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STARTING from the east, parts of the Kingdom of Kophe fell under Richard’s jurisdiction with rapid momentum. The citizens joyfully accepted a ruler who guaranteed their safety as did the lords of each region because they naturally wanted to avoid destruction visiting their lands. As for the landed lords who opposed Richard, there were reports of their subjects rebelling against them.
The Church too had split into two sides, with the newly established Saints’ Faction. Up until now, the organization’s hierarchy revolved around the high priest as the central pillar. But the Saints’ Faction wanted the Church’s core to focus on the divine blessings and protections afforded by the saints.
I was shown the faction’s crest, but for some reason, it felt like I was looking at a profile of my own face. Or perhaps it was just my imagination?
We were currently traveling down a heavily guarded route on our way to Whistler, the second largest city in the Kingdom. During our journey, we saw the flags of the Flame Corps erected at various bases, and the people of Kophe welcoming Richard’s knights with warm cheers.
Richard and I were alone inside the carriage. We were eating baguette sandwiches on the coach ride because we wouldn’t have time to rest for a while after arriving at the castle that was our next destination. The words Darius said to me a few days ago echoed in my head.
If Richard…tries to kiss…me…would I blow him away…?
My heart always pounded strangely whenever we were together, so I tried my best not to look directly at him. So naturally, I ended up staring out of the window most of the time, catching sight of pristine flags bearing Richard’s crest staked in desolate fields.
It was enough to dampen my excitement a little at being alone with him.
I murmured quietly, “Won’t the Kingdom of Kophe do something to stop this situation?”
“They can’t stop it. Not anymore,” Richard replied matter-of-factly as he chewed on his sandwich. He licked a spot of red sauce clinging to his finger. “The royal court, the parliament, and the Church haven’t been able to keep up with our momentum. If parliament decides to prioritize expelling me from the country, the lords’ opposition will grow stronger since their lands and their people are suffering from the ongoing monster attacks. Having said that, voicing objections to the Church’s monster extermination strategy means a complete disavowal of the high priest himself, so that’s not an option. As for apologizing to the Arousing Priestess—it would be tantamount to the royal family forfeiting their authority after having driven you out. The king would be forced to abdicate and Crown Prince Medaikonar would be stripped of his position as well.”
“Isn’t statecraft supposed to be conducted by a gathering of wise and powerful people? So why have things turned out so terribly?” I asked. “Though I’m not sure if it means much for a commoner like me to say this.”
“Kophe has enjoyed peace for far too long. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, protected from invasion by other countries because of the presence of monsters, and those very monsters destroyed diligently by the holy women. The existence of said women led to a plateauing of research in medical care and weaponry. Protecting this long-held precedent meant no advances in technology. As long as something was done about the monsters, nothing else mattered because of the country’s ideal geographic location blessing it with a temperate climate and plenty of water.”
Richard opened his mouth wide and took a huge bite of the baguette sandwich. He chewed and swallowed, then licked his lips. His princely good looks and the way he filled out his gorgeous uniform only enhanced his incredibly masculine gestures. He was such a temptation, I had to look away for the sake of my own sanity.
If those lips…drew close to mine…
Would I blow him away with wind? Or…
“Miss Monica, you’ve been shaking your head a lot. Is your neck stiff perhaps?” he asked me.
“Lately, I’ve been losing my mind over the smallest things, so I’ve been making a conscious effort to abstain from those thoughts.” I chomped into my sandwich as I replied to him, all the while mulling the problem at hand seriously.
Truthfully, the Empire was remarkably forward-thinking and eager for reforms. Even a questionable woman like myself had somehow adapted to life there as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and new ideas were being implemented more and more. In comparison, there was Kophe. Even though I’d been chosen as the crown prince’s consort despite being a saint of common birth, it was still fundamentally a conservative society, rooted in precedent.
“So through its own actions, or in this case, inaction…Kophe has reached a point where it essentially has no choice but to accept the Empire.”
“Indeed. Even if we’re acting under the guise of humanitarian aid, it would be a nuisance being perceived as a threat. But we’re managing that aspect quite well,” Richard responded very nonchalantly.
He spoke only the truth. There was no chaos in the locations under his authority. During the period the Empire was actively expanding its territory, it respected the unique cultures and governances of each location. The imperial way of doing things was clearly working in Kophe too.
“Oh, Richard, look,” I said. “There are people on the other side of the field.”
We both stuck our heads out the window. Around twenty people had gathered on the other side of the field. From their attire, they looked to be local farmers and residents. They all bowed their heads deeply as our carriage rolled by.
Ruined fields and people bowing their heads in gratitude.
“…They must have waited for us to pass through.”
My chest tightened painfully. The smallest change in fate and I might have been standing with them. A commoner who grew up in a farming village. One temporarily affianced to Kophe’s heir. The Arousing Priestess now belonging to the Empire.
There must be something only I, Monica Regulus, can do.
“Richard. I want to help those people,” I said.
“All right…as long as you don’t go overboard with the sympathy and hurt yourself, Miss Monica.”
“I know, I know. I won’t make the same mistake again.”
His gaze on my face, Richard smiled at me. Even though I knew he was only being kind because I was a saint, my heart still leapt with a sweet, completely inappropriate emotion.
Ahhh, I’m losing my mind again… Disgraceful, to have such thoughts toward His Imperial Highness…
I could heal my body with my supernatural powers, but I had no idea how to mend broken emotions. Unacceptable for the Arousing Priestess. I squeezed my hands into fists.