Chapter 75
“How could His Majesty know about words spoken in a private setting?! Don’t tell me the Emperor’s faction planted a spy?”
But such worries were useless until he could escape from the Emperor, who was smiling languidly.
“Th-that is…”
“That is?”
“I-I mean…”
“Fine. If you can’t say it with pride, then just shut your mouth.”
“Your Majesty…”
“The salaries of my knights will be paid from my private funds. If you have any sense, you won’t object to how I spend my own money.”
“Y-yes…”
And so, the matter of the Bellum Knights proceeded exactly as Ianheart wanted.
The Emperor’s private funds were, as the name implied, separate from the national treasury and could be used freely. Therefore, if the Emperor declared he would pay the knights’ salaries from his own resources, the nobles had no grounds for objection.
Hearing the simplified and softened explanation passed on by Vernian, Riana tapped the table lightly.
“So, what you mean, Duke, is that my guards should also be maintained through my private funds, like the Bellum Knights?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes, but outwardly only. In truth, His Majesty will take responsibility.”
“His Majesty will?”
At Riana’s repeated question, Vernian nodded as though it were obvious.
“Not only the upkeep of the order, but also the stipends and salaries — all will be paid from His Majesty’s private funds.”
“Hmm…”
That much, she thought, could probably be covered by the Empress’s household allowance. Surely, it wouldn’t be so little that she couldn’t even pay her knights.
“This is something His Majesty has already promised, so there is no need for Your Highness to feel burdened.”
Perhaps reading her expression, Vernian furrowed his brow and spoke firmly.
“…I see.”
“I hesitate to say this, but even if His Majesty were to buy a hundred mansions in the capital, his wealth wouldn’t be affected in the slightest.”
Ah.
So Vernian meant that taking responsibility for her knight order wouldn’t put the faintest scratch on Ianheart’s fortune.
“Hmm, yes… As you know, His Majesty is wealthy.”
In the way Vernian casually slipped that in, Riana caught a faint echo of the merchant-like tone he’d used when they first spoke.
“Well, I understand. I’ll discuss it with His Majesty too.”
“There’s no rush. Some procedures still remain for adjusting your knights’ status. Of course, while His Majesty will cover all costs and small matters, the knight order will belong to the Empress. Think of them as your personal guards.”
At the words “Her Majesty the Empress” leaving Vernian’s lips, Riana flinched.
In three months’ time, she would no longer be addressed as princess but as Empress.
…It still felt strange. Maybe she’d get used to it if she heard it often enough.
“And do you recall when I said imperial knights should also be assigned under your command?”
“Oh, yes. I remember.”
That was when they had discussed the future of her guard. Instead of being simply her direct knight order, it was decided imperial knights would be included in equal number.
“At that time, I said twenty-five imperial knights would be included. But if you wish, the number can be reduced to ten.”
“Suddenly?”
“His Majesty was concerned that including twenty-five might overwhelm you and your knights. But of course, your opinion takes precedence.”
At Vernian’s shrugging words, Riana’s lips parted slightly.
Hearing from someone else that Ianheart was constantly thinking about her guard… it felt strangely odd.
Their conversation continued for about thirty more minutes.
She heard in more detail about the upcoming ceremony and the Empress training afterward, more than she had learned from Count Chadwick.
“If there’s more to discuss later, I’ll send word.”
“Alright. Oh — are you going to see His Majesty now?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes.”
“He must be very busy these days, right?”
Riana hesitated, then cautiously asked.
From what she’d heard after last night’s dinner, it seemed his workload was considerable.
Even back in Roen, he had handled some matters through communication stones and other means, but it must have been impossible to manage the full volume of duties as he did in the Empire.
“He is busy, but not to the point of staying up all night. His Majesty sometimes disappears for weeks at a time, so he’s used to it.”
Adjusting his monocle that had slipped slightly as he rose, Vernian replied.
“Ah, I see.” Riana nodded quietly.
Vernian almost asked if she wanted him to pass a message to His Majesty but held back.
He had a feeling that if he asked now, it would somehow spoil something.
