I Once Thought I Had No Place, Being Married Off to An Enemy Nation as A Token of Apology but That Was Only for One Night - Chapter 12

After returning to the surface castle from the Hexagram Sanctuary, Frieda immediately summoned the knights and Saintesses to the conference room. Consequently, the high ranking officials of the territory gathered, but they wore expressions of utter confusion in response to Frieda’s words. I watched the scene from her side.

“Lady Frieda, could you please repeat that once more?” one of them asked.

“The cause is unknown, but the miasma in the Hexagram Sanctuary has vanished entirely. Therefore, there is no need for purification for the time being. I stated that we will use the resulting surplus of the Saintesses’ power for areas we could not reach until now,” she explained.

She repeated the same sentences, but not a single person seemed to understand. Frieda then asked if there was a problem.

“No, the policy itself is wonderful. Many knights and soldiers worry about their families suffering from Erosion Disease, so they would be overjoyed if the power were used for their families’ relief. However, regarding the fact that the miasma vanished, what exactly do you mean?”

“I told you, the cause is unknown,” Frieda replied.

“Yes, we heard that, but still,” the knight muttered.

Both the knights and Saintesses were completely bewildered. Seeing that they were at an impasse, I spoke up.

“Investigation into the cause can come later. Why not first create a plan to provide purification for the citizens?”

When I made that suggestion, one of the knights narrowed his eyes at me.

“We appreciate your opinion. However, surely the Empress is tired after just arriving in this territory. Why not take a slow and restful break first?”

His tone was polite, but the summary of his words was for me to be quiet because I was in the way. Several knights gestured in a way that showed they agreed with him. In the next instant, Frieda slammed her hand onto the table.

“She is the Empress of the Rayvel Empire. I will not tolerate a disrespectful attitude toward her. Of course, I do not mind rebuttals or differing opinions regarding the content of her suggestions, but you must provide a proper evaluation!”

She spoke in a harsh tone, but a moment later, she turned a face toward me that looked like a puppy begging for praise from its master, as if asking if she had done well. Her attitude had changed far too much.

Moreover, Frieda’s expression was visible to everyone else. The knights all looked as if they were wondering what had happened to their Lord. I cleared my throat once to try and steer the conversation back on track.

“I understand well why everyone wants to know the cause. However, are you willing to waste the opportunity you have been given while you search for that reason?” I asked.

“Indeed. It is exactly as Empress Noel says,” an old knight, a rarity in the Empire, muttered thoughtfully.

At those words, the other knights and Saintesses showed interest. “Lord Riot, what do you mean by wasting the opportunity?”

“I could answer that, but Empress Noel is the one who pointed it out. If you have questions, it is only proper to ask her,” the old knight said, giving me the floor.

While he supported me, many of the knights and Saintesses still looked dissatisfied. This was likely a fair assessment of my current standing. Gaining their trust would be difficult, but only by achieving that could I create a place for myself in this country. I took that first step right here.

“Since it is no longer necessary to perform the purification for this month, a surplus of holy power has been created. However, for how long is that surplus valid?” I asked.

The disappearance of the miasma in the Hexagram Sanctuary was only temporary. Eventually, it would need to be purified again. At that time, the Saintesses would need to have energy to spare. The period during which they could use their holy power freely was likely not very long.

“You are right. It is exactly as the Empress says,” one of the Saintesses said with a look of realization. “I perform the purification of the Sanctuary every month. But after I do, my power is empty, and it only recovers fully a few days before the next purification.”

A knight was struck by her words as well. “In other words, the period during which your holy power can be used freely is only for a few days starting from now?”

“That is correct. There is some flexibility, but if we are to make the most of it, we must act immediately,” I explained.

The window of opportunity was shorter than I had thought. Understanding this, the knights and Saintesses began to buzz with excitement. Seeing this, Frieda raised her voice.

“Everyone, it is as Empress Noel has said! The investigation into the cause can wait. First, so as not to waste this good fortune, create a plan to efficiently dispatch Saintesses to various regions!”

