Ch.17Imperial Palace Invitation

After bringing Eshtiel from the border, a long time had passed.

During the additional four years that flowed by, we were gradually becoming quite different from before.

Eshtiel no longer volunteered for menial tasks to prove her usefulness. Instead, she displayed an age-appropriate liveliness while developing the courage to immediately express her desires when they arose.

And I, while spending time with Eshtiel, slowly learned the ordinariness I had lost. Though I must admit, Rodrick deserves much credit for appropriately mediating between us.

The comfort of human warmth was fascinating. In that sense, Eshtiel had become my second family. I don’t have a younger sister, but if I did, I imagine she would have been a child just like Eshtiel.

Though it began as a calculated decision, by now I was satisfied simply having her remain by my side.

Eshtiel was, after all, a decent child.

So, since our brief journey ended, I kept Eshtiel close by my side.

Also, as she wished, I personally taught her various academic subjects including languages. During these times, I became a strict teacher who wouldn’t allow her to nod off drowsily. I would even deliberately ignore her occasional complaints.

At such times, Eshtiel would puff her cheeks and glance at me resentfully.

“You’re so strict.”

“Can’t help being strict. If you’re poor at speaking and writing, you won’t be able to attend the Academy.”

“Ugh…”

“Of course, if you’re giving up on the Academy, we can stop.”

I spoke with feigned indifference while gauging her reaction. Given the size of her ambition, the effect was remarkable.

“I… don’t want that…”

“Right. If you want to fit in well at the Academy, you need to master your studies first.”

“Will I make more friends if I study well?”

“…”

For a moment, I closed my mouth at her piercing question.

Friends, she says. It was a concept I had no connection with and didn’t find particularly desirable, so I questioned what the necessary conditions might be. Still, I relayed to Eshtiel the information Rodrick had been feeding me, without filtering it.

“Most people are drawn to intelligent individuals.”

“If it’s most people, then some aren’t, right?”

“When your strengths stand out, you sometimes face jealousy.”

“Jealousy…”

Eshtiel quietly mulled over that word. Then soon after, she smiled broadly, revealing her impish ambition.

“But I think being envied would be nice. Mmm, hehehe…”

“Eshtiel?”

“They say shadows always follow light, right? I’m definitely going to become the queen of light.”

“…Who told you that? Eshtiel.”

“Tesha said so. She said I could become a queen who controls boys just by holding their hands.”

‘This is rather troublesome…’

While my attention was directed elsewhere, she’s grown into quite a dangerous child. Indeed, Rodrick’s advice in the field of child-rearing is correct a hundred times over. From today onward, I must keep Eshtiel by my side even if the world falls apart.

Just as I was internally strengthening my resolve, Rodrick opened the door to the study and walked in without hesitation.

Clunk! Thud, thud.

Unlike usual, his footsteps were quite urgent. Raising my gaze slightly, I could clearly see the confusion and perplexity on his face. I immediately asked the unusually flustered man.

“Rodrick? Has some urgent incident occurred?”

“Incident… an incident…”

Rodrick rambled as if in a trance, then quickly rubbed his face with his hands.

“Yes, it is an incident. I had considered the possibility that something like this might happen… but to think the unlikely would become reality.”

“Tell me quickly.”

“Right… first, I should show you this for the conversation to proceed.”

Responding to my urging, what Rodrick produced were three envelopes. Moreover, they were envelopes with gold-trimmed borders and the imperial crest stamped in the center.

Even without opening the contents, the intention was clear, and Rodrick revealed the answer without hesitation.

“They’re invitations. For three people…”

“You mean we’re being summoned to the imperial palace?”

“Yes. Given the circumstances, it’s reasonable to connect this to escorting the princess.”

“Serin…”

Can I meet her again? The one I bid farewell to in such an inappropriate manner…

“Oh my?”

At that moment, Rodrick stared at me with wide eyes.

“Serin? Have you become close enough to use nicknames? You?”

“It’s just an alias.”

“Hmmmm.”

