TGW Chapter 16 Part 5

 

The stern-faced commander was taken aback. The crowd murmured.

The Emperor called out to Doug, who wore a complicated expression.

"Duke Rimon."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"What do you think? Did I make an excessive decision?"

Doug carefully chose his words.

"How could I call it excessive when Your Majesty values talent so highly? However, the golden insignia is a great honor bestowed upon the Empire's finest knights. It is a decision that should be made after carefully observing one's skills, character, and loyalty."

"Sir Ventri, do you agree?"

Ventri hesitated for a moment. He knew well that his response would have no bearing on the Emperor's decision, as the Emperor had never gone back on his word.

"Would it not be better to take some time to observe him? Above all, there is currently no ownerless golden insignia. It is not something we keep on hand, Your Majesty."

The Emperor leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. With his other hand, he tapped the armrest of his throne with his fingers.

"The qualities of a great knight are skill, character, and loyalty. None of these can be overlooked. But the essence of a knight is a warrior. A knight must first prove himself through skill. Martial arts are a rigorous discipline, and a vile person can never attain great skill. Isn't that right, Sir Ventri?"

"Your words are indeed true, Your Majesty."

"If he is not my knight, what use is a hollow oath of loyalty, and how can we observe the integrity he possesses? Is that not so, Duke Rimon?"

Doug swallowed a bitter smile. It was a question with a predetermined answer.

"Your words are most wise."

The Emperor turned his gaze to the Marquis.

"Marquis Raad, can you vouch for this man's character?"

"I pledge my life and honor to guarantee it."

"Then who will vouch for you?"

"Your Majesty, who has bestowed upon me the title of Marquis, will vouch for me."

"You do have a sharp tongue."

The Emperor laughed. The crowd exchanged glances. Whether genuine or staged, this was a rare occurrence. The Emperor rarely showed emotion in formal settings.

"Bring a dagger."

Ventri drew the dagger from his belt and offered it with both hands. The Emperor looked at the attendant.

"Come closer and make sure you catch it without dropping it."

The attendant, unsure of what was happening, hesitantly approached the Emperor.

The Emperor grasped the dagger and cut the thread of the button on his sleeve. The gold button dropped, and the attendant hurriedly caught it with both hands. Fortunately, he did not drop it. The attendant breathed a sigh of relief as he looked at the gold button in his hand.

"It seems my button happens to be gold. Since we have no golden insignia ready, I shall use my sleeve button instead. Marquis Rad, do not be offended that I bestow a humble item upon your man."

"This is no humble gift, Your Majesty. I am deeply honored."

The Marquis bowed deeply to the Emperor.

The tradition of giving a button began with the Emperor himself cutting a button from his sleeve. Fittingly, it began when the Empire’s founding Emperor, during the funeral of two knights who had died defending him during the founding of the Empire, had wept bitterly over their coffins and cut the buttons from his sleeves, placing them in the coffins.

The eyes of the people were dreamy. They witnessed a re-enactment of a legend from the history books, spanning over time. It would become a story passed down to their descendants for generations.

"I have not even asked your name yet. What is it?"

"Martin... Kali, Your Majesty."

Martin Kali. That name would spread through the Imperial aristocracy in an instant.

He was the only knight to receive a button from the current Emperor’s sleeve. It was the highest honor an Imperial knight could dream of. The people’s gazes at Martin were filled with envy and admiration.

However, the expressions of those engrossed in political calculations darkened. The Emperor was not one to act on impulse. Even if he was impressed by Martin’s outstanding skills, the reward was too generous.

‘Is His Majesty trying to empower Marquis Raad?’

‘For what reason? Could it be related to the fact that he is the Iron King’s ally?’

Meanwhile, the attendants had quickly prepared something fitting. They had fetched a silver tray, laid black velvet on it, and placed the gold button on top. With a solemn demeanor, the head attendant brought the tray to Martin. As Martin took the tray, he bowed his head to the Emperor.

"Martin Kali, from today, you are a knight recognized by me."

"I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty."

Martin slowly stepped back from before the Emperor.

Sienna felt a strange emotion witnessing the moment Martin became “Sir Kali.” Whether the future she had seen in her dreams diverged or came true, each moment felt significant. She glanced back and forth between Martin and Kuhn, then suddenly wondered.

"Which one is stronger?"

As someone who had learned swordsmanship, she had a keen eye.

"I didn’t get to see how Martin helped me that day."

She shivered at the thought of how formidable he must have been.

"Hear me!"

Caught up in her thoughts, Sienna looked up at the Emperor. The Emperor had risen from the throne and taken a step forward.

"Today, as we conclude this year, I will declare before you all the decisions I have made."

The people exchanged puzzled looks. The high-ranking nobles who had heard nothing of this matter looked tense.

"Proclamation."

The knights standing around the throne immediately knelt to the ground.

"We obey!"

Knights throughout the hall also knelt and raised their voices in unison.

"We obey!"

Their unified voices had a rallying effect on the mood.

"Twenty-five years ago, there was a bloodbath. I order a reinvestigation of that event. This is a proclamation, and you must comply. If anyone has objections, speak now."

