Prologue : The happenings of 20 years ago
The duke's daughter, Fioria Di Florence is strong, but not just muscle-brained.
Lurking around here and there alone in the fief, she learned of the ways of the world herself.
More so than noble daughters who attend tea and dance parties.
"Ever since the the business with the Easterns began, the merchants have gained much power. By targeting rich nobles, like vultures aiming slyly for gaps. If by any chance we show any gaps, our family will fall in no time."
Or so Fioria spoke to her father, none other than the feared Icy Prime Minister in castle grounds.
"What is needed in the coming era is none other than economic power. Allow me to take a break from the noble academy, and the authority as fief representative."
"…It seems my daughter is asking for something absurd."
Gream di Florence, Fioria's father muttered as he masked an expressionless face.
"What if I said it is futile?"
"Then the history of the Florence duke family shall end in my hand. If it were to waste away, then we shall do it extravagantly"
Fioria showed out her left hand. Holding up a tasty looking red apple, the fief's specialty.
It got squished and crushed with a single hand easily. The apple crumbled and filled the glass-made fruit plate held in Fioria's right hand.
"A refreshment for my father who is always busy. Enjoy"
"That is vulgar, why don't you use a knife. … This is delicious"
"You ate, in spite of your dissatisfaction."
"A refreshment from my daughter, no reason to refuse."
Replied Gream, who brought in a slight smile.
"You really are alike to Flora."
Flora di Florence, Gream's wife, as well as Fioria's mother who had passed on.
She who came from a poor family in a farmer's town, enlisted into the army and brought upon great feats, a general whilst a woman.
"Flora too, crushed an apple in front of my own eyes. Marry me, or die here right now… That passionate approach was a first for me."
"Aren't father and mother weird as well."
"And you are our daughter, Fioria."
"I am in no ways comparable to my dear mother. I am not even a soldier."
"There is a proverb in the East pointing to that marginal difference… No matter, I shall allow the break and your positioning as the fief representative. But only for a year."
"A year is more than enough. If the situation insists, then the fief shall stand as the independent dukedom of Florence."
That statement is by no means a lie.
Upon Fioria seating as the fief representative, the Florence fiefdom expanded sustainably.
Her achievements are countless, explaining all of it would amount to the contents of a book.
Taxation revolution, traffic management, exchange of technology with the East, education system for the commoners, development of new products, as well as establishment of firms.
Of course there were many obstacles in the way, but did not stop the accomplishments.
Hence a year passed by, and Fioria turned 17.
As promised, the fief authority is returned, and she went back to the noble academy in the capital.
There were still plenty of unfinished work left in the fief, but Fioria did not falter, for she had a firm sense of duty.
As for the Fioria in the academy, the noble daughters adore her strong-mindedness like their prince charming. Her returning presence in a while brought upon a huge uproar.
"Welcome back! Onee-sama!"
"We have heard of your great efforts in your fief! Please do let us hear them in details!"
"I have baked some welcome back cookies for you. And I do hope, Fiorisama would indulge in it."
Despite the overbaked cookie having a tinge of bitterness, Fioria ate it with a smile.
Since the cookie was especially made for her, she happily received them in respect.
Though gone for a whole year, there is restriction such as repeating the year in the noble's academy. Anyone of the of 15 will enroll and graduate by 18. Fioria is a third year this year, her last academic year.
Welcomed warmly by her classmates, there is but one change in the academy.
"Last year, Prince Oswald had enrolled in the academy. However…"
"There are bad rumors spreading about Onee-sama as his fiance."
Fioria is engaged to the first prince of this country, who is also the king-to-be, Oswald di Tristan. He is currently 16, a year below Fioria.
There are very few cases of engagement in the society of Tristan nobles where the female counterpart is older.
However, the current king's mother, the empress Anabelle had taken a liking to Fioria, in addition to strengthening the relationship with the Florence duke house. Thus, had made an exception to the making of this engagement.
For Fioria, there is nothing such as political marriage. Is it natural, being born into a noble's house after all. Oswald however, extremely disliked the idea and has not listened to her ever since the engagement. Even though in the past, he was a very obedient child, calling Fioneechan Fioneechan sweetly. It feels somewhat lonely.
"That Oswald-sama, he does whatever he wants when onee-sama is not around."
"He is seduced by the daughter of the Izolte baron house."
