Chapter 62: Banquet (1)

Chapter 62: Banquet (1)

The empresss chamber was slightly larger and more splendid than the princesss. However, the difference wasnt significant.

Mother and daughter. Their tastes seemed to be similar.

Sir Carl Schurtafen.

The voice that called me was solemn. Anticipating that the empress might blurt out something unexpectedly, I quickly signaled caution.

There were eavesdropping ears nearby. Imperial dogs existed even near the empress.

This time, it was near the lower window.

Yes.

A gesture was enough to convey the message. The empress lifted her palm to indicate that everything was alright.

Thank goodness. It meant that she hadnt called me in haste.

The empress spoke with a slightly raised voice. Her slightly furrowed brow seemed to express dissatisfaction.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

Handsome. Young. More so than I expected. Was the reason you didnt remove your helmet also because of that?

Yes. Even during my mercenary days I simply wanted to be recognized for my abilities.

I can imagine the attention you received. Even I, who was introduced, felt the same way. Despite knowing that, as a mother with a daughter, I became uneasy.

The empress crossed her legs and tapped the table with her fingernail. It was a gesture that created a pause between her words.

I could understand the empresss intention.

Perhaps, she had created this situation to avoid some suspicion on my part, so we could have this discussion.

Living as the empress in the empire was by no means an easy task.

It was likely intentional. Slightly open windows and a slightly raised voice were the basis of her thoughts.

I understand what youre trying to convey. I will be cautious not to give you cause for concern.

I also raised my voice. I wasnt sure if this would have an effect, but whats done is done.

However, the way she looked at me was a bit strange. It seemed like there was some sincerity mixed in

The empress let out a deep sigh.

Right. I trust you. I wouldnt have said something like this in the first place if things were as they used to be but I wont say Im sorry..

The wording she used was subtle. Her previous words werent just about appearances. I guessed that she was referring to my background.

Nobles usually knew their own positions.

Leave now.

That was the end of the conversation. Personally, it seemed half genuine and half masked.

It should have been a warning that I would give through acting, but it seemed that she saw some sincerity in my eyes.

Being a mother wanting to make her daughter an empress, she would naturally feel uneasy in various situations.

But I shouldnt be hasty.

Although the empress I had heard about beforehand wasnt the type to do that, you never know.

Anxiety could paralyze ones thinking. The worry I had when I heard the empresss summons was in the same context.

If the empress started nosing around here and there, only I would become exhausted. Work would get complicated.

I should keep an eye on things, and if necessary, issue a warning.

Thats about all I could do within my limits.

Whether by status or position, I might be an obvious subordinate, but I came here with the full authority of Duke Haisen.

If I acted as if I was acting on orders from above, the empress would keep quiet as well.

It might be a bit tiring, but since Id staked my life on being here, I also needed to be attentive in all matters.

The scariest thing wasnt a capable enemy, but rather the saying that a foolish ally was more dangerous.

* * *

[Great and Dignified Emperor Hasins Day]

Two weeks had passed since Carlyn arrived in the empire. On an early morning, he was reading the morning paper.

It was a lodging near the imperial palace given to the imperial guards. He could also serve within the palace. It wasnt the environment Carlyn favored, though.

Hmm.

The paper he was reading was published by a newspaper agency operated by the Haisen Intelligence Agency.

If Carlyn provided information from within the imperial palace, Haisen reciprocated by supplying information through newspapers.

The carefully arranged information wasnt exclusively intended for Carlyns paper.

Thus, it didnt matter if the empires dogs stole it. It was Haisens longstanding confidence.

For some reason, the nobles from the 2nd Princes faction are busy? They wouldnt be plotting anything on the Emperors birthday. Hmm.

The emperor in Carlyns memory wasnt at the point of dying yet, but who knows what might happen.

There might have been assassination attempts.

The target might not necessarily be the emperor. In any case, there were precedents, so caution was necessary.

However, this fact couldnt necessarily be interpreted as the 2nd Princes faction plotting something.

Disorder within the empire was something sought from outside as well. There was time to catch ones breath now.

