Chapter 2-The Empress Negotiates(Part 1)

[The very next day]

Empress Vanny sat upon her throne, her gaze sweeping through her subordinates. All of them were keeping a low profile, with some even looking away the moment their eyes made contact with hers.

"I had heard that there is this "academy" from the western continent."

The room went silent.

But humans being humans, some were unable to help themselves from whispering amongst one another.

The Empress rested her chin against her hand, a smile slowly curving across her lips.

"And yet, why is it that I have never "heard" of this academy until now? Hmm?"

The Empress' smile did nothing to comfort those in the room.

Instead, it filled them with dread.

We're dead! So dead!

The subordinates all looked at each other, some gulping hard as they nervously swallowed their own saliva.

Until one of them raised his hand.

"Hoo.."

The man who raised his hand was a merchant by the name of Tokegawa, a merchant who frequently traveled to the western continent.

"Your Highness, if I m-may..."

The Empress nodded.

"Speak. What excuse do you have nano ja?"

Seeing the Empress' smile, the man nodded nervously.

"The west had never mentioned such an academy until now. Even during my travels, it was never once mentioned by the other merchants."

"Hoo.. so you're saying it was hidden promptly?"

Tokegawa nodded.

"That seems to be the case, Your Highness."

Vanny pondered for a moment, her eyes staring through her subordinates as if she were looking at something they could not see.

Such a scene should have been a sight for sore eyes.

A cute little girl wearing a black-and-red imperial hanfu with detached sleeves, sitting elegantly upon the throne.

However...

This cute little girl was their Empress!

That same Empress who had cleared out her own family for the sake of securing her succession to the throne!

For her to think this deeply...

It was surely no good!

"I have decided."

Everyone in the room stared at her instantly.

"I will truly, personally, go there!"

The room instantly broke free from its silence.

"YOUR MAJESTY, HOW COULD YOU GO THERE ALONE?!"

"You don't need to go personally! Can't we just use our own young?"

"Right! We can just hire spies!"

Hearing her subordinates' sentiments, the Empress merely waved her hands, and the room went silent once again.

"A true Empress must lead by example. Naturally, it is my duty to seek out the unknown myself."

LIAR! YOU JUST WANT TO CAUSE TROUBLE TO OTHERS!

That was what everyone in the room wanted to scream.

However, they could not.

Instead, as loyal subjects to the throne, they kept their silence.

"There must be some grand reason as to why they chose to keep this matter silent. And therefore, I must personally go!"

The Empress stood up and gestured forth with her hand.

Everyone but her was delighted by this new turn of events.

"Your Majesty, they require your audience."

Seeing the people leave the throne room, Vanny looked behind her and met Yumiko's eyes.

She nodded.

"Very well. I do admit, this is a sudden action nano ja!"

Yumiko bowed as Vanny began walking toward the council chamber.

You really have changed, Your Highness.

After the deaths of her two brothers, all the Empress did was focus her attention on her duties as royalty.

She hardly ever smiled.

Even if she did...

It wasn't the same.

"Oy, what are you standing there for?"

Yumiko jolted.

She looked at Vanny and smiled.

"Nothing, let's go!"

Yumiko ran toward Vanny and walked beside her.

Back in the council chamber, there sat the most prominent members of the Tianluo Empire.

Naturally, as Empress, Vanny sat amongst them at the round table.

Moving clockwise from her position sat Xu Wenhui, the Prime Minister of the eastern empire.

Beside her was Zhao Qinglan, Xu Wenhui's best friend and childhood friend. Zhao Qinglan also happened to be the Minister of the Interior.

Next to Zhao Qinglan was Guo Renjie, the Minister of War. Anything about war, soldiers, and security went through him.

Then next to Guo Renjie was Lin Minghao, the Treasurer of the Empire.

Beside Lin Minghao sat Wang Zhenyu, the Master of Commerce.

And finally, beside Wang Zhenyu was the esteemed Shen Yulan, the Grand Merchant of Tianluo.

Much like Vanny, she was considered a prodigy, having been able to bring great riches to the empire at a young age.

All seven prominent figures had gathered in this chamber today for one topic only.

"You all have probably heard it nano ja. I am going to personally attend this academy."

The Empress said it simply, her pink eyes scanning the room for any sign of dissent.

