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“As you said, we’ve fortified the border defenses.”

The next day, the Emperor, Luna Meikhael, sat on the throne with her chin resting on her hand. I had requested a private meeting with her in the middle of the night, and as if she had been waiting, the permission was granted immediately.

“We have enough troops stationed to start a war at any moment.”

“Perfect.”

“Yes, yes. Perfect indeed. Thanks to looking like perfect invaders, neighboring countries are keeping an eye on us. The good atmosphere we had with the surrounding nations was ruined by you, Tristan.”

“Is that so?”

It’s unavoidable. Since the service start date is approaching, it’s better to be ready to fight at any moment.

“The troops you mobilized are the full strength of this nation. To anyone, it will look like a country preparing for an invasion. Don’t you think it’s excessive even by your standards?”

“It’s unavoidable to be wary of the demons in the north.”

“Of course. You always say it’s unavoidable. Is that all you have to say to me?”

“……Well done.”

“I didn’t come here to hear your praise!”

Luna shouted in frustration. As always, she was angry with me, but her attitude had softened compared to before. It must be because the misunderstandings between the Ruelberta Family and the Imperial Family, who had been hostile for a long time, had somewhat eased.

So, perhaps because of that, Luna, while complaining, accepted all my suggestions… or rather, my requests. It’s suspicious to some extent, but since she’s moving according to my words, I’m the one who’s starting to doubt. However, upon further investigation, Luna was indeed moving the Imperial Army according to my instructions. Additionally, Patrick, who was in charge of the Imperial Navy after Leon and Gale, was following without much complaint. He must know that I suggested this to the Emperor.

‘Has my reputation changed now….’

While commoners might not know, I could feel that my reputation had significantly changed among the high-ranking nobles. It was partly due to the relentless work I had done over the past year, but the decisive factor was Bella correcting the bad rumors about me in the social scene. However, this wouldn’t apply to the nobles on the Emperor’s side who had been hostile to the Ruelberta Family…. Something’s strange. The fact that the Emperor trusts me so much is also suspicious….

Well, as long as there’s no disruption to the plan, it’s fine.

I checked the time on my wristwatch and stood up.

“Where are you going in the middle of our conversation?”

“It’s getting late, so I’m heading back to the mansion.”

Actually, it’s more because I strained my back yesterday and am being treated like a patient. I was only able to come out today after barely getting permission. I should head back early. Otherwise, Bella or Wendy, who are waiting at the mansion, will scold me.

Luna reacted as if she was shocked by my answer.

“…You. Did you request a private meeting just to tell me ‘well done’?”

“Yes.”

“Ha…. You shamelessly admit it. You seem to think you can have private meetings with me often, but know that it’s a rare opportunity.”

It’s an honor that the Emperor, her, took the time to have a private meeting with me, but I wasn’t particularly moved. It’s not that this place is uncomfortable. If anything, it feels more like meeting an old rival. Originally, we were the kind of people who couldn’t stand each other.

“I’m sleepy.”

“If you’re going to lie, at least put some saliva on your lips.”

“Believe it or not, it’s your choice. I’m tired enough to fall asleep right now.”

“Stop exaggerating. It seems you’ve only grown more excuses since I last saw you. How about sleeping in my palace?”

“I can’t sleep in small houses.”

“You think the palace is small……. Have you ever thought that your mansion is abnormally large?”

“Don’t you think a palace smaller than a servant’s house is more abnormal?”

“Ha…. You’re the only one who would dare say such things in front of me.”

“I don’t need such obvious compliments.”

“I’m mocking you! You crazy bastard! Why would I compliment you?!”

Luna, whom I met after a long time, had a lot to say. Her high-handed tone was still the same as before, but the difference was that I could vaguely feel that she was enjoying the conversation we were having now.

“Luna.”

“Not only do you address me informally, but you dare to call me by my name? Call me Your Majesty.”

“Did you miss me?”

Whoosh!

Something flew towards my face, and I quickly caught it. It was Luna’s glove.

“Never say such nonsense again.”

Luna suddenly lowered her voice and showed her discomfort towards me. If it were any other servant or noble, they would have trembled in fear, but I didn’t feel that way at all. Instead, I was only filled with questions.

“…Luna.”

“I told you to call me Your Majesty.”

“Why did you suddenly put on a mask?”

At some point, Luna had put on the deer mask, a symbol of the Imperial Family.

“……My face is not something just anyone can see.”

