Volume 2 Chapter 29 Farewell Dinner
As the ceremonial speech came to an end and the sun began to set, the palace burst into activity. Hired chefs moved quickly through the corridors, arranging steaming dishes, while maids hurriedly carried them out with practiced grace.
Eleonora watched the bustling scene unfold, quietly wondering if it was still possible to pretend to be sick and avoid tonight's gathering.
"...Yeah, no way. Even if you wanted to, there's no escaping now."
"I was kind of hoping Johanna would take my place," she murmured, half-joking.
"Have you ever actually looked in a mirror?" Johanna replied dryly.
Despite the sharp remark, Eleonora felt oddly reassured by the girl who had grown confident enough to throw such barbs so easily. With a grin, she reached out, pulled Johanna into a headlock, and jabbed her knuckles into her side. A decidedly unladylike scream followed.
"Your Majesty," a voice interrupted politely, "the preparations for the dinner are nearly complete. This time, it will be a standing buffet. Many of the vassals will likely approach to make connections with Your Majesty. I'll filter them down to the minimum."
"How narrow are we talking, Narrow?" Eleonora asked, releasing Johanna as she turned toward the masked man.
Narrow tilted his head slightly, his tone even. "I suggest you meet the key nobles of the former Loriengita, and also the Dwarf King."
He paused to think for a moment, weighing the minimum number necessary for appearances.
"You've inherited the empire," he added. "It's important to establish relationships with the influential figures from the old order. As for the dwarves—"
"Their metalwork is exceptional," Eleonora finished. "Their weapons are top-tier. We can't mass-produce them for the entire army, but they'd make fine rewards for our most accomplished warriors."
Narrow nodded once. "Exactly. Forming ties now will help secure that."
Eleonora let out a sigh.
"So I'm the one who has to go shake hands for it."
Without another word, Narrow poured a glass of water and offered it to her. "Also, I intend to form a personal guard unit directly under Your Majesty, once I've selected the appropriate soldiers."
"...Having my own private command sounds like overkill. It might confuse the chain of command."
"You already command the entire army," he reminded her gently.
"In the future, I'd rather hand that over," she replied. "François and Georges can oversee military affairs. Concentrating all power in the emperor is dangerous."
"Your Majesty's instincts are not mistaken."
"Don't flatter me. And never trust a future emperor too much. Power corrupts—always. We need a system to restrain it. Independent judiciary, legislature, and administration. And a parliament with the power to make laws through majority vote. We have to build those things."
At her words, Narrow went silent, the faintest sound catching in his throat behind his mask.
"Are you... binding yourself in chains, Your Majesty?"
"Yes," Eleonora said simply. "If a nation relies only on me, it's not a real nation."
Her declaration rang through the room like steel, chilling the air around them. Seizing the awkward pause, Johanna wriggled free from the headlock.
"That was way too serious all of a sudden!" she cried, brushing her hair back into place.
Eleonora chuckled and finally accepted the glass from Narrow, her expression unreadable.
"Sorry. I just thought your reaction was funny."
"That's not an excuse!"
Johanna's pout was genuine, her frustration bubbling as she fixed her hair. Eleonora sipped her water slowly, watching the younger girl with quiet amusement.
A voice echoed from across the hall, formal and cautious.
"Your Majesty, if you say not to trust in yourself, then we, your vassals, would also lose faith."
"Is that a warning?" Eleonora asked.
"If I wanted to, I could've laced this water with poison. But you drank it anyway."
"Would a comrade who stood with me on the battlefield really do such a thing?"
"People betray for many reasons," Narrow replied. "Wealth. Love. Status. The throne of this new empire... it's enough to drive anyone mad."
Eleonora exhaled sharply, finishing the drink and pressing the empty cup into Narrow's hand. She didn't say another word as she turned and walked away.
Left behind, Johanna hesitated before asking, "So... what do you want from Eleonora?"
"I once thought," Narrow began slowly, "that Her Majesty would rise to the throne and lead Naroppa with overwhelming strength. That she would push into the fractured East and unify it under her banner."
