These days, rumors spread around the entire Imperial City. The Ecluss daughter still does not wake up after a week, and the Marquis daughter stays in her household. It was said that the chandelier was part of the Marquis''s daughter''s plan, and it has a deeper meaning that someone was helping her or making a deal with her.


    No one could boldly use the Banquet Hall of the Emperor as a place to scheme. However, there was even a rumor that maybe the Emperor had done it, but it was soon turned down. It''s impossible.


    The Emperor did care not for such trivial things. It''s more believable because the Ecluss Household sides from an opposite faction, and they are not on good terms with the Ostenian Duchy, who is from another faction.


    The Marquis Household belongs to the same group as the Ostenian Duchy. Such plays are far more believable than the Emperor doing it himself.


    "You did good."


    Ett murmured, her eyes scanning the pamphlet that had just been released that morning.


    "It''s my pleasure to serve you, Matriarch."


    "Were there any injuries, especially their faces?"


    Ares shook his head, "Nothing but a graze and shock from the Marquis'' daughter. Lady Arandel did experience the harsh impact of falling, but the support from Young Veralis Garth reduced the impact. One of the maids from the Ecluss household has given her medicine mixed with an odorless sleeping powder that will last for a week as Matriarch suggested."


    "And their investigation?"


    "They won''t be able to know who did it. The person that they caught was dead."


    A pretending alibi that is already a dead end.


    "Good to hear."


    Let this resentment brew more.


    "What about the Ostenian and the Marquis'' reaction?"


    "As expected, they denied it as if it''s just a rumor without proof. However, the Marquis did send his daughter with gifts to the Ecluss family, personally thanking them for saving the Marquis daughter from harm''s way."


    If Arandel didn''t push Ilyana away at that moment, she wouldn''t have been implicated and been in a coma for 1 week. However, Arandel would be dead if Veralis didn''t pull her.


    "Then how''s the condition of Veralis?"


    "From what I''ve heard and been informed by Sire Akan, half of his body was used to shield Lady Arandel. A glass share had hit his shoulder, and he needs a few more months to recuperate."


    It means that Ralis won''t be coming to the palace soon.


    Not like she didn''t know how much the Duke wanted to delay his son from entering the palace. This ball event is a reasonable disguise to delay the process.


    "The better, now the Duke of Garth would be more wary in discussing topics with Ostenian Duchy."


    Suspicion is a dangerous seed; once planted, it only grows with time.


    Hm. Ecluss'' cherished daughter and one of Garth''s most talented sons were injured. Ett clasped her hand, "Very good."


    Let''s give it a little push.


    The physicians outside the palace are capable but less advanced and more knowledgeable than Physcian Fran. A privilege that only is used to serve the royals.


    "Ares, are they still in the Imperial City?"


    "Yes, Matriarch."


    Ett thought for a moment.


    "Have the Imperial Physician personally examine those two," she ordered. "Tell him to find me once he''s finished."


    Let''s create more rumors.


    "Understood, Matriarch. Then please excuse me."


    "Alright."


    If Akan was here, Ett was sure he''d be amused as this would mean the Adiand royalty shows favor as Imperial Physcians are exclusively for the palace. Akan would then also attend with Physcian Fran and soon visit Lady Ilyana to get both sides involved.


    She sighed.


    This is the difference between a veteran and a newbie, she thought. But she couldn''t always keep Akan by her side all the time—and Ares was proving himself well enough as a trainee.


    Ett listed tasks for Ares, helping him quickly adjust how things would work in Adiand Palace.


    Ett stretched her limbs like a cat after naping for so long.


    "Fu~ so satisfying."


    She wondered what Guren was doing.


    "Probably working his ass off again."


    Right.


    "Let''s finish this quick and go out."


    She''ll wait until Ares comes in as she is too lazy to walk alone, even though she has a map of the entire surroundings. This kind of setting is prone to an unexpected encounter.


    It''s obvious who that person will be if they meet by chance, so nope.


    ***


    "Matriarch, the physician said he''ll see to it immediately."


    "Alright, let me finish this first."


    After about an hour or two, Ares guided her to the other side of the palace.


    Huff. Huff.


    "Water."


    "Here, Matriarch, do you need any assist?"


