/
Chapter 38
Translated by Yonnee
The first agenda of the imperial conference was a formal dinner.
With all the key figures of the empire gathered at the large dining hall, Isabelle looked around for one certain person.
“My Isabelle. I heard that Roiqan Pilsburg won’t be able to come to dinner. He couldn’t sleep because of nightmares, they say… Gosh, he’s not even a child anymore.”
Isis explained to Isabelle, shaking her head as though she truly thought he’s a lost cause.
Even so, Isabelle’s stiff expression didn’t let up at all.
“My Isabelle. As your God, shouldn’t I share your burdens?”
“No, it’s mine to bear.”
Even until death, she didn’t want anyone to find out the cause for why she was being restless.
And this wouldn’t change just because the one in front of her now was an omnipotent goddess.
‘Was it just a rumor that Riggs’ lower body isn’t working? Or is the problem somewhere else?’
Pulling from her literary knowledge of all the smut novels she had read, Isabelle began to analyze the situation.
She listed down the symptoms one by one, flashing through her mind.
‘It’s not that he couldn’t do it at all, but maybe it’s a matter of how long he can last?’
Wasn’t there more than just one or two things that could go wrong with a man’s lower body?
Isabelle surmised that this was a plausible theory.
At the same time, she was surprised that she was even thinking of Riggs in this way.
She couldn’t believe that she was seeing Riggs, her childhood friend who was basically family to her, as a man.
It would be better not to be caught by anyone.
Fortunately, today’s seating at the dining hall was arranged according to the Cardiago Duchy’s formal etiquette.
Riggs and Isabelle, as the lord and the madam of this estate and the hosts of the event, were seated at the far ends of the long table.
‘I’m glad there’s physical distance between us at least.’
Of course, there was still a communication magic tool beside her so that they could talk smoothly over the distance, but it was still better that she couldn’t feel his body temperature next to her.
As the dinner began, people chatted lightly about this and that, enjoying the gourmet meal.
Riggs also mentioned Roiqan Pilsburg briefly as he wasn’t here.
“I heard that Lord Pilsburg had suffered terrible nightmares last night, which is why he couldn’t be of attendance.”
People murmured that it was fortunate, but they rushed to cover their words.
“He should be taking a good nap at this moment.”
* * *
“He must be feeling burdened by his position. Usually people of the direct lineage don’t have to attend an event like this.”
“What do you mean, just because he’s been approved by His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t mean that a man’s capabilities would rise overnight.”
The nobles whispered amongst themselves more and more, and if Roiqan was here to listen to any of them, he surely would have had indigestion.
And in the background, the servants of the Cardiago Duchy were soaking it all up.
Even those who were from the faction siding with the Pilsburg Imperial Family expressed their displeasure at Roiqan being the imperial representative at this conference.
For Isabelle, it was all so amazing to witness.
‘They do say that even if you know human nature, the human mind is unfathomable.’
She could see why Rosa compared high society to a jungle.
People continued to talk about Roiqan Pilsburg for a long time.
And they didn’t seem to care much about whether his aides were here or not.
Riggs, who was keeping quiet all this time, changed the subject to another topic.
“It would have been nice for a representative from Ryzelin to be with us here as well.”
The Ryzelin Duchy , being a household that wielded divine power that had been granted by the goddess Isis, was one of the empire’s three major families along with Cardiago and Pilsburg.
Since it was located south of the capital city of Pilsburg, it was the furthest from the northern region of Cardiago.
But since the attendees were given the chance to use teleportation gates, they should have arrived yesterday.
“It has been a few years since the outbreak of the noxious vapor in the south. There are predictions that it will be more severe this year, so I believe they’re stranded at the moment.”
Someone from Pilsburg’s side explained.
Just as the man said, the Ryzelin domain was suffering from noxious vapor near their estate.
If they try to open the teleportation gate while the vapor was prevalent in the air, then it might cause damage all the way here in Cardiago.
That’s why they were waiting for pure wind to blow in Ryzelin.
“Fortunately, the wind currents will change soon. Before the conference started, I received a telegram saying that Ryzelin’s entourage would be arriving tomorrow,” one reaper reported.
Isabelle just ate her salad, recalling the information she learned before.
‘So the older brother¹ of Ryzelin’s household head is the one who’ll attend as the family’s representative. And I heard that the household head can’t come out of the Ryzelin Castle because of the noxious vapor.’
Even though she was the successor to such a vast land, it was unfortunate that she couldn’t even be given the chance to see her domain.