Your Highness, you look splendid.

Even Emmet, who had seen the princess for a long time, was slightly taken aback, his mouth slightly agape. The princess smiled wryly.

Lets go.

* * *

The Emperors Birthday.

With nobles from all over the empire and even foreign royalty gathering, the imperial palace was bustling with activity.

Despite the Emperors aversion to crowds, only the essential nobles had been invited, yet the palace was still this lively.

Because of this, security personnel were also in high demand. Just like the numerous dogs of the empire that patrolled every corner of the palace.

Just those nearby add up to over seventy.

It was only natural for the subjects of surveillance to gather in one place, and it was even more natural that many of them were disguised as workers.

Nobles came first, followed by the princess, princes, and finally, the Empress. But the Emperor had yet to appear.

Eyes were directed toward the princess from all corners, just as Carlyn had described to the Duke, she was a beauty that could fit within three fingers on the continent.

Carlyn could see it too. It felt as though she had stepped out of a movie or a game rather than reality.

Its like being inside a game; is it wrong to say that?

Despite the occasional glances that fell on her, Erendil stood tall, her back straight, her face as cold as ever.

However, it wasnt just because of the princess that all the gazes were directed. Many eyes were also turned toward Carlyn.

Since Carlyn and the princess were seen together, it had become known that their presence in the palace brought a pleasant atmosphere.

Amidst the quiet, the entrance to the banquet hall suddenly became lively. The Emperor was arriving.

The majestic and glorious Emperor of the noble Kaiyan Empire

Before the knight at the entrance of the hall could finish his sentence, with a thud, the heavy doors swung open.

The atmosphere shifted. The sudden silence was heavy and cold, but through it, the Emperor made his entrance.

Pushing his receding blond hair neatly back, the Emperor looked dignified despite being over fifty.

No need for introductions. Who here doesnt know me?

The Emperor waved his hand casually and walked forward. Two sword masters followed closely behind.

It was Carlyns first time seeing the Emperor. He left a strong impression. It was as if he had stepped out of a game, the image of the Emperor was exactly the same.

In the midst of the quiet, only the footsteps of the Emperor and the two sword masters echoed distinctly.

As soon as the Emperor took his seat, he reached for a goblet.

Im grateful that youve all come. Making such a fuss over an old mans birthday. Enjoy yourselves, and have a lot of private talks.

With that, he fell silent. The Emperor raised his goblet with a wry smile, seeming to find this gathering tiresome.

It was the Empresss duty to break the stiff atmosphere.

Youre being mischievous even in jest. Since its Your Majestys joke, everyone, let loose and enjoy yourselves without holding back.

Though it was obvious that it wasnt a joke, there was a need to lighten the atmosphere, so the nobles laughed heartily.

The banquet hall began to get a bit more lively again.

Several royals and powerful nobles approached the Emperor and exchanged words discreetly.

Leading the way, various nobles also approached the princes and the princess.

Of course.

Thats right.

Understood.

As the princess engaged in conversations, Carlyn looked around the banquet hall.

The operation of his Winds was somewhat limited due to the presence of the sword masters.

The Empress lifted her goblet and signaled for more. A waiting-maid walked out.

Carlyn noticed a subtle change in the maids expression. In an instant, Winds enveloped the maid.

Neck and wrists. The heartbeats were faster than average. Carlyn had brought the scent from the bottle with him.

Though he couldnt detect any strange scents, the situation was peculiar.

Wait.

As Carlyn took a step forward, the approaching maid stopped in her tracks.

Sir, why are you like this?

The Empress inquired, but Carlyns eyes were fixed on the maid. Dilated pupils, racing heartbeats.

Was she an assassin, or did she receive some kind of sign? Whatever it was, it meant she knew something.

Carlyn drew his sword. Swish the sharp sound of the blade cut through the noise of the banquet hall.

As the eyes of the people around turned to Carlyn, the tip of the sword was pointed at the maids throat.

The swordmaster next to the Emperor had already placed his hand on his sword.

Amidst the chilling atmosphere, Carlyn spoke quietly without flinching.

Taste it.