Chapter 4
“I’m Coming to See You”
At the sight of the flag, the soldiers and the executioner immediately dropped to one knee. This must have been protocol for receiving a royal envoy.
Astrid would have liked to kneel in respect as well, but if she moved, the temporarily halted execution would quickly become permanent—so she stood perfectly still on the stool.
The standard-bearer gradually slowed his horse, stopping just in front of the gallows before dismounting.
Upon closer inspection, he looked nearly as haggard as Astrid. He must have ridden a long way.
The envoy pulled a rolled parchment from his chest, cleared his throat several times, and read aloud:
“Loyal soldiers of the Crown, hear this: I hereby order the stay of execution for the red-haired woman apprehended off the coast of Luz Rosada. I also command that she be delivered into my custody, for there is something I must confirm with her.”
It was a short imperial decree.
The envoy gestured to the soldiers, then looked at Astrid.
They sprang into action—quickly but with puzzled expressions—removing the noose from Astrid’s neck and helping her down from the stool.
Only then could Astrid kneel before the envoy as the others had done.
“Um, could you untie my hands too?”
At the envoy’s signal, the rope that had bound her wrists for what felt like an eternity was cut. Having her hands free again felt oddly unnatural.
Astrid wiped the sweat from her palms onto her skirt.
“Is your name Astrid?” the envoy asked.
She nodded vigorously.
Even if it wasn’t her name, she’d have claimed it in this situation—she might have to live as Astrid forever now.
“His Majesty the Emperor wishes to meet with you.”
And just like that, Astrid found herself riding in a luxurious carriage.
Once she had time to reflect, a bit of calm returned.
Whatever the reason, her execution had been delayed. Even if it turned out that she had somehow caused the Emperor great harm and he wanted to kill her personally…
“Great harm?!”
Her mind flashed to the Ortez Company.
Had she accidentally interfered with goods meant for the palace? Maybe targeting that company really had been a fatal mistake.
She tried to find reasons why dying by the Emperor’s own blade might be preferable to being hanged in the middle of nowhere—but no convincing answers came.
Still, considering how criminals were usually treated, the envoy and coachman were surprisingly courteous. The coachman, seeing her parched lips, even offered her water from his own flask.
Inside the carriage, a basket with soft bread and wine was waiting—making the coachman’s gesture feel unnecessary in hindsight.
Though she had no appetite, Astrid, having calmed slightly, sipped the wine to settle her nerves.
Now that the heart-pounding fear had passed, mind-numbing boredom set in.
Aside from being a bit softer and less damp than the prison cell, the carriage wasn’t much of an upgrade.
It jostled constantly.
She was used to the motion of the sea, but this was different—an unfamiliar kind of queasiness. Not quite land sickness, not quite seasickness.
She leaned out the window and gagged. Riding alongside, the envoy advised her to sleep if she could.
But how could a rattling candy in a shaking paper bag fall asleep?
Without a watch, she couldn’t be sure, but the journey seemed to last about five hours. The sun was just beginning to sink behind a low mountain range.
Outside, forests gave way to villages, then to bustling streets as they passed through the castle gates.
The carriage continued, crossing a drawbridge and passing through another gate. It finally stopped before an enormous iron door.
The envoy, now looking three times more exhausted than earlier, spoke briefly with the guards.
The heavy iron doors creaked open.
“Miss Astrid. From here, we walk. Please follow me.”
After sitting so long, the idea of walking was oddly refreshing.
They walked a wide, brick-paved path toward a grand building. The envoy offered a brief explanation: “This is the main palace.”
But they didn’t stop there—they headed deeper inside.
Eventually, they arrived in front of another building. Though smaller than the main palace, it was equally elegant and stately.
In front of the door stood a noblewoman. The envoy bowed, and Astrid, unsure of what to do, mimicked him.
—She would later learn this was not the proper etiquette for a woman.
The noblewoman gave a shallow nod, then glanced at Astrid.
Automatically, Astrid brought her feet together and clasped her hands in front of her, standing properly.
The noblewoman examined her from head to toe, sighed, and said,
“Miss Astrid. Follow me now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Feeling like a handkerchief being passed around in a game, Astrid turned to offer a parting glance to the envoy—but he was already walking off in the distance.
Apparently, the moment she was handed over was also his cue to clock out.
Embarrassed, Astrid ran her fingers through her hair. It was still sticky with salt.
On impulse, she licked her palm to get rid of the stickiness—only to realize too late that the noblewoman had seen.
This time, the woman didn’t even try to hide her exasperated sigh.
“If it were up to me, I’d scrub you down and change your clothes before presenting you—but His Majesty wishes to see you immediately.”
Mortified, Astrid wiped her hand on her skirt. The woman’s frown deepened.
“Do not do that in front of His Majesty.”
“Understood…”
Astrid ended up hiding her hands behind her back.
—This, too, she would later learn, was against court etiquette.
She was going crazy wondering why the Emperor wanted to see her.
She was fairly confident it wasn’t to praise her—she usually had more sins than virtues.
She followed the noblewoman down a corridor lined with plush carpeting.
Candles flickered on the walls, and crystal chandeliers reflected their light from the ceiling. Despite the darkening sky outside, the palace interior was warm and bright.
The soft carpet under her bare feet helped ease her nerves—if only a little.
Eventually, they stopped before a grand door.
Though not larger than the others, the delicate carvings and ornate surroundings made it clear this was a special room.
The noblewoman knocked softly.
“Your Majesty, this is Juliana. Miss Astrid has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
A smooth, low voice answered from inside.
The woman opened the door without a sound and gently nudged Astrid in. Then she shut the door behind her.
The room was just as warm and cozy as the corridor.
The chandelier above was even grander and more radiant. The open window let in a cool night breeze, making the crystals twinkle and scatter candlelight in every direction.
The furniture—sofa, table, chairs—was more beautiful than anything Astrid had ever seen.
It was redefining the word luxurious.
“Astrid.”
The voice that called her was soft and low—but carried a sharp edge.
Astrid’s gaze, which had been wandering around the room, snapped toward the speaker.
She didn’t know how to greet the Emperor. Should she throw herself on the floor and beg for mercy?
Hesitating, she knelt.
“Come closer.”
Astrid shuffled forward on her knees toward the middle-aged woman sitting on the sofa.
Her dress was relatively modest compared to the room’s extravagance, but her presence alone was overpowering.
Astrid instinctively bowed her head.
A hand approached her chin. She flinched, but the fingers gently lifted her face.
Only then could Astrid see the Emperor’s face clearly—and vice versa.
A faint smile appeared near the corners of her eyes.
“It’s good to see you, Sasha. You look nothing like your father.”
