chapter 17

An audience with the Emperor is no simple matter.

One schedules it far in advance. Yet, there’s no guarantee it will happen precisely on time. Affairs of state are unpredictable; priorities shift, often leaving one waiting indefinitely, only to be turned away empty-handed.

Ruslan understood this principle well and didn't get his hopes up too high.

Even as the de facto ruler of the North, he was, after all, merely a proxy. A temporary position until the Grand Duchess came of age. In the Emperor's eyes, he was likely just another provincial noble whose concerns could be easily deferred.

Unexpectedly, however, a chamberlain arrived promptly.

"Count Kaitel, His Imperial Majesty will receive you in his private chambers."

Not even the audience hall?

Ruslan steeled himself and left the waiting room.

He had, in the meantime, received every guest who came calling to get a grasp of the capital's political landscape.

He had a general overview in his mind, but he'd never met the Emperor in person. It was too early to read his intentions.

'The Empire's rising sun, a genius with an eye for talent, the patricidal Emperor who once trod barley in the countryside…'

A variety of epithets flashed through his mind as he reached the private chambers.

Perhaps it was a room usually reserved for relaxation.

He had felt it from the moment he stepped into the Imperial Palace, it was extravagantly luxurious. A tiger skin was draped across a sofa, and the pewter shelves were adorned with several stained-glass vases.

The gas fueling the lamps beside them, no doubt, came from resources extracted from Ipenia.

After quickly scanning the room, Ruslan focused on the man seated at the center.

Despite summoning him to a private space, Emperor Albert was still dressed in the formal attire he wore while dealing with affairs of state.

He was, as rumored, a man of refined features. Unlike the early portraits that depicted him as a storybook hero, he now possessed a maturity and presence befitting a monarch.

"I regret the Grand Duchess's passing. I wanted to express that personally," he said, launching straight into it as soon as Ruslan finished the perfunctory bow.

His tone was casual, almost hinting at genuine regret.

Ruslan forced his lips into a controlled smile and bowed his head.

"I am honored, Your Majesty. I'm sure my adoptive mother would be pleased. Thanks to your grace, her unworthy vessel is helping my younger sister."

"I heard you were an adopted son. But, you're younger than I anticipated. Twenty-two, you said? Seven years my junior, then."

"How can I compare to Your Majesty, who ascended to the throne at twenty-four? I can barely manage the borderlands. I would be honored to receive your guidance from time to time."

"The late Emperor lived far too long, resulting in a court and regional warlords weighed down by old age. It's better for the North to be led by someone young like you."

Ruslan gave a strained smile and reached for a teacup, his gaze fixed on the liquid within.

It was a jab disguised as praise, belittling the Grand Duchess. She had been nearing her fifties when she died. Far from being old and frail, she was at the peak of her powers.

While expressing his condolences, he pretended to have forgotten how he’d tormented the North. Yet, as expected, the man remembered everything perfectly.

What would happen if he smashed this teacup right now? The shards would become deadly weapons.

Ruslan quietly quelled the urge. Even in these private chambers, servants and guards stood watch on all sides.

He recalled his birth mother's teachings. She feared the curse etched into her children's bloodline. She had repeatedly warned him not to act impulsively, a lesson that proved valuable here.

"I hear the North has been more or less brought under control thanks to your skills. The mines are operating without issue, and the reclamation project has been restarted."

"With Your Majesty's blessing, the people are cooperative. The meager farmlands are likely being prepared for cultivation as we speak."

"Preparing for cultivation... Still colder than the capital, I imagine?"

The sudden shift to weather was peculiar, and Ruslan picked up on it immediately.

"It was practically still winter until recently. There were even snowstorms. On the very day that evil woman escaped. Perhaps that's why she met her end."

"..."

Albert's lips tightened into a thin line. Sensing he had struck a nerve, Ruslan pressed on.

"While the Ice Penitentiary isn't under the North's direct jurisdiction, I am fully aware of the negligence displayed by officials in the nearby areas. I will gladly accept any reprimand for it."

"No, the penitentiary belongs to the nation. It’s not the North's concern. The evil woman's body has already been buried, so it's over and done with."

"Forgive my intrusion, but may I ask a question? Did Your Majesty intentionally hold a funeral for a criminal whose name will be in the history books?"

He probed, guided by a gut feeling.

It hit the mark. Albert, who had been looking off to the side, shot him an angry look.

Ruslan smoothly covered his tracks.

"I had failed to recognize Your Majesty's magnanimity in honoring an old friendship above the crime. Had I known, I would have had her transferred in a better coffin. I deeply regret my shortcomings."

Albert slowly relaxed his gaze and waved his hand dismissively.

"That's enough. I know the process and cause of death. There’s no need to discuss it further."

With that, he ended the subject and moved on to another topic.

"I have read the report you submitted on the corruption in the East. Is it thanks to your experience in managing the North that you are so adept at uncovering such corruption?"

"It was purely coincidental."

"I suspect the rest of the Eastern regions are much the same. I worry that the central government's control doesn't reach the local areas."

"However, trying to catch rats in the courtyard often drives them into the basement. For example, the spectacle of the human auctions that are all the rage."

"I heard you were busy settling into the capital."

"The rumors were spreading, and several of my visitors mentioned it."

Albert processed the implication and responded, "I wonder which person is so familiar with the rumors."

A new idea seemed to have sparked within him, as he instructed a servant to pour fresh tea.

"We will consider the accomplishments you have submitted this time and bestow upon you what is appropriate."

