❦☾𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗.12.𝕸𝖔𝖔𝖗𝖊☽❦

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And so all the Nobles including the Emporer applauded the Duke of Malbey's 'Reports' and 'Knowledge' of the illness.

Then turning away from Leon, Ophelia began to strut to the centre of the space slowly as she clapped along.

The Duke of Malbey suddenly felt unhinged at her odd reaction and in a quiet tone stammered "W..what are yo--"

"So?" She held up his reports so that everyone could see "Where did you get your information from?"

"Through studying..."

'What on earth is this girl doing?' The Empress thought as she rolled her eyes at Ophelia's nonchalant questions.

"Girl," the whole room turned to face her Majesty "Stop wasting time, the Duke of Malbey has proved he knows what he is speaking about!" 

'Ha. Did she just refer to me as girl in front of all the Nobles,' Ophelia's expression began to shake as her heart was slightly touched by rage. 

"But he doesn't," she answered back "...Your Majesty," even if she was mad disrespecting the Empress would be a huge mistake on her behalf.

"Hahaha!" Malbey began to cackel as he sped to Ophelia ripping the papers out of her hand. He angrily warned her in a loud and soft tone "Be quiet! You're nothing but a stupid spoilt pretty princess. So behave like one!"

Casper who saw this immediately reacted grabbing the Duke's hand and taking the documents which he snatched from Ophelia out of it. "This is a formal meeting Duke of Malbey so act professionally!"

He pushed the Duke back harshly and away from Ophelia to the point he nearly fell. But the Duke brushed it off as if he were adjusting his suit.

Then facing Ophelia he returned the crumpled up papers to her. 'He's helping me, again...' this time a smile naturally flowed from her lips and she whispered back to the Crown Prince "Ah, thank you, your Highness,"

'Why...does she keep smiling at him like that? I'm having a strange urge to rip his face off right now!' Leon complained as he watched the two of them at that moment from a distance.

But before Casper could answer her she had already turned her back to him and called out "Rosetta!"

"Oh! Yes!" Rosetta hurriedly turned the page of the board.

"Your grace," She took a pointer and pointed at a hand-drawn illustration of a virus cell."You said the illnesses was a bacterial disease right,"

He hesitantly nodded his head.

"Well, your incorrect it's actually a virus,"

Some of the nobles began to mutter amongst themselves.

Then turning the page she explained, "It's not a bacterial infection. But a foreign pathogen caused by the contamination of food, water or surfaces and it's called the Nanovirus which had severe effects on the people of Moore a few centuries back,"

Everyone fell cold as their expressions showed their confusion on how a girl like her would understand all this information. Yet the Emporer and his accomplices were full of panic, and so he gave them a signal to take Ophelia down.

However, Leon was also stunned, 'Is that why she told me to personally look into the people of Moore...but I dismissed it! Damn it, I should've just trusted her!'

'How does she know this?!' the Emporer banged his fist against his throne in fury. The Empress who was pleasantly surprised by her saw the Emperor's bitter reaction and could only be suspicious of him.

The Marquis of Harbor stood up and nervously accused "And how do you know this? You have no proof at all that this has a connection to the endemic that occurred back then! How do you know it's a virus?!"

'Well done Marquis there is no way they could've pulled information in less than a week,' The Emporer gave a reassuring look to the Duke of Malbey.

Ophelia noticed the Emporer's smug look and answered "You also have no proof," then with a grin, "So then?" She walked to Leon "Should we each provide it right now?"

Slyly handing him the historical documents she travelled to get she whispered to him "You did what I told you right?"

Leon stared straight into her eyes feeling guilty, taking the paper out of her hand then quickly skimming it. 'Lancenson Museum' he read the stamp at the bottom '...but that's all the way in Betsum,' 

Then clearing his throat he explained "Princess Ophelia is correct, documentations of the people Moore who had this virus displayed the same symptoms as the ones today. High fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, bone aches and extreme fatigue,"

A group of the politicians were swayed to Leon's side. And the Duchess of Pearl stood up and said "They're correct, it's obvious the Duke of Crawford's team can execute critical actions to suppress the initial spread of this disease with the precautions he mentioned earlier,"

"What did she say?" Zodan whispered in a confused manner. Zelda smacking his head replied "Idiot! She said we should get the case because we can lessen the effects,"

"OW!" He rubbed his head and moved a seat away from her. "Blue haired booger," 

"Tch, four-eyed buffoon,"

Leon who could hear them gave them a side-eye glare, a shiver shot up both their spines and they instantly went quiet.

But the Marquis of Harbor argued "So what? They have more information but it's obvious that they cannot handle it as well as the Malbey team. Furthermore, the Duke of Malbey's estate is much closer to where the problem is,"

Then another noble stood up and exclaimed "The resolution that the Duke of Malbey, is more affordable and easier for us Nobles. Furthermore, there is nothing stopping Crawford's team from handing over their information!"

'What on earth....' Ophelia bit her lip in apprehension. "If you don't listen to our suggestions on what to do. Which might I add is the most effective way to deal with this. Then the outcome will be more expensive than any of you would like! Just-"

The Emporer opened his mouth to yell at Ophelia to shut up, but he was topped by the Empress.

"I've decided!"