Chapter 5 – Issen (Part 6)

The Empress’s audience chamber is located on the second floor of the east wing of the main palace. The main palace building of the Trissen Imperial Palace is shaped like a curved horseshoe facing south. Traditionally, the west wing was used by the Emperor, and the east wing by the Empress. To the west of the main palace is the Emperor’s forest, and to the east is the deep blue sea.

The inner castle of Issen is situated along a steep cliff to the east. The height of the main palace building is taller than the castle walls, offering a clear view of the sea. The corridor leading to the audience chamber is lined with large glass windows, beyond which the blue horizon stretches like a painting.

“This palace offers a magnificent sunrise. The sea faces due east.”

Bryant said as they walked, following the secretary. Evelyn knew it was an attempt to ease her tension. She nodded and smiled slightly, but then a question arose. 

Had he seen the sunrise from here? In this palace?

Just as she was about to ask, the secretary walking ahead stopped. Evelyn alternated her gaze between the large arched door in front of her and the pair of attendants standing on either side.

“Please wait a moment.”

The secretary, seeking consent from the two, knocked lightly on the door. Then he immediately opened it and entered, raising his voice.

“Your Majesty, the Young Master of Elgagrove is here.”

The introduction was courteous yet concise, almost like a notification. It seemed permission for entry was not required. Although there was no response, the attendants opened the door without hesitation. As the doors swung open simultaneously, the interior of the audience chamber was revealed.

It was a very spacious, bright, and splendid room.

Evelyn walked inside, relying on the man’s arm. A subtle fragrance wafted through the audience chamber, reminiscent of vanilla or perhaps flowers. The interior walls were covered with jade damask fabric. Aside from the marble statues, there were few furnishings. An eight-person rectangular table was placed by the window, and in the center of the audience chamber was a high-backed chair.

The Empress was right there, sitting with her hands clasped, looking in their direction.

With bright blonde hair and blue eyes, the Empress was, as Evelyn knew, in her mid-thirties. She had two sons, the eldest of whom, the Crown Prince, was already a teenage boy. However, if one did not know her status, they would not have guessed her age.

And even if one did not know her status, it would be evident to anyone that she was an extraordinary woman.

In Evelyn’s eyes, Empress Reinus was a woman full of mature beauty. Her unique dignity was ingrained in her, she was undoubtedly beautiful, and a strong personality was evident in her clear eyes and lips. The elaborate purple dress suited her without a hint of excess.

There were no attendants or guards inside the audience chamber. Only one woman stood behind the Empress. She was dressed in a relatively modest yet elegant dress and appeared older than the Empress, likely a lady-in-waiting.

There was no carpet on the floor of the audience chamber. The smooth wooden panels echoed the footsteps of those who moved. Step by step. The footsteps of the two men and women were almost in sync.

Bryant stopped about four steps away from the Empress. He gently released Evelyn’s hand, which was holding his arm, and walked briskly toward the Empress.

“I greet the Lord of Issen.”

He spoke as he bent to kiss the back of the Empress’s hand. The Empress was also wearing long gloves, so their bodies did not touch directly. The Empress, who had silently received the gesture of respect, rose from her seat as Bryant released her hand and stood upright.

“Bran.”

The Empress seemed to smile faintly as she stood. At that moment, Bryant took a step closer and bowed his head to kiss her cheek. The Empress responded in kind, her face breaking into a bright smile. Watching them, Evelyn hid her surprise.

The two appeared incredibly familiar with each other. The Empress naturally raised her hand to stroke the man’s face, looking up into his eyes and speaking quickly. Evelyn could not understand the light and swift Ritten language they used. However, she clearly heard the last word pronounced.

Bran.

It was unmistakable that this was Bryant’s nickname.

The man stood silently, listening to the Empress’s greeting. Since he was facing away from her, Evelyn could not see his expression. 

What is this? How do they know each other? 

She struggled to swallow her confusion mixed with dismay.

“Your Majesty. This is the novelist Dennis Howle from Kingston.”

Speaking in Trissen, Bryant turned halfway and gestured lightly for the woman standing at a distance to come forward. Evelyn walked calmly and stood before the Empress.

“This is Her Majesty Reinus, the Lord of Issen.”

With the man’s introduction, she bent her knee. Following the etiquette for addressing the Imperial Family, she bent her knee as much as possible and bowed her head deeply. And when she rose again, she could see the smile on the Empress’s face.