“……”

“Stop staring. It’s rude.”

“…I’m staring because it’s ridiculous.”

“You insolent fool.”

Another piece of fabric flew towards my face, which I caught leisurely. It turned out to be one of Luna’s socks this time.

“This is undignified.”

“Hmph. I just threw it away because it was dirty.”

Who do you think I am, a trash can?

Luna giggled as if she enjoyed my reaction.

“You like dirty things, don’t you? I’ll give it to you, so cheer up.”

“…Is this a dirty gift?”

“Did you just call my gift dirty?”

“You’re the one who said it was dirty.”

“How insolent.”

“……”

I was about to say something but held back.

‘Cheer up?’

Could it be that Luna was trying to boost my spirits? No…. Even so, there’s no way she would do that. She’s just teasing me.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

“Wait.”

“?”

“I’ve looked into it, and as you said, the demons in the north aren’t showing any unusual movements.”

Luna’s words weren’t surprising. The Imperial Family also has spies. I thought she would have grasped the situation in the north through them.

“Is that so? Maybe you’re misinformed?”

“My subordinates aren’t fools. They might not have conducted detailed investigations, but they understand the situation. Not only that, but Demon Lord Trinity hasn’t shown herself for a long time, and the Demon Forest has been quiet too.”

The audience chamber was gradually getting darker.

I thought she trusted me since she was listening to me, but maybe I was mistaken. Luna questioned me with a suspicious attitude.

“What’s going on? Tristan. Didn’t you say the demons in the north could invade at any moment?”

I turned around. Luna had taken off the mask she was wearing on her head. Still, I couldn’t read her expression. The moonlight seeping into the audience chamber was obscured by clouds.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“Just this once.”

“Huh?”

“You can trust me. Luna.”

For the sake of this world, I can be as shameless as I need to be.

“If you trust and support me, you won’t regret it.”

“…Are you threatening me?”

“It’s not a threat, it’s a promise.”

“What?”

“Exactly what I said. I’ll make sure you don’t regret your choice.”

I showed Luna ‘Pride.’ ‘Pride’ was my shameless confidence. However, I didn’t think she would easily accept it. The words sounded plausible, but in the end, it was just me insisting that she trust me. Of course, even if she didn’t trust me now, she had already moved according to my will. That alone was a success….

“Hmm…. Alright. I’ll trust you.”

Huh?

“If you say so to me, there must be a reason.”

But contrary to my worries, Luna accepted it cleanly. As the clouds passed, Luna’s face was illuminated by the moonlight. She was smiling softly.

What’s this?

Is this really the expression of the Luna who used to hate me?

“…You trust me so easily?”

“What? You’re the one who told me to trust you. What’s the problem with that?”

Luna, who snorted, added one more thing.

“Hmph…. There’s no special reason. It’s just that I’ve never failed when I listened to you, so I trust you. I’ll trust you just this once, Tristan. So, don’t make me regret it. Understood?”

“Thank you.”

Oops.

I’m not the type to easily thank someone…. Why do words that contradict my intentions keep slipping out?

“……What?”

Luna also looked like she had misheard. She thought for a moment and then asked with narrowed eyes.

“Who are you? There’s no way Tristan would say such a thing to me….”

Well, of course. I think so too.

But it’s ridiculous to try to take back words that have already been spoken. That would be something truly unlike Tristan.

Then, all I have to do is respond in a way that’s fitting for Tristan.

“Be honest. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“You mean when I said thank you?”

“Yes! Tristan is not a man who would feel gratitude towards me.”

“Even I feel gratitude sometimes.”

“Don’t make me laugh. You’ve never thanked anyone in your life….”

“For example, the gifts you gave me.”

“…?!”

I held up the glove and sock she had thrown at me.

“They’ve been quite helpful, thank you.”

“Wha, what… what?????”

Luna’s expression, which had been composed, crumbled. After saying that, I turned around and left the audience chamber. Quickly, as if running away, but without losing my dignity.

“Wai, wait! You! Answer me! What, what do you mean they’ve been helpful!”

Luna’s sharp voice tried to stop me. But I had already left the audience chamber before that.

Through the closing door, I could see Luna trembling in shame. That was the Luna Meikhael I knew, the Emperor with a cleanliness obsession.

“Answer my question! Tristan!”

I smirked at her, just like the first time I received a gift from her.

“You’ll have to imagine that for yourself.”

 

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