“Huh, Commander? Why are you still here? I thought you left a while ago saying you had something to do…”

At the end of the bustling noise were Lailo and the other mercenary members. Like Lebel, they looked tired but didn’t seem to have any serious external injuries.

Ilarid quickly lowered the black veil over her face upon seeing the incoming crowd. She turned to leave her seat, but the mercenaries recognized her faster.

“Oh, isn’t it Her Majesty the Empress?”

“We greet Your Majesty the Empress!”

The sight of several men, even those with robust builds, kneeling down all at once was quite a spectacle.

Embarrassed, Ilarid personally bent down to help the mercenaries stand up. Where else would they receive such treatment? The mercenaries felt a twinge in a corner of their hearts.

“This isn’t an official occasion, it’s fine. But… why weren’t you part of the victory parade?”

From what Lebel had said, the mercenaries’ contributions were by no means small. Even if not in newspaper articles, they had enough justification to at least stand at the end of the parade. If not that, then at least permission to enter through the main gate proudly.

“There were strict orders from His Majesty the Emperor.”

Before Lebel could say anything, Lailo cut in. His tone was oddly grumbling, showing clear discontent even if he didn’t outright deny it.

“I guess with so many eyes watching, they wouldn’t be too fond of us foreigners joining the parade.”

Eddie next to him shrugged and nodded as if he understood everything.

A victory solely for the Empire. Privileges and freedoms only they could enjoy. Things that foreigners and those of lower status could never have.

Ilarid realized why Cledius had given Lebel an order that seemed like a test.

It was to gauge how perceptive these ‘underlings’ were.

Right. Because they were mercenaries. Their status was worlds apart from royalty and nobles like Cledius. It would be easier to think that way and move on.

But strangely, it felt uncomfortable. Ilarid wished they could receive attention and proper rewards commensurate with their achievements.

The assumption that the mercenary group would remain in the imperial palace and continue to be of help had already become quite faint.

As Ilarid was sorting through her complex thoughts, she noticed the injured among the mercenaries.

“You have injured members. I’ll contact the imperial hospital. Have them treated there.”

“It’s not such a serious injury, we can treat it within the mercenary group.”

“You fought alongside the Emperor’s soldiers for the Empire, so you have every right to enjoy this.”

“Oh no, Your Majesty. We’re truly honored, but… if we go there, we might come out with illnesses we didn’t have before.”

Lailo waved his hands in refusal. If it was the imperial hospital, there would surely be those annoying imperial guards, and if they happened to share the same room, it would only lead to frustration.

Seemingly guessing their circumstances to some extent, Ilarid smiled and continued.

“It’s a place with only the most skilled doctors in the Empire. I’ll personally arrange for you to receive outpatient treatment, so don’t feel burdened.”

This was all she could do as the current Empress. Although it wasn’t an intentional act to gain their favor, the mercenaries were already bowing their heads.

“For you to care this much about people like us… thank you.”

“I’m just concerned. You must all be tired, it would be better to go back and rest now.”

With that, Ilarid slightly bowed her head towards Lebel and the other members and turned her back. If she delayed any longer, it would disrupt her schedule.

Lebel watched Ilarid’s retreating figure until it disappeared from view. Luth didn’t miss the commander’s lingering gaze.

“…He likes her.”

“Luth, what did you say?”

“…Nothing.”

“By the way, the Empress is really kind. I’ve only seen her in newspaper articles, but seeing her like this, she’s much more beautiful in person.”

“Her real appearance surpasses the portraits. Even with her face covered, she’s still radiant. But Commander, why do you look so pleased? Did you feel the same way seeing the Empress?”

Lailo playfully nudged Lebel with his elbow. Lebel’s face, which had rarely looked so bright, instantly crumpled, his blue eyes flashing dangerously.

“Return to base and rest immediately. All training is canceled until tomorrow.”

A short exclamation burst out among the members. Behind the grinning Lailo, Lebel’s calm voice stabbed into his back.

“Lailo, you return an hour earlier.”

“Ah, that’s too much! Can even the great commander be this petty?”

Laughter erupted along with the playful complaints. As the mercenary group headed towards their base in the palace, Luth paused for a moment, recalling Lebel’s expression.

The commander’s rare faint smile was love disguised as respect.

“Luth, what are you doing! If you stand still, we’ll leave you behind!”

“…Coming.”

He had a feeling he would see that expression more often from now on. It was quite a good sign for the usually stone-faced commander to smile.

Luth pressed down his rising smile and ran towards the other members.

“Look at all this dust after just a few days away. Everyone, let’s start with cleaning… Huh?”

When the mercenary group arrived at their base, an unfamiliar figure was waiting. Judging by his attire, he was undoubtedly the Emperor’s attendant.

“His Majesty the Emperor has invited you to the victory banquet.”

