TTDOPL | CHAPTER 10

~CHAPTER 10~

“Dianu!”

It was early afternoon. Cora called out to Dianu urgently.

Dianu, who had been lying on the long chair after a late lunch, reluctantly got up.

“What is it?”

“I have some news from the princess’s personal maid.”

Dianu sprang to her feet. Cora approached and spoke in a low voice.

“These days, the princess goes to the Knights’ Hall at the west end of the palace at night.”

“The Knights’ Hall?”

“It’s a memorial for the honorably deceased royal guards. Even if they’re buried in their hometown, their portraits and tombstones are kept separately in the palace.”

There was no need to ask why the princess would go to such a spooky place at night. Of course, it must be to honor a deceased lover.

Dianu brightened at the thought, but Cora looked slightly anxious.

“Please keep this a secret. If the head maid or chief lady-in-waiting finds out, you’ll be in trouble.”

Dianu reassured the worried Cora.

“Don’t worry. It’s for the princess’s sake anyway.” How far is this Knights’ Hall?

“About an hour on foot.”

Dianu tried to think of a safe way for her night excursion but could not come up with a solution.

Lord Roisen had recently taken leave to return to his family estate, so she couldn’t rely on him.

Even in the safe palace, as an unmarried lady, running into a man in a remote place could ruin her reputation, making it difficult to get another tutoring position later.

She needed a trusted companion. Dianu gave instructions to Cora.

“Go to the palace immediately. Bring out the best dress.”

Cora looked puzzled but obediently headed to the wardrobe. Sitting at the dressing table, Dianu hoped she wasn’t mistaken in her plan.

“Of course. If I can help persuade Lira, I should do so.”

The emperor accepted Dianu’s request without hesitation. Dianu exhaled in relief. The emperor gave her a puzzled look.

“Honestly, it wouldn’t be strange if you found this absurd.”

At the palace, Dianu asked that a courtier or royal guard accompany her. The emperor might see it as presumptuous, but he could provide a reliable companion for her night walk. The emperor said:

“But a courtier or guard may not be suitable. I will go myself.”

“What?!” Dianu jumped, but the emperor remained calm.

“If word spreads that the princess roams at night without attendants or guards, it would be troublesome. It’s better fewer eyes see it.”

“But, Your Majesty…”

“Don’t worry. I won’t appear before Lira. No one will be at the Knights’ Hall at that time; let Ortensa go in alone.”

It wasn’t the emperor’s presence that concerned her. Dianu tried to hide her expression behind a teacup. The emperor, realizing something, said:

“Ah… I see. From Ortensa’s perspective, there may be concerns in another direction.”

“No, Your Majesty. I’m not thinking anything improper! I’m just… being unmarried…”

“You really have nothing to worry about. Even if someone sees us together, we’ll appear as emperor and subject, not as unmarried men and women.”

Dianu lowered her head.

“But I cannot trouble Your Majesty like this…”

“I enjoy night walks.”

“Your Majesty’s guards…”

“They will follow discreetly from afar.”

There was no point in further argument. Dianu hesitated, then nodded. The emperor smiled faintly.

“The Knights’ Hall is closer from here. Going back to Oakleaf Palace and returning would be inconvenient, so it’s better to wait here.”

Thinking of sitting in the emperor’s reception room for hours, Dianu’s head spun. Unaware of her thoughts, the emperor stood. Dianu hurriedly followed.

“I’ll handle some business. I’ll come for you around nine.”

“Yes….”

“The ribbon suits you well.”

The emperor left, and Dianu bent slightly, hoping her ears weren’t burning. Alone, she glanced at the chief of attendants. Despite hearing everything, he remained calm.

“Shall I bring more tea?”

“…That would be appreciated.”

Dianu plopped back into her chair. She only wanted a reliable companion for the emperor, but now she had no idea what was happening.

Dianu emptied the teapot twice while waiting and finished the book the attendant had given her. When she asked for a book to read while waiting, the attendant calmly responded.

‘Of course. Just tell me the title, and I’ll bring it.’

She had a chance to peek into the emperor’s library. She could have requested rare or expensive books, but she surprisingly asked:

‘Please bring a book that Your Majesty enjoys reading.’

‘A book that the emperor enjoys…?’

‘Yes. Any type is fine.’

It was an odd request, yet the attendant didn’t press and quietly left. Soon he returned with a well-worn book.

‘A book His Majesty has read dozens of times.’

Dianu raised her eyebrows.

The emperor’s favorite book was written by a scholar from Arasus: History of the Arasus and Catalos Empires (Years 1–500).

Though she was interested in history, as a Catalosian, she had no reason to read it.

Typically, people read books by their own scholars.

Yet the emperor deliberately chose an Arasusian work. Dianu guessed his intentions and opened the book carefully.

It felt like peeking into the emperor’s mind.

‘Good thing I know Arasusian.’

Her hard-earned knowledge was useful beyond proving a point to rude noblewomen.

Dianu quickly immersed herself in the book. She barely noticed the emperor enter the room; even seeing her with the book didn’t surprise him.

He acknowledged her greeting and spoke:

“It probably isn’t a very interesting book.”

“Seeing the same history from an Arasusian perspective makes it fresh.”

“My former tutor gifted it as his final lesson. He gave this book to me and Romers gave History of the Great Catalos Empire and Arasus, 500 Years to Labelan Arasus.”

The Catalos crown prince received an Arasusian perspective, and the Arasus crown prince received a Catalosian perspective. Dianu couldn’t resist asking:

“Where is that tutor now?”

“He has passed away.”

Dianu bowed her head. She regretted asking.

“No need for that expression. He was already elderly when I first met him. He lived by his principle of not relying on either Catalos or Arasus, traveling among the continent’s universities and monasteries until he passed peacefully.”

Considering he tutored both empires’ crown princes, Dianu might have known the name, but asking further would be rude.

The emperor freely shared much, yet maintained his own boundaries.

Dianu feared overstepping.

The emperor donned the coat brought by the attendant and said:

“We should depart soon. Ortensa needs her sleep.”

“Yes… Thank you for accompanying me despite the trouble.”

The emperor smiled faintly.

“It feels like an adventure. I’d be glad to see Lira’s face even from afar.”

“When was the last time you saw the princess?”

The emperor furrowed his brow. After recalling, he sighed:

“It seems to have been Edric Roisen’s funeral.”

“Ah….”

So he hadn’t seen his only sister for at least half a year. The emperor explained:

“No one else could compel the princess. I don’t want to force her, so that’s how it has been.”

“I see….”

“Royal studies are useless. I’m an emperor who cannot persuade my own sister.”

Dianu bowed in astonishment. She couldn’t understand why she had the right to witness the emperor’s vulnerable side. ‘I am just a tutor.’ She had yet to start lessons, yet could face Princess Elfenlira directly. Perhaps today, she could lift some of her own disgrace.

Dianu bravely followed the emperor out of the reception room. Wandering the palace at night with him didn’t seem so bad. He was the safest person, able to unlock every door, and she hoped it might help unlock the princess’s heart too.