him before, and his eyes widen. “We’d heard the rumors, but you really do look alike. An amiable version of you, hmm…? How creepy.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Might you be Holy King Baal?” The friendly young emperor isn’t offended by Baal’s comment, and he speaks to him candidly. “It’s good to meet you. Please call me Vica. And you are King Baal’s wife?” “Yes, I am Roxane. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. I hear this conference is all thanks to your hard work, Emperor Vica.” “Hardly mine alone. I’m sure I couldn’t even have left Kilvas without the help of my prime minister and the Valkyries who’ve remained with us. More than anything, it’s thanks to the fact that Ellmeyer and Ashmael spoke to the other nations about it. Isn’t that right, Big Brother Claude?” Vica glances at him, and Claude’s expression softens. It makes Claude happy when his cousin calls him “Brother” and relies on him. Roxane quietly whispers in Aileen’s ear, “We mustn’t let our guard down around this one.” “No. He’s a good person, though.” “Oh, right. Perfect timing,” Baal says. “Let’s have you judge who is cuter, our daughter Estella or that guy’s daughter.” The contest between the holy king’s and the demon king’s beloved daughters—which Vica’s entrance finally put a stop to—has reared its head again. Understandably, Roxane’s eyes have gone cold. Aileen tucks her chin and glares at Claude. However, Vica’s eyes are wide, and he gives an amiable smile. “Your daughters? They must be awfully cute.” “See? You get it. You’re a promising fellow.” “Of course he is; he’s my cousin. Come on, Vica, I’ll take you to meet my daughter.” “No, we’ll introduce you to our daughter first. She’s cute. Really cute.” “It must be nice. My wife ran off on me, so having a daughter is beyond my wildest dreams.” Everyone in the room freezes up. The fact that he’s petrified the demon king and the holy king doesn’t seem to disturb the young emperor at all, because he continues cheerfully, “All I do now is work. I envy you; both your work and family lives sound fulfilling.”