Book 9 Chapter 5 Carrying out the Strategy
I breathed out softly.
Irene, Edith, Suzette, and I rode towards the central as planned.
Each of us wore a mask to hide our faces. It’s something we’ll inevitably need to do to sneak into the event.
But this act to prevent discrimination will only last until today. The upcoming parliamentary session and audience with the Queen should change that, even if only little by little.
“It’s very quiet, isn’t it?”
Irene spoke up while looking towards the Capitol building where the government assembly was taking place.
We are currently in motion in the direction of the Capitol, waiting for the castle guards to come this way to support us.
If all goes according to plan, there will be a violent storm in the Parliament as we pursue the minister’s misconduct.
For the minority, it’s a chance of a thousand. They, too, have to decide here, as they are just as desperate as we are.
Annette and Mio should be there as witnesses.
I’m sure the two of them will be fine. I’m sure they’ll do well.
I kept saying those words to myself. Despite my nervousness, the town is just as vibrant and ordinary as the last time I was here. People are peacefully going about their business.
But if you look closely, you can see that the guards around the Capitol are a little nervous.
We are watching from a distance from the Capitol.
“The wait feels really long when you’re doing nothing.”
I nodded at Edith’s words.
I’m sure it hasn’t actually been very long.
But my gut feeling is telling me that we’ve been waiting like this for hours.
I’m sure Julie, Nina, Marietta, and Clarice, who are waiting for me in Blossom, are even more worried.
I was, of course, nervous as well.
But contrary to before, it’s just the right amount of nervousness.
I’m not worried enough to panic. It’s just that I’m starting to feel more and more used to it.
It’s going to be okay. I’m sure the Queen will understand.
“We’re moving.”
We responded to Suzette’s voice.
At the Capitol, there seemed to be a movement in the security. They began moving restlessly, and we could even hear some orders flying around.
A citizen who walked nearby glanced at the guards and then walked on past them.
“Let’s go.”
Prompted by Irene, we began to move stealthily.
While positioning ourselves so that we could see the capitol building, we headed towards the castle.
The air in the Capitol seemed to have changed a lot. The guards were moving restlessly, and support began to rush in.
“Master, a little further this way.”
I moved closer to her as I followed Edith’s lead. A guard from the castle walked past us and headed toward the Capitol building.
“Looks like it caused a pretty huge disturbance out there.”
Suzette muttered as she looked at the scene. Many guards were gathering towards the Capitol.
We passed through the cobblestones and made their way to the castle. However, as expected, there was a proper guard at the main gate of the castle.
“This way.”
We were led by Suzette to the planned entry point.
Rather than a complete 180, we circled halfway through the side.
From there was a hidden passage, where we entered the castle as planned.
“Be extra careful from this point, Tomoaki. We’ll have no excuse if they find you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I nodded quietly.
We move on with Suzette in the lead, who doesn’t mind being found, and Edith in tow.
‘Tomo.”
Irene took my hand in hers, as if to reassure me not to get separated.
Her soft hands wrapped around me. I squeezed it back. I’m sure she’s the one who’s most nervous in the negotiations.
“You have Annette and the others to thank for that.”
At the head of the line, Miss Suzette spoke.
“Security is less tight than we expected. This means it must have been a lot rougher in the Assembly.”
“As you’d expect from a minister’s ex-wife, and an ambassador to the country of Kyo, the majority can’t just ignore the revelations.”
“Yeah. It’s all thanks to everyone.”
I nodded in agreement. We are here with the cooperation and hard work of many people.
Even the route of entry and security arrangement was only possible with the help of Suzette and her colleagues.
We walk through the castle surprisingly smoothly.
The quiet interior of the castle reminded me a bit of Annette’s mansion.
It’s not that the Queen is lonely. But I wonder how many people can really forgive her for living under false pretenses? In the end, it’s a matter of position.
If you think about it that way, this quietness is just as well.
“Now then. I’m going to stay here and try to stop the guards from going to the Queen’s room in case they try to do so.”
“Suzette?”
“From here, there’s only one way to the Queen’s room. We just need to hold them here, and then they’ll be out of the way.”
She nodded with determination and removed the Parliament official’s mask, which she always wore while working.
Miss Suzette’s beautiful face was exposed to the outside air. Her eyes were clear.
“Either way, there’s nothing I can say in negotiations with His Majesty. On the contrary, I’m also the only one in a position to stop the troops here and stall for time, right?”
There is no hesitation in her words.
“I’m just in the right place. I’ll take care of it. ….as for the audience with His Majesty, I’ll leave it to the three of you.”
Ms. Suzette put her mask back on. Her appearance is now a dignified one; of a woman who had overcome the disadvantage of her appearance and risen to become what she is now.
“I’ll leave them to you, Suzette.”
“Yeah. Irene. You’re in charge now.”
The girls nodded to each other.
“Over here, master.”
“O—okay.”
I nodded at Edith and went towards her. But before moving, I called out to Suzette.
“Thank you in advance.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Even though I was hiding behind a mask, I felt like she was smiling at me.
The three of us left the place to Suzette and headed further back, to the Queen’s chambers.
“Still, it’s really quiet, isn’t it?”
Edith, who had taken the lead, muttered softly.
We walked down in a quiet, single-aisle corridor.
Perhaps because the castle itself is large, the corridor is also long. But when we turned one corner, we were already in the Queen’s room.
“We’re here. I’ll cover our rear. So, Lady Irene, master, it’s all on you now.”
“Yeah.”
“Yes.”
We both nodded. Finally, it was time to meet the Queen.
After a knock, Irene opens the door.
I walked behind her, and Edith covered our rear.
The sound of the door closing seemed to be strangely loud.
As expected of the Queen’s chambers, her room is huge.
From the entrance of the room was a set of tables and chairs, and further back of it was covered by a curtain.
The curtain was almost opaque that it was impossible to see what’s inside.
Beyond that was a shadow of a woman.
Perhaps she was the Queen.
The silhouette stops behind the curtain and doesn’t seem to be coming towards us.
“And what do you need to enter my chambers directly?”
Eventually, a voice called out from her direction.
It’s a very business-like tone, the last thing you expect to hear when someone intrudes on your home.
However, from that tone alone, you’ll be quickly convinced that she was the Queen.
That’s just how dignified and graceful it was.
“Tell me your demands. I will hear it from you personally.”
With a small nod to me, who was stiffened in place, Irene took a step forward.
