Chapter 9

Special street patrol. Of course, these were sometimes conducted to maintain public order. But this time, it was much more intense.

“When did that come from the palace? Where’s the document?”

“The servants checked it and placed it in your room as well. We thought you already knew, My Lady.”

After all, she was an aide working in the Imperial Palace. But Diana was hearing about it for the first time.

Why? Why? There must be a reason for suddenly strengthening street security like this….

As Diana’s mind raced, something occurred to her.

Was it because of the recent assassination attempt?

Evan had faced threats to his life several times even after becoming Emperor, but he hadn’t really taken aggressive countermeasures. Still, he couldn’t just let it continue. That must be why he ordered this special patrol.

As his aide, Diana was moved that Evan was taking such action. But not in this particular situation.

Banning civilians from roaming at night….

It meant anyone acting suspicious would be arrested.

“My Lady? Are you alright? You look even paler than before.”

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine. Just a bit surprised.”

She waved her hand to reassure the concerned servants, but inside, Diana was shocked.

If my people got caught by mistake…!

Not only would Dian’s identity be exposed, but knights could come storming into her house with swords at any moment. Diana slapped her cheeks with both hands to snap out of her spiraling anxiety.

No, no. Nothing’s happened yet.

And she couldn’t exactly ask, “Since I’m acting as the rebel leader, could you ease up on the patrols?” For now, she’d told her subordinates to keep quiet, so things should be fine. At least knights hadn’t come to her house yet.

“My Lady? Why are you slapping your cheeks…?”

“This is the latest massage trend among young ladies. It’s supposed to make your skin firmer.”

“Oh, really? Then there’s no time! Let me help!”

“No, no. I can do it myself!”

Blocking Mary’s approaching hands, Diana braced herself once again. Whatever happened, she needed to quit this leader business as soon as possible.

*   *   *

“You said you’d rest at home yesterday, but you didn’t?”

“…That’s how it went. Another nightmare.”

This time, the dream was of knights coming to arrest her at the mansion. It was so vivid that she checked if her head was still attached when she woke up. Diana gave Neil a wry smile.

“It’s nothing. I did get some sleep. Anyway, did you finish what I asked?”

“Yes. I put the documents you requested on your desk.”

The aide’s job was to help with the Emperor’s work and follow him everywhere. Today, Diana and Neil were chatting while waiting near Evan’s room for him to come out.

“Nothing happened after I left early yesterday, right?”

“No. No new orders came in.”

“By the way… Did you get anything about the special street patrol?”

“Special patrol? No, nothing like that.”

“…Alright.”

Usually, only the basics were passed to the aides, and the details were left to the knights. Since it was a matter of Imperial security, even as the Emperor’s aide, there were things Diana couldn’t see. She’d need Hamel to get the precise details.

‘But that’s impossible. How could I ever see those documents….’

And she couldn’t ask Evan either—if he wondered why, it would be a disaster. He was surprisingly sharp and could see through simple lies.

“Why? Did something happen?”

“No, just asking. Don’t worry about it. By the way, I’ll have another early day next week. I’ll still come in, but if anything urgent comes up, let me know right away, okay?”

“Huh? Why?”

“…To prepare for the social gathering.”

Massage, preparations—she’d tried to avoid them, but couldn’t resist the servants’ sparkling eyes. In the end, Diana surrendered.

“Social gathering preparations? You’re going to a social gathering, My Lady?”

“Yeah. It’s on my day off, so it won’t interfere with work.”

“But why are you going? Did His Majesty ask you to check on the ladies’ activities? Or to record the gathering?”

“Sometimes you forget I’m a noble lady, don’t you? I was invited as Lady Diana Amber of the Amber Viscountcy to the Christine Marquisate’s event.”

When Diana sent the letter saying she’d attend, Sophia quickly sent back an invitation.

“Oh, right! That’s true! You’re very close with Lady Christine.”

“Yeah, I’m lucky to have her as a friend.”

For Diana, who had almost no relationships with other noble ladies, Sophia was probably the only one who would invite her to a social gathering. She was truly grateful for that.

And she wished her friend would get along better with the Emperor, too.

Seeing Evan’s still-closed door, Diana sighed softly. It was time to start work, but Evan hadn’t come out yet.

“I guess I’ll have to go check on His Majesty.”

“Huh? He’s not in his room?”

“Sometimes he climbs out the window and spends time in the garden. I think that’s what happened today.”

She’d told him so many times not to go out the window with all the servants watching. Now that he’d decided to live diligently, she hoped he’d stop climbing out windows.

“If only he’d fix that before I retire… Just in case, I’m telling you now so you won’t be surprised if it happens.”

“Enough with the retirement talk. If you keep mentioning it, I…”

“There you go, getting gloomy again. Do you think I’ll be an aide forever? Anyway, just hold down the fort here. I’ll go check the garden.”

Patting Neil’s back to snap him out of it, Diana walked away. Neil, unable to say anything, watched her go.

“Still, I hope she doesn’t retire too soon.”

She’d looked especially tired lately—maybe it was connected to retirement. Neil, who still wasn’t ready to meet the Emperor alone, hoped Diana would stay as long as possible. To him, the Emperor was still a distant and overwhelming figure.

Wait, is the reason Lady Diana is going to the social gathering…?

Neil suddenly realized why Diana might be preparing for the event. Soon, he reached a conclusion.

“She’s going to the social gathering to find a husband, isn’t she?”

If so, that explained why she was preparing so much. She said she’d retire, and now maybe she’d get married. Neil nodded confidently.

Unfortunately, Neil’s little mumble was heard perfectly by someone else. Evan, who had just walked up to Neil, caught every word.

“Who’s looking for a husband?”

“……!”

Startled by Evan’s voice behind him, Neil dropped the documents he was holding. He quickly crouched down to gather the scattered papers.

“I-I’m sorry, Your Majesty! I didn’t expect you to come up behind me…!”

“That’s fine.”

Evan had appeared from the direction of the garden. The fluttering papers landed on his dirt-stained shoes. Ignoring that, Evan walked up to Neil and quietly met his gaze.

“Repeat what you just said.”