“Even though it has been over ten years since we last met, I cannot hide my sorrow as your kin. I apologize. However, it is undeniable that fleeing from my duties as a member of the royal family is a grave mistake.”
Selina bowed deeply to the crowd with a heart-wrenching expression.
“Yet, I, Princess Selina Bertica, swear that I will never evade my responsibilities as the last remaining direct descendant of the Bertica royal family.”
A princess shouldered with the fate of a nation, even though she had no direct responsibility, compared to a monarch who tried to avoid accountability after waging war.
In Selina’s eyes, there was deep sorrow mixed with a certain power and determination, and those looking up at her from the first floor could not bring themselves to condemn her merely because she was royalty.
“It’s alright, Your Highness the Princess!”
“Please raise your head!”
As if inspired by her noble presence, a courageous response emerged from somewhere in the crowd.
Typically, people tend to go along with the flow.
Even though some individuals loudly expressed their support, the vampires and beastmen still showed no signs of appearing, and gradually, most people began to listen to the words of the responsible princess.
“Wow, royalty really is different.”
From the third floor of the opposite building, I watched the scene unfold with my mouth agape.
The crowd, showing a hint of admiration, had no idea that the king and the prince were not just killed while trying to escape but were executed, and that Selina was the one who spun a web of lies using their intended deaths.
But based on her expression, tone, and gestures, to my eyes, she only appeared to be a true princess trying to overcome her grief over losing her family while striving to fulfill her royal duties.
“I liked how she casually mentioned that it has been over ten years since she last saw the king and prince.”
With that one line, Selina could be clearly recorded in the minds of the people as someone standing distinctly opposite to them.
In reality, she’s less than a complete stranger, but she can’t forsake the heavenly principles, shedding tears as a pitiable princess.
Given that she had enjoyed power until now, how could one not compare her to the king or prince, who met a disappointing end right when a crucial moment arrived?
And as the contrasting images became clearer, the worse the impressions of the two who betrayed the people became, the more passive Selina could sit back and reap the benefits, making it truly deficient to call it a creative economy of reputation.
“I took on the responsibility of our defeat and gladly sought the gallows. My health is pitiful, and if my death could alleviate your suffering even slightly, it would be a great honor. However, contrary to my expectations, the Progenitor of Vampires has expressed that they do not intend to kill me. Furthermore, if we do not resist, they have assured me of your safety.”
She asserted her legitimacy as the representative of the kingdom and subtly hinted that discussions had taken place with the vampires.
Not threats, but negotiations.
Although there were conditions of submission involved, it was a promise that differed slightly from the worst-case scenario she had imagined of protection.
While the specifics were still vague at this stage, that very uncertainty drove the humans to cling desperately to even a straw of hope.
It was fascinating to realize that all of this was a meticulously planned maneuver.
Of course, the first to respond enthusiastically in the crowd were all the storm-throwers that Selina had placed in advance.
Choosing to conduct her speech during the day rather than at night, using magic to change her eye color to blue, and willingly enduring discomfort by standing under the sun, it was part of her strategy, as she deemed it necessary to appeal as a human during a time when prejudices against vampires still prevailed.
Had a vampire been standing in that position, they would have instilled nothing but fear.
Yet even as Selina subtly began incorporating the justification for the royal capital’s conquest by representing the vampires, seeing that there were not many humans expressing dissent or skepticism was a reminder that nothing is as crucial as diluting tensions.
“Isn’t this about what the Progenitor would routinely do?”
“…Me?”
While I was admiring Selina’s speech, the idiotic Martini attempted to slander her from behind.
“There’s hardly anyone as pure as I am as a vampire.”
“…Lady Aria, have you already forgotten about the war with the allied forces? Those warriors on the brink of death still vividly recall the moment you appeared and erased the sun, igniting a new fire in their hearts. I was so bewildered by how charming you looked that I almost couldn’t recognize you after all these years.”
That was merely me attempting to give her a compliment and I hadn’t schemed anything.
Besides, to say I was confused implies I usually appear foolish, which definitely sounds like a slanderous plot against me.
Though it’s often said that incitement and fabrication go hand in hand, they are considered two distinct acts.
Incitement merely provokes others, while fabrication creates nonexistent facts—how can those two be considered the same?
Sadly, it seemed like I was the only one thinking that way, as no one appeared to agree with me, so I decided to focus back on Selina with a heavy heart.
“Rest assured that I have received assurances that as long as I do not resist the vampires, your safety will not be directly threatened.”
As Selina was passionately delivering her words, she suddenly staggered, coughing painfully.
Blood flowed from her mouth.
Seeing the bright red liquid soaking her hands and clothes, Selina hastily dabbed her lips as if nothing had happened, trying to continue speaking, but it was impossible to conceal her trembling voice and ragged breath.
Having lost the ability to continue her speech, Selina reassured the people in a trembling voice that it was nothing to worry about, leaving them with a request to trust and wait for her, before leaving with the support of her maid.
“She really has more talent in acting than politics… No, she’s good at politics too.”
I watched as the terror of the crowd unfolded like a well-crafted play in real-time.
However, while the prior fear was related to the vampires’ rule, the grim future, and the fear of death, the present fear blossoming was about the possibility of Selina’s absence.
The crowd, wondering how the terminally ill princess could stand in this place, had momentarily forgotten that fact, captivated by the deaths of the king and prince.
Yet having just witnessed her condition, they would likely have come to understand that indeed, the princess’s health was not well.
However, Selina could no longer be allowed to die.
The last remaining direct royal descendant. And a brave leader who negotiated with the occupying vampires, promising the safety of humans.
If her illness worsened and she suddenly died at this point, who would dare to argue with the vampires, requesting them to guarantee the lives of humans in her place?
“It seems I can no longer hide that I’ve become a vampire.”
“Yeah. If the frail princess later becomes a retainer of the Progenitor and recovers her health… it’ll change the perspective of how vampires are viewed.”
Eleonora’s tail wiggled cheerfully.
For an ordinary human, becoming a vampire is a curse.
This is the first step toward changing that image.
Once the people witness the dramatically revived princess still working for her subjects, they will inevitably imprint the idea that a vampire can save even a human on the brink of death.
And they will realize that what the princess, who died as a human, could not do, the princess who became a vampire can achieve, and as long as she thrives, so too does their future.
Gradually transforming perceptions is the goal.
A power that can overcome any illness. A body that can enjoy eternal life.
By the time the advantages of becoming a vampire start surfacing publicly, the cooperative nobles will be recruited as retainers, establishing a new order of ‘vampires as the ruling class.’
“Now, let’s begin the integration process in earnest.”
Sahelrn Duchy. Helraig Duchy. Bertica Kingdom. Additionally, certain factions of beastmen and elves.
“Relay this to the local lords of the southwest through the nobles we have recruited. If they defy royal orders and reject this new order, they will be buried in ashes. If they comply, we will consider promoting the current lord to continue ruling their territory. We’ll be moving with the resolve to complete the integration of forces within this month.”
This was the first step toward unifying everything into one nation, a long-awaited dream of paradise finally set in motion.
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