The Empror's Trap

The griffins landed in the forest outside Luminara City.

Obtaining these griffins from Emperor Feit hadn't been difficult. After all, Kenji had mentioned earlier that they were only borrowing them. Having just formed an alliance, Emperor Feit readily provided a team of griffins as mounts, thoughtfully arranging griffin riders to help control them.

"We're not far from Luminara. Let's dismount here," Pluvia said as she jumped off the griffin. The Royal Guards following her also dismounted.

This time, they weren't wearing the light clothing they'd purchased in the Vishi Empire. Instead, they were all properly armored and armed.

From here to the imperial palace in Luminara City was less than twenty miles, but those twenty miles could be fraught with danger. Therefore, Commander Sonya had also donned her armor and stayed close to Pluvia.

"Your Majesty, please be careful. I'll return soon," Kenji said from atop his griffin.

Pluvia looked at him.

She didn't know whose side Kenji was truly on, or whether his plan to personally gather troops from surrounding areas was reliable. But what choice did she have?

She had to return to Luminara. Both Kenji and her attendants had advised this. After all, Luminara was still relatively safe. If she went with Kenji to mobilize troops, not only might Kenji be using this as a pretext to lure her away, but even if he was truly loyal, they would be in great danger if they encountered someone with ulterior motives during their mission.

At least in Luminara, open bloodshed wouldn't happen immediately.

"Kenji," Pluvia called out to him as he was about to fly away.

"Your Majesty?"

"...Don't disappoint me."

She had wanted to say something else, but now found that this simple phrase was the most useful.

She smiled bitterly at the thought.

She had originally believed she would establish a powerful, stable empire praised for generations to come. Yet she was struggling with these initial challenges just after her coronation.

But what did difficulty matter?

She had already accomplished the hardest task—rising from an ordinary princess to the throne. If she failed now, it would be truly laughable.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I won't fail you. Miss Sonya, I'm counting on you now."

"Don't worry, Grand Marshal. I'll protect Her Majesty at all costs."

"Good."

With that, Kenji patted the griffin rider in front of him, who nodded. The griffin raised its head with a screech, then flapped its wings and soared into the sky.

...

In the imperial palace, officials were arguing fiercely in front of the great hall.

Among them were several princes.

The imperial censor and the Chancellor sitting below the dragon throne looked exhausted.

They had been holding the fort for several days. During this time, these officials demanded court sessions daily, and in each session, they clamored for establishing an heir apparent. And the result?

Her Majesty hadn't returned yet, but they had already prepared candidates for the heir.

Chancellor Long, with his old bones, still had to waste his breath arguing with these people.

"Establishing an heir has been the practice since ancient times! If something unexpected happens without an heir, won't we all be thrown into chaos?"

"Nonsense! Even if we establish an heir, it should be after Her Majesty has children! How can we establish one now? Who would it be?"

Watching the officials argue below, Chancellor Long sighed deeply.

Your Majesty, if you don't return soon, I can hold them off for a day or two, but if it stretches to four or five days, I fear this old man won't be able to contain them...

"I say to all present—princes and princesses alike—your debates could sprout flowers in this hall and still bear no fruit. Her Majesty hasn't returned. Whether to appoint an heir, and how to do so, must await the Emperor's decision."

Chancellor Long, unable to endure the noise from those below any longer, rapped his chair's armrest and spoke.

However, his action not only failed to make the princes restrain themselves but instead drew their sarcastic remarks:

"Chancellor Long, you're a senior statesman who has served three dynasties. We respect you. But this matter is absolutely no child's play. Her Majesty has now ascended the throne and by rights, having reached adulthood, how can a proper emperor lack an heir? As a senior statesman, you've consistently neglected this matter concerning Her Majesty. Now when we propose establishing a successor, you oppose us..."

"Honorable princes," the chancellor responded, "Even if this matter is urgent, must it be resolved in these few days? This requires long-term consideration. Her Majesty should have already concluded her journey and be returning. Can't you wait a few more days?"

"Elder Long," Prince Nizam said while glancing around, "Today we'll make our position clear. We've come here not necessarily to demand Her Majesty's return, but to discuss a proposal with the court officials about how to present this matter to Her Majesty when she returns. Otherwise, when Her Majesty returns and we all argue noisily before her, it would be against proper decorum."

"Exactly! Moreover, even if Her Majesty were present, what needs to be said must still be said. Besides, the current emperor is our sister - this is ultimately the royal family's private matter!"

None of those present truly regarded Chancellor Long with proper respect.

To some Camelot Empire's royal family members, while Chancellor Long was certainly worthy of respect, matters like establishing a successor were none of his business as an outsider.

"Since you all consider this an internal royal family matter," Chancellor Long said coldly, staring at them, "Why don't you princes simply go to the Imperial Family Court? Siguo Camelot is the one who manages royal family affairs."

For a moment, even Prince Nizam and many others were left speechless.

Siguo Camelot? That was one of the older generation Camelot family members. Although among those present were princes and two princesses, they were ultimately the younger generation. While they might question Pluvia as their peer, who would dare make trouble with that elder from the Imperial Family Court?

Or rather, making trouble would be pointless - Siguo would never agree with their ideas about establishing a successor.

Otherwise, why would they have brought this matter to the imperial court in the first place?

"Chancellor Long," someone said, "You must understand that urging Her Majesty to establish a successor is a last resort. We're considering the nation's welfare. Among the royal relatives, there are already several suitable younger candidates who could be named successor. If necessary, Her Majesty could also choose siblings she trusts - with so many Camelot princes and princesses, surely there's a suitable..."

"Oh? Then who exactly is suitable for the emperor's position?"

A cool voice came from the hall's entrance.

The great doors opened, and Pluvia walked in unhurriedly.

Instantly, the previously lively atmosphere in the hall became deathly silent.