Of All
Things, I Became a Crow: Chapter #115
Translators: Nyx and Ririi Rain
*Rainelle’s POV
The meeting room was already crowded with people. As if
they were all proud of being aristocrats, they adorned themselves in luxurious
fabrics and accessories.
Some of the gazes that turned this way were familiar.
Namuel and Miel. I smiled slightly as I watched their eyes shake slightly as if
they couldn't understand why I was here.
Namuel and Miel were of the Imperial faction—although
Miel was still a little ambiguous.
—Fortunately, they were close by. It was reassuring to
have someone sure to be an ally in this place where there must be an enemy.
"Let the meeting begin."
I come to my senses from Karmeut's voice, announcing the
start of the meeting in a low, serious voice. I looked at him. Karmeut was
looking at the nobles.
"It is sudden, but the next Empress is participating
in this meeting."
*3rd person POV
The nobles of course were aware of Rainelle's appearance,
but when the Emperor himself said that, they seemed confused. Of course, it was
not unusual for the empress or queen to participate in the nobility council.
After all, the emperor's companion held the second highest position in the Empire
after the emperor.
However, the problem was that the subject was a crow that
could change into a human form, and her position was ambiguous as she was just
expected to become an empress rather than an official empress.
"Of course, you may be puzzled by this treatment.
--But the next Empress will not give opinions or refute your words. Don't think
too hard about it because she’s just another individual who will watch, listen,
and learn."
In a moment, the tense air loosened at the explanation.
‘It
would have been a pain in the ass if she intervened in political affairs, so
it’s fortunate that she will not.’
The nobles tried to proceed with the meeting while
watching the next Empress, Rainelle, cautiously.
The Emperor's pet bird.
An ominous bird that eats corpses.
A strange creature that can transform into a human, and
also a giant black bird now.
Those combinations made Rainelle a strange existence for
the nobles. She was an animal, but they had to treat her with manners as their
superior. Although her origin was a flying beast, they couldn’t ignore her,
because she was the next Empress who was favored by the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, may I inquire?"
Everyone's eyes turned to one side at the voice that
broke the uncomfortable silence of the nobles.
"What is it, Duke Howard?"
The Emperor's eyes were sharp as he asked that. No matter
how much Karmeut steadily increased his power before his accession and reduced
the power of nobles that supported Luwellin, the opposing noble faction
remained.
It was unavoidable. To completely eliminate them, he had
no choice but to kill them, but if he did, the Empire would become more
unstable. It would be a troublesome thing, as it would make them a prey for
other countries.
And as safety depended on it, it was not worth it.
Even if the action managed to be relatively safe and
within the scope of not harming the Empire, there was the chance that a second
or third opposing faction to appear among the remaining imperial factions.
Rather than creating
unpredictable variables, it was easier to control what was defined as a
necessary evil.
Duke
Howard was the head of the nobles who survived by luck and skills. And, of
course, he was also a sly and cunning person behind a neat appearance like the
head of a faction.
"Your Majesty has said that Rainelle-nim is attending
the meeting. And that Rainelle-nim will learn."
"That’s what I said."
"The empress is a very noble person who is the
companion of His Majesty the Emperor. As it’s high and honorable, it is also a
position that comes with great responsibility. Your Majesty, do you
think she can handle the responsibility?"
It was a question, but at the same time, it was close to
criticism. Because of that, Karmeut's golden eyes narrowed.
"Duke Howard! Are you ignoring Rainelle-nim
now?!"
It was Miel who reacted sensitively to the words of
subtly disregarding Rainelle. This was because Miel couldn't see the way the
person he served deeply in his heart was being ignored.
"Oh, my, Marquis Albion. I'm just worried about the
future of the Empire, and I'm speaking to the Emperor."
Duke Howard threw his eyes at Miel. His gaze was full of
smiles, but there was a slight contempt.
"What is so wrong with suggesting things or other
ideas that His Majesty has not been able to think of? Marquis, Your Majesty does not want you to just follow
orders. The ones that are enough to follow orders faithfully are slaves."
At the words, Miel clenched his fists. Even though he was
not a slave, he couldn't be unaware that the man was implying that he was
behaving like one.
Duke Howard raised the corners of his lips slightly. Then
he looked at the Emperor with an expression full of allegiance to the end
before shifting his eyes slightly.
"Rainelle-nim. Are you taking classes to become an empress?"
Karmeut guessed the meaning of the question, but he
couldn't reproach him. The greatest concern, whether it was the opposing nobles
faction or the Emperor’s faction, was the position of the empress.
Although the Emperor had already declared her position openly,
Rainelle was still a very tasty prey to them.
Rainelle needed to show that she wasn't just prey. Although
it seems difficult.
"---No. Not yet. I'm learning the human way of life
because I'm not human, so I’m a little behind. I'm going to take a class
soon."
Duke Howard smiled at that.
"Ah, that's right. Are human’s way of life complicated?"
"...? Well, I’m not familiar with it. Doesn't it
also take time for humans to accept the customs of other countries?"
"Of course, but the position of the empress is also
a position that cannot be left vacant for long. You have to learn and polish a
lot of things to become the mother of the empire... Do you think you can achieve
that in a short period?"
Rainelle's eyebrows narrowed at those words. But Duke
Howard's words were not over.
"Of course, a positive mindset is good. It's full of
hope, so it's good. But the companionship of a noble person who leads an empire
shouldn't just be positive. Being only optimistic will quickly get you into
trouble."
Duke Howard, who smiled as he said that, did not say
anything else. But it was as if Rainelle could hear him say, “Just like now,”
which made her frown.
"—Those words are too excessive, Duke, Are you
trying to put Rainelle in a difficult situation?"
