If one would like to understand Alanis Alfa Morisette's heart, then one could look for Baron Bernadot Ogeiro in the Hamilton Palace. Baron Ogeiro was the chief historian of Morisette imperial family. He would know what kind of a person Her Majesty the Empress really was.
The late winter of Church's year 802 lingered. The citizens of Dulin were still dressed in their cotton-padded robe. Gentlemilamen dressed in top hats, tuxedos, with walking sticks in their hands shuttled freely between major government departments. They either crowded together to discuss loudly or tailed behind those potbellied court officials that loved flattery.
It seemed that everyone believed the war was going to end! Deiss was gathering themselves at a place not further than ten kilometers away from Bron Fortress, with completely no intention to attack Dulin. The citizens of Dulin could stand tall again without the harassment of the barbarians. Those who returned to their homes in the city from the countryside first cleaned their living rooms that were covered in layers of dust so they could go back to throwing the regular banquets and parties. Some celebrated for the end of the war threats, while the others just wanted to satisfy their food and drinks cravings, stretching the limits of their desires which had gotten increasingly desperate after the tensed period.
The noble circle in the capital was not worried about whether the Westland Kingdom Alliance might tear up the peace agreement because they heard that the imperial crown promised huge profits in order to achieve the final reconciliation between the negotiating parties. Although this peace agreement had not been officially signed off yet, various speculations regarding the content had been turbulently rumored across the empire. Some people said Her Majesty acted with brilliance and decisiveness; some argued that Her Majesty had betrayed her country to seek security… There were many different kinds of sayings, but no one dared to shout "We must fight!" like a real soldier.
The soldiers wanted to go into battle, naturally. To surrender without fighting was a great humiliation to the 800,000 Imperial Guards. Even though there were also fellows who praised the peace agreement, these people could only be complacent in Her Majesty's Imperial Palace. If they were sent to the battlefield against the aggressors, those enraged frontline commanders would definitely rip their skin off and cook them into a boiling hot pot.
The nobles entrenched in Dulin liked to stay in the Hamilton Palace for the moment. They did not dare to go home, as they feared the soldiers would throw bricks at their glass windows in the middle of the night. They did not dare to go to the church, as they feared people who lost their relatives during the war would gather in front of their door. They did not dare to stray away from Her Majesty's vision, as they feared the secret agents led by Prince O'Neil would find troubles with them. They did not dare to announce the contents of the negotiations, as they feared Titans would start targeting them and tie them up in the cross as a public display.
Some idiots in the world had no self-consciousness to conceal their strength and bide their time. They thought the authority the size of sesame seeds within their hands meant everything, and that, with these powers they could surpass over morality and law. These shameless and snobbish people cocked their heads and swayed their tails in the palace like long-haired Pekinese from the East. Although dressed in bright-colored furs and clothes, their subcutaneous tissues rotted with puss, exuding a stench even vultures would avoid.
Her Majesty the Empress sprayed some ambergris on her body and examined the person in the mirror several times. Perfect! When the immaculate Alanis Alfa Morisette walked into the large courtroom, the whole room cheered out, "Long live the Empress!"
Alanis sat on the golden throne inlaid with diamonds and pieces of jewelry. She had the imperial crown on her head and the scepter in hand. Her seductive red lips raised slightly in a gorgeous arc. It seemed that Her Majesty was in a good mood! Some bold nobles cracked a few jokes which made Her Majesty even elated.
Baron Bernadot Ogeiro was still the same. He brought along a young apprentice and a thick leather file. The quill pen was cast on the side as he had seldom used it lately. This meant that the empress had been doing some unscrupulous activities recently. These kinds of shameful behaviors must not be revealed to the historian.
Baron Ogeiro was a true historian. He was never overly amazed no matter what situation surfaced in the dynasty because he could always find a similar situation in the voluminous historical records.
In the eyes of Bernadot, Her Majesty the Empress was the only spectator beneath the Heaven. Those who wagged their tails in front of her were nothing but clowns. This kind of puzzling situation happened twice in the history of the Morisette dynasty. The first emperor who experienced this kind of situation was murdered with poison and died a horrible death; the second emperor who had the same experience died a natural death, but Alzheimer's disease was the root cause of his escape. It was Alanis Alfa Morisette's turn now! She was still young. She was still enjoying life.
To be honest, Baron Bernadot Ogeiro did not want anything unfortunate to befall Her Majesty. He believed not one imperial chief historian of the Morisette dynasty would want to write down words like "The Emperor was murdered." This was Baron Ogeiro's hope. He looked forward to a change that would completely reverse the course of events, yet he also feared that the Imperial Family, to which he once pledged allegiance, might make a grave mistake that would not be allowed or tolerated by history.
