Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Eve Banquet (1)
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“Your Majesty, of course I think the princesses are beautiful as well.”
I knelt at the emperor’s question.
And looked up at him with reverent eyes.
“It’s just that they’re so noble I wouldn’t dare aspire to them.”
“Hah, noble?”
Leonhardt snorted, apparently taking my words as flattery.
For his sake, I smoothly explained with an apt example.
“Has Your Majesty ever seen the murals in the grand cathedral, by chance?”
“Of course. My ancestors had the finest painters of their time create them.”
“Exactly. When you look at those murals, they inspire more than beauty—they fill the heart with reverence.”
The emperor narrowed his eyes, as if picturing the masterpieces in his mind.
Then he nodded and spoke.
“I agree. Gazing at them soothes the war-weary body and soul.”
“I feel the same way whenever I see the princesses!”
The emperor gazed down at my earnest expression.
Seeing me express his own feelings through a familiar example.
Only then did the Conqueror King let go of his lingering resentment.
“Hmm, very well… If that’s what you meant, I can understand.”
Having heard a satisfactory answer, the emperor took a deep breath.
“You said your name is Veil?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The insights you’ve offered have been most satisfactory to me.”
The emperor nodded slowly, as if acknowledging me.
“I can’t predict what results will come from acting on your words. However…”
He crossed his arms alone.
And looked down at me with an approving gaze.
“I can feel that you’ve helped my daughters sincerely.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty…”
‘Looks like I’m in the clear now.’
With his suspicions dispelled, my life was spared.
I wanted to hurry back to the Defense Office and rest…
I closed my eyes gently.
And thought only of returning.
But.
“As such, I wish to put you to good use as a reward.”
The emperor did not let me go easily.
“Yes…?”
“Soon, the news of my awakening will be officially announced.”
“Allow me to congratulate you in advance.”
As I bowed my head, a dark shadow fell over me.
And then…
“To commemorate it, a grand party will be held…”
A massive hand gripped my shoulder firmly.
“I’d like you to serve as my escort.”
The emperor’s face shadowed, he grinned at me.
Like the leader of lions eyeing its prey.
“That would be improper. How could a mere defense knight presume to escort Your Majesty…”
I politely refused with a relaxed smile.
Yet, from the hand gripping my shoulder rose a white aura.
As if seizing a fox by the scruff of its neck.
“Isn’t it only natural for a defense knight to provide escort?”
“There are far superior Imperial Knights for that.”
“A Grand Aura bearer dares to be so brazen. You’ve already surpassed that level.”
After our fierce exchange, the emperor finally released my shoulder.
“While I was down, I want to see firsthand how much the capital’s knights have grown.”
And then, in a tone of request rather than command, he continued.
“That’s why for this escort duty, I plan to replace the Imperial Knights with the princesses’ knights.”
“…”
“You’re acquainted with all of them, so I’d like you to take the role of coordinating from the middle.”
I bowed my head quietly.
And racked my brains alone.
The emperor not using the Imperial Knights for such an important event.
It meant he distrusted them.
In other words, he suspected the crown prince and First Imperial Consort as the cause of his illness…
‘He plans to make it clear at the party that he no longer trusts them.’
Afterward, he’d refill his inner circle with loyal knights.
And he intended to select me as one of them.
‘This is getting way too big…!’
“I know your martial prowess well enough. Your character isn’t bad by my standards either. Aside from your skill at flattery, that is.”
The emperor’s lip curled up.
Like he was fitting a collar around my neck, his blue eyes gleamed.
“Being appointed as escort means I recognize you, so think of it positively.”
His gaze swirled with the infamous conquering ambition from his past days.
“I shall obey your command…”
I bowed my head for now.
I didn’t want to show him the grimace on my face.
It was surely just a nominal title to keep me chained.
He planned to pen me in and exploit me for life!
“Anything else you’d like to say?”
Apparently ready to end the audience, the emperor asked.
“There is, Your Majesty.”
“Speak freely.”
The emperor’s tone grew leisurely, as if he now had some leeway.
Emboldened by his response, I cautiously opened my mouth.