It couldn’t be helped that extreme purity was needed for her heavenly power to be used.
“The only time we’ll be able to discuss the matter of the next emperor is when the Ryzelin Duchy’s representative arrives.”
“He should be arriving soon.”
The next emperor. The man who brought up the topic hurriedly covered his mouth.
The current emperor was still alive, and uttering any mention of the next emperor was tantamount to treason.
Even so, the man’s remarks incurred no rebuke.
Everyone had the same thoughts anyway, so they didn’t feel the need to admonish the man.
‘Roiqan Pilsburg’s attempt at kidnapping me might also have something to do with securing the throne.’
If he was truly worried about the direct lineage of the imperial bloodline being cut off, it would just be enough to announce the existence of a woman named Isabelle at the conference and seek official permission to take her to the emperor.
But of course, just because they’d try to ask politely, Isabelle had no intention of being taken to the Pilsburg domain, where she didn’t know anyone, and give birth to the son of the old, ailing emperor.
Still, Roiqan tried to secretly abduct Isabelle through Baron Iron.
This was obviously an attempt to take her for his personal gain.
‘I have no plans of letting Roiqan use me as a stepping stone to take the throne.’
Isabelle stabbed a piece of fruit in her salad with her fork.
* * *
On the day the conference started, Isabelle finished her preparations after reading the full minutes of the pre-proposed agendas.
When the men were participating in the meeting, the ladies usually gathered separately at their own tables and had teatime together. This was because socializing was also important to each household.
Isabelle first proposed to get rid of the custom of having to do the tea party, whether this was a desired outcome or not.
This was because she thought it would benefit her more to attend the meeting itself since she wasn’t used to the many responsibilities that this position came with just yet.
“Your Grace, the noblewomen have come to appreciate your insight. The others who do not have the common sense to understand your wisdom have since been filtered out at once.”
“I don’t mean it like that. Having tea together and socializing is also important. But for me right now, attending the meeting takes more precedence.”
Though Lizzie didn’t seem to be listening to Isabelle’s answer.
Originally, high society wouldn’t change just with the flip of a coin and in just one day.
But since the ruler of the social world of the north had just changed, it’s only right that the practices of this region’s high society would also shift.
Lizzy was relieved enough that she wouldn’t have to spend time in a stuffy glass greenhouse, chatting away without any point to what they’re talking about.
Still of course, there were some other people who didn’t like this sudden change.
As Isabelle was headed towards the conference hall, she ran into him.
‘Roiqan Pilsburg.’
He had slept poorly for the past few days, and he was visibly emaciated.
Some say that it was all due to the hatred of Goddess Isis.
Of course, Isabelle didn’t believe that.
And the same was true for Roiqan.
He was convinced that those hellish nightmares were spurned by Isabelle herself.
When he first arrived at the Cardiago Castle and had a calm, civilized conversation with Isabelle, he suddenly felt the Duke and the reapers exuding such murderous auras. His nightmares must have been her revenge on him.
Even so, he couldn’t openly express his hostility towards her.
“Duchess Cardiago, you are as beautiful as a lily today.”
And so, he hid his hostility beneath compliments.
Isabelle managed to hold back an incredulous laugh.
Comparing a woman’s beauty to a flower was something that even a shy man could do as a compliment towards a noblewoman.
But it just so happened that he compared her to a lily, the symbol of Goddess Isis and the Pilsburg family itself.
‘He knows for sure that I’m a direct descendant of the Pilsburg family. That’s why he’s trying to make me waver like this.’
If he did this a few days ago, then she might have felt indignant and thought that he was being absurd, and she would have expressed her frustration through silence and angry tears.
But it was different now.
“I am honored by your compliment. However, isn’t it out of place for you to liken me to the symbolic lily of the Pilsburg family’s household head?”
The more Isabelle maintained her affable smile, the more Roiqan’s eyes trembled.
It’s true that the imperial family’s symbol was the lily, but more precisely, it was the symbol of the emperor who’s been blessed by the goddess.
In other words, it was a jab at Roiqan not being fit to be emperor.
¹ the word used for older brother was ‘Oppa’, so here, it’s revealed that the real household head of Ryzelin is actually Iris Ryzelin, the younger sister
t/n: i recently switched from using kkp to ridi when it comes to getting raws for this novel because it’s much easier to buy stuff at ridibooks (go buy the volumes if you can too so that we can support the author~!)
so, from here on out, i won’t be following the chapter numbering in kkp anymore. instead, the chapter divisions will be based on the novel’s arcs (we’re currently in the middle of the volume two, arc seven)