When the plot-skips players into the game world

While the entire Glass Island was still discussing the story of Aiwass and Aleister, Aiwass himself had already silently entered the Hall of Silver and Tin.

After returning from the Arbitration Hall, he had stayed at Moriarty Manor for three days.

It was then he received a message—the telephone call reached Moriarty Manor, instructing him to immediately visit the Hall of Silver and Tin.

Aiwass understood at once what was happening.

Perhaps it was because this new minister visited so frequently that even the palace servants had come to recognize him.

This time, when Aiwass entered the palace, he didn't wait in the side hall but walked straight in.

Throughout the entire process, not a single person tried to stop him or announce his arrival. There were not even the usual searches or other inspections... The procedure was completely different from Aiwass's previous visits to the Hall of Silver and Tin.

Normally, even when a minister visits, such process should be adhered to. Either the visitor is led to a resting place to wait for the person they are meeting to come, or the servants directly take the ministers to the predetermined location.

But in Isabel's letter, there was no mention of where to meet Aiwass... nor was there any butler or maid to show the way.

In other words, Aiwass had been granted the privilege to walk freely within the Hall of Silver and Tin.

Undoubtedly, this had been arranged by Isabel recently.

And instinctively, Aiwass first went to Isabel's bedroom.

Upon opening the door and seeing no one inside, Aiwass turned his head towards the study.

After all, there were only a few rooms. If Isabel wasn't in the study, then she must be in her grandmother's bedroom at the moment.

However, it was in the study where Aiwass found Isabel.

"...Huh?"

As soon as he entered, Aiwass widened his eyes in surprise.

Isabel's attire was different from usual. Today, Isabel had also applied light makeup, just like the first time she invited Aiwass to a banquet.

Because of her one-quarter Elf heritage, Isabel, who was actually a year older than Aiwass, had a quite young-looking face, resembling that of a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl. But also due to her Elf heritage, she was taller than her peers, standing at about one hundred sixty-three centimeters.

In front of Aiwass, however, she was still the girl a head shorter than himself. With such youthful vibrancy, she naturally appeared very cute without much need for adornment.

But now, Isabel's normally casually flowing pale golden straight hair was intricately styled up. It was fashioned to resemble flowers, circlets, and even a crown.

This made the slender, delicate girl appear for the first time to have a touch of maturity.

"Minister Moriarty, you've arrived,"

Isabel called out softly.

Her emerald green clear gaze fixed on Aiwass, her eyes revealing obvious joy. But she quickly suppressed her emotions, "Please take a seat first."

Her gaze shifted to the chair set at least three to four meters directly across from her table.

Seeing Isabel sitting there upright with earnest seriousness, Aiwass couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly.

He casually lifted the chair, carrying it over to the opposite side of Isabel's table. Just as if the two were face to face at a dinner, he then sat down.

Observing Isabel's slightly panicked and somewhat at a loss expression, Aiwass's smile deepened, "Not bad. You're starting to look a bit like a queen."

"...I am growing too,"

Isabel puffed up her cheeks and asked seriously, "I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"

Aiwass just smiled and shook his head, his voice calm and clear, "You should call me Aiwass.

"A queen's authority is not established this way. If it were Queen Sofia, she would address me by my first name in private to convey a sense of closeness.

"Besides, whether you should call me by my first name or surname in front of others depends on whether you need to express that closeness at the moment. Sometimes this attitude can express approval, sometimes it means delegating decision-making to me, and sometimes it implies distancing from others."

As Aiwass said this, his fingers intertwining, he casually and naturally rested his elbows on Isabel's desk. This made the otherwise perfectly sized table seem a bit crowded.

Consequently, Isabel subconsciously withdrew her hands that had been on the table, making space for Aiwass.

But as she was halfway through retracting them, Aiwass swiftly captured her wrist.

She looked at Aiwass, dazed, but then quickly caught on, "This is not appropriate, is it?"

"For me, it's arbitrary,"

Aiwass chuckled lightly, "But not for others—hasn't Queen Sofia taught you these things?"

