Chapter 13: Chapter 25: One-Year Ultimatum

“To bid our guests farewell, I have prepared some parting gifts,” Cliff said, clapping his hands. Several servants emerged from the wings of the royal court.

“That really isn’t necessary…” Chloe hurriedly waved her hands in refusal, but a broad smile graced Cliff’s face.

“The Elder came all this way to our kingdom, only to be troubled by our domestic affairs,” he said. “Please, consider this our apology.”

A servant approached, holding an exquisite formal dress. “This garment was crafted by the most renowned tailor in the principality,” Cliff explained. “I hope Elder Raina will accept it.”

Chloe offered her thanks and accepted the dress. Gold and black swirled across the fabric, the silk shoulders lending it an air of magnificence. The skirt was trimmed with lace, and it came with a pair of black, over-the-knee boots, looking for all the world like a Lolita outfit.

Back when she was still Xia Ni, her sister would sometimes wear such clothes to anime conventions. The thought of wearing something similar herself sent a blush creeping up her face.

Xina received a beautiful brooch. Seemingly having forgotten that Cliff had seized her ancestral lands, she thanked him with unabashed enthusiasm.

Two servants then presented a sharp, long spear to Xiao Nuoqi.

“This spear is for the warrior who escorted the Elder here,” Cliff announced. “May you continue to serve your liege lord with valor.”

However, Xiao Nuoqi took a step back, shaking his head repeatedly. “This spear should be for Brother Norria,” he insisted. “I am but a common soldier. He’s the one who led us all the way here!”

Xina could no longer contain herself. She strode forward, but the guards at the foot of the dais crossed their spears, blocking her path.

“Your Majesty, may I ask where my guard, Norria, is now?”

“For his heroic deeds, Norria will be made a member of the Royal Guard. His achievements will be recorded in history and sung for all time,” Cliff replied, his eyes narrowing as his hawk-like gaze fixed on Xina.

“The Royal Guard is a position reserved for those of the most noble blood in the kingdom. Your Majesty, with all due respect, it is improper to appoint a count’s guard to such a role,” Xina said, meeting Cliff’s stare. Her demeanor was a world away from what it had been moments before.

Cliff grinned. “You truly are just like your mad father. For the Elder’s sake, I will overlook your transgression today.”

“The selection of the Royal Guard is at His Majesty’s discretion,” the Prime Minister interjected. “No one else has the right to question it.”

“But—” Xina started to protest, but Chloe took her arm. She didn’t understand Xina’s obsession with Norria, but it was time to persuade her to let it go.

“If you truly wish him well, you should let him become a Royal Guard. Let his story be told by bards, rather than letting him die in obscurity as a simple guardsman.”

Chloe knew all too well how limited the opportunities for advancement were in a medieval setting. ‘Royal Guard’ sounded like the most prestigious position in the kingdom; Norria had struck incredible luck to become one of them.

Xiao Nuoqi accepted the spear with one hand and saluted Xina. “It’s alright, Lady Xina. I will protect you in Brother Norria’s stead!”

Xina clutched Chloe’s hand and retreated in silence, tears shimmering in her eyes. Chloe broke into a cold sweat. ‘Could Xina and Norria really have reached *that* stage?’

“What about me, King boy?” Alice, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke up.

Cliff clapped his hands again. “A gift has been prepared for you as well, of course, esteemed Elder. In fact, it has already been delivered to your residence.”

A flicker of displeasure crossed Alice’s eyes. Chloe was merely puzzled. How did Cliff know where Alice was staying?

****

The group took their leave of Cliff. Xina was still sullen, so Alice had Xiao Nuoqi accompany her to find their carriage while she and Chloe returned to Alice’s temporary lodgings.

“Be ready to run if anything’s off,” Alice warned.

She opened the door to reveal a young woman in a gold and red robe, sitting gracefully on the floor. Her raven hair cascaded to her waist, and her skin was as fair as frost. Her stunning features and tall, elegant figure made her as dazzling as an angel descended from the heavens.

“It has been a long time, Alice Fabia Caligula.”

“Anjie, what are you doing here?” Alice’s face darkened. It seemed they knew each other.

“Angelica Cornelia Scipio,” the young woman corrected. “I hope you haven’t forgotten our noble naming conventions.”

‘Cornelia what-ia?’ Chloe hadn’t quite caught it, but it sounded like she had also lengthened Alice’s name.