Bernadot was still considered clear-headed. By taking a glimpse at the historical records, he should know that Her Majesty the Empress of the Empire has been making consecutive mistakes. Perhaps it should be said that the capital nobles have been inciting her to make mistakes. In any case, when the records of Her Majesty Alanis I was filled to the last page, all the merits were to be borne by the Empress herself and no one else. This was what it meant to be accounted the historical responsibility.
The dynasty performed too many sinister deals that none of the historians would agree with. Of course, Baron Ogeiro was getting more time to rest at home, but his doubts and suspicions were simultaneously increasing as well.
Her Majesty, who was too used to compliments, could not tolerate anything tainted. Hence, with much cautious, Baron Ogeiro humbly requested Her Majesty to view the history books in order to study the historical responsibilities borne by both the former Morisette emperors. Alanis read them with indifference and returned the historical records without any comments. Perhaps, in Her Majesty's eyes, records were just records, they did not mean anything.
The Imperial Empress, who was accustomed to praises, was about to commence regular meetings on national affairs with the clowns. As usual, Baron Ogeiro was courteously invited to the tea room next to the hall by the guards. Marquise Wesarcia served him tea and left the historian alone in the empty palace.
Alanis looked down at the crowd in satisfaction. It was not because she had betrayed her own country, but that even after the betrayal, Titan was still her empire.
Based on the summary of peace agreement submitted by the Westland Kingdom Alliance, it was absolute that war could be and must be avoided! The Hoilland King had a deep hatred against the Titan Military Intelligence Bureau because of what happened to his wife and son, but he who had no evidence in hand could only symbolically requested the Titan monarch to assist in the arrest of the murderer. However, the anger of Luth VII was about to die out. He devoted most of his energy to his new romance. Compared to the former Titan Princess who liked to nag and daydream, the younger sister of King Leoliam I of the Kingdom of Weden was much gentler and adorable.
The monarchs of the world were always like this. They simply could not resist loneliness or refrain from temptation. They wished to have a vast territory and countless beauty beneath them simultaneously. There were only a few kings who could do this, and Luth VII felt that he was one of them. His condition was to seize Titan's actual control zone in the Kingdom of Riel, alongside war reparations of 28 million golden Tis. If Alanis was to seal the deal, then Luth VII would still be the good brother-in-law of Titan Empress!
Titan's negotiators announced, "Once a brother-in-law, always a brother-in-law..." The matter was thus set.
Contrary to all expectations, the secret meeting with the Deiss turned out to be the smoothest. Perhaps the savage Yarans still did not grasp the essence of negotiation. Their Queen only demanded the Titan Empire to return the two provinces that had been taken from them in the "Munich Invasion" many years ago.
Her Majesty Queen Roulexberg was not intending to embarrass the Empress of Titan. Being at the top of their nations as the few female monarchs, their identity and frame of mind granted them an inexplicable understanding of each other. Perhaps, what the Queen of Deiss Kingdom had for Alanis was only sympathy, compassion, or ulterior motives. As for Alanis... she had long heard of the ambiguous past betweens Opareal Roulexberg and her husband. The Empress of Titan disdained this kind of woman.
The following negotiate subjects were two newly emerging countries - Weden and Leblesian. Excluding Leblesian, which was loud without practical actions, Weden's status and military strength in the North Sea coastal areas were the most outstanding among Westland Kingdom Alliance.
The negotiations with the Plantagenet Dynasty did not go quite well. The representative of His Majesty Leoliam I spoke in a confusing manner. The representative of Titan could not understand what the overlord of the North Sea really wanted.
In the end, however, the representatives of the Weden finally revealed some of their intentions, and they left the imperial commissioner speechless when they were trying to relay the message to Her Majesty.
His Majesty King Leoliam I asked casually, "If any mishaps were to befall O'Neil Andrew Morisette, for instance, death or serious felony, will the Empress of Titan consider remarriage?"
Therefore, in this boundless universe, there was no lacking of strange things… or strange monarchs. Fortunately, Alanis was not the kind of woman who would ever sell herself. She criticized the King of Weden harshly and sternly and recalled the negotiator while the prospect of the war was still unknown. The diplomatic relations with Weden had also been permanently cut off. Anyway, Titan has already won three votes. Including another vote from Faran, His Majesty Leoliam I who stood alone would not invade a woman's empire all by himself.
However, the obstacle lied between the damned Faran. No one would believe what they demanded - for Titan to cede the Burton Province!
"Your Majesty! This should not be agreed upon no matter what!"
"Certainly!" Alanis glared at the panicking Secretary of State. Everyone within the capital noble circle knew that Duke Rashel Titus obtained several industries in the South, especially in Vielonna.
"If we really cede the Burton Province to Faran... I guess the United Government of Five Southern Provinces will announce their independence on the second day and begin to attack Faran on the third."
"My lady!" The cabinet chancellor chipped in, "It's a good idea for Faran to fight with the southerners, as putting them at a risky position will reignite their sense of belonging to the Empire and the nation! But…"
"But what?" Alanis frowned.