Rodrick suspiciously scrutinized my answer as if dissatisfied. Since I had no reason to convince Rodrick, I consistently ignored his suspicion.

“Sigh! Let’s discuss that later… First, one of the invitations is naturally yours, as the person who escorted the princess.”

“It would be troublesome if I had to remove my mask.”

“For some reason, there’s a clause allowing it even in front of royalty. Honestly, the consideration is so deep it’s suspicious…”

Rodrick placed his hand under his chin as if finding it hard to believe, but I could easily guess the inside story. Surely Serin had stepped forward first and requested such consideration. Even at the risk of her own unstable position…

‘What a strange person.’

She usually craved what was beneath the mask so desperately, yet at times like this, she betrayed her desires and showed consideration. I was startled to realize that the corners of my mouth were unconsciously curving upward.

“If we accept the invitation, another one is for Rodrick. Then what should we do with the last one?”

“There’s no need to match the number of recipients to the invitations. Two people should be sufficient.”

“But Rodrick is stupid. Two people isn’t enough.”

“…”

“…”

Huh?

Our eyes turned in one direction at the sudden insult.

“Rahilt brother. Can’t I go too?”

“Eshtiel…”

“I want to go. You always told me to speak up if I wanted something.”

“…That’s true.”

“And I’m a noble too.”

“That’s exactly why you can’t go, little one.”

“Ugh, why!”

Even I found it difficult to take Eshtiel’s side this time. It was clear that as the legitimate daughter of the fallen noble House Elenot, she would be the target of all kinds of scorn. I was concerned about Eshtiel being hurt by such malice.

“Rahilt brother, are you really going to leave me behind? Really?”

“Eshtiel, your pronunciation is slipping badly because you’re getting emotional.”

“I want to go. If it’s dangerous, Rahilt brother will protect me. I trust you.”

“…”

“Brother, take me with you! Please?”

“Eshtiel…”

I took a deep breath. I guessed that staying silent wouldn’t resolve anything. So I honestly shared my concerns with Eshtiel.

“There will be many people who dislike you there. Perhaps there will be difficult things to hear. It’s different from here.”

“It’s okay. It won’t be scarier than the laundry women.”

“That’s true.”

“Hey, Rahilt?”

Rodrick couldn’t hide his astonishment at my brief agreement. Even I shared the same emotion, but regrettably, it was difficult to find logical flaws in her argument.

“Certainly… hmm.”

“Rahilt brother?”

Eshtiel was about four years old when she was engaged in military service. At that tender age, she endured hard labor and suffered all kinds of abuse among rough women. Naturally, she would have heard countless obscenities too shameful to mention.

It was uncertain how much significance such a child would place on gossip about her family background.

“Listen, think carefully. What if there are people who physically bully the little one?”

“Then they’ll have to pay the price.”

“How?”

“That’s strange coming from you. Even if I can’t, you can, right?”

“…”

As soon as I casually asked for his opinion, Rodrick became mute and observed us. Eventually, when his halted thoughts began working again, Rodrick opened his tightly closed mouth with his eyes squeezed shut.

“…Damn it, I don’t care if the little one cries. I detest childcare at my age.”

In a word, it was a declaration that he was delegating the decision-making authority.

“That’s good news, Eshtiel.”

“Hehe… Thank you, Rahilt brother! I’m so happy!”

Having confirmed the final approval, Eshtiel threw herself into my arms.

I barely managed to detach her as she clung to my chest with her whole body, and sat her on my knee.

Eshtiel’s excited mood only began to stabilize after I started stroking her head.

“Traveling with Rahilt brother…”

Only then did Eshtiel’s eyelids gradually grow heavy. It seemed the aftermath of the long study session was washing over her along with relief.

I laid Eshtiel down on the soft sofa and began reading the full text of the invitation Rodrick handed me.

◇

In the center of the system stands a symbol of power. That is, the emblem of the era that indiscriminately absorbs everyone’s curiosity and admiration. The place where the throne above all people radiates brilliant light, we call the imperial palace.

