episode_0376

***

The emperor did not like it when the unexpected happened.

This was because he was in a position where he could control the fate of a huge empire with a moment’s judgment.

Everything should not deviate from known facts, and the risks should be minimal or non-existent to ensure peace of mind.

Therefore, anything that deviates from expectations is not pleasant.

It was the same today, when the highly anticipated lunch menu was changed to a different dish due to issues with supply of ingredients.

The new cook, who was rubbing his hands and begging for mercy, died before even completing half a day of his term.

But exceptions do exist. The emperor’s eyes widened at the unexpected news delivered by the knight commander.

“The cavalry commander sent a letter?”

The emperor smiled brightly at the news he heard during tea time to soothe his displeased mood.

“It is said that an arrow flew near the guard post of the military camp. Since the informer communicates in a different way, it is correct that the cavalry commander sent it.”

“By any chance, you didn’t read the content, right?”

At the emperor’s suspicions, the knight commander bowed even deeper.

“How can I be the first to read the letter sent to His Majesty the Emperor? However, I only thought so because it said on the outside of the letter that it was sent by a cavalry commander.”

Only then did the emperor smile, showing his teeth without hiding his satisfied feelings.

“Well, how could a loyal knight commander do something that would betray my expectations? Haha, straighten your back.”

“Thank you for your mercy.”

“Okay, I’m really curious about what you wrote.”

Untie and unfold the paper hanging from the arrow. Letters were scattered across the crookedly folded lines.

The emperor’s eyes narrowed.

“It’s not the cavalry commander’s handwriting… I guess he did some ghostwriting.”

“It looks like the injury has not healed yet.”

” Doesn’t that mean you can’t even move your hands properly? It seemed okay when I saw it yesterday…”

The emperor’s eyes were full of concern. The knight commander kept his mouth shut and examined the emperor’s mood.

She read each letter slowly, savoring it.

Although it was not written by the cavalry captain’s hand, the letter, written in colloquial language, was sufficiently imbued with the cavalry captain’s scent.

It wasn’t a long letter, so it didn’t take long to read.

After finishing reading the letter, the emperor moved his eyes to the beginning of the letter. Just read it like that.

The emperor’s gaze travels back and forth between the beginning and the end of the letter.

“Hehehe….”

The emperor, who had engraved the information on his retina, smiled in satisfaction with his cheeks turning red.

“I think you have good news.”

The cavalry commander suited the emperor’s mood with his horse.

“The cavalry commander wants to meet tomorrow.”

“Do you mean tomorrow?”

“Okay, tomorrow. At the entrance of the forest.”

The emperor read the letter again to make sure he understood it correctly.

The knight commander muttered, ‘Tomorrow.’ This is the last day the emperor showed mercy.

If you are going to surrender, you will do it today, and if you plan to fight, there is no reason to meet the emperor tomorrow.

‘What are you thinking?’

It was difficult for him to guess the cavalry commander’s thoughts.

Even when they were on the battlefield together, the cavalry commander was silent.

I couldn’t understand his thoughts back then, but it was only natural that I couldn’t understand his intentions now that several years had passed.

‘It’s likely a trap.’

The knight commander thought so.

“Your Majesty. Are you going to see the cavalry commander tomorrow?”

So the question was natural.

It was a very risky move to have the emperor meet with him in a situation where one did not know what the other person was thinking.

“You are asking the obvious.”

The emperor, already excited by the mere fact of meeting the cavalry commander, answered with a smile on his face.

“Anyway, he will be yours the day after tomorrow. I don’t think there’s any need to take risks.”

The knight commander swallowed his saliva and spoke carefully.

“Knight Commander. Know the topic and open your mouth.”

Naturally, the answer that came back was not friendly.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Yes, I will pass because I know your loyalty. But if you say the same thing again, even you won’t be safe.”

A subtle smile remained on the emperor’s face, as if he was not too offended.

If the emperor had been in a bad mood at all, it would have been difficult for even the knight commander to protect his head.

“…Your Majesty, would it be okay if I escort you until you reach the entrance of the forest? I would appreciate it if you thought of it as my foolish, old-fashioned sentiment.”

The knight commander bowed his waist and pleaded.

“…….”

The emperor was silent. The knight commander continued, imagining the invisible face of the emperor.

“Just up to the entrance of the forest. The cavalry commander may be upright and have no intention of harming Your Majesty, but his subordinates are different. He may have dug a wicked trap without his knowledge.”

Anna’s disgusting face flashed in the emperor’s mind. Cheeky bitch. The emperor muttered to himself.

“Yes, it’s your advice, so I can’t ignore it. I grant you permission to accompany me to the entrance of the forest.”

“Thank you.”

“However, I will spend time alone with him.”

“Of course. I will keep this in mind.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to noon tomorrow. It’s a shame we can’t eat together, but we can do that the next day. Hehehe.”

The emperor smiled and read the letter once more. It had the power to make your heart pound even if you read it over and over again on the crumpled paper.

“Then I will step back.”

When the knight commander paid his respects and was about to step down, the emperor’s voice stopped him.

“Are your hands okay? Take a look. If you get hurt, I have to take the medicine tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

The knight commander left the emperor’s tent.

“…….”

The military camp, where dust was rising, was busy.

Looking at the soldiers moving in an orderly manner, the knight commander shook his head.

Is it right for this large army to move to capture just one person? The question came to mind, but he quickly threw the thought away.

Personal sentiments were unnecessary for the emperor’s sword.

***

“Anna.”

Cavalry captain’s tent. The cavalry commander who had gone to the forest with John called Anna.

“Yes.”

“Tonight. There will be people leaving the camp.”

“…Okay. Do you handle it right away?”

“No. All I have to do is confirm that it is who I think it is and then come back. There is no need to see blood.”

“May I ask who the person you are thinking of is?”

When Anna asked carefully, the captain put his head to Anna’s ear.

As she heard his breathing vividly, Anna forgot her situation and blushed.

Then, the captain’s mouth opened, and Anna’s body stiffened as she heard a familiar name.