“When the party concludes successfully, might I choose my own reward?”
I was boldly proposing a negotiation to the continent’s strongest.
“…”
Leonhardt stared at me blankly for a moment.
Then his lip curled up.
Perhaps because no one had ever spoken so audaciously to him, the emperor burst into hearty laughter.
“You’re a remarkable fellow in every way. Now I see why Mosian insisted I meet you!”
His booming laughter made the torn curtains flutter.
“Very well, but it must be something I can accept.”
“Thank you so much, Your Majesty!”
I bent at a perfect ninety degrees.
‘He’ll probably expect something excessive like knight captain.’
But that’s a misunderstanding, Your Majesty.
I’m going to ask for early retirement and a fat pension!
I chuckled inwardly.
Good thing I laid the groundwork in advance.
“Then withdraw. Mosian will explain the banquet details.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It was an honor to meet you.”
I backed away slowly, head bowed.
The emperor watched with a peculiar gaze.
“Why are your exiting steps so odd?”
“Overwhelmed by your gracious permission, I cannot easily lift my head.”
“Creepy. Get out already…”
The entrance to the secret passage opened again.
I descended the stairs with Mosian waiting below.
―――.
We entered the dark passage.
Only then did Mosian ask about the audience.
“How was your meeting with His Majesty?”
“You call that a meeting? I went thinking it was good news and nearly got pulverized.”
Perhaps from facing the emperor, I found the courage to speak bluntly even to the sky-high prime minister.
“Hohoho, do you think His Majesty truly meant to kill you? What did you do so wrong—”
The old man chuckled in response.
“…”
I looked at him and recalled the earlier scene.
The furious lion hurling massive lightning to kill me.
‘Hmm… It felt pretty genuine…’
As I thought that.
The prime minister handed me a shining badge.
“Here, take this.”
A golden lion wearing a crown.
I looked down at it and asked.
“What is this?”
“It’s the token you’ll carry while carrying out His Majesty’s orders.”
The prime minister pointed to the identical badge on his own collar.
“Wear it, and your duties will be much smoother. Your actions represent the emperor’s will.”
So I’d been officially granted authority.
With this, I could freely plan escort routes and personnel. Convenient indeed.
“The party is in three days. Study the venue layout in the meantime and discuss with the personnel for assignments.”
“Understood.”
I tucked the badge into my inner pocket.
The prime minister watched me with concern.
“Do you have worries?”
“No. Just one thing on my mind…”
Mosian let out a short sigh.
“The overall commander for this banquet’s security is Imperial Vice Captain Camilla.”
Lit by the lantern, the prime minister pressed his lips together.
He seemed to have something to say but hesitated.
“…”
Probably displeased that the overall commander was the crown prince’s ally.
The prime minister likely believed he’d tried to assassinate the emperor with slow poison.
But without evidence, ousting the crown prince’s faction would provoke backlash.
So he’d planted the Imperial Vice Captain as one of the commanders.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle the vice captain without friction and complete the escort safely.”
I comforted the prime minister, pretending obliviousness.
Mosian gave a small smile.
“Even your words are appreciated.”
He patted my shoulder, signaling his trust.
“Then go carefully. Congratulations on earning His Majesty’s favor.”
Favor, my foot…
That gaze was anything but favoritism.
It was the look of a lion ready to devour an intruder in its territory.
￣￣￣￣￣￣.
The day after my audience with the emperor.
He announced his awakening to the world.
Bodoin IV waving from the window.
The sight was prominently featured in the daily papers.
Below his portrait was information about the banquet celebrating his recovery.
The venue: Central Palace.
A massive event drawing imperial family, nobles, and even foreign royalty.
As the mid-level commander for the party, I visited the palace early.
Laughter echoed nonstop as I walked the halls.
Their great leader had risen again.
But was everyone truly happy?
Surely internal enemies who’d hoped for his death and plotted assassinations still lurked.
In my past life, they’d poisoned him fatally before he awoke.
Now that their plans had failed.
They might scheme something new to kill the emperor.
‘So I need to focus even harder on this escort duty…’
With that thought, I wandered the party venue alone.
