Not everybody believed that the Empire needs an Empress. While there are many conflicts between the seven ruling families, they have not gone to war.

As long as there was a balance, she Zestra Zushi didn’t mind.

So when she learned that she had to become the Empress, she was livid.

It was her mistake. Her family shielded her for a long time. But that day, her husband to be sent an odd letter.

‘Come alone.’

There was something eerie about it, so she decided to go. That day she ended up confronting assassins and using her power.

Shortly after that event, the summons came, and she also learned her husband’s identity to be. ‘A Prince.’ He was of nobler status than she thought. Those assassins were after her husband. The assassins learned of her existence and intended to use her to lure him over.

When she first met her husband, she knew he was a noble. But she thought he came from a common family.

The reason why she changed her mind was the disappearance of her husband.

‘I can’t keep raising the child in that household.’

Zushi wanted nothing more than to get away from that house, even if it meant becoming the nation’s Empress. It may seem a bit extreme to others, but she felt that she would not get any peace even if she tried to leave the house.

Those people, even after she left, would do anything to make her life miserable.

Initially, she planned to leave the house and find a quiet area. But, the month before she had to leave, several incidents occurred.

‘I came this far…because I have someone I need to protect.’

Her son Branden is only seven years old. The child has already had to suffer so much. The imperial family, the palace, is completely different from what they are used to. But, this is better than dying at the hands of those people.

For the first few years, they treated her like a treasure. As time went by, she gradually understood that something was wrong. The looks they gave her were not normal.

It was shortly after she turned ten years old.

She was picking up herbs in the forest when she bumped into a magical creature. Naturally, she was frightened, but before it could do anything, a strange light surrounded her. Her crystal blue colored eyes seemed to turn into a brighter shade of blue.

She felt a surge of power.

It was the first time this happened,, yet her body and lips moved on itsits own.

“Kneel before me.”

What happened afterward was a blur for her. But Zushi understood from how excited the adults were that she used the strange power. ‘So this is the reason why?’

Sometimes the love and affection her family members showed her felt odd. It felt suffocating. Now she understood, from the start, this is what they wanted from her.

Many argued that her powers woke up too late. Indeed she was already ten years old; most magic users wake up their powers between the age of five to seven. The truly talented individuals are much younger.

But that didn’t matter to her.

Zushi opened her eyes as she looked at the sight before her. It felt stifling in this long gown. Moreover, she tried to keep her eyes forward and not around her. She currently kneeled on a long red carpet as bishop-like individuals recited a long speech.

How much longer does she have to kneel like this? Her legs will give out.

“Zestra Zushi.”

“Yes.”

“Do you swear from this day onwards that you will dedicate yourself entirely to serving the Empire?”

“I do.”

“Do you swear that you will prioritize the people over yourself and if the need arises, sacrifice yourself?”

“I do.”

“As the Empress, you must dedicate yourself to your role in striving to improve the Empire. You put the Empire’s best interest before anybody elses. You must obey and enforce the law.”

In other words, this decree is to keep her in line. Zushi hesitated as she thought of her child.

‘It seems mommy is a liar, Braden. The number one person for me will always be you, even if I endanger the Empire.’

“Yes.”

After she said those words, she felt the two assistants drape something around her shoulders. The bishop in the center stepped forward and placed the crown on her head.

‘It’s heavier than I thought. But this must be the weight I will have to carry from now on.’

Zushi slowly rose to her feet, and she felt her heartbeat rapidly as she turned around. There were more people than she imagined. ‘Why is the coronation done in front of so many people?’ It took place right at the palace entrance, so there was a mix of nobility and normal people.

This is scarier than she thought it would be. But, she has to do this for the sake of her child and her husband. If he learns of this, he will come back, right? He won’t let her rule the country alone.

Her thoughts broke off when she felt a sharp and intense gaze. Zushi followed the source, and then she saw her. A woman with long straight black hair and ruby-colored eyes.

‘So that’s the one, huh?’

Another reason why she became the Empress was she wanted to meet this woman. The Ageha family’s heir, the woman the commoners call the evil General.

…

In the palace, waiting room, four and a half hours later.

Zushi slumped down on the large couch and placed her hands across her face. She knew the parade was still ongoing outside. But she still had some time before she would show herself again. The formal ceremony lasted for four and a half hours. Even after they gave her the crown and scepter, there were still a lot of other things to do.

She hears the door creek open and small footsteps enter the room. Zushi waited for a few minutes before she hears the footsteps halt.

“Is mother sleeping?”

Her lips curve to a smile when she hears that. Zushi extended her hand out and pulled the young boy onto the couch.

“Mother, sneaky!” Braden exclaimed.

“Mother is tired.” She snuggled up to the young boy. “Braden is soft and fluffy.”

“I–I’m not! I’m a man, so I’m strong.”

When seven-year-old tries to act brave like this, it is very cute.

“Right, your brave and strong, so you should protect me.”

