The queen forced a smile.
“There’s no need to rush your decision about Wonhwa.”
“Is that so?”
“If you step down now, ugly rumors will spread.”
“Rumors, you say...?”
At that mont, the tea was served.
The queen lifted her teacup, wearing a strange expression.
“No one doubts that the Western Army is united around you.”
“Do you an to say they believe I ordered the embezzlent?”
“That possibility cannot be ruled out.”
Who does this woman take for?
The embezzlent in the Western Army is just petty cash.
At first, there wasn’t even enough funds to embezzle freely.
They always ca in last place and couldn’t even buy weapons.
And now, the books are kept impeccably clean.
Unless you’re as ticulous as Michelan, you can’t embezzle even a single silver coin.
‘If I were to sell my conscience, I’d do it big. Would I sell it for petty cash?’
Queen Osellia smiled faintly at .
“Astra has a lot of nasty rumors.”
“...”
“There will be those who think it’s plausible if Astra’s own kin embezzled money.”
“You actually believe Astra’s kin embezzled only 30 gold?”
My eyes widened, and the queen’s eyebrows twitched.
I waved my hand dismissively.
“That’s what I find strange.”
The shoes I’m wearing alone cost 7,000 gold.
My cousins wear clothes that make eyes pop even more.
“Of course. But there’s also ‘temperant,’ isn’t there?”
“You an Astra was born with a temperant to do evil deeds?”
“I know the nature of the Wonhwa and trust them. But I worry that those who don’t know you will talk recklessly.”
“...”
“Besides, why would an honorary position like Wonhwa have grown the Western Army so much?”
The queen smoothed the rim of her teacup and smiled arrogantly.
“You’re young, so you might not know, but sotis people create plausible reasons for their malice.”
“...”
“But if I help, things will be different.”
“I’m curious why you want to help .”
“I have a son.”
“Yes, Prince Salvatore.”
“I have my eyes on you as a match for him.”
The queen lightly tapped my cheek.
“Can’t you give this much help to the girl who will beco your daughter-in-law?”
“I already have a fiancé.”
“That’s really upsetting.”
“What is?”
“You lack insight about the Western Army Wonhwa. You should be able to see the bigger picture.”
The queen’s expression showed she expected to take her hand.
Well, after such a threat, most children would be scared.
I replied brightly.
“I’m fine!”
“...What?”
“I want to be a strong child who isn’t swayed by rumors. Also, breaking off the engagent would be disrespectful to the Ishiron family.”
“Then surely...”
“I will resign!”
The queen’s expression changed instantly.
Her gaze beca razor-sharp.
She slamd her teacup down with a clack.
“You’re not such a clever child. But if you insist, then so be it.”
Then she glared fiercely at .
“When regret cos, it will already be too late.”
I smiled sweetly.
Erilot left the queen’s palace.
The maids cautiously approached Queen Osellia.
“Your Majesty, Wonhwa is too young and lacks the ability to judge the situation properly.”
“Do not be so angry...”
Queen Osellia’s cold gaze turned to the maids.
Startled, they quickly bowed low.
“We apologize.”
“We apologize, Your Majesty.”
Queen Osellia stood and looked out the window.
Erilot was leaving the palace, greeting the courtiers.
“If they cannot judge the situation, then I shall show them myself.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Call Lady Klande.”
“...!”
Lady Klande was a representative of the noble Hochaga family of the Zodiac.
Anything that went into her ears would swell like a freshly baked bread.
And in a horribly bad way.
“Are you sure it’s okay? What if Astra protests...?”
“I was only concerned for the Western Army Wonhwa, and the rumors will co from Lady Klande’s mouth. What problem is there in that?”
The maids blinked wide-eyed and looked at each other.
Then they smiled bitterly.
A few days later.
While walking down the palace corridor with the Wonhwa, I glanced around.
Those whispering hurriedly shut their mouths.
Rika Delpre, the Southern Wonhwa, frowned.
“What are they doing!”
“Stop it.”
I sighed, knowing why.
