Chapter 67
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67.
Naturally, Cassian Artez accepted my request.
If the Magicians' incident truly constituted a world-class crisis, it was equally a threat to the Empire itself.
Since the full truth remained unverified, we concluded that only the Emperor would receive a confidential report, and the Winter Palace Administration would oversee the investigation.
With our direction established, I handled my duties with a lightened heart and was able to attend the rank conferment ceremony.
This time, several knights who had distinguished themselves in the recent expedition received Baron rank and above, while others who had shed their apprentice status received proper knighthood, so I made considerable effort in the preparations.
The Winter Palace knights happened to be selected most frequently as recipients.
Perhaps because of this, the First Empress appeared deeply displeased.
'Since it was a dragon subjugation expedition, the knight casualties must have been substantial, so the Summer Palace knights were scarcely conscripted at all.'
Even the few knights who were conscripted had been smoothly repackaged by the First Empress as being essential to the Emperor's safety, so most remained in rear positions.
Consequently, none of them received new appointments this time.
However, several of the Fourth Prince's direct knights emerged among the recipients.
Just before the rank conferment ceremony began, the Fourth Prince entered alongside the former Second Concubine, now the Second Empress.
When the Fourth Prince respectfully approached the First Empress with his mother and offered his salutations, she merely lifted the corners of her mouth slightly and gave a curt nod.
"Her composure seems rather lacking."
Cassian Artez whispered softly to me upon witnessing this.
"The Emperor certainly did wound the First Empress's pride, didn't he?"
"Well, naturally. Her disposition must be thoroughly vexed."
After elevating the Second Concubine to Second Empress, the Emperor had not visited the Rose Palace for some time.
The First Empress, whether from wounded pride or to display self-restraint, had not visited the Sun Palace either.
As a result, the teacups of the Rose Palace became innocent casualties, until word came that the Emperor would visit the Rose Palace.
That morning, I heard miraculously that not a single teacup had been broken, yet by the following morning, a purchase requisition three times the usual amount had been submitted.
This was because the news the Emperor had brought that day had turned the First Empress's emotions inside out.
According to an anonymous palace attendant from the Rose Palace, the Empress had made truly flawless preparations that day to win back the Emperor's affections.
She had even adjusted her makeup to evoke nostalgic memories for the Emperor, and complemented the evening menu with dishes she had personally prepared, calibrating everything perfectly to his tastes.
The Emperor himself apparently showed great delight upon arriving at the Rose Palace, visibly moved by the Empress's appearance.
'You are especially beautiful today. It reminds me of the day I first extended my hand to you.'
'Has it truly been twenty years already, Your Majesty? Do you remember it all?'
'Of course. The memory of you helping a Countess Attendant in distress during the rain, heedless of soiling your dress, left a profound impression upon me.'
After speaking thus, a subtle atmosphere flowed between them, and the anonymous attendant had allowed herself to relax, thinking the evening would pass peacefully. But then the Emperor, with a composed smile on his face,
But soon after, the Emperor's face broke into a calm and composed smile,
'You have always been a compassionate person, and you place me above all else.'
'Of course, Your Majesty. You are my everything.'
'Then I trust you will accept this with a joyful heart—granting the Dawn Palace to the Fourth Prince.'
She had dropped a bombshell on the First Empress.
An anonymous palace attendant later recounted that the aftermath was so dreadful they refused to even recall it, their body trembling as they trailed off.
That night, the First Empress must have fought desperately to prevent it, yet the next day, the Emperor made his announcement.
'The First Empress, in her boundless compassion, has graciously granted the Dawn Palace to the Fourth Prince as he begins to stand alone. Is not the peace of the inner palace a testament to the First Empress's magnanimity?'
He had even woven in a carefully crafted narrative that the First Empress would never have desired.
In short, he had given her medicine while simultaneously poisoning her. With the announcement made in such terms, the First Empress had no choice but to play the role of a warm and gracious matriarch of the inner palace, whether she liked it or not.
Her position was already wavering with the expedition and the involvement of the Hanella Marquis Family, so even if she despised it, she would have to study the Emperor's intentions to reclaim his favor.
Truly, His Majesty the Emperor was a viper.
