Zackly, Pixis, and the other senior officials emerged from the palace and stood to either side as Historia stepped gracefully outside.
Mikasa flew into a rage at the sight, but Sasha and Armin held her firmly back.
"Calm down, Mikasa. Damn it, where did Chen Si run off to? This is all his doing," Jean said through gritted teeth.
Seeing Mikasa lose control, Historia realized that Mikasa's feelings for Chen Si were indeed every bit as complicated as she had imagined.
A figure slowly descended from the sky, and Chen Si came to stand in the middle of the palace entrance.
"Older Brother!"
"Chen Si!"
Mikasa and Historia called out at the same time.
"Minister Zackly, Minister Pixis, what is going on here? I believe you owe me an explanation." Chen Si's tone was sharp. It took little guesswork to know these two old foxes were behind this.
"Ahem. That is hardly for an old man like me to decide. Romance is a matter for you young people. I merely acted on Her Majesty's orders." With a single remark, Pixis washed his hands of the matter.
"Marshal Chen Si, a marriage between you and Her Majesty is the best means of bringing the Cabinet and the Church Court together. Besides, all of this was primarily decided according to Her Majesty's wishes. We were merely responsible for carrying them out." Zackly adjusted his glasses and shrugged off all responsibility.
"What?" Chen Si grew angry at that.
"Chen Si! I gave the order. Have you come to demand an accounting? If so, direct your questions to me. Do you want to refuse the engagement? If there is a girl you love, just tell me, and I will cancel it immediately." Historia's tone was icy, her commanding presence as empress on full display.