I Became a Dark Knight the Empress Is Obsessed With

194 – Side Story: Afternoon in Freesia – (3)

The appearance of national team captain Frida Iscobal was enough to set the whole of Seville abuzz.

The emergence of the most notable newcomer in imperial politics.

The fact alone made the people attending the event think of countermeasures. The sight of the great figures from all over the continent trembling at the mere appearance of Fried was amusing to Millia.

Regardless of his actions, Fred Iscoval was a man admired, if not admired, by the people of the empire, and so Eisenward’s event quickly became heated.

Eventually, the administrator of the Ice Palace, who could no longer stand to watch, hurriedly walked out and declared the opening ceremony to be postponed, and Millia was forced to stay in the room of the guild run by Hilda.

“Damn, damn. How on earth did such a big thing roll in!”

For reference, in Hilda’s case, she didn’t have the time to worry about Millia in the midst of the rapidly changing situation, so she left the guidance to her subordinate guild member and went into the guild leader’s office.

Likewise, it seems like they want to discuss future plans.

It was more enjoyable to see Hilda, who had always been so confident, flustered and flustered than I thought.

“Wow.”

Merta was so overwhelmed by the heated atmosphere that she kept exhaling from the moment she entered the room and unpacked her bags.

“Professor, it seems that the royal family’s influence is truly great.”

“Of course, since the new empress is leading the way.”

As the saying goes, after the appearance of Empress Lincia, the empire regained peace surprisingly quickly.

The empress who ascended to the throne after overcoming all adversity.

As the only remaining member of the imperial family, his legitimacy was beyond words and there was no need to worry about a fight for the throne.

The religious order that was practically an arch-rival has collapsed, and the nobles who could have been a stumbling block, including Aranion, have long since been eliminated or expelled in the process.

It was literally the perfect environment to celebrate the heyday.

“I actually saw the letter. Of course, it was when he was serving as a patriot.”

“So… … are you going?”

“Yes. During the Highlings Spirit Incident.”

Milia let out a small sigh.

By the way, I heard that Fried made significant contributions in the spirit world corruption incident that occurred in Hylings.

Because Seira kept mentioning it so much that even Milia’s ears started to ring.

“My impression when I saw him briefly then was… … He was incredibly handsome!”

“… … .”

“And you’re so good at fighting!”

Merta blushed and shook her head from side to side as if recalling that memory.

“By the way, why did Your Majesty come to Eisenward?”

Milia also kept her mouth shut at Merta’s question.

Even she didn’t know why Fried had come to Eisenward.

“Perhaps it is for the wife?”

So, the moment Merta made that guess, Milia couldn’t help but open her eyes wide.

Fried’s wife.

That is, Lincia Hodier Airn. The rightful ruler of this millennium empire.

“Uh, why?”

“It’s a full moon!”

Merta said, blushing like a country girl who had heard a love story.

“A legendary flower that is said to grow only once every hundreds of years. Perhaps His Majesty is trying to obtain that flower and give it to the Empress?”

“… … .”

“To receive a full moon flower as a gift! There has probably never been a woman in the history of the empire who has received such honor!”

Full moon.

The most beautiful and valuable flower in the world.

A treasure that even the emperor who has everything cannot easily obtain. There is no better item to give as a gift.

It was a credible guess.

That’s why it got even more heated.

“Isn’t it so romantic?”

Merta asked with a smile, but Milia nodded softly.

In an instant, his expression darkens.

“……huh?”

Merta tilted her head and waved her hand in front of Milia, who was staring at a dot in the air.

“Excuse me? Are you listening?”

“… … .”

“Hey… … ?”

Merta’s voice disappeared into the cold northern air.

*

A few hours later.

“… … Welcome to Eisenward. Our distinguished guests… … .”

Inside the Ice Palace.

A small banquet was being held, beginning with a greeting from Saelar, the new ruler of the North, Archduke Isenward.

As I had heard, Milia also came wearing the dress she had worn at the family banquet.

“… … Ohohoho, I see. Are you aiming for the full moon flower?”

“I don’t think so. I just came here to enjoy the atmosphere.”

The faces of the VIPs who arrived at Eisenward were all big names that made even Milia feel intimidated.

From the leaders of the highest levels of the empire, to the leaders of adventuring groups, and even the most prestigious knights.

It would be safe to say that the Ice Palace currently had greater influence than the imperial family.

and.

“Hahaha, I never dreamed that His Majesty’s husband would come to visit.”

