Attending the Gala
It had been several days since we boarded the carriage together with Myulia and conducted a final inspection of the parade route.
Yesterday, I climbed into the open-roofed carriage once more for one last check. This time, Flora accompanied me.
While traveling with her, my main task was to confirm that the fences were properly installed along the route.
During a brief stop to rest, a group of passersby approached us. They had come to ask about the Imperial Knights' return schedule.
“They should be back in Deleson by tomorrow or the day after.”
Flora answered with a cheerful tone, easing their worries.
“I hope the knights return soon. They fought monsters with their lives to protect us.”
One man spoke, and the others nearby nodded in agreement.
Word about the northern monster extermination had already spread throughout Deleson.
They added, “When the knights pass through here, they must give a loud thank you.”
“A fine spirit. The knights will surely be pleased.”
Everyone’s faces brightened at Flora’s reply.
And today,
“Your Majesty. The captain of the northern gate guard has sent word that the Imperial Knights will pass through the city gate within thirty minutes.”
The palace steward himself came to inform Empress Cecilia.
It had been exactly one month since the knights had been dispatched.
“The time has flown by so quickly……”
I still wasn’t ready to submit my resignation, but I was beginning to feel as if the hours were slipping away.
It felt almost like being in the army, though the days there had dragged on far more slowly.
“They’re finally back.”
Empress Cecilia spoke in a calm voice.
Her expression, however, was brighter than usual.
How had I noticed?
Days of face-to-face work had that effect on me. It wasn’t something I had chosen.
Still, I could understand her feelings.
She must have been quietly hurting inside, even though she looked calm on the surface. After all, we had only sent the minimum number of men the Margrave had requested.
If the Imperial Knights failed, the entire blame would fall on her.
Our family, and countless citizens of the empire, would suffer as well.
Thankfully, they had returned victorious.
“Your Majesty! Quickly, we must prepare to greet them!”
Flora shot to her feet from her chair, her eyes blazing with excitement.
“Indeed.”
Empress Cecilia nodded once, then turned her gaze toward me.
“Are the preparations for the parade honoring the Imperial Knights complete?”
“Yes. Everything is ready. Some of the palace guards have already been reassigned to safety control.”
“I see.”
After hearing my reply, Cecilia issued instructions to the steward.
“Steward, place a band at the palace entrance. Also arrange flower-throwers in the streets. Tell the safety control personnel to move to their assigned positions.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
The steward bowed and immediately left the office. He would no doubt be running frantically to carry out every order.
“We’ll head to the training grounds ahead.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Empress Cecilia rose from her throne.
I picked up the prepared scroll of her speech from the drawer and stood up as well.
“Move.”
Leading the way, I followed Empress Cecilia, Flora, and Myulia.
* * *
The band’s powerful music echoed from afar.
“They’ve finally entered the palace.”
Flora murmured and turned her head toward the sound. Curious, I looked in the same direction.
The distance from the palace gate to the training grounds was considerable, and structures in between blocked any view of the knights.
“……”
Empress Cecilia sat on the prepared throne, waiting for them. Her expression remained perfectly calm. Myulia standing beside her was the same.
Soon the Imperial Knights entered the training grounds. Only after they lined up neatly toward the stage did Cecilia rise from her throne.
“Your Majesty. Here is your speech.”
I handed her the scroll. She immediately checked its contents.
“Mmm. All good.”
She rolled the speech into a tight scroll and held it in her hand.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The three of us bowed deeply to her. When we straightened, she had already ascended the stage.
Standing in the center, she addressed the knights.
“Hail to Her Majesty Cecilia, Empress of the Empire!”
The knights saluted with perfect, disciplined precision. Even after battling fierce monsters and enduring the long journey, their faces showed no fatigue.
How many days must they have trained on the fields……
“Watching the knights salute is always so impressive.”
Flora’s emerald eyes sparkled.
Just in case, I glanced at Myulia’s expression too. Her amethyst eyes gleamed with similar awe.
The knights’ noble, disciplined bearing clearly captivated both young women.
“As soon as they returned, they’re standing at attention without a moment’s rest. Poor things……”
That was my honest impression.
It came from my experience as a noble who had served in the army.
“What do you think, Luke?”
“Eh?”
Flora’s sudden question made me jump.
“Aren’t the knights so cool?”
Flora asked again. Myulia, who had been silent, turned her head toward me.
Was she curious what I would say?
Recently Myulia’s attitude toward me had softened compared to before, but I didn’t mind. I had no intention of trying to improve our relationship from my side.
“They’re impressive. I’m not good with physical work, so I’m a bit envious.”
In truth, the moment I saw them line up right in front of the Empress after rolling around all day made me feel only pity for them.
Still, Flora clearly hadn’t expected that answer, so I gave a safe one.
While we chatted among ourselves, Empress Cecilia spoke with a resounding, majestic voice.
“First and foremost, I am very pleased that our young men have returned safely. They have protected the Eckhart Empire and its citizens from those ferocious monsters. Not only me, but all imperial citizens should be rejoicing.”
Even as she continued reading the speech, the knights maintained perfect at-ease posture.
Of course, Flora and I stood as straight as they did.
Her voice remained steady and dignified as she read.
“Finally, those who performed exceptionally in this monster extermination will receive special rewards. Knight Commander.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Write up their list and submit it to me within a few days.”
“Understood!”
With the commander’s energetic reply, the speech ended. Only after the knights saluted did she descend the stage.
Yet she summoned the commander closer to her for one final instruction.
At that moment we were standing nearby, so we overheard clearly.
“How many casualties?”
“Fifteen dead, thirty-two injured.”
“Write up their names and submit them too. Assign the injured to the palace physician, and for the families of the fallen, provide separate condolences along with burial expenses.”
Even while discussing casualties, her tone stayed composed and businesslike.
“I will submit the list by tomorrow, Your Majesty.”
“Good. You’ve worked hard.”
After the commander left, Cecilia approached us. I checked her expression out of caution.
The same calm look as always.
Looking at her, I wondered if she really was my age.
Once more, I realized that ruling the empire was no ordinary task.
“Flora, Myulia, and Luke.”
Empress Cecilia called us in turn.
“Do you remember that the gala is at seven o’clock this evening?”
Without hesitation, the three of us answered that we remembered.
“Finish your remaining work and leave early today. We’ll need to prepare for the gala.”
With that, Cecilia turned toward the carriage waiting to take us back to the palace. The three of us quickly followed her.
* * *
By lunch hour, all the paperwork was finished. Since there was a gala today, not only us but every department received early dismissal or free time in the afternoon.
“It’s wonderful to finish so early!”
Flora raised both arms in excitement from her seat.
“Flora, you’re far too naive.”
Myulia remarked quietly, but the comment clearly didn’t land on Flora.
Empress Cecilia sat with her hands under her chin, watching the two maids. A faint smile played at her lips.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what dresses you’ll wear.”
“Hehe. You can count on it, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t expect too much, Your Majesty.”
Why did they react so differently?
It was actually quite amusing to watch.
But Cecilia didn’t stop there. She turned to me next.
“Luke, I’m also looking forward to seeing your tuxedo.”
“Eh? Me?”
Cecilia nodded.
“Wow! I’m curious too! I’ve only ever seen you in military uniform, so I wanted to see something new.”
“……”
Flora sent me an intense stare. Her emerald eyes sparkled brilliantly……
A sudden wave of pressure hit me.
Thankfully, Myulia didn’t react at all.
“Luke, don’t worry too much. Once lunch is over, I’ll send some people to help you get dressed.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”
I bowed deeply.
But at the time, I had no idea how difficult that “getting dressed” would actually be……