    Ett gave him a bland look.


    "My apologies."


    They had stopped at a large gate, a separate part yet still in the lands of the Imperial area where the soldiers would train and watch. The ones who could enter were those who officially worked in the inner part of the palace. They are the best knights, and most of them accompanied Guren during the war.


    Ett contemplated.


    She had never met any of them before. This could be an excellent way to understand this place better.


    "Call the commander for me if he is present."


    Only the higher-ranked knights could know who she was, much so the Commander of Adiand Knights.


    "Understood."


    Ett gazed at the lined trees that were larger and thicker than an Olive Tree.


    As there were no seats to be seen as it was not something to take in sights like the usual opened areas, Ett pulled out one of her handkerchiefs and sat below the tree, enjoying its beautiful shade and the breezy air that cooled her heart.


    "This is so chill."


    Ett closed her eyes.


    This feels like when she was on Earth having a one-month vacation in their province before returning to the bustling city high above in the sea of lights. Ah, those relaxing days after another bloody battle dealing with work life.


    It''s the same situation today.


    "Greetings, Your Grace."


    Solid and steady footsteps stopped just right in front of her. It''s as if the whole world had darkened.


    As Ett opened her eyes, right before she was a tall and bulky man the size of a bear with scars riddling his face. The man was already kneeling, yet Ett felt she was still staring at a giant. At first look, the man looked intimidating, yet his well-downed clothes gave him more of a sturdy bodyguard she saw in guarding celebrities.


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    Ett took out one of her handkerchiefs and then frowned; it''s not a bandana, lest three bandanas accommodate the size of his butt, maybe just his anus.


    She tapped four handkerchiefs, ushering the Commander to sit beside her.


    Does a commander ever need it? No, she just did it for whatever reason.


    "Come. You''re too tall."


    "I would rather not, Your Grace; please retrieve the handkerchief as it''s undeserving of me."


    "It has been done. Do you want me to retrieve it?"


    "..."


    "Order."


    "Then this subject is extremely grateful."


    You sound burned, bro.


    Without any choice and by the beckoning of Ares, the Commander awkwardly sits beside Ett. She looks like a four-year-old child compared to the Commander. Immediately, a musk scent permeated the air; it must be from training.


    Ah, the smell of masculinity; it''s been a long time since I smelled this kind of scent. Not that it''s too strong.


    "How does His Majesty address you?"


    "Informally." The Commander replied.


    "It''s just Gammarad, You''re Grace."


    "Gammarad."


    It indeed sounds impressive and massive, just like his size.


    Pulling another handkerchief, she put it on her left, ushering Ares.


    "Ares, you too."


    Her earthly manners make her uncomfortable seeing such a position. There''s no need to raise authority when she wants to talk casually.


    "How''s the situation with the armies?"


    "Sire Akan informed me to train our soldiers better; even though there''s peace in our empire, it is not bad to be prudent."


    It is more like Sire Akan hinted that there would be a war and that the Adiand Empire would play a more significant role. This made Gammarad wonder if the Empress Dowager had the idea rather than the Emperor himself.


    The Pass of Power between the two royals and their order--hmm, how could Gammarad express this?


    Although he is in direct command of the Emperor by the secret Decree of the Emperor, which was written and kept uttermost secrecy, the Empress Dowager has the power also to command as long as it''s for the sake of the Adiand Empire.


    As both Adiand royals are doing their duties as Commander, Gammarad has no conflicts with following their order.


    "Does Her Majesty have any suggestions?"


    Gammarad didn''t dare to look at Her Grace, yet from his peripheral vision, he could see her leaning on the tree in relaxation as she wrung her handkerchief, wiping her nose.


    It seems the illness Akan told him before was the truth and worse. The pungent smell of blood wafted on his nose.


    "Well, cough. Hold on."


    Ett sneezed. "Ugh."


    Gammarad turned his head at the sky. How pitiful.


    It reminds him of when he first saw the Empress Dowager; she was utterly mesmerizing yet sinful to gaze at. But most of all, it is unreachable, just like the moon in the night sky. However, this little child, the Dowager, is quite more of a mortal now.


    Ett didn''t know she was being compared to when she was before, and now, as Ett wiped her nose and handed it over to Ares, who reached out and opened a box, a mini bin, she calls it.


