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Chapter 191
Remnants of Memories ~Unfulfilled Promises~
“Huh? The academy won’t be able to open?”
Ludwig’s words suddenly awakened Mia’s sleepy head. All the father-daughter talk last night vanished.
Well
 I thought that something like this would be the case.
Considering that Ludwig asked her to come back urgently and the things she had read from the Princess Mia Chronicles, Mia wasn’t that shocked from the news.
Mia sigh deeply, then ask Ludwig in a slow, calm, quiet voice.
“Why?”
Mia expected that Viscount Berman was meddling again, but Ludwig’s answer was unexpected.
“Actually, the lecturers I have been reaching out declined one after another. Lord Bachmann, who was supposed to be the president, and Lord Hillerbeck, who is an authority on religious studies; they both backed out of the arrangement.”
In order to open the academy that Mia was aiming for, Ludwig made full use of his personal connections and tried to gather excellent human resources. Thanks to the full use of Princess Mia’s name, the fundraising was going well, and the gathering of talented people as staff has started.
Or at least that’s what Mia had received during the last report.
“Not only that, but the people also who supported the establishment of Academy City are now reluctant to cooperate.”
“What? What’s going on? What did this happen?” Mia was so alarmed that she involuntarily pulled out of her chair. She was expecting trouble, but not this much.
“I can’t say for sure yet, but
 it seems that the Greenmoon family is pulling the strings behind the scenes.”
“Oh, it’s Esmeralda’s house, isn’t it? Hmm
”
Mia folded her arms.
If I remember correctly, Duke Greenmoon was the same as my father. He is a daughter-con sweet to Esmeralda. Then, if I ask Esmeralda

Her plan was ruthlessly cut off by Ludwig.
“It seems that everything is being done under the instructions of Esmeralda-sama. Mia-sama, do you have any idea why this is happening?”
“No!”
Mia, who opened her mouth in astonishment, started clenching her teeth at the next moment.
“Gununu
 Esmeralda. Do you have a grudge against me?”
In Mia’s mind, the face of her tea-drinking friend who was laughing loudly came to mind.
—
Around that time that Mia was screaming her head off, her friend, Esmeralda was just waking up late from her bed.
“Ah
”
She yawned then looked around the room with blurry eyes. A small whisper escaped from her lips.
“I had a bad dream
”
Just remembering it makes her shudder
 it was a dream of the Tearmoon Empire collapsing. A world where the empire was being ravaged by food shortages, financial collapse, rebellions from minority tribes and epidemics.
In her dream, Esmeralda, who was depressed by the worsening situation, visited the Whitemoon Palace. The beautiful castle, which boasts its majestic appearance that does not change at any time, lifts Esmeralda’s heart and makes her proud as an imperial noble.
“Ah, the empire is fine
 It’s impossible for our glorious Tearmoon empire to fall to ruins.”
Esmeralda regained her energy and walked lightly through the corridors of the palace, where she found her best friend, Mia Luna Tearmoon, with a dark and sunken face.
“Oh, good evening, Mia-sama.”
Mia did not look too well. It seems that she has been running around various places, with a loyal civil officer, for the sake of the empire.
My, that’s hardly the way a princess should carry herself.
Esmeralda wanted to cheer her friend up, and so

“That’s right. Mia-sama, next time, let’s have a tea party at my house. I’ll invite a lot of guests and make it grand. And as proud imperial nobles, we will pledge to do our best for this empire. I will also have your favorite caked prepared. Doesn’t it sound wonderful?”
When she said that, Mia smiled happily.
“That’s indeed very nice. I’m looking forward to it, Esmeralda.”
“Yes, it will surely exceed your expectations, Mia-sama.”
Seeing Mia’s expression brighten, Esmeralda feels slightly satisfied.
“Really, you’re worrying too much. Mia-sama
 There’s no way this glorious Tearmoon Empire can ever fall. All this doom and gloom are nonsense. Just ignore the stupid dogs barking about.”
Shrugging her shoulders, Esmeralda returned to her mansion.
It was that night.
“Esmeralda, hey, Esmeralda
”
She felt her body shaken gently. There is no way such rudeness would be tolerated by her, who is the daughter of a Duke. In an instant, Esmeralda’s anger boiled up and she opened her eyes, but she was surprised when she saw the person standing in the dark room.
“Oh, father? What are you doing in the middle of the night?”
“Ah, well, actually
 This is rather sudden, but we Greenmoon people have decided to leave the Imperial Capital.”
“
 Huh? Leaving? What do you mean?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard this, but the empire is in a dangerous situation. That’s why I got in touch with friends of mine from a foreign country to ask them if they can shelter us.”
“
 I don’t understand, but father, that is
 Greenmoon family will run away from this empire with our tails between our legs
 Is that what you are saying?”
With angry eyes, Esmeralda vigorously rose from the bed.
“Absolutely not. Are we not one of the Four Dukes? Do we not have our pride from our allegiance to the Emperor? Besides, I made a promise. I will be having a tea party with Her Highness Princess Mia
”
“Of course, I think that the empire will recover. But we will need help to do it.  That is why we need to bide our time and gather our strength, so that we may return in greater force and drive out these mongrels.”
Saying that, Duke Greenmoon grabbed Esmeralda’s arm.
“Let’s go. We don’t have time.”
“But what about His Majesty the Emperor? And what about Her Highness Princess Mia!?”
“It’s okay. The rest of the Four Dukes will protect His Majesty. In the meantime, we will prepare a counterattack across the sea.”
“But, but I have a promise, Father.  And Mia looked so happy!”
“Yeah. Enough. Let’s go.”
“Ouch! Father, please let me go. I
”
Thus, the Greenmoon family escaped overseas. Esmeralda tried many times to find a way to return to the empire, but she never got the chance

The promise of a tea party with Mia was never fulfilled.
“
 a bad dream. Seriously, why did I have such a strange dream?”
Esmeralda got out of bed and took off her dress that was soaked with sweat. Behind her exposed naked body, a girl attendant approaches without a sound and puts on her the St. Noel’s uniform.
“Hey, are you working properly as I requested?”
“Yes. Esmeralda-sama. We have received a notice from the mansion. It is said that the sabotage has already begun against Her Highness Princess Mia’s academy town plan.”
“Yes
 that’s great. Mia, you’re now in trouble, I’m sure. Ufufu
”
Esmeralda smiled as she brushes her long, thick hair lightly.
“It’s all your fault, isn’t it? Mia-sama. This is what happens when you did not give me the respect I deserve.”
Esmeralda Etoile Greenmoon. One of the Four Dukes of the empire, the daughter of the Green Moon family. She considers herself Mia’s best friend and also her rival. Recently, she has been very dissatisfied with Mia’s lack of attention to her.
Even if she invites Mia to a tea party, she won’t stay for long. And Mia haven’t even invited her to any tea party. So, Esmeralda is very, very, very dissatisfied.
You see, Esmeralda was very, very, very much a handful.
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