102 – The Emperor’s Castle

It was a dilemma from the start.

What shall I grant to that boy?

From the moment he appeared like a comet,

capturing the Elf Queen’s attention,

I began to watch his progress closely,

but never did I expect *this*.

He’s still just an Academy cadet, after all.

So young compared to the other knights.

Once, he was considered a disgrace to the ducal house, a hopeless case.

“…Intriguing, truly.”

But what wind, pray tell, carried him here?

No, *wind* cannot possibly explain this transformation.

And even more compelling: despite all he has accomplished,

he displays no trace of vanity.

Others of his age would undoubtedly be

consumed by arrogance and pride in their achievements.

“Tell me, is there any reward you desire?”

“…A reward, you say?”

“Yes, in my name, I shall grant you anything,

so speak your wish.”

“….”

Jennison remained silent.

Consistently, utterly silent.

Perhaps he deliberates on the best answer for his own benefit,

or maybe he genuinely desires nothing,

or maybe, he is simply cautious in his speech,

but the Emperor deemed even this carefulness acceptable.

‘It is fortunate no other ministers are present.’

Regardless, to meet the Emperor’s question

with silence is profound disrespect,

and if but a few ministers were standing here,

a chorus of reprimands would have erupted.

‘However, now is not the time for such considerations.’

What answer will he give?

What is it that you desire?

Just as my full attention

was focused upon him,

someone walked in.

From the far end of the long, long corridor.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hm? Ryndel, why are you here so soon?”

The one to break that long, heavy silence was neither Jennison, nor himself, but Ruindel.

Had he already passed Roden off to someone? He returned empty-handed.

The massive sword strapped to his back

clinked, a metallic murmur.

He approached slowly,

as if burdened with words.

“Ruindel, where did you

leave the boy Roden?”

“I met some priests along the way, and entrusted him to them.

Thus, I return.”

“Hmph…not staying by his side until he awakens?

A cruel master, indeed?”

He didn’t react to the playful jab in his tone.

Instead, he spoke in a voice so quiet,

only I could hear it.

“Your Majesty, the ■■■ is ■■…”

“..What?!”

The Emperor’s face, moments ago alight with smiles,

froze slightly.

It was subtle, just a twitch,

but undeniably there.

“..Hmm, well, we can’t linger then.”

“….”

“You, I apologize, but we must postpone

this visit for another time.”

“..As you command, Your Majesty.”

“Well, don’t despair too much. I do have a

little something prepared for you separately.”

As those words left his lips, he

snapped his fingers with a sharp click.

Simultaneously, two figures materialized

beside Jennison.

“”We greet the Sun of the Empire.””

“Ah, I trust you will escort this one

to the destination I previously decreed.”

“”We obey.””

“…Um, and if that child desires something,

grant it to them if at all possible.”

One would expect to be startled,

if someone suddenly appeared at their side.

But not a flicker of emotion crossed Jenison’s face.

He merely stared silently ahead.

Again, he was a fellow too mature for his age.

‘…Hahaha.’

Amusing.

That inscrutable expression of his, still.

And, at the same time, a question arose within me.

How long could he maintain that facade?

‘That, too, would be a form of entertainment.’

“Your Majesty, you must depart.”

“Ah, yes. I shall go now.”

I already began to anticipate

what reaction he would show upon hearing the news later.

*

‘…Why is he smiling?’

“This way, please.”

“Ah…yes.”

Leaving behind the Emperor’s unsettling smile,

I slowly followed the backs

of the two men who had suddenly appeared at my side.

They wore masks completely devoid of openings,

and draped in black cloth from head to toe,

their billowing cloaks drew my attention.

As if refusing to allow any skin to be seen,

black bandages tightly wrapped every inch of them.

If seen elsewhere, such attire

would immediately be reported,

yet here they were walking before my eyes.

‘…No, actually, sudden isn’t quite right, is it?’

“This way, again.”

“….”

“Is something the matter? Do you

perhaps feel unwell?”

“No, nothing is wrong.”

A sonorous voice emerged from within the black mask.

“You inquired after my condition,”

I said nothing in reply.

Only focusing my awareness intently behind me.

Including the two before me,

roughly five individuals.

Even while within the hall, their presence

had been persistently behind me.

From when I first followed Rhoden into the main hall,

to when I later listened attentively to

the Emperor before him,

during my sparring match with Rhoden,

and even when Rhyndel exited with him,

then the Emperor followed his return outside,

not a single moment was spared

from the feel of their presence.

