Chapter 1: Princess Over the Wall (1)

Translated by Hikaru

Edited by Mel

When you fall in love, you become a moron, and the emperor becomes a fool. Otherwise, does it make sense for the Emperor Theodore, to put Arne, who helped founded this country, to death?

“This lunatic.”

Chloe, who was reading the court’s royal order, gnashed her teeth and made a loud noise.

“I’ve heard the empress was not there, but judging from what he’s doing, she’s pretty crazy about this.”

“…..”

“You sent away my father and brother to the Minran Army during a meeting because they rejected the tax increase proposed by the Empress?”

“He ordered me to leave immediately, not to be seized.”

“Since when did a craftsman’s word replace that of the armed forces?”

Chloe twisted her mouth and snorted at Evan’s words.

“Despite the unprecedented drought, we have increased taxes three times this year alone. Isn’t that why Minran happened?”

“…..”

“Do you think the conversation with the people who opposed the tax increase will go over well? What bullshit is this?”

The royal order in Chloe’s hand was wadded up with a crumpling sound.

“What a coward. If the Emperor dared to write the royal order saying Arne defied the royal court of the Empress Gillot, then he should at least be confident about his actions. I can’t believe he is playing words about Arne.”

Lowering her gaze, Chloe’s face displayed indescribable hatred that she couldn’t hide.

It was because of the people, that the emperor repeatedly roused Arne in such a clever way. Arne, who founded this empire by helping the Imperial Household Theodore, was not interested in politics.

It was 200 years ago. A manor that did not extend even one span, a sword that could not be pulled out alone. Arne built a nest in the northernmost part of the empire and only moved when something happened to the empire. The people absolutely trusted Arne, the ‘Empire’s Sword’. That was why Arne, who was at odds with Gillot, was like an eyesore to the Emperor, who could not act openly.

It was a pity for him to be wary of the people while he was swayed by his Imperial faction. I was glad that the coward knows who the scariest thing in the world is.

“Huft.”

The size of the Minran Army was close to 10,000. She knew it was time for Arne to step up.

However, it was not easy for Chloe to calm down after going through this one after another. Just a month ago, at the emperor’s behest Chloe became the fiancé of a crown prince that she had never seen. It started with Duke of Arne rebuking Count Gillot, who mocked the crown prince who lost six fiancés in various accidents. It has been a long time since the crown prince who constantly admonished the emperor for neglecting state affairs, and Arne, who protested against Gillot in every case, had become thorns in his side. The emperor couldn’t miss the chance to get rid of the two at once.

“Duke Arne, the opportunity has come to prove your loyalty. Make your daughter, the princess, Rayl’s partner. If the princess is alright, the rumor that he is cursed will disappear.”

It was unreasonable, but the opponent was the emperor. She couldn’t refuse. That day’s anger hasn’t gone away, and yet he has provoked them again. She felt as if fire was boiling inside her heart.

“So, where is the gathering place?” Chloe asked, breathing deeply and repressing her anger.

“How much should we prepare for the Knights?”

“There is no…”

“Huh? How many battalions?”

Chloe asked again, she missed the word because she was thinking of what should be done when moving the Knights, but Evan was silent.

“…..”

“I didn’t hear it, Evan.”

“No need.”

“What?” That moment I asked.

“Why?”

“I told you that we did not need anything, neither the Knights nor the supplies.”

“Why?”

“His Majesty gave the Imperial Palace Knight –”

“What are you talking about? How can you compare the Imperial Palace Knight to the Arne Knights? Then shall we get one or two battalions ready?”

“It is not possible.”

“Why!”

Evan was more considerate of Arne than anyone else. It was not like him to do this.

“Why! Why!” Chloe burst out into a fit of nervousness with an unpleasant foreboding.

“Your Majesty has ordered that the Empire’s Sword should not be aimed at the people.”

“You coward.”

The words were soft, but it meant to ‘go and die.’ No matter how much Arne was loved by the people, the opponent had gone crazy with hunger and exploitation. There was no way you could deal with it only through words. By the way, to take only the chisel who could not hold the sword properly, “Really, Arne.”

Chloe, who was grinding her teeth, stomped her feet, trampled on the order, and went up to the second floor. Evan, being left alone, picked up the messed up royal order with a faint sigh. It was not a good idea to tear it apart, so he thought to smoothen it out and took it to the Duke’s office.

“Rosie! Bring me my shoulder straps!”

“Seriously!?”

Crackles.
Due to Chloe’s angry voice which rang in the mansion loudly, the smoothed royal order crumpled up again in his grasp.

***

After throwing her fancy dress, Chloe briefly came down to the first floor, looking like a perfect northern hunter. Shoulder pads, heelless leather shoes, and a wide waistband. Evan managed to open his lips with a firm determination.

“There are no hunting grounds in the townhouse.”

“Don’t worry. I’m going to the Imperial Palace.”

“It is a dark evening. It is too late to ask for a hunting ground.”

“Evan, Evan, Evan.”

Chloe, who was holding her head high on Evan’s desperate expression, shook her head and laughed.

“Give me a mask.”

Rosie, her exclusive maid, quickly put a black cloth in Chloe’s hand. The cloth that covered half of the face with a long hole in the eyes was an improved mask used by hunters for night hunting. In order to prevent being noticed by the beasts, they had to cover their faces, but it was the hunter who had to run the whole time. So, to make a compromise between breathing and hiding, the mask was a cut from the nose’s tip to the bottom.

Evan approached Chloe, who skillfully wore the mask.

“Don’t do that.”

When he could not give up, Evan began to beg properly.

“Now there is only one princess in Arne.”

As if to remind her of who she was, Evan insisted on calling Chloe “Princess”. Chloe, who took the dagger from Rosie, thrust it to her belt and laughed briefly at the sound.

“What did I do for you to make such a fuss?”

“To harm the Imperial Palace, to harm the Emperor!”

“…..”

“It’s treason!”

Evan’s voice, shouting treason, sounded as cold as a blow.

“Evan, Evan, Evan.”

While her playful voice was the same, Chloe’s gaze at Evan was dry.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“I’m Arne’s butler. In case of emergency, I will defend Arne’s successor with all my might.”

“Don’t worry, Evan. It is not an emergency yet, and I don’t mean to be violent as long as Arne is fine. Look at this, I also wore a mask.”

I was not going to hunt today, I was only going to cool down this situation. Now that Arne has been driven to death, wouldn’t it be the right thing to do? The last words disappeared with a bright smile on her face.