In contrast to the harsh winters of its northern neighbors, the climate on the plains of Massaria can be described as mild and affectionate. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 info There was still no strong cold snap that could cross the mountains of Aber and Bardo this year, so when the Farensi had long been accustomed to light snow visited Shurasa, it really pleased the nobles who had eaten all day; On the contrary, the bottom of the city has tightened its brow that has not yet stretched.

In one room at the Élysées, the ruler of Marstar stands by the window, watching intently as the snowflakes slowly fall into her garden. The room was warmed by a burning stove.

"Your Majesty, beware of the cold, quickly put this on." Cosette presented a soft fox fur shawl from behind.

"Thank you," Sigrani took the Guard's attention, "the room was already warm. ”

"But Your Majesty already has a baby, so you can't be negligent at all."

Hearing this, Sigrani gently stroked her lower abdomen with her left hand, which was already a little bulging. Through her belly, Sigrani also seems to feel the vitality of new life. She glanced down, pressed her belly a little harder, and then looked up at the snow outside the window again, her thoughts drifting into the distance.

You don't know, O Sogrend, that I'm now pregnant with our child. It's your blood, it's the only thing left to me. The child is only three months old in my body now, and I am eagerly awaiting his birth. I don't know if that part of him will be like you, and that part will be like me. I wish his eyes were like yours, the sunken amethyst eyes. It's better not to be like me, then he won't have to carry everything in the Heineer family and can enjoy his future more freely. Do you like boys or girls? At least I hope to be a boy, a boy who inherits all your virtues, and I can selfishly take him as your shadow, so that I can hold back my thoughts of you.

"Your Majesty......" Cosette regained the Empress's attention.

"Huh? Can I help you? ”

"Atalanta is back, just outside."

"Let her in." Sigrani said, straightening her shawl and sitting down on the chaise longue in the room.

One of the Empress's most trusted officers of the guard, Atalante Gautier, walked in in high spirits, took off her coat and gloves and handed them to her attendants, and bowed to Sigrani calmly, "Your Majesty, I am back. ”

"You've worked hard, how is the situation at the front?"

"So far, the rebels are still holding on to us on the front line of Vesuvius."

** and Vesuvius are two counties in central Mastar, and the most famous things in the area are volcanoes and hot springs. Due to the influence of the volcanoes, the climate is noticeably hotter than in the counties to the north. Also because of the crustal movement caused by the volcano, the hills here are full of undulating terrain. Historically, this line has been considered to be the decomposition line between the north and south of Mastar, and of course it is also a battleground for soldiers. More than 300 years ago, it was here that Maximilian I, the founder of the Heinell dynasty, defeated the 100,000-strong army of his greatest rival, Charles Griffiths, thus laying the foundation of the Heine dynasty for 344 years.

"Who is the commander of the other party?"

"It's Count Carlo Ancelotti."

"Oh? That old man can still go to war? It really got Marquis Rossi lucky. Sigrani began to enjoy the afternoon tea that the chef had prepared for her, and her appetite had increased significantly over the years. Unlike some mothers-to-be, Sigrani doesn't seem to worry about her future figure at all, and is reckless in sweeping away nutritious food.

Count Carlo Ancelotti, estimated to be 70 years old, was the last commander of the Western Army. The continent is known for its watertight defenses, whether it is the construction of fortifications or the stubborn defense of cities, or the holding of tight formations on the plains, any sharp offensive can be wiped out. Of course, the veteran was not very proficient in the use of cavalry, but he was able to effectively contain the opponent's cavalry tactics. For this, several of Pamis's veteran captains have experienced.

"I know the situation at the front line, if you don't tell me, both sides must build fortifications on the main road less than one plus road (5 kilometers) apart, and then Hayes will pick a few loud voices and insult each other's family members with unpleasant words every day."

"That's pretty much it." Atalanta replied, somewhat awkwardly.

"Let him go, he will soon find that although the southerners are doing very badly, their cultivation kung fu is the first class in the empire. Atalanta, you don't have to be sorry for him. Anyway, you're not married yet, so it's too late to regret it. Unless......" Sigrani took a graceful bite of the cake.

"Unless what, Your Majesty?" Cosette asked.

"Unless Atalanta has done something as bold as I am." Sigrani took a sip of juhua tea and sent the cake down her esophagus, and the face of the ridiculed guard officer suddenly flushed with shame.

Seeing her friend's reaction, Cosette exclaimed, "Are you really ......?"

"What do you say? Your Majesty, you're really joking. ”

"Hehe, Atalanta is a very well-behaved girl, I'm just teasing her." Sigrani took another sip of tea, and then said, "How is Archduke Fieldes doing, and is he still used to the climate in the south?" ”

"Your Highness, he's fine, but he's just a little tired from handling official business. In addition, it seems that because of the re-learning to use the Katamate sword, it can sometimes seem irritable. Atalanta replied cautiously.

"Oh, really?" Higrani's high spirits were suppressed.

Leon was originally a knight with first-class swordsmanship at Mastar, but the nerves in her arm were irreparably damaged during the melee at her coronation. The grip of one hand is gone, and everything about swordsmanship has to be done all over again. It can only be used like a woman, and this is bound to be a chest-wrenching thing for a Mastar knight.

