CH 23

23. The Imperial Palace You Won’t Believe

“The Knights of Saint Malik…?”

“Ah, Her Majesty the Empress. That’s…”

Yvette, who has a wide range of knowledge throughout the history of the Empire, did not miss the opportunity. When Lasilia showed ignorance, she quickly whispered in her ear.

“They are the knights of the Harios Temple. Although the Knights of St. Malik have a long history, they were a somewhat dubious group that inherited ancient magic, so they were ostracized in society. It was very sudden, so there was a lot of talk.”

The name of the first god, who was said to have created the continent, was Harios. In Delarta, Kanes, the god of water and prosperity, was regarded as the main deity, but that did not deny the names of other gods. Eliadon’s main god was Harios. The more they went to the provinces, the more freely they believed in the gods of the region, and there were no restrictions on other sects within the empire, but the Harios Temple had the greatest power.

“But why is it a snake head?”

“Ah, I don’t know that either. St. Malik is the name of an ancient sorcerer and has nothing to do with snakes. He never said that he used snake-related magic…?”

It seemed like a whisper, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the shadow knights’ ears.

“Because they have long tongues, Her Majesty.”

Ryan said, looking at Yvette.

“And as you can see from the fact that he mentions the name of the impostor wizard, he is anxious because he can’t eat the imperial family, which has demonic blood.”

It was also very old. It was before Eliarden’s name was even created. There was no way that the appearance of the demons was mysterious and beautiful like a fairy tale. The existence of demons was likely to be seen as a threat to humans, and there were many twists and turns until the demons finally subjugated their blood to humans and humanized their bodies. Wizards were those who fought against the demons at the time. Among them, Archmage Malik played the biggest role.

Yvette jerked her head to the side.

“Do you think I am a slob from the Knights of St. Malik? Absolutely not! I can swear!”

“I’m not saying that. If the snakeheads find out about Your Majesty’s violation of the imperial law, they might catch the pod.”

“Ah, that…”

Yvette closed her mouth tightly, crying. Lasilia patted Yvette on the back and faced Ryan.

“Your Majesty has already guaranteed Yvette’s life. His Majesty’s knights will not take lightly what His Majesty said of her, but what else do you want to say?”

“As I said, I will follow Your Majesty’s will. However, I would like to establish a countermeasure. It looks like we’ll have to find a way to keep his life alive, but not break the law. Then it doesn’t matter even if this courtier actually mates with the snakeheads.”

Serben nodded. That’s not to say there weren’t any complaints.

“I agree… I still think it’s dangerous.”

Lasilia also learn a lesson about not blindly trusting people. She was already in debt to the Emperor, although she did not intend to, she owed her heart a little. She wanted to stop needlessly harming the Emperor with her guilt.

“If you can, that would be great, Your Majesty.”

When Lasilia said this, Lescal gave a slow laugh. Everyone was a little bewildered at how she seemed to be in a good mood all of a sudden.

“If the Empress is like that, tell me how.”

“Um, that…”

Yvette wiped away her tears and raised her hand.

“You said that there are times when it’s okay to see His Majesty’s appearance change, right? Wouldn’t it be okay if I was like that too? I’m not from the royal family, so I’ll swear a death oath!”

In a way, Yvette was like a clean glass person. She looked straight into the inside to see what she was thinking.

Ryan replied, shaking her head.

“I don’t think I’d have to play the role of a fool with such a personality, but… That’s not allowed. Because it is not a knight.”

“Ah, no…”

A slight shadow fell on Yvette’s sullen eyes. Lasilia took Yvette’s hand as if to comfort her. Then the Emperor, who was looking at Lasilia, pulled his hand opposite her and squeezed it. 

When Lasilia looked at him with a questioning expression, the Emperor subtly avoided her gaze. But he didn’t let go of her hand.

“Are there any exceptions?”

Still feeling indebted, Lasilia gave up her hand and asked Ryan.

“As far as I know, no. If you call in a legal scholar and ask him, he will know more details, but that increases the risk of the secret leaking out.”

She threw words as if the Emperor was no big deal.

“I guess we can make them royalty.”

“Yes? Members of the royal family? What do you mean?”

“You can adopt.”

“No, so where is the royal family that would adopt a court lady? Not even a newborn baby, but a full-grown adult.”

“I’m with you.”

“Yes…?”

For the first time, people who had been in different positions all along were of the same mind. She felt like she couldn’t believe that the Emperor was saying this now.

“Me and the Empress have no children yet. Adoption isn’t weird either.”

Serben raised his voice involuntarily.

“Strange! Absolutely strange!”

Yvette panicked and pulled Lasilia’s sleeve.

“Your Majesty the Empress. I am older than Her Majesty the Empress. I know it’s a grace that overflows, but this is a bit…”

Ryan looked at Lescal with a frown on his face.

“Your majesty. I can fully understand the desire to fulfill Her Majesty’s request, but the method is too excessive.”

“Isn’t there any other way? Tell me if so, I will listen.”