Rika sighed heavily.
“I haven’t dared say it before, but strange rumors about the Western Army Wonhwa are circulating recently.”
“I know. They were leaked by the queen’s side.”
“You knew?”
“Yeah.”
“Rumors of embezzlent. It’s awful. Everyone knows how hard the Wonhwa worked to cultivate the Western Army.”
Sebastia sighed.
“We should quickly settle this. Rumors connected to the palace easily cause trouble.”
“Is it really necessary, sister?”
“Of course. The Audit Departnt is probably already moving—”
Just then.
At the end of the corridor, Gorgo Manin, the Western Army’s administrative head, ran in, panting.
“Wonhwa! Wonhwa!”
“What’s going on with the commotion in the palace?”
“The Imperial Audit Departnt has raided the Western Army barracks!”
It had begun.
The Wonhwa and I exchanged glances.
“I should get going.”
“Right.”
“Keep your spirits up!”
Seeing Sebastia and Rika escort , I entered the Western Army barracks.
My office and the administrator’s were already in chaos.
All the docunts had been loaded onto the audit departnt’s carts.
They had been moved so roughly that my things were scattered on the floor.
Gorgo Manin whispered.
“What now?”
“What can be done?”
“Early in the Wonhwa’s term, it’s true so soldiers tampered with the Western Army’s money...”
“If they committed cris, they should be punished.”
“Wonhwa...”
The crows who shared money with Gorgo looked miserable.
They had reason to be upset.
I had already punished the Western Army’s general for embezzlent.
Now only the talented ones like Gorgo remained, and those who stole lunch money.
I tapped Gorgo’s boot with my foot.
“I’m joking. Don’t be scared. I punished once already; I won’t do it again.”
“Then why...?”
“This ti, I’m the target.”
“What...?”
“You don’t ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) have to worry about the lunch money thefts. I’ll take the bla, so focus on your work.”
“Wonhwa!”
The knights looked at with watery eyes.
Their faces filled with great gratitude.
“No! I will confess!”
“Yes! I will confess...!”
“No, I will—!”
Because the story in this world is , they easily get moved by ...
I shook my head.
‘Will that solve anything?’
I’m the real target anyway.
The queen t with the top brass of the Imperial Army.
She had planned a proper trap in case I refused her help.
And I was exactly right.
The day after the Audit Departnt took the docunts away,
I stood at the Imperial Army’s conference hall.
Of course, the charge was embezzlent of imperial funds.
Imperial Army Conference Hall.
General Arcal threw docunts onto the eting table.
“Since your appointnt as the Western Army Wonhwa, false ledgers have been consistently written!”
General Vicen banged the table and added,
“We received a tip from the general you ousted. He claid Erilot Astra ordered embezzlent and cut ties once he saw the trail would be caught!”
Damn, crazy people.
They should be actors, not knights.
Do they not know they’re trying to use the queen’s connections to fra for embezzlent?
When I gave no answer, Generals Arcal and Vicen shouted,
“Western Army Wonhwa, why do you remain silent?”
“I am thinking.”
“What?”
“I said I am thinking.”
“What on earth could you be thinking that you dare to keep your mouth shut here?”
“I was thinking about what to write in my resignation letter.”
“...!”
“...!”
Generals Arcal and Vicen flinched.
Others looked at with surprised faces.
Commander Tantillon quietly called .
“Western Army Wonhwa.”
“Yes, commander.”
“The embezzlent is still only an allegation. You should explain the situation to clear suspicion. Should you resign imdiately?”
I quickly covered my mouth with both fists and sobbed.
‘Being a child is convenient at tis like this.’
“I truly worked hard as Wonhwa...”
“Yes, we all know how much you devoted yourself.”
“The queen ridiculed the Wonhwa as an honorary position, but I... I—”
“What did you say?”
The commander and other noble generals opened their eyes wide.
Of course, Wonhwa is honorary.
But you can’t say “You’re just honorary~” to the person herself.
I sobbed and continued.
