Aiden, who had lost face in front of his former subordinate, hurriedly changed his expression and denied it. However, Doug, who had already witnessed the change in Aiden’s expression, clutched his stomach and burst into laughter.
That laughter spread to Anje in turn, and then to Aiden as well.
When the laughter subsided, Doug spoke.
“Ah, it’s been such a long time since I’ve laughed so freely. It’s good to see old comrades again.”
“Exactly. We’ve endured the same hardships together, haven’t we?”
Aiden strongly agreed with Doug.
Of course, the people of Leslie Town were also dear friends, but with Doug, there was a unique ‘sense of camaraderie’ that only those who had shared the same kind of suffering could understand.
A shared feeling that your sadness was also my sadness, and your anger was something I had felt too.
“I have an idea about ‘that document’. It might be a bit far-fetched, Aiden.”
Having loosened up after the laughter, Anje cautiously voiced her idea that had just come to mind.
“Tell me anything. No idea is too far-fetched. Even a flawed suggestion can lead to a better one.”
“Oh, that’s something you used to say during our strategy meetings. Hearing it again after so long feels nostalgic.”
Anje bit her lip slightly before continuing.
“Well, how about negotiating with someone who would find this document important? Hand over the document and swear to remain silent about its contents forever. In exchange, we ask them to protect us from the duke.”
“Someone like that… Ah.”
A realization struck Aiden, who had been about to question if such a person even existed.
William Cardiner, the current emperor, who stood in direct opposition to Duke Glasster, might be intrigued by such a proposal.
As someone who deposed Philip, the first heir, to ascend the throne, securing his position would be of utmost importance to him.
While Aiden was deep in thought, Anje began countering her own idea with a logical concern.
“The problem is, what if this person takes the document and then tries to get rid of us? From their perspective, it would probably be safer to eliminate us quietly.”
It was a valid point. Aiden propped his chin on his hand, pondering, and then came up with a plan.
“In that case, we entrust the document to someone we trust. We instruct them to make its contents public the moment we disappear or face any trouble. Then, we promise William that as long as he lets us live in peace, the document will never be revealed.”
By setting up such a safeguard, it would significantly reduce the likelihood of harm befalling them. If suspicions arose about him targeting the rightful heir again, the nobles who opposed him would surely rise up.
“Do you think someone would take on such a dangerous task? They could end up in great danger because of us…”
“Ahem, ahem.”
Doug cleared his throat loudly as if to remind them of his presence, then rolled up his sleeve to show off his muscles.
“This is Doug, the man who’s not entirely down for the count yet. I don’t know what the task is, but if you entrust it to me, I’ll see it through until my dying day.”
Though Aiden was grateful, he couldn’t help but try to dissuade Doug.
“…It’s really dangerous, Doug. This involves not just nobles but even His Majesty the Emperor…”
“Exactly, it could lead to serious trouble. Truly, it’s a perilous task.”
“My life would’ve ended many times over without you, Captain.”
Doug, stubborn as ever, patted Aiden on the shoulder.
“You may not trust me, Captain, but to be honest, I have nothing left to lose. I have no savings, no family—I’m just a street kid.”
As he calmly laid out his harsh reality, his voice gradually filled with a new emotion.
“But if you entrust me with this task, Captain, then I’ll have something to protect. Pride as your subordinate and loyalty as your comrade.”
Aiden swallowed the lump in his throat and forced a smile.
“If you put it like that, how can I stop you, Sergeant?”
“I’ve always been a bit headstrong, haven’t I?”
Doug turned his eyes to a bottle of liquor, then poured what remained of it down the drain.
“If I’m going to protect this *document* of yours, I guess I’ll have to quit drinking from now on.”
His previously lifeless face now showed a determination reminiscent of when he first became a young soldier.
* * *
Anje and Aiden borrowed shabby cloaks from Doug to return to the imperial palace. The large hood that covered their faces helped conceal their conspicuous appearances.
Doug hid the marriage certificate securely in his house and even checked outside for them. The mercenaries searching every corner of the alley had already left the neighborhood. They seemed to assume that Aiden and Anje had either headed to Leslie or were hiding somewhere on the outskirts of the capital.
