Chapter 212: Back to Peace (5) (1/2)

Chapter 212: Back to Peace (5)

The New Year’s banquet continued s nobles careet the royal faave the royal faan to pile up behind Milton and Leila, as well as Violet, Sophia, and young Elizabeth When she saw that the gifts were towering high above her, Elizabeth shtly

Once the formalities were over, everyone started to enjoy the banquet in earnest The young men and women either danced in the hall or went out to the balcony to enjoy their tiether The nobles ere on the older side were busyconnections with each other As the nobles began to gather in groups, it was easy to see at a glance that the nobles were gathering in distinct factions

‘Broadly put, there are two factions’

The original Lester Kingdom’s nobles called themselves the Orthodox faction, while the nobles who joined after the western part of the Strabus Kingdoressives But truthfully, the nobles’ poere so weak coet into a fight between themselves

However, since there were factions, extreued that the country should develop only through a central governued that a country would prosper only if they had the autonoardless of whether their argu for a side that most benefited them

Most of the Orthodox nobles had risen to power in the central governdo centralized policies because they wanted to hold the power in the kingdo advantage of the fact that the Strabus Kingdo the vast amounts of food produced as a weapon to benefit from the come trade

Ultiht for their own gain Both were annoying, but to him, the Orthodox faction orse Not only did he not like them, but he also felt disappointed with them

The current Orthodox nobles were those who had followed and trusted Queen Leila even when the Lester Kingdom had been on the brink of destruction The piece of shi+ts that only cared about their oell-being either sought exile abroad or were captured and killed by the Republic

So most of the Orthodox nobles were loyal to Queen Leila and were genuinely devoted to their country But the overninal intent Perhaps they haven’t realized it themselves, but their current appearances were no different than that of a politician as frantically fighting because he didn’t want to lose the power he held in his hands

This was the poison of power Even a person as virtuous and had a sense of justice couldn’t guarantee that once they indulged in the sweetness of power, they wouldn’t get corrupted

This hy Milton felt disappointed and betrayed by the Orthodox nobles If you compared them to how they were in the early days of Queen Leila’s accession, then they had changed way too otten involved in the country’s internal affairs since it was under the jurisdiction of Queen Leila If Milton had been in control of what happened within the country, then both factions would have been pressed down so that they wouldn’t be able to say anything That was Milton’s way: to nip it in the buds if it was bad, har

But Leila’s method was different She would keep an eye on the and immediate concern She believed that there were times when poison was just as necessary ascare of state affairs In other words, Leila’s philosophy was that there were ti shi+t could be used as athered all the nobles of either faction to her side and began talking

“Soradually change the framework of this country”

At those words, the nobles closed their eyes in resignation as if as to come had finally come In fact, the new idea, the de had reached the ears of the nobles They had all heard about it but were pretending to have not heard about it

They were all reluctant to listen to Milton, insisting on breaking down the boundaries between coive everyone a chance

However, there was nothing that they could do; the royal fa In the end, they could only pretend not to have heard and just wait for it to pass Some hopeful nobles even predicted that it was merely bait to temporarily coax the Republicans in the north

But Queen Leila really meant it While it was impossible for her to immediately accept such a radical policy as the one Milton explained, she planned to gradually reduce the power of the nobles

Today was to be the start of it

“There’s a few people I would like to introduce to everyone first”

At Queen Leila’s gesture, an attendant opened the door to the banquet hall and about 30 people entered the hall The nobles’ expressions turned sharp the h they were dressed neatly, it was obvious to the nobles that they were feeling aard If they had been born and raised as noble, then their manners would naturally be that of the upper class, but the nobles couldn’t see any of that in the newcomers

‘Are they coive the coht to participate in politics?’

Queen Leila spoke as she saw the nobles’ uneasiness

“As you uessed, these are the representatives froions ere elected by popular vote I plan to make them members of the parlia to the North”

At those words, the nobles began to quickly think

‘Northernto create a parliaion of the country?’

‘As long as it doesn’t harm us personally, we can’t continue to oppose it’

‘If she entrusts theainst the central governainst the royal family anyway; I think it should be fine?’

The nobles were divided in half The Orthodox nobles were reluctant since the central governressive faction thought that as long as there wasn’t a probleion, then it’ll be fine

Queen Leila continued to explain

“In the future, the parliaion and they’ll have li taxes and laws

In other words, she was creating a parliaovern Up to here were all things that the nobles expected However, the folloords were beyond their expectation

“Also, I will grant siion They will be given autonoet for public service in the North as htened instantly Hadn’t the royal faiven them what they had desperately wanted but didn’t dare ask for themselves?

“It is a wise decision, Your Majesty”

“If we give authority to the locals who know their own situation very well, then the lives of the people will becodom will become richer, Your Majesty”

“Your Majesty’s wisdoressive faction praised Queen Leila as if she was an unparalleled wise ruler Conversely, the Orthodox nobles’ faces contorted as if they had bitten into a big Wasn’t it obvious that the central governion, forion, forranted autono

“Also, I plan to select a few froovernment’s officials and send theion It has been war-torn for a long tirant theet”

At those words, the Orthodox nobles’ faces brightened The newly acquired Southern region referred to the territory obtained froh the territory had been devastated due to the Valence Kingdoinally a fertile land that had a robust population Once the Orthodox nobles’ heard that they would be governing such a territory, all expressions of dissatisfaction disappeared as if it had never been there

With this, Queen Leila had divided the factions into three and had given them control over the North, the East, and the South respectively And so, she had ed to balance the three factions and prevented theoal Dividing up the spheres of influence was a means to an end

“The reason I have entrusted all of you with control over the local governments is that I trust in your abilities I hope you will never let me down”

“Of course, Your Majesty”

“We will do our best to develop the Eastern region”

“We shall do our best, Your Majesty”