The Second Mistress (Sovieshu x OC)

Chapter 85

-In The Western Empire-

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-Navier's Dress, Hairstyle, Accessories-

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-In The Cabinet Room-

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-Navier POV-

'I don't know if the government officials here will take kindly to my presence, but I must attend the meeting to get a sense of their views.' I thought as I walked inside with Heinrey at my side 'Seeing us working together on state affairs should also help to bury the scandal about Heinrey.' I thought as I saw Marquess Catron look over at me before a gaval was banged making me and Heinrey take a seat on the thrones "The cabinet meeting will now come to order." Once that was said the meeting started 'As shocked as they were, it didn't take long for them to compose themselves and do their jobs. They'd only be shooting themselves in the foot if they were too distracted by my presence to speak.' I thought as I leaned near Heinrey gaining his attention "I think I should only attend meetings if they directly pertain to my duties. That's what I did in the Eastern Empire." I whispered to him as he glanced at me "Very well. But funnily enough, we'll be discussing something you're very familiar with..." Heinrey whispered back "The next item on the agenda is...About the Springwater Bandits that are running rampant in the borderlands." A man said making me perk up at this topic "I anticipate that Her Majesty will be able to propose an effective solution, especially since she has experience dealing with these particular bandits in the Eastern Empire." The male said.

Marquess Catron stood up "Only one fief is considered to be at high risk of a bandit attack, but it's surrounded by five others. Dividing our forces among the six fiefs could leave us spread too thin to respond effectively in a crisis. Where do you suggest we deploy them?" Marquess Catron asked looking over at me "You're asking the Empress to deal with such a complex matter when she has only just assumed her role? Are you so incompetent that you can't handle it yourselves?" Heinrey asked looking at them sternly as I looked down 'The lords of the Eastern Empire are allowed to command private armies since the Emperor has an army of mages. However, only the Emperor can direct the military here. That means the Emperor alone bears the responsibility of marshaling military forces. There may be guards stationed in the region already...But I must consider the effect that military forces from the Emperor would have on public opinion.' I thought before looking up at them all "We must strike first. We won't have to split our forces if we hit them before they attack the fief in question" I said this causing a lot of commotion in the room as Marquess Catron looked up at me.

"And what will you do if that backfires and the bandits come back to take their revenge on the area? Or does the situation here not matter to you since you're from the Eastern Empire?" Marquess Catron asked in a cold tone as Heinrey looked at him angrily "Marquess Catron!" He yelled out as I let out a small laugh making Marquess Catron turn to me shocked  "I can tell that you don't know these bandits very well. They're driven by greed. If they conclude something isn't worth it, they will give up and go after something else. Personal revenge will never be a motivation. Like you said...I'm from the Eastern Empire, so I know how they operate." I said giving him a smirk and shutting him up before he spoke again "For your plan to work, we must launch an attack that is aggressive enough to dissuade them from fighting us. But these bandits are formidable in battle! What you're suggesting is impossible!" Marquess Catron called out as I looked at him "Lord Kosair can do it. He's defeated these bandits over 50 times." I said shocking everyone in the room, but shocking Marquess Catron more as he looked down gritting his teeth as I just looked at him 'What was your plan...? To embarrass me?' I thought.

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