“A post office official was actually put under house arrest and threatened, even forced to help tamper with letters… Where is the dignity in that?”
Lucia’s voice suddenly turned cold, and her originally lazy posture instantly radiated a suffocating murderous intent.
Colin’s attitude softened significantly, although his tone remained flat. “I will punish Colin.”
Lucia paced slowly in the room.
Beside her, Mary was quick to react. She nimbly picked up a heavy mahogany chair and placed it in front of Colin’s large desk with a dull *thud*. She also pulled a soft velvet cushion from her Space Bag and thoughtfully spread it over the chair.
Lucia sat down unhurriedly, leaning her cheek on one hand as she looked at the man before her with interest.
“Didn’t you just say it? The post office is under the direct jurisdiction of the Imperial Family. So, do I count as a member of the Imperial Family?”
“Yes. As the Third Imperial Princess of the Empire, you are, of course, a legitimate member of the Imperial Family.”
She reached out her other hand and tapped at the empty air. “So, isn’t that why I’m here? You really thought I came just to join the fun? Direct jurisdiction of the Imperial Family… the Imperial Family’s…”
“I am very sorry, Princess Lucia!”
Lucia arched an eyebrow. “Is ‘sorry’ enough?”
Before her voice could even fade, Lucia’s foot, clad in an exquisite leather shoe, suddenly lashed out. She kicked the heavy solid wood desk in front of her with immense force!
*Bang!!!*
Accompanied by a loud explosion of sound, the desk was flipped directly into the air. The mountain of documents originally piled upon it scattered everywhere like falling snowflakes.
Just as the massive desk was about to smash into the wall and shatter, a sudden chill filled the air.
Pale blue ice crystals instantly spread, freezing the mid-air desk and the floating documents in place.
“Oops, my leg slipped,” Lucia said without a shred of sincerity. She withdrew her foot, her gaze remaining icy.
“Please, calm down…” Colin’s voice was dry.
Lucia toyed with her fingernails and said nonchalantly, “Calm down? Fine. Then hand over Chris, who violated the dignity of the Imperial Family, to the Imperial Family for disposal. You know the fate of those who interfere in Imperial Family affairs without authorization, don’t you?”
“But he—!!”
“But what?”
Colin stood up abruptly, his chair making a piercing scraping sound against the floor. His eyes began to emit intense sparks of anger. Having spent years fighting on the battlefield, there was no way he would lose his momentum now.
“He is a vital hero of our Taran family! For so many years, he has guarded the Empire against the threats of the Barbarians and Magical Beasts. Even if there is no glory, there is hard work!”
Mahina’s departure was already a settled matter. If Chris were gone as well, the Taran family would lose two major generals at once. There was no one left who could replace them.
Lucia nodded, looking like the picture of reasonableness. “Mm-hmm… That is why the Imperial Family will handle it leniently. After all, even if there is no glory, there is hard work.”
“But…”
“Are you worried about the gap at the border?”
Colin grit his teeth and remained silent for a moment. He looked at the now-empty floor. With the desk overturned, the two of them sat on their chairs, staring at each other without any obstruction. The air was so tense it felt as if sparks could fly.
“For now, it can still be handled.”
Lucia’s tone grew heavier. “Therefore, hand over Chris for violating the dignity of the Imperial Family. Don’t worry, we won’t do much. It was only a matter of putting a direct employee of the Imperial Family under house arrest, right?”
The veins on Colin’s forehead bulged. “This…”
“What do you mean? Can the face of the Imperial Family be stepped on so casually, only for you to ‘handle it internally’? Ah… I suppose I should go back and discuss this further with the Emperor?”
Lucia’s implication was clear: she had already filed a complaint with the Emperor before coming here.
Seeing the other party remain silent, she continued. “In that case, let’s cancel all the aid funds and supplies the Imperial Family originally planned to give to the North. After all, the Taran family is so capable that they even dare to touch the Imperial Family’s people. You can solve it yourselves, since you are so capable.”
“This…!”
“Fine, how about we both take a step back?” Lucia elegantly crossed her legs and leaned forward. “Chris still needs to be handed over.”
She held up one finger. “But, considering your exhaustion in dealing with the Magical Beasts and the Barbarians, as well as the lack of Chris’s command… we will graciously help you guard the border.”
Lucia flashed a smile so bright it was terrifying. “The formation, deployment, and command rights of the Taran family’s army will also be temporarily handed over to the Imperial Family. This way, you won’t have to worry about anything anymore, and you won’t have to worry about those difficult situations.”
“Maintaining those private soldiers is so expensive. Let’s disband some of them! Wouldn’t it be better to let them go home and farm?”
“This!!” Colin roared, his eyes wide.
He could no longer care about the Imperial Family. He glared at Lucia with a murderous gaze, his eyes bloodshot.
Amidst the anxious atmosphere, Mahina also began to mobilize her Mana.
“Who asked you!? I’m just notifying you anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, Chris is already on his way to the Capital.”
“But the soldiers just returned from subjugating the Magical Beasts! How could you!”
Lucia stood up and looked down at Colin, who was slumped in his chair. “That’s why I’m letting them go home to rest! A good… long rest.”
“You!”
Colin’s fingernails dug deep into his palms. He would rather believe this crazy princess was bluffing and trying to trick him. But he had indeed learned a few days ago that the casualties from the subjugation were heavy, and even Chris had been injured.
Although the territory had enough troops, he had not received any news prior to this. Faced with the Royal Knights acting under the banner of “Imperial Aid,” would they really put up a defense?
Cold sweat instantly soaked the clothes on his back. Colin felt the world spinning.
Lucia suddenly clapped her hands, breaking the deathly silence. Her smile was like a blooming flower, yet her gaze was colder than the frost frozen in mid-air.
“I should also thank Mahina, shouldn’t I? You let her consider it for a few more days and occasionally sent small gifts. I also advised Mahina to calmly consider it for a few more days. You respected her opinion and are waiting in the Capital mansion. Isn’t this a mutual decision?”
Lucia sighed boredly and waved her hand. “Forget it, let the post office matter go. After all, everyone has taken a step back. If there is anything else, go find my father later. Regardless, I just came here to play. The Emperor asked me to notify you and do him a favor while I was at it.”
After saying that, Lucia snapped her fingers.
Mary retrieved Mahina’s documents from the frozen air and held them out to Lucia with both hands.
Lucia took them lightly and walked slowly to Colin, handing the documents to him.
“In any case, sign it first. I have already obtained the Emperor’s consent. As long as I sign it later, it will take effect immediately.”
Lucia looked down at him, speaking every word clearly.
“This way, everyone can have a clean break.”