“Even if they left a few watchers nearby, they won’t be stationed on the road to the palace. They would never imagine we’d go back there,” Aiden whispered to reassure Anje, who looked tense.
“True. Father would likely assume that we fled with the marriage certificate to ally with another noble. He’d never consider that we might relinquish the throne ourselves.”
However, Anje still felt uneasy.
“Even so, meeting His Majesty William is a bit terrifying. He seems to utterly despise me.”
“Well, judging by the fact that he married you off to me, it doesn’t seem like he has any warm feelings toward you.”
Aiden nodded politely, agreeing with her. Anje gave him a look of disbelief. She knew he was joking to ease her tension, but why did he always resort to self-deprecating humor?
“What’s wrong with you? You were a great match.”
“Really? Then why did you cry so much on our wedding day?”
“How many times do I have to tell you? Those were tears of joy and emotion.”
He probably planned to tease her about the wedding day for the rest of his life. Suppressing the urge to pinch his side, Anje revealed her face to the palace gatekeeper.
The gatekeeper, who was about to drive them away due to their filthy cloaks, flinched upon seeing the beautiful face revealed beneath the hood and straightened his posture.
“This is Anje Fitzroy. I have come back to discuss something with His Majesty the Emperor.”
“It’s an urgent matter that requires a direct audience,” Aiden added to her words with a serious expression.
The gatekeeper hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“Understood. But about those cloaks…”
“It’s a disguise to evade pursuers.”
“Is that so?”
The gatekeeper wasn’t sure why someone of the Fitzroy couple’s relatively modest rank would be pursued, but he nodded nonetheless.
“Actually, His Majesty gave specific orders. If Sir Aiden comes to see him, he is to be brought to the audience chamber immediately.”
The unexpected news left Aiden and Anje wide-eyed.
“Really?”
Perhaps His Majesty had taken Aiden’s earlier letter reporting the Duke of Glasster seriously.
“Yes. Please follow this attendant.”
“This way, Sir Aiden and Madam Fitzroy.”
The young attendant guided them to the audience chamber, opening a door with a lion-shaped handle adorned with large ruby decorations. Inside was a spacious room lined with a blood-red carpet.
“I will inform His Majesty of your visit.”
“Please do.”
For some reason, the young attendant reminded Aiden of his younger self. He responded courteously, which seemed to surprise the boy, unused to such treatment, before he disappeared.
Anje looked around and whispered nervously.
“My fingertips keep getting cold, Aiden.”
“Have courage, Anje. Everything will turn out fine.”
Aiden took her cold hands into his and rubbed them earnestly to warm them.
‘This might be our last day… Maybe I should’ve left a final message,’ Anje thought. She felt her heart shrink as memories of displeasing the Emperor resurfaced.
She pulled Aiden’s hand to her lips, kissed it gently, and whispered,
“You know I love you, right?”
Even if this was the end, she had to say it once more. Aiden leaned down and whispered into her ear,
“Of course, and I love you too.”
Despite the tension, Anje couldn’t help but smile brightly.
“Alright, I’m ready. I can die without regret now.”
“Die? That won’t happen. Even Philip was only exiled to an island. His Majesty didn’t execute him like other emperors often do. Such an extreme outcome is unlikely.”
Aiden tried to reassure her with an optimistic prediction.
“Besides, no matter what happens, I’ll protect you.”
Since he was the only real threat to the throne, Aiden had already decided that, in the worst-case scenario, he would plead for Anje’s life, even if it meant sacrificing his own.
What are you saying? You can’t leave me behind. Whether it’s hell or heaven, I’ll follow you to the end.”
“Protecting you is my happiness—”
“Shh, shh.”
Because of the carpet on the floor, they hadn’t heard any footsteps, but Emperor William appeared, with another attendant leading the way. This attendant, older than the one who had gone to call the emperor earlier, seemed to be his personal servant.
The two bowed deeply in respect.
“It’s been a while, Sir Aiden and Madam Fitzroy.”
“We greet the Sun of the Empire.”
Sitting on a throne made of red silk and gold, William looked somewhat amused.
* * * *
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