Chapter 011
The following day, upon arriving at the Knights’ headquarters, Rosalyn was momentarily stunned.
“The Silver Knights?”
The Empire boasted two premier knight orders.
The Black Iron Knights, led by Cassius.
And the Silver Knights, also known as the Imperial Guard—the Emperor’s personal protectors.
To go to the Silver Knights meant entering the Imperial Palace itself.
However, that was not the sole reason for Rosalyn’s shock.
Only yesterday, she had instructed Zion to contact “Tiger,” who happened to be stationed with the Silver Knights.
And who was that individual?
“Commander Erich has a matter to discuss. Prepare yourself.”
It was that very Commander Erich.
“Am I to go as well?”
“Is it not the duty of an aide to assist their Commander?”
Cassius replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Following him out of the office after a hasty preparation, Rosalyn fell into deep thought.
Is this a response to my request for a meeting?
Cassius seemed entirely unaware, and it could very well be a coincidence.
But the timing is far too uncanny.
Logically, the idea that her request to meet would prompt the Commander of the Black Iron Knights to move didn’t add up.
Yet, Rosalyn did not find it entirely strange.
For a man so shameless and arrogant that he believed himself to be the center of the universe, it was a perfectly plausible stunt.
They say if you speak of the tiger, it will appear.
In this case, however, she was walking straight into the tiger’s den.
* * *
The carriage eventually reached the Imperial Palace.
After passing the guards’ inspection, it traveled further inward before finally arriving at the headquarters of the Silver Knights.
As she stepped out, an involuntary gasp escaped Rosalyn’s lips.
“Wow.”
Though she was acquainted with Erich, seeing the headquarters in person was a first.
Heck, it’s my first time in the palace at all.
What reason would a commoner ever have to set foot here?
It isn’t exactly a place one would want to get tangled up with…
Palaces, regardless of the world, were notorious for being cutthroat.
But Rosalyn chose to see it as an opportunity.
When else will I ever get to behold the palace?
With that thought, she eagerly took in the sights.
True to its reputation, the palace was a visual feast.
The Silver Knights’ headquarters featured walls as white as jade, adorned with gold-trimmed pillars, roofs, and doorframes that exuded imperial dignity and grace.
The golden lion carved at the entrance gleamed brilliantly, its fangs catching the morning sunlight.
Unlike the menacing aura of the Black Iron Knights’ headquarters, this building radiated a different, more refined kind of intimidation.
A Silver Knight, spotting the pair, approached them.
Much like the building, his uniform was a crisp white with gold accents, resembling formal gala attire more than combat gear.
He gave a curt nod to Cassius before pointing a finger toward Rosalyn.
“Who is this?”
His tone was clipped and devoid of warmth.
As an Imperial Knight, he answered to no one but the Emperor.
Still, Cassius leads an Imperial Knight order as well.
Rosalyn glanced at Cassius’s reaction.
But Cassius appeared entirely unfazed.
“My aide.”
It was as if a sparrow were puffing its chest at a stately crane; the crane simply didn’t care.
The knight’s arrogance could not even graze Cassius’s authority.
Finally, the knight asked properly, “What brings you here?”
“Commander Erich stated he had matters to discuss.”
The knight looked as though he had received no such information.
He didn’t even tell his own men?
Knowing Erich’s personality, Rosalyn marveled at his sheer audacity.
Concluding that the Commander of the Black Iron Knights had no reason to lie, the knight signaled for them to follow.
“Follow me.”
They were led through a sprawling corridor.
As expected of the palace, the walkway seemed endless.
After a lengthy trek, they reached an inner garden.
Despite being a military headquarters, the beautifully landscaped garden held an unexpected sight.
Under a gazebo, where the sunlight filtered through intricately patterned awnings, two men sat leisurely enjoying tea.
First, a man with shimmering platinum-blonde hair, seen only from behind.
That has to be Erich.
Seated across from him was a boy she did not recognize.
Not many people can sit as equals with Erich inside the palace…
As Rosalyn quickly scanned her mental list of high-ranking palace figures, a realization struck her.
Cassius’s greeting immediately confirmed the boy’s identity.
“The Sword of the Empire greets His Highness, the First Prince.”
Mikhail, the First Prince of the Aleon Empire.
I’m meeting royalty already?
While she struggled to hide her shock, her eyes locked with Erich’s as he turned around.
A grin.
A man with features so flawless they seemed plucked from a masterpiece painting flashed a picture-perfect smile.
It was an utterly infuriating smile.
That snake! He deliberately overlapped the timing!
Whatever reason he had for summoning Cassius, it certainly wasn’t just to chat with the prince.
If a meeting with royalty had been the intended agenda, Cassius’s rigid nature would have prompted him to give her a warning.
What is his game?
As Rosalyn speculated on Erich’s motives, Prince Mikhail spoke.
“It is good to see you, Sir Cassius.”
His tone was frostier than the winter wind.
While Cassius naturally carried a chilly aura, the prince’s words dripped with naked disdain.
In stark contrast, his tone when addressing Erich changed completely.
“Erich, you should have informed me if you had appointments. Am I supposed to dodge Mother’s eyes yet again?”
The boyish, whining tone matched his youthful appearance.
Erich seemed perfectly accustomed to the prince’s temperament.
“My deepest apologies, Your Highness. If it is inconvenient, you are more than welcome to stay.”
“No, thank you. Sir Cassius is boring.”
So that was the reason for the cold shoulder.
Sure, Cassius is boring, but to dismiss a high commander just for that?
Rosalyn clicked her tongue internally.
I knew the First Prince was immature, but this is beyond help.
From what she recalled, Erich served as Mikhail’s swordsmanship instructor.
Unlike the rigid and terrifying Cassius, the playful Erich, who indulged the prince’s antics, was clearly the royal favorite.
He was favorite enough for the prince to sneak away from the Empress’s watchful eyes just to see him.
Annoyed by the uninvited guests, the prince stood up abruptly.
“I am leaving.”
As he strode out of the gazebo, Erich called out after him.
“Do not forget your basic training!”
“Ugh, that is so tedious.”
“Complete it, and I shall spar with you.”
The prince’s head whipped around instantly.
“For real? You promised. And we use real swords.”
“It is a deal.”
Both the prince making dangerous demands and Erich casually agreeing to them seemed utterly unhinged.
Real swords?
Handing a reckless, immature prince a live blade was a recipe for disaster.
Rosalyn considered the danger for a brief moment before dismissing the thought.
Not my problem…
They say worrying about celebrities is the most pointless waste of time.
In this world, royalty was essentially the same thing.
Having secured the promise, Mikhail’s steps became lively.
Since the gazebo was serviced by a single path, he naturally approached the spot where Rosalyn and Cassius stood.
Ignoring Cassius, who bowed respectfully, the prince began to pass by—or so it seemed.
