Chapter 119
Chapter 119
“Haha! Do you know how irreverent your expressions are right now?”
Helios burst into laughter, alternating glances between Diego and me.
“Ah, yes… I’m sorry.”
I rolled my eyes at Helios, reluctantly nodding my head.
Diego still looked at him with a scowl despite hearing his words.
“I thoroughly enjoyed your heated debate. It was quite amusing.”
Helios said in a leisurely tone, quickly composing himself after laughing, yet his bright blue eyes were sharp and contrasting with his casual demeanor.
“However, I would like to hear more about the princess’s views.”
His eyes, resembling those of a predator fixated on its prey, locked onto me.
I swallowed hard, my throat bobbing.
“You have strongly opposed Diego’s opinion until now. Surely, you should present an alternative argument to replace his.”
It’s only fair that if I challenge someone else’s opinion, I should have one of my own.
Gathering my thoughts in front of Helios, I took a steady breath.
A flurry of knowledge unfolded in my mind. I rummaged through the numerous ups and downs of various organizations throughout the history of my former world—
Imitation is the foundation of success. I planned to borrow policies from the most successful empire in history.
“I believe that after winning a war, the defeated should be treated even better.”
My firm statement took both Helios and Diego by surprise.
‘Well, there hasn’t been a precedent for friendly colonial policies in this continent. However, you can’t progress by simply inheriting past traditions.’
What doesn’t flow stagnates, and stagnation eventually leads to decay.
I loved the empire where I lived. I wished for its further development.
‘The longest-lasting and strongest empire in the history of the previous world.’
What I intended to imitate was the policy of the ancient Roman Empire.
“To speak frankly, I think the empire’s treatment of the North has been too rough so far. Although the situation of the northerners has improved due to His Majesty’s selection, the grudges they hold against the empire run deep. It has already been proven that responding with oppression to their resentment is ineffective. I believe it’s time to try a more moderate approach.”
“Oh… and how would that be?”
Although it was a rather radical proposal, Helios reacted positively. I met his intensely sparkling gaze head-on.
‘Rome’s colonial policy greatly contributed to making them the strongest empire.’
“First, I agree that the leaders of the North must be dealt with. We cannot leave the instigators of rebellion alive. However, I believe it is better to acknowledge the existence and ways of the existing northerners.”
Rule through oppression doesn’t last long. Everything I had learned proved that.
‘Rome welcomed colonial nations as allies, did not interfere with their autonomy, and recognized their cultures.’
By doing so, the colonies realized that being under Rome’s dominance was safer and willingly bowed to Rome’s hegemony. This was how Rome rapidly expanded its territory.
“I think the current tribute level adjusted by Your Majesty since your ascension is appropriate, but it cannot be denied that the treatment of the North is lenient compared to other colonies.”
The previous emperor treated the northerners like dogs. It was said that many northerners starved to death alive under the burden of excessive tributes.
‘Despite Helios’s immaturity, he practices wise politics.’
Helios had improved the treatment of the North shortly after ascending the throne.
He drastically reduced the excessively high tribute levels and dispatched military forces several times to protect the northerners from monsters.
Helios was indeed doing quite well now.
‘But that kind of long-standing grudge wouldn’t just disappear. And no matter how well they are treated, their existence is still not properly recognized.’
Even after the formation of their ethnicity, the northerners were still merely referred to as ‘the northerners.’
They had no nation and no identity. They barely held on as a minority in the empire’s colony.
‘Furthermore, the citizens of the empire regard the northerners as incompetent Amanians. They treat them almost like beasts.’
Prejudices are truly terrifying things.
As I contemplated how far the citizens of the empire had gone in their treatment of the North, I sighed inwardly and raised my gaze to meet Helios’s clear eyes.
“We must recognize the North’s autonomy and improve the empire’s citizens’ perception of the northerners so that they will voluntarily accept the empire’s governance.”
This was my conclusion.
“…Interesting. Do you think the princess believes the northerners will one day recognize the empire’s rule?”
“If we treat them as humans, that day will definitely come.”
I firmly responded to Diego’s sarcastic retort. Intense gazes exchanged back and forth between us.
“They have repeatedly rebelled against our empire in the past. If we grant them autonomy and recognize their rights, they may grow stronger and rebel again.”
