Chapter 6: The Empress Receives The Letter

Two weeks.

It took two whole weeks before a response finally arrived.

And that was without considering the arduous process involved in delivering letters and linen scrolls alike.

The scroll had to be taken from the receiving office to the imperial secretariat, then delivered to Yumiko before it could finally reach Vanny's hands.

The petite empress looked down at the linen scroll.

There was not a trace of uncertainty on her face, only a beaming confidence that somehow seemed to suit her stature.

"Are you worried, your majesty?"

Vanny turned to her left, met Yumiko's eyes, and gave her a smug look.

"Me? Worried? Never nano ja. I am the Empress of Tianluo!"

Vanny huffed proudly before finally looking at the scroll. She opened it, and her eyes began scanning its contents.

Her expression shifted from pride and confidence, to confusion, and finally...

Acceptance.

"What's wrong, your majesty?"

Vanny sighed, shook her head, and handed the scroll to Yumiko.

"Read it."

As requested, Yumiko read the response.

Below was the content of the letter.

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY

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

Your Imperial Majesty,

It is with great pleasure that we formally inform you that, following the conclusion of your admission interview, Your Imperial Majesty has been deemed qualified for enrollment at our esteemed Academy.

The Royal Academy maintains a policy of equal treatment among its students, irrespective of rank, title, or station. Nevertheless, in recognition of Your Imperial Majesty's sovereign status and the responsibilities accompanying it, certain accommodations shall be extended to ensure your comfort, security, and continued fulfillment of your imperial duties.

Accordingly, the following arrangements have been approved for Your Imperial Majesty's attendance:

1.Private Accommodation: An entire floor of the student dormitory shall be reserved exclusively for Your Imperial Majesty and your authorized attendants.

2.Flexible Academic Schedule: Your Imperial Majesty shall be permitted to select your own class schedule from the courses available, subject to the Academy's academic requirements.

3.Royal Identification: A specially designated insignia shall be issued to formally recognize Your Imperial Majesty's royal status and distinguish you from the general student body.

4.Custom Attire: A specially tailored school uniform shall be provided, befitting Your Imperial Majesty's station while remaining consistent with the Academy's dress regulations.

Furthermore, we wish to extend our sincere apologies for the unpleasant experience Your Imperial Majesty encountered during the admission interview, particularly in regard to the conduct of our interviewer, Mr. Andrew. Please be assured that the Academy takes such matters seriously and regrets any offense that may have arisen from the proceedings.

However, regarding Your Imperial Majesty's request to bring fifteen armed military personnel into the host kingdom, we must respectfully inform you that such an arrangement cannot be permitted. While we fully acknowledge the importance of Your Imperial Majesty's personal security, the presence of a sizeable armed contingent would be incompatible with the kingdom's security regulations and the Academy's responsibility to maintain peace within its grounds.

As an alternative, Your Imperial Majesty shall be permitted to bring one personal attendant and two military escorts of your choosing. The escorts shall be subject to the host kingdom's applicable security protocols, including any necessary arrangements concerning their weapons and movements within the Academy.

Should Your Imperial Majesty desire it, your designated personal attendant may also enroll in the Academy's classes, subject to the completion of the necessary administrative formalities.

We trust that these arrangements will prove satisfactory and look forward to welcoming Your Imperial Majesty to our institution. We sincerely hope that your time at the Academy will be both fruitful and rewarding, and that it may serve as the foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship between our realm and the Tianluo Empire.

May this occasion mark the beginning of a prosperous and enduring friendship between our nations.

With the highest respect and consideration,

By the Authority of the Royal Academy

Office of the Academy's Administration

On behalf of the Host Kingdom

"Your majesty. It looks good."

Yumiko spoke flatly as she finished reading the letter and rolled the scroll shut.

"Looks good, my foot! How is that good?! Me, an empress, all alone in a foreign state with two measly guards and you!"

The empress stomped her foot, her fingers digging into her palms as her face scrunched up into an adorable pout.

"Empress... you can take care of yourself just fine."

Yumiko's usually half-closed eyes opened, revealing her beautiful black irises as she gave the empress a gentle smile.

"Hmp!"

The empress turned around and crossed her arms.

"I might not like most of what they said, but at least they aren't stupid. If they had included even a tincy wincy bit of a bad clause, I would blow their kingdom up!"

Yumiko looked at the tiny figure pointing her fists toward the heavens and couldn't help but shake her head.

There truly was no stopping her. Words would mean nothing to Vanny once she had set her mind to something.

"Enough about that. We should get prepared, Yumiko. Prepare whatever you want to bring. Immediately."

The empress swiped her hand horizontally as she issued her order.

"Hai???.."

Yumiko stared at Vanny, utterly dumbfounded.

"What do you mean, hai? You're coming with me."

"Ehhh..."

"Hey! You ARE coming! Who else do you think would come with me?! Shen?!"

Yumiko averted her gaze from the furious little empress.

"At first.."

A cute, little angry vein appeared on the side of the empress's forehead.

"You are my court lady! Of course I would pick you first!"

"Mhm.."

"What do you mean, mhm?! Why is your reaction so detached?"

"Nothing at all.."

And so, Yumiko averted her gaze once more.

The two walked toward their respective rooms, but as they passed through the hallway, the servants witnessed their own empress angrily punching Yumiko.

Another core memory had been added to the servants' mental catalogue.

[Council Chamber]

While Yumiko was left preparing everything she needed to bring to the Western Continent, Vanny went ahead and found herself standing before her council once more.

"So, her Majesty has been accepted."

Zhao Qinglan, who had spent most of the previous meeting sighing, finally spoke.

"It would be weird if I had been rejected nano ja."