“No, I don’t have anything else to say if you say that… Still, she thinks that if a princess is older than Her Majesty, people will think something is suspicious…”

The method came from a very unexpected place.

“Ahem! I think I can help with that.”

‘My God!’

The Duke of Shryden showed off his presence by splendidly flaunting his large wings.

“What else is that…”

Embarrassment and bewilderment piled up on the shadow knights’ faces. As if the Duke of Shryden had been expecting such an expression, he leisurely circled the air and landed on Lasilia’s lap.

“This body is the 1st of Shraiden! They are the absolute royal family!”

“…hmm?”

* * *

Pippi, a temporary name on hold, was well hidden among the feathers of the Duke of Shryden’s head anyway. Lasilia, who confirmed it’s presence, put her mind at ease. Pipi was so small that no one would notice him.

“The royal family… What? A bird?”

“No, before that. No matter how parrot you are, can you talk like a human like that? You’re not just talking, you’re having a conversation.”

Serben and Ryan looked at Lescal.

Lescal narrowed his gold eyes and looked at the Duke of Shryden. In fact, he knew nothing about this strange bird either.

“Shryden the 1st?”

“Ahem. The northern tower of the Imperial Palace is the domain of Lord Shraiden I. The Emperor ordered it.”

“Why did the Emperor do that?”

Lescal frowned. Terrified by that expression, Shryden burrowed into Lasilia’s arms and stuck her head out through her sleeve. Lescal’s impression of seeing it became more bleak.

“Your Majesty, do you know the Duke of Brennan?”

“…I know. And are birds originally animals that sit like that?”

“I was raised by the last Duke of the Brennan family. The poor Duke, who had the unfortunate end of his life at the age of nine, bequeathed the title to me. However, humans are greedy beyond words. Because I am a bird, there was no end to the shameless attempts to rob me of my inheritance rights. Even if I wrote a book about what I experienced then, three or four volumes would come out… And when the bird sits, it sits neatly on the perch. Unless the human sitting across from you is staring at you horribly.”

“And… really good… Hut,”

Yvette, who was exclaiming, realized her mistake and put her hand over her mouth. Shuryden’s words, which had paused for a moment because of Yvette, continued.

“The Emperor, unable to see anything worse than beasts surrounding the Brennan family, arbitrarily retrieved the title and territory. At that time, I was just a young bird, and I didn’t have the strength to protect the territory, and you must have judged that it would be difficult for the descendants of the Brennan family to continue to be birds. However, my right to inherit was a legitimate legal process, and even the emperor of the empire could not take it away. Therefore, the Emperor gave me a new title available only for one generation, and set up a manor in one corner of the palace for the courtiers to take care of me.”

“Oh, I think I’ve heard of that too!”

It was Yvette again.

“From the Imperial Archives in the Imperial Library. At the time, the imperial secretary left memoirs under the title, “The details of the imperial palace that you won’t believe.”

Shryden also shouted enthusiastically.

“There is also a certificate of entitlement signed by the Emperor! You will know when you open that chest of drawers!”

At those words, Serben jumped up and approached the chest of drawers. When he opened the antique chest of drawers, inside it was a certificate engraved like grains on a gold plate.

“No, what the… It’s like a fairy tale.”

Ryan received the words with the same face.

“After hearing it, it seems like the Emperor would have done it. He must have giggled while signing the certificate… No, he would have laughed happily.”

Lescal glanced at the certificate that Serben had handed over, then handed it to Serben. The deed was genuine.

“Since you’re a descendant of the Brennan duchy, does that mean you’re the royal family even if your blood isn’t mixed?”

“That’s right. The Brennan duchy was the most closely related family to the imperial family, except for the five families. It’s just that I haven’t inherited the title, but I’m the official successor, so I’m right in the royal family.”

“… It’s like a nose ring hanging over your nose, but you can see it.”

Serben nodded, though his face was still shaken.

“That is… Yes, I think it would look better for a bird to adopt than for His Majesty to adopt.”

It was the same with Ryan.

“There will be less people talking about it because there will be more people who don’t know who the Duke of Shryden is.”

Yvette’s face flushed with excitement.

“Well, then am I going to become the daughter of a Duke? Really?”

Serben quickly added an explanation.

“Even so, you cannot inherit the title. Because the title of Duke of Shryden is limited to one year old. I don’t think his wealth is very large.”

“No. No! I don’t even want that. It’s good that I’m not going to die, but I suddenly became a noble lady! Unbelievable! It’s like a dream!”

Yvette was so happy that she grabbed Lasilia’s hand and shook it.

“Good.”

As Lasilia smiled at Yvette, Lescal shook Lasilia’s hand. And Lasilia looked back at Lescal.

“Why is His Majesty like that?”

“Because you will be happy.”

“It’s a pleasure for me, but…”

“So it’s a pleasure for me too.”

Lescal put his lips on the back of her hand that he was shaking. In an instant, there was a click and sound from the heart. Lasilia held her breath for a moment and stared at Lescal.

‘Ah… Why are you like this?’

“You’re happy, so I’m happy too,” was a word Lasilia had never heard before.