74
Separate from Arpel experiencing his greatest emotional turmoil yet, the two still had things to do at this banquet.
Without trying to hide his bright smile, Rohan quickened his pace while holding Arpel’s hand. However, they had to stop when they reached the corridor in front of the audience chamber, which was filled with numerous nobles despite their late arrival.
A banquet inviting most of the empire’s nobility meant it was the only chance for nobles who usually didn’t have an audience with the Emperor to speak with him. A long line of nobles waiting for an audience had formed.
“…We should have come earlier.”
Rohan’s expression became strange, as if he hadn’t expected this scene. Some people were waiting their turn with faces full of confidence, while others showed anxiety, each for their own reasons.
In appearance, it wasn’t much different from commoners crowding and lining up to get cheap goods at a market.
It couldn’t be pleasant to line up, especially to meet someone you dislike, and by force at that. Just as Rohan was frowning slightly and considering turning back:
“Lord Rohan, please come this way.”
One of the knights guarding the tightly closed audience chamber door approached. Some nobles even shrank back, perhaps finding the sight of him walking in full armor intimidating.
Rohan quickly erased his frown and nodded. As they entered, unhesitatingly cutting in front of those who seemed to have been waiting in line for quite a while, there was already another guest inside.
“Ah, you’ve arrived.”
The Emperor, who had been listening and responding appropriately, gestured towards the two. The man who had been enthusiastically talking about his business until just now was quickly dismissed. It was close to being half-dragged out.
“This happens quite often when I hold banquets. Just listening to all the talk is quite a chore.”
It seemed he had offered tea out of courtesy to the man who had just been sitting here and was half-expelled. Steaming teacups were placed on the long table they sat across.
Mikhail had a servant clear those away with just a glance, and only after new tea was brought for the two did he start talking with a gentle smile.
“An emperor is the one and only ruler of the empire. Because of this, it’s not easy to leave the palace, so I consider hearing stories from outside as a sort of pleasure. I called you here simply because I wanted to hear your stories, so I hope you won’t be too nervous.”
He really did seem to want to hear their stories. In the end, Rohan very briefly summarized what had happened. The Emperor’s smile deepened at his skill in listing only results while completely omitting the process.
“Impressive. It sounds easy when you say it, but it must have been a difficult ordeal. I’d like to commend your efforts for the empire, but…”
Tap, tap. His fingers lightly tapped the table.
“If you don’t mind, how about staying at the palace during the festival? I’ll make sure you receive the best treatment during that time.”
No matter how one looked at it, this didn’t seem like commending their efforts. Of course, on the surface, the Emperor’s offer was very exceptional.
This annual imperial festival lasts for four days. His words essentially promised to give them the right to freely roam the palace interior for four days, as well as guaranteeing the best treatment.
Most nobles would welcome this, but it was different for these two. Although they were smiling at each other, they knew better than anyone that they were enemies. Rather than commending their efforts, it was closer to declaring that he would tie down their feet for some purpose.
Rohan, who hadn’t avoided the Emperor’s inscrutable gaze, finally gave a gentle smile. It was a face that truly seemed to express gratitude.
“Thank you. Thanks to you, we’ll have an invaluable experience. It seems we’ll be able to enjoy the festival comfortably.”
“…Yes, I’m glad.”
The conversation was roughly concluded. As the two prepared to stand, the Emperor, who had been quietly observing them, suddenly exclaimed as if he had just remembered something.
“Come to think of it, I have one question.”
The Emperor, who had been staring only at Rohan the whole time, slowly turned his gaze. His thin pupils were precisely aimed at Arpel.
“I’ve heard that the blessed ones use their own swords. I was expecting to see it at this meeting. But… did you leave the sword behind?”
“It wouldn’t be appropriate to dare bring a sword when meeting the Sun of the Empire. I left it in a safe place. If I had brought the sword, Your Majesty’s loyal servants, who are already overly conscious of me… might have bared their teeth.”
“…That’s excessive worry. They’re well-trained, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“I must have been overly sensitive due to a recent attack. I apologize.”
The Emperor didn’t respond further to Rohan’s words. He just smiled gently, then removed even the gaze he had been giving Arpel and called a servant to show them to their room. It was close to an implicit dismissal.
The two withdrew obediently. The Emperor carefully traced the image of Arpel, who had maintained an expressionless face until the end. What resided in his eyes was perfect indifference.
“I see… Is it merely pretending to be human?”
