Chapter 24-25 (1/2)

24. Indifferent First Meeting

The door to the audience room had elaborate decorations and gave off a profound feeling. The two knights standing in front of the door nodded to our direction.

As expected, my palms became sweaty from nervousness.

The Knight opened the door from Lord Kristoff’s signal.

I stepped inside the audience room, facing straight ahead. Headed by Sir Eckart, several people dressed like Knights formed a line along the red carpet spread from the door. On the other side, there were another group of people who seemed like civil officials. They formed a line like a path leading to the stage.

And ahead of that, there was His Majesty the Emperor.

Just as I heard from the rumors, he had short silver hair with some of them hanging down his blue eyes and a solid physique.

His handsome appearance spurred a sharp atmosphere overall.

I probably just caught a glimpse of one of the reasons why he was indeed called the “Aloof King”.

“Your Majesty, I have brought Princess Shane.”

After Lord Kristoff presented me,

“I have troubled you. You had to come to such a far place as Caspar. Welcome, I am Leonhart Caspar, the Emperor of this country. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

His voice was low and clear. There was no change in his expression.

“I am Shane Orannia. I extend my grat.i.tude for allowing me the honor of having an excellent match for this occasion. I, too, find it a pleasure to meet you.”

Although I was thinking a lot of things, the nervousness did not manifest in my voice. Emperor Leonhart addressed me at that interval.

“I see you did not bring attendants with you, will you be alright? If you feel any inconvenience, you can say it immediately.”

That’s right, I brought no one from Orannia. Alex advised me to bring someone but I declined. It was because I wanted to reduce the possibility that my secret will be exposed even a little.

“Thank you very much. I was introduced to Elias not long ago so I think I will not feel inconvenience in my daily life. Besides, I received training from my homeland in order to accomplish anything by myself.”

I don’t really want to increase the people around me. I thought it was also the same for His Majesty, but I wonder if I looked so much like I cannot do anything?

“Is that so? I will have you partic.i.p.ate together in various official occasions as the Empress Consort of the Emperor in the future. There will be numerous hards.h.i.+ps but let us endeavor together.”

Those were kind words unthinkable of the “Aloof King” but his expression did not change at all.

“Yes. If it is something I can do, I will help in any way. Please treat me well.”

Afterwards, I was introduced to other people present during the audience and my first meeting with Emperor Leonhart came to a close.

—-

When I returned to my room, Elias was preparing tea.

“You seem tired, Princess Shane. I prepared tea so please have a seat.”

“Thank you very much. You, too, Elias. Please sit down with me.”

The first time i made him sit with me seemed to be effective. He obediently prepared tea for two this time.

“How was your first impression of His Majesty?”

“Let’s see, I experienced having him tell me kind words as opposed to his rumored nickname. It’s just that, I was already nervous with only His Majesty but then, the surroundings were full of great people so I became extra strained. Because of that, I ended up talking indifferently.”

We only exchanged a few words. With merely that to go on, I know almost nothing about Emperor Leonhart.

“Then it’s alright if you let your guard down, at least when you are with me. My social position also does not require you speak to me respectfully. I do not have the obligation to report on Princess Shane’s affairs so please be relieved. Although if I were asked, I might have to answer more or less…”

Seeing Elias scratch his cheek in embarra.s.sment was heartwarming. His expression did not change so much, just like Emperor Leonhart, but for me who had been a commoner until recently, I feel that a Squire is easier to get on with than the top executives of the country.

“Thank you. Then I will accept your kind offer.”

When I answered so, Elias looked a little happy. I was also glad that it did not take time for me to learn to distinguish his expressions.

I also want to at least build a relations.h.i.+p with Emperor Leonhart in this level, but the issue at present was the approaching marriage ceremony and my debut 10 days later.

==

25. Regarding the Queen

[Elias]

There are two ways to become a Knight in this country.

First is to gradute from a Knight training school and pile up several years of experience as a Squire. Another one is to be recognized in military exploits and usual conduct as a soldier and receive a referral from the top bra.s.s of the Knight Order.

However, they say it’s almost impossible to become a Knight through the latter method. This is because a Knight must be both skilled in military arts and also possess social manners that will not be disgraceful as a representative of the country. The standards are frighteningly high. Therefore, majority of the Knights are made up of aristocrats who received military arts training and academic lessons from a young age.

Among them, I am one of the very few examples of commoners who pa.s.sed a Knight training school. But as expected, discrimination due to the status of one’s family certainly exists. My daily life at school was by no means peaceful.