In fairy tales, it’s described as a mysterious place like paradise, but in reality, it wasn’t such a brilliant place. Depending on the era and circumstances, the imperial palace could be a den of evil.

‘I haven’t told anyone, but this kidnapping incident wasn’t a simple coincidence.’

The body I possessed inherited the blood of a man once called the nightmare of the north. I was immune to most poisons, and my physical abilities were beyond description. For someone like me to be subdued instantly by a poison—using such a rare, deadly poison just to kidnap an ordinary person?

It doesn’t make sense.

It must have been a crime committed with precise knowledge of my disguised appearance.

Although it was unpleasant to sense a threat to my life for the first time in this world… thanks to it, I met the male lead I had been waiting for, so I actually benefited. As repayment, I should personally deal with the forces behind the kidnapping.

‘Let’s see… there are more candidates than I thought.’

Starting with my younger brother who’s in the midst of a succession dispute, to the remnant forces of the deposed emperor… especially the original female lead. There are so many possibilities that it’s honestly troublesome.

Swish, swish.

I fell into deep contemplation while repeatedly tossing and catching the silver token the male lead had given me. Just then, my personal maid, who had been watching me closely, spotted the silver token and gaped.

“Oh my, Princess! If it’s alright, may I examine that object for a moment?”

“Hmm? Sure.”

I immediately handed the silver token to the maid. As soon as I did, the maid’s eyes widened in great astonishment.

“My goodness… Princess, may I ask where you obtained this?”

“Didn’t I mention it? The person who escorted me gave it to me.”

“I-I see.”

“Why? What is it?”

I had already heard from him that it was a token that could be used to ask for help once. But after returning to the imperial palace, I wasn’t sure how to use it.

‘I was planning to keep it so I could wish for marriage once I become Empress…’

I never expected the maid would recognize it. It was an unexpected coincidence.

Soon she opened her mouth, unable to hide her excitement.

“Do you see this pattern here?”

“Pattern?”

“Yes, the pinwheel pattern.”

‘It wasn’t the Buddhist swastika symbol…?!’

Whoever designed it had a remarkably unique aesthetic sense. I never would have guessed it was a pinwheel…

“This is the emblem of the Pinwheel Mercenary Group, the empire’s most eccentric organization. And the material is pure silver, right? This material represents the leader of the mercenary group. In other words…”

Next, the maid leaned in uncomfortably close to me, her eyes sparkling.

“Princess, this means you can command the entire Pinwheel Mercenary Group once, whenever you wish!”

“Ah, I see…”

“In short, it’s a treasure that couldn’t be obtained even for a fortune. Perhaps… was the person who escorted you the leader of the Pinwheel?”

“I think that’s right.”

“Wow…! Princess, you’re so talented! How do you manage to gain advantages even when kidnapped…”

“Ha… haha.”

The maid’s insight in accurately grasping the situation is remarkable. I was just brimming with desire to marry the male lead, but someone else considers such grand uses…

“The leader of the Pinwheel Mercenary Group was named Rahilt, right? What kind of person was he? There are so many rumors…”

“He’s the cutest person in the world.”

“Pardon?”

“…No, never mind.”

I almost caused the maid to commit the discourtesy of viewing the princess as a madwoman.

I brushed it off with the maid and began to think, focusing my attention on the empty space.

‘Let’s see… do I really need to use this silver token only for the male lead?’

Rahilt, the leader of the Pinwheel Mercenary Group.

By another name…

[The Child of the Deposed Emperor]

The identity of a man still far from being called by his true name. I turned over three keywords related to him in succession.

‘Silver token, mercenary leader, child of the deposed emperor.’

…

……

Grin.

The corners of my mouth curved slightly.

It was a smile born from satisfaction with the increasingly clear big picture.

‘Soon, we’ll meet again. Rahilt.’

This was a scene from the past.

It happened two weeks before the imperial palace invitation arrived at the Pinwheel Mercenary Group headquarters.