Chapter 63

Chapter 63

After receiving news about my condition from Nia at the Hweyue Palace, time seemed to fly by.

Between practicing for the wedding ceremony, receiving various forms of education to greet distinguished guests, overseeing the knights’ training, receiving reports on the intelligence department’s operations, and discussing detailed missions with Charles…

It was overwhelmingly busy. Reviewing reports from each agency, conducting inspections while monitoring the guards, and holding minor meetings with higher-ups…

Just as my patience was nearing its limit, welcome news arrived from the western border defense.

The news was that delegations from other countries were starting to cross the borders, one after another. With this information, the Imperial Palace temporarily put aside the great festival preparations to begin welcoming the delegations.

Considering that Altain was once hailed as the hegemon of the Western Continent, it was necessary to uphold their still robust image with careful preparations.

The scale of inspection matched that of a four-star visit. The nobles and bureaucrats wore attire made from luxurious fabrics to maintain their dignity.

The calls of the disciplined Imperial Army and guards echoed fiercely in the Training Grounds.

Flags of the Palenburgh family fluttered bravely in the spring breeze across the Imperial Palace.

The weather was incredibly clear.

Just two weeks before the festival, with the arrival of the first delegation, the capital became even more bustling.

“It’s finally starting.”

I turned my head to the voice laced with tension that reached my ears.

Milene scrutinizing the western district. Clad in the black uniform of the knights and adorned with the insignia of the deputy captain, she appeared like a work of art.

Her golden bob hair, reaching her shoulders, was gently swayed by the spring wind.

“Loosen up, Deputy Captain. If you stay this tense, the members will feel the same way.”

“That… I’m aware. But, preparing for an event of this scale is new to me…”

“It’s fine. It’s fine.”

I understood Milene’s concern.

Rather than the actual ceremony causing her tension, it was the uneasiness she felt towards the participation of the knights in the event.

The Royal Knights are, in name, a grand group, but in reality, they are quite weak. They lack any mana users, and their combat strength is average or below compared to the entire empire.

They also struggle with frequent desertions, and there’s the issue of having novice knights as part of the group—many problems indeed.

Most members are commoners, with Milene herself being one, while the highest-ranked member, Luniya, was a baron’s daughter. That says it all.

“Still, there are many aspects to improve in terms of experience, but this time it will be fine.”

While the knights have an important role in large events like this festival—acting as an imposing background in the Audience Chamber, securing the palace 24/7, and providing close protection during the wedding day—there isn’t much else.

After the wedding, they attend the banquet, but that’s personal discretion.

“Just keep vigilant as usual, and I’ll have your back.”

With a calm tone of assurance, Milene turned her head.

Her emerald eyes. When our eyes met with her tensely hardened gaze, her expression softened.

“Yes, we have our Captain.”

Her eyes filled with trust as she placed her hand on her shoulder.

Even though I haven’t formally guided their practice yet, the results of our previous sparring sessions have made the knights appear quite seasoned on the surface.

Dressed in their characteristic black uniforms, their alignment on the Training Grounds projects a solemn presence akin to a collective drill. It’s quite a change from when they were treated like watch dogs.

Perhaps due to daily physical training, the knights’ bodies have transformed into well-toned physiques. Combined with their stylish uniforms…

I’ve also heard that interest in the Royal Knights has increased among the servants. There’s been a marked rise in the number of applications for outings on Milene’s desk.

“Deputy Captain, you’ve worked hard.”

The reason I can focus less on the knights and move around outside the palace is because Milene has been handling the knight’s management.

Even when they should have been focusing solely on training, Milene took on all the tasks the captain should have handled by herself.

Instead of complaining, she silently carried out her duties and even took charge of training the novice knights. Other knights and senior knights also helped her manage the team effectively.

“Once the festival is over… It’s about time to start.”

The foundation of physical strength should be complete by now. The preparations to make them the best knight team have been finalized.

“Still, we are the Royal Knights. We should at least have a single mana user.”

I paused my thoughts and looked back.

A grand carriage followed by a long line of other carriages and the knights and soldiers protecting them.

The delegation passing through the west gate was heading toward the palace, receiving much attention.

“The two-wheeled flag of the Calheigh Gwain Union isn’t visible. They should have arrived first due to the distance…”

“Yeah, those pale guys are probably dawdling.”

“Is it the Union?”

In response to Milene’s question, I nodded without explanation. They’re probably testing the waters and will arrive late.

“Deputy Captain Milene. With the arrival of the first guests, let’s return. And transfer to the Audience Chamber with the First Sword Unit.”

“Yes, understood.”

Taking a moment to glance back at the delegation reaching the Inner Wall, I turned around.

*

As I sat with Iris on the throne, I surveyed the scene in the audience chamber.

The ceiling, so high that you can’t tell how far it extends even if you run full speed.

Below that towering ceiling, two thrones were placed, flanked by a long, red carpet extending towards the entrance.