"To be honest, I am on the verge of losing my loyalty towards the royal family."
From what is heard from the noble daughters, it seems Oswald is entraced by a certain lady.
Annerose di Izolte, formerly lived as a commoner but recently identified to be the illegitimate child of the Izolte baron, and now one of the nobles. That was during the time Fioria was away from the academy.
Due to Annerose's previous status as a commoner, she is cheerful and innocent,
A different type of existence compared to the noble daughters.
Thus, she seemed appealing to the male students, and not few are trying to get close to her.
Currently more than a dozen has followed, with Oswald leading the party of charmed males.
"Hummm," as Fioria calmly listened on to the circumstances.
"Onee-sama, are you not mad?"
"Prince Oswald is also at an age where he wants to play around. I can forgive that much."
Fioria's feeling towards Oswald is more as her little brother, not as her husband. Destined to wed, isn't it fine to give a little experience with love before that? I myself was busy being in love with my work as well.
"Such kindness…"
"The future queen's is such a magnanimous person."
"Compared to that thief Annerose,"
It seems the noble daughters hate Annerose to the core, though Fioria did not hold such a grudge towards her. Rather, she is impressed on how Annerose is able to blend in the academy despite her upbringing. In addition, Fioria felt a certain connection as her birthplace is the same as her mother, Flora.
In the case of Fioria looking upon the circumstances, she did not plainly just ignore it. She was thinking of warning Prince Oswald regarding this case. What a shame it is for a royalty to be following around a lady.
"He should have at least showed some guts and get rid of the other competitors."
As she calmly spoke, the other noble daughters sighed in admiration, praising her having a wide heart.
As classes went by, it is now after school.
"Finee… rather, Fioria di Florence! I hereby announce the annulment of our engagement!"
As she was having a conversation in the garden's terrace with her friends, Prince Oswald abruptly interrupted.
"Oh?"
Seeing her little brother's growth, Fioria was brought to a smile. Isn't this an interesting development?
Seems it is true that a man in love will change. Before a crybaby, now look how gallant he had become.
"You! That is rudeness towards the prince.", said a male student standing beside the Prince. If not wrong, his name is Keith, the son of the Captain of the Imperial Guards. As Kenneth's breathing turned harsh, he tried to grasp onto Fioria's shoulder. Grabbing her hand, twisting it, and pushed her down onto the ground, or so he thought, but nothing happened.
Fioria was sitting elegantly and sipping on her tea.
"Were you trying to massage my shoulders?"
Kenneth has a sturdy huge body despite being 16, he should have been superior. In comparison, Fioria who has a delicate body was trained by her mother from young. The current level gap was simply too huge, as if a mere villager is trying to challenge the demon king.
Beside Oswald, there was a number of other male students following Annerose. In their presence were other students in the inner terrace, looking upon them with pitiful stares. Describing it would be like criminals waiting execution by a dragon. For their opponent is none other than the Fioria di Florence.
Or so to speak, in the first week of enrollment, exposed the illegal doings of the head of academy.
Or so to speak, the one who kicked the butt of the oldest son of a certain marquis family who threatened the daughter of a viscount.
Or so to speak, the one who eradicated the headquarters of a group of drug smugglers in the capital city into a lot of empty land.
All evil must be eradicated. Gale Empress, that is the image of Fioria, daughter of the duke family who was like a storm.
Oswald who was fooling around with Annerose ending up hanging naked in the rooftop the next morning may not be a wonder. Or so everyone else thought.
"May I perhaps inquire upon the reason of the annulment?"
Betraying the expectations of others, Fioria was calm and asked upon Oswald.
Fioria has but one weakness. She is indulgent, had Oswald be thoroughly in love with Annerose, she would have willingly accepted and helped with the annulment. Obviously there would be opposition from the king and her father,that however can be countered by crushing an apple or two. Negotiations and outright power will do.
"Don't play dumb! The mastermind behind the harassment towards Annerose was none other than you!"
"Even if you say so, I was away from the academy for a whole year"
"You instigated the other noble daughters by using your status from the duke family!"
"Do you have any proof?"
"How you try to avoid the topic is enough as proof! Annerose had told me that you were the culprit!"
"So Prince, you are annulling the engagement due to my bullying of Annerose?"
