Ch#135
The Seasonal Festival lived up to its name as an event held four times a year, whenever the seasons changed.
Among them, the one welcoming autumn was always the grandest.
It was a time when everything was abundant, and people's hearts were at their most generous.
Prestigious families hosted their own Seasonal Festival banquets, drawing countless people to the capital.
Most stayed with relatives in the capital, but those without such kin had to lodge in hotels.
Not everyone could afford a hotel, however.
Beyond money, issues like security and other hassles tied to status prevented some from staying there.
Dershna, the Southern Border Marquess, was one such case.
One of the empire's three Border Marquesses.
As the Southern Border Marquess, she had remained neutral during the war of succession, faithfully upholding only her duty to guard the southern coastline.
She was staying not in a capital hotel, but in the Imperial Palace.
"It's been a long time, Your Majesty."
"Indeed it has. Have you been well?"
"What trouble would I have? I've been quietly gazing at the sea."
Quietly? As if.
The southern coastline she guarded was the empire's border most plagued by intrusions.
How many pirates, loosely banded under the guise of alliances without a proper nation, infested the area.
Reports indicated over 1.5 intrusions per day on average.
A place no sane person could endure.
"I've heard rumors you cut them down before their feet even touch land."
Mentioning the rumors rampant in the capital, Dershna replied bashfully.
"To live quietly, one must be diligent."
That was her idea of a quiet life—ensuring no intruders ever set foot in her territory by killing them all.
Thanks to that, her domain was indeed peaceful.
Against a kingdom's army, she might have taken prisoners, but these were mere pirate rabble from flimsy alliances.
Dershna saw no point wasting food on them and slew the intruders without mercy.
It was effective.
Her border marquessate's finances weren't squandered on feeding captives, nor did her vassals need to rack their brains over negotiations.
Dershna's name became even more a terror to the enemy.
Yet the woman now quietly sipping tea before Clois appeared, outwardly, as a gracefully aged middle-aged noblewoman.
About to inquire on southern affairs, Clois changed his mind and asked something else.
"Irene Terins's guardian, right?"
"Yes. The clever little thing stole my heart, so at my age, I ended up volunteering as a guardian for the first time in my life."
At the word "clever," Clois gave a wry smile.
The day after vacation ended, he received a bill from Irene Terins.
'She itemized it so meticulously.'
She even detailed the discount from Madam Crevel's Shop as a family acquaintance.
Especially underlining in yellow the items Evi had particularly loved.
Upon receiving it, Clois burst out laughing.
'Such a child being Evi's friend is a good thing.'
Unsure about children's clothes, he had been at a loss on what to buy Evi.
Of course, sending palace staff would solve it easily.
But mobilizing them for Evi, who wasn't royalty, might draw envy from the petty toward her, so he hadn't ordered it.
"You know Irene Terins and Evi Alden—my ward—are close?"
"Of course. Irene sent a letter begging me to visit for the Seasonal Festival, with barely five lines on the main point and exactly 143 lines about that child."
"......"
He knew she doted on Evi, but not to that extent.
"So I came to the capital after ages, partly for that. It's been decades since I attended a palace Seasonal Festival. While here, I plan to shop to my heart's content."
"Shop?"
"Yes. Thinking of new swords and weapons makes my heart race. I wonder how many splendid ones have come out in the meantime."
"......"
Clois was momentarily speechless at her trembling with excitement, fists clenched.
* * *
"Then I'll take my leave."
After chatting more on recent events, Dershna spotted a fidgeting attendant at the door and subtly ended the conversation.
"You must have many to meet, so no need to fuss over an old woman."
Indeed, as she said, Clois had a lineup of meetings ahead.
"We meet after so long, yet no time for a proper talk."
"Don't worry. I'll stay after the Seasonal Festival too, so I'll visit often until you tell me to stop."
Rising, Dershna bowed to Clois and turned.
As she stepped into the corridor, she paused and said to him.
"Honestly, I came out of worry, but you look well—I'm relieved. You seem much more stable."
"......"
"I must see that child Your Majesty cherishes before I go, at the Seasonal Festival."
At her words, Clois gave an embarrassed smile.
