Chapter 75

First off, I sent a reply to both princes, saying I’d visit them that day.

It wasn’t me who wrote it, though. I had Nigel ghostwrite it for me.

I still wasn’t confident enough to write in a formal tone without it sounding awkward.

Just in case, I also added that I’d prepare the carriage myself.

If I didn’t, there was a chance two carriages might show up at the special gate that day.

As if asking, “Which carriage will you take?”

On the morning of the 7th, I headed to the imperial palace in the marquis’s carriage, which had been parked in the storage area.

The late spring sky was clear, without a single cloud.

Since it was still early morning, the temperature wasn’t too high despite summer approaching, making it refreshing.

A new horse tied to the front of the carriage kept shaking its head.

I wondered where they got it—a sturdy-looking beast with striking reddish-brown fur.

I asked Nigel about the horse.

Apparently, Marquis Ludwig had gifted it to me after hearing my old horse had died.

Hmm. So, I guess I’ll be riding this one from now on?

Judging by its large frame and well-defined muscles, it seemed like a pretty high-quality breed.

—

Ugh, this is suffocating.

I kept fiddling with the back of my neck inside the bumpy carriage.

Wearing the academy uniform for once made breathing feel a little stuffy.

Still, since I was visiting the imperial princes, wearing my usual casual clothes might’ve been a bit problematic.

So, for the first time ever, I dressed up in the academy uniform.

At least the knight department’s uniform had pants for both men and women, so that was a relief.

Black pants with gold vertical stripes on the sides.

A white shirt paired with a black half-coat with six buttons in two rows.

It always looked like a mix between a school uniform and a military outfit.

The necktie was super uncomfortable, but I couldn’t just take it off, so I loosened it slightly.

Every time the carriage shook, the black iron sword at my waist clattered.

I didn’t bring Durandal.

Since it’s a national treasure, I left it safely in my room to avoid unnecessary trouble.

—

Magnus Kaelum.

The imperial palace of the Kal Ros Empire had stood alongside the empire and its history.

When Emperor Carolus was crowned and ascended the throne, this place was just a whitewashed brick castle.

A crude structure that hardly lived up to the name “imperial palace.”

It couldn’t be helped.

The early empire was merely a union held together by the knights’ strength, not yet a fully established nation.

But after centuries of repeated expansions, the imperial palace was finally reborn as the most magnificent and grand building in the capital.

By now, it’s no exaggeration to say it’s a symbol of the empire’s authority.

At the center of the palace stood the vast main palace, occupying most of the grounds.

The cross-shaped building’s exterior was adorned with elaborate carvings and decorations.

Two additional palaces for the princes and princesses were built behind the main palace.

Though most of the imperial family had left the palace, so few actually lived there.

To the left front was a barracks for the border guards.

The elite Royal Guard lived in the main or side palaces, protecting the imperial family, while ordinary soldiers and knights stayed here, taking shifts on guard duty.

On the opposite side, to the right, was an outdoor garden for banquets, boasting lush greenery all year round.

—

Nigel and I arrived at the palace around 9 a.m.

It felt a bit early to meet someone, but who knew how long the conversation would take?

I took in the palace’s view through the carriage window.

Knights and soldiers patrolled in groups outside the brick walls surrounding the palace.

Small watchtowers had been newly built at each corner of the walls.

It seemed they’d strengthened security after learning from the last attack.

As we approached the palace gates, a knight on guard stopped us, checked the marquis’s crest on the carriage, and then approached Nigel.

“Pardon me. If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask for your identification and purpose of visit? The palace is currently under Level 2 security, so even guests from Randenburg require verification.”

Nigel showed the knight the princes’ invitation.

“Princess Hasyalr Aishan Gior of Ka’har and her escort knight, Nigel. We’ve come at the invitation of Their Highnesses, the princes.”

“Aishan Gior, and the Sword of Randenburg…! My apologies, Sir Nigel. You may proceed. Their Highnesses are likely in their respective palaces.”

The knight hastily saluted and stepped aside.

He seemed pretty shaken, muttering something to himself.

From the looks of it, he was saying something about the Beastman Devourer or whatever.

Wait, is that seriously my official nickname now? Well, I guess it’s better than being called a harlot…

We passed through the gates and entered the palace grounds.

