“You didn’t tell me, so it’s a tie, right? So, instead of that regretful expression, how about acknowledging the gift I’ve prepared?”

Even with Gerald’s urgent warning gestures, he smiled and turned around, pointing to the first floor.

Indeed, the tables on the first floor were filled with luxury items that the upper class might envy.

Seeing him point at such things as gifts, Lucia closed her eyes.

But Irene was confident that she wouldn’t dislike this gift.

Tapping the glass he brought, he shouted loudly.

“The Imperial Prince presents a gift to the new queen here. The gift is these corrupt officials. Your Highness.”

It was the sound of some of the leaders dropping their glasses in the chilly silence.

And that was the beginning of the murmuring among the people.

Soon, the shocked ones started to shout loudly.

“How could the Imperial Prince make such an accusation!!”

“Unjust! If you’re going to say such things, show evidence, show evidence!”

“Is this a joke!? Surely, it must be a joke! Everyone, calm down!”

Reactions varied.

And amid the raging crowd, some whispers began to gradually enter Lucia’s keen eyes and ears.

What he said was not a joke.

León was the only one who had thought of a way to be by her side, now in a place that couldn’t be easily reached.

Since he knew about the corrupt officials investigated when he came as an envoy, just having that information allowed Lucia, now the owner of this place, to officially have a conversation with him.

So, they were soon offerings for the time she spent with him.

And it worked perfectly.

Watching the nobles who hurriedly tried to leave the party hall, Lucia gestured to Gerald.

Then, the governor, who had been standing still, began urgently going down, surrounding the door with soldiers.

Thus, soldiers guarding the door and nobles screaming.
It was a desperate struggle, like a cornered mouse trying to escape through the emergency exit.

Lucia stared intently at the culprit of the chaos amidst the screams.

His fox-like smile was an expression seeking praise.

‘…I’ve fallen into a debt.’

Feeling more disappointed than amused by his antics, Lucia asked the prince.

“Why did the Imperial Prince go through the trouble of causing such inconvenience?”

“I didn’t ask for those words. Can’t you pat my head once before starting?”

The prince lowered his cotton-candy-like pink hair.

Not knowing how far his jokes would go now, Lucia sighed.

Seeing her slightly embarrassed state, he smiled contentedly.

“It’s just a joke. The reason I came is, of course, for an alliance. Now that we’ve established a nest on the same continent, we should get along with our neighbors, even if it’s a house with a spacious interior but a narrow-minded old man.”

“This isn’t the place for such discussions.”

“Oh, is that so? It’s a bit noisy. I apologize for that.”

The prince looked down at the first floor that had turned into chaos due to his mischief.

Then, Lucia raised her head.

“No, it’s better this way. We’re going to have a coronation ceremony. Today.”

“What? Hold a coronation ceremony in the middle of the night like this?”

Irene was surprised by her calm words.

A coronation ceremony, which was customary to be held in the morning when the sun rises.

Moreover, to hold it now in front of the frightened audience, Irene couldn’t understand her at all.

But this was not impulsive for her.

The seat of the original owner, vacant for over three years, was rather belatedly being occupied.

‘It’s a waste of time. Leaving the seat empty like this.’

At that moment,

A knocking sound louder than the noisy commotion.

And soon, a massive door forced its way open.

Even the guards who had been blocking many nobles were pushed aside.

And amidst the falling guards, someone stumbled back, shouting.

“…Th-They’re bandits!”

Starting with that statement, people poured out of the open door.

Holding burning torches in their hands, they looked like civilians with miserable appearances, carrying pitiful weapons.

What made them not seem ordinary was a woman who appeared among them.

Solid muscles and sharp eyes.

She stared at Lucia with wide-open eyes more intensely than anyone else in this alert room.

And Lucia, too, met her gaze.

The determined look of someone who had carried all the burdens as if life meant nothing.

Recognizing that look, Lucia found her face somewhat intriguing.

‘I thought there wouldn’t be a chance, but fortunately, it seems my turn has come now.’

Suppressing the corrupt officials immediately upon arrival.

Certainly, it was a splendid proposal, but it lacked something.

Even if it’s a well-prepared table, it’s still a table set by the Imperial Prince.

Especially when it comes to the prince, more talk about him comes out than her presence.
She didn’t come here to adopt such a passive stance.

To both enemies and allies, the most important thing must be shown first.

That is.

Turning back time, it’s the coronation night once again.

“Are you nervous?”

The child nestled in Lucia’s arms blinked his drowsy eyes, now relaxing, and lifted his head.

“Endure a bit even if you feel sleepy. And now that the lights are about to come on, people will see Nia. Avoiding their gaze is not proper etiquette, so promise me to look straight ahead.”

She was quiet, gentle, and more composed than anyone else.

“…Okay! Promise!”

As the child spoke, with a gesture from Lucia, the lights in this banquet hall brightly lit up.

Then, numerous people were revealed below on the first floor.

“This country will be named Archeis Kingdom, succeeding the will of the late Duke, and the first thing to inform those who pledged loyalty is,”

Lucia once again held the child towards the nobles, showing them proudly.

“The fact that we will make a country that my young daughter, the princess, can be proud of.”

The child, blinking eyes in ignorance.

A monster that seemed to have kidnapped that innocent child.

Behind the mother and daughter, as if emphasizing the absoluteness of this oath, numerous pitiful bodies adorned the walls, threatening the invaders.

This was a stern and ruthless warning to the marauders in front of her, and at the same time, a brutal ceremony announcing the birth of the Iron-blooded Queen, revealing what she values most.