Chapter 20

“Miss Dianne!”

It was early in the afternoon. Cora’s voice rang out, sharp with urgency.

Dianne, who had been lounging on a chaise after a late lunch, reluctantly sat up.

“What is it?”

“I just heard something from one of the Princess’s personal maids.”

Dianne sprang to her feet, tension snapping through her spine. Cora stepped in close, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“Apparently, Her Highness has been going to the Hall of Knights at the far west end of the palace late at night.”

“The Hall of Knights?”

“It’s a mausoleum. A place where they honor the imperial guards who’ve died with distinction. Even if someone’s buried back in their homeland, their portrait and a memorial stone are kept there.”

Dianne didn’t need to ask why the princess would visit such a somber, ghostly place after dark. Of course, it was to mourn her deceased lover.

Though a flicker of hope lit Dianne’s face, Cora’s expression remained tense.

“Please keep this between us. If Lady Ornin or the head maid finds out I’ve said anything, I’ll be in serious trouble.”

Dianne gave Cora a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry. This is for Her Highness, too. Is the Hall of Knights place far from here?”

“It takes about an hour to get there on foot.”

Dianne considered how she might safely accompany the princess on such a nighttime errand, but no simple solution came to mind. As luck would have it, Sir Reussen had taken leave a few days ago and returned to his family’s residence.

She certainly couldn’t go alone. No matter how safe the palace grounds might be, she was still an unmarried lady. If someone happened upon her in a secluded area with a man, even by chance, her hard-earned reputation could be shattered. That would make securing another position as a governess nearly impossible.

She needed someone trustworthy to escort her. Turning to Cora, she gave a firm instruction.

“I’m going to the Emperor’s palace right away. Get out my best dress.”

Though confusion flickered across her face, Cora obediently turned toward the wardrobe. Sitting down at her vanity, Dianne silently prayed that her instincts were right.

* * *

“Of course. If I can be of any help in persuading Lira, then it’s only right that I do so.”

The Emperor accepted Dianne’s request without a moment’s hesitation.

Dianne let out a soft sigh of relief. The Emperor, noticing this, looked at her with a trace of curiosity.

“Did you think I would refuse?”

“To be honest, I thought it wouldn’t be surprising if you found it absurd.”

When she came to the Emperor’s palace, Dianne had asked if the Emperor might assign a palace attendant or a guard to accompany her.

It was a bold request. One the Emperor could’ve easily found presumptuous. But she had no desire to go wandering around the palace alone in the dead of night. If it were someone the Emperor himself had appointed, she would feel safe without question.

The Emperor quietly studied Dianne as she took a sip of tea, looking noticeably more at ease. Then, he said something as shocking as dropping a bomb.

“But I don’t think an attendant or a guard is suitable for this. I’ll go myself.”

“What?!”

Dianne shot up in her seat. The Emperor remained perfectly calm.

“It would be troublesome if rumors spread that the princess roams the palace alone at night, unaccompanied by her maids or guards. Fewer eyes, fewer whispers. Better that way, don’t you think?”

“But, Your Majesty…”

“There’s no need to worry. I won’t appear before Lira. At that hour, the Hall of Knights will be deserted. You’ll go in alone.”

That wasn’t what she was worried about.

Dianne tried to hide her expression behind her teacup, but it clearly wasn’t enough. The Emperor tilted his head slightly, and then a look of realization dawned across his features.

“Ah… from your position, I suppose there are other kinds of concerns.”

“No, Your Majesty! I would never presume–! That is to say, it’s just that I’m unmarried and…”

“There’s really no need for concern. Even if someone were to see us together, they’d see a ruler and his subject. Not an unmarried man and woman.”

Dianne bowed her head.

“Even so, I can’t possibly trouble Your Majesty like this…”

“I happen to enjoy evening walks.”

“And your guards…?”

“They’ll follow from a distance. Out of sight.”

He had already made up his mind. Arguing further would only be rude. Dianne opened and closed her mouth several times in helpless silence… and finally, she nodded.

The Emperor smiled faintly.

“The Hall of Knights is closer from here. It would be a hassle to return to the Oakhall and come back again, so it’s best if you wait here.”

The idea of sitting alone in the Emperor’s drawing room for several more hours made Dianne’s mind go blank. But the Emperor, oblivious—or perhaps pretending to be—to her inner turmoil, rose from his seat. Dianne hurried to rise as well.

“Then I’ll attend to what remains of my work. I’ll come for you around nine.”

“Yes, of course…”

“The ribbon suits you,” he added simply, before stepping out.

Bowing to his retreating back, Dianne silently prayed her ears weren’t visibly turning red.

Left alone, she cast a quick glance at the chief steward. He’d surely heard every word they exchanged, and yet his face remained impassively composed.

“Shall I bring you more tea?”

“…Yes, please. That would be lovely.”

Dianne collapsed into the seat once more, utterly defeated. All she’d wanted was to ask the Emperor for a reliable escort. How had things gotten so wildly out of hand?