BSPD 25

~Chapter 25~

“There’s a limit to how much you can look down on the Imperial Family, mage.”

“If you can’t even keep a single rat from roaming the palace, then what should I look down on, if not this?”

“What do you mean by that? Rat?”

BANG! BANG!

Someone knocked on the door roughly.

“Your Majesty! Forgive my rudeness, but I’m coming in!”

It was the voice of Ethan Kroyt, captain of the Holy Knights. He rarely lost his composure, but now he burst into the office with a flushed face.

After checking that no one inside was hurt, Ethan dropped to one knee and bowed deeply.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. I was there, but I failed to stop him.”

“Ethan, lift your head. You are not at fault.”

“It’s my fault for allowing this man to wreck your office. Ebel, what are you doing? Remove that mage immediately.”

“Yes!”

Ebel, who had been bowing behind Ethan, jumped up and approached Luce.

Luce remained calm even with Ebel coming to seize him. He turned his head toward the Emperor.

“You should have accepted when I offered to draw the magic circle, remember?”

“Mage from the Tower, what do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. If it wasn’t for that person again this time, the Imperial Family would have been shaken to its core.”

Luce tilted his head toward the office door. The Emperor’s gaze followed — to me, Rinnegrim, standing outside with my head bowed.

That crazy man! Why is he dragging me into this?!

I screamed inwardly. I had stayed outside the office to avoid drawing attention, but it was useless!

“You there. Lift your head.”

The Emperor’s dignified voice fell on me. Slowly, I raised my head.

“I greet the Sun of Lionel, His Imperial Majesty. I am Rinnegrim of the Count Feahil family.”

My voice trembled uncontrollably. Of course it did — I was suddenly face-to-face with the most powerful man in the Empire!

“Oh-ho. So you’re Rinnegrim of the Count Feahil family. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

How? I just joined! Where did you hear about me?

It was like that unsettling feeling when a professor already knows your name — usually for one of two reasons: you’ve done something very bad, or very good.

Judging by the Emperor’s warm tone, it seemed to be the latter. Maybe Director Nilson had praised me?

“I hear you made great contributions to suppressing the recent epidemic.”

“N-not at all, Your Majesty. I only added a small skill of mine…”

“A small skill, you say… Then our palace staff who don’t even have that small skill must be complete fools, no?”

“No, that’s not what I meant—!”

“I’m joking. Relax.”

Thanks to you, I’m even more tense.

I forced a smile to show his joke worked, lifting my stiff lips while scanning the room — and saw a face that shouldn’t be here.

Wait… why is Harry here?! What did he do to get dragged into the Emperor’s office?!

“I heard from Nilson that your skills in medicine are outstanding. Did that help this time too?”

“Yes. Many people helped make it possible. Especially! Without Harry’s help, it would have been impossible.”

I politely gestured toward Harry with both hands. Whatever he had done to end up here, I was making sure to praise him now!

“Oh? Harry?”

“Yes! He was a huge help! Especially in selecting and combining the medicinal herbs — without his contribution, the damage would have been far worse!”

“That’s surprising. I hear you’ve only been here for a few days.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“And in that short time, you’ve grown so close to Helion? As a father who’s awkward with his own son, I’m jealous. What’s your secret?”

“…What?”

I was so shocked I accidentally questioned the Emperor back. Wait—did he just say Harry is his son? And his name is Helion?

If he’s the Emperor’s son and named Helion… he’s the Crown Prince of the Lionel Empire!

I glanced at Harry — no, Helion — and he avoided my gaze, which confirmed it. My mind went blank.

“S-secret…”

What had I said to him before? Did I call us friends? Wait, I’d been calling him Harry casually all this time!

“So, the secret. Will you tell me?”

What had I done before? Oh right — I made him carry buckets! I had made the Crown Prince do chores in a plague zone! And insulted him at our first meeting!

“T-the secret is…”

“…Was my question too hard? Or do you not want to tell me? Or is the secret to drag the Crown Prince into a plague nest?”

