Inside the carriage as it rumbled along, it felt like there was no escape from the prickly atmosphere.
Sitting beside me was Selian, and across from us, an old man was seated.
It would’ve been better if there was at least some conversation, but the old man was deeply engaged in some documents, tending to his own affairs, while Selian appeared lost in thought, her face clearly etched with irritation.
I too felt the need to do something, and so I pulled out a novel I had brought along, trying to read it, but the words wouldn’t settle into my mind.
Both of them were oblivious to the atmosphere, focused solely on their own tasks, leaving me alone to stew in the unease.
“Invited to the Imperial Palace, all of a sudden…”
I replayed in my mind how things had come to this.
“Miss, you should come see this.”
A servant approached Selian and me while we were talking. The urgency was clear not only in his tone but also in his hurried movements as sweat trickled down his brow.
“Just a moment, please. I’ll be right back.”
Selian, recognizing the gravity of the situation, stood up without even inquiring further about why she was summoned.
However, even after Selian had risen, the servant hesitated before speaking again.
“Uh… Also, your friend has been asked to be present.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Though how Miss Elysia knew you were here is unclear, she specifically requested both Miss Selian and Miss Elysia.”
“…What exactly is happening? It sounds like someone has come to visit, and I’m curious who this guest is.”
“That….”
In response to Selian’s almost commanding question, the servant cautiously began to explain.
“Someone from the Imperial Palace has arrived.”
At the servant’s words, Selian’s eyebrows furrowed sharply, a reaction I’d never seen from her before.
As we entered the reception room, we found an old man with pure white hair sitting and drinking tea.
Sitted opposite to him was Lucas Deretia, the Head of the Deretia House and Selian’s father, who hadn’t even touched his tea but instead seemed to be carefully studying the old man’s demeanor.
It was unusual to see Lucas, despite his position as a marquis, paying such close attention to someone from the palace, but I entered the room without expressing any doubts.
“The guests have arrived, Head of the House.”
“Ah, please, come over. Take a seat.”
Following Lucas, who stood to personally guide us to our seats, a maid appeared from behind and placed cups of tea in front of Selian and me before stepping back elegantly.
“It’s been a while, Miss Deretia.”
Upon seeing us sit, the old man spoke to Selian.
“And what brings you here? Besides, how did you know Elysia is here?”
Despite the old man’s polite greeting, Selian cut straight to the point, her tone sharp and irritable, a mood that hadn’t seemed to abate since before entering the room.
Fortunately, the elder from the palace didn’t seem to be bothered by Selian’s attitude, maintaining an unchanged expression as he turned his gaze towards me.
“This must be Elysia Frentz. A pleasure. I’m Kaiden Bardy.”
“Yes, hello. I’m Elysia Frentz.”
Without much formality, after extending his hand, I lightly shook it to confirm the introduction, though it was evident he already knew who I was.
As our hands touched, I could feel the characteristic calluses only a swordsman would have.
And at that moment, a name suddenly struck me.
“Kai, Kaiden… you’re one of the eight Sword Masters, said to be the strongest of them…!”
“Ho ho, you can just ignore those rumors. It’s merely the gossips who find it more interesting because I serve the Imperial Palace.”
Even as I exclaimed in surprise while still holding his hand, Kaiden replied with a warm smile, paying no heed to the breach of etiquette.
I hadn’t realized he was a swordsman until we shook hands. His presence was so subdued that he could’ve passed for a scholar rather than a warrior.
While Craig, the other Sword Master I had encountered, radiated with an aura unmistakably that of a knight, Kaiden, in contrast, was completely unassuming.
Even with a sword resting beside him, I hadn’t noticed its presence until he identified himself. His sword was so seamlessly integrated into the surroundings that it felt like just another piece of décor.
“So, why have you come?”
Opening her mouth with even more obvious irritation, Selian interrupted our conversation.
As I pulled back from our handshake, her expression appeared to soften slightly.
Kaiden paid no mind to Selian’s demeanor at all, whereas the Head of the House, Lucas, was glancing nervously at him, clearly uneasy about Selian’s behavior.
“It’s not anything serious. I’ve been sent simply to invite the two of you on behalf of the palace.”
“And how did you know Elysia was here?”
“Haha. I originally visited the Academy but was told Miss Selian had already returned to her family home, and Miss Elysia had moved with her friend, Miss Yuli, to the Atillea Family.”
The old man casually sipped his tea before continuing.
“When I reached the Atillea Family, I was further directed to the house of Miss Anne. And so on to the Kleyn Family.”
Taking another sip.
“My, what a surprise! When I finally arrived at the Kleyn Family, they told me that Elysia was now here at the Deretia Family! Fortuitous timing since I needed to find both of you, wouldn’t you say?”
He might’ve just saved himself the trouble by simply asking for our location via a communication crystal ball before setting out.
“Although it did take some time, thanks to this, I get to enjoy an unofficial holiday and this fine hospitality.”
By now, the old man was leaning back in the chair, emptying his teacup leisurely.
It seemed he’d simply taken the opportunity to fool around.
A Sword Master goofing off? Whether to believe it or not is questionable.
Even if I hadn’t decided to stay a few more days upon Selian’s suggestion, Kaiden would’ve had to turn the carriage around and return to the Academy from where he started. What an ordeal.
“…Sigh….”
Selian exhaled a long breath before speaking.
“So, what exactly is the purpose of this invitation? Surely it can’t be just a random visit, and why would Elysia gain the attention of the palace?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be normal for me to be sent on a typical invitation, would it? Normally, sending a few attendants or writing a letter requesting a visit would’ve sufficed. But consider if I am to be one of those ‘underlings’.”
Kaiden smirked and threw the question back at Selian.
Kaiden is one of the eight Sword Masters on the continent, and indisputably the premier sword wielder in the service of the Emperor. Nobody would dare consider him as merely an underling, except perhaps for one individual.
“Yes, that’s correct. Your Majesty has personally invited the two of you. While the nature of the visit might be ordinary, the person who made the invitation certainly is not.”
“And you expect us to believe that?”
“Hehe. Whether or not Miss Selian chooses to believe it is up to you, but His Majesty has merely requested your presence for a meeting.”
After refilling his teacup with more tea from the maid, he stood up.
“The tea was excellent. I shall be waiting nearby until you’re ready. Ideally, it would be nice if we stayed for a few more days, but His Majesty’s orders cannot be postponed indefinitely. We’ll depart tomorrow.”
Given his continued antics despite his outward bearing, it was hard to believe this carefree man was the very Sword Master I had imagined.
After finishing his speech, Kaiden stood and left the reception room, guided by one of the Deretia servants, likely to retire to a prepared room to rest after our journey.
“I see. Since the two of you are about to visit the Imperial Palace, it’s a big deal. You two should go and rest.”
With a sigh of relief, Lucas spoke.
However, despite Lucas’ words, the expression on Selian’s face showed no signs of relaxation, even as she returned to her quarters.
