C139
"How did this happen?"
Mikhail immediately furrowed his brow.
"Why are you here?"
Ethel shrugged and replied.
"First, sit in front of me. The conversation will be long."
"...You lured my mother."
The letter that brought Mikhail here was clearly written in the empress's handwriting.
The woman he saw in front of the greenhouse a moment ago was clearly a confidante who had served his mother for a long time.
In other words, this meeting wouldn't have been possible without the empress's help.
"Now that I think about it, Duke Birod needed a large amount of magical stones for business."
His mother ended up falling into the temptation of that woman because of the magical stones.
Mikhail gritted his teeth and took a step back.
"Where are you going?"
"It seems that my father and mother really won't come. So there's no reason for me to be here."
"I recommend you talk to me."
"I refuse. I have nothing to say to you."
Despite Mikhail's stern rejection, Ethel greeted him politely and without the slightest agitation.
"Then, goodbye."
Mikhail looked at her and then walked angrily towards the exit of the greenhouse.
However, after a while, he had no choice but to return to the pavilion where Ethel was.
"Well, we meet again."
Ethel smiled happily, but Mikhail's voice trembled.
"How dare you lock me in here...?!"
For some reason, the greenhouse door was securely closed, and the maids and knights of the empress who had been in front of it a moment ago were gone.
If this had been an ordinary greenhouse, Mikhail would have broken the lock and left without hesitation.
However, this place was no different from a shelter created in preparation for invasions from other countries, long-distance magical attacks, and monster attacks.
Water could be obtained from the spring, and not only ornamental plants but also crops and fruits could be cultivated, making it possible to survive here for a few days.
Naturally, not only the lock but also the greenhouse walls were carefully crafted artifacts.
Even if Mikhail exerted all his power until exhaustion, destruction couldn't be guaranteed.
"Open the door now!"
"Oh my, is the door locked?"
Ethel asked with wide-open eyes.
"Are you being pretentious?"
"Even if you say that... How can I open a door that you can't even open?"
Ethel sipped her tea calmly, even with furrowed eyebrows.
"What a shameless act. Aren't you afraid when you and I are locked in an isolated space?"
"Is there something to fear? His Highness is a knight."
Mikhail had nothing to say in response, so he kept his mouth shut.
No matter how angry Mikhail was, he didn't lose his reason enough to use physical force against Viscountess Lucibiu, who was honored by the emperor.
Moreover, judging by the situation, she was a victim trapped here with Mikhail.
He was the one at a disadvantage if he behaved even a little violently.
In fact, Mikhail's intention was to scare her into opening the door, but he didn't actually intend to do anything.
"Ha, you definitely said you wanted to talk first, didn't you?"
Mikhail sighed and sat in front of Ethel under the pavilion.
"I'm not in the mood, but I'll listen. I'm a bit curious why you called me here."
"It turns out I have another cup of tea here."
"Coincidences are nonsense. Let's get to the point quickly."
"Do you remember this book?"
Ethel asked, showing him the cover of the open book in front of her.
The title "The Monarch's Path" was written in an ancient book with small stains. It was a familiar book.
Only then did Mikhail take a closer look at the books on the table.
They were all books on kings, military studies, imperial etiquette, imperial history, and world affairs that he studied as a child.
"How could...?!"
After taking it and checking, he definitely noticed that it was the book he had read.
"I asked for it, and Her Majesty the Empress lent it to me. She kept it very carefully."
Disgusted by the senseless action, Mikhail hit the table.
"What does this mean?"
"You studied very hard. Particularly, the pages of 'The Monarch's Path' are very worn."
"What does that have to do with you?"
"Your Highness."
The moment Ethel closed her eyes for a moment and opened them, Mikhail stiffened at the unusual sensation.
It was because his divine power had reached her, but Mikhail had no way of knowing that fact.
"Is the monarch you dreamed of as a child the same now?"
"... I don't understand what you mean."
"It is written in this book that the monarch must put the country first."
"Don't I put the country first now?"
"I think Your Highness knows better than anyone."