“Don’t mess with him, and he will only let it get to his head.” A familiar voice said.

Zushi glanced over and spotted a woman with short blonde curly hair and emerald-colored eyes. It was her eldest sister Mo.

“If you act this way, it’s no wonder he ran off.”

“Aunt Mo is scary today.”

“Braden, didn’t I tell you not to disturb your mother until the ceremony ends?”

“But I missed her!”

Mo is normally very kind. But before the ceremony started, Zushi noticed how anxious she seemed to be about something.

“I thought for sure that he would come here today. Hasn’t word gotten round everywhere about the new Empress?”

Mo flinched, and she coughed. “Perhaps he is here.”

“If he is, he should come to me already.” Zushi sighed. “Braden is already seven years old. I understand that before, he was trying to lie low. But enough is enough.”

He is already missing out on a good portion of the child’s life. How much more does he have to miss?

“I thought if I did this, he would show. After all, back then, he told me that I didn’t suit a grand lifestyle, and we would live a quiet life.”

‘Pierre most-likely already knew about my powers. After he went missing, his brother came to me one time and explained the situation.’

It turned out that his family wanted to use her. He initially approached her on their orders, but he genuinely fell in love with her.

Mo is hiding something from her.

But she isn’t the type of person who would pry.

“Did I do a good job?”

“Yes, yes you did. Zu, has anybody approached you?”

“Approach?”

“As in somebody from the palace other than the ones who held the ceremony.”

“Are you talking about that person?”

“You already knew?” Mo asked.

“Well, I did my own investigation. I know the only trail to those fire attacks on the village lead to her. I learned the imperial army mobilized that time. That woman is a general too?”

Mo sighed deeply. She looked very troubled but nodded. “She is the same age as you and a younger general than me, but she has more power. She has the most control of the imperial army.”

“The heir of the Ageha family became a general?”

Normally the family heirs would not tolerate a position that involved lowering themselves towards another person.

“It surprised me too, but ten years have already passed since she became a general. At that time, I luckily got my position after several successful missions. But, her? A single mission.”

“What kind of mission was it?”

“Slaying a dragon.” Mo trailed off and sighed. “I’ll admit she has the ability and didn’t get her position through connections. That time we were all having problems with slaying the dragon, but she handled it easily.”

A fifteen-year-old girl slaying a dragon alone? What kind of ability does that person have?

Her gaze fell on her son, who was silently braiding the edge of her hair. She needs to keep her son away from the Ageha family. It is still too soon to judge, but it is rare for Mo, who is normally so kind and gentle, to behave cautiously like this.

A large thud on the door breaks their attention.

“Who is it?”

“General Mo.”

Mo walked over and opened the door.

“What’s wrong?”

“Something disturbing happened. We got word that the Ageha family accepted the interview for the times.”

“Is it strange? I am sure even they want to remain in the spotlight.”

“But the reporter that went was the young boy.”

At that comment, Zushi watched as her sister’s face turned pale. Her sister is too kindhearted. When she first became a general and left home, Zushi felt very uneasy. Zushi put her son down and walked towards the door.

“Continue.”

“E–empress, apologies I was not aware you were here.”

“What happened to the boy?”

“According to our spies, the boy freed somebody and ended up tortured. General Lilian headed to the ceremony, so we do not know what happened afterwards. But, it is for certain that we cannot locate him now.”

“What is this interview for?”

“It was a front,” Mo muttered. “You will learn this in more detail later, but lately, the Ageha family is snooping around the forbidden region. I wanted to learn what they were doing there, so I intended to send one of my men. But his relative from the times suggested that he would go instead. A reporter would be the best disguise.”

“But they sent a child?”

“He is one of the young chiefs and is very accomplished. But even then to the Ageha mansion, alone?”

“Do you want to go?” Zushi asked.

Mo looked at her. “But I should stay with you; what if something happens?”

Zushi sighed deeply. “It’s fine, and nobody is stupid enough to attack the Empress on the first day.”

But she understood why Mo was worried. Sure, what she said stands corrected, but many do not want a new Empress. Many are accustomed to having no Empress and the fraction of the previous Empress.

“I–I will come right back. Just stay put, okay?” Mo said worriedly. “Astra will be coming right after her mission. Just stay within sight at all times. Do not stay in the palace until I return; outside is better.”

With those words said, Mo and the soldier rushed off.

Zushi turned to her son, who had fallen asleep, and sighed. Now then, what is she going to do? She can’t go out with Braden. It would be a terrible scandal. She doesn’t intend to hide her child, but it wouldn’t look good for the coronation.

A knowing ah escaped her lips. Other than Mo, there is somebody else she can ask. A distant relative, they only half noble blood and live among the commoners. But asking those people is better than leaving Braden alone with some strangers.

Still, Zushi felt worried.

She recalled that brief exchange with the Ageha family heir. ‘That woman is marking me.’ There was bloodlust in that gaze, but why? They have not met before.