On either side of the carpet stood high-ranking nobles and officials facing the entrance. The Royal Knights maintained their composure with their hands on their sword hilts as they stared at the entrance.

Slightly away from the center stood the mana wielders of the noble families, their eyes closed meditatively. Behind them, you could faintly feel Charles’ presence.

Although the room was crowded, silence reigned.

A fight is as much about morale as it is physical power, and audience sessions are no different.

The positions of the knights and nobles, the distance from the entrance to the throne, the ornate decorations designed to make the eyes widen—all carefully arranged to intimidate delegations of a lower status.

This was to show visitors who had come to check our current state post-war that, despite the large war and internal conflicts, we were fine. So, we dominate with morale alone.

This is the territory of the empire; bow your heads.

We are the hegemon of the Western Continent – Altain.

Of course, these postures might only be showy pretense to someone like Sylvester, but it’s surprisingly effective to other nations. It’s a display of both our economic and military power, subtly making them feel the gap between themselves and us.

Altain was once the ruler of the Western Continent, hence it had many enemies. You must never show weakness when you have many enemies; if you do, they will bare their teeth ready to pounce.

…

Kirsen and Barnel waited solemnly for the delegation as well, and even the usually bickering factions knew the importance of the moment and remained silent.

Thus, amidst the absolute silence broken only by the sound of dry swallows, a loud cry shattered the stillness of the Audience Chamber.

“The Crown Prince Hezzled and Princess Juliana of the Shiran Kingdom request an audience!”

At the shout from the knight standing guard outside, the knight stationed inside turned his head.

The glance asking if they should open the door was met with a slight nod from Iris after she saw the knight, and promptly, the order came.

“The audience is granted! Visitors, please show proper etiquette!”

With a creak, the massive doors of the Audience Chamber slowly swung open.

Through the widening gap, we caught glimpses of a grandly dressed youth and a young girl bowing their heads, followed by other officials, also dressed in formal attire, maintaining their bowed stance.

Swish.

“…?”

I turned my head at the soft, cool sensation on the back of my hand.

Lustrous, violet eyes. I met Iris’s gaze as her hand lightly rested on mine.

Iris wasn’t wearing her veil today.

Her usual calm and serene expression stood out vividly. But…

‘Slightly nervous?’

I could feel her subtle breathing and the trembling of her eyes. There’s slight tension in her muscles.

I looked into Iris’s eyes for a moment before gently turning my palm to hold her hand.

“…”

The slightly widened, surprised violet eyes. I smiled slightly as I squeezed her hand, and she nodded.

Iris turned her gaze back with a more relaxed appearance.

A deeper, colder gaze than usual—a mode of Iris that only appears in the Audience Chamber, not in the Administrative Office.

‘Umm.’

Even as we surveyed the delegation with an air of authority, our hands were still clasped together.

Apparently, this was overlooked.

I gave a light shake in our clasped hands, and when she glanced briefly, she flinched slightly.

“…Ah.”

Iris breathed out a small sound and swiftly withdrew her hand.

Her expression remained icy, but her ears were red.

Her adorable antics amused me, as the Shiren delegation had already reached the throne.

Thud.

The delegation paused their steps with a resounding sound on the floor as they knelt on one knee to bow with their heads down.

A youthful voice from the grandly dressed young man rang confidently.

“Prince Hezzled Bischmar of Shiran Kingdom and Princess Juliana Bischmar, meeting the great lord of the empire.”

Hezzled’s words echoed clearly in the silent audience chamber.

Iris took a small deep breath before speaking calmly.

“Prince of Shiran and the delegation, please raise your heads.”

As Iris finished her sentence, the delegation including Hezzled slowly raised their heads.

Gently scanning the delegation, Iris nodded.

“Welcome to the Empire, Prince. I am the ruler of the Empire, Iris Palenburgh.”

The beautiful, yet cold voice carried through the chamber.

The delegation glanced around, tensing up under the gaze of many nobles and knights, and in response to the size of the audience chamber.

And when Hezzled heard Iris’s voice…

“A….”

He muttered a faint sound, dumbly looking at her.

‘What is it?’

Captivated, his eyes were fixed in place.

The tremble at the corner of his eyes, unstable breathing, and the slight flush on his face suggested rising body temperature.

‘This lad…’

He has fallen for Iris’s appearance.

‘Well, it could happen.’

When she was veiled, no one knew, but since our marriage was decided, she sometimes went uncovered and relaxed. Naturally, news of her face spread, and rumors about her appearance disappeared. However…

Thud.

I lightly struck the throne with some force.

The dull, impactful sound resonated throughout the audience chamber. Hezzled, who was gazing dazedly at Iris, suddenly snapped out of it.

Following the source of the sound, his gaze met mine, and as soon as it did, I frowned. Look appropriately.

“!”

Surprised, Hezzled lowered his gaze.