"That's right! If you had just acknowledged me and Annerose's relationship, I would not have minded giving you the seat of the queen. Serves you right! Repent!"
"…… What a letdown."
Fioria sighed, unable to hide her disappointment.
Had Oswald manned up and truly loved Annerose, she would have given her blessings. Howver, all he did was to throw the blame towards others to fulfill his wish. What a makeshift. What a bore. She felt her heart turning even harsher towards him.
"Is that all you would like to say, Oswald-sama?", said monotonously, as she stare upon her fiancé with a cold stare similar to her father's.
"Hiiii.."
A single stare had crushed Oswald's will. Swallowed by Fioria's pressure, his expression turned to fear. If this goes on, Oswald has no choice but to kneel down and ask for forgiveness.
However, an encouraging ally appeared.
"Fiorisama, please honestly accept your sins!"
As a chesnut haired maiden cut through the crowd and appeared. With gentle-looking eyes that man would want to protect, she had appeared, Annerose de Izolte.
"If you would sincerely apologize, I would leave the harassment aside. I too, will plead with the king to lighten Fiorisama's punishment."
"There is nothing to acknowledge. I did not sin after all."
"How could you.. I had already compromised so much for you.."
As Annerose started to weep into tears, her followes then consoled her and bad mouthed Fioria.
"Why are you making our Annerose cry!"
"Just because you are a duke's daughter, don't act haughty!"
"On the other hand look how kind out Annerose-chan is!"
This is absurd, thought Fioria all the while coldly staring towards the followes. From the point of view of a woman, Annerose's tears were nothing but an act. Just an appeal for sympathy from the opposite sex.
To begin with, does Annerose really have a pure heart as what they had said?
From her words, all that could felt were arrogance and seuperiority. Did that Oswald fall for such a person.
"I had enough of this."
Let this engagement break off. Oswald was like a little brother to me, but there a line that one can't cross. And he crossed it. He's a stranger to me now.
After a clean decision, Fioria does not show mercy. Even if Oswald is to be king and the kingdom falls. It has become none of her business. Bloom as you like, wilt as you like.
"Should I start thinking about the duke fief's independency?"
As she stood up and let out a cold statement. As soon as she tried to, her vision started to warp.
"Huh…?"
Her knees gave out and touched the ground.
"Onee-sama!?"
"Fiorisama!?"
Her classmates (though they are, but it is a mystery why they are calling her Onee-sama) shouted out.
"Finally the medicine is working huh, Fioria."
With a smug face, Oswald started blabbering.
"You received cookies from your follower this morning didn't you? It had medicine added in it. One Annerose brought from her hometown, a timed truth serum. Now, spit all your sins!"
"Ughh.. uh.."
However, Fioria was unable to open her mouth. Her body turned numb, and even breathing became a challenge, soon she started suffocating.
This is no truth serum, it's clearly a poison that kills.
In the midst of her vision blurring, Annerose's face was in sight. Unbeknownst to the males, a smile of which was cunning and calculative.
"No..t.. yet.."
In this world, magic exists. Although in a state unable to chant, the power of will still lingers.
By activating all the magic in the body towards, she desperately tries to neutralize the poison.
A mere poison can't kill me. No matter how long it may take, I will definitely come back to make you pay. Until then, bask in your temporary glory, Annerose di Izolte.
Just like the demon king that has been subjugated by the hero, Fioria fell into deep slumber.
What was consumed by Fioria was a lethal death poison. With no available antidote, life or death depends on oneself. She had miraculously stayed alive, but had fallen into a comatose.
This incident had greatly affected the Tristan kingdom. Albeit due to the attempted murder of the First Prince on the Florence duke's daughter. Said person heavily states that 'I did not think it was poison', 'I heard it was just a truth serum', 'I was fooled by Annerose'. However what was done was not forgivable. Oswald was ripped of his throne and locked on top of the castle tower.
The other male students were enthusiastic, for this is the chance for them to get closer to Annerose and shave off other rivals. 'I am your only ally', 'With all my family's power I will prove you innocent!", only kind words were uttered.
Unbeknownst, an unforeseen situation occurred. Annerose was in reality a spy for another country and had gone hidden somewhere. Her followers all went pale, for they had sold off their own family and country's information to buy her heart.
They were severely punished, and worst, exiled from the family.
Thus 20 years had past …