His displeasure was clear in his voice. I felt it — I had just earned the ruler’s hatred. My life was over.

And then, an unexpected savior stepped in.

“Your Majesty.”

It was Helion, speaking softly between us.

“Lady Feahil took the lead in driving out the disease when it spread in the palace. While a new recruit fought on the front lines, would it be a leader’s virtue to stay comfortable and safe?”

I had to tense my jaw to keep my mouth from hanging open.

“It was a time where I learned a lot as her superior. As you said, who else but her could have made me fight at the very front against the disease?”

“…Helion. You’re so heartless. Now I can’t even joke for fear of upsetting you. Isn’t that right, Lady Feahil? You must have been troubled.”

“N-not at all, Your Majesty.”

“Really? Then can I continue for a bit longer?”

“T-that is…”

I hesitated, and at that moment, Kinya, who had just woken up, rubbed her eyes — then took a huge breath. I felt a bad premonition.

“Don’t bully Rinneee!!!”

“Ah!”

With a groan, the Emperor covered his ears. As for me, holding Kinya, I nearly dropped her from the shock.

Hina and Luka, who had been dozing on my shoulders, flapped their wings in surprise.

“K-Kinyaxsis, why are you saying that to me…?”

“Bully Rinne, bad!”

“I didn’t bully her. I was just joking—”

“Kinya hates it!!”

Hina and Luka nodded furiously to support her.

“Hina noona and Luka hyung hate it too!”

The Emperor, staring blankly at the puffed-up birds, finally moved his lips.

“I’m sorry, Kinyaxsis. If Lady Feahil is troubled, I’ll refrain. Lady Feahil, my apologies.”

“N-not at all, Your Majesty. Please don’t worry.”

The roar had worked — the Emperor had just apologized to me, a mere noble lady!

Kinya looked up at me with sparkling eyes, but I couldn’t praise her.

“Since Kinyaxsis says so, I’ll stop teasing. Lady Feahil, I’ve heard you contributed greatly to this matter. As head of the Imperial Family, I thank you.”

“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

“Helion strongly argued that you should be rewarded. So, tell me what you want, and I will do my best to grant it.”

I didn’t answer right away — I wasn’t sure if I should say it.

Luce stood with arms crossed, looking bored.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty… But thanks to Lord Luce, I learned there’s a force trying to spread the disease in the palace. We’ve identified the source because of him.”

“Intentionally spread disease in the palace? Who would dare…!”

The Emperor’s hand gripped the armrest so tightly it turned white. I bowed deeper.

“We can’t name them yet… but Lord Luce has a suspect. Breaking the window was not meant to threaten you — I believe he didn’t know it was your office.”

Of course, even if he had known, Luce would’ve done it anyway.

“So, I humbly ask you to forget his offense and give him Imperial support to uncover the truth.”

Finishing calmly, I met Luce’s eyes as I felt his stare.

Why? I mouthed. Why that expression?

I had just used my wish to protect him and get official permission to search the palace. It would help him too. And honestly, I also wanted to repay him and brag a little.

And that’s the face you give me?

Maybe I should have just asked for money… but it was too late.

“Hmm…”

The Emperor pressed his temples, then sighed deeply.

“Fine. The Imperial Family will cooperate fully… no, this is really cooperation with the Mage Tower.”

“I’m grateful, Your Majesty.”

“But that’s not a reward for you. Catching the one who caused chaos in the palace is our duty — it’s not a prize for you.”

Unexpectedly, he gave me a second chance.

I hesitated — should I shamelessly ask for money? I still had plenty from Lunaris, but more is always better.

In a split second, I weighed my choices: show greed now, or leave a good first impression?

It was like a job interview — for my whole future in the palace.

Between more money and making the ruler like me… of course I’d pick the latter.

I straightened and said,

“The peace of the Imperial Family is the peace of the Empire. As a citizen, there is no greater honor than rooting out those who threaten it. This is all I wish for.”

As the Emperor’s lips slowly curved, I was sure of it —

I had left a strong impression.