The Emperor slowly scanned the crowd holding their breaths. No one stepped forward. While they might seek a private audience with the Emperor later, for now, they held their tongues.

The venue was the problem. All of the Empire’s prominent nobles and envoys from the vassal states were present. To challenge the Emperor’s authority after he had made a proclamation would earn his ire.

"It is a matter long past. I have no intention of dragging past grievances into the present and causing bloodshed. But if there are grievances, should they not be rightfully addressed?"

There were some whose expressions brightened at the Emperor’s assurance that no blood would be shed.

"Marquis Raad."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I appoint you as the chief investigator."

The Marquis, startled, looked up and met the Emperor’s gaze.

"You are the representative of the Union, yet you are not a subject of the Union nor of the Empire. Your neutral position ensures that my intent will not be distorted. Having no ties to the old bloodshed allows you to revisit the past objectively. You also possess the strength not to yield to any pressure, making it difficult to find anyone more suitable than you."

Kuhn’s mind raced furiously. Numerous possibilities branched out infinitely. He reached a conclusion: whether this was bait or a gift, there was no reason to refuse it now.

"I accept, Your Majesty."

He bowed deeply.

"I will fulfill this great duty without deviating from Your Majesty’s will."

"The investigator’s actions are my own. Cooperate fully with him."

"We heed your command, Your Majesty."

The people answered in unison.

 

***

 

“Cold water. Bring it with ice.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The maid bowed her head and left the lounge. Sienna dismissed the other maids as well, leaving herself alone in the spacious room.

Sienna lifted her aching legs onto the long sofa.

“Haa…”

A sigh escaped her lips. This was the first time Sienna had ever been inside the lounge. She had never stayed in the banquet hall long enough to need a rest before.

“Twenty-five years ago.”

She had lost track of time listening to people gossiping about that story. Sienna didn’t know the details of what happened back then. It was an event that took place before she was born. At that time, the late emperor, who passed away shortly after Sienna was born, ruled the empire.

Naturally, Sienna had no memory of her grandfather. She only knew of the late emperor's achievements from the records.

“Back then, there were seven ducal houses.”

Considering the current status of the six ducal houses, she couldn’t fathom what kind of crime would lead to a house being wiped out.

Other than the fact that many people died and were injured during the bloodshed at that time, it was not considered a significant turning point in the empire's history. Therefore, Sienna, who had a keen academic interest, didn’t bother to dig deeper.

“What does His Majesty hope to gain by delving into that event now?”

The Emperor hadn’t even stayed an hour in the banquet hall, yet the aftermath was immense. After the Emperor's departure, the atmosphere in the hall felt like a barren field swept clean by a storm.

“What a twisted sense of humor.”

Sienna chuckled to herself.

“He’s always like that.”

He decides everything on his own and announces it unilaterally. In the past, she admired and revered the Emperor’s demeanor as the epitome of a strong ruler. But now...

“...It’s not that His Majesty is wrong. It’s just that I don’t want to be that kind of ruler.”

While thinking about the Emperor, another man entered Sienna’s mind.

“The investigator…”

Kuhn. He never failed to surprise her.

“Does His Majesty truly intend to employ him? That’s not the issue. Whatever His Majesty’s intentions, he will strongly support him.”

If he wielded the Emperor’s orders, he would be invincible. Even a duke would have no choice but to comply with his demands. For the time being, he would possess unparalleled power.

“What’s his is not mine.”

So why did her shoulders feel tense?

In the banquet hall, he was a different person. More aristocratic than any noble. He greeted people with expressions that seemed painted on, neither too much nor too little. The nobles of the empire gazed at the newly appointed marquis with reverence. It was as if he were the scion of a prestigious family himself.

Sienna felt a strange pride. She muttered to herself, “That man standing there with such a dignified air has such childish sides.” Those flocking around him like a cloud would never know his other face.

But seeing Fatima laughing by his side made her spirits sink. Even from afar, Fatima’s feelings were clearly visible. There was no doubt Fatima had feelings for Kuhn.

Sienna let out a gloomy sigh. In the quiet lounge, her sigh echoed particularly loudly.

“Why is the maid taking so long?”

Sienna looked at the firmly closed lounge door. She imagined Kuhn walking through that door. He had a knack for appearing unexpectedly in the most unlikely places.

The door opened slightly. Sienna lowered her legs from the sofa. But instead of a maid, a man cautiously entered through the partly opened door. Sienna’s eyes widened in surprise.

Kuhn smiled and lifted a cup filled with ice.

“Ice water, at your service.”

Sienna burst into laughter, giggling like a young girl. Her laughter continued for a while, and by the time she managed to calm down, Kuhn was already sitting next to her, staring intently.

Still chuckling, she reached out her hand. He placed the cup in her hand, and she gulped down the cold water in one go. The water tasted incredibly sweet.

“I feel like I’ve become a great comedic actor. Not bad, though.”

“Sorry, it’s not because you’re funny.”

“It’s fine. It’s much better than getting angry.”