The knights responded in unison, and various plans immediately began to pour out. Everyone worked together to discuss the best course of action. It was a familiar sight, much like the conference rooms in Ashtar. The only difference was that I was not inside that circle.

I gripped my fist tightly, hoping that someday I would be.

“Empress Noel, thanks to your words, everyone was able to realize what was important,” Riot said, showing his gratitude.

“Even without my words, you all would have reached the same conclusion eventually. But I am happy you said that. Thank you,” I replied with a bright smile, glad that even one person acknowledged me.

In conclusion, Frieda’s subordinates were excellent. In a short amount of time, they constructed a plan for the Saintesses to visit each town, purifying miasma pools and moving to save those suffering from Erosion Disease. They used the miracles of those few days to their absolute limit.

They could not save everyone. Compared to the whole, it was likely only a small fraction. Nevertheless, for the first time in over a decade since the death of the previous Saintess of White Snow, a light of hope had arrived in a situation that had been slowly worsening.

Among those saved was, of course, Frieda’s sister. Else received treatment from a Saintess in the territorial capital and reportedly recovered within the day.

However, it was not quite a case of living happily ever after just yet. One afternoon, while I was enjoying tea time in the courtyard, Kai approached.

“Sister, do you have a moment?” he asked.

“As if you have a moment. As you can see, Empress Noel is enjoying her tea right now,” Frieda snapped, glaring at him. She had become quite the loyal subject.

Even when she disliked me, she had fulfilled her duties as a maid, so her work itself had not changed much, but there was a significant change in her attitude. Thinking that it was a bit lonely, I offered a helping hand.

“It is fine with me, so please go ahead and speak,” I said.

“Empress Noel, are you sure?” Frieda asked.

“Yes. I am curious as well.”

Frieda bowed her head in thanks and then addressed Kai. “Kai, Empress Noel has given her permission. Be deeply grateful for that and state your business briefly.”

Her sudden change in attitude was bound to be suspicious. Indeed, Kai seemed confused by her shift in behavior as he spoke with some hesitation.

“Sister, regarding this recent matter, what on earth happened?”

“I should have reported it already. Fortunately, there was no longer a need to purify the miasma in the Hexagram Sanctuary. Therefore, while being grateful for that luck, I decided to use the surplus power for the citizens,” Frieda explained.

“And you are saying such a convenient thing simply happened?”

“Yes, that is why I called it luck.”

“That may be so, but still,” Kai muttered, appearing doubtful. He then turned his gaze toward me. “I have heard the rumors about Empress Noel. The sister of the Crown Prince who toyed with the Saintesses. The woman who bears the name of the ominous Black Snow yet is a mere decorative Saintess who does nothing. Why did such a person come to Eisenwald?”

“Kai, I told you I would not tolerate disrespect toward Empress Noel!” Frieda’s tone shifted from that of a sister back to that of a Lord.

Faced with Frieda, who was radiating a slight bloodlust, Kai simply tilted his head with a serious expression.

“That is strange. I thought that information was something I heard from you, Sister.”

“What? That is, well. Empress Noel, it is different! I simply gathered information from the Kingdom of Ashtar. It does not mean I think that way now!” Frieda stammered.

I let out a sigh. Beyond the flustered Frieda, Kai was smiling as if he had perceived everything. At the same time, Frieda likely realized her blunder as well. Kai then knelt on one knee before me.

“Empress Noel, please forgive my disrespectful words. And, I thank you.”

I suspected he was testing my reaction. Based on Frieda’s response, he could guess that I had done something to completely rewrite her evaluation of me. I could have feigned ignorance, but that would only make him investigate further. It seemed better to acknowledge it and persuade him to remain silent.

“Will you keep it a secret?” I asked.

“Why? No, if that is the wish of my benefactor, I will of course obey,” he replied.

I was relieved that he was quick to understand. However, he continued to bow his head.

“Furthermore, I said some disrespectful things the other day. Please forgive me.”

“Your wife’s life was at stake. It was only natural to be desperate. Since you have apologized like this, I do not mind. More importantly, should you not be apologizing to Frieda?”

“To my sister?”

“She is a noble person. She may seem cold at times, but I think she is a kind woman. Deep down, do you not already know that?” I asked.

