“Even if we return home, there will be piles of work. I want to do as much as possible.”
“However, it is already 12 o'clock.”
“I will rest later.”
However, the Queen did not go the bed.
“Leave such table work to the secretary…”
“I want to look over everything. Otherwise, there would have been no point of coming on the cloud.”
Mazarin sighed. Because Henrietta was so young, he couldn’t help but worry. However… Mazarin watched Henrietta through half-way closed eyes. He wanted to keep the princess, whom he had watched over since she was just a baby, out of danger forever.
As if preparing to lecture a student, Mazarin cleared his throat.
“Your Majesty, as I have said repeatedly, we have to be careful of Gallia.”
“Uhum.”
Henrietta nodded, not lifting her face from the documents.
“Though it was… Gallia that brought an end to this war. Yet, their demands were insignificant… They only wanted one port. Also their words, ‘All that we wanted we already obtained.’…”
In terms of direct control of territory, Tristain and Germania obtained a considerable amount, but Gallia did not want it. Mazarin was suspicious of Gallia’s disinterest.
“Indeed.”
Henrietta nodded.
“Fuaah.” Mazarin let out a big yawn.
“You seem to be sleepy. Please take some rest.”
“No… I won’t leave until Your Majesty goes to bed.”
Henrietta smiled, putting away the documents.
“Will you get some rest?”
“Yes. Because I cannot risk your health.”
“Stay healthy not just for me. Sleeping is also part of work.”
“Yes,” Henrietta nodded obediently.
Then… reassured, Mazarin left. Girlishly, Henrietta fell onto the bed. And muttered absent-minded…
“Tired…”
Right now, she could sleep like the dead. But, there was one thing left to do before that. An act which became every days custom before sleep.
Henrietta pulled out a rope next to her pillow.
At once… a court lady appeared in front of the door.
“You called, Your Majesty?”
“Did Agnes return?”
“The Musketeer Commander, Agnes–sama, hasn't returned yet.”
“I see. Thank you.”
After hearing the footsteps of the court lady disappear, Henrietta shut her eyes tight. Like a child, she bit her fingernail. Looking troubled, Henrietta buried her face into the pillow, with her eyes closed.
At that time, in another room of the Havilland palace…
A lord sitting with his back to a burning fireplace, with his elbow placed on the sofa‘s armchair, was watching the guest with great interest.
“Hmm, what does the great ambassador of Romalia want from the ‘incapable king’ of Gallia?”
King Joseph, while giving a barely contained smile, looked down at the ambassador of Romalia who had ‘A personal message from the Pope’.
He had outstanding blond hair… It was Julio.
While kneeling on one knee on the floor, he answered.
“Incapable king?… Your Majesty is far too modest.”
“Not modest at all. It is a fact that government and assembly officials, nobles too – they all laugh at me. Calling me ‘incapable’ in the shadows. If you look at it – the domestic affairs and country diplomacy is weird and wrong. Just like playing with a toy.”
“Your Majesty ended the war. History will remember your name as a great king.”
“Is such compliment of any value? I am not interested in history at all.”
Joseph took a music box that was on the table, and placed it on his hand. It was an old, worn-out music box. It was brown, with the varnish completely fallen off. It was cracked in some places. However, Joseph patted it dearly.
”Antiquary?”
“Aye. I received it from Albion’s royal family, an excellent article; it's called the ‘Founder's Music Box’.”
“The Founder's Treasure?”
Joseph's eyes shone.
“Precisely.”
“Romalia, Gallia, Tristain, and Albion… Each royal family received something called the Founder's Treasure.”
“I wonder what would happen if the people of Halkeginia were to learn about that?”
“And the ring of the four elements…”
“This one?”
Joseph showed Julio the ring on his finger.
“Indeed.”
“Hmm, so what business do you have? I am slowly getting sleepy. After all, conferences everyday are tiresome. Like that greedy lass, who never seems to get tired. I want you to be brief.”
“I’m afraid, though Your Majesty doesn’t like it much, it is connected with history. Those treasures, with the Founder’s will and blood were said to be placed in Romalia… And recently a certain prophecy was excavated.”
Joseph watched Julio evaluating him. So beautiful, that it made all words of description seem banal. Poets would have to invent new words for this… And his eyes, both different color, had a strong light in them.
This fellow… Julio Cesar named priest… to take part in the nations conference, he could be useful. He might be Romalia’s best man in terms of diplomacy.
“Fum. What prophecy?”
“The Founder's power was great. He divided his power into four parts, putting it into the treasures and rings. There were four people to keep it too. The Founder said, ‘Four treasures, four rings, four familiars, four users… when all four gather again, my Void power will awaken.’”
“What was that?! In other words, four users of Void exist?! Really?!”
Joseph laughed aloud.
“Stop saying foolish things! Users of Void, and four people at that! The Founder’s Void can be replaced by four people? This is a masterpiece!”
“It’s not a lie. Romalia collected true information. Two users' existences were confirmed.”
“Well, who?”
“I cannot tell. Only when I am convinced of Your Majesty’s cooperation, will I reveal it. ”
“What cooperation?”
“Well, that’s easy. As soon as you discover a user of Void, I want you to inform our country about it. Don’t worry. Our country doesn’t have great ambitions. However, we want to accompany the Founder's mind in the fullest sense… only that purpose. Royal alliance concluded today… The alliance between three kingdoms might correctly lead to the Founder’s true intention - one united country.”
“Tsk…” Joseph shook his blue head.
“About users of Void... I know nothing at all. Because I am an ‘incapable king’, the arriving vassals will not inform me about most essential things.”
“There is a way of discovering Void users. With one of the four rings, open the music box. If that person is a user, he will hear the Founder's melody.”
Joseph nodded.
“I agree. Let’s try it.”
“Well then…” Julio stood up.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“What about sharing Romalia’s true information of everything?”
“Because you are tired, so…”
“What, it may be just the right entertainment to kill ones' time during this long night.”
“I am sorry. But it is as I said – only when Your Majesty's cooperation is assured, will I get the the permission to reveal it.”
“Though young, the king is stronger than the pope.”
“More than others, he has more faith. Therefore, the corresponding level of faith from others is demanded.”
“Then are you saying - a faith like one in the Founder and God awakening?”
Julio gave a smile.
“This topic of Your Majesty’s interest is closed, but there’s another one.”
“Very well.”
“All substance in the world is made from small grains. Grains smaller than water drops or sand. As clarified in our recent theology, the four elements' spells control them.”