The lineup of the honor guard knights, armed in dazzling ceremonial armor.
To me, it was quite a spectacle, but the Emperor seemed uninterested.
“…Perhaps I should have killed him instead.”
A mutter from Emperor Edmund III. The distant branches of the royal family looked stricken with fear, worried that the Emperor might splatter royal blood for the first time in twenty years.
Meanwhile, the ministers maintained calm expressions. It didn’t seem like they had better nerve than the royals; rather, they seemed to know who exactly was inciting the Emperor’s murderous intent.
Their glances gradually shifted towards me. They didn’t seem surprised that a former knight like me was present.
If someone wasn’t living with their eyes and ears shut, they would know who I am. These days, the imperial army officers use my infamous reputation to pull harsh initiation pranks. They’d trick a newly commissioned lieutenant into drinking a cup of wine, claiming it was laced with heroin, just to see their terrified reaction.
The only issue was that I was standing among the imperial princesses.
“I should have dealt with this sooner.”
“Your Majesty, please calm down.”
Only after Empress Lianhua intervened did the Emperor finally close his mouth.
Just then, the honor guard review was nearing its conclusion. Four proper knight orders stood in formation. The commanders, deputy commanders, and the chief waited on one knee for the Emperor’s orders.
“Devote yourselves to the noble task of safeguarding the Empire. I extend my respect for your dedication.”
Fortunately, the Emperor’s command to the knights wasn’t my execution.
Still, it didn’t seem like his anger had dissipated.
“…Victoria.”
“Yes?”
“Surely you have something to say to me. Wasn’t this friend of yours placed by your side specifically for that purpose? …And Siena, I noticed you kept smiling mischievously at your sister throughout the event. If it’s about that certain matter, speak directly to me.”
“No, not really.”
“I won’t ask twice. Let’s move to the audience chamber.”
Uncharacteristic sternness from an emperor usually too gentle with his children. He then turned his gaze towards me.
“And… you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor’s look towards me was filled with regret.
I could empathize with his feelings.
Without me, he might have ruled the empire relatively peacefully.
In the original story, he would occasionally share a good laugh with the old chief steward, displaying his imperial dignity every now and then before disappearing.
But now, he was merely a ruler under extreme stress. That gentleman’s reliance on liquor wasn’t without reason.
“Alan Medoff, you come along as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Regardless, a decision must be made.”
Saying this, the Emperor marched purposefully towards the audience chamber.
It was a situation I had roughly anticipated.
However, not everything matched my expectations. I thought the Emperor would call his daughters with a lost expression, but his attitude was surprisingly resolute. There was no trace of intoxication, which is normal since he usually refrains from drinking during official events.
‘Still, he said he must make a decision.’
…Could he possibly be planning to kill me?
But that was unknown. If he decides to eliminate me at the cost of some consequences, it’s not impossible.
The princesses obviously sensed something wrong in the air. Victoria looked overtly serious, whereas Siena,
“This is interesting.”
Had a somewhat exhilarated expression.
Still, she clutched my collar tightly. It seemed her anticipation for the forthcoming turmoil and her affection and loyalty towards me were entirely genuine. I couldn’t blame her for being such a complex individual since I had made her that way.
Victoria glanced worriedly at such Siena before speaking.
“Sir Alan. I will protect you. This will not come to Siena’s will.”
“Your Highness.”
“Say nothing. I must settle things with His Majesty today.”
Initially, I tried to dissuade Victoria. ‘You shouldn’t go against His Majesty on my behalf. His Majesty’s anger is far worse than expected. The Emperor is still the master of the empire, after all,’ I reasoned. But of course, Victoria wouldn’t yield to such persuasion.
Moments later, I feigned resignation by tightly shutting my eyes before speaking.
“Then… might I suggest we try this instead?”
“Do you have a good idea?”
Victoria looked expectantly at me, confident that I would come up with a clever plan again, as I always have.
I whispered a hastily concocted plan into her ear, though actually conceived days ago.
It wasn’t a simple recommendation to share me with Siena.
Rather, it was a more adventurous conception.
Victoria reluctantly accepted my suggestion with a grim expression.
This time, it really has to be dealt with.
Even if not banishing to a distant post, he must be sent somewhere.
Edmund III clenched the armrests as if to crush them, making a firm resolution within.
Currently, the three most precious women in his world were gathered by his side.
The wise and beautiful empress, the once rigid and trustworthy first daughter, and the clever but ruthless second daughter. They were women dear to the emperor’s life, but simultaneously sources of great suffering.
‘Of course, it’s not the children’s fault.’
The cause was elsewhere.
Alan Medoff.
The mastermind who seduced his precious daughters and locked the other one in a monastery.
Though Alan was not regarded as the absolute evil in the emperor’s eyes. Despite having restrained him all this while, he proved to be a man with considerable self-control, and seemed to have little greed for wealth. But to the Emperor, he was akin to a devil.
