NTWBR 03

Chapter 03

“Which will you choose, Your Highness?”

At Ernst’s urging, Irene tightly closed her violet eyes.

All she had done was declare, upon waking to this new life, that she would no longer live the same life as before.

“Sir Ernst.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“If it were you, Sir… what would you do?”

“…….”

Irene looked at Ernst.

Whatever it was, only one answer remained for Irene.

To keep the words she had spoken with her own lips.

However, it seemed that asking the question back at Ernst, who was urging her, had been effective.

Ernst said nothing. He simply looked at Irene.

“Why do you not answer, Sir Ernst?”

“Your Highness—no, Lady Peirelin.”

“Yes, Sir Ernst.”

“Will you become an Empress like Empress Francesca?”

Empress Francesca.

Ernst was referring to the first Empress in the history of the Istana Empire.

Irene, having studied history as part of her education, knew her well.

Empress Francesca the Great, the greatest Emperor in the history of the Empire who transformed Istana from a Kingdom to an Empire, and the first Empress, and her consort, Grand Duke Alonzo of Geb.

Empress Francesca was a monarch who left a lasting mark on Istana’s history, born a princess, becoming Queen, and later venerated as Empress.

*’If I… become Emperor, can I become that kind of Emperor?’*

Seeing Irene lost in thought, Ernst rose from his seat.

“I imagine you have much to think about, Lady Peirelin. I will return at this time tomorrow.”

As Ernst and Count Buri left, Irene finally had time alone.

Having time to herself for a change, Irene closed her eyes.

*’I need to recall my memories as much as possible. That’s the only way I can survive.’*

Irene resolved to remember as much as she could.

Now that her half-brother was born, her father, Fern V, would decide on one of two things.

Deposing the current Empress, Laila, or having Laila adopt the child.

By doing one of these, he would create legitimacy for the succession of the newborn, her half-brother…

Reaching that point in her thoughts, Irene opened her closed eyes.

“Is the only way for me to survive… this?”

Having declared her intention to become Emperor, the only way to survive was to become Emperor, using her memories from her previous life as much as possible.

Having openly declared her challenge to the Emperor, there would be checks against her accordingly.

Yet, she judged that she couldn’t move too openly either.

Moreover, Irene had declared that she would no longer be just a flower in the palace, so she was in a situation where she had to create her own path.

Thinking about it, it wasn’t as if there was no family that could back Irene.

Irene’s maternal family, the Welbrun family, was the foremost family in the Istana Empire.

This was fortunate for Irene, at least.

If she could act as intended and secure the support of the Welbrun family, that is.

“I need to see my uncle sometime.”

Kaleton le Welbrun.

He is Irene’s maternal uncle, who became the 12th Duke of Welbrun last year after the previous Duke passed away.

The House of Welbrun was famous for its powerful influence over the empire’s politics for generations.

And the current Duke, Kaleton le Welbrun, was also famous for not easily revealing his power, despite his considerable strength and influence.

In fact, Kaleton le Welbrun was the first Sword Master produced by the Welbrun family, which had been traditionally known for its civil officials.

Thanks to him, he was also the one who earned the reputation that the Welbrun family had finally balanced its civil and military might.

He was also the youngest Sword Master on the Ircan continent.

However, in her previous life, he was someone who had never once shown his face to Irene until the day she left for Mestia.

Reaching this point in her thoughts, Irene’s mouth turned bitter once more.

*’Will my uncle truly move as I wish?’*

He was someone who hadn’t shown his face even once until the day his niece was married off to another country, so she wondered if it would even be possible to meet him if she asked now.

But she had to meet him.

Otherwise, she would not be able to protect Istana—her thoughts reached that far.

When these thoughts resurfaced, Irene shook her head, trying hard to shake them off.

Now was the time she had to think she could do everything.

Just as she had declared before foreign envoys that she would become Emperor.

She had to move.

Furthermore, since Irene herself had mentioned the empire’s food situation, she had to act even more.

Irene thought she needed to show action to match her resolve.

The next day.

Ernst Clayton requested an audience, and Irene accepted.

Then, Ernst, dressed plainly unlike the previous day, entered Irene’s study.

“It’s been a while, Sir Ernst.”

“I greet Your Highness.”

“You may dispense with the formalities.”

“…Have you made your decision?”

“You get straight to the point.”

“I too must decide whether Your Highness will be my liege.”

“Liege…!”

Ernst’s words were strangely against etiquette, but Irene paid it no mind.

Her heart was simply racing and fluttering.

Nevertheless, she couldn’t openly show her delight.

Beyond that wall, beyond that door. There was no telling who might be eavesdropping or watching.

Moreover, as she had no immediate forces at her disposal, she judged that she had to be cautious for now.

“Sir Ernst. What do you mean by that? Liege?”

“Your Highness. I saw it yesterday.”

“Saw… what?”

“Your Highness ascending the throne.”

“Watch your words!”

Irene cautioned Ernst, thinking she needed to be careful for now.

If only she had the backing of a faction right now!

It was also true that the word ‘liege’ didn’t sound bad to her.

“I don’t know what I need to be careful about, Your Highness.”

“Sir Ernst!”

“Was it not Your Highness who was in the audience chamber yesterday?”

“…….”

At Ernst’s strangely provoking words, Irene tried to smile while tightening her grip on the hem of her dress.

