Chapter 203

Chapter 203

As the news of the savior that was acknowledged by Theres is marching with the saintess, Lucretia was divided. The peasants and the low class nobles who were sick and tired of the current king’s tyranny welcomes us, while the royals and the high class nobles who were afraid of getting their privilege taken demanded that the knights to chase us away.

But while we were having a meeting with the temple, they couldn’t find a common ground to agree on, and it seemed like they became divided between the royals and the nobles.

Ridrian closed his eyes.

“Iona, please stop,” he pleaded.

“What do you mean? This isn’t enough,” I retorted, eyeing his plate with dissatisfaction.

Placing a serving of meat and stir-fried vegetables on Ridrian’s plate, I said firmly, “Just eat up to this amount.”

For the first time in a while that we were able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast together. We sat in the enemy’s castle, engaging in a little battle of our own in the dining room. However, Ridrian looked down at his plate and let out a groan.

“Too much,” he complained.

It was because I put a lot of food in his plate, seeing that he hasn’t been eating much lately.

“You’re not even a young woman before a marriage, so why are you eating so little?”

Even this was barely half of what a normal knight would eat. Even Raven, who wasn’t a knight, ate more than that. Just where did Ridrian’s strength come from?

“Here, I’ll help you.”

As I gave him a piece of meat while smiling, his ears turned red and ate it without a word. He spoke casually while wiping his mouth.

“It’s just a habit. I ate little since I was young. There wasn’t much to eat in the army.”

“Ah.”

Even though he was a royal, it was obvious what kind of meal was served to him and his mother as unfavoured royals. It wasn’t in the novel and I didn’t think about it much, so I stopped cutting the meat. He was playing with the stir fried vegetable and saw my face and laughed.

“I’m full just by watching you eat, Iona, so you don’t have to make that face.”

“That’s something a mother bird would say.”

He laughed at my retort. Then took a piece of meat and put it in my mouth. It was sweet thanks to the fruit sauce, but my heart hurt for some reason.

“It’s good.”

He smiled as he watched me chew. Then as he put down his fork, I calmed down and then smiled.

“You can’t leave anything on the plate.”

“Spare me a little.”

As we were having another battle, a soldier came into the restaurant. It looked like he had something urgent to report.

“Your Majesty, there’s…. AH!”

Ridrian frowned as he was disturbed during a nice meal with me. As the Emperor’s tension rose, the soldier looked scared. He was shivering and still was delivering what he should be delivering.

“Ah, I see they’re finally here.”

Ridrian looked a little calmer as he saw that someone was here for a visit. It looked like he was expecting someone. As he waved the soldier away, he bowed and ran out of the dining room.

“Who’s here?”

Someone who wishes to see the Emperor who was in enemy territory. I was wondering who that brave soul was.

“A diplomat from Lucretia’s royal side has come.”

I understood what was happening from that statement alone. I heard that the royals and the nobles were fighting on what to do about our invasion, and it seemed like their visit is based on that.

“It seemed like they want to ask for a truce.”

“You knew?”

“I have ears. Well, of course they have zero intention of truce.”

There was nothing good for the Lucretians royals to be against the emperor. So that was why they were at least trying to pretend.

“That’s correct.”

He smiled at my answer. Then he got up and then politely gave me his hand.

“Then, Saintess Iona, wouldn’t you be so kind to give me an honour to spend this boring time with you?”

“Don’t call me that!”

Why is he becoming so teasing! I was happy to see him lighten up, but this wasn’t something I can handle. I really didn’t want to take on this childish role.

As I screamed while blushing, he laughed. I couldn’t help but smiling at his such beautiful smile.

Three days after the messenger left, I heard that there will be an official treaty talk with Lucretia.

“Someone’s coming from the capital tomorrow?”

As I was preparing the document to send back to the capital, I was surprised to hear that news from Raven. It was a five day journey from the capital to here. But there was going to be a conference here in three days.

“There happens to be a travel magic circle here.”

“Magic… Circle?”

“Right now, the magicians from palace are trying to connect the two magic circles. They said it’ll be done by tomorrow.”

Was it because Lucretia was wealthy back then? This kingdom surprisingly had travel magic circle in every important territory, and every citizens were able to use it with a fee. Of course, it would be basically paying for a private jet back in Korea.

Chancellor Ivan and Raven along with some other officers were coming from capital for this conference.

For some reason, Ridrian said he won’t be attending. He said if he attends it there’s a chance of treaty being signed. He couldn’t let them happen. For personal reason and for the kingdom, he needed to get rid of Lucretian royals.

Ridrian gave the stamped document to Raven.

“Iona also doesn’t need to attend.”

“Is that ok? If both the Emperor and the saintess don’t attend, it’d look like we have no intention of a treaty.”

“Yes.”

“But…”

I felt like there needed to be formality that I learned from my previous life. Raven then fixed his glasses.

“Visount Lesprey also talk like a very well versed secretary. It helps me greatly at that point.”

“Well, I mean it only means we want to fight otherwise.”

“There will be no problem since we want to fight.”

Well, Ridrian was right. This isn’t Korea and we are currently at war.

‘I keep forgetting since Vanmon is so peaceful.’

I looked at the Vanmon citizens out the window, who were laughing and working hard. I also like this peaceful moment.

‘It’s best not to have a war.’

I became determined and then sat at my desk. I picked up a pen and started to work so hard that Ridrian and Raven looked at me curiously.

“What is going on? Just what did she see…”

I answered without taking my eyes off the paper.

“Let’s end this war as soon as possible.”