After spending half his life alongside Ianheart, whose instincts were beastlike, Vernian prided himself on having developed a keen sense himself.
And, as it turned out, that decision was the right one — though he would only realize it a few hours later.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Oh, let’s go together. I was just about to visit where my knights are staying.”
She had thought of first speaking with Lady Gisel, whom she’d just learned would be teaching her about social etiquette.
But if she didn’t visit now, her more sensitive knights would certainly sulk.
“You leave us alone in this strange Empire!”
“We’re hurt, my lady…”
“You had time for a meal with His Majesty, yet… And the sun is already high in the sky…”
If she delayed further, they would surely pretend to cry while saying such things.
Riana had no desire to see that — though, admittedly, she was also a little concerned.
“Do you know the location?”
Watching Riana dust off her slightly wrinkled dress with an almost boyish gesture, Vernian asked casually.
She paused.
Her guards were currently housed in the building used by the Bellum Knights.
Officially, this was to encourage interaction, since both groups were the Emperor’s and Empress’s personal guards.
“No, I don’t. I was going to ask someone to guide me.”
At her light reply, Vernian turned slightly.
“Then I shall escort you.”
“You, Duke?”
“Yes. It’s on my way anyway.”
Though Ianheart usually preferred to handle state affairs in his Ruby Palace, today he was at the White Stone Palace, the main residence, both because it was a heavy workload and because it was one of the scheduled biweekly council days.
“To reach the White Stone Palace, one must pass by the Bellum Knights’ quarters and training grounds. So if it pleases you, let us go together.”
Technically, it was only one of the possible routes, but Vernian also thought there was no harm in being seen accompanying Riana.
He was no arrogant man, but he was fully aware of his own influence.
As Ianheart’s closest aide, Grand Duke of Delcaron, his open support would naturally strengthen Riana’s standing.
“That’s fine with me. I’ll be in your care, Duke.”
Riana was not foolish — she quickly understood the intention behind his offer.
Click.
Vernian pressed down the doorknob and stepped out. Riana followed behind.
“Wait a moment.”
She stopped him briefly, approaching a maid standing against the wall with her head bowed.
The maid stiffened as Riana’s shoes came closer.
She had heard her fellow maids praise the princess endlessly after meeting her, but it was human nature not to believe until one experienced it personally.
Besides, wasn’t the Roen princess rumored to wield a massive greatsword as though it were a branch?
“Raise your head.”
“….”
At the clear voice above her, the maid lifted her stiff neck after only a few seconds.
And there she saw — loose silver hair gleaming, and violet eyes gazing straight into hers.
The maid’s lips parted in awe.
‘…Amazing.’
Riana’s eyes curved gently as she smiled, as if finding the girl’s reaction adorable.
“Do you know where Lady Gisel is?”
“She said she was going to the Treasury to request some supplies…”
Speaking with forced calmness, Riana’s soft, kind tone startled the maid, who still looked dazed.
“I see. Then, when she returns, tell her I wish to see the things Duke Delcaron mentioned.”
“Y-yes!”
The maid, now fully snapped out of her daze, nodded quickly.
Riana chuckled softly at the cute response, then returned to Vernian, who was waiting for her.
“…Hmm.”
Having watched how she treated the maid, Vernian almost commented that she was being too gentle — but when he saw the maid blushing as though spellbound, he swallowed the words.
If Riana’s attitude made the servants like her more, that was only to her benefit.
And while her demeanor was softer, it was never weak or foolish.
…So this is what His Majesty meant.
He suddenly recalled Ianheart’s voice back in Roen, tinged with dry laughter.
“Vernian.”
“Yes?”
“…It seems the princess has a knack for bewitching women.”
“What nonsense are you talking about, sire?”
“It’s not nonsense… Never mind. Forget it.”
At the time, Vernian had thought his lord was being strangely uncharacteristic. But now he realized it wasn’t nonsense at all.
Now he understood why the investigation reports had included the mysterious line: “Popular among women, though reason unclear.”
Vernian gave a wry smile to himself.
…Perhaps I should put more effort into keeping rumors under control.
