Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Chapter 165

Eirik, meanwhile, stared at Duke Salachez for a moment, wondering if the duke’s inability to meet his gaze meant he was hiding something.

But before he could dwell on it, Miesa, her face cold, pointed toward the door. “Doid, why are your eyes so wide? Get everyone out of here.”

“My eyes are unfortunately always this wide. Well, enjoy your time together.” Duke Salachez left with a cheery smile.

Miesa frowned as she watched him leave, and the moment the door closed, she whispered, “Doesn’t Salachez remind you of a conniving snake? Still, Grand Duke Hagail says it’s rather amusing, the way he’s always scheming to stay alive.”

Eirik burst out laughing. If the two cousins treated him that way, there was no need for Eirik to worry about him.

“Eirik, what happened? How did you end up in Trea?”

Over their meal, the two shared a long conversation. Miesa wept and occasionally laughed as she listened to Eirik’s story.

“I can’t believe you almost got sold as a slave. I never would have imagined it.”

“Count Semenov came with me. When the Sidatean citizens who were enslaved arrive, I plan to send them back along with him.”

Eirik also intended to explain to Count Semenov about the symptoms Miesa showed after taking the antidote, knowing the ruler of Sidate would assume the count had been the one to take it.

“I see.”

Once Eirik finished telling his story, Miesa shared everything that had happened on her end.

“Many things have happened here too.”

She spoke of Grand Duke Hagail, Gella’s marriage, and even her plans for abdication. Her tone grew cautious as she said, “I’m planning to step down from this position.”

Though worried about his reaction, Eirik, as always, answered calmly, “If that’s what you want, I have no objections.”

Despite his easy response, Miesa explained as if to justify herself, “I’m not stepping down because I wasn’t good at being a monarch. I did my best so you wouldn’t be ashamed of me.”

“I know. I’ve heard about your accomplishments through the Trean embassy.”

Eirik nodded, but after reviewing the reports in his study later, he was astounded.

“So the reinforcements were sent right after I was captured—that was your doing?”

When he expressed his admiration, Miesa proudly explained each accomplishment one by one.

“I also established a relief office under the Ministry of Finance and expanded facilities for the sick.”

This was in part because she had never quite gotten over what had happened to Tully, Gella’s younger brother. She hoped her policies would prevent families from having to kill their loved ones due to illness.

“I also set up basic educational facilities for those who can’t read. Grand Duke Hagail doesn’t understand the needs of the commoners, so I’m trying to wrap up these reforms before the abdication.”

Then, Miesa unrolled a map. “I also identified regions with poor harvests and built new reservoirs in areas frequently hit by drought.”

“Did the regional lords comply? It couldn’t have been easy during wartime.” Eirik tilted his head, puzzled.

Miesa replied proudly, “Ah, I enlisted the priest-soldiers for that.”

“What?”

“When I saw them during the Holy Festival, they looked pretty strong. Since they couldn’t be deployed in battle, I gave them a chance to contribute to the kingdom in another way.”

Eirik’s jaw dropped. Mobilizing the priest-soldiers for public works projects? It was so audacious and unconventional that it could only be Miesa’s doing.

Seeing that Eirik was speechless, Miesa grew anxious. “Wait, was I not supposed to use them? No one stopped me.”

“…It’s not forbidden, but I’m sure the high priest couldn’t refuse.”

Miesa then lifted her eyes to the sky and muttered something under her breath. Eirik, curious, waited for her to finish mumbling before asking, “What are you doing?”

“Praying. I’m asking the goddess to forgive my mistake since I didn’t know better.”

“Have you suddenly developed a sense of piety?”

Eirik teased, and Miesa laughed awkwardly. “Well, once I sent my husband off to war, I found myself turning to the goddess more often.”

“…I see.”

Though her response was lighthearted, Eirik couldn’t laugh. He could feel the turmoil she had gone through.

As he sifted through the records, Eirik cautiously asked, “With everything you’ve started, are you sure you won’t regret stepping down from the throne later?”

“Mother asked me the same thing.” Miesa didn’t hesitate for a second before answering, “I don’t want to keep going just because I’m doing well. I’d rather watch from the sidelines, stepping in to help when needed, like Grand Duke Hagail does.”

“I see.”

