Ch.632Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from the Cold Country

The night sky of the Kiyen Empire is always a long gray, but on this night, it disappeared into the lights.

The music spread like a thick fog.

The music that flowed between marble columns and golden chandeliers moved quietly like footsteps gliding across carpets, until it finally held its breath in an enchanting silence.

In the palace ballroom with its undulating velvet curtains.

Amid men and women entering in crimson, navy, and light purple evening dresses and white ties, the sounds of silver-embroidered decorations and clinking glasses, laughter and greetings swirled around.

“……”

With my hair neatly combed up, I extended my arm to Camilla as she stepped down from the carriage and asked:

“As expected, it’s crowded from the entrance. I suppose places like this aren’t unfamiliar to you, Camilla?”

“Not enough to feel awkward.”

Her pure white opera gloves brushed against her formal attire as she slightly raised the corner of her mouth.

“Shall we go in?”

“…Shouldn’t that be my line?”

“You seemed a bit nervous.”

Really now.

Who’s reassuring whom here?

I walked up the marble steps alongside Camilla, who wore a subtle smile.

There seemed to be endless whispers from all directions, perhaps because many recognized our faces.

After the usher verified our invitation and cleared the way, we slowly proceeded through the palace corridor with its red carpet, heading toward the ballroom.

The violin melody resonated even higher.

Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from a Cold Country

Leyevsky Hall in the Petrograd Main Palace.

The ball symbolizing the Kiyen Empire’s high society, elegant invitations, flowing dresses, and luxurious lives adorned with jewels and ornaments graced this place for a special occasion.

The imperial ball, held for the first time in 54 years, was an event organized to celebrate Crown Prince Valery’s birthday.

People praised loudly that the Crown Prince would comfort the minds and bodies of subjects exhausted from the five-year conflict with the Demon Realm, and that the empire, now free from war as of today, would once again display its might under the Emperor’s rule.

“The Court Administration and Imperial Household Department seem to have prepared enthusiastically. The banquet hall has transformed more beautifully than ever.”

“If there’s anywhere that could fill the palace with so many fragrant flowers and plants against the season, it would certainly be the imperial greenhouse.”

“If the first day is this grand, I’m quite excited to see how splendid the last day will be. Ho ho.”

There were voices full of optimism, painting a picture of the coming peace.

“Prime Minister Stolypin is expected to arrive in 30 minutes, Ambassador.”

“The Crown Prince and Princesses haven’t appeared yet. Is Count Yaroslav here?”

“Princess Margarita’s maternal grandfather is currently engaged in conversation with the Joint Investment Committee Chairman at the fourth balcony to the east.”

“The cunning old man moved first. I see, let’s head that way.”

Complex calculations of profit and loss were exchanged.

Though the party hadn’t even begun, the festive atmosphere seemed quite heated already.

Everyone was sharing joy and merriment to the heavenly music. Despite it being only the first day, the night was growing deeper and more beautiful.

The moment we arrived at the entrance to the hall.

The voices that had been flowing naturally like music stopped, and all eyes began to turn toward us at once.

“It’s uncomfortable how everyone is staring.”

“We have to be somewhat famous.”

When I smiled awkwardly with a troubled expression, Camilla murmured with a smile as if to say what else could we do.

“If I’d known it would be like this, I should have worn a tailcoat instead of a dress uniform.”

“You’re only thinking about that now?”

“If there weren’t regulations, I wouldn’t have had to worry about it.”

Indeed, a military dress uniform was an eye-catching outfit wherever one went. That’s why I usually tried to avoid wearing it, but of course the embassy had to emphasize compliance with regulations.

With the imperial ball right around the corner, it was difficult to order a tailcoat now. And ignoring the strict dress code would be awkward, so what choice did I have? I just had to bring a dress uniform from home.

Despite my complaints, it must have looked quite good. Camilla calmly let out a laugh.

“Well, from my perspective, this suits you much better than a regular suit.”

