~CHAPTER 11~
The Hall of Knights was a modest yet dignified building constructed of marble.
On either side of the main entrance hung enormous banners embroidered with the emblem of the Catalos Empire, and no trees were planted nearby, giving it an open feeling.
Its architecture clearly stood out as older compared to the relatively modern surrounding buildings.
It was a place only those who had given their lives for Catalos and the Emperor could enter.
The weight of honor and death permeated the surroundings.
Noticing Diana’s awed gaze, the Emperor explained,
“This building has existed since the palace was first built.
Originally, it was intended to serve as a royal mausoleum, but following the war with Arasus, it came to be used for its current purpose.”
“So it was Empress Eonira who arranged this?”
The Emperor looked slightly surprised.
“You know the palace’s history in such detail?”
Diana shook her head in embarrassment.
“No. I only learned of the Hall of Knights today.”
“Then how…?”
“You mentioned the war with Arasus… The first war that would merit honoring knights who died with distinction was the Second Continental War. Empress Eonira’s husband was originally a knight as well.”
The Emperor remained silent for a moment. Diana, flustered, spoke,
“Did I say something inappropriate?”
“Not at all. If anything, I am the one who had inappropriate thoughts.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
“Just because a young and beautiful lady is present doesn’t mean she lacks intelligence, but I suppose I was more narrow-minded than I thought.”
Diana’s face flushed bright red.
Yet the Emperor, ignoring her reaction, proceeded toward the Hall of Knights.
It took Diana some time to regain composure and follow him.
‘How can a man like that have no lover?’
The Emperor, by nature, could have had twelve lovers for personal or political reasons.
Yet she had never heard any rumors of him having a mistress or paramour.
Unlike the previous Emperor, who spread numerous gossip, he moved very differently.
‘Why am I even curious about His Majesty’s romantic affairs?’
Diana shook her head to chase away the unnecessary thoughts.
The Emperor looked at her curiously.
Two guards stood at the entrance to the Hall of Knights.
At the appearance of the Emperor and Diana, they initially blinked in disbelief but immediately straightened their posture.
“Good work. Take thirty paces that way, turn your backs, and wait.”
It was a strange order, but the well-trained guards did not question it.
After saluting, they walked exactly thirty paces in the direction indicated by the Emperor.
Diana glanced at them and followed the Emperor inside the Hall.
The Hall was silent.
The only signs of life in the entry space were the flickering candles.
Without the moonlight streaming through the large windows or the lantern held by the Emperor, the floor would have been barely visible.
The Emperor handed Diana the lantern.
“The portrait of Edric Roisen is in the fifth room along this corridor.
If Lira is truly here, you will have no trouble finding her.”
“Yes. But there are guards here. How did Her Highness enter?”
The Emperor gave a wry smile.
“Lira has been sneaking around the palace since childhood, climbing trees and walls, driving her nurse crazy.
She likely knows a dozen ways to enter here unnoticed.”
Considering her horsemanship, it sounded believable.
The Emperor watched Diana nod silently.
Seeing his face flickering in the lanternlight stirred a strange flutter in her chest.
“I will guard the entrance. It’s unlikely anything will happen, but if it does, call for me.”
“It will be fine. There are no horses here.”
The Emperor twisted a smile.
“I will make sure Lira apologizes regarding this matter.”
Diana was grateful even for words alone.
She slightly bent her knees and proceeded toward the corridor the Emperor had indicated.
The corridor wrapped around the central hall, and walking along it led back to the hall after half a turn.
Diana illuminated the floor with the lantern, moving cautiously.
Even knowing the Emperor was a few steps behind her, the eerie atmosphere remained.
‘The fifth room… It must be there.’
The space was divided into rooms, though there were no doors.
She stopped in front of the fifth room, sensing the presence of someone inside.
It was undoubtedly the princess.
Diana placed a hand over her racing heart and took several deep breaths.
Though it was their first encounter, she now understood much more about Princess Elpenlira’s situation.