“You cannot deny that the empire has its share of responsibility for their rebellions. To insist that we can’t trust them when we’ve always wielded the whip and never gave them a chance to show trust is too cruel.”
While continuing the verbal battle, I realized Diego’s argument wasn’t entirely wrong.
If the North harbored grudges against the empire, then the empire had deep distrust of the North as well. His method may be cruel, but it wasn’t baseless.
It’s not that one side was right and the other wrong; rather, two opposite approaches were clashing.
It felt like a standoff between an unstoppable spear and an unbreakable shield.
As I pondered the extreme treatment of the northerners, the conversation escalated with rising voices. Diego’s deep blue eyes looked fearsomely stern.
I gasped for breath but held my ground, locking eyes with him.
“How can you trust them at all! How can you recklessly believe in something that holds no guarantee! I must doubt and distrust to survive!”
But as Diego’s outburst continued, I found myself speechless and inhaled sharply.
His voice carried the weight of his convictions borne from long experience.
I had always thought Diego had grown quite straight despite his environment. I was even grateful that he had thrived while living day by day in such danger.
However, not everything could be normal in that environment.
His unsafe childhood had given him a profound distrust of humanity.
‘It took me a long time to become someone Diego could trust.’
On the day I first met Diego, even after saving him, he did not trust me.
It took multiple reassurances for him to let down his guard, but even after gaining his complete trust, it still took a long time.
In fact, even now I wasn’t sure if he fully trusted me.
‘Given how he’s lived, it’s only natural that he cannot trust something recklessly.’
Living all my life in danger, the sword was an inseparable part of me, no matter what I did.
How we live breeds habits and beliefs. Diego was no exception to that formula.
Frustration welled up, causing me to momentarily lose my words.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly moved my lips.
“Even so, isn’t it wrong to kill them all just because we can’t trust them?”
My voice dropped low.
Understanding the reasons behind why Diego had become who he was, I still disagreed with his opinion.
Diego flinched at my gaze. It seemed my sorrowful expression was apparent.
He half rose, appearing flustered.
“That is—”
“Enough.”
Before Diego could say anything else, Helios stepped in.
“If we continue any longer, the meaning of bringing this matter up will fade. I didn’t wish to see the two of you fighting over it.”
Helios, who had silently observed us until now, was still smiling leisurely, but there was firmness in his eyes. It was clear he wouldn’t tolerate any further debate.
“I believe neither of you is wrong. However, Diego’s opinion carries extreme aspects while the princess’s view is idealistic.”
Helios slowly began to bring the situation back to order.
Since he was right, I bit my lip in response. Diego now wore a perfectly gloomy expression.
“I think the best solution will emerge if we combine both of your opinions and meet in the middle.”
Helios looked between Diego and me. His expression reflected satisfaction.
“You both seem to perfectly complement each other’s shortcomings.”
Indeed, while Diego and I were opposites, we had what the other lacked.
Glancing over to Diego, I met his blue eyes, which had been watching me all along.
Despite appearing cold, those eyes radiated warmth whenever they looked at me. My heart, once frozen, began to slowly thaw.
If I were in need of a partner for any task, Diego would undoubtedly be the most suitable choice.
“I became curious about the next generation you two will unfold.”
Helios added quietly. His eyes sparkled like stars.
“Now then. It’s already time for Serenon’s swordsmanship class. Unfortunately, it’s best to say farewell to the princess here.”
With a clap of his hands, Helios smoothly wrapped things up.
I had been gazing blankly into Diego’s eyes when I suddenly snapped back to reality and nodded.
“Ah, yes. I should go find His Highness, the Second Prince.”
“Yes, yes. You may leave first. I will tidy up while talking with Diego.”
Helios said with a friendly gesture. I inclined my head and stood up.
“Today was very enjoyable. I will take my leave now. Your Majesty, and…”
I subtly glanced back at Diego, who was still fixated on me.
“……Your Highness.”
Perhaps because we had just finished an intense debate, an awkward air flowed between Diego and me.
I awkwardly turned my gaze and bowed before quickly walking away.
Even until I left the garden, Diego’s gaze remained fixed on the back of my head.
An ambiguously concluded tea time with the imperial father and son.
