Volume 3 Chapter 12, Part 2 Elopement
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Oh my!”
”Your Majesty, are you sure about this?”
I was about to ask more, but I stopped myself, curious about the Emperor’s intentions.
”Are you planning to leave the Imperial Palace for a direct negotiation?”
”Yes. With Catherine’s portable gate, we can slip out of the palace. I’m sorry, Ms. Puruun, but it’s safer for you to stay here. As the head secretary of a neighboring country, they wouldn’t dare execute you without reason.”
The Emperor and Catherine began preparing to leave, seemingly eager to be on their way.
But I couldn’t help but worry about the Emperor.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself.
”Your Majesty, may I come with you? If we’re caught, and I won’t be executed without reason, I’d like to witness the outcome. That way, I can report back to the Queen more easily… Catherine, can your gate accommodate 3 people?”
Catherine assured me it wouldn’t be a problem; her magical power was more than sufficient.
”But Ms. Puruun… Oh, thank you. With your help, we’ll be a hundred times stronger. I had no idea you cared for me so much…”
”Oh, I’m not going anymore!”
I teased, playfully mocking the Emperor’s words.
”Just kidding, just kidding! Well, Ms. Puruun, since we’re lying, how about this? Let’s pretend you and I eloped because I couldn’t make you my official wife. That might make our pursuers less aggressive.”
”Hmm, I don’t like the idea, but it might be a decent strategy.”
”Then let’s get ready,” Catherine said calmly. Her composure made me and the Emperor chuckle.
Using the portable gate, the 3 of us left the Imperial Palace.
It was already past midnight when we stepped outside.
* * *
We had all 3 changed into civilian clothes, trying to blend in as much as possible.
”Let’s head to a safe house in case of emergency…”
Catherine guided us, running through the Imperial Capital, trying to avoid attention. Ah, this reminded her of the time I and Zerlant’s princess escaped from the royal castle. Back then, we just kept running towards Ilman.
”Catherine. Can’t we just use the gate to travel far away at once?” The Emperor complained.
”We don’t know what might happen, so I’d like to conserve our magic as much as possible. Please forgive me.”
The 3 of us entered a bustling downtown area, and hid in a room in an apartment building.
Ah, this is just like the room in the Royal Capital where the princess and Yuuta hid!
”Well then, I’ll go and scout the surroundings. You two should get some rest now. But Your Majesty, please refrain from using magic. And… please keep your lovey-dovey noises and moans to a minimum.”
Ah, Catherine… I don’t need to worry about that… but… I wonder what will happen now. I exchanged a glance with the Emperor and we both chuckled.
* * *
”What? The Emperor has eloped…?”
”Yes. We had contained the situation by controlling the information and confining the Imperial Palace, but somehow, he left a note saying he would elope with the secretary of the neighboring country.”
General Peacock reported with a sullen face, and Asunabal sighed deeply.
”Haha. He managed to escape the palace, huh. And he eloped with a Beastfolk female… indeed, he was a rather foolish Emperor. So, what will happen to the Emperor’s position?”
Asunabal asked, trying to hold back his laughter.
”While I suspect the royal-appointed ninja forces were involved in the escape, regarding the succession… House Balmstra has no heir yet, and the Crown Prince has not been decided. Eventually, I believe a few candidates will be chosen by the Dukes and high-ranking government officials. When Balmstra was chosen, it was with the strong backing of his uncle, Duke Suicelma. So, it might be best to seek support from the lords who understand our cause.”
”Hmm. So this country allows for non-hereditary succession, huh.”
”But what about Balmstra himself? Should we issue a nationwide wanted notice for him?”
”Not necessary… Anyone who abandons the throne to chase after a Beastfolk woman has likely already lost the trust of their retainers. I think we can just leave him be…”
”Hmm. But… There’s the example of Queen Asuka. Just to be safe, shouldn’t we take care of him now?”
”Now that you mention it, Queen Asuka also rose from her secluded life to lead an army. Understood. Let’s fabricate a few charges, and send out wanted posters across the land, with a ‘dead or alive’ order. General Peacock said with an eerie smile.”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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