Her flowing dress fluttered in the fresh breeze, and the silk gloves brushing against my uniform gave me a slightly ticklish sensation.

I hurried along with Camilla, who accompanied me as my partner.

Toward Leyevsky Hall, where the imperial ball was being held.

*

The Kiyen Imperial Ball, returning after 54 years, raised its magnificent curtain.

The venue was Leyevsky Hall, a banquet hall named after the historic bridge spanning the massive river that cuts through the imperial capital.

The Crown Prince’s selection of Leyevsky Hall as the venue for the imperial ball was significant in many ways.

First, this place had been a regular venue for announcing the “start of the social season” in the past.

Only after the first social event under the Emperor’s name concluded at Leyevsky Hall could nobles and merchants officially begin their social activities. This was a famous custom implicitly observed in the Kiyen Empire until the 18th century.

Hosting a ball without the Emperor’s permission was considered “highly disrespectful” at the time.

Of course, breaking this rule didn’t result in legal punishment for “insulting the imperial family,” but rather social ostracism (read: social burial) as someone lacking proper etiquette.

Due to changing times, accumulated complaints from high society, and perhaps the imperial family’s own view that this was rather petty, such customs began to be effectively abolished from the mid-18th century.

Even Nikolai VI, notorious for his iron-fisted rule, didn’t show much interest in splendid events like balls, so he didn’t make much fuss about political and business figures holding receptions freely. (Though he did plant a few intelligence agents and install listening devices and magical cameras at event venues.)

But now, the imperial ball returning after 54 years was being held at Leyevsky Hall?

The venue selection couldn’t have been more obviously intentional.

“Crown Prince Valery must be very conscious of the nobility. Well, I suppose I would be too in his position.”

“May I ask why you think so?”

“His siblings’ confidants are all from political and business circles.”

Camilla shrugged while tilting her cocktail glass.

“Every decision a politician makes has implications, big or small. The same goes for foreign ministry statements. Even the menu for a summit dinner carries meaning, so how could a tradition-minded royal family member choose a venue carelessly?”

“And?”

“Elizaveta draws support from political and bureaucratic circles, while Margarita is backed by the western business and political establishment. Leyevsky Hall symbolizes the Emperor’s sanction of social activities for nobles and merchants. It’s an implicit expression of his intention to maintain opposition to the end, whether in politics, bureaucracy, or business.”

“Hmm…”

“Or perhaps it’s an expression of strong confidence that he alone will become Emperor.”

Well done, Camilla. There’s nothing left for me to teach you.

We looked around Leyevsky Hall, whispering secrets to each other.

Since the ball hadn’t officially begun, no one was dancing with their partners yet, but the atmosphere in the banquet hall was already at its peak.

How could the mood not be festive with over five hundred couples gathered in one place?

Leyevsky Hall was more than adequate to accommodate over a thousand attendees and no less support staff. They even prepared a separate outdoor venue outside the building and activated expensive climate control magic covering the vast grounds.

It’s simply astonishing that all this was an extravagant display of the Smirnov imperial family’s glory.

After greeting the embassy staff, I returned to my seat to check on Camilla. She was in the middle of conversing with some visibly aristocratic ladies.

“Enjoying the party, I see?”

“I was just having trouble finding my way around as a first-timer, and they kindly offered help. Let me introduce you. This is the wife of Professor Vadim, a standing advisor to the Kiyen Magic Department. And this is the wife of Director Igor, who serves as the Secretary-General of the Imperial Labor and Social Protection Foundation.”

“Pleased to meet you, ladies. I’m Frederick Nostrum.”

I had heard of the Labor and Social Protection Foundation.

It was the largest private organization linked to the Labor Relations Committee, which handles disputes and mediations between workers and companies in the empire.

Its stated purpose was “protecting the rights of imperial workers” and “protecting the activities of labor unions.” Every citizen in the empire knew these two things were nonsense.