"We can't afford for the southerners to lose trust in the Central Empire!" exclaimed Duke Rashel Titus as he tore the Faran peace agreement into pieces. "This requires us to delay the negotiation as long as possible. At the same time... the message of Faran demanding for Vielonna should also be revealed to the outside world!"
"Southerner will fall into chaos!"
"Yes! It's not the time..."
The high-ranking officials in the guest room clamored. Actually, they could not be bothered about how much the southerners would be in trouble, but they did not want that their investment in the South to be burned into ashes because of war.
Alanis waved her hand, and the whole room immediately calmed down. The Empress of the Empire walked down from her throne to the middle of the nobles. The earnest and fearful officials quickly made a way for Her Majesty. Alanis looked at the tactical map hung on the wall of the room. She did not fully understand it, but she knew where the enemy of the Empire was.
"All parties have ceased hostilities! If the negotiations are delayed further... I am afraid the Westland Kingdom Alliance will get impatient, like Deiss!"
Her Majesty revealed her concern. The people present did not interrupt. No one could be definite when the enemy of the Empire would fall out. Besides, something similar did happen in the history!
"It's best to get this settled as soon as possible!" Alanis turned around to face the ministers whose expression differed from one another.
"Leave Faran aside, and deal with those that we see eye-to-eye to!"
"If so..."
"Forget about it!" Her Majesty interrupted the Cabinet Chancellor. She was irritated. Who could think with a clear head about selling out her nation and feel at ease at the same time?
The head of the special service, Federick Roxes Morisette, took a step forward. The lords present were all considerate enough to understand the prompt. One after another, they retreated from the courtroom. When the room was only left with Cabinet Chancellor and the Wesarcia couple, Federick knotted his brows and bowed deeply at Alanis.
"My lady! I messed it up!"
Alanis said nothing and returned to her throne to pick up her Imperial Scepter. Without any warning, she turned around suddenly, and the gold lion on the handle of the scepter landed firmly on the shoulder of the Head of Secret Service. Federick let out a low groan while trying his best to put on an innocent face, then looked at his aunt with pleading eyes.
Alanis pointed to his nephew with her scepter. "Are you an idiot or a pig? Have you lost your mind or are you coming to the end of your days? Do you know how much O'Neil cares about his child with the Andrew mistress? I'll not be surprised if he sacrificed hundreds of servants to be buried with this child! Do you think he will let you off the hook?"
"But… but it's not me!" Federick waved his hands vigorously. "It's not me! It really is not me!"
Alanis became even more enraged. Her scepter continuously hitting at the Head of Secret Service.
"Who else if not you? Who else can it be? Tell me! Tell me! Who else can it be…"
"My lady! My lady! Would you please listen to me..." the Head of Secret Service did not dare to dodge. His head was already bleeding after that few blows, the least he could do was to plead with desperation.
A pale palm suddenly held down the weapon of Her Majesty. Marquise Wesarcia smiled faintly at the exasperated Alanis, she knew that this friend of hers had been bearing patiently regarding the accidental miscarriage of the Andrew mistress.
"My lady! Give Federick a chance to explain himself. If this matter really has nothing to do with him, then naturally, you must not let go of the guy who's now hiding in the shadows."
Alanis reproached, "Who else can it be, if not him? The two secret agents lurking around Sasha have already confessed to my husband! Tell me! Who else can it be if not him?"
The Head of Secret Service Director shook his head as if playing a rattle-drum, paying no attention to the bleeding.
"My lady! Oh, my lady! On behalf of the God of Light, please think thoroughly! I'm neither mad nor stupid. I naturally understand how much Prince O'Neil values the unborn child! Once the child was met with misfortune, it's evitable for people to think that this is your instruction - because you are afraid Andrew mistress might deliver to an heir! Therefore, you see, will I allow these guys with ulterior motives to do so? Will I lift a big rock to crash down my own head? Even more so, if Prince O'Neil thinks that his Sinelli was killed by me or Your Majesty... I daren't think of the possibility, but it'll definitely be the worst!"
Alanis was afraid that the worst result that might fall between her and her husband. Even though she had prayed innumerable times in her heart for bad things to happen to the child in Sasha E's stomach, she never intended to execute it herself.
"It's not you?"
"It's not me!" the Head of Secret Service nodded firmly, "The two secret agents was just coincidental. Besides, in the Military Intelligence Bureau, you can get any kind of confession out of a capture if you really push for it."
"Who else can it be if it's not you?"
Federick, who appeared all grim, cursed through his gritted teeth.
"Your Majesty! According to my speculations, one of the suspects is among internal Andrew, while the other is among the upper class of the southern nobility circle! Only two types of people wish for the relationship between Your Majesty and His Highness to break down. They are desperate for a decision, and they have to be extremely brutal for that to happen! They're forcing His Highness to make a move against you!"
Alanis ridiculed. "Will my husband be fooled?"