#87. An Unexpected Meeting (1)
The first outing in Kalita ended with a series of unexpected events.
And the next afternoon—
Dmitri, who had visited the palace yesterday and again today, returned to the townhouse and immediately called Sasha and Pavel.
With a serious face, Dmitri spoke as soon as they sat down.
“The Emperor said he has something to tell you, Pavel, so you are to enter the palace.”
Instead of Pavel, who only frowned, Sasha asked in surprise.
“Before the title ceremony, only Pavel? Does this happen often?”
“It’s not common, but it’s not unheard of either.”
“Then… when does he have to enter the palace?”
“About th—”
Knock, knock.
Dmitri stopped mid-sentence as the door opened.
The townhouse butler entered with an uneasy face.
“Master. A guest has arrived from the palace.”
At this hour, a guest from the palace could only mean one thing.
Already?
Sasha was startled, but Dmitri calmly looked at Pavel.
“Pavel. Get ready to enter the palace.”
“Yes.”
Pavel rose without hesitation.
While Pavel got ready, Sasha wondered what the Emperor wanted from him.
Is it because he will be the next Grand Duke? Maybe the Emperor wants to meet him first and talk a little?
The Grand Duke of Volkov held power second only to the Emperor himself.
Even though he lived far away on the border and couldn’t interfere much in central politics, no one dared to ignore House Volkov.
Each year they fought monsters, their military power grew stronger, and their wealth rivaled the Imperial Family’s.
It was natural for the Emperor to keep them in check.
Maybe calling Pavel is also part of some plan to suppress the Volkov family’s power.
Of course, Pavel could handle himself, but Sasha decided she should remind him to be careful.
Even a small mistake could be taken advantage of and cause unexpected trouble.
But when Sasha came out to see Pavel off, she heard something surprising from the imperial knight.
“…I am also to enter the palace?”
“Yes, madam. His Majesty specifically asked that you be brought along as well.”
Not only Sasha but everyone nearby widened their eyes. This was truly unheard of.
For Pavel, it was reasonable—he was the heir of Volkov and about to receive his title.
But Sasha?
I’m not someone important enough to be noticed…
Still, she did not panic.
It doesn’t feel like a bad thing.
The imperial knights showed her respect instead of arrogance.
I can’t refuse the Emperor’s order anyway.
Though, the stern-faced Grand Duke might…
But that would only make things worse.
“…Alright. I will go to the palace.”
Before anyone else could interfere, Sasha spoke quickly.
“But please give me a little time to prepare. It won’t take long.”
“Understood.”
The knight nodded readily. Of course, she couldn’t appear before the Emperor in a simple indoor dress.
Sasha hurried upstairs.
Since the Emperor was waiting, she couldn’t take too long.
She did light makeup and changed into the plain but decent dress she had bought yesterday.
While choosing fitting jewelry, she heard a familiar voice.
“Sasha.”
“Pavel?”
He was standing at the door.
“If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.”
“No, it’s not that bad. I’m just curious about why we’re being called.”
Adjusting her necklace, Sasha murmured.
Pavel, staring at her reflection in the mirror, spoke.
“They didn’t know the reason either.”
“Really?”
At first Sasha replied casually, but then realized what Pavel’s words really meant. She turned quickly.
“You… read their true thoughts?”
“Yes.”
Her brows furrowed slightly.
To hear someone’s true thoughts, skin contact was required, and doing so naturally without suspicion was not easy.
He must have struggled, and that worried her.
Pavel quickly added,
“…I did it because I was worried.”
Because of her—that was what he meant.
“…Thank you, Pavel.”
Sasha thanked him, not wanting his effort to be meaningless, but also not wishing to burden him further.
So she said calmly,
“Then let’s not worry ahead of time. It won’t be anything too big.”
“…Yeah.”
“Whatever happens, as long as we’re together, we can handle it.”
She reached out her hand.
Pavel stepped forward and took it firmly.
Feeling the warmth, he nodded.
The carriage carrying them soon reached Hildebrid Castle, the Imperial Palace.
The closer the noble homes were to the palace, the more expensive they became. The Volkovs stayed in the priciest townhouse.
So it only took five minutes to reach the palace.
Crossing the vast palace gardens to the main hall actually took longer than the carriage ride.
The palace was truly magnificent—its scale like a small city, its buildings works of art, its interior dazzling in luxury.
Arriving at the main hall, Sasha and Pavel admired it like curious visitors.
Even walking a long way under the imperial knight’s guidance, they did not feel bored.
“This is the place.”
At the grand door, the knight stopped.
An attendant bowed.
“His Majesty is waiting.”
“Shall we go in right away?”
“Please wait a moment.”
The attendant knocked on the door.
“Grand Duke’s heir Pavel Volkov and Lady Alexandra Volkov have arrived.”
A calm voice answered.
“Let them in.”
The door opened.
Following etiquette, they lowered their heads and entered, eyes on the floor.
“You may come this way.”
The Emperor’s voice sounded strangely familiar.
It was warm, deep, like that of an old gentlewoman.
Where have I heard this…?
When Sasha sat on the sofa, the Emperor spoke again.
“Come now, it’s nice to see you again. Raise your heads.”
They obeyed, and saw a familiar face.
“Ah…”
The noblewoman smiling at them was the same old lady they had met yesterday.
“So, you remember this old woman.”
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“…Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Though shocked, they greeted exactly as the textbook dictated.
Natalya, the Emperor, exhaled with satisfaction.
“Good.”
She studied the young couple carefully before speaking.
“Do you know why I called you here?”
“……”
Sasha and Pavel hesitated.
Now that they knew the Emperor was the old woman they had helped, they could guess the reason.
But they couldn’t say it directly—mentioning it would mean admitting she had been in such a situation.
As they hesitated, the Emperor answered herself.
“Of course, it is because I’m grateful you helped this old lady!”
After laughing brightly, she cleared her throat.
She looked at them again, serious now.
“So, I wish to repay you. Ask for anything, and I shall grant it.”
It was sudden.
A reward for yesterday’s help wasn’t strange—but “anything”? That was far too generous.
And those sharp eyes of hers… it felt like a test.
Under the table, Sasha held Pavel’s hand.
Pavel, I think we should answer like this. What do you think?
Pavel nodded slightly and replied slowly,
“It is an honor just to be thought of that way. We do not deserve such a great reward. Please take back your words.”
Natalya raised her brows.
“You mean you want nothing?”
“Yes.”
“Truly?”
“That’s right.”
No matter how many times she asked, Pavel answered firmly.
So she turned to Sasha.
“What about you, wife? Do you feel the same?”
She looked straight at Sasha.
“If you wish for something, say it. Since you both helped me, I prepared separate rewards for each of you. Do not feel pressured.”
Her meaning was clear—Sasha could answer differently from Pavel if she wanted.
In fact, it even sounded like the Emperor hoped she would.