They were essentially a lobbying group that cleaned up after corporations. They were a government-friendly organization pretending to be a private entity, stuffing their key positions with people who had been executives at semi-state-owned enterprises.

Sometimes they even provided the Imperial Labor Department with materials to refute foreign press reports claiming “the Kiyen government suppresses social and labor movements.”

I remember an incident where the Abas news agency once criticized them for this and had their correspondent’s visa revoked.

I wondered what kind of twisted people they were, but it seems they were Margarita’s people.

“I have a prior engagement, so please excuse me.”

At this point, I tactfully took Camilla and left the scene.

“……”

As we walked calmly away, I asked Camilla in a flowing, murmured voice:

“How many more people like that were there?”

“Four that I can recall. What about you, Frederick?”

“I’m not sure. There were so many people hovering around the ambassador.”

The royals were nowhere to be seen, yet their underlings were already prowling around, making life difficult for us.

Apart from that, too many people were approaching us. Even excluding those associated with the royal family. Being famous was such a tiresome affair.

We needed time to catch our breath.

“If only the Professor were here with us right now…”

Camilla muttered in an unusually deflated voice. The Grand Duke was currently staying in a different location from us.

According to protocol, all members of the royal family must gather in one place until the event begins.

As much as he wanted to come with us, it would be awkward for an elder to break protocol. Alexandrov Petrovna also expressed regret that he had to enter separately just this once.

“He’s royalty. He should be with his family today.”

“That’s true…”

“But we’ll see him again once the ceremony starts, so let’s hang in there a little longer and get going.”

It’s only the first day, and I already feel drained from the start.

We escaped the crowd by heading to the terrace and quickly disappeared into the garden.

“No contact from Elizaveta or Margarita’s side?”

“Not yet.”

As I glanced back discreetly, Camilla gently lifted the hem of her dress and trampled across the lawn.

Our voices disappeared into the rustling noise, and the faintly spreading magical waves neutralized any potential eavesdropping magic in the area.

She continued her answer in a low voice as we circled the garden.

“People presumed to be connected to the royal family did approach me, but they didn’t make any statements implying something special or direct proposals. I suspect they were just trying to feel me out.”

“They’re testing you?”

“While I’m not sure about Elizaveta, Margarita hasn’t attempted to contact Frederick yet. Perhaps they were investigating through me, as Frederick’s closest acquaintance? Those two ladies were asking about you earlier…”

“Inquiring about associates. That makes sense.”

I asked specifically what kind of questions they had asked and how.

“Nothing special. Personality, preferences, tastes, work… topics easy to ask about when meeting someone for the first time.”

“Was that all? I thought they might have asked for some significant information.”

“I deliberately digressed to other topics in between and gave roundabout answers. Fortunately, Frederick came at the right time and interrupted the conversation.”

I see.

No wonder those ladies looking at Camilla seemed so exhausted. They must have been enduring a lengthy speech.

I jokingly asked if she had spoken ill of me while pretending to digress. Camilla exploded in anger and smacked me on the back.

A burning pain shot through my spine.

Without anyone saying anything, I was twisting my body left and right, flapping my chicken-wing-like elbows, and running away in a hurry.

“Aack! Master! It’s been years since slaves disappeared from Liverpool, please stop the flogging… huh?”

“Would you please shut your- hmm?”

As always, I was babbling nonsense, and Camilla, who had grabbed me with one hand while mercilessly whipping me with the other, suddenly froze.

Looking back now, it must have been quite a comical sight. In the garden at night, right in front of the Kiyen palace’s grand banquet hall.

A warrior in an evening dress thoroughly beating her colleague in formal attire with silk gloves.

And in front of a royal family member, no less.

“…Um, why are you here alone?”

After checking each other’s expressions, we straightened our posture, holding hands as if nothing had happened.

And we posed a question that wasn’t really a question to the royal family member who was awkwardly observing us.

“…Princess Anastasia?”