And at that moment.
I locked eyes with Lydia in academy uniform style.
Flanked by Batsu and Tau.
She paraded her maximum firepower while touring the venue.
“Oh, isn’t that Veil?”
“I greet Your Highness.”
I gave a light bow.
The youngest princess approached with a smile in her eyes.
“Congratulations. You were selected as one of the banquet escorts, right?”
“An undeserved honor.”
Lydia patted the shoulders of the burly men beside her.
“My knights were appointed too. That’s why we’re touring together.”
She seemed more upbeat than usual.
She looked every bit the lovely girl.
“You seem in high spirits.”
“Hehe, of course I’m happy—Father’s awake!”
Lydia crossed her arms.
And looked up at me with pride.
“Plus, he called me aside and invited me to dine together. He’s finally recognizing me.”
“My congratulations.”
‘Good thing the emperor took my advice well.’
“He’ll probably praise me for foiling Hakim’s plot and the recent eastern surge…”
Lydia’s twin tails danced.
She tilted her head and met my eyes.
“You played a big part, Veil.”
The princess lightly rubbed her lips with a finger.
Then slowly lowered her head and continued.
“These words aren’t familiar to me, but…”
Avoiding my gaze.
With an embarrassed expression, she quietly said.
“Thank you.”
Lydia, usually too proud for thanks.
Her knights’ eyes widened at her gratitude.
“Without you, I’d have no face to show Father after he awoke. We’d still be in civil war with Hakim.”
The youngest princess fidgeted with her fingers.
Her cheeks seemed a bit flushed.
“No, Your Highness.”
I knelt down.
Matching her eye level.
“All the choices and actions were yours.”
I lifted the corner of my mouth.
And said in a gentle voice.
“I merely followed orders, so we accomplished it together.”
The princess pressed her lips at my words.
Her lip twitched slightly.
“Together… I see. We did it together.”
She exhaled deeply.
Then spoke in a much more relaxed tone.
“By the way… your outfit is far too plain.”
The princess pointed at my party formalwear.
“You’re seeing my father—how will that do?”
Hands behind her back, she circled me.
Scratching my temple, I said.
“Isn’t this neat enough?”
Lydia put her hands on her hips.
With a dissatisfied look, she replied.
“Neat? Anyone can tell you’re a commoner.”
“I am a commoner, so I dressed like one…”
I said awkwardly.
The youngest princess muttered softly.
“You might not be a commoner soon—”
“Pardon?”
As I asked back, she shook her head.
And said with a coquettish gaze.
“No, even commoners need sharp attire to rise in the world.”
The princess lightly took my sleeve.
With a benevolent smile, she added.
“Who else would look after a foolish subject like you if not I—?”
Lydia pointed down the hall with a finger.
At the end was the imperial tailoring room.
“Come along. Since you’re escorting my father, I’ll specially have one made for you.”
She ordered Batsu and Tau to scout the venue layout.
And headed to the tailoring room with me.
“Welcome, Your Highness Lydia.”
The imperial tailoress woman at the entrance.
She greeted naturally, as if expecting us.
“Yes, I brought this boy to get a formal suit fitted.”
The youngest princess called me ‘boy’ despite being a year younger.
She looked quite pleased.
“Yes, understood. Let’s start with measurements then.”
The tailoress fetched a measuring tape from the workbench.
As she approached me…
A call from the workshop made her set it down momentarily.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”
The tailoress bowed to me and excused herself.
But her gaze oddly turned toward the princess.
As if exchanging signals behind my back.
“Go ahead.”
With Lydia’s permission, she hurried to the workshop.
Leaving only me and the youngest princess in the shop.
“Hmm…”
The princess stared fixedly at the tape left behind.
Then approached, picked it up slyly, and…
“Veil, I’m bored waiting. I’ll measure you myself.”
The youngest princess, Lydia, freshly nineteen this year.
Now an adult, she stretched the tape and approached me.
“Yes…? No need, Your Highness. How could I impose on you…”
The princess ignored my protest.
Her red eyes gleamed as she said.
“Turn around, Veil Mikhail.”