I firmly resolved once more not to rely on the information he had mentioned last time about loving the Late Empress.
'I should only remember that he willingly sacrificed even such a person for political gain.'
*
Though a subtle tension permeated the Grand Hall, the investiture ceremony I had prepared proceeded flawlessly according to schedule.
The sight of fledgling knights lined up before His Majesty the Emperor to receive their knighthood was quite spectacular.
Majestic music, uniforms that reeked of newness, and white capes embroidered with red dragons—evidence that they had earned their knighthood through the Flare Dragon expedition.
Seeing the excitement and pride radiating from the fresh knights' faces, I found myself straightening my shoulders with satisfaction.
Of course, such a distinction could not create discord within the Knight Order, so I planned to send the senior knights who had participated in the dragon expedition long, solemn cloaks as a surprise gift in the afternoon.
It was a form of reward that I had discussed with Cassian Artez and boldly obtained the Emperor's approval for.
After the investiture ceremonies concluded up to the rank of Viscount, it was finally my turn.
"Roselita Salice, master of the Flare Dragon Lair and chief strategist of the dragon expedition, and First Advisor to the Winter Palace!"
The moment the chamberlain announced my name, a thunderous cheer erupted from among the knights who had received their commissions or titles that day.
That overwhelming roar—though they were merely expressing their usual joy—caused several nobles who had been preparing to sneer as I rose to their feet to snap their mouths shut.
I soothed their disappointment by casting a scornful glance their way.
"How... how insolent!"
A few of them seemed to be trying to shout something, their lips quivering, but at that moment, the knights' heads turned in unison and their gazes poured down upon them, so they obediently fell silent.
It seemed they had no taste for drawing attention.
I walked forward with confidence and bowed before His Majesty the Emperor.
"To Roselita Salice, in consideration of the merits established during the recent expedition, the achievement of becoming master of the Flare Dragon Lair in the snow-covered territories of Clupeae, and the remarkable accomplishments as First Advisor to the Winter Palace, I bestow upon you the title of Marquis of the Clupeae Marches."
The Emperor was the only one to personally draw his sword during the entire investiture ceremony.
"Know that my expectations for you are great, Marquis of the Clupeae Marches."
Understanding that his words were armed with far more than mere goodwill, I responded with ease, offering my finest business smile.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
A weighty presence settled into my hand.
At the same moment, deep voices filled the Grand Hall with jubilant cheers.
And even amid that joy, I could distinctly sense it.
Something strange and unsettling directed toward me.
*
And the unease proved to be no mere fancy, as the Temple Priests attending the ceremony stepped forward with radiant smiles.
"Your Majesty, we are most delighted that our Temple could participate in this auspicious occasion."
These were hardly the sort to observe such courtesies.
The Emperor, too, seemed to sense something amiss, his brow furrowing slightly before he opened his mouth with hearty magnanimity.
"Haha, of course it was right to invite you, for the Temple rendered considerable aid in this dragon expedition!"
Though in truth it had been little more than a one-man show by Saint Wesley Morel.
"We merely did what was fitting. His Holiness the Pope himself said it was only natural for the Temple to step forward, and he rejoiced that none suffered grievous wounds or perished. It was all thanks to the divine protection of our Lord."
And with that, they casually redirected the fruits of our grueling labor to the Temple and their deity as though it were the Temple's achievement.
It was no wonder the First Empress and they got along so well—their methods were remarkably similar.
The Emperor did not agree with the Temple's words, offering only a smile instead, thus preserving the honor of the knights.
The Priests displayed a flicker of displeasure at the Emperor's refusal to concur, but soon their faces became smooth as masks as they spoke.
"We understand this is a joyous day, but the Temple must attend to the Temple's duties. We beg your pardon for this intrusion."
And as though their request for understanding had never been genuine, the priests turned as one and fixed their gaze upon me.
"Marquis of Clupeae! We possess all evidence of your heresy—present yourself obediently to His Holiness's summons!"
With that cry, the moment they turned their rosary rings, the white priestly vestments they wore transformed into black light.
"You won't deny employing such foul sorcery!"
It was none other than the mark of a Heresy Inquisitor of the Temple.
The Grand Hall, moments before brimming with joy, fell silent as though doused with cold water.
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