“Welcome.”

Her Trissen was pronounced with clarity. Her voice was full of dignity.

“It is a great honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”

Evelyn responded courteously, as was appropriate, but

“The dress suits you well.”

She couldn’t help but pause at the unexpected compliment.

‘The dress suits you well.’ How should one respond to such words? Is it too much to say, “It’s an honor”? Or, “You are very beautiful yourself, Your Majesty”? She pondered a clever reply to leave a better impression, but her tense mind chose the safest path.

“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Countess.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Please bring in tea for our guests.”

“Understood.”

The lady-in-waiting standing behind the chair moved without hesitation. Evelyn heard the sound of the audience chamber door opening and closing slightly, and she repeated the words in her mind. 

Countess.

“Let us sit over here.”

The Empress indicated the rectangular table and took the first step. Bryant slightly overtook her and pulled out the chair at the head of the table. The Empress sat down with the rustling of her elaborate dress, and he went to the second chair on her right. He intended to pull out the chair for Evelyn, but

“No. To the left.”

The Empress intervened.

Bryant paused and looked at her. Evelyn watched the two from a slight distance. It was the first moment when the man, who usually flowed like water, hesitated.

“There is another guest.”

The Empress, seated at the head of the table, spoke as she faced him. Without a word, Bryant moved to the opposite side. After pulling out the second chair, he looked at Evelyn. His face was perfectly calm as usual, but Evelyn could sense something was off.

After helping her into her seat, he sat down in his place. The first seat to the left of the Empress. Evelyn was on his right. The two sat with their backs to the large window overlooking the sea. All three seats opposite were empty.

“Miss Dennis Howle.”

The Empress began to speak.

“May I call you that?”

Evelyn quietly raised her eyes to meet hers.

Dennis Howle. The pen name “Dennis” on the cover of her novel is a man’s name. However, there was also a woman’s name with the same pronunciation but different spelling. More importantly, it was Dennis Howle, the author, whom the Empress had invited today, not Evelyn Dale. Evelyn knew this meeting was unofficial. She also understood why the secretary had only announced Bryant’s identity when they entered the audience chamber. There was no reason to insist on being called by her real name.

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

“I was deeply impressed by your work. The Blooming Mansion was very famous even in Issen. I was eager to meet you, so I troubled Mr. Clifton.”

The Empress smiled as she turned her gaze to the man. Bryant only smiled faintly without responding.

“It must have been a long journey, but I’m glad you came.”

“The honor is mine.”

“Have you been to Issen before?”

“Of course, Your Majesty. I lived here until just before going to Kingston.”

“Oh. Then how long has it been since you returned?”

“Three years. To be exact, three years and four months.”

“Do you have family here?”

“No. I was originally born and raised near Mendel, and I came to Issen as an adult.”

“You were born in the homeland of the first Empress.”

The Empress smiled lightly.

“It must be nostalgic to return to your homeland.”

“Indeed it is, Your Majesty.”

“Then your family is in Mendel?”

“No. My mother is in Lassello.”

“That’s quite far. So where are you staying now?”

“She is staying with me.”

Bryant, who had been listening quietly, interjected. Evelyn watched as their gazes met. After a brief silence, the Empress looked at the man,

“Of course. That makes sense.”

She nodded lightly and turned her gaze back to Evelyn.

“There is much I wish to discuss, but today, let’s keep it light. It’s our first meeting.”

Facing the smiling Empress, Evelyn offered a slight smile. 

But a first meeting? Did that imply there would be a second? 

It was a statement she didn’t quite understand.

“People meeting me for the first time often don’t show their true strengths. But as time passes and they become accustomed, fear and tension naturally disappear. Everyone is like that to some extent, so I fully understand the discomfort you might be feeling now.”

The Empress’s voice was on the lower side. Her tone was deliberate, and her timbre was weighty. This made her words sound even more authoritative. Everything she said seemed to have deep meaning, deserving of attentive listening. Is such dignity innate? Or does an innate status create dignity? Or are they ultimately the same thing? Evelyn felt a strong curiosity about this noble-born woman.

Just then, there was a knock, and the door to the audience chamber opened. All three pairs of eyes turned in that direction simultaneously. The secretary who entered slightly raised his chin and spoke.

“Your Majesty, the Duke of Windberg is here.”