"I am honored."

"I need an opportunity to introduce you to the Empress. There may be those who hesitate to visit as a guest for appearances' sake. We will be holding a ball to welcome the new spring. Wait for my contact."

"I am overwhelmed by your continued consideration."

Because he had been summoned to the private chambers, he had largely avoided conversations that led to official conclusions.

However, he had succeeded in building a certain image of himself in the Emperor's eyes.

He had prepared unnecessary achievements in the North's report and presented it. He had also subtly alluded to the Hilarion problem that was weighing on the Emperor's mind. He hadn't revealed the specifics, but had given the impression that he knew who was involved.

Whether the information he offered was useful or not, Albert likely perceived it as a desire to gain favor and rise in the world.

It was fine if he was seen as someone easy to exploit. Being deemed useful was the priority. His ultimate goal was to gain a foothold by the Emperor and put down roots in the capital.

Having brought up the ball, he had obtained everything he could hope for today.

And...

"Might I be so bold as to ask one more favor?"

"Speak."

"There is a woman I hold dear. Although of common birth, she possesses the qualities of a lady. I would like to accompany her to high society at this opportunity. However, no other place is worthy of her and my love other than at the center of your light, Your Imperial Majesty."

It was time to add the carefully prepared trump card to the hand.

"It is my heartfelt desire. I beg you to consider it."

Albert stared intently at Ruslan for a moment, then broke the heavy silence with a hollow laugh.

"Do as you wish. So, you’re a romantic at heart?"

Ruslan keenly observed the attitude hidden beneath his mockery.

Was he reminded of his past self? Albert's tone was noticeably warmer than before.

Meanwhile, Juju was sitting in a carriage, taking in the sights of the capital.

The Grand Duke's residence had several large and luxurious carriages, but she had selected the smallest and most unremarkable one. It was the one employees used when going on urgent errands.

The carriage lacked a roof, requiring the foldable cover to be unfurled. It was nice for sightseeing, but it also attracted glances. So, she had put on the hat Ruslan had bought her, with a black veil to conceal her face.

Juju was dressed plainly, like a maid. However, those with keen eyes would notice the expensive decorations beneath the veil, revealing her status.

This was just right for the place she was going. The hat was proving more useful than she had anticipated.

She turned to Nadia, who was sitting beside her.

"You look tense. Still don't trust your new master?"

"No. It's just that..."

"How that girl knows your old master's business partners, even though Hilarion didn't know. That's what you're worried about?"

Nadia said nothing and lowered her head.

Juju felt a pang of bitterness. A complex smile played on her lips beneath the veil.

Nadia had been a maid gifted along with the manor when Charlotte had been publicly recognized.

At the time, she had been young and low-ranking. Since there were other maids who directly assisted her, Nadia was only tasked with tidying bedsheets and shoes.

Nadia kept her mouth firmly shut whenever asked anything. Juju had liked that cautiousness. That's why she'd entrusted her with several messages when secret communication was needed.

As a result, Nadia had become the only maid to have contacted the information broker that Charlotte used personally.

Charlotte's fall from grace had led to the confiscation of the manor. The maids who had served her closely were annihilated. Just thinking about them made her furious.

Nadia had been young and only done errands. Thus, only known as a messenger. She had barely survived.

No, to be precise, she had avoided collective punishment because Hilarion had taken her with him. He had probably claimed her as a kind of spoils of war.

Juju had decided not to dwell on what Nadia had gone through since then.

However, in the process of slaying Hilarion, she had become aware of her existence. If so, she had resolved to rescue her and had done so.

"You knew you were coming to the residence of the North's Grand Duke's proxy, right? It's the land where the prison your old master was confined is located. So, it's not difficult for the Count to find out something about her. What's so surprising?"

She had vowed not to reveal her true identity to anyone other than Angela, who would examine her body. So, this was a plausible explanation she had concocted. However, Nadia remained silent.

"If I wanted to, I could find out everything about you. Your mother was once ill but has recovered, and your sister married a clerk in a writing house, so your family is now stable. Thanks to that, you're now free from being the breadwinner, right?"

Juju recalled lending her medical expenses in the past. Was it tuberculosis, or something else?

Nadia still didn't say anything. Juju couldn't help but laugh.

"Even after all this, you're still not answering easily. I like it more and more."

"...Thank you."

Only then did she offer a cautious greeting.

Indeed, there was no one better to keep by her side and have serve her.

It would take some time to build trust, but that was a matter for the long term.

It was fortunate if the alms she had given in the past had slightly improved Nadia's situation. Since the person to be repaid had been declared dead, there was no need to make an effort to repay it.

That wasn't out of pure joy, but out of the judgment that it would be easier to use her in the future. Juju scoffed at herself. She wasn't destined to be a good person.

Having arrived at their destination, Juju jumped lightly out of the carriage. Nadia carefully stepped out to avoid getting mud splashed on her.

A shabby teahouse stood at the border between a major road and a poor neighborhood.

Nadia tried to stop her.

"I'm here on your request, but the atmosphere is rough here, so it's no place for a young lady. I've only greeted that person a few times. I'll go inside first and talk to them before..."

"That's not how I know. You won't meet them even after a thousand years if you do that."

Should she have had Nadia bring the watch?

Juju elegantly lifted the hem of her skirt and opened the door of the teahouse.

It was a three-story building with a high ceiling in the center. Everyone inside turned to look at her at once.

I hope this is helpful! I tried to make sure everything was accurate.