116. The Empress’s New Guard Knight
The Empress Dowager shot up from her seat at those words. She glared openly at Edward, the corners of her eyes trembling. Forcing her eyes shut against her fury, she struggled to contain it. After several deep breaths, she calmed herself somewhat and sat back down.
“But it will not be easy for the Empress Consort to avoid responsibility for the discourteous behavior of the tournament champion. Moreover, assigning three imperial knights to the Empress Consort is simply excessive. People will surely gossip. If you truly care for the Empress Consort, you should consider that as well. If you insist on appointing the tournament champion as her guard knight, then the proper course is to send back one of her current guards to the order.”
“……”
Edward did not break his gaze from the Empress Dowager’s eyes. Uneasy beneath his stare, she shifted her eyes restlessly to avoid his. Normally, the Empress Dowager would have harped only on Larael’s faults to the very end. But to suggest reinstating the previous guard knight? Edward found that strangely unsatisfactory.
“I understand your point.”
“Do not take my words lightly. At this rate, countless people will try to curry favor with the Empress Consort. You shall see.”
With those cold words, the Empress Dowager departed for her palace.
After disrupting Edward’s quiet morning, another matter immediately followed—Joy, the champion of the tournament, requested an audience with him.
“I greet His Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”
Dressed neatly, Joy had been waiting in the audience chamber. When Edward appeared, he bowed. His youthful face now carried a certain gravity, a look quite different from yesterday. The messy hair, damp with sweat, that had hidden his eyes was now combed back, revealing a sharp and intelligent gaze.
“I did not expect you to arrive at the palace so soon.”
At Edward’s words, Joy lifted his head with an expressionless face. It was a stark contrast to the radiant joy he had shown yesterday upon his victory.
“I wish to become Her Highness the Empress’s guard knight as soon as possible—”
“Why?”
Edward abruptly cut him off, his voice blunt.
“……”
“Why do you so desperately want to become Larael’s guard knight?”
“If I said it was my destiny, that would be enough.”
Edward smiled faintly, but his heart was not at ease. Hearing Joy so confidently claim that guarding Larael was his destiny left Edward feeling hollow inside.
‘Why can’t I declare with such certainty that Larael is my destiny?’
He wished he could say so—wished to be bound to her strongly enough to proclaim it without hesitation.
“Explain what you mean by that.”
Edward’s icy voice carried a deadly undertone. Though Joy was not easily frightened, this time he found himself shrinking his shoulders slightly without realizing it.
“…I am indebted to Her Highness the Empress Consort. From that moment on, my life has belonged to her. I will protect her with my very life.”
He had almost blurted out that it was simply his destiny to protect her, but under Edward’s murderous pressure, he chose his words more carefully. When he saw Edward’s hardened expression gradually ease, Joy felt a surge of pride at having handled it well.
The strong recognize the strong. He had learned firsthand that Edward was not someone to challenge recklessly. Still, a sting of resentment lingered in his chest.
“I know well that Your Majesty is wary of me. But as much as Her Highness loves Your Majesty, I too cannot help but feel goodwill toward you.”
“??”
Edward scowled deeply. Hearing such words from Joy filled him with displeasure, and he could hardly comprehend them. Yet the mere mention from Joy’s lips—that Larael loved him—was enough to weaken his wariness.
“In any case, I hope to be officially appointed as Her Highness the Empress Consort’s guard knight at the earliest possible time.”
Joy spoke boldly.
“So be it. Go and await my command.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
***
Larael lay on her bed, holding up Edward’s doll in front of her eyes.
She had thought it remarkable—and even admirable—that Joy possessed the skill to win the tournament, but she had never expected he would become such a source of trouble.
“Eddie, what do you think about all this?”
She tugged at the stubby arms and legs of the round-bodied doll, which she had named herself.
Knock, knock.
With the sound of knocking, Sasha opened the door and peeked in.
“Your Highness, may I come in?”
Larael, who had dismissed her maids to spend some time alone, quickly set the doll down beside her pillow and rose from the bed.
“Your Highness, let me fix your hair.”
Seeing Larael’s disheveled hair from just waking up, Sasha spoke in surprise. Larael quietly seated herself before the vanity.
“What is it?”
“A page from the main palace delivered word that His Majesty the Emperor will soon be coming to Abella Palace.”
“This early in the morning? He hadn’t said anything…”
Larael had thought he might visit at any time, since she had heard he had wrapped up his duties ahead of the Founding Festival. She looked at the stiff curve of her lips in the mirror and practiced a smile.
“Your Highness, it’s done.”
Larael nodded. Once she was ready, she went out in front of Abella Palace to greet Edward. At that very moment, he appeared.
“Larael!”
Edward’s familiar smile broke across his face as he strode quickly toward her. At the sight of him, the anxiety she had felt melted away like snow in the sun.
“I greet His Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”
At her formal greeting, Edward smiled warmly.
“I couldn’t bear it any longer this morning—I had to see you. All night I regretted not being at your side.”
Larael laughed softly at his words. His affection made her heart tingle.
“Your Majesty, please come inside.”
“Yes.”
Edward took Larael’s hand and led her into Abella Palace’s reception room. The table was already set with refreshments. When Larael herself poured his tea, all the maids and attendants discreetly withdrew.
“The tournament champion—Joy, was it? He came to see me.”
“Ah…”
Larael’s lips parted slightly as she looked at Edward. Her head spun. She could not imagine what Joy might have said to him. She only hoped he had not been rude.
“He pressed me to appoint him as your guard knight without delay,” Edward muttered to himself. He did not mention the Empress Dowager’s earlier visit. He knew Larael well enough to be certain she would only blame herself if she heard of it.
‘There’s no need to trouble her with such a thing.’
“After the Founding Festival, he will formally enter the Imperial Knights. Soon after, I’ll appoint him as your guard knight.”
“Yes.”
“Larael, I spoke briefly with Joy. He may be bold, but there’s no doubting his loyalty to you.”
“Joy once told me he wished to be my guard knight. I thought he was joking, so I never imagined he would go so far as to enter the tournament. I will make sure to warn him to watch his tongue from now on. I feel nothing but sorry that someone close to me could bring you such concern.”
“And am I not one of ‘your people’?”
“Ah… that is… Your Majesty…”
“I am yours as well. No—I am no different from you. So do not apologize to me.”
Unable to withstand the trust shining in Edward’s eyes, Larael dropped her gaze. Each time he showed her such love and faith, she felt herself grow smaller.
At last she met his gaze again. The instant her eyes locked with his deep, steady ones, it felt as though lightning had shot through her mind, clearing it in a flash.
‘I love Edward too. Why shouldn’t I? If I truly have the right to be Empress, then the one who belongs at Edward’s side… is me.’
Though she had denied it before, she remembered Dean’s words—words that had taken root like a small hope in her heart. Sitting beside Edward now, that hope surged within her, filling her as though it were the truth itself.
Overcome, Larael looked at Edward. Her crimson eyes seemed to burn even more brightly, while his gaze on her shone with a gentle light. She felt that glow slowly envelop her, and she nodded softly.
“I won’t apologize anymore.”
“Good.”
Edward smiled smoothly and stroked her hair in praise. Larael had more she wished to say, but the words would not come. Pressing her trembling lips together, she gripped his hand tightly.
“I’ve decided to take part in the next event after the Founding Festival—the Hunt.”
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Tillda
Why is that king so indecisive? And that lack of communication annoys me. She won’t tell him about her guard knight’s identity, Empress Dowager will take him away… So many unnecessary drama upcoming