As he spoke, he traced the eye-holes of his mask with a single finger.
"Everyone wants to believe a hero will rise. A bright star who brings peace. They want to be part of that story. But Her Majesty... she's looking a hundred, maybe two hundred years into the future."
"A country two hundred years ahead?" Johanna echoed.
Narrow nodded.
"She's not placing herself at the top. She's trying to make the law the highest authority. Separating powers—judiciary, legislature, and administration—means surrendering the emperor's absolute control."
"But if she gives that up... what if new laws get passed that force her to abdicate?"
"That's the risk," Narrow said. "And she knows it."
Johanna's eyes went wide. "Isn't that dangerous?!"
"If it spins out of control... then so be it," he replied.
"Wait—what?"
"Forget it," Narrow said, brushing the thought aside. "Let's return to the party."
At that moment, Eleonora reappeared, calm as ever.
"So," she said, "how's the room?"
Charles stepped forward to brief her, listing the key figures in attendance. Among them, someone familiar emerged from the crowd.
"My lord, I'm grateful you allowed my vassals to attend," the man said.
"King Vladislav," Eleonora greeted him. "It's been a while."
"Back then, I laughed when you spoke of founding a nation. I never imagined you'd succeed—let alone build an empire."
"I keep my promises," Eleonora said, raising her cup. "Enjoy the evening."
Vladislav nodded, lifting his own mug of beer in reply.
"By the way," he said, "if we can secure a stable timber supply, it'll stabilize our steel exports too."
"We'll work something out... in time."
As the two rulers continued their discussion, a new voice joined in from behind.
"Your Majesty, I hope you are in good health."
"Count Grayschweik. It's been some time—since the Beakryu port project, wasn't it?"
"Indeed. Thanks to your support, trade through the port has flourished."
Smiling politely, Count Grayschweik stepped forward and bowed deeply before Eleonora.
"By the way, Your Majesty," he began, "since you're to become the new head of the imperial line, it may be time to welcome an empress..."
Eleonora raised a hand, cutting him off. "I have my own thoughts on that. Wait."
"Of course. Your Majesty's will comes before all else." Grayschweik chuckled awkwardly, then added, "However, my second son is of suitable age..."
Just as he was about to continue, a hand landed firmly on his shoulder.
"Let the old ladies do the matchmaking," came a calm but unmistakably sharp voice. "When a middle-aged man tries it, no one wins."
"L-Lady Dorothea!"
Dorothea de Wafor, once one of the Twelve Holy Blades, smiled gently. Yet even that smile carried the weight of a warrior's presence.
"Good to see you still kicking, old lady," Grayschweik managed.
"And you. Well, the emperor—no, the previous royal family already gave their blessing. I've got no more to say."
She laughed, a low, hearty sound, and gestured toward the nearby balcony.
"You must be tired of all this court chatter. If you don't mind an old woman's company, shall we enjoy the night breeze?"
"It would be my honor," Eleonora replied with a grateful nod.
"Ah, Your Majesty—" Grayschweik called out, but she paid him no mind.
Together, Eleonora and Dorothea stepped out onto the balcony and settled into a pair of chairs facing the quiet night.
"That was close," Eleonora murmured. "I thought I was about to be cornered into an arranged marriage."
"Dealing with someone like him would be punishment enough," Dorothea said with a dry chuckle.
Below them, the town flickered with warm light. Bonfires burned in the open squares, and citizens gathered, laughing and chatting as they shared free bread and thick, steaming soup.
"I heard your speech earlier," Dorothea said. "Most emperors talk about conquest or glory. But you—you're the first to say you'll make sure everyone can eat bread and soup, whenever they need it."
"I'm just a country girl at heart," Eleonora said, her breath carrying a faint scent of wine. "I've only ever wanted one thing—no more hungry villages."
"The best way to hold a nation together is to make sure no one goes without food," Dorothea said, watching the firelight flicker. "After that, give them joy. People can't live on bread alone."
"If only it were that simple," Eleonora murmured. "But for some reason, I feel like I can do it."