“I stayed up all night to avoid hearing about the honorary position, took on dangerous tasks, and worked really hard...”
“...”
“...”
I continued with trembling shoulders.
“But in the end, I was t with embezzlent allegations.”
“Wonhwa...”
“My father monopolizes the continent’s Baeksujeong distribution. My grandfather is the Duke of Astra...”
Generals Arcal and Vicen twitched.
‘Yeah, he wants to get close to the prince, but he’s also afraid of dad and grandpa.’
I blinked and looked at the commander.
“Why would I embezzle petty cash?”
“P-petty cash? That doesn’t seem like such a small amount...”
“I will just resign.”
Sending them a look that said I can’t do this dirty, despicable thing anymore, everyone quieted down.
Generals Arcal and Vicen were very embarrassed.
‘They didn’t expect this.’
But I really have no attachnt to the Wonhwa position.
What use is it if Dad has entered the Central Tower?
It only wastes ti.
I gracefully stood and looked at the commander.
“If you want to tie up with embezzlent charges, I will take the bla.”
“What?”
“That way, the Western Army won’t suffer because of .”
“What do you an? It sounds like you’re making yourself the target.”
“I can’t say that myself!”
I sobbed, then ran out of the eting room.
I heard calls behind but ignored them.
‘What can they do about an eleven-year-old who ran out crying?’
Unlike in the eting, I yawned widely.
‘With all this commotion, the emperor must have heard about it.’
I humd a tune as I walked down the corridor.
Of course, I didn’t forget to shed tears every ti I t palace staff.
Evening.
The nobles’ banquet ti.
A servant reported to the emperor, who sat at the head seat.
“It has been agreed to build the iron railway station by the Glasen Marquisate, the Roche Marquisate, and the Astra Duchy—”
“Astra?”
The emperor put down his knife and looked at the servant.
“Wasn’t Astra skeptical about the iron railway?”
“I heard the Western Army Wonhwa persuaded the second Count Astra.”
The emperor laughed and nodded.
“If the station is built in Astra, everyone will use the iron railway.”
The empress dowager smiled gently.
“That seems so. Why don’t you call the child to praise her?”
“The Western Army Wonhwa?”
“The one who solved the emperor’s long-standing trouble.”
“Maybe so.”
The emperor nodded and looked at the chief servant.
“I will have lunch with the empress tomorrow. Invite the Western Army Wonhwa.”
“I will check the Wonhwa’s schedule.”
“Both have military training tomorrow, so Wonhwa should co to the palace.”
“Well, that is...”
Just then, the White Knight guarding the emperor spoke up.
“The Western Army Wonhwa is on duty standby. I heard she expressed intention to resign.”
“What?”
The queen flinched and looked up.
“Your Majesty, I also heard about this...”
Before she finished, the White Knight spoke again.
“There are allegations of embezzlent in the Western Army. Rumors say the Western Army Wonhwa ordered it.”
“Embezzlent?”
“But it’s strange.”
The queen quickly interrupted.
“It’s a dreadful story. Everyone knows how hard the child worked for the Western Army. No matter the amount, they appreciate her contributions—”
“Even the embezzlent before Erilot Astra was appointed as Wonhwa is under audit.”
“Goodness!”
The emperor’s expression grew subtle.
“It seems like the child is being targeted for the audit.”
“The ministers think so too.”
“Who would do such a thing?”
“I heard the audit started after the Western Army Wonhwa visited Queen Osellia’s palace.”
“What?”
“Also, the Western Army Wonhwa said she would keep silent for the palace’s peace.”
“Queen, what does this an?”
The queen flinched and looked at the emperor.
“That is...”
At that mont,
An Imperial Army soldier hurriedly approached the White Knight and handed him a note.
Reading it, the White Knight’s face twisted.
“Your Majesty!”
The White Knight shouted.
“What is it?”
“All Western Army personnel have submitted their resignations and left the palace!”
“...What?”
The emperor jumped up.
Queen Osellia’s expression stiffened.
‘W-what is this...?’
It shouldn’t have co to this!
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