52. Chaos Level +50
From Louis XIV’s perspective.
When the Queen goes out and needs to return, normally she must notify in advance, preparing for her welcome and security measures. However, this way, not only would her own itinerary be completely exposed to anyone wanting to know, but there would also be leaks from unknown sources, leading to a welcome from a “national fanbase” that could nearly block the roads.
Naturally, as the popular queen of the Great Yīng Empire, Louis XIV had to wave throughout the entire event, show her smile, and, when necessary, give a little speech to elicit cheers from the crowd.
In the past, Louis XIV wouldn’t have refused this “work” aspect, but today she simply wasn’t in the mood. So, under the light-armed protection of the patrol team, she secretly returned to the palace that very night .
Returning didn’t mean safety; rather, the battlefield of the Great Yīng Empire wasn’t on the borders but right here in the palace, filled with the noble and luxurious atmosphere of the empire.
Although Louis XIII had been temporarily repelled, the methods Eugénie and Kephira used to drive him away were quite lacking, leaving behind too many hidden troubles. This was just the beginning of the problem.
【Knock】
A special knocking herself sound echoed, and Louise realized she had returned to her chamber, having thought here for most of the night. She quickly composed, greeting Moriarty as she entered, her radiant smile still in place.
“Your Majesty, daily affairs report.”
“Well, speaking of which, Moriarty, to support the parliamentary restructuring, should we hold a concert at the Grand Theater again?”
“Of course, arrangements will be made after the booking.”
Moriarty’s response was flawless.
“And when the second round of parliamentary voting starts, you must keep a close eye on it!”
“The patrol team will observe throughout.”
Moriarty’s serious gaze fell upon her, and Louise hurriedly picked up the red tea in front of her.
“Um… and…”
“Your Majesty.”
“!”
The smile vanished in an instant.
Louise knew that what was meant to come would eventually arrive.
However, Moriarty’s attitude, after a serious beginning, softened slightly.
“You’ve gone too far.”
Louise let out a long-lost sigh of distress: “Alas~ I thought it would be fine, who knew that kind of person would be so stubborn. I feel no different from Kafer, am I to say he has a thing for silver- haired people?”
“Your Majesty, this is no longer a matter of whether he is stubborn or not.”
Moriarty lowered her voice, stopping the queen from continuing her attempt to “play dumb.”
“You are being too biased; in doing so, you will only involve yourself. The patrol team has investigated: Louis XIII has already met with Louis XXV. Unfortunately, we cannot interfere with the matters of the guards. If it were just your previous actions, there would be no problem without evidence, but with that man added into the mix, Louis XIII is very likely to take action from that direction to drag you down with him.”
A sorrowful expression appeared on Louis IV’s face: “Alas~ But Louis XXV already has suspicions of manipulating the council—my actions were merely for investigation; isn’t that a good thing?”
“In this situation, please don’t pretend to be ignorant with me. If that man had already thrown himself into your arms, then the previous events would perfectly align with the script of the queen and the future prince consort united in purpose, punishing evil and good rewarding. But now, the Kafer family is holding on tight, and he himself shows no willingness, which means that his connections with the Rosian Empire will be exaggerated by Louis XIII, putting your position in a very unfavorable light.”
In the next moment, a flash of light like a blade appeared, yet reflecting on Louis IV’s face, which had completely turned serious, even carrying a hint of anger, this time Moriarty showed no intention of apologizing. Instead, she firmly used her cane to create a barrier to block!
“Whether you want to kill or torture, once this ends, I will leave it to you. I know you wish to achieve the former, gaining his power while also dealing with Louis XXV, but now things are moving towards the latter. Our only course of action is to: take the good and stop the losses in time.”
“At this point, it may be a bit late to ask this, but… Your Majesty, do you still only see that man’s prophetic power as beneficial to us, which is why you chose to do this?”
Clang
In the next moment, the sword in Louis IV’s hand fell to the ground, then transformed into a mist that returned to the top of her head, turning into the crown she usually wore.
As for Moriarty, she did not press further but stepped aside, silently waiting for the queen’s decision. Then, watching the queen before her, she began to twirl and dance, elegant and beautiful.
“Moriarty, do you think I am cruel?”
As she danced gracefully, a troubled question came from Louis IV.
“To be precise, I don’t think any man is suited to be your husband. They… are not worthy.”
After all, it would be too tragic for those “lucky ones.”
Moriarty thought for a moment but swallowed those words back.
“…Has the investigation into O’Keefe and Rosia’s relationship been completed?”
“Barely, I know for now that it seems the Emperor of Rosia refers to O’Keefe as ‘big brother’.” After a pause, Moriarty quietly reminded, “Your Majesty, this time I am betting my entire reputation on it; I will handle it very cleanly.”
“And there is also Kafer.”
Moriarty frowned; although she vaguely felt the queen was hesitating, she would not simply go along with the queen’s wishes at this point.
“Your Majesty, I assure you: it will be very clean, everything will go smoothly.”
Louis IV’s dance abruptly stopped as she casually picked up the umbrella on the table, watching the other patrol team members continue to knock and enter through the door. Then… she discarded the umbrella’s fabric and drew out a longsword with the umbrella as its hilt.
Beside her, Moriarty adjusted her glasses and let out a soft sigh.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
“It is exactly because of this that I am the Queen of the Great Ying Empire, what is there to apologize for, dear members of the patrol team?”
Saying this, Louis IV swung her sword, her voice was cold as ice, yet her face wore an innocent smile like that of an idol.
As the most popular idol queen in the history of the Great Yīng Empire, Queen Louise IV would never slack in her smile.
“The arrangements for tomorrow: at 8 PM, invite Mr. O’Keefe to join me for dinner. Invite Lord Louis XIII at 9 PM to discuss how to deal with Louis XXV’s actions.”
“However, I must particularly remind Mr. O’Keefe that I ‘will definitely be present’ for dinner.”
Having said that, Louise IV looked towards Moriarty, “Moriarty, do you understand?”
——
Today is the end of the month; the February monthly ticket lottery will be drawn tonight, and the list will be released at midnight on the 1st. Then we will kick off the March monthly ticket lottery, so everyone, seize your last chance!
By the way, there will be new characters and prizes in March, and the queen’s pillow is being made! Please prepare your tickets.