Chapter 14
(14) I Will Protect Your Majesty (6)
Two days before the festival.
Only two days remained until the festival began, but the streets were probably already filled with a festive atmosphere.
Even without seeing it firsthand, Eleanor could picture the scene clearly—countless travelers, shouting peddlers on every corner, carriages constantly coming and going, street vendors selling food, and children looking around curiously while holding their parents’ hands.
Yet the imperial palace remained quiet.
‘What is the Emperor planning?’
Judging from how things had felt before, it seemed he believed something would indeed happen during the festival. If so, it was about time he started preparing, but there was still no news.
He didn’t even seem interested in investigating what had happened to the assassin.
‘It’s not like he trusts me… Could it be that Eyo Bastid told him our side of the story? But even if he was close to the door, he wouldn’t have heard the conversation clearly.’
Neither Eleanor nor Caron had spoken loudly. Their murmured voices shouldn’t have been heard clearly through the door.
As she dipped her silver dagger into the tea inside her teacup, Eleanor tried to gauge Heraith’s intentions.
‘Could the Emperor really be pretending not to notice the risk to his people—just to catch the mastermind? …No, that can’t be it.’
She knew enough about Heraith’s past actions. He had always led battles in ways that minimized damage to civilians.
She hadn’t witnessed it herself, but the reports and rumors from the capital said so.
‘Or maybe… he’s planning to face them alone? But that’s crazy. If a rift forms, the impact will be enormous. Even if he’s strong, he can’t deal with that alone. Or maybe…’
Maybe the Emperor didn’t even trust his own knights.
‘If the enemies realize he’s preparing, they’ll change their plans. Maybe he’s staying silent until the day of the festival, when things are already in motion. But…’
Would the enemies act in two days? They could act sooner—or later. So Eleanor knew she had to act in advance and position the knights strategically.
‘This won’t do.’
She had to meet Heraith. She might be criticized for overstepping her bounds before even becoming Empress, but she had no choice. She couldn’t allow innocent civilians to be harmed.
Just as Eleanor rose from the sofa, Eyo’s voice came from outside the door.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
Before Eleanor could respond, the door opened and Heraith strode in.
He glanced around the room, then focused his gaze directly on where Caron was hiding. With a small smirk, Heraith sat down heavily on the sofa across from Eleanor.
“Looks like you’ve tamed that mutt well.”
It wasn’t surprising that Heraith had seen through Caron’s hiding spot. Caron hadn’t fully recovered, and even at full strength, Heraith had once seen through his assassination attempt.
“He still has sharp teeth.”
“Not afraid of getting bitten?”
“I’ve spent time with tigers that cross the Perpetual Snow mountains. You think I’d fear a rabid dog who doesn’t know his place?”
“Perpetual Snow … Ah yes, Snow has the Thunder Emperor of the Perpetual Snow mountains, doesn’t it? But is he real?”
The Thunder Emperor of the Perpetual Snow Mountains.
Though widely rumored, no one knew his true identity. Some said he only appeared during times of danger in the North, wielding blue lightning to drive away monsters.
Others claimed he was a fictional figure created by the Snow family to maintain prestige.
Heraith waited for a response, but Eleanor simply smiled in silence.
He chuckled.
“A family secret, is it? Fine. I’m sure you have things you want to ask me, and I also have things I want to hear from you. Who should start?”
“You, Your Majesty.”
“Has your mad dog spoken yet?”
Eleanor glanced at Caron before replying.
“His name is Caron. Due to brainwashing, his memories are still vague, but he remembers clearly who gave him orders.”
“Is it who I think it is?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Heraith crossed his arms and tapped his bicep with his finger.
“But, Your Majesty, for now, I think it’s best to leave that person alone.”
“There’s nothing to gain by provoking her right now.”
“Exactly. The faction behind her is too solid. Even with testimony, we can’t bring her down. It might cause a stir in the palace, but it’ll die down quickly.”
“True. Even after throwing her the head of the Fifth Prince, she didn’t make much of a fuss. But letting her be… that doesn’t sit well with me.”
“Then cut off her right arm.”
“Her advisor, Hensa Iglor.”
“Caron will name her.”
“If an assassin who tried to kill the Emperor speaks Hensa Iglor’s name, even the Empress Dowager won’t be able to protect her.”
“And if something happens during the festival, we can pin that on Hensa too. I’ll prepare the evidence, if needed.”
Heraith stared at her in silence.
“Am I going too far?”
“No, it’s perfect.”
He gave a short laugh.
“You seem to know the inner workings of the palace like someone born and raised here.”
“It’s where I’ll be living soon, so I’ve just been observing.”
“Just observing? I’d hate to see what happens when you go all in. Alright, let’s take this chance to remove Hensa, the Empress Dowager’s brain. She’ll lie low for a while after that. Oh, and one more thing.”
Eleanor hadn’t even asked her questions yet, but Heraith stood up like the conversation was over.
“If I leave the palace with you, our enemies will get nervous. Is that alright?”
That was exactly what she wanted.
Eleanor stood up quickly and replied,
“I’ve been feeling lonely lately, so a few eager hands would be welcome.”
Heraith laughed—a longer laugh than before.
“Perfect. Get ready. We’ll talk while on our… date.”
***
Oscar sat dazed. He couldn’t stop thinking about what Heraith had said before he left.
‘Time to go on a date with Eleanor Snow.’
A date? What even is a date?
Of course Oscar knew what a date was. A meeting with a lover. Or something done to nurture a budding romance.
That was the usual idea. But coming from Heraith, it sounded like something else entirely.
Heraith had never gone on a date with anyone before.
No way. There was no way His Majesty actually used the word ‘date.’
Oscar couldn’t believe it. The words date, love, romance—they were too soft, too sweet, too ill-fitting for a man like Heraith.
So Oscar had been frozen stiff ever since he heard it. Until someone rushed in, shouting,
“Duke Taylor, did you hear? His Majesty the Emperor is on a date with the guest from Tulip Palace!”
“Seriously?”
***
It was true.
Eleanor had thought they were just going out nearby, but a royal carriage awaited them—an ornate, luxurious one, clearly meant for royalty or someone equally important.
The coachman opened the door, clearly confused, and waited for them to board.
Heraith had ridden with the Empresses in such a carriage for official duties, but never casually, and never with a woman who wasn’t the Empress.
He offered Eleanor his hand to help her into the carriage, but she didn’t see and climbed in herself.
Looking awkwardly at his lowered hand, Heraith chuckled and got in, sitting across from her.
As the carriage began to move, Eleanor pulled back the curtain and looked outside.
“I see. Riding in such a flashy carriage on a date… the enemy will think Your Majesty is simply enjoying time with a woman, unaware of any danger.”
Heraith stared at her profile for a moment before speaking.
“You are frighteningly clever.”
“No need to be afraid. If I intended to harm Your Majesty, I wouldn’t say these things out loud.”
No need to be afraid.
Heraith nearly burst out laughing.