The massive main palace came into view.

Under the blue-painted roof, the marble shone dazzlingly in the sunlight.

I’d heard the marble palace was freezing in winter—maybe they used magic to fix that.

Nigel steered the carriage toward the storage area.

Inside a roofed outdoor structure, a few ornately decorated carriages were lined up. Not many, though.

It seemed there weren’t many visitors to the palace today.

Aside from attendants and guards, there were hardly any people around.

Is today a day without any schedule?

Well, I guess that’s why you invited me. You’re probably usually busy with policy discussions and other work.

“We’ve arrived, Princess Ha-shal-leur.”

“Indeed.”

Nigel, who stopped the carriage, untied the reins and tied them to the railing of the storage area.

It seems we’ll have to walk from here to the detached palace.

After adjusting the hilt of my sword and brushing my disheveled hair, I stepped out of the carriage.

I could feel the guards and some attendants glancing in my direction.

—

The detached palace where Leopold resides was the building on the left.

According to Nigel, this detached palace is where the children of the late Empress Anna reside, while the one across is where Isabella’s children live.

Though not as grand as the main palace, the building had a simple yet impressive feel.

A small lake in one corner of the palace and a well-kept garden surrounding it caught my eye.

I handed the invitation to the attendant at the entrance of the detached palace.

After reading the name on the invitation, the attendant quickly looked up at my face, then back at the invitation with a look of disbelief.

Realizing it was rude, the attendant hastily bowed, which was quite amusing.

Guided by the attendant, I headed to the reception room of the detached palace.

It was a lavish room.

A tea set, seemingly just prepared, was on the table, and the plush sofas had intricate carvings in the corners.

A chandelier-style magic lamp brightly illuminated the room.

Leopold is currently in his office.

I was told to wait here until granted an audience, so I sat on the sofa and leisurely sipped tea.

Soon, another attendant informed me that the audience had been granted.

Meeting in the office instead of the reception room? I had no reason to refuse.

I put down the teacup and headed to the office.

Since only I was granted the audience, I left Nigel in the reception room.

I also handed over my longsword to her. It seems guests meeting the royal family shouldn’t carry weapons.

In the hallway outside the office, a knight in full armor stood guard.

A splendid surcoat with a shield emblem. He was a member of the Royal Guard, the elite guard of the imperial family.

There are said to be eight masters in the Royal Guard.

Four guard the Emperor, two guard the Empress.

The remaining two guard the Emperor’s children… but this man didn’t seem to be a master.

With three children in the imperial palace, did they send both masters to Isabella’s children?

Instead of guarding Prince Leopold, they guard Princess Leonor.

Marquis Ludwig said Emperor Ferdinand II had lost his grip, and it seems true.

No, perhaps openly discriminating like this actually reduces conflict.

If both princes were treated equally, the conflict between them would escalate, with the imperial nobles splitting into two factions and engaging in all sorts of schemes.

Perhaps this blatant favoritism is a more stable way of transferring power.

Though if Leopold gets angry and stages a coup, things could get messy.

—

The attendant who guided me bowed and left.

The knight turned and lightly knocked on the office door.

“Your Highness, Princess Ai-shan Gi-or has arrived.”

“Let her in.”

The voice was smooth and flowing.

The knight opened the door and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter.

Inside the office, a person was seated.

The prince was writing something on a stack of papers on his desk.

The large window behind him shone like a halo, casting bright sunlight.

“Nice to meet you, Your Highness Leopold. I am Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or.”

As the first prince, his status is probably the third highest in the empire, so it’s appropriate to use honorifics, right?

Though it feels awkward to use honorifics I didn’t even use with Marquis Ludwig.

“Leopold Wittelsbach. Welcome to Magnus Kaelum, Princess Ai-shan Gi-or.”

Leopold stood up and looked at me.

With the sunlight behind him, his front was shadowed.

He had a tall, lean build.

Dressed in a jeweled and gold-decorated formal attire, with a splendid sword at his waist.

He seemed more suited to being a civil official than a military one.

I nodded lightly and stepped into the room.

It might be against imperial etiquette, but don’t expect that from me.

Leopold accepted the greeting without comment.

He looked at my face and his eyes sparkled as if in admiration.

What?

Don’t admire me.