Word of Lowellmina’s victory rapidly spread across the continent. The once-ignored princess had soundly defeated her older brothers and taken the throne. A dumbfounded and confused populace bore witness to the very first Empress. Every world leader took the news differently. Falcasso’s Prince Miroslav groaned, but Soljest’s King Gruyere burst into raucous laughter.
As for the Empire’s ally, Natra…
“Oh…? So the Empire now has an Empress.”
“Yes. I was surprised as well.”
In a room inside the royal family’s detached villa, Falanya discussed this major development with bedridden King Owen.
“Wein told me he’ll be away for a while because of this. Someone wishes to meet him, so he has his hands full.”
“Natra and the Empire are allies. Plus, this comes as no surprise when you consider the friendship your brother shares with Princess Lowellmina. Still, you must feel lonely and upset, Falanya.”
“F-Father! I’m not a child anymore!”
“Ha-ha-ha, forgive me. As a parent, you’ll always be my little girl.”
Owen stroked Falanya’s hair apologetically as she pouted. The two were truly father and daughter. Falanya spoke softly while the king consoled her.
“I wonder why Princess Lowellmina wanted to be Empress so badly.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well…it’s a difficult job, isn’t it? I was only Wein’s stand-in, but the work was endless. I can’t imagine how busy she’ll be as a sovereign. Had she remained a princess, she could have lived a peaceful, easy life with no worries.”
Falanya had spoken with Lowellmina in the merchant city of Mealtars and during the princess’s visit to Natra. She was cheerful, beautiful, and intelligent. Falanya had difficulty accepting Lowellmina and Wein’s close friendship, but excluding that, she thought the princess was quite charming. Such qualities alone would have guaranteed her a blissful life without ever becoming Empress.
“Hmm…” Owen briefly pondered his daughter’s question. “I’ve never met Princess Lowellmina personally… But from what I’ve heard of her, I doubt she was goaded by her vassals or lured by power.”
“Then why?”
“She must have a goal beyond the throne.”
Falanya stiffened at this remark.
“Happiness is born from acceptance. Even if Princess Lowellmina is beloved by her citizens and enjoys all the comforts of life, a dismal shadow would have haunted her until she accepted this fate. The princess could have elected to coexist with that darkness…but she didn’t. Unable to embrace the joyous future she was handed, Princess Lowellmina purposefully raced down a perilous road.”
How admirable, Falanya thought. It was certainly one way to strengthen one’s heart. Any such person must be noble indeed.
What did this say about Falanya? Natra’s princess was a worrywart who spun around in circles. The age gap between her and Lowellmina made no difference. Even if both girls had been the same age and rank, Falanya never would have aimed to become Empress. They were two completely different people.
“…Falanya.”
“Ah, yes? What is it, Father?”
“It’s all right to question your path. Ask yourself what you want to do and what you are willing to accept.”
Falanya mulled over her father’s words. Should she support Natra as its princess or rule as its leader? Which choice could she live with?
“Pardon me.” After a knock at the door, a young man with white hair and crimson eyes entered. He was Levan, King Owen’s Flahm aide. “Your Majesty, it is time for your medicinal bath and physical examination.”
“Already? I’m sorry we couldn’t talk longer, Falanya.”
“Don’t worry, Father. You’ve given me much to consider.” Falanya gave a deep bow, unwilling to interrupt his medical care. “I’ll excuse myself for today. Please take care of yourself, Father.”
“I will. Don’t push yourself too hard, Falanya.”
Once his daughter had left the room, Owen faced Levan.
“So I take it you have something to discuss with me?”
“Your Majesty is as astute as ever.”
“Heh. Well, we’ve known each other for a long time.”
Owen and Levan exchanged quiet smiles that reflected the trust they’d built over the years as master and servant. Then Levan’s gaze narrowed.
“It is not pleasant news, but I must tell you all the same—it concerns us Flahm.”
Lowellmina adored the Empire. She loved it to pieces and vowed to devote every ounce of herself to its prosperity.