“You don’t have to wear a mask even in front of me, do you?”

“What nonsense!”

“If not, I don’t know what you’re hesitating about.”

Ernst looked directly at Irene and said everything he had to say.

Seeing Ernst like that, Irene released her clenched hand.

She had gripped it so tightly that deep nail marks remained on her palm.

Looking at the marks on her palm, Irene opened her desk drawer and took out a letter.

“Your Highness?”

“…….”

She hesitated.

If she handed this letter to Ernst now, she would truly become a political enemy of her father, Fern V, vying for the throne.

But if she didn’t give it?

Then it would just end with her prostrating before the Emperor and begging.

And she would just return to living a passive life.

At that moment, what came to mind was the baby who had died in her womb without even seeing the light of day.

Only then did Irene’s head cool down.

If Irene apologized to Fern V for yesterday’s events, she couldn’t guarantee that she wouldn’t live the same life as in her previous life.

“…Sir Ernst.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

Ernst received the letter Irene held out and looked at her.

Irene straightened her back and adjusted her posture, as if deciding to withstand Ernst’s gaze with her entire being.

“Deliver this to the Duke of Welbrun. That will be all.”

“Do you trust me?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, do you trust me, Your Highness?”

“…What if I don’t?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I have already given you, Sir, a letter written by my own hand. And I have even asked you to deliver it to my uncle, the Duke of Welbrun. What more is there to hide? The contents? Or the letter itself?”

“…….”

“It doesn’t seem like the time to answer the question you asked me a moment ago.”

“…….”

“Deliver that letter to the Duke of Welbrun. After you deliver it, you will know, Sir.”

With that, Irene dismissed Ernst.

Ernst looked at Irene for a moment, then left the study.

Irene began to gaze at the garden spread out beyond the window.

*’Uncle, please, please give me an answer!’*

The only person Irene could ask for help right now was Duke Kaleton le Welbrun.

Laila seemed utterly useless.

If Laila could be of help to Irene, she wouldn’t have been trembling like that in the audience chamber yesterday.

“Or else… what should I do…”

She felt lost. No one had offered to help, yet she wondered why she had caused such a scene and was now trying to fix it.

Because she had lost a child in her previous life?

Perhaps.

Because she had been the target of a political marriage in her previous life?

Perhaps.

But if she kept being consumed by her past life, Irene wondered who and what she truly was.

Reaching this point, Irene shook her head slightly.

She felt she didn’t need to keep dwelling on the past.

What she needed to think about right now was a meeting with the Duke of Welbrun.

“Please, Uncle, do not refuse your niece’s request.”

At that time, at the Welbrun Ducal Residence.

“What business does the eldest son of Count Buri have with me?”

Ernst was having a private audience with Duke Kaleton le Welbrun.

He was known to train daily and rarely showed his face in political circles.

However, like a member of the Welbrun family, famous for its striking looks, the Duke’s appearance was dazzling.

“I greet His Grace the Duke of Welbrun.”

“Spare me the formalities, and get to the point. What is it?”

“You are different from what I’ve heard.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The Duke of Welbrun, his sharp golden eyes shining as he looked at Ernst, began to emit a subtle aura.

The pinnacle of martial arts, an aura that only a Sword Master who has reached the extreme with the sword can display.

He was projecting it towards Ernst, a mere civil official.

Reading the Duke’s intention to test him openly, Ernst gave a bitter smile.

*’He’s testing me right now!’*

The fact that the Duke was testing him like this was proof that he knew about yesterday’s events.

Realizing this, Ernst could only smile.

“You have courage.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Ernst felt there was no need for further idle talk.

So he took out the letter Irene had given him from his breast pocket.

“I come on an errand for Her Highness, Princess Irene de Istana, Your Grace.”

“Irene?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“…Ah, I remember now.”

It was the Duke of Welbrun, speaking as if openly disregarding Irene.

Ernst began to feel anger at the Duke’s attitude, openly dismissing her in front of someone who had come on an errand for his own niece and a princess of the realm.

“Yes. Leave it there.”

“Your Grace.”

“What.”

“Shouldn’t you at least read it? Privately, it is a letter sent by your niece.”

“Is there a reason for me to take time right now to read something sent by a mere chess piece? If there is, speak.”

The Duke of Welbrun now openly referred to Irene as a mere chess piece.

“…Please read it.”

“Are you saying the messenger doesn’t even know the contents?”

“Her Highness only asked me to deliver it to her uncle, Your Grace.”

“…Fine. I’ll read it now.”

The Duke roughly broke the wax seal on the letter and began to read.

The Duke’s expression as he read the letter changed moment by moment.

Ernst wanted to ask what was in it, but he held back.

“Interesting.”

“Is that so?”

“I didn’t know my niece was this kind of person.”

“…….”

He could only offer a faint smile.

“Lord Clayton.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Go and tell her. I’ll visit soon. Butler! Show the guest out!”

Having left the Welbrun residence as if being chased out, Ernst turned his steps back towards the palace.

Although he hadn’t been told to bring an answer today, he felt he had to deliver this news even a minute sooner.

If he did, he thought he might also get an answer to the question he had asked Irene.

However, having hurriedly ridden to the palace gates, Ernst found himself unable to enter.

The Imperial Guard had blocked his way.

“Why! Why can’t I enter! I’m on an errand for Her Highness!”