Previously, she had navigated a labyrinth blindfolded, but now she had a rough mental map.
Could she persuade the princess? Not entirely.
Yet she might at least get her to temporarily set aside her resentment toward the Emperor and speak with him.
Even that would be enough for the Emperor to recognize that Diana had tried her best.
The room contained twelve portraits.
Princess Elpenlira sat casually on the floor in front of one, gazing at the painting.
Unlike when Diana had met her at the hunting ground, she wore only a light dress, and her slender back was startlingly delicate.
Diana quietly called out,
“Your Highness.”
The princess slowly turned her head, staring at Diana.
The fury in her eyes, like that at the hunting ground, was gone.
Her pale face only looked lonely.
Diana skipped all formalities and spoke directly,
“Please, even for a moment, hear what I have to say.”
The princess’s clear eyes stared at her.
Silence befitted the space surrounded by death.
Diana forced herself to appear calm as she met the princess’s gaze.
Finally, when she spoke, the princess’s voice was hoarse, as if she had been crying for a very long time.
“Who are you, exactly?”
It was not a question for a formal answer or a title.
Diana met her gaze squarely.
“I am someone who, with the trust of Grand Duchess Erbinjel Ellaris and His Majesty the Emperor, has come to appeal to you.”
The princess’s emotionless eyes flickered slightly.
Diana assumed it was due to the mention of Grand Duchess Erbinjel.
From the princess’s perspective, Grand Duchess Erbinjel Ellaris was her closest adult relative and a strong ally of the Emperor.
The Grand Duchess rarely spoke of her nieces and nephews, but it was clear they had a good relationship.
Diana spread the hem of her dress and bowed deeply.
“His Majesty is greatly concerned about Your Highness.”
Even with her exhausted expression, the princess scoffed.
Diana continued firmly,
“No one would remain unconcerned after not seeing their only younger sister’s face for over half a year.”
The princess displayed the same defiant expression as at the hunting ground, mocking,
“Who are you to talk about His Majesty?”
“From what I perceive, His Majesty sincerely worries about you. Am I wrong?”
The princess laughed harshly,
“Wrong. What He worries about is not his younger sister but a girl to be sold to Arasus as a hostage.
If there had been even one other woman in the royal family capable of taking that role, I wouldn’t care if I starved or froze to death.”
Diana recalled the Emperor waiting at the Hall’s entrance.
The princess’s question of ‘What do you know of the Emperor?’ was not entirely wrong.
‘I am the Emperor who cannot persuade his only sister.’
Yet Diana did not think of him as cruel.
He could not display a lonely face like the princess described if he truly were merciless.
She glanced at the portrait behind the princess.
The masterful brushwork could never fully capture the living subject, but Diana locked eyes with the knight most cherished by the Empire’s noblest woman.
The princess, noticing Diana’s gaze, rose from her seat, attempting to block her view.
Diana remained composed and said,
“He must have been an extraordinary knight.”
The princess gritted her teeth.
“Shut your mouth.”
“But the living must continue to live. That is respect for those who can no longer do so.”
Diana had given the same advice to Erin, who once sat all day by the grave of a beloved cat.
She did not expect the princess to obey like Erin, but it was Diana’s sincerest effort.
Even with her ignorance of palace politics, Diana knew the princess could not keep evading reality.
Whether the strategic marriage to the Crown Prince of Arasus or plans for peace with Arasus fell through, it would not benefit her personally.
In any case, she had to overcome grief and tragedy and live her own life.
Diana was prepared for the princess to rage, but the reaction was different.
She sounded exhausted.
“Respect?”
Her voice seemed drained of all the energy that had sustained her.
Diana blinked.
“My brother drove my lover to death. A princess meant to be a tool of a political marriage cannot have a lover.”
“….”
“Among so many knights, he had to send Edric to his death. Do you think there was no political calculation involved?”
Diana could not respond.
A hand from behind rested on her shoulder.
The warm, large hand held her shoulder gently, reassuringly, before letting go.
It was the Emperor.
