Chapter 26

Afterward, Alexei explained to the ministers and influential nobles and knights that the beasts did not come to attack the empire, but only to greet Eleonora, who possessed the ability to command them.

However, most of them were not convinced by words alone. Understanding their sentiment, Sergei asked Alexei:

"Your Majesty, please show us proof. Summon Eleonora and the beasts here."

"Do you not believe my words?"

"No, that is not the case at all."

Alexei looked around at the gathered subjects. Many of them had anxious expressions.

"People are far more fearsome..."

Alexei muttered to himself before addressing his subjects.

"I will summon Eleonora of the Purpureus family here. Then, you shall see the truth with your own eyes."

In response to Alexei's words, Sergei ordered one of the knights to summon her. The knight, entrusted with the message, hurried to the rooftop and told Eleonora to go to the square, to which she nodded silently.

(But, the Gryphons are so big, they might get stuck in the door. If that's the case, I'll ride on Gryphon's back to get to the square.)

In her previous life, Eleonora had ridden on the back of a Gryphon she called "Gry." However, it was only over the Forest of Magic. She was afraid to leave the forest.

"Riding on the back of a Gryphon, I will go to the square."

The knight was speechless with surprise at her words, but Eleonora took it as an agreement.

(Gry, let's go!)

When Eleonora communicated this with her eyes, Gry folded his legs and lowered his head.

"Beasts obeying humans!"

"Is such a thing possible!"

The knights were in an uproar. To them, it seemed as if the Gryphon was acknowledging Eleonora as its master, but in reality, Gry was just lowering his head to let her mount.

(I can't straddle, so I'll have to ride sideways. I have to do it this way.)

Eleonora grabbed Gry's neck and mounted him sideways, careful not to interfere with his wings.

(So fluffy! It's the best! Come on, Gry, let's go to the square!)

With a sense of excitement, she smiled and rode the Gryphon, descending into the square with the sun at her back.

Her appearance was truly divine, like an angel descending to earth.

"It seems the Emperor's words are true..."

"I've never seen a beast before, but what a beautiful creature."

"Eleonora of the Purpureus family must be the embodiment of beauty!"

The words spoken by those in the square were not out of fear, but out of reverence.

Eleonora slowly dismounted from Gry's back and performed a lady's curtsy before Alexei.

"You may relax."

At Alexei's words, Eleonora raised her head. His smile was just like Ham's.

(It's Ham! He looks like Ham! Yeah, but Ham is a real troublemaker. He wastes food and everything. Still, he looks like Ham!)

Alexei took Eleonora's hand and declared before his subjects:

"Eleonora Luna Purpureus, as you can see, has been granted the power to command beasts by the gods."

At his words, the square fell silent, and then a loud cheer erupted.

(Everyone, calm down! What the Emperor is saying is ridiculous! I don't have such power, and I haven't received it from the gods. I'm just friends with the beasts. But if that gets out, I'll probably be killed. Just like when everyone was killed in the Forest of Magic.)

Despite her confusion, Eleonora accepted the situation, performed a beautiful curtsy, and smiled.

(My etiquette teacher said, 'Just smile and stay silent, and it will be fine.')

Eleonora put her training to good use. At the tea parties she occasionally attended, she mostly listened and smiled, and it never caused any problems.

Before the cheers had died down, Alexei knelt before Eleonora and kissed the back of her hand.

"Eleonora, I swear as a knight to protect you for the rest of my life."

Eleonora's mind went blank.

(...! I feel like a princess from a fairy tale! Oh, how embarrassing. Being held by someone as beautiful as Ham. What should I do? It's so embarrassing! But I have to respond.)

With her face turning red, Eleonora could only nod in silence.