“Names that long and tedious should have been buried in history along with the Empire,” Alice grumbled.

“Only barbarians shorten their names as much as possible,” Angelica said, her gaze shifting to Chloe. “So, you are the Divine Chosen?”

“Ah… huh?” ‘Why is she talking about me?’ Chloe’s mind screamed in alarm.

“You’re so adorable. I’m afraid I won’t be able to bring myself to do it,” Angelica said with a sweet smile, though her words were utterly terrifying.

In an instant, a murderous aura, sharp as needles, assaulted Chloe from all directions. She now understood viscerally how extreme fear could freeze a person’s body, rendering them immobile.

But then Alice stepped in front of her.

“Move, Caligula. Let me erase her from this world, so that peace may continue.”

“Say what you will, but she’s under my protection now,” Alice said coolly. “So, you’ve also fallen for that die-hard conservative Little Cato’s nonsense?”

“I merely wish to restore the glory of the Empire.” Angelica retracted her killing intent completely, her tone becoming gentle. “You know I’m a nostalgic person. I miss the safe and comfortable imperial roads. I miss the free and happy citizens. I miss that era of peace and harmony. If the No-War Edict can preserve even a shadow of that, I will defend it with my life.”

“You can never go back,” Chloe said.

She didn’t know where the courage came from, but she felt compelled to speak. The sentiment resonated deep within her.

Before her illness, Xia Ni had been a young man with goals, striving tirelessly to achieve them. Working overtime every day had been exhausting, but it brought him closer to owning his own home, a place where he and his sister would no longer have to squeeze into a cramped rental. He had been on the verge of buying a house outright, but a single medical report had shattered all his dreams.

After that, he was fired from his job and fell into a deep depression. His treatment depleted his family’s savings, and his sister had to drop out of school to work and support them. How he had longed to return to those days.

But it was impossible.

“What’s done is done. We must create a new future, not remain stagnant.”

The words were for Angelica, but they were also for Xia Ni. Leaving the room, chatting freely with his sister, looking for a new job the next day, putting his sister through college—that was the answer she had found.

“Believe me. As the Divine Chosen, I will unite the world once more.”

Chloe’s eyes shone as she looked at Angelica.

‘And then,’ she thought, ‘I’ll return to my world and finish what I started.’

Angelica rose to her feet. Her beautiful face showed neither anger nor joy. She simply raised a single finger.

“One year.”

“?”

“I will give you one year to become a queen. When that time comes, I will acknowledge your right to unite the world. Otherwise, I will personally erase you.”

With that, Angelica silently walked out, leaving Alice and Chloe alone.

“You’ve really got some nerve,” Alice said to Chloe.

Chloe pinched her own cheek, feeling like she was barely hanging on. Her life felt as fragile as a candle flame in the wind.

“I was wondering how that Cliff kid dared to oppose his great-uncle. So he had backing after all.” Alice scratched her head in frustration. “It seems the conservatives have placed their bet on the Principality of Saint Fros.”

“Shouldn’t we be more concerned about ourselves than the kingdom? I think we’ve been discovered, haven’t we?” Chloe asked, unnerved.

Alice swept her hair back. “Angelica was just following orders; finding us was purely accidental. Besides, she’s a maverick who acts alone. I don’t think she’ll report us to the conservatives. Not within the year, at least.”

“So… we’re safe for now?”

“I just didn’t expect the conservatives to send out their strongest fighter. Thirty years ago, during Ponkay’s reign, she was the one who delivered the Elder Council’s divine punishment upon Saint Fros,” Alice said. “The Council has a sick sense of humor, sending someone with a national and familial vendetta to negotiate.”

A chill ran down Chloe’s spine. This only proved Angelica’s absolute confidence. She subconsciously touched the bracelet on her wrist, which gave off a faint glow. “I wonder if this bracelet, which is supposed to withstand any Elder’s magic, will actually work.”

“I hate to bring this up, but do you remember how Alena was tracked? The Elders are not as weak as you think.” Alice’s expression darkened. “And becoming a queen in one year…? Do you really think that’s possible?”

Chloe had no real plan. Even in the games she used to play, rising from a countess to a queen took decades of effort. But a bold idea was forming in her mind—a way to complete the task almost immediately.

“I hear Cliff doesn’t have a wife yet. I wonder if marrying him would count as becoming a queen.”

“In your dreams.” Alice pinched Chloe’s thigh, making her yelp in pain. “Still, I do have a good idea.”