A voice that was colder than usual sharply stabbed the
air, which was heavy with silence. The Duke smiled at Karmeut and shook his
head.
"Your Majesty, what do you mean? I'm just saying this out of concern for
the future of the Empire."
With that said, Duke Howard turned his gaze back to
Rainelle. The emotions revealed in
the gaze were blatantly clear.
"The position of the empress is heavy. It is a
position that requires not only responsibility, but also a wide range of
knowledge, culture, and generosity. Such
is the position of the emperor's companion. But what about
Rainelle-nim?"
At the words, one or two members of the nobility were
nodding their heads.
"Rainelle-nim is a crow, not a human. Of course, you
have the power to magically change into a human form, but you are still a
flying animal. Will you be able to withstand the weight of the empress of the
Empire?"
"You're exaggerating, Duke Howard. Are you saying that in the Duke's eyes,
Rainelle-nim is not enough?"
"If my words sounded like that, won’t that mean you
feel the same way? Marquis Namuel."
At that, Namuel shut his mouth. Then Miel raised his
voice and shouted,
"What kind of rude
remarks did you make in front of Rainelle-nim, Duke!"
"Please don't scream, Marquis Albion. Screaming in a
place like this is degrading your dignity. But I don't know if you have any
dignity."
"---!!"
The sound of grinding teeth came out of Miel's mouth.
"I know how you feel, but let's put that story off
for later. Your Majesty, the position of the empress is that important.
Although Rainelle-nim is the next Empress, it seems right to let other noble
girls compete for the empress position in the same way. There are plenty of
people worthy of this. So..."
"-So you're begging for your daughter to be chosen?
Duke Howard. If that's the case,
I'd say it's dirty."
Duke Howard's gaze turned to the side at the sudden
interruption. There, Marquis Wilhelm was looking at him with an inexplicable
smile.
"Isn't this Marquis Wilhelm?"
"Long time no see, Duke Howard."
"You seem to be
having a hard time moving from place to place now that you're old, why don't
you stay in one place?"
"I've already decided that I'm going to stay here,
this one place, until I hand it over to the next generation. I'm tired of
looking around."
There was an illusion where sparks appeared in the air. It was Marquis Wilhelm who broke the
silence in the middle of a fight without a concession.
"It seems that Duke Howard has been blinded by the
throne of the empress and forgot one important fact."
"...Hoh. Will you kindly explain what I have
forgotten? Marquis Wilhelm?"
"Of course. If I don’t have that kind of generosity,
how can I be called a noble? Moreover, Duke Howard has worked hard for the
Empire for a long time, so I have to tell you."
The Marquis, speaking in a relaxed manner, looked at
Karmeut for a moment. Marquis Wilhelm gulped inwardly at that cold gaze, which
seemed to judge which one was more suitable for his prey, then he continued,
"There is some truth to Duke Howard's words. Even
among noble girls, there are some who are well-educated, dignified, tolerant,
and worthy of the position of the Empress."
At those words, not only the opposing nobles, but also some
of the Emperor’s faction nobles nodded their heads. No matter if they were on
the Emperor’s side, no one wouldn’t want their daughter to be in the empress’
seat.
"But you know, do you think there will be any
difference even if that’s so?"
"...?"
"The wolf that rules the Empire is loyal. And never
in history has one ever been swayed by another."
"---!!"
"Have you forgotten that the most important thing is
His Majesty's choice? Or..."
Marquis Wilhelm's eyes flashed.
"Do you think that your authority is higher than
that of His Majesty the Emperor?"
"...what!!"
"If not, you'll make an effort to accept His
Majesty's decision. Of course, it may take some time to accept Rainelle-nim,
but it's ugly to oppose blindly."
At that, Duke Howard bit the inside of his mouth. When he
went quiet, Marquis Wilhelm also remained silent as if he had finished
speaking.
"...That's what you were thinking of me."
A clear voice broke the silence. Duke Howard's eyes
became sharp and he looked at Rainelle who adorned a beautiful smile.
“So, in the eyes of the Duke, I look so inadequate that I
should throw away the position of the Empress and live as a crow as it’s my
original form.”
"Haha, I didn't say that. I just-"
"You’re worried about the Empire. That's a good thing."
Rainelle was still smiling.
"It's a very nice word to say. Sadly, that is
superficial."
---But her eyes were not.
"Haha...what are you talking about..."
"This is how humans are. Let’s be honest. You want
to seize power by marrying your daughter to the Emperor. And you want to enjoy
the wealth and glory."
The Duke's face distorted slightly at those words. It was
an attitude like he did not expect to listen from a flying beast.
"I think you seem to be acting without thinking...
If you really do so, you don't even have the right to tell me, the flying beast
you think is not that intelligent, to take a lesson."
Rainelle curled her eyes while wearing a beautiful smile,
but at the same time, she was radiating coldness.
"When the Emperor was a prince, what did you do when
he was injured and had to hide in the forest? You must have been crouching down
to protect your humble position."
The nobles were silent at
the words. Rainelle was referring to the time when Karmeut endured hardships alone in the forest after falling into Luwellin's
trap.
"It's funny. To think that shiny stones and
invisible power are more important. That's something that only happens in the
human circle."
"We live within the framework of the human orders,
Rainelle-nim. Not outside without rules."
Rainelle laughed at that. Then she responded while
revealing her black wings,
"You really think so? You must have seen it, right? Me
eating magic."
Her purple eyes twinkled. It wasn't as playful and lively
as usual. It was the gaze of a crow with a corpse, a small bird, or an insect
in front of them.
"I can eat magic, but you think I can't eat
humans?"
***
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