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A few days later, Iana headed to the Empress Palace early in the morning.
It was to see off the Empress, who was leaving for the Diane family's territory today.
Iana hurried a little, thinking that she might not be able to say goodbye properly if there were too many people seeing her off.
The Empress was originally scheduled to leave on the day of the Emperor's execution.
However, after the Emperor suddenly took his own life, she became severely ill and stayed in the Imperial Palace for a few more days.
When Iana arrived in front of the Empress Palace, servants were moving a few simple luggage bags onto a carriage.
Just then, she ran into Baroness Agnes, who was walking out of the Empress Palace entrance.
"Iana Archmage, you've arrived?"
Baroness Agnes greeted her politely.
"I came to greet Her Majesty the Empress."
Baroness Agnes stared at Iana for a moment.
She probably found it odd that she used the honorific 'Your Majesty' for the former Empress.
Iana was guided by Baroness Agnes into the Empress Palace.
After walking for a while, she saw the Empress's back at the end of the hallway.
The Empress was staring blankly at the empty frame where her portrait used to hang.
Charles's words came to her mind.
"On the day of the coup, Riel Estina slashed Her Majesty the Empress's portrait."
Charles ordered the damaged portrait to be removed immediately, worried that it would upset the Empress.
Iana approached the Empress and greeted her politely.
"I greet Her Majesty the Empress."
The Empress smiled faintly, seemingly embarrassed by the honorific 'Your Majesty.'
The Empress looked quite thin, as if she had been through a lot.
She quietly spoke, her eyes still fixed on the empty frame.
"There are things that I believed were the best at the time, but when I look back, they weren't."
"..."
"I thought I was doing my best to guide the former Emperor on the right path, but looking back, my efforts were insufficient."
"Your Majesty the Empress, you did your best."
Iana said firmly, as if offering comfort.
The Empress looked at Iana with sad eyes.
"Honestly, I was afraid. So, I only opposed the former Emperor to the extent that it wouldn't greatly displease him."
"..."
"I was different from Grand Duke Ervin, who risked his life to stop the tyranny. I regret that the most."
"How could anyone not be afraid of opposing His Majesty the Emperor?"
Iana was a little surprised that the Empress was being so honest, but she didn't show it.
"Iana Archmage, do your best to find a way so that you don't have any regrets. A way to become the Empress."
"Pardon?"
Iana looked at the Empress, taken aback by her unexpected words.
"Wasn't the goal of this coup the enthronement of Grand Duke Ervin, who has the qualities of an Emperor?"
"...That's right."
Iana lowered her head without realizing it.
After all, Charles had given up the throne because of her being affected by black magic.
"Grand Duke Ervin is too good to give up the throne because of the heir issue. Aden the Ascetic is also looking for a way, so Iana Archmage, please think about it too."
Iana asked with a surprised expression.
"Aden the Ascetic is looking for a way?"
"Yes, but this is something that requires Iana Archmage's will."
Just then, Baroness Agnes approached and spoke.
"Your Highness Grand Duke Ervin and the Imperial Elders have arrived at the entrance."
The Empress nodded and said to Iana.
"I must leave now."
Iana thought for a moment before replying.
"I will keep Your Majesty's words in mind."
The Empress smiled faintly and walked down the hallway.
A little later, Iana saw the Empress off at the entrance of the Empress Palace, along with Charles, Aden, and the Imperial Elders.
The Empress exchanged greetings with everyone.
Some of them were even shedding tears. However, she maintained a dignified appearance befitting an Empress.
The Empress stood in front of Charles last, after Aden.
"Your Majesty the Empress, please be well."
Charles's face was filled with complex emotions, but his farewell was short.
The Empress spoke cautiously.
"Right now, it is most important that someone capable of handling the throne is enthroned as Emperor."
"..."
"If someone who cannot handle the throne becomes Emperor and another coup occurs, then the heir will be meaningless."
The Elders murmured at the Empress's words.
The Empress took Charles's hand and was about to get into the carriage when she turned around and smiled at Iana.
Iana thought as she watched her.
'Her Majesty the Empress is giving me strength.'
A small courage arose in her heart.
