Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 54. Bestowing Favors (1)
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Arranging a meeting with the youngest imperial princess was no easy task.
Lately, she was a top-tier member of the imperial family, fresh from her coming-of-age ceremony.
Her schedule was packed with marriage proposals and attending various events.
Of course, she seemed to have turned down all the sensitive ones, like marriage talks, with ruthless precision.
Lydia was famous for her fierce personality from the start.
On top of that, given her temperament, there were hardly any men who could satisfy her.
She claimed she wanted someone reliable and capable, just like her father—the emperor.
Where on earth was someone comparable to Conquest King Bodewin IV?
If she kept holding out for a man like that, she'd spend her life alone.
"Come on in, Master."
"What do you mean 'Master'? In a place like this, call me Guard Knight like before."
"Got it, Knight."
Tau, who was accompanying me, guided me impeccably to the palace entrance.
I'd had him doing vegetable patch work under the pretext of training.
Before long, his skills had really improved, and he started calling me Master.
"So, where's Lydia?"
I'd received a letter from her saying we'd have a luncheon meeting today.
However, even though the meeting time had long passed, the princess was still in the reception room.
"It looks like the meeting hasn't wrapped up yet."
The reception room door was firmly shut.
It only opened when maids came in and out carrying tea and refreshments.
I peered intently through the gap as they entered.
I couldn't see the guests.
Instead, only Lydia, seated at the far end of the long table, came into view.
Her hair was neatly parted into twin tails.
She wore a black dress, but the skirt was still short as ever.
Her ruby-red eyes, like those of the imperial princess, glared at the guests.
The atmosphere inside felt tense, like a battle of wills.
'As expected, this isn't just some casual social gathering.'
The princess glanced at the entering maid, then locked eyes with me peeking from beyond the door.
The youngest imperial princess stared at me blankly for a moment.
Realizing she'd been wearing such a fierce expression, she quickly turned her head away.
She covered her mouth with her fist, cleared her throat briefly...
And abruptly stood up from her seat.
"Let's pause the meeting for now. The rest of you, take it easy in the meantime."
Lydia opened the door with the click of her low-heeled shoes.
She peeked out just her face for a moment and looked at me.
"You're early..."
"How could I arrive late when summoned by Lady Lydia?"
The princess smiled with her eyes at my words.
Then, hands behind her back, she approached me with light, bouncy steps.
"Hmm—yes, very commendable."
Lydia stood on tiptoe and stared right at my face.
She pointed at the dark circles under my eyes and asked.
"But weren't you the busy one? Why do you look more exhausted than me?"
"Ah, well..."
Her question brought back all the recent incidents in a flash.
From thoroughly schooling Allen, to capturing the arsonist, to taking the black mage alive...
'Come to think of it, I haven't rested or eaten properly this whole time.'
"Things just got busy for me too."
"You're already skinny enough as it is—what a disaster."
Lydia looked me up and down.
Then she compared me to the burly Tau standing behind and chuckled teasingly.
"Wait in front of the reception room. We'll wrap up the meeting soon."
"Me?"
"Yes. Once those guys leave, we'll have lunch together right away."
Lydia gently grasped my stiffly held-down arm.
She shook it like a toy and said.
"Guarding the door... Understood."
I turned my head to look at Tau.
He was in deep shock.
She usually kept a cold gaze toward any knight.
Yet the Lord of the East was entrusting the meeting room's guard to him.
Tau soon broke into an admiring expression, as if his master had earned the princess's recognition.
He proudly gave me a thumbs-up.
'Normally, she'd snap something like, "How dare a mere guard knight..." right?'
I sighed inwardly and looked down at Lydia.
Unlike her usual ornate palace dress, she wore a short black one-piece.
The sheer fabric revealed glimpses of her collarbone and shoulders.
Was it for intimidating the invited guests?
Now that she considered herself an adult, her outfit was somewhat mature.
'Who on earth is she meeting with...'
I swallowed hard and approached the reception room.
And in that moment.
My poker face nearly cracked.
The wooden table was long enough to seat over a dozen.
Yet only three people sat there.
But those three exuded an aura stronger than ten ordinary men combined.
The white-haired gentleman with slicked-back hair: Western Grand Duke Aintz.
The middle-aged man with black hair and a scar over his left eye: Northern Grand Duke Coldman.
The young noblewoman with short blue hair: Southern Duchess Rosetta.
It was rare to even catch sight of one, yet all three grand dukes were gathered here.
I entered the meeting room with Lydia.
I closed the door, clasped my hands behind my back, and stood guard.
"You've had lunch and tea, so now let's get to the point, Lady Lydia."
The first to speak was the belligerent woman, the Southern Grand Duke.
She stabbed her fork into a madeleine and asked Lydia.
Originally from the capital, her face was fair and pale.
But following in her father's footsteps as a general, she now ruled the southern territories.
Her greatest weapon was the pride of the south: the Tagris Cavalry.
She commanded an intimidating force riding short-legged black horses and wielding composite bows.
Her father had conquered the vast southern lands with that cavalry alone.
"Indeed. I'm getting tired."
Unlike the spirited woman, the Northern Grand Duke had a stern, rugged face.
The scary black-haired middle-aged man with knife scars on his face didn't even glance at his teacup.
He was one of the crown prince's allies listed in the edict.
He clearly looked uncomfortable with this meeting.