It almost felt like the imperial authority was being threatened.
Perhaps that feeling wasn’t exaggerated at all.
‘This must be resolved before it’s too late.’
Before what is not worry but an actual threat approaches, right now.
While contemplating how to handle the situation, Siena chimed in with a smile.
“Dad. I have a suggestion.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Why don’t we send Alan to Chinguk? I heard that the diplomatic delegation from Chinguk will exceed three hundred people soon. They’re also bringing loads of treasures, so we are bound to reciprocate.”
“What?”
“Let’s send Alan as our envoy. Please do this for me.”
It was questionable if she was serious.
The emperor already knew that Alan had ceased serving as Siena’s personal guard. He also heard that Siena had stormed into the chief’s office, creating an intimidating atmosphere there. Was this revenge for that?
Or did she have some other hidden agenda?
The lamentable situation where he must doubt his beloved daughter…
The emperor’s pondering seemed irrelevant to Siena, as she appeared unfazed.
“If you’re worried that Alan will leak the formula for heroin to them, don’t be. Even if Chinguk lavishes him with pleasures and sends beauties to tempt him, I guarantee he will not spill a word.”
“Siena, hold on a moment.”
“Ah… maybe torture could work then. But do you think a diplomatic officer would be tortured if Chinguk has any sense? Even if their officials try to intimidate him, Alan knows how to protect himself.”
“Hm…!”
“Thinking about it, there’s no one better suited for the role. Despite never having been to the East, Alan is well-versed in their culture.”
It appeared the second princess had resolved to involve Alan in this plan.
In contrast, Victoria had a serious look, and Alan appeared ashamed, lowering his head.
For some reason, the Empress sitting beside started twitching her hands, though she would usually be leading in such situations.
‘Anyway, it’s a decision I must make alone.’
Hadn’t this commotion arisen solely from following the Empress’s advice so far?
Upon reflection, dispatching Alan Medoff on a distant mission wasn’t a bad idea.
Of course, it wasn’t risk-free, but it might be better than leaving him to continue bewitching the princesses.
‘This isn’t bad at all, really.’
What if he was appointed as an ambassador to Chinguk for five years?
That should be sufficient time to divert the princesses’ affections. Whether Alan agrees or not is unknown, but ultimately his opinion doesn’t matter. If the offer is framed as him enjoying a comfortable life in a foreign land instead of facing the emperor’s displeasure, Alan might accept it.
The more he thought about it, the better the proposal seemed.
A newfound hope started to bloom in the emperor’s heart.
The hope of governing the empire without Alan Medoff, the hope of restoring his eldest daughter to her former self, and a vague expectation not to rely on alcohol to suppress his inner pain.
‘Siena has made a wonderful proposal.’
This is precisely the right moment while Siena is venting her anger towards Alan.
The only concern remained Victoria’s reaction.
Having resolved halfway, the emperor took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. Then, he turned towards Victoria and asked,
“Victoria. This is sudden, but I see no flaw in this plan. I’d like to hear your opinion.”
The emperor regarded Victoria, who frowned with apparent discomfort. He expected her opposition but hoped it would be of the kind where the father’s authority could overcome, so that he could send Alan Medoff more smoothly.
Please, my daughter.
The emperor urged with heartfelt anticipation.
The emperor’s intention to dispatch me to Chinguk was glaringly obvious.
“Victoria. Share your thoughts.”
Victoria did not answer immediately, despite my prior directive. She usually trusted my words but this time seemed unusually difficult. It must be because the content goes against her deepest desires.
Fortunately, Victoria’s hesitation did not last long.
“I do not oppose.”
The emperor’s eyes widened in surprise at Victoria’s unexpected response.
But this surprise quickly faded.
Gradually, a smile began to spread across the emperor’s face. If both daughters agree, it would be easy to send me away to the east.
It seemed unlikely that I would end up aboard a ship, though.
“Good. Then I shall instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to…”
“Your Majesty, wait a moment. A careful judgment is necessary.”
A gentle voice interrupted the emperor.
Until now, Empress Lianhua had remained silent.
‘I see, you’ve noticed.’
If she hadn’t, I intended to subtly remind her after the meeting. Fortunately, Lianhua was every bit as astute as I had hoped.
She must have grasped that both Siena’s sudden proposal to send me to Chinguk and Victoria’s reluctant consent were my doing.
Empress Lianhua turned her gaze towards me slowly, very slowly.
To confirm her suspicion was correct, I gave a subtle nod. Her complexion then turned a shade paler.
‘If she understands, that’s fortunate.’
This difficult undertaking of acquiring two princesses amidst my fallen aristocratic status.
I decided to shift the maximum political burden onto the empress. Naturally, the task of persuading the emperor directly also fell to her. I could’ve asked Victoria, but I didn’t want to impose a tough task on a woman who loves me.
The empress had no choice but to help me desperately.
Because if she didn’t, her homeland would fall into grave danger.
