"Of course, I'm right here. I don't want to have to run back to Garnat in a sorry state because of the war."
Isabella's relaxed smile eased the tense atmosphere of the meeting considerably. Eddington, who was over fifty but whose temples were already gray, softened his expression and nodded to Isabella with gentle eyes.
Nelvi instinctively reached for his pipe, but remembering Isabella was there, he withdrew his hand and instead spoke gently to her:
"No, Your Majesty, no matter what, we will not let you return in such a sorry state."
"However... I still think... your timing is wrong. The situation is very tense right now. As Eddington said, this place is a powder keg. Whether the Yan Kingdom is faking a military exercise or a real invasion, we still need to make a further judgment."
"Therefore, I sincerely suggest that you return to Garnat as soon as possible, preferably tomorrow morning."
Upon hearing this, Isabella tilted her head, blinked her bright eyes, and said, "General Neville, I only arrived here at noon today, are you already sending me back?"
"Although I came by horse-drawn carriage, my back is still sore."
Isabella's teasing brought a faint smile to Neville's face, even though he was known for his sternness.
"Then let's do it the day after tomorrow."
Isabella smiled and shook her head:
"The day after tomorrow won't work either."
"I have to wait until their exercise is over and I meet with the commander of the Yan Kingdom before I can go back."
At this point, Isabella slowly rose, then frowned and sighed, "I just don't know if they'll agree to the meeting, or..."
"Shoot a cannonball at me first."
Upon hearing this, James jumped to his feet, standing ramrod straight, and shouted, "You'll have to step over my dead body first!"
Isabella's eyebrows relaxed, but she shook her head and said, "James, don't say such things, but this is not what I want to see."
At this point, she placed her left hand on her taut waistline, and from her open coat, the sun brooch on her left breast shone brightly. The previous trace of sorrow on her radiant face had vanished without a trace, replaced by a radiant smile. She stretched out her other hand, making a bird-like gesture, and said:
“What I want is peace, so I have to come here.”
"Everyone, we must all strive for peace!" Isabella said with a radiant smile, like a vibrant young woman.
Her demeanor was not unfamiliar to Eddington, who knew Isabella better; he knew Her Majesty was always so multifaceted.
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