Episode 31: An Unwelcome Escort
Because preparations were underway to receive the envoys from the Hanpen Kingdom, the Imperial Palace was unusually hectic. Servants bustled about carrying luggage and decorating the palace more splendidly and elegantly than ever before.
The chamberlain rushed over when he received word that the duke had arrived, just as he was making a final check for any missing decorations.
“Your Grace, the reception room is not fully prepared yet. I must ask for your understanding and guide you to the gallery instead.”
The chamberlain led the duke to the gallery where the emperor was, instead of the messy reception room. The emperor was standing before portraits of former emperors, lost in deep thought.
“Your Majesty, Duke Glois has arrived.”
He carefully informed the emperor, who was deep in contemplation.
“I greet Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
The duke bowed, and without turning his gaze away from the portrait, the emperor spoke.
“What brings you here, Duke?”
“The responsibility of leading the escort for the envoys is far too burdensome for me. I ask that you withdraw the appointment.”
When the duke requested to be relieved from the position, the emperor finally turned to look at him.
“That won’t do. It is an imperial command.”
“May I ask why Your Majesty is appointing me instead of the knight commander?”
For years, the escort for foreign envoys had always been handled by the Imperial Knights. The duke had never served as an escort before, so he questioned why he was suddenly assigned such a role.
“The Hanpen envoys requested it. And you need only act the part—there’s never been any serious trouble before, as you know.”
The duke frowned at the emperor’s words that the Hanpen Kingdom specifically requested **him**. It was strange—no matter how ceremonial the duty, choosing someone they had never even met as escort leader seemed suspicious.
“Something feels off.”
“What’s strange about it? I heard the prince of Hanpen is among the envoys this time. Apparently he heard rumors of your martial prowess and requested you personally.”
The emperor glanced at him and clicked his tongue—thinking the duke was being overly wary due to his long years in war.
The duke sighed quietly. He could not understand why the emperor, who was so cautious and suspicious with his own retainers, trusted a foreign delegation so easily.
“And, Duke—this time, the Crown Prince will receive the envoys instead of the princess. I hope you will guide him well.”
The emperor finally revealed what he truly wanted. Though disappointed countless times by his son, he could not cast aside his only heir—so he entrusted him with an important responsibility again.
“Originally, the empress oversaw diplomatic receptions, and now that she’s gone, it should fall to the princess. Giving the role to the prince will surely provoke opposition from the Council of Elders.”
The head of the Council was the late empress’s father and the princess’s grandfather. If he learned of this, opposition was guaranteed. But the emperor showed no intention of backing down.
“Even if they oppose, I will push through. The prince must seize this opportunity to build ties with Hanpen—he will need it when he rules someday.”
The duke frowned. He was being dragged into political conflict again. The aging, cunning emperor clearly intended to involve him with the prince. If things continued like this, he wasn’t sure how long his patience would last.
The emperor saw the duke’s cold expression, cleared his throat awkwardly, and quietly left the gallery.
—
When the duke returned home, Ella was the first to greet him. She offered him a cup of warm milk she had prepared to soothe his chilled body.
“What did His Majesty say?”
“He said Hanpen requested me.”
Removing his heavy robe, the duke collapsed into a chair while drinking the milk.
“How would the Hanpen Kingdom even know you well enough to request you directly?”
“That’s what’s strange. The emperor claims the prince heard rumors of my skill… but assigning escort duty for a delegation that even includes a prince based only on rumors? It makes no sense.”
“It is suspicious. Entrusting such an important escort to someone they only *heard* about… what are they thinking? Does His Majesty believe them so easily?”
“Yes. Even when I said it seemed suspicious, he refused to listen. Even without their request, I think he planned to appoint me anyway. And, as rumored, the prince will greet the envoys instead of the princess.”
“His Majesty keeps trying to tie Your Grace and the prince together.”
The duke was impressed that Ella immediately grasped the emperor’s intention.
“Ella… I’ve thought so for a long time, but… are you sure you never received formal education?”
“Yes. My mother taught me at home, that’s all.”
The duke wanted to ask more, but seeing Ella’s expression darken at the mention of her mother, he stopped.
“Anyway, Ella—how would you feel about officially becoming my aide?”
He quickly changed the subject, offering her the position he had long considered for her. She was already doing more than an acting aide.
“But… aides are usually selected from low-nobility or above. If a commoner like me becomes one, other noble families might look down on the Duke’s household.”
The duke chuckled.
“Look down? The Duke’s House? I would *like* to see someone bold enough to try.”
“Even so… I don’t want you to get dragged into gossip because of me.”
Ella imagined the malicious rumors that would spread if a commoner became aide to the feared duke.
“You think I care about such gossip?”
The duke was adamant—having her as aide would prevent others from treating her lightly.
With his persistent urging, Ella eventually gave in.
“…Alright. But if negative rumors start spreading, you must replace me.”
The duke merely nodded casually. Ella sighed—he clearly wasn’t listening seriously.
—
When Ella was officially appointed as aide, the servants were shocked to learn she had been only *acting* aide until now.
“Ella, I thought you were already the official aide! It’s about time.”
Said the secretary, handing her tax reports from the dukedom.
“Aren’t you uncomfortable with it? A commoner becoming an aide?”
Ella asked carefully, worried he might take offense.
“Uncomfortable? Ella—did someone say something to you? Who? Tell me, I’ll deal with them.”
The secretary looked around fiercely. Countless aides came and went before Ella—quitting or being dismissed before they even learned the job. He couldn’t bear to lose her now.
“No, no one said anything. I was just wondering.”
Ella calmed him.
“Don’t think that way. Commoner or not—do you know how hard it is to keep the Duke pleased?”
He shuddered remembering the duke’s intimidating gaze. Though he rarely met him directly, whenever he did, he trembled like a mouse before a cat. He deeply respected Ella for working beside such a man daily.
“Yes, and since the Duke and I will be staying in the palace for a week to escort the envoys, please contact me there for anything urgent. The reports needing immediate approval should be handled today—I’ll bring them to His Grace before we depart.”
The secretary nodded proudly at her flawless efficiency.
After dinner, Ella delivered the finalized reports to him and went to pack his luggage. They would stay a week in the palace, so there was more to prepare than she expected.
Into a large bag she placed clothes, warm items for the cold weather, and lastly *Travels in Hanpen*—a detailed book on Hanpen’s history and culture. She had read it repeatedly to avoid cultural mistakes.
“Your Grace, preparations are complete.”
Since it was late, only Ella, the duke, and the coachman would head to the palace without attendants. Ella carried the heavy bags herself to his office.
“Good.”
The duke emerged in full uniform and without hesitation took the luggage from her. Ella followed, flustered.
“Please give them to me—I’ll carry them.”
But the duke loaded them onto the carriage himself.
“You shouldn’t do this. If someone sees—”
Many nobles lived at the palace; she worried they would gossip seeing the duke casually carrying baggage. But he ignored her concern and mounted the horse.
“Ella, don’t worry. There isn’t a noble bold enough to speak against me.”
Ella let out a small sigh at his confident—almost arrogant—reply.
