In the Palace of the 11th Empire

The vast imperial chamber, adorned with gold embellishments and portraits of knights, exuded an air of royal grandeur. At its center stood a majestic blue bed, where a small figure lay—Julia Valessia.

By her bedside stood Astrid Valessia, the empress, her gaze clouded with worry.

Julia slowly parted her lips, breaking the hushed silence of the room:

" Astrid, I already told you… I'm fine. I'm completely healed."

Astrid's voice trembled slightly in response:

" No… You might overexert yourself… I don't want you to fall ill again."

Julia offered her a gentle, almost childlike smile, filled with soothing tenderness. Ever since their hurried departure from the 5th Empire, Astrid had never ceased watching over her, showering her with endless care.

Then, with a slight movement, Julia pushed herself up and sat at the edge of the bed. Her delicate fingers brushed through Astrid's long platinum blonde hair, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"We can't stay idle forever… If we do, we'll be swallowed whole."

A barely perceptible shiver ran down her spine.

She still remembered him.

That minuscule emperor, whose overwhelming and enigmatic aura crushed those foolish enough to underestimate him.

Hmmm…

Lucian.

---

Imperial Office – Palace of the 13th Empire

"I see… So that's what happened in my absence?"

Seated behind his imposing desk, Lucian interlaced his fingers, his crimson gaze fixed on the towering stack of reports before him.

"Yes, Your Majesty"Chris replied, standing before him, his expression grave.

Lucian closed his eyes briefly.

It was inevitable.

Since the nobility's demotion, the empire had been plunged into turmoil. According to Chris, some were already conspiring, organizing a protest march… perhaps worse.

Lucian's lips curled into a smile.

A smile both calculated and menacing.

"Oh, I almost forgot… Your Majesty."

Lucian calmly lifted his gaze.

"What?"

"Lyne Grace, the Academy's chief swordsmanship instructor, has submitted a request.

"What kind of request?"

Lyne Grace was recognized as the greatest swordswoman in the Thirteenth Empire—aside from Selene Voldreck, who was no longer affiliated with the Empire. Born into a poor lineage, she nonetheless enjoyed privileges and a prestigious position, regarded as the Empire's very sword.

Chris, ever composed, explained:

— With the Clerc family's demotion due to the crimes of its former head, Adeline was naturally expelled from the Imperial Academy. Lady Lyne Grace opposed this decision and requested an audience during your absence. Since it was beyond my authority, I chose to wait for your return.

Lucian rubbed his forehead with a sigh.

"Damn it… With all these problems, I completely forgot about Adeline."

My future sla— my future knight.

Chris remained silent, watching Lucian's contemplative expression. After a moment of thought, Lucian opened his mouth:

"You…"

However, the door suddenly burst open.

Lucian frowned.

Who would dare barge into the Emperor's office like this?

He sighed.

Who else but that girl…

Ria stepped in with light, almost skipping steps, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Little Lucian! I just saw a human girl who looks super strong! Do you know her?"

Lucian shot her an exasperated look. He still couldn't believe that this hyperactive little girl was the same terrifying woman he had faced the day before.

"What nonsense are you spouting now?"

But Ria was already beside him, leaning over his desk with curiosity.

" Ooh, what are you reading? Ohhh… Oh la la! Did you draw this? It's pretty!"

She touched everything on Lucian's desk—flipping through his documents, playing with his quills, nearly knocking over his inkwell.

"Hey, wai—"

Before he could react, Ria suddenly jumped onto his lap.

An eight-year-old child sitting on the lap of another child who also looked eight years old…

The result was inevitable.

"Ahhhhh!"

The world seemed to tilt in slow motion as they tumbled off the chair, their eyes widening as if they were plummeting off a cliff.

Thud.

"Oww…" Ria groaned, clutching her head after hitting the floor.

"Damn it, my back"… Lucian muttered, sprawled on the ground.

Ugh.

Chris, having witnessed the entire absurd and childish scene, had to summon every ounce of his willpower to keep from bursting into laughter.

After all… this was his Emperor and the natural predator of his clan.

"Ria, can't you be more careful?!"

Lucian shot the girl a glare as they both got back on their feet.

But Ria kept her cheerful demeanor, a playful smile on her lips.

"Oops, I messed up… But the Emperor's scream was just too funny!"

Lucian's nerves tensed. He clenched his fists.

This brat…

"Just you wait, damn it!"

With a swift motion, he lunged at her, but Ria slipped away in an instant, dashing toward the door.

There, she flashed a teasing smile and silently mouthed:

"Too slow."

"You little"

Too late. She was already gone.

Lucian turned to Chris, who was calmly setting the imperial chair upright, struggling not to burst into laughter.

— Tsk!

Annoyed, Lucian waited for Chris to finish adjusting the seat before climbing onto it with some difficulty. Damn throne was way too high.

Once seated, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before speaking in a calm voice:

"Tsk… I don't care how you do it, but the entire palace needs to know that this girl, Ria, is now living here. I have enough problems as it is, so handle it."

"Understood, Your Majesty" Chris replied, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

Lucian slumped slightly into his seat.

" As for Adeline, if she can't continue at the Academy, what is she doing now? With the subsidies, she should be managing fine, right?"

Chris paused slightly before answering:

" Normally, yes… but a source informed me that she's giving all her subsidies to her servants."

Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly.

"What? What do you mean? That budget was supposed to be enough for her and her household until I returned, wasn't it?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, but it seems she didn't interpret it that way…"

Tsk. Another complication.

Lucian ran a hand over his face before asking:

" And now, where is she?"

Chris took a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing:

"A day before your arrival, my sources reported a battle in Fjordale, covered up by the Red family, led by Duke Angelos Red. It caught my attention, and upon investigating, I discovered that the fight was between Livia Red and Adeline…"

Lucian blinked.

"Huh…? They fought? Why? And why in Fjordale?"

Chris slowly nodded.

"Both of them ended up in the Red family's infirmary."

Lucian frowned.

" The Red infirmary? Does that even make sense?"

Duke Angelos Red was a shrewd businessman. He would never do anything counterproductive, let alone publicly support a disgraced family—especially in these turbulent times…

Chris continued in a neutral tone:

"It's possible he wanted to cover it up. From what I've gathered, this battle was kept secret thanks to him. Only those directly involved and myself are aware of it."

Lucian pondered for a moment, resting a finger on his chin.

" Hmmm… Yes, that makes sense…"

He exhaled slowly.

Today must not be a wasted day.

Raising his head, he declared:

"Summon all nobles seeking to legitimize their noble titles. Include swordsmanship instructor Lyne Grace and Adeline as well. The audience will be held from 1 PM until the end of the day. Any noble who is absent will be permanently stripped of their title."

Not more than fifteen nobles would retain their status anyway. Most were corrupt.

As for Adeline… Lucian already had a plan for her.

He would use Lyne Grace.

Lucian sighed internally.

Politics… A difficult and exhausting game.

Lucian's eyes fell on the documents Ria had been flipping through earlier.

"Let's start with electricity… "he murmured, almost to himself.

Chris, standing beside him, tilted his head slightly, visibly puzzled.

Suddenly.

Knock, knock.

The light raps against the imperial office door drew their attention.

Lucian looked up.

"Yes, come in."

The door opened, revealing an armored guard who bowed respectfully before speaking in a calm tone.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. A man from the 5th Empire, introducing himself as Azrael Itharion, requests an audience."

At those words, a smile stretched across Lucian's lips.

"Perfect timing… " he murmured, interlocking his fingers under his chin.

The wait was over. The real work could finally begin.

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