The Havilland palace of Londinium was filled with people like in a party.
Gallia, Germania, Romalia… the kings and emperors of each country came on their will with many vassals and waiters just to fight over their share of this poultry.
The Queen of the Kingdom of Tristain, Henrietta’s name was also listed in the ‘Nations Conference’, as she was invited to attend the party two weeks ago.
Henrietta sat at the round table of Whitehall.
Next to her, Cardinal Mazarin could be seen. Near them was Germania’s Emperor, Albrecht the III, once Henrietta's fiance. In a battle for power between 40 men, he won the Emperor's seat and was now looking at Henrietta with a lecherous stare.
When Henrietta glared back courageously, he gave a broad grin.
“Nice to meet you, Your Highness, Princess Henrietta.”
“I’m afraid I am a queen now, Your Excellency.”
The nose of Albrecht the III turned pale.
He looked gratefully at Romalia’s ambassador, who sat in front of Henrietta. Romalia, who had a small militia participation, had very little say in this conference.
Therefore, only the ambassador was attending.
Nearby, General Hawkins was fulfilling his duty as the Plenipotentiary Albion Ambassador. The man had dauntless features; he was in his prime. Even though kings were sitting in a row before him, he had no fear. His chest was puffed out in a dignified manner, not showing the pathos of the defeated army general. Germania’s Emperor who sat next him, didn’t like such an attitude at all.
“But… that guy is late.”
Albrecht the III muttered to Henrietta.
“You mean King Joseph?”
Joseph, the King of Gallia, had not shown up yet.
“Yes. The incapable womanizer. No one else from the country was suited to be Gallia’s king. Do you know? It is said that he got the throne by killing his younger brother. What a shameless person.”
Such were the rumors…
Loud steps were heard behind the door, then it opened.
There stood a beautiful looking blue-haired man.
The announcer called in a perplexed tone.
“His Majesty; King of Gallia!”
He seemed to have a charming figure. His back muscles bulged like a gladiator's. The neatly tightened face, framed by a blue beard.
It was Joseph, King of Gallia.
The King of Gallia watched everyone who gathered, with a broad smile on his face.
“This, this! Everyone is here! All Halkeginia’s kings meeting in this place, unbelievable! A happy day! A happy day!”
Joseph noticed Albrecht the III and tapped his shoulder.
“Dear Emperor, Your Excellency! I am sorry for not attending the coronation! Are your relatives doing fine? I mean the ones to whom you lent your castle, so that you may hold that crown.”
Albrecht the III turned pale. This castle ‘lending’ - scathing sarcasm. Joseph was making fun of Albrecht the III, who imprisoned his rivals in the castle's tower.
“A hard door and splendid chains were used for their own protection! Moreover, they were even given food. One bread crust, one glass of water, and firewood after two weeks when their bodies became cold. Just to keep them healthy. Such luxury is bad for the body. You are really a kind emperor! I would like to learn that too!”
“Aye, thank you.” Albrecht the III muttered, losing his composure. Then Joseph turned his face and this time took Henrietta’s hand.
“Oh. Princess Henrietta. You have grown. I wonder if you still remember me? We met at the end of a certain garden party at Ragdorian Lake. At the time, you were beautiful like a flower, that made all Halkeginia’s weeds hang their heads in shame. And now you are a beautiful queen of peaceful Tristain. Aye. Peaceful.”
Without looking at Hawkins and the ambassador from Romalia, King Joseph sat at the head of the table. As if it was a most natural thing.
Though Albrecht the III made a face as if wanting to say something, Joseph waved it off. Then, as if still in his own royal palace, he cracked his finger joints.
Then trays with various dishes – like Howai, Toho, etc… were brought in by the servants.
Before Henrietta and Albrecht the III, a large amount of food was placed. Henrietta and others looked at it in astonishment. It included even the finest ingredients in abundance. For some people, not even a year's wages would earn such a dish.
“The dish and the wine I obtained from Gallia. I apologize for the shoddiness, but this dish is nothing compared to the treat from the whole country, so enjoy yourselves!” The waiter poured wine into the cup, which King Joseph hung.
Henrietta’s and others cups were filled with blood-red wine as well.
“Leaders of all Halkeginia. Though it is small, first of all, let us hold the feast of celebration. The war ended. Let us toast to peace!”
The feast continued for three hours… and ended because of King Joseph of Gallia suddenly decided to retire. After only making noises of eating and drinking, he yawned, and said “I am sleepy” and stood up, leaving in a hurry.
As for the conference itself - nothing was done. Whenever the King of Gallia opened his mouth, he did nothing but recommend cooking to kings, who sat in a row, and toasting, repeatedly.
Puzzled, Henrietta and others left as well.
“We are being conciliated - the real thing will start tomorrow.”
Germania’s emperor muttered and, shaking his belly stuffed with gorgeous dishes, went out of the White Hall. Henrietta stood up listlessly, her elbows tightly pressed against her side.
That moment… General Hawkins came in front of Henrietta and bowed deeply.
“With all due respect, may I have a word with Your Majesty?”
Mazarin, who was nearby, tried to intervene, but Henrietta stopped him.
“First of all, thank you for the generous treatment all of Albion’s people received. They are exhausted by a long war. You controlled not with the wand, but with the bread. By the power that Her Beautiful Majesty shines upon everyone, the people of the White Country were led well. We will accept any treatment if only Your Majesty can provide us with your words.
“Whether or not the war was just, the people deserve no punishment. Do not worry.”
Hawkins bowed deeply. Henrietta tried to pass him, but he still detained her.
“Is there something else?”
“Your Majesty… Your Majesty’s army was saved by only one hero. Do you know that?”
Henrietta shook her head.
As a matter of fact, the rumor about Saito stopping the Albion army was not delivered to Henrietta. Senior military officials could never admit being saved by a single fencer. As a result, such a rumor was silenced before reaching Henrietta in a shape of report.
“I do not know.”
“Honestly. Honestly… cowardly generals, running to save their own hides, changed the story in their country.”
“What was that?”
Hawkins told Henrietta.
How the Albion army, that pursued the Allied Forces, was stopped by a single swordsman.
As a result, the Albion army missed the Allied Forces which tried to run away from Rosais…
Henrietta’s mind was in turmoil. The heart that never trembled after the end of the war, now began to shake.
“A swordsman… Really?”
“Yes, a swordsman. A black haired boy with a foreigner’s face.”
Not hiding his feelings, with a straight look, Hawkins said.
“The hero raged on. He even pointed a sword to the tip of my nose, until he fell down exhausted. Then, he started to move again and disappeared into the forest… I guess, he did not survive with all those injuries. Yet, it was his deed that saved Your Majesty’s army. Only one swordsman… held back tens of thousands of army troops. A proper ceremony of honor is needed.”