Volume 6 Chapter 47
by Golden DragonVolume 6 + Chapter 47: The Return of The Messenger
“Ha!”
“Ha!”
“Ha!”
Under the leadership of Olga, Captain of the Dragon Palace Guard, the guards were training with weapons in the Dragon Palace’s training ground.
“What’s this? What’s this?!”
Olga, with a stern expression, barked at his subordinates.
“Such feeble voices, what’s that supposed to mean? Did you not eat today? If any of you gluttons haven’t had enough, step forward right now! If you don’t want to be guards of the Dragon Palace, there are plenty who do!”
“HA!”
“HA!”
“HAAaaa!!”
The guards mustered all their strength, their war cries growing louder, their weapons whistling through the air with renewed vigor.
“Good. That’s more like it. This is how the fine children of the Dragon race should behave! Remember, your duty is to protect the Dragon Palace, safeguard the Dragon Royal Family, and defend the glory of the Dragon race!!”
Olga looked satisfied.
Just then, a silver-haired dragon girl appeared in the training ground, accompanied by the royal maids.
Seeing her, everyone immediately lowered their weapons, Olga included, and all of them bowed in unison.
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Queen!”
Xia Lulu’s face remained mostly expressionless as she said calmly, “Rise, Captain Olga. Let the others continue training. Do not let my presence disrupt the daily schedule.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Olga ordered the guards to rise and, under his direction, they resumed their drills.
The sudden visit of the Silver Dragon Queen, who stood by to observe, made every guard redouble their focus, each striving to show their best side before Xia Lulu.
“Your Majesty, how do you find their performance?” Olga asked.
“Very good, Captain Olga.” Xia Lulu replied.
“Your Majesty, I am glad you are pleased…”
“Recently, there have been frequent disturbances. We must now strictly tighten the security of the Dragon Palace. Do not let any suspicious persons take advantage. I do not wish to see a second occurrence of the chaos that happened last time.”
As Xia Lulu spoke, a faint chill emanated from her words.
This made Olga tense up.
“Understood, Your Majesty. During this time, I will assign additional personnel and increase patrol intensity to protect the Dragon Palace and the royal family.”
“Mm.”
Xia Lulu acknowledged softly, then left the training ground with the royal maids.
“…”
Olga raised his head and watched Xia Lulu’s departing back, lost in thought.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the Dragon Palace guards behind him, while also listening to their whispered conversations.
“It seems Her Majesty doesn’t plan to leave the Dragon Palace, right?”
“Indeed. According to what the ministers are saying, the plan to tour the various provinces has been postponed.”
“Is Her Majesty staying to spend time with the Princess?”
“How could that be? The Princess has already left the Northern Imperial Capital recently, apparently for something important, to study under someone… As for Her Majesty herself, she probably has other arrangements, right?”
“Ah, why think so much about it? Her Majesty is invincible. We don’t need to ponder all sorts of things, just follow Her Majesty’s orders.”
Hearing the guards’ chatter, the corners of Olga’s mouth turned up slightly.
The effect he had envisioned had been achieved.
The captain’s smile lasted only a moment before he quickly suppressed it, putting on a feigned angry expression as he turned around.
“You lot! What are you whispering about over there? You must have too much leisure, eh? Now, go run one hundred laps around the Dragon Palace, no stopping! If you stop even once, don’t expect to eat a single bite today!”
“We’re sorry, Captain Olga! We were wrong! Please have mercy on us!!”
…
Walking through the Dragon Palace, Xia Yi stopped and glanced at her own reflection in the glass.
She had removed the princess dress she usually wore and donned Xia Lulu’s clothes, presenting herself as the “Silver Dragon Queen.”
She and Xia Lulu looked almost identical. As long as she mimicked the expressions and demeanor well enough, it was difficult to tell them apart. With the cooperation of those around her, the impersonation was flawless.
Nearly ten days had passed since Xia Yi returned from the Purple Iris Valley and began posing as Xia Lulu.
During these ten days, she had arranged a scenario in which “herself” left the Dragon Palace to study abroad. At the same time, in Xia Lulu’s name, she issued a decree postponing the inspection tour of the Dragon Kingdom’s various provinces.
Although the ministers found this quite perplexing, Karami’s excellent coordination helped smooth over any doubts.
“What is it, Your Majesty?” Lucia asked.
“Nothing. Let’s continue walking,” Xia Yi said. “Is today the day the messenger returns?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Summon all the ‘others.'”
“As you command.”
Lucia understood in her heart who these “others” referred to.
…
“Princess, your disguise is a great success! The entire Dragon Palace, from top to bottom, believes that Her Majesty the Queen is still in the Dragon Palace and that you have gone off to study!”
Olga reported before Xia Yi.
“We have now maintained the stability of the Dragon Palace, exactly as you predicted, Princess.”
“Princess, the situation with the ministers is the same. Not a single one has seen through the ruse, they all believe you are Her Majesty the Queen herself,” Karami also reported. “If anyone makes any discordant remarks, please rest assured, I will silence that sort of person.”
“Good. That’s fine. I feel reassured with you handling matters.”
Xia Yi nodded.
She glanced at Lucia, Atiya, and Elly, who stood nearby.
She had called everyone privy to the inside story into the palace for a secret meeting.
Today, the messenger sent to the Elf Kingdom had returned. The result he brought back would be crucial, even concerning the future safety of Xia Lulu…
“Princess, the messenger has returned. He is waiting outside. Should I call him in?” Serra stood at the entrance and asked inside.
“Yes, call him in.”
Xia Yi sat upon the Silver Dragon Queen’s throne, adopting Xia Lulu’s usual posture, mimicking her with remarkable fidelity.
“Your Majesty, the messenger has returned.” Serra led in the messenger who had been dispatched to the Elf Kingdom.
Xia Yi opened her eyes and noticed that the messenger’s expression seemed amiss, his face was grim, and his body trembled faintly.
This was completely different from his demeanor when he set out.
What had happened?
“Greetings, Your Majesty…”
The messenger knelt before Xia Yi, lowered his head, and spoke in a hoarse voice, as if he had suffered a tremendous blow.
“Messenger, did my letter reach Princess Eve of the Elf Kingdom?” Xia Yi asked.
“I, I… Forgive me, Your Majesty!!”
The messenger’s spirit suddenly crumbled. Then, he uttered words that astonished everyone.
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