I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 210
“Euel!”
“Lady Hardland!”
I headed toward the place where I could see you the longest.
“Who—oh, Lady Hardland.”
“Excuse me.”
I arrived at the entrance leading up to the battlements. After giving a hasty greeting to the sentinel, I quickly climbed the stairs.
Thud, thud, thud.
The echo of the cold stone reverberated emptily.
When I reached the top of the sturdy battlements surrounding the palace, the sentinel looked surprised to see me. Ignoring his gaze, I pressed myself against the wall.
The wind was strong at this height, whipping my hair, which was adorned with golden threads, wildly. I brushed it aside as best I could.
The troops had already passed through the gate.
Tess, mounted on a black horse, led the way with great authority, followed by the blue-uniformed knights. Spectators, impressed by the majestic sight of the mounted imperial knights, watched in awe.
I could also see Ethyl with his brown hair shining in the light and Ruby with her blue hair.
Following them were soldiers recruited from the capital’s army and the nobility.
Some of the citizens were scattering flowers that had been handed out, and although they shivered from the cold, they didn’t seem particularly gloomy or anxious.
Perhaps the capital was spared from significant turmoil.
I hope this atmosphere continues.
Tess.
I wanted to shout out, but instead, I clenched my fists tightly.
Did he sense my gaze? The Emperor’s head, which should have been facing forward, tilted slightly to the side, as if he was about to turn.
“Tess.”
You said you no longer paid attention to minor sounds. Yet, with the hope that he would hear me, I called his name.
“My Tess.”
I will fill the space you left behind, so please come back to me.
* * *
The Chancellor and other ministers, including my father, managed the state affairs, while the chief attendant handled the palace matters.
All news was directly relayed to the Chancellor, and I was able to receive some of it. The reason being that I wasn’t yet the official Empress, though it seemed my father had intervened in the middle.
I didn’t insist on knowing everything.
‘The army had reached the border or was facing the Southern Empire’s forces…’
Each time news arrived, my heart raced so violently it hurt.
Even though a declaration of war doesn’t mean an immediate battle, it seems both sides are just watching each other for now.
“There’s a strong possibility it could fall through.”
My father said, trying to soothe me with kind words.
“I don’t know what the Southern Empire is thinking, but it wouldn’t benefit them to clash with us.”
That would be the case in most situations, but, Father, the Emperor of the Southern Empire didn’t start this war for just that reason.
I didn’t want to add to my father’s worries or reveal Tess’s secret, so I just smiled.
“Is that so?”
“Indeed.”
My father’s eyes crinkled with wrinkles as he smiled kindly. My heart ached, but I managed to smile in return.
“Well then, let’s move on to the next topic. Is there anything I can assist with?”
“Euel, could you take this to the Magic Tower and leave the message I give you? I was supposed to go myself, but I’m short on time.”
The Magic Tower, located at the very edge of the palace grounds, stood even taller than the bell tower.
With the Grand Wizard away on campaign, who would be left behind?
“Oh, Euel?”
“It’s been a while, Weathering.”
He looked notably thinner than the last time I saw him and adjusted his glasses while rubbing his temples.
“Indeed. …What are you doing at the Magic Tower?”
“This is a message from the Minister of General Affairs. He asked me to deliver it to you.”
“It’s related to the campaign paperwork.”
Weathering, who quickly took the documents, clicked his tongue, and I couldn’t help but be startled and ask.
“Are you going out too, Weathering?”
“Well, given the situation, it seems the Grand Wizard might have difficulty managing things alone.”
Goodness, even wizards are being called up.
I’m sure my father kept this from me to avoid worrying me. It’s clear that things are more urgent than expected; he must have forgotten that I might run into Weathering and sent me on this errand.
The situation is even more urgent than it seems.
“Please be careful.”
“Thank you.”
Weathering, who had given a faint smile, suddenly asked.
“Do you still have the broken Kirapt heart?”
“Yes.”
“If you have no use for it, could I take it?”
Noticing my surprise, Weathering waved his hand dismissively.
“The Kirapt heart has absorbed magical energy, whether it’s Kirapt’s own or yours. It could be quite useful as a weapon.”
“If that’s the case, I can deliver it right away.”
“It would be helpful since it needs to be processed as well. Ah, this is for the benefit of the country, so my life won’t be in danger, right?”
He added the comment as a joke, making me smile for the first time in a while.
“Only if you don’t have any ulterior motives.”
I sent the broken Kirapt heart fragments with someone from my family to Weathering, who soon departed for the battlefield.
Despite the circumstances, my practice in magic and swordsmanship continued without pause. In fact, given the situation, I felt even more compelled to work harder.
My swordsmanship skills showed visible progress day by day, but magic still seemed stagnant. One day, however,
“Wow, it’s been a while!”
A visitor with green hair swayed like a spring fairy arrived.
“Ber, you know the year has passed, right?”
“I’ve been a bit busy, so I’m late. Aren’t you going to overlook that?”
“Ber’s room is already gone.”
“What?”
Laughing heartily at seeing the green-haired dragon bounce around, I guided him to the guest room.
“This way.”
As Bernaldi looked around the mansion, he asked about my mother.
“How is Ciel?”
“She went to meet her half-elf friend, Countess Daidi.”
“I see. So, it’s from the mother’s side. Do you know who it is?”
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