Route 1: Resolve

Scarlet Aubrielle

“I appreciate your concern but I will have to strongly decline with what you are asking me to do, your majesty.” that is what I said with a serious expression plastered on my face, and from the looks of it, it is obvious that the emperor is quite shocked with my reaction. I have a feeling that he didn’t expect that I will have such a reaction, I guess what he expected is for me to be a demure lady that will immediately follow whatever is ordered by the emperor because who wouldn’t follow the order of the emperor in the first place?

Well, the only people who have the audacity to do so is none other than our family but of course, we don’t do such a thing often because it will surely create an issue.

“Did I just heard it correctly? You are declining to my order?” that is what he said which instantly made me let out a sigh. Is he seriously going to ask that? I know he heard me loud and clear and so, is there really any sense repeating what he had already heard?

But anyways, I guess it is just for clarifications.

“Yes, you heard it right your majesty I am declining your order” I replied and then he looked at me skeptically. Well, I am already used to such an expression plastered on anyone’s face whenever they are looking at me. And they have the right to be skeptical especially if they know my background and they know how my family takes care of me - like a glass that is so easy to be broken.

“I believe that I will be able to handle that dungeon, your majesty. Well, I do acknowledge the fact that you are worried about your friends daughter however I do think that it is also unnecessary to make me back out from my word which is something that an Elvoi shouldn’t do. You have known my parents for quite a long time and I bet that you are well aware of the fact that they are people who stays true to their words and values promises and so, to follow what you are telling me to do will break my promise to your son, the crown prince and it will also tarnish my reputation as an Elvoi.” I preliminarily said then I breathe in some air before I continue what I am going to say.

“I know your majesty that it is easy to tell the crown prince that it was your direct order to make me not continue anymore with the expedition of the dungeon, however don’t you think that he will also think of me as a pushover? I bet that you know your own son and it is not entirely impossible for him to have such thoughts. Second thing, I have already prepared everything that is needed to be prepared - making me stop now, when the expedition is already tomorrow will put all my efforts and the efforts of the Ice Knights in vain - don’t you think that it is only just for us to be able to prove our capabilities of exploring and subjugating the dungeon before you will make us stop, your majesty? I am more than sure that the knights will not also like it.”

“Of course, the blame will not be put on me because I am just following orders. I am not saying that they will blame you your majesty but more of they will surely think that they are incapable and that you don’t trust the capabalities of the knights of the Elvoi Duchy when in fact this family had supported you right from the start. In short, the possibility is low but not zero that your name will be tranished” that is what I said and he just stared at me for a a few minutes and just then he suddenly let out a loud chuckle which then shocked me and also Elisha who is just standing near the door.

Why did he suddenly laugh? Is there something that is funny from what I have said? From my observations there is nothing funny about everything that I have said.

“I can’t believe it, you are really just like your mother. Well, everything that you have said sounded like Claude but then again your eyes and the expression that you have on your face right now is just like Selene’s” that is what he suddenly said which made me frown because I am kind of confused on what he is actually talking about right now.

“Well, honestly I really don’t want you to continue with the subjugation of the dungeon because I am worried about your safety. We don’t know what lies ahead and if something happens to you I know that your family will surely cannot handle it - they may go berserk and destroy everything that they see. But since you have that expression on your face and that you have said all those things then I guess there is already no way for me to be able to stop you from following what you want to do.” that is what he said with now a smile plastered on his face, however even thought it is a smile I still notice the worry on his eyes.

Well, the same expression my parents and brother had when they agreed to follow what I want to do. I guess he really cared for Scarlet Aubrielle and the Elvois in the general but he cannot fully show it because of his position. If he wasn’t the emperor I am sure enough that he will be able to showcase everything that he feels regarding our family freely - but then again, that is no longer possible.

And so, as a friend of my parents then I guess, it is also justifiable if I am going to reassure him.

“You don’t have to worry, your majesty. I am an Elvoi, and there is no way that a dungeon will cause me extreme harm or worse death. You have known my parents for a long time now, and you may have already realized that eliminating monsters and protecting the citizenry really runs in the blood. Even if, I haven’t been officially trained neither by my mother or father - I know and I am confident that I am going clearing the dungeon and that is my resolve as an Elvoi”

That is what I said and as if on cue, he once again let out a laugh and then he smiled widely however unlike a while ago that worry is still evident on his eyes right now it is different because I can see that all he has on his eyes is amusement and excitement - excitement I guess on what is about to happen.