"No."

Isabel shook her head, "She said that politics can't be taught in a day or two. Instead of understanding just a bit and thinking that I understand ... it's better to remain completely ignorant. It's better to directly ask you and Sherlock for advice."

"Your Majesty is right."

Aiwass nodded, "Half-knowledge is indeed more dangerous than no knowledge at all."

He said, pulling back Isabel's wrist that he had caught. Gently placing it back where it started.

He spoke softly, "Remember next time, if someone invades your territory, do not retreat. Shout at them loudly, make them back off. Guard your pride like the king of the lions guards his."

"... I will remember."

Isabel was silent for a long time, slowly nodding her head in earnest response.

If she said she would remember, then she would remember. Isabel was not the kind to pretend to understand when she didn't, she would surely ask whenever there was something she didn't know, and she would remember if she said so. She was a good student, which put Aiwass at ease.

Aiwass straightened up, letting his right arm, which was on the table, fall naturally to his side. Leaving only his left arm on the table, supporting his chin.

He said casually, "I guess you didn't call me here just to admire your new hairstyle. Although it does look very good."

"It is very good, I know."

Isabel's mouth curved slightly upward as she cheerfully responded, "But thank you for the compliment."

Her tone was filled with more confidence than before.

Her gaze was incredibly bright, earnestly looking at Aiwass, "I called you here because I need your help. Grandmother should... her time should be up today. Probably only a few hours left."

"—Please help me, Aiwass."
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Isabel did not specify what she was seeking assistance for.

But Aiwass already understood her meaning.

The help Isabel was asking of Aiwass was not for a particular thing—it was for everything.

"You know, Isabel. I like this character of yours."

Aiwass spoke leisurely, "Never overreaching, nor being stubborn. Always aware of what should be done, what can be done. When you realize you need help, asking for it right away—You know, Isabel. That's also a talent. And a rare one."

"... What kind of talent is that."

Isabel's face turned slightly red from what Aiwass said.

She thought Aiwass was speaking sarcastically.

But Aiwass just shook his head, "It really is a talent. Its father is called humility, its mother is called self-reflection. And it is the very foundation that connects people. It's one of the two most needed talents for a monarch, many fail because they lack it, becoming arrogant and refusing to heed advice."

"What about the other one?" Isabel asked curiously.

"A firm and composed spirit,"

Aiwass answered, "You need to be utterly certain that you are on the right path, never wavering by what others say."

"... That sounds contradictory," Isabel keenly sensed the discordance.

"Many things are contradictory. We are born in conflict and die in conflict. People crave comfort as well as wealth. The needs of our animal instincts differ from our social ones, and as a monarch, you particularly must resist your innate attributes as a 'person'."

Aiwass said softly, "You must be good at listening, yet also be stubborn in your own beliefs; you must be good at asking for help, yet also be determinedly silent. It is hard, but being a monarch was never meant to be easy."

"... I don't understand."

Isabel was silent for a long time before honestly responding, "But, I will work towards that direction."

"Then let me teach you the first lesson, Isabel. As a monarch, the first thing you have to learn is to lie."

Aiwass smiled, leaning back in his chair, "My beloved queen."

"I am not a queen yet."

Isabel replied instinctively, touching the silver-white dragon-head ring already on her right ring finger.

This was the tradition of Avalon, symbolizing the covenant between the king and Avalon. In theory, it should be taken back by Bishop Mathers after the death of Queen Sofia and then given to Isabel during the coronation ceremony.

But there was a short time when Queen Sofia regained consciousness. She took the ring off herself and placed it on Isabel's finger.

Isabel was silent for a moment, but then suddenly spoke up, "But I... am willing to learn."

Upon hearing this, Aiwass revealed a fox-like smile. He placed a hand over his chest and bowed his head slightly.

"No worries," he said in a gentle and elegant manner, "I am very good at it—I will teach you. But before that, let me accompany you as we send the queen on her way."