Turning Chapter 1319

The Emperor seemed to rate Yuder’s level of knowledge extremely highly. That meant today’s lesson had felt that valuable to him, which was a relief—but it was hard to feel purely pleased.

The only reason Yuder could respond without difficulty to whatever theories and conjectures the Emperor voiced today was simply because the subject was Awakeners.

Whatever else he didn’t know, he had spent over ten years desperately seeking out and ramming into his head every scrap of material that could help him understand awakened abilities. If a Cavalry Commander—who had watched the front line of Awakener research progress in his previous life and met more Awakeners than anyone—didn’t at least know that much, it would make no sense.

Being overvalued for a single subject he’d studied hard was enough to prick even Yuder’s conscience. He could only hope the Emperor wouldn’t misunderstand and assume he excelled in other fields as well.

‘I’m used to those in power keeping their guard up against me, but having someone see me more and more favorably with each day—this is a first, and... difficult.......’

Swallowing a sigh, Yuder brought over the duffel he’d carried this far. Inside was a large jar of tea powder he’d brought for the Emperor and Empress.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress. Before I go... there’s something I’d like to say.”

“Mm?”

When he lifted the jar from the bag and set it on the table, the two recognized it at once. It was the same tea powder Kishiar had given them not long ago—only the size had grown—so it was impossible to mistake.

“That is......”

“Isn’t that the tea powder we drank before?”

“Yes. I made more this time. I remembered how much Your Majesties liked it, so I brought it. If it’s all right... might I pass this to the attendants in charge of gifts at the Sun Palace and the Dawn Palace?”

A gift for the chamberlain could be handed over casually, but a present to the Emperor and Empress had to be delivered to the responsible attendants to be inspected for risk first. And they might not want it, so he had intended to ask their wishes before handing it over—but before he could finish, a hurried cry burst out.

“Of course it’s all right! I’d like to receive it right now!”

The Empress clasped her hands, cheeks flushed.

“I wondered if the unfamiliar bag was for lesson materials, but you didn’t use it... So it was a present for us.”

“I hear you’re very busy, and yet in the midst of it you prepared such a gift for me and the Empress. Truly a heart worthy of the Empire’s hero.”

The Emperor lifted the jar, solemn face brightening with admiration.

“With this much, we’ll be able to enjoy it for quite a while... We thank you.”

They immediately refused the notion of passing the gift to the designated attendants, citing protocol. More than that, the Emperor even issued an order: “If you should wish to give us something again, you need not worry about anything—hand it directly to me and the Empress.”

When Yuder hesitated a little, the Emperor spoke gently yet firmly.

“Baron. You are now the Empire’s hero beyond dispute, the tutor to the Emperor and Empress—further, a teacher to the entire nation. How could I suspect the gift of one who spares not his life in defense of the Empire?”

“His Majesty is right. Having received something so fine, I’d like to invite you to the Dawn Palace greenhouse to drink it together... but doing that from the very first lesson might burden you, yes?”

Smiling, the Empress stroked the jar in her arms.

“Then next lesson I’ll bring sweets to match the tea. After the lesson, might we share a cup here for a short while?”

“...Yes.”

“Truly? You agree?”

The Empress was overjoyed. At once, Emperor Keillusa tilted his head and slipped in, ever so smoothly.

“Empress. I shall, of course, be joining you then as well, yes?”

“I made that promise fair and square by asking first, and you would just hitch a ride without effort? No, Your Majesty. You’re dying to try a strategy game with Yuder—so you’re out.”

“Is there no way?”

Yuder realized something. He had thought that though Emperor Keillusa was Kishiar’s older brother, they were complete opposites in every way—but no. The moment the Emperor softened his brows and wore an expression that weakened the onlooker’s heart, he looked astonishingly like his younger brother.

But the Empress was no easy mark.

“Mm... If you want it that much, how about this: from today, when I give the signal to stop, you will at once suspend—if only briefly—the ability you’re using for my sake. I’ve long thought that, watching over the Dawn Palace, you’ve been consuming too much power.”