Her laughter was so beautiful it made his chest ache. He realized that when emotions were too intense, they turned into pain. Why couldn’t the moment last forever? He regretted the passage of time.

‘I wish I could just take you away somewhere.’

A place where no one could find her, where he could hide her from everyone’s sight. He felt like he could live just looking at her, without eating or sleeping.

The New Year’s banquet was unnecessarily long. Three days! It was frustrating that he had no right to keep the men staring at her in check. He had no idea how much he had to suppress his raging feelings.

“Why?”

“Pardon?”

“Did you come here for a reason?”

Kuhn sighed with disappointment.

“Can’t I come without a reason?”

Sienna’s fingertips tingled, and she clenched her fist. Her body’s reaction to his disheartened expression was strange.

“Where’s the maid, you shouldn’t be in the ladies' lounge, what if someone comes in—since you didn’t get scolded, I guess that’s progress.”

“I’m sure she’s got it covered.”

Kuhn exclaimed softly in admiration.

‘How encouraging, Sienna. It seems trust is slowly building between us.’

Kuhn sat right next to her, but his hastily outstretched hand couldn’t quite reach her face and pulled back. If he touched her soft skin, he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself. He couldn’t trust his own self-control.

There was no time. He had barely managed to create this brief moment with Dian’s help. Dian would likely boast about it for a long time after today.

He took her gloved hand in his and pressed his lips against the back of her hand, substituting it for the words he couldn’t say.

“I can’t stay long. The ambassadors from the allied nations are leaving early tomorrow morning. I’ll board the ship with them to see them off. I wanted to say goodbye to you before I left.”

“When will you be back?”

“A month at the longest. But it probably won’t take that long.”

Sienna furrowed her brows.

“You’ve been appointed as an investigator by His Majesty, yet you’re gone for a month?”

“Those who are to be investigated will likely use the time to their advantage.”

“Even knowing that?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Don’t be overconfident.”

“It’s been twenty-five years. It’s a long time. Even just identifying who to investigate will be a big task. Those with secrets will make their moves while I’m away.”

“You plan to monitor suspicious activities?”

“Exactly.”

Sienna muttered “Hmm,” and lowered her gaze. He spoke lightly, but if the word got out, it would jeopardize the entire operation. She was happy that he spoke so openly with her.

“And fortunately, His Majesty has arranged for someone who can’t be ignored to stand in for me while I’m away.”

“Who? Ah… Sir Kali.”

“…”

“Not Sir Kali, but someone else?”

“…That’s right. I misspoke. Sir Kali…”

Kuhn chuckled softly.

“That name feels unfamiliar. You say it as if he’s been a knight for a long time.”

To Sienna, “Sir Kali” was a familiar name. She had been thinking about him ever since he first appeared in her dreams.

“Tell Sir Kali I congratulate him on becoming the Knight of the Golden Button.”

Kuhn frowned.

“Why would you?”

“Can’t I congratulate him?”

“Do you know him?”

“Of course. He saved my life.”

“Ah… Right.”

Kuhn rubbed his forehead. A hollow laugh escaped his lips. He felt like a fool. When it came to matters involving her, his focus often narrowed.

“If Sir Kali needs help, tell him to come to me. He helped me greatly, but I haven’t repaid him.”

“…Understood.”

Kuhn replied reluctantly. He had no intention of relaying her words to Martin.

“Be careful. His Majesty is a man whose intentions are never clear. He might be using you as a decoy.”

“Are you worried about me?”

Kuhn, who had been elated, paused. He quickly glanced at the exit and then back at her.

“I have to go.”

Sienna guessed that he sensed a signal she couldn’t hear. She nodded at him.

Kuhn stood up from the sofa but then sat back down again.

“Just one thing.”

“Yes?”

“While I’m gone, don’t go to the duchy with that man.”

Sienna didn’t understand his words. She blinked in confusion. When he asked again, “You’re planning to go, aren’t you?” with a stern expression, she finally realized “that man” referred to Joseph.

What happened to boldly saying she should go? She chuckled. She felt a mischievous urge to tease him further, seeing him so agitated.

But if she delayed too long and someone came in, Marquis Rad would become a scoundrel who barged into the princess’s private lounge.

“I won’t go.”

His face suddenly drew close, and Sienna flinched. His lips tilted and met hers. Sienna’s lips parted slightly, but the kiss didn’t deepen. He only rubbed his lips against hers.

As he pulled back, his eyes smiled.

“I’ll be back.”

He jumped up and quickly left the lounge. A moment later, there was a knock at the door from outside.

“Your Highness, it’s Gilbert.”

“Come in.”

Gilbert entered with a maid. His eyes quickly scanned the interior of the lounge.

“Are you alright, Your Highness?”

“Is there a problem?”

“I apologize. There was a brief lapse in your protection due to a mix-up in the shift rotation.”

Gilbert could have glossed over it, but he chose to report it honestly and ask for forgiveness.

“It’s the palace; what major issue could there be?”

Sienna rose from the sofa.

“I’m exhausted. I’ll return to the palace now.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

If she went back to the banquet hall and saw Kuhn again, she was sure she wouldn’t be able to keep her expression under control.

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