Another person asked this time.
"Then, is the person with you perhaps Duke Eseled?"
To that question, Lark answered directly.
"Yes."
Navia let out a faint sigh.
'He's a noble too, how can you speak to him in such a manner, father...'
His arrogantly natural demeanor meant, fortunately, no one seemed displeased.
After all, his daughter had just demonstrated mysterious powers, so they were hardly in a position to complain.
In the midst of this, Monica, who had been regaining her composure, approached Navia and asked.
"Lady Navia Eseled, can you explain what situation we are in right now?"
Monica deliberately used formal language.
Navia had resolved the current crisis and had shown astonishing abilities. She had every reason and justification to be respected by the princess.
And elevating her father Eseled's merits was advantageous for her too. They were allies, after all.
Navia responded formally.
"Empress Diana and Prince Ares conspired to assassinate our great Emperor."
"What!
Murmurs
The crowd's faces were a mix of confusion. However, they soon came to believe it was plausible.
The one who had spread the evil aura and mind-controlled them was Ares himself, and he had referred to himself as 'I'.
It was clear treason.
Navia continued.
"The main culprits are currently bound in His Majesty's bedroom. And... their crimes do not end there."
"What else is there?"
"They have made a pact with the devil."
"The devil...!"
Navia deliberately avoided complicated terms like 'external gods'.
'How many here would even know about the existence of an external god?'
And how many would know that such a god considers humans less than insects?
To those ignorant of external gods, this would sound like nonsense.
So she had to explain using a simple and direct image they could understand.
That was the 'devil'.
"My goodness, no wonder...!"
"How can we explain this malevolent power if not by the devil? Truly horrifying!"
"How could a nation's empress and prince do such a thing! They must be brought forth immediately!"
Indeed, the people quickly linked the evil and horrific aura to the devil.
Even in these innovative times, the existence of gods was an undeniable truth, and blasphemy remained a sensitive topic.
"We must bring forth the traitors immediately!"
"Indeed!"
When Navia felt the atmosphere boiling, she knelt on one knee and spoke to Monica in a knightly manner.
"Your Highness, the first in line for the throne, please take command of this situation."
This was also a declaration that Monica was now the ruler of the empire.
Upon hearing this, Monica immediately understood what she had to do.
"Arrest the traitors immediately!"
The situation was clear, and evidence was easily found based on Navia's testimony. This enabled the investigation to proceed swiftly.
Monica spoke to Navia away from others' eyes.
"I'll prepare a separate residence for you to stay until the situation is somewhat settled."
Navia, unlike at the banquet, responded in a relaxed tone.
"That would be good. There will likely be a coronation ceremony in a few days."
Monica nodded, then suddenly widened her eyes.
"But what about that power? I've never heard of it."
Navia thought there was no point in hiding it now.
"I am the incarnation of the goddess Nyx. I purified the evil aura following her will."
"…An incarnation? Like those mentioned in ancient texts, you're saying that's you?"
Navia nodded briskly in affirmation.
Monica was flabbergasted.
"An incarnation... why have you been living quietly until now? Couldn't you become the emperor if you wished?"
"Not to that extent."
'My father could, though.'
Navia didn't say that aloud.
"Anyway, it's reassuring to know my friend has such remarkable abilities."
Monica, never one for deep thoughts, brushed it off lightly.
She had another scheme in mind.
'If Creed and she become a couple, they'll be family, right?'
What a formidable ally it would be to have a friend and political ally become family.
'I must somehow bring them together.'
"Duke Eiles should offer another annex. Since the two are close, it should be at a convenient distance for visits."
As Monica said this with a bright smile, Navia immediately caught onto her scheme.
…Indeed, it would be nice if Creed's annex was closer.
As Navia let the conversation pass without a word, Monica's eyes sparkled even more.
"What's this, you two already have something going on?"
"Today is the day your father passed away, and you're concerned about that?"
"So what? I only treated him well because of mom. Would you want such a person to be your dad?"
"Hmm..."
Navia made a troubled expression. She knew better than Monica how awful Yulrich was.
"Hmm, instead of Ares, he thought it wouldn't be bad to use me as his pawn."
The thought of Yulrich, with his snake-like eyes examining her, made her wrinkle her forehead in disgust.
"Anyway, Duke Eseled agreed to help with the incident, so you should go to the villa and rest."
"I guess I should. I'm a bit tired..."
"That's understandable. What a mess on the day of your debutante ball!"
'Ah, right. Today was my debutante ball.'
Navia chuckled and left Monica's office, heading to the villa. She didn't forget to take care of Nyx, who was quietly pretending to be a doll.
'It's sad that such a complicated incident happened on the day my dad returned.'
Moreover, she had things to discuss with Creed...
She entered her bedroom in the villa alone, changed into pajamas provided by the royal family, and sat in front of the dressing table.
Both Lark and Creed were busy handling the incident, and she felt uneasy resting alone.
But since both men were so extreme, she had no choice but to rest when pushed to do so.
"You're the one pushing it too hard, Navia. Listen to your dad and go rest in the villa."
"You're right. Noona, You'll collapse if you overdo it."
'But I wanted to stay with them.'
Navia sighed without realizing.
Then, looking at herself in the mirror while combing her hair, Nyx nagged.
- Sighing will only bring bad luck.
"Do even gods believe in superstitions?"
- It's just a saying. Where's the sense in luck leaving with a sigh?
"Nyx is kind."
- Make sure to tell your father that. He thinks I'm a swindler!
Navia burst into laughter.
- Really. You wouldn't believe how terrible he was in the divine realm. Of course, it was wrong of me to take him while he was asleep, but it was all for his good. How could he...
Nyx lamented about how violent Lark had been in the divine realm, how many times he had broken the divine laws, and how he kept giving himself troubles and solutions.
Navia listened intently to what had happened to Lark in the divine realm.
'My father, he must have suffered.'
She felt the desperate struggle he must have gone through to return home.
Lark, too, had spent lonely times just like her.
"Thank you, Nyx."
Although Lark and Nyx bickered like enemies, to Navia, they seemed very close.
'A friend of gods, just like my father.'
Nyx snorted, then placed a plump hand on Navia's wrist.
- It's all because you're so lovely. You understand, right?
"Yes."
Navia answered with a small smile.
Nyx looked at his special and small incarnation fondly, then poured strength into Navia's wrist.
- Now you can use the powers of both Black Moon and White Moon. That will be more useful for you, won't it?
Nod, nod.
The power of healing was great, but incidents like today were very special. Normally, there wouldn't be events requiring purification of a god's power.
So, being able to use the power of the Black Moon to steal others' magic was better.
It would also help reduce Creed's magical power...
The memory of their deep kiss made Navia's cheeks turn red instantly.
- What? What are you thinking about? Huh?
"Oh, nothing."
- Look at our girl, now an adult. Hmm. Hmmm.
"Nothing happened."
- What did I tell you?
Navia clammed up, feeling like a fool.
What's the use of living long? In front of her first love, she was nothing but an inexperienced person.
Nyx chuckled, tapping Navia's shoulder.
- That guy from earlier, right? The tall and handsome one. Oh, his body was nice. And the way he looked at you, as if he was about to devour...
"Nyx!"
Navia glared at Nyx with a flushed face.
Nyx rolled around in the air, laughing at her reaction.
- He likes you! He likes you!
"…You're so childish. Sometimes, Nyx, you really are like dad."
- What! How can you say such harsh words? Comparing me to Lark!
"Nyx's words are harsher. He's my dad......"
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