Chapter 16: An Unparalleled Opportunity

Princess Consort Camilla’s long fingers picked up the thick folder resting beside her office desk. As she scanned its contents, a faint sigh escaped her lips, followed by a soft murmur.

“Oh dear. I seem to have forgotten to hand this over to the aide who just left.”

Her voice, usually so calm it bordered on cold indifference, now carried a subtle hint of emotion that Selonia could almost discern. It was a blend of annoyance at a bothersome task and a touch of self-reproach.

The documents in her hand concerned the budget approval for various autumn events.

Grand banquets, hunting festivals, and imperial city celebrations, all customary during the harvest season, demanded frantic preparations even when started this early.

With no Empress currently, Princess Consort Camilla oversaw the internal affairs of the palace. However, without the Emperor’s endorsement, not a single coin from the budget could be touched.

She would likely need to dispatch a lady-in-waiting or summon the Emperor’s aide again to deliver the papers before the day was out.

Selonia, who had been idly watching Princess Consort Camilla while organizing other documents, suddenly widened her eyes. A memory from her past life flashed before her, vivid and undeniable.

‘This,’ she realized, ‘might be an unparalleled opportunity.’

Carefully, Selonia set down the stack of papers without a sound. She then rose and approached the Princess Consort.

“Your Highness,” she began, “may I deliver these to the main palace for you?”

“You?”

Princess Consort Camilla’s gaze shifted to Selonia. Her eyes, framed by their characteristic strong lines, held an intensity that seemed to pierce through people. She subtly scrutinized Selonia with a meaningful look.

Princess Consort Camilla was certainly aware of Alix’s interest in Selonia, so she might well perceive a deeper meaning behind this offer to run an errand.

Despite her unwarranted nervousness, Princess Consort Camilla soon nodded, seemingly unconcerned, and readily extended the documents.

“Very well. Do tell him that the sooner the approval, the better.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will return shortly.”

Receiving the papers with a composed expression, Selonia strove to contain her burgeoning excitement as she exited the office. Just before the door closed, her gaze darted to the wall clock, her eyes glinting with certainty.

At this precise moment, there was a high probability that he would not be in his office.

A thrill of elation surged in her throat.

Leaving the Princess Consort’s palace, Selonia hastened her steps towards the main palace in the east. The grand corridor, offering a panoramic view of the gardens, was ablaze with the fierce summer sun, its heat bleaching the colonnades a stark white.

Throughout the gardens, summer blossoms shimmered with vibrant hues, greeting the sun’s embrace. The attire of passersby was noticeably lighter than before, reflecting the season’s warmth.

Her lush pink hair danced softly in the summer breeze. This period, just before summer reached its full bloom, presented a golden opportunity for her. Soon, the annual imperial tour with the Pope would commence.

The imperial tour itself was nothing extraordinary.

Ostensibly, it was a pilgrimage to ascertain the stability of the Emperor’s reign, yet in reality, it merely encompassed visits to the various small and large territories surrounding the imperial capital.

To traverse the entire vast empire would undoubtedly consume several months.

During these visits, the Emperor would be lavishly entertained in the nobles’ castles within the imperial capital’s environs, often selecting the venue for that year’s hunting festival from among them.

Though it might seem an unnecessary ritual at first glance, it was a crucial ceremony, observed since the empire’s foundation.

It symbolized the enduring grace of Ardiel, the divine light still illuminating the empire, and thus, it proceeded without fail unless a major crisis arose.

This was precisely why the Pope also accompanied the Emperor.

In her previous life, Selonia had attended the tour a few times at Alix’s insistence. While not all memories were crystal clear, the emotions and sentiments of those times still vaguely lingered.

The nobles, who would rush out barefoot to greet Alix, often found themselves flustered.

They were unsure how to treat Selonia, who was the Emperor’s lover but not his Empress, and not even formally engaged, occupying such an ambiguous position.

Having to endure their uncomfortable gazes, any grand reception she received felt more like a burden than an honor.