    Of all coughts per minute wherein she wants to appear noble, this bloody cough and sneeze have to ruin it. Can you give me a break?


    Ett nodded, "Well, yes."


    "Other than the Emperor having Shadow Guards, are any soldiers trained for assassination and acting as mstovaris?"


    Hearing this, Gamarad was sure this would be now for the Empress Dowager''s scheme. She''s starting again after months of staying silent.


    Gamarad shook his head. "A soldier being an assassin is unheard of, and mstovaris... Mostly, we buy the information."


    Besides buying information, there was no department for an information guild-like structure solely for the royal Adiand. What if the information guild gives misinformation? It''s not that Ett doesn''t trust Cashim; it''s just a means for being cautious.


    "Ah geez."


    "???"


    "My oversight."


    This is because she wasn''t interested in military affairs when she came here and just had a brief overview.


    "What does Her Grace mean?"


    Gammarad and even Ares became confused; they could not follow Ett''s thoughts.


    Ett shook her head.


    Like in other countries with different types of military personnel—like standard soldiers, special forces, private armies, and even intelligence agents like those in the CIA. Even if their world was vastly different, valuable lessons were to be learned. The Adiand don''t fully own the Information Guild; the Isotel, which is reputable for its intel, is built by Cashim, not theirs, unless they acquire it.


    Ett doesn''t believe Cashim would hand it over so quickly.


    Nor the Love Behind Curtain Veils.


    "Commander Gamamrad, have you ever wondered if having some other group of knights to specialize in different areas would be swifter?"


    "That..."


    "Have some thought; this does not mean the knight is stripped of his original duty to protect the empire."


    "I''m tired."


    Ett coughed as Gammarad was about to rise; Ett stopped him.


    She patted her shoulder, raising her arms a bit, remembering something she watched from a movie. Although she''s not a man, as a superior, this could look like an encouragement.


    The Commander is smart enough to think it through rather than elaborating her thoughts. Besides, he''ll have more time to ponder; if there are any inquiries, he could come directly to her or anyone besides her.


    "This place is good for your mind."


    "Pardon me, Matriarch, your... Your handkerchief--"


    Ett immediately cut him off.


    "I don''t want it."


    Ares smiled, "Then can this humble one keep this for his childish sentiment as well?"


    Ett just shrugged, walking away; Ares glanced at the Commander, who didn''t sit at Ett''s handkerchief, making it less noticeable.


    So, the Empress dowager knows he has been squatting without genuinely sitting at the handkerchief she placed and didn''t prolong the conversation, huh?


    Ares had another new understanding about his Mistress.


    "Until then, Commander."


    "Yes, until then...butler."


    Commander Gammarad stood up and cupped his fist, only after Ett was nowhere in sight, and then he became ramrod straight.


    He glanced at the handkerchief and hesitated before taking it and carefully folding it as he placed it in the hidden pocket nearby chest, not before he wiped his hands until they were clean and without a sweat.


    It was not that Gammarad was disgusted, nor did they view their ruler and the Dowager as a god, but it was lesser and inclined as an Adiand citizen.


    For those who loyally served the Adiand royals, something directly given or even personal things from them is considered unworthy to wear or take. It is a privilege, but their high respect for the one they serve is bone-deep.


    Emotions surged, clashing within him before he took a steadying breath. Exhaling slowly, he stepped through the second gate, composed and prepared for what awaited.


    When he returns home, he''ll have to lock this handkerchief in a secret compartment along with the family''s heirloom.


    The gate behind him closed when he returned to the other side.


    "I thought Butler Ares would talk to you more as Sire Akan is away. Quite a brief talk."


    His second-in-command tease.


    Gammarad wasn''t any bit in the mood to return such humor. "It''s the Dowager herself."


    "Oh, its no wo--pardon?!"


    "Gather the other commandants at the Hall. I have something to discuss with all of you."


    Seems so urgent, his second in command thought and nodded. "Then let me summon them."


    His second in command walked away, but he stopped thinking thoughtfully, "Commander, this is the first time she''s taking a direct interest in us."


    "Just go."


    "Alright. Alright."


    Just what is the Dowager thinking? Are the Palace Knights not sufficient enough?