“If you have something in mind, I suggest discussing it with His Grace.”

“I’ll do that.”

Lila nodded resolutely at Huon’s advice. Though her worries hadn’t completely disappeared, she felt more at ease than before.

“Thank you, teacher.”

Lila sincerely thanked Huon. Ever since becoming her official tutor, Huon had taught her so much.

If Grand Duke Eustace was the one who freed her from the cage and became her nest, then Huon and Emma were the guides helping her learn how to fly.

“You’re amazing, teacher.”

“Haha, not at all.”

Huon blushed at Lila’s compliment. Watching Lila, who followed her like a fledgling bird, filled her with an odd sense of pride. Gathering her books, Huon stood up.

“Let’s end today’s lesson here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Lila stood and politely bowed as Huon left. The moment Huon stepped out, Lila quickly exited the study as well. Her conversation with Huon had stirred an unexpected desire to see Grand Duke Eustace.

Feeling a sudden urgency, her steps quickened. Lila bounded up the stairs two or three steps at a time. She wanted to reach his office and share her thoughts with him right away.

Unfortunately, Lila’s plans didn’t go as hoped.

“Huh? Lady Lila?”

“Elvin.”

Lila, who was running to Grand Duke Eustace’s office, encountered Elvin in the hallway. He appeared to be heading out, holding his coat in hand.

“Where’s the Grand Duke?”

“Ah, well…”

At Lila’s question, Elvin made a troubled expression.

“He left for the Imperial Palace a little while ago.”

“What?”

Lila’s eyes widened at the unexpected news. The anxiety she had barely suppressed during her conversation with Huon began to resurface.

“Why? He said he wouldn’t go today.”

“Someone from the palace came. His Majesty requested a private audience.”

“A private audience?”

“Yes, he said he wanted to speak with His Grace one-on-one about what happened yesterday…”

Elvin scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Although the palace messenger hadn’t given any details, Elvin had a good idea why the emperor had summoned the Grand Duke. Seeing Lila’s face darken, he quickly added more.

“Don’t worry. It’s probably nothing serious. I think it’s about the recording crystal.”

“Recording crystal? What recording crystal?”

“Yesterday, when the Crown Prince caused that commotion, His Grace secretly recorded it with a crystal. He sent it to the palace earlier… Oh, excuse me.”

Elvin stifled a small yawn. He had been up since dawn drafting letters of protest and attending the state council as the Grand Duke’s representative. Exhaustion was catching up with him. Knowing Elvin was worn out, Grand Duke Eustace had told him to rest early and took Johan along instead.

“He sent the recording to the emperor?”

Lila muttered in disbelief. The good mood she’d been in moments ago vanished, and her heart began to race.

“Lady Lila?”

Noticing Lila’s unusual demeanor, Elvin rolled his eyes nervously. For some reason, she seemed angry.

“Elvin.”

Lila looked up at him, her urgency clear.

“Are you busy right now?”

“No, I was just about to clock out…”

“Then help me.”

“Excuse me?”

Caught off guard by the sudden request, Elvin’s eyes grew wide, and he felt his fatigue dissipate instantly.

“Take me to 469-1 Eastern Street.”

“Why do you want to go there?”

“I need to catch a rat.”

“A rat…?”

“Yes.”

Lila nodded firmly. The rat’s hideout was something her instructor had told her about. He had suggested she retreat there if a mission ever went awry. Until now, she’d never had a reason to go, nor had she considered it necessary. But her mind was made up now.

“I shouldn’t have been sitting idle, feeling relieved.”

Lila murmured in a low voice. Before the emperor could act, she needed to prepare as much as she could.

“I’m not sure what’s going on, but wouldn’t it be better to wait for His Grace to return? Or perhaps take someone else with you…”

Elvin hesitated to agree right away. Although the Grand Duke had instructed him to prioritize Lila’s requests, he couldn’t make a decision like this on his own.

“No. I’m going alone.”

Lila shook her head, dismissing Elvin’s suggestion.

“Rats are quick to sense danger. If too many people move, they’ll notice.”

A successful hunt required an ambush before the prey could flee.

“Just take me there. I’ll handle the rest myself.”

“But…”

Elvin hesitated, his face full of concern. If anything happened to Lila while she was out, it would become a major issue. He wasn’t sure he could withstand the Grand Duke’s wrath. Yet, it was just as difficult to refuse her.

“I need your help.”