The two untouched teacups stood out particularly well. He raised the corner of his mouth askew and then spoke.
“You may come out now.”
“Yes.”
A man who had been hiding behind the Emperor for a long time, suppressing his presence, jumped out and paid his respects. An indifferent gaze surveyed both shoulders of the man, Oscar.
“How much have your injuries healed?”
“Thanks to your concern, they’ve completely healed.”
“That’s good.”
Unlike the voice saying it was good, the gaze looking down at Oscar was infinitely cold. It was because the words Rohan had left earlier kept ringing in his ears. The fact that he deliberately mentioned being attacked seemed like a warning that he already knew it was you who did it at that time.
“The young one is quite skilled.”
“……”
“It would be better if you didn’t stay around me next time. It seems his senses are good enough to quickly notice your presence.”
“But I must protect Your Majesty.”
The man who had been fixing his gaze on the floor throughout the conversation, as if showing a submissive personality, suddenly raised his head. His eyes, shining a blood-red color, kept wavering.
“That’s enough. They’re not fools who would recklessly touch me in the palace without a plan. For now, they’re just putting on a calm facade because there’s no evidence. You don’t need to worry too much.”
Although Oscar’s face was filled with considerable dissatisfaction, he ultimately couldn’t voice any objections. It was because of a few rules set by his master. He knew from experience that his master was kind as long as you didn’t break the rules, but became more cruel than anyone if you crossed the line.
If he refused twice, you shouldn’t ask his opinion again. It was the same now.
He wanted to stay by his side without leaving for even a moment, but if he pleaded any more here, he might be completely excluded from future matters. All he could do was restrain himself while clenching his fists tightly.
“…Did you get the conclusion you wanted?”
His effort to deliberately change the subject was commendable. The gracefully curved eyes seemed to praise his patience.
“Well. I’ve only set the stage, so it will be fine if they handle it well on their side… but with such a fierce hunting dog attached, the chances of failure are high.”
“I understand they’ve already failed a few times. Shall I help?”
“Leave it be. They’re sloppy fellows, so if we move together, we might stir things up on our side too. I don’t particularly want to offer up prey.”
When he pulled a nearby bell rope, a presence was felt from outside. Only after Oscar had hidden himself again did a servant hurriedly enter and bow his head.
“I’m tired today. Dismiss the guests outside.”
Mikhail, who had been staring blankly at the servant hurriedly cleaning up the teacups, added with a gentle smile.
“Dispose of the contents of these two teacups in the bushes outside the main palace.”
The hand holding the edge of the teacup trembled slightly. But it was only for a moment; the hand quickly moved again and the stiff head nodded up and down repeatedly.
What a shame.
He muttered while looking at the teacups passed to the servant’s hands. The red tea sloshing around particularly remained in his vision. But it was just a small voice, so no one heard it.
***
The room shown by the servant was luxurious. Only after silently inspecting the interior and judging there was nothing dangerous did Rohan enter while holding Arpel’s hand. Arpel’s head tilted inevitably at this particularly noticeable behavior.
“Rohan.”
The calm voice calling his name seemed to ask about the reason for his overly sensitive behavior.
“…Would you please withdraw now.”
“Y-Yes…! If you need any help, please pull the bell rope next to the bed!”
Rohan, who had glanced at the servant waiting behind before answering Arpel, let out a faint sigh only after the servant hurriedly disappeared. He seemed to be contemplating how to explain.
“I think someone is targeting you, Arpel.”
There was no answer. But Arpel simply nodded while grasping the hand that held his, as if he quickly understood what Rohan meant to say. There was also one situation that suddenly came to mind.
“So that’s what the ‘pest control’ was about earlier.”
Rohan, who had gone to get juice and stayed away for an unusually long time, had said something strange about ‘pest control’ when he returned. Arpel remembered that there had been a faint smell of blood from Rohan, who had rushed back at the time, which then disappeared.
“Ah… you knew.”
“There was a slight smell of blood.”
Rohan’s face turned slightly red. As he lowered his head slightly and sniffed his sleeve, Arpel couldn’t help but smile a little.
“I guess I’ve become accustomed to it from falling asleep while smelling your scent. Other people probably won’t notice much difference, so don’t worry. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“…Arpel, why do you say such things, like that.”
“Hm?”
It was a voice that was half-muffled. Because the mumbling was close to incoherent, Arpel, who couldn’t properly understand what he was saying, gave a puzzled look. Rohan just shook his head with a shallow sigh and wore a helpless smile.