She wanted to overcome the limitations of being a woman who could not become Empress because of her history with black magic.
For the sake of Charles, whom she loved, the people who believed in her, and herself.
✦ ✦ ✦
After the Empress left, Iana and Charles hurriedly headed to the Northern Outer Fort.
News had been received that monster activity had been detected in Mikron Mountain.
Arriving at the Outer Fort, Iana stood on the ramparts, maintaining a state of alert.
Just then, she saw Charles talking to soldiers with magic arrows on a supply wagon inside the fort.
Mule, who was suddenly beside her, looked at Charles and said.
"Your Highness is quite the figure."
"Your Highness is handsome, isn't he?"
Iana smiled without realizing it.
"Your magical power is getting stronger every day, but how is it that your perception is getting worse every day?"
"Iana Archmage!"
Iana glared at him with a displeased expression, and Mule chuckled.
"Since the refugees started making magic arrows, the conflicts with the Imperial citizens in the capital have almost disappeared."
Around the time Charles opened the Outer Fort gates to the refugees, the conflict between the refugees and the Imperial citizens of the capital was severe.
Immediately after the coup, Charles first dispersed the refugees to live in the monastery and the Wizard's Tower.
Then, he had them make magic arrows with magic stones brought from Ervin.
It was to instill the image that the refugees were not those who spread the Arika Vine, but allies who would fight together.
Charles had also worried fiercely on the day he buried the Emperor. To resolve the conflict between the Imperial citizens.
Iana stared at Charles and said to Mule.
"No matter how I think about it, Your Highness should be the Emperor. Iana Archmage, you think so too, don't you?"
"..."
Mule didn't answer, so she turned her head. But he was already talking to another knight over there.
Iana turned her gaze back to the inside of the fort, but Charles was nowhere to be seen this time.
A little later, Charles came up to the ramparts, panting.
He came closer, looked around, and whispered in her ear.
"Why are you staring at me so intently from the ramparts? It makes my heart flutter."
Iana quietly looked at Charles and whispered.
"I hope Your Highness becomes the Emperor."
✦ ✦ ✦
A few days later, Carrion was heading to the Imperial Palace in a carriage.
All the policy advisors had been summoned to the Imperial Palace.
Around that time, rumors spread throughout the Empire that Grand Duke Ervin would become the Emperor.
'If Grand Duke Ervin becomes the Emperor, he'll harm me, right?'
Carrion sighed deeply and thought.
He regretted everything. Arguing with Grand Duke Ervin, and being infatuated with Riel, which led to the divorce, all of it.
Carrion was also there on the day Riel was executed.
He was shocked to hear the execution statement listing Riel's misdeeds.
"I was crazy. I was deceived by such a villain and even got a divorce..."
Carrion muttered to himself and recalled Iana's appearance at the execution site.
"I will never become the Empress of Rubena."
Grand Duke Ervin had also declared that he would not become the Emperor, but the position of Emperor was not something that could be given up because of one woman.
Eventually, Iana would have no choice but to break up with the Grand Duke.
'Maybe I'll have a chance.'
He was angry that the Rechelles family had hidden the fact that Iana had been affected by black magic and married her off. But he was thinking of starting over with Iana, pretending to forgive her using that as an excuse.
The carriage carrying Carrion sped along and arrived at the Imperial Palace.
Not only Carrion, but all the other policy secretaries were gathered in the Grand Conference Hall.
A little later, Aden the Ascetic entered the Grand Conference Hall. All eyes were focused on Aden.
Aden spoke in a calm voice.
"Just because you were policy secretaries to the former Emperor doesn't mean anything will change. If there is anyone who does not want the position of policy secretary, please speak up now."
"..."
None of the gathered secretaries raised their hands.
Aden, who was watching the scene, continued to speak.
"Then, I would like us to discuss the system needed for the newly established Imperial Dynasty together."
"......?"
"We will create a system for designating an heir when the Emperor has no heir."
"......!"
Carrion could immediately understand the meaning of Aden's words.
It seemed that they were trying to make Iana, who might not be able to bear an heir because she was affected by black magic, the Empress.
Carrion let out a hollow laugh.
'I'm going to create a policy that makes my ex-wife the Empress.'
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