Chapter 245 (2/2)

“I heard that the Fourth Root of Vita, our Lord, visited Sanktus Vita a few days ago. If you think about the just born High Priest baby and High Priest Secundus who was left behind to take care of the baby, there are three High Priests in the empire now. It is very unusual that three of the six High Priests in the whole continent are gathered in one place in the empire. I don’t think you should use this great opportunity. ”

Looking around as if to seek consent, Duke Jena, said, “Your Majesty, how about hosting the festival in cooperation with the temple? By doing so, we can show the people that the Lord protects the empire. In other words, if we can hold a large festival by promoting the three High Priests and some top priests, not only the people but also the foreign delegations will be greatly moved.”

“I agree. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event as well as the first festival after your coronation. I think it’s a good opportunity for you to show the dignity of the imperial family. ”

Marquis Mirwa agreed with the duke’s opinion after sweeping up his hair.

“I think you can catch the two goals of gaining public support and foreign policy by holding the festival. Besides, you can also solve the pending issue this time. I don’t know why you’re putting off the decision, but if you join hands with the temple…”

The emperor cut him off by raising his right hand and said, rubbing his temple with one hand, “I’m a little tired. Let’s take a break before continuing the meeting.”

Looking at him for a moment, Duke Lars responded noddingly, “Yes, Your Majesty. I will resume the meeting in half an hour. ”

“Okay.”

When the emperor left the meeting hall, my father immediately left, saying he had something to talk with Duke Lars. Perhaps he was trying to come up with a response to Duke Jena’s proposal. Left alone for a moment, I asked Marquis Enesil after agonizing a bit, “Well, may I ask for your explanation? I don’t understand their claim that the person in charge of the festival has not been decided.”

“Don’t you know it yet? There have been discussions about it for the past few weeks, but the emperor stopped the discussion. So, the agenda is still pending.”

“Why did they bring up this issue? Duchess Lars can do the job.”

“Well, she rejected the proposal, citing that she was not feeling well. Her daughter-in-law, Princess Lua, is receiving postnatal care right now, and the Verita family is not in a position to take on that role, as you know.”

“Oh, I see…”

If so, is the situation going to be the same as last year? If the wives of Duke Lars and Duke Veritas could not host the festival, it was our family’s turn. In other words, our family would have to take on this job according to the custom.

Only then did I realize why my father hesitated in the morning and why the emperor never mentioned it to me. My father and the emperor knew how I would react if I heard about this. That’s why they did not have the heart to mention it to me.

Normally, I would have accepted it, thinking it was inevitable, but this time the situation was different. It was the first festival since the emperor’s coronation ceremony. Besides, the foreign dignitaries would be attending it. If I hosted the festival, they would certainly regard me as the next empress. In other words, I would move one step closer to the fate of the empress that I wanted to avoid so much.

However, if I refused, things would work out as Duke Jenna wished. His claim that we should hold the festival in cooperation with the temple seemed reasonable at first, but the emperor could not accept his proposal recklessly because it was impossible to find out his intention. Besides, even if the emperor rejected his proposal, it was certain that Jiun would take on this job.

What should I do?

When I was agonizing about it, suddenly I recalled somebody whispering among themselves, which I missed while chatting with Marquis Enesil.

“… I don’t know why the emperor is so hesitant.”

“You bet. Besides, the noble faction has asked the emperor to have Lady Monique as the empress, right?”

“But isn’t it rather burdensome to the emperor? No matter how much he loves her so much, she is…”

I bit my lips at his last words, which made me surge with anger.

“… Are you okay? ”

“Let me get out for some fresh air.”

I stood up, ignoring the blonde young man’s gaze, who looked at me sadly. I didn’t want to speak with anybody right now.

I walked here and there outside the Central Palace. One thing that I had forgotten for a while because I was so absent-minded came to my mind, breaking my heart.