The empress smiled smugly.

"No, it's weird they even accepted you despite your rude behavior."

Shen Yulan intervened.

Vanny turned toward the beautiful woman and crossed her arms.

"You say that as if my mere presence would bring ruin to any land I set foot upon."

Vanny raised her eyebrows.

"Surely you jest, your majesty."

Shen Yulan smirked and looked away.

You probably will bring ruin to every land besides Tianluo.

Naturally, she would never say that to her empress. Not in a million years.

"Still, to only allow two soldiers..."

Guo Renjie, the Minister of War, pinched his white beard.

"Is it really that hard? As expected, having pure brawn for a Minister of War is a bad idea. Tsk tsk tsk... just bring out your two best men. Why? Do you not have any good men?"

Lin Minghao shook his head, laughing mockingly.

"You!"

Guo Renjie pointed at Lin, his hand trembling with indignation.

He then looked toward the empress and calmed himself.

"Ehem. Two men... it is difficult because we are only allowed to bring two people to aid Her Highness. Unfortunately, most of my men have been sent to travel the world and gather countless pieces of information regarding criminal activity and the movements of other kingdoms."

Guo sighed.

"So, unfortunately, your highness, I can only offer you my two finest soldiers' little sisters..."

Lin Minghao immediately stood up from his chair.

"Are you asking Her Majesty to babysit?! Your majesty! This old man has grown senile!"

Guo also stood up, a vein appearing on the side of his forehead.

"You imbecile! They're grown women! Sixteen and nineteen, respectively! They don't fall short of their brothers!"

"Ah, if it's them, then they would be a good fit for Her Majesty. Moreover, being women, they would be able to accompany Her Majesty in her dormitory. Much less cumbersome than male soldiers."

Xu Wenhui, the Prime Minister, adjusted her glasses, a faint smile etching itself across her face.

The empress, meanwhile, remained silent.

She simply watched as the entire spectacle unfolded before her.

Her small pink irises revealed not the slightest hint of what she intended to do next.

"Whoever you assign to me, make sure they are good at their job."

The room fell silent.

The cabinet members exchanged glances before nodding.

"Have I ever failed to meet your expectations, your majesty?"

Guo smiled knowingly.

"You haven't. Keep it that way. I don't want you to lose some pawns."

The empress spoke coldly, her gaze falling upon her hands as her fingers tapped against the round table.

"Still, you are truly leaving? Can't you wait for a single day?"

Shen asked, letting out a slight sigh.

"Why should I wait? As Empress, my arrival is a blessing that heaven has bestowed upon thee nano ja."

The empress replied flatly before continuing.

"Furthermore, having a buffer period to get a feel for that foreign barbaric state is better. Who knows if they even have the concept of pure cotton beds?"

The empress let out a cute giggle.

The cabinet members, however, knew the truth.

She's truly looking down on them.

"So that's why you wish to depart immediately? OR is it because you want to taste some new food?"

Xu Wenhui asked, flipping her pale pink hair.

"New food is besides the point."

The empress scoffed.

"Adjustment is necessary for all humans. Even an empress as great as I must acclimate herself to her environment in order to become familiar with its rules nano ja."

Xu Wenhui looked at the empress and could only sigh.

"Besides that, I will entrust my Empire to all of you. Trust nano ja na, is the most expensive currency this empress has to offer-do not sully it."

At her words, the cabinet members fell silent.

As that small figure departed, each of them looked at one another.

Xu Wenhui used to be a lowly servant under an abusive lord. It was only after Vanny became empress and abolished the corrupt lords that Her Majesty discovered Xu's remarkable capabilities. Ever since then, Xu had remained devoted to Her Majesty.

Zhao Qinglan used to be a lowly waitress. Naturally, her work had sharpened her eye for identifying problematic people. It was only when Vanny happened to dine at the restaurant where she worked that her talent was discovered. She was subsequently entrusted with domestic affairs, internal security, and the internal mechanisms of the country.

Guo Renjie, a hermit who lived in the mountains of Yamashiro, had always been skeptical of nobles. However, when Vanny managed to absorb his kingdom through sheer military strategy, Guo, who had been living in self-exile, emerged from the forest and personally offered his services to Her Majesty. Though he was not personally loyal to her, he remained loyal because of her intellect.

Lin Minghao was a struggling merchant in Rajavira. Having been born in Tianluo, he was discovered by Vanny by chance when the kingdom was absorbed. Having lost hope of ever becoming a successful merchant, he had all but given up. Yet the empress saw something in him and entrusted him with the treasury. It was only then that he discovered his true talent was not in negotiation, but in keeping money.

Wang Zhenyu, meanwhile, had been living in poverty. He hated nobles for everything they stood for. But ever since Vanny became empress, the corrupt nobles had begun to disappear. Eventually, he was scouted and appointed Master of Commerce. Though his hatred of nobles had not ceased, he tolerated Vanny to the point that he refused to sell himself short by abandoning the position he had earned.

And finally, Shen Yulan.

Unlike most of the others, Shen Yulan fell silent for a different reason.

Not because she was indebted to the empress.

Rather, she was remembering the words spoken by that tiny empress.

"You think the world of economy only lies within the kingdom? I'll show you. Your grand stage is not within this empire, but the entire world."

Having joined purely out of ambition, Shen Yulan was the least loyal of them all.

However...

It was interesting, being under such a tiny empress.

Each member had their own reason to remain loyal to this empress.

Some were indebted to her. Others were not.

However, one thing was common among them all.

I will keep Tianluo shining in its glory.

Of course, they could never say such a thing out loud to Her Majesty.

But sometimes, it's the thought that counts, right?