Dorothea smiled. "Maybe you can."
She turned to Eleonora, her expression calm and nostalgic.
"I'm going back home."
"...I see. That's unfortunate. I would've liked you to come with me, if it were possible."
"What would you expect from a woman past fifty? Let the younger ones do the heavy lifting."
"Fifty-six isn't old."
Dorothea laughed, shaking her head. "Tell that to my joints. I'd rather leave now, while I can still walk with pride. But it felt wrong to vanish without a word."
"You've done so much for me. At least let me give you some travel funds."
Eleonora reached into her robe, but Dorothea gently pushed the pouch back.
"An old woman leaving the capital doesn't need gold. Instead, I'll leave my grandchild in your care."
"...You mean John Paul?"
"He's not quite at your level, but he's learned some techniques. He should be of use."
Dorothea let out a soft sigh.
"Twenty... No, if I were just ten years younger..."
"Things never go the way we want, do they?" Eleonora said. "When do you leave?"
"The day after tomorrow. No need to see me off."
Eleonora looked down at her hands. "Why does it always feel like I'm parting with my comrades?"
Dorothea smiled again. "You should be the one people pray for. You're heading into dangerous territory now."
"Yes. First, I need to establish laws for an election-based succession system."
At that, Dorothea's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"You're going to turn this land upside down, aren't you..."
"A system where no one person is necessary—built by the efforts of many. It might sound strange, but it's the kind of country I want."
Eleonora raised her cup of wine with a small grin.
"Let's toast."
"To what?"
"To the future of the old lady."
"And to Your Majesty's strange journey."
Their glasses met with a soft clink. The sound rang out into the quiet night—as if whispering, I'll trust you with what comes next.
So I Got Reincarnated into an Otome Game I've Never Heard of, and Now I'm a Noble Lady Dealing with War, Politics, and Dumb Hot Guys — And I'm Still Mentally a Guy Volume 2 [Holy Maro Empire] finished.
To be continued in Volume 3 [Rising Sun].
Notes:
• Johanna - Silvia's new name.
• Narrow - Male. A former Viscount's son who severed ties with his family to serve Eleonora. Wears an iron mask due to past leprosy, now cured. Skilled in military strategy, governance, theology, and heraldry. Speaks formally and is determined to prove his worth. Has a distant relationship with his family. His combat style is unknown, but he is entrusted with leading a platoon of 300 men.
• François - The fourth son of Baron Lanramoncie of the Loriengita Empire. The one who join the tournament before.
• Georges - A rugged-faced knight and the only lower noble among the Twelve Sacred Blades. He volunteers to lead the cavalry, seeking promotion and recognition. He harbors ambitions to marry Princess Elodia.
• Charles - Male. King of the West Clanf Kingdom. He has brown skin and a regal appearance, often seen in royal attire. His speech is accented due to his southern roots. He is melancholic and pragmatic, prioritizing economic stability over territorial expansion. He has a newborn son, Arsène, and a sister, Elodia. His relationship with his lords is strained due to his passive governance.
• Vladislav - The ruler of the Bearer Kingdom. His appearance is regal, with a long beard that he often ties. He is a strategic thinker, pondering the benefits and risks of alliances.
• Beakryu - A location connected to Hamburg via the northern route. Its exact position is not specified, but it is part of the strategic plan to control territories.
• Dorothea - Dorothea de Wafor. An elderly warrior and former member of The Twelve Sacred Blades, known as [Rock Breaker]. Her appearance is not detailed, but she is described as someone who has served for 3 generations. She has a respectful relationship with Bertrand and is considering retirement.
• Bo - A location south of Teanuki. It is a target for Eleonora's strategy to seize and put pressure on Zootuur.
• John Paul - Male. Dorothea's grandson. A skilled escort and fighter, he is agile and capable of catching thrown knives with ease. He assists in the escape, showing bravery and loyalty to the royal family.
• John - A man who follows Eleonora, previously worked in security in Japan before being reincarnated. His connection to Eleonora is that he and his group have been following her to hunt and defeat bandits.
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