Chapter 331
“Uninformed and pitiful people? Do you not see the people trembling in fear because of the riot they caused?”
Rebecca looked around the street.
Those who had been startled by the commotion and rushed out in the middle of praying were watching with worried expressions.
Bolstered by their gazes, Rebecca’s momentum was quite confident.
“It is only a disturbance caused by the misunderstanding of people who have been misled. If they were truly rioters, they would not have restored order according to my words like this.”
When Nina met the eyes of those watching this situation and sought their agreement, everyone nodded as if they accepted it.
Just as she said, several people were in the middle of controlling the street that had been a scene of chaos.
Rather, the knights of House Nord, who had pointed swords at the unarmed poor, were far more threatening.
But Rebecca raised the corners of her lips as she looked at the soldiers who had arrived there before they knew it.
“They are rioters, are they not? As proof, have His Majesty’s soldiers not come to suppress them?”
“Suppress?”
Nina gave a faint laugh.
Rebecca felt ominous at the blatant sneer and furrowed her brow, but only for a moment.
As the soldiers parted like waves, a middle-aged man dismounted from his horse and raised his voice.
“Receive the Imperial command!”
At the cry of the messenger dispatched from the Imperial Palace, everyone, including Nina, showed their respect.
“His Majesty the Emperor, the light of Nesman, has commanded that no support be spared so that those suffering without work through winter may have a livelihood, so be moved by His Majesty’s mercy!”
Those who had been terrified that they might be dragged away by the soldiers exchanged bewildered looks.
He was bestowing mercy so they could have a livelihood.
“I-Is that true?”
At one poor person’s question, the messenger spoke with a stern gaze.
“Unless one does not value one’s life, who would dare falsely proclaim an Imperial command?”
Murmurs spread at the messenger’s answer.
“So it wasn’t that he was giving us land for free?”
“If I’d known this would happen, I would’ve just gone to the square…”
A few muttered as if somewhat disappointed, but most looked delighted.
Being able to work meant they would no longer have to suffer over worrying about meals.
“L-Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”
The poor all knelt at once, cheering and praising the Emperor’s merciful conduct.
As a hymn to the Emperor spread through the slums like a tsunami, a trace of a smile appeared on Nina’s lips, as if she had been waiting for it.
“Duchess Nord, you should order your knights to lower their swords. Surely you don’t intend to keep pointing swords at subjects praising His Majesty the Emperor?”
“……”
Meanwhile, Rebecca’s face twisted miserably.
* * *
To explain how this happened, one had to turn back time.
The day Catherine came to see her.
Nina secretly sent a letter to Duke Granvil.
It was to ask him to please submit a petition to His Majesty through Marquis Belmore.
She was one of the people who had the ability to move His Majesty.
“I’m truly sorry. I don’t know how I can possibly compensate you for this, but if it is something I can do, I will do anything.”
It was somewhat wasteful to use the ‘right to a wish’ she had obtained after being injured at the birthday banquet here, but it couldn’t be helped.
Her connection with Marquis Belmore was shallow, unlike what others thought.
But to rely on that shallow goodwill and make a request?
No matter how righteous the purpose, there was a risk of disappointing her.
The reason Marquis Belmore avoided private meetings to an extreme degree was partly due to her health, but it was also to stay away from tiresome requests.
Since this was a connection she had to maintain for a long time, borrowing Duke Granvil’s strength was the best method.
“…Wife, did you know in advance that something like this would happen?”
Right now, they were on their way to the audience hall by His Majesty the Emperor’s command.
“Yes…”
Nina answered in a voice as small as a mosquito.
The look on her husband’s profile was far from ordinary.
“What happened?”
“Well…”
Nina explained what had happened.
How, after hearing the rumors in the slums from Catherine, she had sent a letter to Duke Granvil.
How she had petitioned His Majesty the Emperor through Marquis Belmore.
And how she had received a firm answer that a messenger and soldiers would be sent at the right time.
