In the Royal Capital, since Claire represented the Augustine family to issue a statement and took on the role of Lilith’s assistant, the Royal Capital has surprisingly enjoyed a period of tranquility.
Although the Old Party still wrangles with the New Party and reforms remain a slow process, there has been some progress compared to before. Unfortunately, the proposal regarding serfs, which Chancellor Nora is so keen on, is facing greater resistance than expected, and the bill hasn’t even advanced before it has essentially been abandoned.
On issues that harm the basic interests of the nobility, the New Party and the Old Party have surprisingly found consensus, especially in the increasingly stable environment.
Moreover, the Old Party no longer colludes with the Augustines.
However, although they do not collude with the Augustines, they have unconsciously become involved with Claire, who represents the Augustine family.
It is hard to say whether Claire represents herself or the entire Augustine family, but at least as an assistant, it is also Claire’s job to pacify various factions on the surface.
If there is any major news in the Royal Capital right now, it would likely be the war in the Northern Border, as Her Majesty’s brother is advancing rapidly, having captured White Frost Fortress. Many people are starting to praise the Queen’s foresight, suggesting that with such a brother, stability in the Northern Border is assured in the future.
Most people no longer nitpick about how a queen of a nation calls a regional governor “brother”; after all, calling him “brother” can yield control over the entire Northern Border, a deal too profitable to pass up.
Some even begin to promote that Graywhite Territory is the true lineage of Lars and that Doug, that parricide, deserves execution by hanging.
Of course, these people say nothing about how Doug committed parricide.
In the southwestern region, the effects of cannons are gradually becoming apparent. Although they remain inferior to the Anju Kingdom on the front lines, there are no significant issues in defending the southwestern borders.
Everything seemed to settle into a state of peace.
However, at that moment, Nora burst into Lilith’s study like a frenzied bull.
Before Lilith could ask, Nora hurriedly said, “Sorry, Your Majesty, please take a look at this letter first.”
Not understanding why Nora was so flustered, Lilith took the letter and began to read. It was a letter from the current king of the Anju Kingdom addressed to Lilith.
After reading, Lilith’s expression became tumultuous.
“I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty. Ordinarily, I cannot open and review letters of this level without permission.”
“It doesn’t matter; this is indeed your authority.”
Lilith waved her hand. These few male figures with high regard for her were already some of the few trustworthy people in the Royal Capital.
But it was precisely because she knew how high Nora’s regard for her was that Lilith understood why Nora turned red upon seeing this letter.
The current king of the Anju Kingdom, Alberto Ferdinand, had proposed to Lilith.
In the letter, Alberto referred to himself as Al, writing a love letter from his perspective to Lilith, not only excessively sentimental but also stating that if he married Lilith, Klan would be pleased, and at least Lilith would not remain a widow.
Furthermore, Alberto also pointed out that Lilith is a descendant of the Old Empire, and after marrying Lilith, Anju and Cape could merge, restoring the glory of the old Empire, making war between the two nations unnecessary.
This was not a proposal but a blatant mockery.
Just from the wrinkles on the letter paper crumpled by Nora, it was evident how heated Nora was at the moment.
“This is absurd, simply absurd! Your Majesty, I will immediately convene a round table conference; we must retaliate fiercely!”
Seeing the usually calm Chancellor, who occasionally had dubious ideas before her, Lilith shook her head and said, “Calm down!”
“How can I calm down, Your Majesty? He is not only insulting you but also Klan, and insulting our entire kingdom!”
“Even so, we must remain calm.”
Lilith stood up and looked through the window at the Royal Capital. Although this letter was sent through special channels and no one but Nora could have seen it, Lilith could already imagine that the content of this letter was likely the talk of the streets in the Royal Capital.
It seems that the cannons have indeed caused the Anju Kingdom considerable trouble, otherwise they wouldn’t resort to such petty tactics.
At that moment, Alberto was in the Anju Palace admiring a portrait of Lilith.
Unlike the luxurious style of the Cape Kingdom, the Anju Palace exhibited a more refined and solemn atmosphere, with the palace interior being somewhat hauntingly empty.
There were even some bloodstains from the coup that had not been properly cleaned from the walls and floor.
The portrait in hand was magically painted, making it almost identical to Lilith.
Alberto was very young; it was hard to imagine how such a young king could navigate the brutal political environment of Anju and succeed in the coup.
Furthermore, the painting style resembled the male characters around Lilith; if Lilith were to see it, she would likely recognize that Alberto’s painting style was very similar to those who could be pursued.
“Is this the Queen of Cape?”
Alberto looked at the portrait with an odd expression.
“Yes, Your Majesty. There is no doubt she is the newly appointed Queen of Cape.”
A bard beside Alberto bowed.
Although Alberto had never seen Lilith before, this did not hinder the passionate love letter he wrote; after all, his intention was to disgust the other party, not to genuinely propose to the queen.
Nevertheless, having written a love letter, Alberto thought he must at least meet the queen; if she turned out to be ugly, he would be at a disadvantage.
It was precisely because she was Klan’s widow, who was the legitimate heir of the Cape Kingdom and a minor noble, capable of catching Klan’s eye despite political factors, that she could not possibly be unattractive. Thus, Alberto felt no psychological burden in writing that letter.
“How should I put it? So Klan Augustine liked this type?”
Alberto shook his head; Lilith was indeed not unattractive, at least quite conforming to human aesthetics. His first impression of this petite queen was cute.
In this way, Klan imprinted an odd impression in Alberto’s mind.
Although Klan had a somewhat tragic reputation, the dead cannot speak for themselves.
What Alberto did not know was how many people had feelings for Lilith; otherwise, the nobility of the entire Cape Kingdom’s Royal Capital would be tarnished in reputation.
“Have you investigated this queen?”
Alberto turned to ask the bard beside him.
“Of course, Your Majesty. Some of my colleagues seem to have investigated her, and they are closer to us than this queen, which makes it hard for us to dig up any effective information or confirm if she truly is a descendant of the Old Empire.”
“From the fabrication faction, I suppose?”
After confirming with the bard, Alberto humorously picked up Lilith’s portrait again.
“Those people help this queen hide her origins; that means this queen must be of considerable importance?”
“No, Your Majesty, it could also be a smokescreen. My colleagues tend to enjoy such petty tricks.”
Upon hearing this, Alberto set the portrait down and regretfully said, “Cassius, when will you learn to do some petty tricks like your colleagues?”
“Your Majesty, we are of the historical recording faction, not the fabrication faction.”
“Talk about this, your colleagues are almost unifying the Northern Border of Cape.”
“A flat terrain.”
“Cannons and firearms originated from the Northern Border.”
Cassius finally stopped being stubborn and said, “These things do indeed carry some traits of the Old Empire, but in the end, they are mere replicas and could certainly be put to use by Your Majesty.”
Cassius glanced at the firearm at Alberto’s waist: “Our cannons and firearms will surpass the Cape’s southwestern coalition.”