There was none.

Only silence.

However, one voice immediately broke through the silence.

"We heard you loud and clear, Empress. However, who will rule in your absence?"

It was Shen Yulan, the Master of Commerce.

It could be said that, besides Yumiko, Shen Yulan was the second most familiar with the Empress.

As such, only Shen Yulan could ever act in such a way toward the Empress.

"Hoo, excited already to hear news that I'm leaving?"

Vanny showed a small smile.

"No, I'm sure you only want to go to the west to cause trouble. After all, you don't think highly of them."

Vanny showed no reaction to Wang Zhenyu's words, only staring out the window.

"Hmp. Only natural. How can we expect those barbaric creatures to build an academy?"

Vanny tapped the wooden table with a finger as she said this, her gaze still directed toward the window.

"I hadn't heard good things from that continent."

The Empress said casually, her pink eyes shifting back toward the people seated around the table.

"There you go thinking the west are barbarians."

Shen Yulan pointed her finger at the Empress, and the Empress merely scoffed.

"Naturally. Have you heard? They barely got their public security straight, and they still deal with famine. Meanwhile, the eastern continent and middle east continent have become stable through the years."

The Empress retorted.

"Enough about that, Empress. Are you really sure you need to personally go? You do know the empire cannot operate without you."

Xu Wenhui, the Prime Minister, said calmly, adjusting her eyeglasses as her eyes stared at Vanny.

"I am one hundred percent sure."

Vanny said simply, then continued.

"The Empire not only has I, it also has you and the others in this room. People I have personally chosen. Is that not enough of a reason? And if this empire truly cannot stand without my presence, then I would hardly call this land my empire nano ja."

The Empress said coldly.

"Heh, that's true. With me here, the Tianluo Empire might as well be the safest place on all there is!"

Guo Renjie boasted with his chest puffed out.

"Oh, shut the fuck up, Guo Renjie. You wouldn't be able to protect this empire if I don't allow financial support."

Guo Renjie's eyebrows twitched.

He stood up, grabbed his own chair, and hurled it at Lin Minghao, who casually dodged the chair with utter ease.

"Hmp. Maybe the true barbaric one here is this thing, Your Empress."

"Why youuu!"

Guo Renjie could only curl his fists in anger as Lin Minghao pointed at him.

"Men."

Zhao Qinglan, the Minister of the Interior, couldn't help but shake her head and sigh.

"Enough."

Hearing that sweet word coming out of Vanny's mouth, the room went silent.

"As I had said, I will be leaving to go to this "Academy" the west has set up as soon as I get accepted."

The people present looked at each other.

Then, in unison, they asked:

"You haven't even applied for admission?"

The Empress looked away, her eyes devoid of any emotion.

"An Empress need not make time for others. Time is precisely made for her."

The room went silent once more.

She really did this on a whim.

"Have you thought of the requirements needed? You are an Empress going into foreign land. It would require diplomatic treaties."

Xu Wenhui crossed her arms as she said this.

"Of course I had! And that is precisely why I have gathered you all. Make a letter for me."

"..."

Never change, Empress. Never change.

The room could only sigh.

"But..."

The people looked at the Empress.

"Let the negotiations fall on me. I am, after all, the Tianluo's greatest Empress."

Vanny smiled as she stood up, putting both her hands on her hips.

[2 hours later]

"Here, Your Majesty."

Xu Wenhui handed a scroll to Vanny, a scroll made of fine silk.

Vanny unrolled the silk and began reading its contents.

To the esteemed authorities of the Western Continent and the administration of the Academy,

The Imperial Court of Tianluo extends its formal greetings and highest regards.

It has come to our attention that an institution of learning known as an Academy has recently been established within your territories, and that the institution welcomes students from various nations and backgrounds.

Her Imperial Majesty, Vannyessa Nyaru Fuwa Von Sens, Empress of the Tianluo Empire, has expressed her desire to personally attend this institution as a student.

The Imperial Court therefore submits this letter as a formal request for Her Majesty's admission to the Academy.

We understand that the Academy maintains its own regulations and that all students, regardless of origin or status, are expected to conduct themselves accordingly.

Her Majesty is prepared to respect the authority of the Academy within its grounds, provided that reasonable accommodations are made concerning her status as a sovereign ruler and the security measures necessary for her protection.

