TCCIO 47

Chapter 47. The Strongest Opponent

“Please make way.”

The queen’s trembling but resolute voice echoed through the gloomy garden.

“Yes, if Her Majesty the Queen wishes it.”

Aaron stepped aside smoothly for the queen. His movements were as fluid as flowing water.

“I have urgent matters to discuss with Queen Eleonor, but…”

“I have nothing to discuss with the commander.”

“It’s an important matter.”

“Important matters should be discussed with His Majesty the King. Now, if you will excuse me.”

As the queen tried to ignore Aaron and pass by, he muttered aloud so she could hear.

“Just walking away like that, what should I do? Shall I just do as I please?”

Aaron’s provocation made the queen stop and stiffen. The commander who had taken control of Iorenti was trying to act as he pleased. My precious child. The queen’s voice, trembling with suppressed anger, was thin.

“What do you mean?”

Aaron looked at the trembling queen with a soft smile.

“You’ve deteriorated quite a lot.”

The queen glared at Aaron with sorrow mixed with anger. Wasn’t it all your fault? Being the queen of a defeated nation, she swallowed the words she couldn’t bring herself to say, choking on them.

“The castle’s garden was badly damaged.”

“Huh?”

The queen repeated in disbelief.

“The garden?”

“Yes. From above, I saw the castle’s garden was in a mess.”

“…”

“The wildflowers were trampled, many statues broken, and the trees and shrubs scorched and damaged by fire.”

Aaron sensed the queen’s lost for words gaze and continued.

“This damage was mostly caused by the Empire’s army, so I intend to restore it myself.”

The queen let out a bitter laugh and looked at Aaron incredulously. If he had mentioned Delia, she would have slapped the commander even if it meant death. But now, in this situation, talking about the garden? The queen’s heavy sorrow lost its direction at Aaron’s unexpected words.

“The trees will have to be uprooted and replanted. Also…”

“Ha.”

Aaron seemed not to hear the queen’s bitter laugh and continued his plan with a playful tone, acting as if he already had the queen’s permission. He pointed to the trampled flower beds.

“We will remove the trampled flowers…”

Aaron glanced past the queen’s shoulder toward Delia.

“I’m a little scared of flowers.”

“…”

“Instead of flowers, it would be better to bring water and create a huge fountain.”

“But…”

The queen hesitated, unable to grasp what trick the commander was playing.

“To create a fountain, a water channel must be built, which requires extensive construction.”

“Of course.”

“Iorenti is short on funds and manpower because of the war, and excessive construction might burden the kingdom’s people.”

Aaron’s smile deepened at the queen’s objection. He had baited the hook; just getting her to engage in conversation was a success.

“Since it was damage caused by us, the Empire will take responsibility.”

Aaron continued, sounding as if he was doing a big favor. The queen’s voice echoed in the garden, surprised by the commander’s unexpected offer.

“Excuse me?”

“Exactly as I said. We will be responsible for the repairs.”

“That’s not something the commander should concern himself with.”

“It’s a small kindness from me. Please accept it.”

“But it’s too much to accept such kindness…”

They already struggled to pay reparations; the queen could not afford to owe them for garden repairs as well. However, Aaron easily brushed aside her refusal.

“The Bergen family will cover the costs, and for the manpower shortage… my subordinates will take care of it, so no worries.”

Daik, who had been silently listening, twisted his face in displeasure.

“We have enough funds and manpower, but how to create and decorate the garden is a problem.”

Aaron lightly ignored Daik and turned his head toward the queen with a sly smile, like luring prey into a trap. His ash-colored eyes glittered with a strange competitive spirit.

“What kinds of trees would be suitable for the soil in Iorenti? It would be problematic if we plant the wrong ones and they wither.”

Aaron said politely to the queen.

“I would appreciate Queen Eleonor’s advice on planting trees suitable for Iorenti’s soil.”

The queen looked at the commander, who was behaving with the manners of a gentleman. She felt Delia fidgeting from the wrist he held. Delia’s breath brushed against the queen’s back. Even without looking back, she could picture Delia listening intently. The queen tightly grasped Delia’s hand and fixed her gaze on Aaron’s eyes. A strange silence filled the trampled garden of Iorenti castle. Everyone watching the queen focused on her mouth.

After a brief hesitation, the queen carefully spoke.

“I think it would be good to plant arborvitae around the garden’s perimeter.”

Aaron smiled broadly and agreed with the queen’s suggestion.

“Excellent idea.”

The queen began calmly explaining her opinion in a gentle tone.