After a few such experiences, she stopped accompanying him. How could she repeatedly insert herself into such events when she had merely remained in the ambiguous role of the Emperor’s lover for six years?

Regardless, this period of the imperial tour held a different significance for her as a golden opportunity. Alix, after all, grew noticeably sensitive as the tour approached.

Despite being the Emperor, he seemed deeply displeased by the necessity of moving in parallel with the Pope.

As the empire’s paramount figure and absolute ruler, he could not tolerate even the perception of being on equal footing with the Pope.

However, the Ardia Empire had proclaimed itself a Holy Empire since its very foundation. Thus, even if the Pope did not involve himself in politics, his authority could not be disregarded.

Indeed, a small sanctuary existed within the imperial palace itself, and matters concerning heretics and witches were primarily handled by the Grand Cathedral, rather than the imperial family.

Alix would become intensely sensitive, often showing his displeasure as if this encroached upon his own authority. Selonia knew well what he typically did during such times.

Unless there was an urgent matter, he would leave his office to spend endless hours in her palace, or alternatively, relieve his stress by vigorously training in the drill yard.

Therefore, the probability of Alix not being in his office right now was exceptionally high.

“Please…”

As the main palace drew nearer, Selonia’s steps grew strangely heavy, and she murmured a fervent plea. She desperately hoped her prediction was correct.

Unconsciously, she bit her lower lip as she entered the main palace.

The main palace, where the Emperor resided and conducted his affairs, was resplendent beyond comparison with any other building in the imperial complex.

Golden bands encircled the pristine white marble columns, which were intricately carved with vine motifs. Elaborately crafted patterns and paintings adorned every inch of the walls and ceilings.

Even in broad daylight, the palace’s vast interior was illuminated by ornate chandeliers, powered by magic, scattering reflections of sunlight and proclaiming the imperial family’s power.

Locating the office was not difficult. It was at the far right end of the corridor, extending from the central main entrance of the palace.

Having visited it several times in her previous life, Selonia was familiar with its location.

She felt her heart begin to pound erratically as she slowly approached the double doors.

Before the doors stood the Emperor’s aide, whom she had seen earlier that morning. Upon spotting Selonia, he raised an eyebrow in surprise and hurried towards her.

“Lady Brienne, isn’t it? What brings you here…”

“I am here on an errand for Her Highness, the Princess Consort. She instructed me to deliver these approval documents to His Majesty.”

Only then did the aide’s gaze fall upon the papers Selonia held. He blinked for a moment, then looked up with a troubled expression.

“Ah, but His Majesty is not currently in his office… Just a moment.”

Facing the somewhat flustered aide, Selonia smiled inwardly. ‘He’s not in the office. My prediction was correct.’ Now, what would happen next was entirely up to chance.

She deliberately adopted a slightly shy expression and patiently awaited the aide’s next words.

The aide, who served the Emperor directly, would undoubtedly be well aware of Alix’s interests.

He would likely conclude that having Selonia meet Alix was preferable to simply sending her away, especially given the Emperor’s heightened sensitivity during this particular period.

After a brief moment of silent deliberation, the aide, appearing to have reached a decision, extended his arm.

“Would you care to step inside and wait for a moment? His Majesty is expected to return soon.”

“Oh… would it truly be alright for me to enter His Majesty’s office?”

Though she yearned to accept immediately, she cautiously cleared her throat before responding, fearing that too much eagerness might arouse suspicion.

At her words, the aide offered a subtle smile and shook his head slightly.

“Not at all. His Majesty might, ah, actually be pleased… Ahem. If you go inside, I will instruct someone to bring you tea.”

“Oh, no, thank you. Tea won’t be necessary. I’m merely here on an errand. I will simply wait until His Majesty arrives.”

“Ah… Very well then.”

Strictly speaking, she hadn’t received an invitation from the Emperor, so the aide seemed to accept that bringing tea wasn’t strictly required. He readily nodded, then pushed open the heavy double doors and gestured her inside.

Selonia carefully stepped past the familiar office entrance.

Behind her, the doors closed with a low, resonant thud.