"Please tell us why you summoned us here."
In contrast, the mild-mannered white-haired gentleman, the Western Grand Duke.
Fitting for someone from a mage tower region, he wore gold-rimmed glasses and had an intellectual air.
Thanks to the mage tower, alchemy markets and trade boomed in the west.
He'd amassed great wealth and now supported Lea, the mage.
"...."
At the grand dukes' persistent questions, Lydia pulled her stirring spoon from her teacup.
Her red eyes sparkled as she downed it in one gulp.
Thud.
She carelessly set the drained cup on its saucer.
At the sharp sound, all the grand dukes focused on Lydia.
"Why are you all so impatient? Is being with me that unpleasant?"
Her voice was icy.
Completely different from when she'd warmly greeted me moments ago.
The grand dukes' faces hardened at her demeanor.
This wasn't a cute tea party—it felt like a war negotiation.
"N-No, of course not. We're deeply honored."
The Western Grand Duke chuckled and waved it off.
The Southern Grand Duke nodded heartily, finding Lydia's attitude endearing.
Only the Northern Grand Duke sat in stony silence, his face grim.
"You've all had plenty of these meetings with my older sisters and brothers, haven't you?"
The princess narrowed her red eyes like a little devil, taking in the grand dukes one by one.
Soon, she smirked and spoke again.
"Fine, let's get to the main point."
Lydia crossed her legs demonstratively.
She rested her chin leisurely in her palm.
"You lot, while Father's still alive, have already cozied up to other imperial family members?"
The reason she'd summoned three grand dukes for this meeting.
It was simple.
Word had reached the Third Imperial Princess that other grand dukes had sided with her siblings.
She'd called in the emperor's betrayers to grill them on it.
"Leaving me out in the cold, that is."
That was so like Lydia.
Direct, resolute, intimidating.
Even at her young age and small stature, this unique charisma was why she'd become the Lord of the East.
"...."
Indeed, her blunt question left even these battle-hardened grand dukes speechless.
They sipped their tea or stayed silent, unable to respond easily.
The first to speak was the rational Western Grand Duke.
The white-haired gentleman smiled as if soothing a grandchild and replied.
"Haha... Your Highness Lydia, we serve the Empire, not just one member of the imperial family."
Lydia fixed her gaze on Aintz, the old noble who'd opened the discussion.
She nodded as if understanding his evasion.
"It's fine, it's fine. I get it. With Father on his deathbed, you're preparing for the future."
Her red eyes were lifeless.
Yet they pierced her first prey with murderous intensity.
"But isn't this a bit premature? Don't you think?"
She crossed her arms alone.
She shrugged as if to say, "Right?"
"That's mere speculation. We merely conduct fair dealings with the imperial family members; we follow no one."
Western Grand Duke Aintz chuckled and moistened his dry lips with tea.
"I agree. Treating us like bats clinging to royals... It's offensive."
The two men eyed her warily.
This could derail the negotiations they'd carefully opened.
But...
Lydia maintained her icy expression.
There was still one who hadn't answered.
The ruler of the south, Rosetta.
Truth be told, Lydia didn't care much which side the others took.
Even knowing wouldn't change anything she could do about it.
But the reason the princess was pushing so hard was different.
From the start, her target wasn't those two men, but the one grand duke who hadn't chosen any imperial yet.
Rosetta.
She took after her father, the former southern commander, with her unique personality.
She hated beating around the bush and was a warrior among warriors, bolder than anyone.
Lydia had leaked info that the grand dukes sided with Lea and Leon, aiming at this point.
Now she was asking Rosetta whose side she'd take.
"Ahaha... It's been so boring lately..."
She wiped the corner of her eye with a finger.
Then composed herself and spoke.
"As expected of Your Highness Lydia. This meeting just got fun for once."
Lydia kept her cold, blank face.
In response, Rosetta met her with serious eyes.
"But you can't suspect us without clear evidence."
Her eyes, honed from crushing countless southern tribes.
With that gaze, Rosetta stared at Lydia.
"I haven't taken anyone's side yet."
She boldly declared her neutrality in front of the other two grand dukes.
The Southern Grand Duke had no fear of the other royals.
"Is that so? So you do intend to side with someone eventually?"
Lydia tugged up the corner of her mouth.
She gazed at Rosetta contentedly, like a beast caught in her trap.
"If you offer fitting compensation, I'll consider it."
She'd rebuilt this wasteland into prosperity with her Eastern princess mother's wealth and leadership.
At the nobles' demand for compensation despite witnessing her might, she let out a solitary scoff.
"Compensation... Oh, I've got that covered."
The princess slowly surveyed the grand dukes, rubbing her chin.
Then she dropped a line worthy of the Conqueror's blood.
"Even after His Majesty the Emperor passes, I'll let you keep your lives."
I nearly snorted at that.
It was the same line I'd used recently to threaten the crown prince's shadows.
"Isn't that compensation enough?"
The grand dukes fell silent for a moment.
They glanced at each other, gauging reactions.
Turning the Empire's East into an enemy.
It meant never knowing when her overwhelming wealth and military might would stab them in the back.
"I'll step out for some air. Take the time to think it over."
The princess headed to the terrace in her form-fitting dress.
On the way, she glanced at me, signaling to follow.
I calmly trailed after her to the secluded, quiet terrace.