Furthermore, the Tianluo Empire has no intention of interfering with the internal administration of the Academy or the sovereignty of the Western nations hosting it.

Any matters concerning Her Majesty's security, diplomatic status, or conduct outside the Academy shall be addressed through the appropriate representatives of the Tianluo Imperial Court and the relevant authorities of the Western Continent.

We hope that this request may serve as the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship between the Tianluo Empire and the Western Continent.

Should the Academy accept Her Majesty's application, the Imperial Court is prepared to discuss the necessary arrangements regarding travel, security, diplomatic protocol, and residence.

We await your response.

By decree of the Imperial Court of Tianluo,

Xu Wenhui
Prime Minister of the Tianluo Empire

Zhao Qinglan
Minister of the Interior

Lin Minghao
Imperial Treasurer

Guo Renjie
Minister of War

Wang Zhenyu
Master of Commerce

Shen Yulan
Grand Merchant of Tianluo

On behalf of Her Imperial Majesty,
Vannyessa Nyaru Fuwa Von Sens
Empress of the Tianluo Empire

"...."

Vanny stared at the scroll.

Then at her cabinet members.

Then back at the letter.

"Why is it so long?"

She looked at her cabinet members.

"It could've been shorter."

Xu Wenhui nodded.

"Yes..."

Vanny pointed at Xu Wenhui.

"Then make it shorter!"

Xu Wenhui took the scroll, but instead of writing right away, she looked at the others.

The others also looked at one another as if such a task were a plague that should never be seen.

"What would you have written then?"

Shen Yulan asked.

Vanny snatched the scroll and took a calligraphy brush from the table.

She began writing.

“I, Vannyessa Nyaru Fuwa Von Sens, Empress of Tianluo, have decided to attend your academy. Prepare accordingly.

—Vanny.”

The room went silent.

"Absolutely not."

Shen Yulan said instantly.

"I agree."

Wang Zhenyu nodded.

"This would cause a war instantly."

Guo Renjie shook his head.

"..."

Vanny looked at her cabinet members, devoid of emotion.

"But it's more efficient nano ja.."

"No. Let's use what we, the cabinet members, had already written."

Xu Wenhui said simply.

And so, the letter was sent toward the Academy.

After some waiting, a letter finally arrived four days later.

"Your Majesty."

The Empress was facing away from Yumiko, gazing down at her kingdom from below.

"Ah, so it arrived nano ja?"

Yumiko nodded.

"Yes."

The Empress stood up from her chair and began walking toward Yumiko.

"Very well! Surprising, surprising. Such a prompt reply means they truly understand my importance, despite being a day later than I expected."

Yumiko gave Vanny the silk scroll, to which Vanny immediately opened.

To Her Imperial Majesty, Vannyessa Nyaru Fuwa Von Sens, Empress of the Tianluo Empire,>

The Academy acknowledges receipt of the Imperial Court's request regarding Your Majesty's admission.

We welcome students of distinguished origin and are prepared to consider Your Majesty's application.

However, all prospective students are required to undergo a routine admission interview prior to acceptance.

Given Your Majesty's position as a foreign sovereign, the Academy will dispatch a small delegation to Tianluo to conduct the interview and discuss the necessary arrangements concerning Your Majesty's attendance, security, and conduct within the Academy.

The delegation shall contact the Imperial Court regarding a suitable date for their arrival.

We thank Your Majesty for your interest in the Academy and await the opportunity to speak with you personally.

By order of the Academy Administration

Isaac Bryan
Head of Admissions
Western Academy

Vanny stared at the scroll for a moment before opening her mouth.

"All prospective students are required to undergo a routine admission interview."

An interview?

Vanny's face scrunched up.

"It is as you've guessed, Your Majesty."

Yumiko did not need Vanny to speak for her to know what she was thinking.

"They are really going to interview me?"

Vanny asked, her mouth slightly open.

"It would appear so."

Yumiko nodded and replied instantly.

"Hmp."

Vanny placed the letter down on her table, pausing for a moment before continuing.

"Very well."

Vanny rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms.

"You're not refusing?"

Yumiko asked, her eyes slightly wide.

And Vanny simply smiled.

“Of course not. I shall simply make them regret asking such obvious questions.”