Like a parent flustered by lavish praise for their child.
Exiting to the corridor, Dershna headed to the palace garden.
Walking far to a secluded corner beyond most eyes, she spoke without turning.
"Come out already."
From nearby bushes emerged Duke Kailun and Marquis Ragselb.
"So, what brings you following me like this? Let's hear it."
"We need the Border Marquess's help."
"Why me? In the capital—in the Imperial Palace no less—you two could move faster and surer."
Then Duke Kailun spoke.
"We need the palace disciplinary authority you hold."
Disciplinary authority.
At those words, Dershna's face lit with interest.
"Right. I earned it once for my merits, and I've cherished that chance. Yet the duke boldly demands it."
Though speaking unpleasantly, her eyes sparkled already.
"What fun matter requires it? Let's hear."
Relieved at her not refusing outright, Duke Kailun asked directly.
"Do you have ties to Count Aradman's family by any chance?"
His eyes gleamed sharply.
To thwart what he suspected, they needed someone rarely seen, yet allowed to draw a sword inside the palace without punishment.
Dershna fit perfectly.
* * *
Finally, the day of the Seasonal Festival arrived, filling the Imperial Palace with bustle everywhere.
The busiest spot was undoubtedly the Genius Academy.
Children who had prepared diligently since morning entered the banquet hall, unable to hide their excitement.
Having specially trained to dress in formal attire alone, they looked quite polished.
At the main entrance, Seraphina—unusually in perfect formal robes—greeted the arriving students.
"Dean!"
Evi greeted her gladly, but Seraphina responded weakly to the children.
"You're here."
Her clothes were impeccable, but her ever-exhausted, wheezing demeanor remained.
"Are you okay? You look tired."
"How could I be? So much to prepare—I had no idea."
Seraphina shook her head wearily, muttering to herself.
"Seasonal Festival prep is killing me, and Duke Kailun asks for strange magic too. What can I do? If the duke says so, I must......"
Noticing their worried gazes questioning her sanity, she snapped to.
"Anyway, go on in. It's your first Seasonal Festival—enjoy it. And, Evi."
Seraphina called Evi, who was peering wide-eyed into the hall.
Whispering in her ear,
"His Majesty arrives last. Once he finishes greetings and steps forward, go to his side then."
"Yes!"
Evi replied energetically.
'Today’s the day.'
She had practiced "Dad" countless times over the week.
Even dreaming of saying it.
"Now, go on in."
"Thank you! See you inside!"
Smiling at the delighted Evi and Irene entering, Seraphina's expression soon soured.
Recalling Duke Kailun's recent odd request for magic.
'Why on earth magic related to the imperial crest?'
The inscrutable duke's request was truly out of left field.
'He must have a reason.'
Trying to dismiss it, an uneasy feeling lingered.
* * *
At the same time.
A carriage inside the palace hurried toward the Genius Academy.
But someone suddenly blocked its path.
"Whoa! Whoa!"
The coachman calmed the startled horses and yelled.
"What do you think you're doing! So dangerous!"
"Tell me about it—I wonder what I'm doing too."
Dershna, blocking the carriage, sighed deeply and drew her sword from her waist.
She swiftly severed the lines connecting the horses and carriage, then slapped the horse's rear hard as if to shoo it away.
Neighhh!
The startled horse bolted sideways, the others following into the garden.
Left with just the carriage, the bewildered coachman floundered.
"Good, mobility neutralized."
Dershna shoved the blocking coachman aside and roughly opened the carriage door.
"You must be Count Aradman."
"W-Who are you!"
Count Aradman recoiled inside the carriage in panic.
"Not much business with you...... Let me see. This child?"
Dershna eyed the shivering child under a large hat.
Duke Kailun had asked her to seize Count Aradman upon entering the palace and whisk away the child with him.
Dershna removed the child's hat.
Duke Kailun had said the child with the count would have blond hair and green eyes.
But.
"Not her?"
The trembling child had brown hair and brown eyes.
At that moment, Count Aradman laughed maniacally.
"Ha, hahahaha! Just as expected! Noma was right!"
Grinning at Dershna, he shouted.
"Traitors trying to block Her Highness! She’s already inside!"