Sigrani was deeply sorry and grateful for the sacrifice Leon had made for her, and when they were married, she placed almost all the honors on her husband's head that only the dead could get. Even in the name of pregnancy, a large part of the power was put in the hands of Leone. It can be said that as long as Sigrani is silent, Leon is now the de facto ruler of Mastar.

However, Sigrani is well aware that Leon is not the kind of person who is obsessed with power, and what she can give him is nothing to Leon. And what Leon longed for in his heart was something that Higrani could not give. As a result, the two fell into such a strange circle: the more Sigrani gave Leon more honor and power, the more Leon looked forward to what she could not give; The more Leon looked forward to it without regret, the more guilty Sigrani felt for him, and the more she had to give something else to make it up to Leon.

Sigrani got up silently and walked to the window again, looking far south.

"Your Majesty, but His Highness Fields can lift his spirits when he talks about His Majesty, I think there should be no problem." Atalanta comforted.

"I know that I owe him so much that I can't repay it in my life......," said Sigrani, and said in her heart: "Thorge, you owe me and my children a lot, and you can't repay it in your life." But I don't need you to compensate me for anything, Leon probably thinks the same thing as I do. Even people like us who are conceited and intelligent are doing stupid things.

"Your Majesty......" The two guards wanted to speak, but they couldn't speak.

"Cosette," said Sigrani suddenly, which caught the rest of the room off guard, "send my message to the Minister of Civil Affairs: prepare at once a consignment of winter supplies, such as charcoal, grain, cotton clothing, and the like, and distribute them to the poor people of Shurasa, so that every household may receive it according to the capitation. If the supplies are insufficient, they will be transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I'll send someone down tomorrow to check on his work. ”

"Your Majesty is really sympathetic to the people's feelings, I'll go now." Cosette curtsy and hurried out with her skirt in hand.

"Your Majesty is really wise." Atalanta stepped forward.

"I just don't want to give the Rossi family the slightest chance. In weather like this, I'm the Marquis of Rossi, and I'm sure I'll make some small moves. If there is a small riot among the poor people at this time, then I will be in trouble. Sigrani sat back down on the recliner with the help of her close friend.

The Empress then inquired about Atalanta's affairs, and made her guard red-faced. After a while, Cosette, who had finished the message, also came, and the three women began to talk casually.

Just when Sigrani thought that the afternoon would be sent away like this, the court chief knocked on the door and entered.

"Is there anything wrong, Viscount Lippi."

Viscount Lippi was a middle-aged man with gray hair, in his early forties. Their family had never produced any particularly illustrious figures, and if there was anything to boast about, it was that seven out of every ten court chiefs in Mastar were from their family. The Lippi family had no doubts about their loyalty to the royal family, and their motto was: "Remember that the only specialty of your ancestors was loyalty." "Emperors of the past trusted them, but they did not necessarily favor them.

"An Iberian envoy has asked to see you, Your Majesty." Viscount Lippi replied mechanically.

"Oh? Doesn't Your Majesty Oldfriet know that I'm married? Sigrani teased viciously.

"The man who came didn't come from Debens."

"Where did that come from?"

"He claimed to be a retainer of the Marquis de Juan Sanchez."

"That old careerist in Numancia? It seems that the Iberian aristocracy really can't bear the loneliness. Since I'm not here to propose, let's invite him in for a while. ”

"As you command, Your Majesty." Viscount Lippi retreated.

"The court lord is still as boring as ever." Cosette stretched.

"Although I only need his loyalty, loyalty doesn't have to be associated with rigidity, but let's let him go." Sigrani didn't hate the court chief.

After a while, the messenger of Numancia was brought into the house. The Iberians had apparently never seen such a magnificent palace, and they seemed a little reserved. When he saw the beauty of Empress Mastar, he threw away his soul. Sigrani frowned, and thought to herself: can't that old Iberian man send someone a little more decent? And not afraid of losing face.

Atalanta coughed heavily, finally waking the emissary from his state of distraction. The messenger realized his faux pas, and his face turned blue and white, and he bowed his head humbly.

"Your Excellency has come all the way to Shurasa, not just to visit the Al-Elysées."

"Uh......" the messenger cleared his throat to gather his emotions, "Below is the first-class civil servant under the Marquis of Numancia, Lord Juan Sánchez......"

"Don't talk nonsense, let's talk about what your master sent you here for?" Cosette rudely interrupted the messenger.

"Cosette, you let people finish talking." Sigrani reproached softly.

"Sir, I beg your pardon for my friend's offense, so can you tell us your intentions?" Sigrani asked, smiling.

"Yes...... ......," stammered the messenger in reply, completely inimmune to Sigrani's charms, and the poor man had completely forgotten to take his name.

"Please speak quickly."

"Yes...... Yes," the messenger cleared his throat again to conceal his panic, "and on behalf of His Excellency the Marquis, I would like to congratulate Your Majesty on his successful accession to the throne and on his newlyweds. ”

"That is really the heart of His Excellency the Marquis of Lao, if there is nothing else, this lord can go back and convey my sincere thanks to the Marquis on my behalf." Sigrani has already started to chase away customers.

