Audrey was no fool. Naturally, she could tell that this was not a vote at all-they were handing the decision to her. But the question was... why?
Simply because I'm the daughter of Earl Hall, who is currently so influential in Loen?
Or do they know my secret-that I'm a member of the Tarot Club?
Or is there some other reason?
At that moment, Edessak smiled faintly. "Audrey, before you decide, let me tell you a story."
"A story? I love stories."
Alday immediately sat back down, produced a plate of pastries from somewhere, and beckoned. "Come on, let's eat while we listen."
"Sit down, Audrey."
Helena nudged Audrey into a seat, picked up a pastry, and handed it to her.
"Thank you."
Edessak continued, "Over two hundred years ago, a prince named George was born into Loen's royal family."
"He was very intelligent from childhood, and great hopes were placed on him. People hoped that under his wise leadership, Loen would grow even stronger, whether economically, militarily, or in the extent of its territory."
"George lived up to those expectations. He held himself to strict standards in everything and always strove to do his best. So when he began exercising governing authority as a prince, he vigorously developed the economy. Taking advantage of the technological and economic changes Roselle, the Son of Steam, had set in motion at the time, he overrode all opposition to give them his full support, greatly strengthening Loen in a short time..."
"Soon afterward, the old king passed away, and George ascended the throne, ushering in a new era for Loen. He was the man later known to everyone as George I. But just then, he suddenly discovered a brutal truth: this world was not what he had imagined."
"There were many things he