Yet while the Empire was a meritocracy, a girl like Lowellmina had few options. She had to be someone trustworthy. Virtuous and loving. Regal and feminine. Such traits had been continuously forced on her, and Lowellmina despised them with every fiber of her being. As she’d grown more despondent, the princess was advised to enter the military academy. Many noble girls attended, apparently. A faint hope had bloomed in Lowellmina’s chest, and she had entered the school under the name Lowa Felbis.
But nothing was different there…
For female students, the academy was nothing more than an opportunity to land a future husband, and everyone was satisfied to follow the script they’d been given. Not one girl demonstrated the will to determine her future by her merit.
Bombarded by disappointment, despair, and resignation, Lowellmina had grown more distant. Then one day, she’d heard a rumor concerning a group of four brilliant but reckless students who lived by their own rules. Unwilling to accept defeat, Lowellmina had observed the quartet and had been stunned by what she saw.
These people…they’re…
They did whatever they pleased by whatever method suited their fancy and depended on no one else. They set out to do something and did.
Despite her eagerness, Lowellmina hadn’t been able to easily carve out her own path like these four. She’d desperately wished to be more like them.
And perhaps she could. Yes, it was possible. She’d only needed to get closer.
In that case…!
Lowellmina had gathered up a lifetime’s worth of courage and walked over to the group.
“I’m curious about you all. Will you let me observe you?”
To be honest, she was still bitter about Wein’s scathing reply.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Ahh, I am going to die! This is the end! Farewell!”
Back in the present day, victorious Lowellmina’s wails echoed through the halls of the Imperial Palace.
“Why is there sooo much to do?! Even if I could split myself into a pair, they still wouldn’t be enough!”
After finally defeating her three brothers and taking the throne, Lowellmina also inherited all the responsibilities that came with the Empress position. She was ready to enjoy a new golden age, but that splendor was superficial. In reality, Lowellmina was at the end of her rope.
“Yes, that does sound rough.”
“Don’t act like you’re not involved, Strang!”
Lowellmina’s friend leisurely sipped his tea while she ran around like a headless chicken. He was quite relaxed for someone who’d betrayed his master.
“Please help me out! You can handle a few documents, can’t you?!”
“No thanks. It sounds like a pain.”
“Curse you, Four-Eyes…!”
Lowellmina glowered at him with disdain, but Strang pressed on.
“Well, it’s more than just a matter of inconvenience. I need to keep my position in mind. Now that I’ve openly betrayed Prince Manfred, I don’t want to draw unwanted attention by sticking close to you, Lowa.”
Word of the incident in Manfred’s camp would soon spread across the continent and go down in history. Strang didn’t care about others’ opinions, but it was wise to avoid inciting resentment.
“Why are you so indifferent? Thanks to the ruckus you caused, keeping a low profile will be impossible. You and Glen should just become my aides already.”
“Oh right. Come to think of it, what will Glen do?”
“He said he can’t help me until he atones for his transgressions. He’s put himself under voluntary house arrest.”
“Some things never change,” Strang said with a wry smile.
“This is no laughing matter!” Lowellmina cried. “I need all the help I can get! That includes you, Strang! You said you planned to betray Manfred all along, so please be my pawn! I promise I won’t hate you as much!”
“I see. Yes, I suppose that’s the best course of action.”
“Excellent! We have a verbal contract. In that case, you can start on this half of the paperwork mountain! I don’t want to hear any gripes. Don’t stop for even a second!”
Lowellmina pushed her files on Strang, and he raised his hands in surrender.
“Okay, okay, I’ll help you… But first, there’s something I’d like to confirm.”
“It’s about Wespail, right?” Lowellmina narrowed her eyes. “I won’t break my promise, no matter how long it takes. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure its autonomy is recognized.”
“I’m relieved to hear it. However, there’s one more thing that concerns me.” Strang’s tone turned grave. “Can you guarantee Wespail won’t be punished for the matter we discussed?”
“Yes,” Lowellmina replied. “But I can’t swear I won’t ever take advantage of it.”
“…What’s that supposed to mean, Lowellmina?”
✦ ✦ ✦
