Chapter 254: Mourning

“Did Prince Edward die …?”

I thought in vain.

Edward lost the political struggle… It was unavoidable that someday he would be executed.

But I’m yet still surprised at the sudden news.

Memories of good times spent with him come to my head.

But.. only negative emotions about him should have remained right? Then why I’m only remembering the good times?

“Is it to set free the dead from grudges?”

It was Merida who gave an answer to my question.

I took a break from government affairs. I was somehow forced by Sebas that pulled me off my desk, to rest.

And while I was testing the new developed sweets from Merida, Tanya got the news of Edward’s death.

“Even if you’re an unfeeling person, a grudge has no value. It’s better to replace it with good memories rather than keep holding on to it. It’s mostly for the one who keeps living. The object of the grudge is unaffected by it, but the one with the grudge gets drowned by those hard feelings. You can’t be happy unless you let it go.”

“Yes.. I understand”

Merida’s words echoed very loud in my bewildered mind.

I used to love him in the past. That’s for sure.

And that’s why I hated him.

When everything fell apart, I felt emptiness.

And everything is gone now.

Occasionally it hurts my heart, but I think it’s good to let everything go.

He was just a bother if I think about it calmly.

An obstacle who was hostile to me and attacked me unilaterally.

I remember the anger from that, but his very existence at the start was good for me.

I even get a feeling of mercy when I think about the start.

Although he was hostile to me, I don’t think I cared about it so much… maybe mostly because I’m not the original Iris.

Now… everything seems to be from a long time ago.

The past is said to be beautified … it may be true.

As a result of my fading emotions, I just miss the past.

“My lady, I have one more report …. Can I say it now?”

Tanya embarrassed, asked me.

“Hmm, I’m sorry … keep going.”

“A letter has been sent from Princess Leticia”

“Well, from Leticia?”

I received the letter, and immediately checked the contents.

It was a neat and beautiful writing.

Suddenly, I remember her… who I met by chance in the city.

Clear eyes and dazzling golden hair with a fresh green color like a peridot, similar to Dean.

Those two really look good in the sun, like a princess and a prince.

But the impression they give is very different … I find the wrinkles in my forehead forming as I proceed reading cautiously, at the very realistic content of the letter.

“… how is it?”

“It’s about the leftovers from the issue with the Acacia Kingdom… She leaves it to my decision on how to proceed with it.”

Both Tanya and Merida looked astonished.

That’s the expected reaction.

This case is too big a matter to be appointed to one local lord.

That is because it is at the national level.

“I know that she has the authority to leave it in my hands. I heard that Leticia is engaged in political affairs as an assistant to Prince Alfred, but she’s has already surpassed the level of an assistant. She completely took Prince Alfred’s place. ”

“… Is that Leticia’s ability? Otherwise, the lords would have made a commotion by now.”

“Yeah. It seems that she’s in complete control of the government and all nobility.”

“But, it’s good, right now, my lady is in control of this matter… There’s no one better at negotiating than my lady.”

“You think too highly of me”

Shortly after that, I received the news from Tanya that Kaadil had begun to carry out the affairs of government instead of the old king.

Everything went as expected, but the time was a little earlier than expected?

It was announced at the Acacia’s Kingdom and abroad that the old king’s death has suddenly been caused by illness, but of course, an illness at the same time as

Kaadir was aiming to take the throne? What lucky timing.

Most probably what happened is that Kaadir slaughtered the former king, aiming for the opportunity given when the first prince was imprisoned abroad.

Indeed, he’s a brilliant mind.

I feel like human roots are the same even though cultures and customs differ.

” I will do my best for the territory after being appointed to deal with the aftermath.”

“Hey, my Lady. Is it just for the territory?”

Merida asked while laughing happily.

“Yes, yes. All my actions are only for the territory. Never for the country. Let’s say that Leticia understands me well.”

“… what do you mean?”

“What I have done for the territory comes back to bring benefits for the kingdom. So, as it was written in the letter… I can do it freely …”

“Hey … then, Princess Leticia has also acknowledged the power of the lady?”

“Is not the lady better than the Almeria’s Duke himself already?”

Please have some discretion, so I don’t feel weird.

Such intention was seen through.

“Well, that’s fine. Would you like to coordinate a meeting with Kaadir?”

“Yes”

“Thank you. Please continue to report if there’s anything more”

“I’m going outside to arrange the meeting. Please if you could excuse me my Lady.”

“Speaking of reports … What is the current state of the war with the Twil’s country?”

“It seems that it has changed dramatically after Prince Alfred entered the front line. ”

“Well … the rebels were overcome by the Tasmeria kingdom?”

“Yeah, his speech, the supplies provided as a demonstration of power, and then a victory over the soldiers of the Twil’s country based on detailed tactics … everything

overlapped exquisitely and won the hearts of the indecisive people. ”

“It’s quite a bit of.. disapproving.”

“I received the reports from a local. In fact, this report comes after we give him a little payment for the information… ”

“Well …! Fufu, that was as expected”

“Yes, but we could confirm what he said was true.”

“I wonder if he’s not only a political strategist genius, but also a military genius. I also wonder what kind of speech he made.”

“I listened to it, but I don’t remember the details … sorry.”

“It’s okay, I’m just worried about him, but … yes. I hope we win the war.”

“I agree.”

“Thank you, Tanya”

“You’re welcome my lady.”

At that time, Tanya went away called by other servants.

I again retake the testing of the confectionery served by Merida.

“Oh … this is delicious.”

The flavor spread in the mouth was a soft sweetness.

“It’s good. I’m wondering if it could be distributed to the soldiers who fought on the frontline and the workers in the eastern part of the territory that recently suffered the attack.”

“Ehh…?”

“The costs has been reduced at the last minute, and costs doesn’t compare to people’s lives. Well, people … can survive if they have a bare minimum, but is it really like this? Sometimes, they need more of an emotional support from a gesture. That’s why I think I’m going to give my best tomorrow.”

“Yeah …. did you think about it on your own?”

“I …… I thought the recipe alone, but the concept came with the help of Tanya”

“It’s fine. Immediately, use the funds of the Azura Chamber of Commerce.”

“I’m surprised … you decided immediately”

“Yes, it would be good not only for the image of the territory officers but also for the company. You should be able to contribute to the society as a trading company when management is stable. It will improve the image of the trading company. And even if there were no direct benefits, good comes back and something good might come true? ”

“Yes, everything comes back … maybe it is as you said.”

Merida turned a bright smile on me.

I am also caught on the emotion and smile back at her.

“That’s why Merida. I’ll leave it to you. Thanks.”

“Okay, My Lady, please excuse me.”

I had fun in the afternoon while talking about work.

The support for the dead’s families at the eastern territory attack, the support for the injured, and the adjustment for funding and stockpiling, etc. … there were many things to do, but everything went smoothly.

Examine, adjust, review while the reports are coming up one after another from each relevant department, and decide guidelines.

It seemed impossible at first, but it was possible to get there.

Now that we are reviewing each one of them and adjusting the process and results, it may be important to start preparing the essentials for the meeting and who will be responsible for the negotiations with the Acacia Kingdom to be held from now on.

Even though it was semi-forceful, I am grateful to Sebas … for helping me with everything.

“Sorry, I am sorry. I want to report it as soon as possible.”

Tanya came back with a white face…