Although the envoy was extremely nervous, he still understood what Empress Marstar meant, and hurriedly said: "Actually, the Marquis has sent me this time, and there is another matter that I hope to get Her Majesty's consent. ”

"What's the matter? The Marquis is not my courtier, and he can do whatever he pleases in Numancia. Sigrani once again took the brewed juhua tea and blew lightly.

"Your Majesty must know that the Marquis's family line has the noble blood of the Enrique dynasty." The messenger cautiously began.

"So what?" Sigrani took a sip of her tea disapprovingly, not even looking at the messenger.

"The rebels of the Genora family usurped Iberia, and now they have been waging unsuccessful wars year after year, and this year their faction's territory has suffered a poor harvest because of this, and the people's will is shaky. And my marquis has a very high reputation in the southern counties of Iberia, and has the orthodox blood of the royal family, now is the best time to overthrow the tyranny and restore the royal family of Enrique in one fell swoop. The messenger recited what he had thought of a long time ago.

"So what?"

"Lord Marquis, I hope to have your support."

"In what aspect?"

"In every way."

"Hehe......" Sigrani put down her teacup, laughed, and looked at the messenger with the eyes of a rare animal.

The Iberians were stared at by the Empress unnaturally, and hesitated for a long time before they mustered up the courage to ask, "Why is Your Majesty staring down like this?" ”

"Your Excellency is really a rare talent, and it is rare nowadays. For example, Saulgredelius in the north, he would not have said such things to me. The sarcasm in Sigrani's words was evident.

"Your Majesty Sigrani......" The messenger was a little overwhelmed.

"Okay, I'll get it straight." "What obligation does my country have to do justice for the so-called orthodox royal family of your country?" Why do I add the word 'so-called'? If you have read history, it should be very clear that the Enrique family was originally not a noble royal family, but just a provincial nobleman of the Articut Empire. When it comes to blood, he is no more noble than any of the nobles in Iberia today. It is nothing more than relying on the talent and blood and sweat of their ancestors. Similarly, the current royal family also relied on the wisdom and blood and sweat of their ancestors to get to where they are today. If the Marquis of Numancia can show a capacity commensurate with his ambitions, I am not averse to reaching out to you. But now, if your Excellency is still stubborn in your request, please give me a reason or a condition that will convince the people of Mastar. ”

The messenger's right hand scratched a wrinkle in his crappy woolen trousers, and he wondered if it was because the fire was too hot in the room.

"If Your Majesty can lend a helping hand, your kindness will be appreciated by the Enrique family and her vassals for generations to come." It took a long time for the messenger to come up with such a sentence.

"Your Excellency wants to use your future name to exchange your present benefits for me? You really should be a businessman. ”

"Then, Your Majesty. How exactly do you want to support us? ”

"Now, if you can agree to the following conditions, I may be able to convince the people and nobles."

"Excuse me......"

"First, after your army has raised its troops, all military supplies will be controlled by our country; Second, when your army goes on the march, the law and order of your territory can also be maintained by our country; Thirdly, your army should cross the island of Regena (the eastern island of Iberia, the largest island in Iberia and the easternmost island of the entire continent) across the strait from the mainland. Borrowed from our navy to help your army form a flanking attack on the Genora family; Fourthly, in view of the low military quality of your national army, which I have seen, our country requests that military advisers be sent to your army in order to increase the combat effectiveness of your army; Fifth, after the restoration of the Enrique dynasty, pay our country 10 years of grain tax, paid in 20 years, with interest; Sixth, in the future, the enthronement of the Iberian king requires the conferment of Emperor Mastar; Seventh, there is no need for your country to station troops on the border between the two countries, and all affairs are under the responsibility of our Eastern Army; Eighth, if your army now asks our country to send combat troops in war, then all expenses will be borne by your country, and our army will not be subject to the constraints of your generals; Ninth, in battles in which our army participates, after victory, our army has the right to give priority to half of the spoils of war; Tenth, if the city or land is occupied or captured by our army, it is the territory of Mastar, and you will have to pay a ransom if you want it back. If His Excellency the Marquis can agree to the above conditions, then we will be close allies in the future. After Sigrani finished speaking, she picked up the teacup and drank the rest of the juhua tea.

In fact, every time Sigrani said something just now, the messenger couldn't help but tremble. When Sigrani finished speaking, he almost collapsed in his chair and couldn't get up. Although the envoy was incompetent, he was not yet mediocre, and if he agreed to such conditions, when Debans was captured, the 350-year history of Iberia would have come to an end.

"It's a big trouble, and I ask Your Majesty to let me go back to Lord Marquis Ming, and then make a decision." The messenger stood up.

"Then Your Excellency Lao will greet the Marquis for me."

"Farewell, Your Majesty." The Iberians left in a hurry.

"Your Majesty, are your conditions too much?" Atalanta questioned.

"Buying and selling is something you want me to do, and that's what that man taught me." Sigrani said as she sent a crunchy baked biscuit between her teeth.