NOVEL NEXT Chapter 97
Chapter 97 “Em-Empress.”The Emperor stood up from his seat with a look of bewilderment. The Empress, whose face was red, opened her mouth, saw the knight commander and swallowed her words.The knight commander, sensing an unusual atmosphere, quickly left the office.The Empress, who waited for the door to close, opened her mouth.“Did you tell him to kill my brother?”“Empress.”“Tell me. Is what I heard true?”The Emperor sighed and approached the Empress and took her hand. But the Empress sternly slapped his hand.The Emperor answered with a bitter taste in his mouth.“It was a decision I made after considering many things.”“Considering many things?”“I know that the Empress cares for your little brother, but don’t you know that just being alive puts a burden on us?”“He has already lost all his title and property. Do you think you will feel better if you take his life away?”“It’s for Fred.”“Don’t make excuses! You know how much Fred loved his uncle!”The Empress stared at the Emperor with eyes full of anger.“That’s why I have no choice.”The Emperor calmed the Empress.“As you know, there are countless nobles who have joined forces to punish Anthony Eaton, starting with the Duke of Anthemion.”“……”“Of course I don’t doubt their loyalty, but it’s also true that they didn’t get along well with Anthony Eaton.”“……”“So they would be worried that Anthony Eaton was alive. It would be a big deal if Fred went out to save his uncle after he became Emperor.”“It’s absurd. How can Fred overturn His Majesty’s decision?”“I believe so too, but it is their opinion, not mine, that matters now.”The Emperor placed his hand on the Empress’s shoulder. The Empress bit her trembling lips.“I have no choice but to choose between them and Anthony Eaton for my son. Especially if you want to get help from Duke Anthemion.”“Did the Duke of Anthemion promise to help Fred?”“He received the medal that my sister brought him without refusing it, so it’s like a promise. When Adela and Escal get engaged, the bond will be stronger.”“The Duke of Anthemion didn’t seem to like the conversation about Adela.”“But in the end it will happen.”The Emperor smiled roundly. ***** It was a little over a week after Grand Duchess Crawford had visited the date of the award ceremony.The ceremony was to be held in the Grand Hall, the main hall of the Imperial Palace.It was extremely unusual for the award ceremony to be held in the main hall.“Your Majesty has made a plan.”Helios, who saw through the Emperor’s intentions, muttered with an inappropriate expression.“But if you want it, I’ll give it to you.”“Don’t tease him and be patient.”“I know.”Helios nodded while wearing the medal he had received from the Grand Duchess.I took Escal’s hand in a children’s uniform and headed to the Imperial Palace.The ceremony was far more raucous than we had expected.Fanfare erupted as we entered the grand hall. The hall was packed with members of the imperial family, noble members of the nobility, and other dignitaries, and we were greeted by the Imperial Knights flanking us on either side.It was just too much for a medal conferment ceremony.As the Emperor rose from his throne and applauded, the sound of applause poured out from all sides.I grabbed Escal’s hand as he shrugged in surprise, and proceeded to the throne along the carpet in the hall.Helios knelt down and bowed.“Helios Anthemion, see you, Your Majesty.”“Come here, Duke.”The Emperor himself descended from the throne and greeted Helios. His hand stroking his shoulder was super friendly.“How’s your injury?”“Thanks to your attention, I have recovered a lot.”“Good. You don’t know how much I was worried because you threw yourself for me and got seriously injured.”“…….”“I don’t know how to thank the Duke for his great sacrifice.”You could have said that in private.As if everyone should listen, the Emperor’s editorial did not end simply.“It’s hard to find stories like this even during war, but I realized how lucky I am to have a loyal person like a Duke. The Duke’s unselfish loyalty will serve as a model for all people for a long time to come.”When the Emperor’s words were finished, applause poured in again.Returning to the throne, the Emperor smiled and beckoned to Count Grenier.“I would like to congratulate the Duke of Anthemion, and hereby award him a medal and reward for his service.”Count Grenier presented a certificate of merit, a small pocket, and an unknown certificate.Helios politely accepted the item, and the Emperor spoke again.“From this time on, the Duke of Anthemion will be treated like royalty in all ceremonies, and may use the honorary Hastings castle. Also, I would like to inform you that he has the right to mobilize the Imperial Knights at the discretion of the Duke in case of emergency.”It was a much greater decoration than expected. If I had not known the Emperor’s plans, I would have been thrilled.“Any other rights the Duke is entitled to are listed in the deed, but we’ll save that for after the ceremony.”“My pleasure, Your Majesty.”Helios remained silent, his head still.The Emperor’s gaze turned to Escal as he finished presenting the medals, and he beckoned to him with a light smile.“Escalium Anthemion, come forward.”“Yes? Ah…”Escal, who didn’t know his name would be called, looked at me with surprised eyes.I was taken aback by the unexpected situation, but I nodded my head in a sign that it was okay. Then Escal slowly walked forward.The Emperor pointed to Escal standing in front of the throne and opened his mouth.“Escalium Anthemion, despite his young age, risked his life to protect the Princess and faced the evil monster. So I want to give a reward to Escalium.”After the Emperor’s words were over, Prince Frederick approached Escal this time with a large sword.“Escal, get down on your knees.”At Prince Frederick’s command, Escal fell to his knees. The Prince quickly slapped Escal’s shoulders with his scabbard.“……”Helios, watching it, quietly sharpened his teeth.“Today, in the name of Frederick Hastings, Escalium Anthemion is sealed as a knight and the Guardian’s Sword is lowered, so I ask that you follow in the footsteps of Duke Anthemion and work hard for the Imperial Family.”“Ha.”I swallowed my saliva at Helios’ snort.The Guardian’s precious sword is a sword that the master sends down to show loyalty to the knight.There is no reason for Escal, who is only six years old, to receive that sword in the name of Prince Frederick.Prince Frederick handed the sword to Escal at Helios’ sharp eyes and hurriedly returned to his place.Princess Adela held out a bouquet of flowers as if waiting.“Congratulations, Escal.”“Uh, yes…”Escal, who was given the sword and flowers in the blink of an eye, looked like he was not sure what to do, but the Emperor smiled, as if he were pleased to receive them.“Then I will conclude the ceremony.” ***** After the ceremony was over, the Emperor called us to the drawing room.Feeling uncomfortable, I followed the servant to the drawing room.Helios was unable to calm his anger and exhaled a hot breath.The Emperor, his wife and his children were seated in the drawing room. Before he was told to sit down, Helios plopped himself down on the couch.“Why did you call me, Your Majesty?”“I called you for a cup of tea.”It was a tone that could have been considered impolite, but the Emperor was not agitated.Helios, holding the teacup, managed to suppress his temper and said.“It would have been nice if you could have told me in advance.”“I thought for a long time that the Duke would be burdened.”“You seem to have placed too much burden on a child who knows nothing.”“I cannot ignore achievements just because he’s young. Since Escal saved Adela’s life just as you saved me, wouldn’t it be natural to reward him?”What’s so natural about that?My irritation flared at the way he tried to gloss over the fact that he hadn’t bothered to explain why he’d given the award without consulting us, the parents, and in Prince Frederick’s name.I was about to ask if there were other ways to honor him if he wanted to do so, when Helios spoke up.“I am so grateful that Your Majesty cares so much about our family. But, His Majesty, how is the investigation into the monster that threatened your safety?”