99 – Justification

The rumors swirling in the marketplace

weighed heavily on my mind,

but even so, I could no longer afford

to keep the Imperial Family,

the Emperor himself, waiting.

With the current rumors already drawing

such intense scrutiny from all around,

another piece of gossip, especially one

involving the Imperial Court, spreading

would be catastrophic. Its consequence was completely unknown.

Clunk-clunk─

The carriage rocks from side to side.

Bumping and lurching over the cobblestones.

The gravel, crushed beneath the carriage wheels,

spoke in a chorus of grating sounds, each stone against stone.

Or was it a mire of mud we traversed?

For sometimes one side of the carriage would sink, deeply.

“…Every time, I think this: couldn’t they at least smooth the road,

or even pave it?”

Lost in such thoughts, I gazed out the window,

when wisps of thin silver, like gossamer threads, fluttered before me.

“Mmm… mmm… ‘nya’…”

“….”

Ella, who had drifted to sleep before me, unawares,

her head bobbing forward and back, side to side.

Fearing she’d strike something if left alone,

I fashioned a cushion beside her and gently tucked it in place.

Then, for a time, I savored the jolting ride once more,

until, at last, it began to appear.

As if to prove this was indeed the Royal Citadel,

a banner flew atop the highest tower.

And at its heart, the fluttering insignia of the Imperial Family.

A grand aura, as if welcoming me

to the sovereign’s domain.

“Halt. This road leads to the Imperial Palace.

Further advance is not permitted.”

“Ah, well…just a moment, si..sir.

Are you quite sure this is the ri..right way?”

Continuing along the path, we finally reached the Citadel gates,

where two knights stepped forth, blocking the entrance.

Their breastplates brazenly bore the image

of a blazing sun.

Dazzled, perhaps, by the knights in their gleaming silver armor,

the driver sweated profusely,

casting a question back into the carriage.

“Young Master, our letter…!”

“….”

Ella, too, was no different.

Wordlessly, I withdrew the letter from my coat pocket,

and waved it outside the carriage.

The sealed missive with the Imperial crest,

which Reindel had entrusted to me.

Not long after, the letter clutched in my hand

was snatched away by a knight’s eager fingers.

“..What is this…gah!”

“Hey, what’s wrong?!”

“Th-this…!”

The reaction was instantaneous.

The knights huddled together, their heads bowed low,

muttering amongst themselves.

Even from afar, I could tell, clear as day,

the urgency that gripped them.

“I…I’ll go and escort them back at once…!”

“W-wait, then what about me…!”

“Do your part…!!”

“W-wait…hey…hey!”

“….”

“….”

Eventually, one of them ceased his frantic speech and

chose to flee the scene.

The remaining knight simply stood there, a vacant look

plastered on his face, his gaze fixed on his retreating back.

“….”

“….”

“I…I am so sorry! I didn’t recognize a guest of the Imperial family…!”

“..No, it’s not really a pro─”

“I… I am truly sorry!!”

*

After a period filled with fervent apologies and awkward silence,

another figure began to trudge towards us from the distance.

“Huff…Huff… Are you absolutely certain it’s that emblem?”

“Hh…huh…Yes…Yes, it’s certain.”

“So, where is this person now?”

“O-over there.”

The same silver armor as the other knights.

But the design was vastly different.

Upon his chest rested armor bearing the likeness of a

great lion with gaping jaws,

symbol of this nation’s Knight Commander.

The quality was exceptional, the gleam and

luster of it almost breathtaking.

His frame was something to behold, too.

Every inch of him rippled with muscle,

and a scar, a jagged brand, bisected his face, crossing one eye.

His build, near ursine in its mass,

towered far beyond that of any ordinary man,

and the greatsword strapped to his back looked to be of a size that few could even lift.

“Excuse me…”

“….”

“Might I, with all due respect, inquire as to which House you hail from,

and whether word of your impending arrival was sent ahead?”

“…?”

Finally reaching the carriage,

he delivered his inquiries, point by point.

A stark contrast to his rough-hewn looks and imposing physique.

“..I am not currently affiliated with any House.”

“…!”

The knights behind him shifted, their expressions darkening as soon as my words were spoken.

Was it because I was no noble?

The tension that had clung to their faces seemed to lighten, just a little.

“In that case… might I ask from whom you received this letter?”

“..Must I answer that question?”

“..My apologies if I offend, but

we have been informed that no one is scheduled to visit the Imperial Palace today…”

Not even a flicker of uncertainty danced in his gaze.

That meant it was likely the truth.

To their understanding, no visitor was expected, yet here was a man with a letter bearing the Imperial crest. Understandably disconcerting.

“Lord Rhyndel himself gave it to me, and departed.”

