"Officials? I do not know much about that area."
Hilda's response was blunt.
She did not hesitate or waver, clearly showing she truly lacked knowledge in that regard.
It made sense.
Previously, all policy control was in Martha's hands. Now that it had shifted to me, I had not yet formally met with any officials.
"Your Highness..."
"Yes?"
"I do not quite understand your thoughts. I wonder if Your Highness could enlighten me?"
Taking a deep breath, Luo Li straightened her posture as she looked down at Hilda.
Currently, among her confidants, the ones she could be certain of besides Hilda were Cain and Lola. It was difficult to fully trust anyone else for the time being.
Therefore, facing a question from her confidant, she did not intend to hide anything.
Except for certain things that absolutely could not be said, everything else was open for discussion.
"Speak. You may ask whatever questions you have, but... our conversation must remain between us. You must promise not to reveal it to anyone else, including your family or a lover."
Hilda was so beautiful, she must surely be in a relationship by now, right?
"I do not have a lover!"
The knight girl's face turned red as she explained in a panic.
"...I did not ask you that."
Luo Li blinked, feeling like... something was not quite right.
Why was she explaining this so frantically?
Forget it, no use dwelling on unimportant details.
Hilda quickly dropped to one knee.
"It was my misunderstanding. Please punish me, Your Highness."
"Hilda, you are my confidant. I will not blame you for such a small thing. You do not need to be so restrained in front of me. Just relax. Actually, I am quite curious. You have a high status, you are very strong, and you are beautiful. Why have you never dated? You are already over twenty, right?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, I am nineteen this year. My family... has not yet arranged a marriage."
"Only nineteen?"
That was quite a surprise!
Luo Li had not expected that the mature, steady, and valiant Hilda was only a nineteen-year-old girl.
Seeing Luo Li's surprise, Hilda subconsciously touched her cheek.
"Do I... look that old?"
Looking at the disappointment on her face, it was clear that even a knight like Hilda was still a woman before she was a knight.
What girl does not love beauty and youth?
"No, no, Hilda, you misunderstand. You just look very mature and steady. Hmm... you are the type I like."
Luo Li quickly explained that she was not insulting her, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she felt something was off.
The hall fell into a complete silence.
Nara watched Luo Li with wide eyes, covering her mouth in shock.
Ella's eyes flickered as if she had realized something.
As for Hilda... her face turned red all the way to her ears. She lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"Your... Your Highness, this, this is too sudden. I... I am not mentally prepared yet."
Wait!
Hilda, you've got it wrong!
That is not what I meant!
"Hilda, you, listen to my explanation."
"Your Highness does not need to explain! I understand!"
Hilda suddenly looked up, her voice echoing in the empty Temple.
Dammit! What exactly do you understand!?
"Tonight... tonight, I will..."
"Wait... hold on, hold on. Hilda, you really misunderstood. I did not mean it that way. I just meant... I like girls like you, in a very platonic way! Do not misunderstand!"
Luo Li explained hurriedly.
Good heavens!
What a development!
Hilda, oh Hilda, I didn't know you were that kind of person.
Luo Li found it hard to look her in the eye.
What kind of country was this Kingdom of the Moon?
Even the Guardian Knight's thoughts were so strange!
Hearing this, Hilda's face turned pale. She kept her head down, truly afraid to speak this time.
Well, Luo Li knew the feeling of social death all too well.
Looking at Hilda's current state, if she did not change the subject soon, her confidant knight might just draw her sword and commit suicide out of shame.
"Hilda, you wanted to ask why I am placing so much importance on the Cavendish family, right?"
Hilda's pale face gradually regained a bit of normal color, and she nodded slightly.
"Yes... yes."
Clearly, she had not fully recovered from the awkward conversation just now.
Nara and Ella were also looking at Luo Li with curiosity, obviously not knowing why she was doing this.
"Since you want to know, I will tell you. However, this matter is limited to the few of us and Lola. It must not be told to anyone else."
She looked at Nara with a warning gaze.
"Especially you, Nara. Can you ensure you will not speak of this?"
"I..."
Nara froze, unable to give a firm answer for a moment.
Seeing this, Luo Li was basically certain that Nara could not keep a secret.
In that case, she could not let Nara know about this.
"Nara, Ella, bring me the files on those nuns. I need to check them one by one. Also, pull the official transfer records for Brilliant City from the last three years. I need to review them."
There was no choice but to send the two of them away.
Neither Nara nor Ella were suitable for participating in political affairs. First, they could not keep their mouths shut, and second, while they were loyal, they lacked insight and ability in governance.
Therefore, they were only suited for delivering messages and taking care of her daily life.
The two girls also realized she was intentionally avoiding them, and their faces instantly turned pale.
They could not say a word. They bowed their heads, responded, and began to walk out.
Watching their somewhat lonely figures, Luo Li frowned.
If they left like this, it could easily cause a rift. Regardless, she had to mend things a bit, and the rest would depend on their own understanding.
"Nara, Ella."
Calling them back, Luo Li spoke with earnest intent.
"There are some things you are not suited to participate in. The less you know, the safer you are. I am doing this for your own sake. I hope... you do not blame me in your hearts. At the very least, I still trust the two of you."
"We would not dare!"
"We would not dare!"
Hearing this, the two girls quickly knelt on one knee.
"Very well. Go now."
Without saying more, she dismissed them. Once silence returned to the hall, Luo Li looked at Hilda.
Hilda had already adjusted her mindset, and her complexion had returned to normal.
She truly was a Temple knight capable of slaughtering enemies on the battlefield.
If nothing else, her ability to regain her composure was impressive.
Luo Li took a deep breath, weighing her words before speaking again.
"Hilda, what do you think the outcome would be... if my divine power and imperial power were to conflict with the nobles?"
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