“And build a new wisteria tunnel in the east, and plant lemon trees in the backyard. His Majesty the King likes the scent of lemons.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Aaron extended his arm to the now much gentler queen. She accepted his escort and followed. Delia was also led by the queen’s hand. A strange procession of three continued through the castle painted in deep sunset hues.

“May I design the central garden’s layout?”

“Yes. Commander, do as you wish.”

Aaron and the queen seemed fully absorbed in the garden restoration plan, as if trying to forget the external situation. They spoke peacefully in soft voices.

“We will need to acquire marble to build new statues as well.”

“Indeed.”

“The marble from Reina Dol Mountain is of good quality.”

“I will send someone to procure the best quality marble.”

“We will commission the sculptors’ guild sponsored by the Iorenti royal family for the statues.”

“Thank you for that. We will cover the costs.”

Aaron readily agreed to whatever the queen suggested. As if nothing was too precious if it came from Delia. The queen, while talking about plans to repair the trampled garden, suddenly stopped walking. She pulled her arm free from Aaron and put distance between them.

“I accept the Supreme Commander’s offer to restore the castle’s garden.”

“Since the damage was largely our fault, it is naturally our duty.”

Aaron gave the queen a gentle smile. He had decided to give Iorenti to the princess anyway, so tending the castle garden was just the start. He would use this opportunity to get close to the queen, shower her with jewels and rare gifts, and soon win her heart. Then, getting permission for the marriage would be easy. Pleased with the queen’s change, Aaron smiled deeply.

“As Queen of Iorenti, I offer my deepest thanks.”

“I will do my best to repair it.”

Moreover, Aaron had to be sincere about the garden restoration. The castle garden would become the promenade he and the princess would stroll. In the future, it would be a playground for their children. Leaving it in such a ruined state was unthinkable.

“Please give advice anytime if you have good ideas.”

The queen looked around at the darkening surroundings and put some distance between herself and Aaron.

“I have been quite tired with all the concerns yesterday and today. I shall return now.”

“Yes. Please go in first and rest comfortably. I will visit again to discuss specific plans.”

The queen and Aaron exchanged polite bows. Their conversation ended with the perfect etiquette of royalty and nobles. The queen gracefully turned away from Aaron. The fragile peace between them was broken by the queen’s single phrase.

“Delia, let’s go home.”

The smile on Aaron’s face twisted instantly. No, that’s not right. You must leave your daughter behind. He urgently called the queen back.

“Queen Eleonor.”

“What is it?”

Startled by Aaron’s sudden call, the queen drew Delia close. The gentle demeanor she had shown earlier talking about the garden was gone. She returned to her original wary self, sharply alert.

“I have urgent matters to discuss with the princess.”

“And?”

“May I have a moment alone with the princess?”

“Absolutely not.”

The queen’s refusal was firm, as if the earlier peace had been a facade.

“A grown lady should not be alone talking with a strange man. Please understand, Commander.”

Aaron’s eyebrows twitched at “strange man.” When his smile vanished and the atmosphere changed in an instant, the queen flinched. But she firmly stood her ground, shielding her daughter.

“If you have something to say, say it now.”

Aaron had no choice but to step back. He couldn’t say in front of her that he would come by at night for training.

“No, it’s nothing.”

Thinking about it, there was no urgent need to say anything. He could just visit the room later. Composing himself, Aaron smiled gently again and bowed.

“I think it can wait. I will speak with you another time.”

“Very well, then I shall return now.”

The queen bowed politely and turned toward Delia. She tightened the shawl around Delia’s shoulders and whispered loudly as if telling Aaron.

“Delia, you will sleep with me for a while.”

Delia, quietly listening, was startled.

“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”

“The presence of the foreign Empire’s army occupying the castle makes me uneasy and worried, so I don’t think you can sleep alone.”

“What about Father then…?”

“I want to hear about your time away as well. You must sleep with me.”

Delia hesitated, feeling caught between the commander and her mother. But recalling her mother’s tears in the red sunset, she couldn’t refuse. She needed to reassure her anxious mother. Apologizing silently to Aaron, Delia respectfully answered the queen.

“Yes, Mother.”

Only after Delia’s firm reply did the queen step back into the castle, tightly holding Delia’s hand. Delia glanced at Aaron but was eventually led inside by the queen. Watching the two retreating figures, Aaron’s smile disappeared in an instant. The queen looked exactly like a deer — trembling with fear but fiercely protecting her fawn against the beast.

“Hah.”

Aaron let out a bitter laugh. He couldn’t force her by power nor seduce her. But the queen, whose permission he needed for marriage, had taken his princess. And now she wouldn’t even let him visit at night. The unexpected counterattack from the mother deer had appeared — the greatest opponent in the life of Aaron, Supreme Commander of the Stileitz Empire.