“The tale of his bravery was heard even from far away in Elvendel. Truly, as a fellow knight, I could not help but be impressed.”

A person who stands out even among such big names, or rather, a person who dominates the place itself.

There were crowds of people around Fried Iscobal.

All of them revealed their dark intentions to somehow benefit from this opportunity, but that’s how society has always been.

But Fried shook off the gathering with a displeased wave of his hand.

Everyone panicked and got out of the way.

I guess you’re not feeling well.

Everyone must have thought that way.

At least, until Fried came trudging through the middle of the banquet hall and stood in front of Millia.

“… … .”

“Long time no see, Milia.”

The banquet hall became cold as Fred Iscoval spoke.

The person who spoke to Gukseo, who had pushed aside all the dignitaries who were no different from pillars of the continent, was a mere professor at the academy, Millia Liantur.

It’s easy to predict what will be on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper.

Millia felt her cheeks burning involuntarily.

But he nodded without showing it and with his lips pursed.

“Yes. It’s been a while. Mr. Fried… … No, Mr. Iscoval.”

“No need to be formal. Just call me Fried.”

“… … Sir Fried.”

As I reluctantly answered, the murmuring grew louder.

Fried looked around and shrugged.

“Should we move?”

“yes.”

It was as I had hoped.

*

And so we were guided to the reception room of the Ice Palace.

Fried sat on the long sofa and chuckled.

At that smile, which was the same as always, Milia’s heart ached, but she opened her mouth without showing it.

“Life in the palace.”

“huh.”

“Are you enjoying your stay?”

Fried sighed deeply at that question.

“It’s boring. It’s dull. It’s annoying on such a topic. After all, this kind of life isn’t for me.”

“haha.”

“I don’t know how Lincia held out. When I see things like that, I wonder if it’s just her nature.”

When she heard Lincia’s name, Milia flinched.

Fried seemed to notice and changed the subject.

“Is life as an academy professor worth it? I heard that the evaluation of the course you recently opened is quite good. I think it was even mentioned in the weekly newspaper.”

“You knew that.”

“Of course. When your sister is bored, she comes into the palace and brags about you.”

“… …Because he is such a broad-minded person.”

Seira was invited as an imperial advisory magician and visited the palace every other week.

It wouldn’t have been strange at all if Fried and Malko had been at odds during the process.

“Of course, even if you’re not my sister, I heard you talking. It must mean that you’re doing well.”

Milia nodded slightly.

It’s embarrassing to say this myself, but I can proudly say that I’ve found my place.

“That went well.”

“yes.”

After those words, a short silence followed.

Two years ago, after an ambiguous breakup, the atmosphere between the two was complicated and subtle.

“… … .”

but.

A smile naturally appeared on Milia’s lips.

He knows his own actions. Rather, he is interested in them.

But I guess this person hasn’t completely forgotten me.

A superficial, if not convenient, self-consolation.

If Seira had seen it, she would have burst out laughing.

“… … I, you know.”

But Milia mustered up her courage and opened her mouth.

Normally I would never have dreamed of this, but this is Isenward, the northernmost point of the Empire.

No matter what he says here, no one but Fried will hear it. Even if it escapes, the cold snow of the north will cover it.

in other words.

“… … I’ve been thinking about that a lot… … .”

A strange sight caught Milia’s eye as she spoke like that.

There was something stuck to the small window at the back of the living room.

At first, I thought it was just a simple flying animal.

However, Millia, who was familiar with mana, realized that it was not a simple bird, but a spirit in the form of a bird.

“… … .”

A protruding beak and sparkling blue eyes.

Wig, a lower-level wind spirit in the shape of an eagle.

in other words…….

“… … .”

Millia nodded and shut her mouth.

The only one who can hear is Fried? What a stupid idea that was.

I can’t say.

No, if I tell you, you’ll be in big trouble.

“Milia?”

Fried looked back, feeling suspicious at the sight of Milia keeping her mouth shut.

“Is there anything?”

As he had low affinity for spirits, he was unable to confirm its appearance.

Milia shook her head with her mouth tightly shut.

“Oh, no. There’s nothing.”

“okay?”

Fried frowned and turned his head again.

“So what do you want to say?”

“… … .”

“Milia?”

“nothing.”

“huh?”

“It’s nothing. It’s just that the weather… is… nice….”

“weather?”

Fried looked out the window again, but there was only swirling frost.

“… … .”

“I, I like winter.”

Milia quickly spoke as if making excuses.

Fried just tilted his head.

and.

――Caw, caw.

The wind spirit let out a small cry of satisfaction.