“Lord… Lord Rhyndel, you say?”

“Indeed.”

The mention of Rhyndel’s name caused a ripple of unease to finally break across his composure.

He tries so hard not to show it, but

he must know.

What the name Leindel means

in this empire.

That even amongst the knight commanders,

the weight borne by that name is different.

“…Seems there’s no need for a separate confirmation.”

“….”

“I apologize for any inconvenience, young master.

Welcome to the Royal Castle.”

As he slowly descended from the carriage,

the knights parted the way.

The center of the ironclad Royal Gate

split, widening to either side.

“Whoa…”

“….”

What became visible as the massive gates opened

were beautiful gardens and structures.

The cathedral of the church we saw last time was certainly

not small, a large building even, but

the Royal Castle was on another level entirely.

It seemed to bestow grandeur simply by being seen,

a size befitting its beautiful adornments.

Whitely shining walls, and

golden lines embroidered upon them,

harmonized beautifully.

Gems embedded in the walls shone with their respective colors, and

the floor was filled with finely carved white stones.

A path as if crafted from marble tiles.

A path that was in itself a work of art.

And beside that path, a beautifully

manicured garden caught the eye.

Truly befitting the name of the Imperial Family,

beautifully tended flowers, trees, and grass greeted us.

Leaves swaying gently in the breeze

danced in the air, and

flowers boasting colors so vibrant they pained the eyes

spread their individual fragrances.

“This is…”

The place where the master of the empire dwells,

The place where the empire’s most noble bloodlines resided.

It was the royal castle.

*

“Your Majesty, as you requested, the letter was

successfully delivered to him.”

“Hmm, is that so? I can trust you, certainly.

Well done, Reindel.”

*Thump-*

*Thump-*

Something mercilessly slammed down

upon the documents, leaving its seal.

A single paper fluttered,

taking flight through the air,

and quickly another took its

place, claiming its spot.

*Thump-*

Another insignia was etched onto the paper,

and that paper, too, circled in the air.

“Reindel.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Buried within the heap of papers

piled upon the desk,

the Emperor’s voice.

The voice of Siegfried Pravel, could be heard.

“What did you think of the child, in your estimation?”

“..I am sorry, but I am unsure

what you mean.”

“Hmm… I mean, did they seem… special?”

Special?

In what way?

In which aspect?

Reindel had served him for quite some time,

yet he still couldn’t quite grasp the Emperor’s way of speaking.

“Haha, from a long time ago, your emotions

have been so very… visible on your face.”

“..Is that so.”

“Hmm, it seems you haven’t quite

grasped my question… Let me rephrase.”

As the Emperor rose from his seat,

several documents nearby were pushed into the air.

And gently settled.

Upon the Emperor’s outstretched fingers.

“What do you make of it?

If you were to compare the boy to others his age?”

“….”

“Answer freely, anything will do.”

“..Composed.”

A faint smile graces the Emperor’s lips.

And falls.

A single document, perched upon his extended fingers.

“What was?”

“Boys and girls of that age, upon seeing me,

typically exhibit a uniform reaction: either nervous or adoring.”

“Hahaha, that must inflate your ego a fair bit!”

Reindell pushes past the Emperor’s jesting tone,

steadfastly continuing to speak.

Relaying every sensation

he felt towards the boy, piece by piece.

“The boy was remarkably composed.

Both when he saw me, and when he met with the Pontiff.”

“Hmm..”

“Adoration, reverence, nervousness, or even surprise;

none of those emotions were perceivable.”

“….”

“As if he were instinctively masking his presence.”

The Emperor strokes his chin once.

With the very hand that cradled the documents.

Yet, the documents do not flutter.

They simply hang, suspended in the air.

“Furthermore, I witnessed the Pontiff

entering the carriage the boy occupied.”

“Hoh..”

“And judging by the brief interval before he emerged,

it’s safe to assume they engaged in private conversation.”

“..The boy is acquainted with the Pontiff, then?”

“No, according to our investigation, his only visit to the Order

was the recent one.”

“Hmm… He is certainly concealing something, without a doubt.”

But it mattered little to the Emperor.

Even if he *was* concealing something.

Still, with the Emperor’s influence so threatened,

It’s a blessing the Duke’s power hasn’t grown further.

And to hear tell, it was the Lord himself who cast that child out,

From the very family, wouldn’t you say it’s advantageous?

For a pretext has arisen.

One that allows us to draw that child into the Imperial fold.

“Hm…”

“Is something the matter, Your Majesty?”

“Ah, no… it’s nothing.”

“…?”

“It has simply occurred to me that our daughter is slowly approaching

An age suitable for marriage, wouldn’t you agree?”