Eirik smiled. If that was how she felt, he had no reason to disagree.

Upon hearing the news, Madam Cladnier arrived from Cladis. After shedding a few tears upon seeing that Eirik was alive and well, she quickly regained her composure.

“It’s time to prepare a document demanding Sidate acknowledge their defeat.”

She pointed to a map of Sidate as she continued, “Your father is currently laying siege to Heinetz Castle. Now, instead of spreading our forces thin, we can concentrate them here.”

The Heinetz region was home to Sidate’s primary iron mines. If Esquillir were to seize the Heinetz mines along with the Halec mines, Sidate would be left with only a few small, low-quality iron mines.

Though they had already forced Sidate to sign a surrender once before, the enemy had resumed their attacks on civilian homes. Rather than relying on another surrender document, disrupting their weapon production would be more effective.

“As soon as we plant our flag there, I’ll send word through the carrier pigeons. You must promptly urge Sidate’s ruler to surrender.”

Madam Cladnier departed, and shortly after, news arrived from Cladis that the gates of Heinetz Castle had opened. Miesa sent the surrender proposal she had prepared in advance, along with a letter from the captive Count Semenov, to Sidate’s ruler.

Since the war had been started over the fate of Count Semenov’s family, the ruler of Sidate had no excuse to continue the conflict, especially with the count now in Esquillir’s custody. Ultimately, Sidate sent a document acknowledging their defeat, agreeing to pay massive war reparations and recognize their ever-shrinking borders.

Not long after, Grand Duke Hagail returned with the Sidatean citizens in tow, and Eirik, as promised, sent Count Semenov back in the finest carriage, treating him with such lavish respect that it hardly seemed like a prisoner exchange.

Miesa also fulfilled another promise made with Madam Cladnier. A grand victory celebration was held, during which Miesa, as queen, bestowed official recognition upon Eirik’s achievements and awarded him the region of Flamtia as a reward.

The banquet that followed was equally grand, though Miesa, as the reigning monarch, remained seated in a position of honor, watching from above.

“Are you alright?” Seeing that she was silently observing the dancing nobles, Eirik leaned over and asked softly.

Miesa replied wistfully, “I want to go down there and dance with you.”

Eirik paused to consider. It wasn’t customary for Esquillir’s monarchs to dance among the nobles during such events. But if that’s what she wanted…

“Why not? Let’s go.”

Miesa’s eyes widened in surprise before curving into a delighted smile.

“I didn’t expect you to say that.”

After all, she had never properly learned how to dance. And there was no way she could perform the Cladis Harvest Dance here, could she?

“Besides, this is my last time watching from above, so it’s fine.”

After that, the abdication ceremony took place, coinciding with the harvest festival.

***

On her first day back at the Cladnier estate, Miesa was greeted by the attendants. Just recently, she had been the ruler of this very kingdom, so a solemn air lingered on the faces of the attendants.

“We’re all so happy to have you back, my lady.”

The butler, sweating nervously, offered his greetings. But Miesa squinted at him.

“You don’t look happy at all.”

Standing beside her, Eirik chuckled and explained, “It’s only natural that they’d be nervous in front of you, even if they don’t mean any harm.”

“Is that so?”

Since Eirik said so, it must be true. Miesa pouted slightly and waved at Madam Manere.

“Go ahead and check on the unpacking.”

Surprisingly, Madam Manere had given up her position as head lady-in-waiting and followed Miesa to the Cladnier estate. On top of that, she even got divorced.

No one knew the details, but when Madam Manere requested that her brother-in-law be brought back to the capital, Eirik raised an eyebrow. However, Miesa quickly intervened, saying it wasn’t worth his attention.

In any case, after losing Gella to Grand Duke Hagail, Miesa was grateful to have Madam Manere by her side. Compared to the unfamiliar servants at the estate, Madam Manere, who had been with her for two years, was far more reliable.

“Then for today, let’s focus on letting you rest fully…”

The butler hesitantly trailed off. Though the estate had been thoroughly prepared for its new mistress, and all the ledgers were in order, he wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to start giving reports on her very first day.

“It’s not just today.”

But Miesa grabbed a treat from the basket prepared in the living room and declared,

“I’m going to keep resting. For the rest of my life.”