It might not have been my place to point it out, but I could not help myself. After a short silence, Kai nodded. He bowed while still on one knee, then stood up and faced Frieda.

“Sister, I was emotional at that time. I am sorry.”

“No, there is no need for an apology. I acted as a Lord, and you acted as a husband. That is all. It is not a matter of who was right,” Frieda said.

“Even so, just because you are acting as a Lord does not mean you feel nothing as a sister. I should have realized that. I am truly sorry.”

“I see. Then I shall accept that apology,” Frieda said, looking away. However, her profile seemed somewhat happy.

I celebrated silently in my heart for her. Then, Kai continued.

“By the way, Sister, Else wants to see you. If it is alright, would you meet with her?”

“Me? No, but I,” Frieda hesitated.

“She knows. She knows you said you could not dispatch a Saintess.”

Frieda gasped at those words. With a face like a lost child, she asked with a trembling voice, “Even so, she says she wants to see me?”

“Yes. Else scolded me, saying that it was not your fault.”

“Else really said that?”

“Yes. So, please do go see her.”

“I understand. Tell her I will visit her tonight,” Frieda said.

“Actually,” Kai said, turning his gaze toward me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Else wants to meet Empress Noel as well. She is already at the castle, so would it be alright to call her here?”

That meant he intended to tell Else that I had lent a hand. I had just told him to keep it a secret, but he had likely already shared his guesses with her. In that case, was it better to meet her and ensure her silence? I let out a small sigh, sensing that the secret might spread regardless.

“Very well. But only Else,” I stipulated.

“I understand,” he replied.

He bowed and went to fetch Else. Once he was out of sight, Frieda knelt on the spot.

“I am so sorry for this because of me. I will apologize for this blunder with my life.”

“I told you to stop those dangerous threats. Besides, he only realized that I purified the miasma in the Hexagram Sanctuary. So it is fine.”

“What? Oh, I see. It is exactly as you say,” Frieda agreed.

Kai did not know to what extent I had purified the Sanctuary. Those who saw the Sanctuary knew someone had used incredible purification power, but they did not know it was me. It might be discovered someday, but it should not be now.

Before long, Kai returned with a woman. She had brown hair and green eyes. She appeared to be about twenty years old and had a very lovely face. She was clearly Frieda’s sister. When she saw me, she performed a curtsy of the highest respect.

“Else, the wife of Kai Storm, greets Empress Noel.”

“I am Noel. Noel Rayvel,” I said, using my new imperial surname. It was the first time I had been treated with a favorable attitude by someone related to the Archlords from the start.

“It is an honor to meet you, Empress Noel. Regarding this matter, I heard from my husband that you were not involved. However, please allow me to thank you just once. I will never forget this debt of gratitude for the rest of my life.”

She was thanking me while also signaling her agreement to keep the secret.

“I do not know what you mean, but I will accept your thanks,” I replied with a chuckle, then stepped aside to let the main characters have their moment.

I gave Frieda a small push, and she stood unsteadily before Else.

“Else, well, I do not know what to say,” Frieda stammered.

“Thank you, Sister,” Else said.

“No, I. For you, I am sorry,” Frieda said, her face contorting. She looked as if she were about to cry.

“Why are you apologizing? I know. I know you were always worrying for me and secretly helping me.”

“That is, but this time,” Frieda started.

“Yes. You worried a lot and felt there was nothing you could do, right? It must have been painful. Thank you. Thank you for worrying so much for me.”

“Else, did you truly think of me that way?”

“I did. So, you do not have to make such a pained face anymore. I have always been happy because of your kindness,” Else said.

Frieda started to say something but closed her mouth. Her expression twisted further, and she finally burst into tears. She clung to Else, who gently comforted her. Watching them, it was hard to tell who was actually the older sister.

I felt happy for Frieda, though I also felt a twinge of envy for sisters who reached a different conclusion than I did with my own family. Sensing my gaze, Else suddenly looked at me.

“Empress Noel, please take care of my sister. She is clumsy, but she is a very kind person.”

“Yes, I know that well,” I replied.