Moreover, a level of sophisticated concealment

that only the truly adept could detect.

Every one of them employed such

stealth as second nature.

Movements that could never be

achieved without long and rigorous training.

I didn’t know what they were, but

all of them seemed to be accomplished masters.

‘..The Emperor’s personal guard… perhaps?’

“This is the room. Please enter

and rest comfortably.”

Those guiding me ahead paused

in their pace.

Before a smooth, reddish-brown door,

fashioned from fine timber

and exquisitely carved.

“..Wasn’t I to return?”

“No, the orders we received were

to escort you to your room.”

“….”

“Is there… some difficulty?”

“..What of the attendant who accompanied me?”

“A member of our staff is currently

bringing your companion this way.”

“…”

“Do not fret, and rest comfortably.

If you desire anything, simply ring this bell.”

Finishing his words, he rummaged

within his robes.

With each movement of his hand, a tinkling

sound trailed behind.

Finally, emerging with his hand, a small bell.

Hung upon the end of what looked like a chain,

a very small, yellow bell it was.

“Here you are.”

“…Is there perhaps no way to return?”

“If this is of inconvenience to you, I am deeply sorry…

but still, I implore you to stay at least one night

here, as it is His Majesty’s sincerity.”

Saying such, he even bowed his head,

leaving me no room to retreat further.

I couldn’t possibly disregard “His Imperial Majesty’s sincerity.”

In the end, all I could do was silently

take the bell from his hand.

No matter how much I disliked it.

“…”

“Thank you, and…”

“…What is it now.”

My mood, though only slightly, had clearly begun to worsen,

and it seemed to show plainly on my face and in my tone,

for his head lowered, ever so slightly, but

even further.

“His Majesty sends word that Your Highness–”

“Hold on, Mister.”

“…?”

Whatever important matter he was about to speak,

his words were cut short.

Another mask, who had remained silent and

simply walked beside us until now.

Compared to the mask with the sonorous voice,

this mask possessed a frame far smaller.

A voice of indeterminate gender, neither masculine nor feminine,

and utterly alien, cut off his words.

“From here on, I shall speak directly.”

“You can be off now, Mister.”

“But…”

“Ah, it’s fine, really. I promise I won’t do a thing. Just trust me this once!”

“..Yes, well… excuse me then.”

They seemed to exchange a few words amongst themselves, before

the masked man took his leave.

*Shhh—*

A single sound echoed, and in that instant

his form vanished from before my very eyes.

“…?”

“Ah, don’t mind that.

It’s just one of our little secrets.”

My gaze remained fixed on the spot where he’d disappeared just moments ago,

but then the remaining mask grasped my wrist, pulling me

into the room.

“….”

“Heehee~”

The tone of his voice, bubbling with excitement,

clashed profoundly with its androgynous, alien quality.

I followed him into the room,

and the spectacle within began to unfold before my eyes.

“….”

“Wow, this is a really nice room, huh?”

Large and beautiful, easily big enough for four or five to lie down,

with a small chandelier hanging from the ceiling,

brightening the room,

tables and chairs each vying to show off their individual charm,

and other furnishings besides.

Inside the wardrobe, attached to the room,

beautiful clothes hung, neatly arranged.

And the terrace beside the bed,

with its floor-to-ceiling glass, also

boasted quite the beautiful view.

“Hmm… this is a room they usually

wouldn’t give up for just anyone.”

“..So, who are you?”

“Huh? Me?”

“….”

“Hehe, it hasn’t been that long since we last met,

are you already unable to remember my voice?”

“….”

“Or perhaps my voice is just one of those common ones

that are so easily forgotten?”

“Forgive me, but I have never,

not even once, heard your voice before..”

“..Eh?”

*There’s no way…* he seemed to mutter,

before fiddling with his mask this way and that.

Then, as if struck by a sudden realization,

he swiftly removes his mask.

“Ta-dah!”

“…?”

The moment the mask is off,

a cascade of beautiful pink hair spills forth.

And a decidedly feminine voice rings out.

Her crimson eyes fix on me,

and I, in turn, gaze back at her.

Her eyes are filled with amusement,

mine with utter bewilderment.

“Why… why are you here…?”

“Long time no see!”

Charlotte of the House of Charlotte, one of the four great houses,

and daughter of the head of the Charlotte family.

Sino Charlotte.

She was smiling right in front of me.

A smile as pure as could be.