# Chapter 99
Chapter 99
Scene 17.
The social season
Dame Noa Kedrey was staying at an old friend's house.
Maybe it was her old age, but she found it more enjoyable to spend time with the friends she spent her youth with than with her son.
There was also the fact that her relationship with Raphael was not good.
“Noa.
Meryl Winston—her childhood friend, daughter of a marquess, and now a viscountess—entered the music room belatedly.
The two decided to do a duet together, like they did when they were girls.
“Did you get lost in your own home?
Dame Noa, who would not give up her cold attitude towards anything, lightly joked in front of her dear friend.
Normally, Madame Meryl would have burst out laughing in response.
However, she went to Noa's side with a worried expression.
“I heard that the princess was appointed temporary deputy to the emperor in the government.
Have you heard anything from your son?
The lady asked, intrigued: — The government?
Isn't it internal affairs?
“Yes.
They say Duke Raphael was with the princess a few days ago.
Haven't you heard of that?
And I just got another piece of news, that the Evans family was involved in drug distribution.
It has become difficult to receive immediate news of palace affairs since Cayena took control of internal affairs and overthrew the staff.
Madame Meryl, as Chancellor Debussy's niece, has only been informed now.
"She is not a new candidate for the throne, but she is the emperor's regent?
That means she has more power than the chancellor."
Additionally, the Evans family cultivated drugs on their land.
Noa would have to take care of how this incident changed the world of politics.
Currently at the center of the political world was the princess.
“Raphael is doing well.”
Noa had been displeased with the fact that her son was suddenly in close communication with the princess.
The princess was the daughter of that former empress, and the rumors surrounding her were substandard.
Just a few months ago, everyone believed that she was careless and foolish.
“Hmm.
But now, Noa started to wonder about Princess Cayena.
She lost herself in thought for a moment, then asked her friend, — Is there a way to create a situation where I can naturally meet the princess?
“What?
Cayena's surroundings were currently much more threatening than usual.
There was supposed to be a grand banquet for his coming of age, but there would be a lot of prying eyes during the event.
Noa needed a place to meet her privately.
You thought of acceptable ways to organize this.
She remembered her son's method.
“Should I also donate a building?”
Raphael managed to find the princess after dedicating a building to her.
So wouldn't it be nice if Noa donated three buildings perhaps?
She was seriously thinking about it.
The auxiliary building used by the central army was the second largest after the main palace and was made up of several buildings.
Furthermore, there was a large training ground where the knights trained as soon as the sun rose.
The knights of the central army were returning to their quarters after morning training as usual.
But there was a strange commotion outside their dormitories.
The court servants were busy moving things around, sweeping the floor and cleaning up.
They were completely cleaning the building.
“Move it over there…
“You there!
Don't delay!
— The knights stared blankly at the sight in front of them.
They grabbed one of the servants and asked what was happening.
“Who knows?
We were ordered to clean the knights' quarters this morning.
“Oh.
— The knights agreed.
It must be spring cleaning, even though a lot of time has passed since spring arrived.
The building, which was a little dirty because it was filled only with men, quickly became more pleasant.
That alone made the knights feel refreshed for the first time in a long time.
But things don't stop there.
Many strangers came to visit the knights' quarters.
“Who is responsible for managing this building?
The knights were unable to respond.
They asked themselves: — Do we have someone like that…?
While they were talking, one of the vice commanders heard the news and came running over.
“I'm one of the people who runs this place.
What happened?
“I was asked to make the central army's clothing.
The visitor does noto was none other than a clothing merchant.
He explained to the deputy commander that he had received an imperial order.
“So you're here to fix our uniforms?
“Yes.
I was also told to make new training clothes.
The knights really couldn't understand what was happening.
“To begin with, I brought all the fabric I could acquire from the linen stores in the capital to the interior department.
The strange events didn't end there either.
Os cavaleiros se dirigiram ao refeitório na hora de comer.
As they approached the cafeteria, they began to smell something incredible.
“What is that smell?
Once again confused, they entered the cafeteria.
But the menu was different from normal.
The savory smell came from a dense beef stew, buttery steamed potatoes, and thick, juicy pork that made them feel even hungrier.
“Is there some kind of festival or anniversary today?
They brought a special meal.
The knights' wide eyes swept across the table full of food and they hurriedly filled their plates.
Then someone said, "Didn't Sir Warren say something good was going to happen a few days ago while he was handing out the cookies?"
The conversation quickly turned to the topic of Cayena's cookies.
“You are right.
The sweets His Highness made were so delicious.
“Oh yes.
It was the first time I had such a rich, buttery dessert!
“But how did Sir Warren come to receive the cookies?
“I don't know.
In any case, all the knights were feeling cheerful after enjoying a delicious and healthy meal for the first time in so long.
“This can't be our last banquet before we get more budget cuts, right?
The happy atmosphere died down a little with a question from one of the knights.
“It's horrible how our salary decreases every year.
I feel ashamed in front of my family.
“Honestly, there is no difference between being a mercenary and being in the central army.
“I may have to return to the field after being discharged.
I thought everything would be resolved as soon as I returned to the capital…
Then, Commander Jed entered the mess hall.
“Greetings, Lord!
— The leader of the knights, whose expression had been worried lately due to various things, seemed lighter.
Jed looked happily around the cafeteria and asked, “Are you enjoying your meal?”
“Yes, it's wonderful!
someone shouted.
This made Jed laugh.
“I'm glad it suits your taste.
So we will have more meals as is in the future.
In the future?
Jed smiled and continued, “I know you're all eating, but I came here to share an important announcement.
He coughed and cleared his throat because the news he was about to share was truly groundbreaking.
“The central army will be mobilized next week to cultivate land to expand the capital.
Everyone looked at each other at the unexpected words.
It was common for the military to be mobilized for labor-intensive tasks, such as taming the land.
“The cleared land will then be distributed to us soldiers in exchange for our work.
You will also receive government funding to establish yourself.
Land distribution?
Financing?
The knights' jaws dropped as they looked at Jed.
“All of these events were ordered by Her Highness the Princess.
As soon as their leader finished speaking, the knights in the mess hall began to stir.
“I-is this real?
Are they really giving us financing to build houses?
Including land?
“That's correct.
Princess Cayena is encouraging the central army to settle in the capital and raise families here.
Everything you are eating now and the services provided today were made possible by His Highness's relocation of the back of his own palace.
The knights were listening to him speak, but their understanding took a moment to reach.
Why was the princess being so kind to them?
“His Highness will be coming soon to inspect the building and speak to us in person.
Greet her with your greatest gratitude!
“…understood, Sir.
The knights finished their excellent meal in a daze.
They returned to their clean quarters and were given a new, clean cotton shirt.
“Is this a dream?
At that time, one of the knights ran inside.
“The princess is in Knight Commander Jed's office now!
— The knightsthey looked into the eyes.
Should they check it out?
Well, the commander told them to greet her.
They made their decision quickly.
They gathered like sardines in Commander Jed's office.
“Huh?
Next to the commander…
One of them pointed to Commander Jed escorting a woman.
“What…!
— The knights' eyes widened as if they were going to jump out.
The woman Commander Jed was escorting didn't look human.
She was clearly an angel, stepping lightly as if she was walking on clouds and wearing a sky blue dress.
Her hair fluttered with each step like wings.
“Wow…
Commander Jed shouted in a strict voice, “Pay respect to Her Highness the Princess!
— Only then did they recognize that the woman Jed was escorting was not an angel, but Princess Cayena.