For once, Lila’s voice carried a hint of vulnerability. Truthfully, she hadn’t wanted to involve Elvin. Perhaps waiting for the Grand Duke to return, as Elvin suggested, would be wiser. But the Grand Duke was overprotective.

If Lila told him she intended to catch a rat, Grand Duke Eustace would simply capture it for her. That was what she didn’t want. She had no intention of leaving everything in his hands.

“Please, help me.”

“Uh, well… okay.”

“…! Thank you.”

Elvin, who had been hesitating, nodded awkwardly. Truthfully, he wanted to decline and head home to collapse into bed, but Lila’s determined demeanor was too intimidating to ignore.

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll let Emma know and grab my weapons.”

“Ah…!”

Before Elvin could say anything, Lila darted up the stairs. Watching her retreating figure, he let out a deep sigh. It seemed he was destined to have a heavy workload.

***

Crash—

A sudden clap of thunder halted Grand Duke Eustace in his tracks as he made his way to the audience chamber. He frowned, glancing at the darkening sky through the window. It looked like a downpour was imminent, the heavens blanketed with ominous storm clouds.

“Looks like it’s going to rain.”

“The weather’s taken a sudden turn,” Johan said in a cautious tone as he followed behind the Grand Duke. It was clear he was nervous about being in the Imperial Palace after so long.

“Your Grace.”

The chamberlain standing at the doorway bowed politely upon seeing Grand Duke Eustace.

“Welcome, Your Majesty has been expecting you.”

“His Grace, Grand Duke Eustace, has arrived,” the chamberlain announced with a subtle gesture, prompting the guards to quietly inform the emperor.

“Wait here,” Eustace instructed Johan, leaving him behind as he stepped into the chamber.

The audience chamber was as dark as night. Moving with unhurried grace, Eustace approached the emperor seated on the throne.

“Greetings to the Sun of the Empire.”

“Welcome.”

The emperor did not move. His voice, as heavy as the tense atmosphere, reverberated low.

“I received the gift you sent.”

“It seems to have pleased you.”

Eustace smiled faintly, his confidence apparent. The emperor, irked by his composure, raised an eyebrow.

“I’m so pleased it’s almost troublesome.”

“I’m relieved to hear that.”

“I can’t let a guest remain standing. Please, take a seat.”

At the emperor’s signal, a servant brought in a chair. Eustace glanced at it before lightly flicking his fingers.

“Huh?”

The servant gasped involuntarily as the chair floated out of his grasp, enveloped in golden magic. The emperor’s eyes narrowed as he watched the chair rise and hover. His throat moved as he swallowed dryly, like a man starving for something he couldn’t have.

“You use magic for such trivial matters.”

“It’s convenient,” Eustace replied, his expression relaxed as he sat down. Even in the emperor’s presence, he remained completely at ease.

“So, why did you summon me? Requesting such a discreet meeting suggests it must be a serious matter.”

“I just told you. I wanted to thank you for the gift.”

“What’s the point of beating around the bush now? Let’s skip the wordplay and get straight to the point.”

The emperor’s eye twitched at Eustace’s bluntness. Taking a deep breath as if restraining his temper, he spoke slowly.

“I’m willing to let this matter slide.”

“Hmm.”

Eustace made a displeased sound.

“If I were to pursue this, you would suffer consequences. Why not end it here?”

The emperor spoke in a conciliatory tone, as if coaxing a child.

“Well, whether I suffer or the Moon of the Empire falls remains to be seen.”

“…Are you saying you intend to oppose the royal family?”

“It was His Highness the Crown Prince who crossed the line first. He struck a steward who has served the Eustace family for generations. He also caused a scene demanding one of my vassals be brought to him.”

Eustace was unwavering, showing no intention of ceding control of the conversation to the emperor.

“The Crown Prince, in his youthful vigor, failed to control his temper. That was an undeniable mistake. As his father, I take responsibility and apologize for failing to teach him better.”

“I am not here to hear Your Majesty’s apology. The one who caused the problem was His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“The Crown Prince will reflect on his actions for some time. Compensation will be arranged for the steward. However, your response was excessive.”

“I only sought to protect my people.”

The tension between the Emperor and Grand Duke Eustace was palpable.

“The knight who drew his sword against you will be stripped of his title and serve as a common soldier for ten years. So let us end this here—”

“Is punishment the reward for defending one’s lord? This will only lower the morale of the Imperial Knights.”

The Emperor’s face hardened at Eustace’s openly mocking tone. Suppressing his rising anger, he forced a smile.

“Will you continue to be so insolent?”