Seeing the Empress make excellent use of what she’d learned today, the Emperor’s lips parted slightly.

“...In coveting more time talking with the baron, I seem to have gotten my bridle on first.”

“To be a student worthy of the gift from one’s teacher—this much is only right.”

“Then I must work very hard not to lose.”

The Emperor and Empress burst into laughter together. It was a sight that warmed the heart just to see—so much so that it was hard to believe, in his previous life, he had never known such a harmonious couple existed.

‘If Kishiar were here, he would like this sight.’

When Kishiar was with the imperial couple, he wore a far more joyful, mischievous expression than at other times. The ease he showed then was similar to, and yet distinct from, how he was with Yuder.

It was, in the truest sense, a manner one could show only before family who had been together since childhood. And within it was the tenderness of having nearly lost that family and then regained them.

Yuder knew this, of course, thanks to the golden link—the imprint.

Every time the Emperor and Empress showed such harmony, the small, deep joy he felt from Kishiar’s side.

He was recalling it, his expression unconsciously softening, when he suddenly thought back to the white gloves he had met earlier.

If he could truly watch over me from there... could he see the Emperor and Empress like this, too?

“......”

He hoped so.

It was a sight too precious to keep to himself.

***

At the very hour Yuder Aile was teaching the Emperor and Empress—

Orr Capital Courthouse.

Kishiar sat in a small VIP waiting room, staring at a tiny note. It contained only a very short sentence, yet he kept a long silence as if he were reading an extended letter.

“......”

When the lord was silent, Nathan Zuckerman, standing before him, naturally kept silent as well. His disposition was taciturn to begin with, so he didn’t seem uncomfortable.

But the other person present—Kiole la Diarca—was nothing like that.

To him, this situation was so uncomfortable he felt he might die.

‘What is this, seriously......? Until just now he kept talking and scaring me, and then the moment he got that, he suddenly turned grave......!’

They had come here to take part in the preliminary inquiry before the second trial at which Crown Prince Kachian himself would appear. A moment of immense tension and importance was about to arrive, and with Kishiar suddenly like this, Kiole felt his anxiety surge in a different way, to the point of madness.

He wanted to ask what on earth was going on. But he had enough sense to know he shouldn’t.

As Kiole failed to master his nerves and began jiggling his leg, Kishiar finally spoke.

“You said this was brought by Yuliver’s messenger bird.”

“Yes. I retrieved it when it arrived at the Cavalry Commander’s office and delivered it.”

“I see. If they lent the messenger bird meekly without any added comment, then Yuder likely didn’t seem in any strange condition at the time.”

‘...What does that mean? Was that note from Yuder Aile?’

Kiole recalled the face he’d glimpsed for a moment in the Commander’s office just before they came here. He’d looked entirely his usual self—had something happened?

While Kiole’s ears perked up despite himself, Kishiar folded the note with a calm face and tucked it into his breast.

“Nathan. You no longer need to attend me. Go out and immediately check the status of anomaly-rift sighting reports throughout the capital, and see if there’s any word from elsewhere. All countries currently within our lines, including Nellarun.”

What? Kiole jolted so hard his backside lifted, but Nathan Zuckerman only bowed without the slightest surprise.

“Understood.”

“I’ll count on you.”

That ended their exchange. Nathan saluted, turned at once, and left the waiting room.

“My apologies for cutting our conversation short, Sir Kiole. The sudden turn must have startled you.”

Kiole, who had been rolling his eyes, flinched and shook his head.

“N-no. But... is something happening in the capital?”

“Hard to say just yet. Still, there should be ample time to accomplish what we came here for today, so don’t worry.”

Kishiar smiled brilliantly. As Kiole gaped, someone knocked from outside. The investigator from the court called them, saying it was time.

“Shall we?”

Kishiar rose. Kiole pressed his lips tight and followed behind him.