The attendant stiffly held out a silver tray in front of Lebel. On the heavily polished tray lay a neatly folded paper.

It could have been conveyed just by words, why use such a laborious method? Lebel frowned slightly as he quietly unfolded and read the paper.

Soon, a snicker was heard. The attendant showed signs of discomfort, but Lebel paid no attention and folded the paper back, placing it on the silver tray.

“Commander, you go as our representative. We’ll have our own celebration here when you return.”

They waved their hands, grimacing. Lebel wasn’t particularly fond of such occasions either. A banquet at the imperial palace. A place with even more unpleasant faces.

But sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to. Above all, if it’s a celebratory banquet, it’s an occasion where all the palace people gather.

‘Ilarid.’

Lebel had only one purpose. Wherever he could meet her, he would gladly attend.

“Please inform them that I will attend.”

**

There wasn’t much to dress up. For someone attending a banquet, Ilarid’s clothes were still dark. Unlike the mourning clothes she wore during the day, at a glance, one might mistake it for attire worn after attending a funeral.

“Your Majesty, are you sure you’re alright with that outfit?”

“I think too flashy attire wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Although they had won, given that there were also those who had lost their lives, it would be better to exercise restraint in many ways. However, Lynette seemed displeased in various aspects.

“Surely Selina… no, Her Majesty the Queen Consort will come out in all sorts of adornments…”

“It’s not a place for me to show off, and I even attended a funeral during the day. Although we won, my heart isn’t entirely at ease.”

“If only all the attendees at the banquet were like Your Majesty, how wonderful would that be.”

Lynette muttered bitterly. This was one of the reasons why the ‘Melpiram’ was considered odd among the nobles. Those who conversed naturally and mingled without prejudice even with commoners.

When famine struck, they opened their granaries and set up free meal stations for relief efforts. Seeing this, some people grumbled.

‘Are all the hungry beggars of the Empire stuck to the walls of the Melpiram mansion? You’re certainly dispensing quite an unusual charity.’

But the Melpiram Count family didn’t mind.

When there’s bread in my hand, if someone beside me is starving, I should be willing to share what’s mine.

It was a phrase that Keira, her mother, had emphasized countless times to Ilarid.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you once have an arranged meeting with a slave trader when you were young, My Lady?”

“I was too young then, I don’t even remember.”

“I remember young master Limless too. He was furious, saying ‘I’ll cut off that slave trader’s head!’ Phew, even now my heart races just thinking about that time.”

“You’ve been through a lot because of me. You should keep spare hearts ready.”

“It’s an essential item for the head lady-in-waiting of the Empress’s Palace. I’ve got a few stocked up now, shall I show you?”

Memories approach dimly, bringing a faint joy, but they also bring sadness along. Is it impossible to be purely happy when recalling the past? To erase the rising melancholy, the two had to force out jokes and laughter.

“Your Majesty. It’s time to go to the banquet hall.”

“Why are there so many unavoidable things?”

“And on a different note… I’m saying this out of concern. Please don’t be too angry when you hear it.”

The hesitant attitude, worrying even before starting, seemed to fear that Ilarid might be displeased if she heard. Ilarid began to gently soothe Lynette.

“It’s alright. I won’t scold you.”

“I’m worried that you seem too lenient towards that person.”

You mean Lebel. Ilarid stopped quietly and listened to Lynette’s words.

“Although they say Your Majesty has eliminated many unnecessary formalities in the palace and broken down the conservative atmosphere since becoming Empress… they are different. They might have approached Your Majesty with some purpose.”

In fact, wasn’t it Ilarid who had approached with a purpose and intention? She barely managed to speak, grasping her stinging conscience.

“How does the Commander appear to you?”

“He seems ill-mannered.”

There was no need to put it so bluntly. If Lebel had heard Lynette’s words, he would have probably drooped his shoulders with a quite hurt expression.

“More than anything else, the way that person looks at Your Majesty… it doesn’t seem right at all.”

Had Ilarid not noticed? Blue desire, forcibly suppressed and pushed down, was swirling in Lebel’s eyes.

What does he want? It could be his position or increased wealth achieved through the Empress, or it could be Ilarid herself. What he’s aiming for by approaching Ilarid will have to be figured out slowly from now on.

“So be careful, Your Majesty.”

There was no harm in being cautious. Ilarid quietly nodded, indicating that she would keep Lynette’s words in mind.

Would Lebel also attend the victory banquet? If she sees him in the banquet hall, should she deliberately ignore him or approach him in a friendly manner?

For future plans, it would be right to break down the walls as much as possible. But Lynette’s words kept bothering her. What exactly was engraved in his deep blue eyes that had seemed only affectionate?

And would Cledius indeed extend the contract? At least, having brought him back to the palace, he wouldn’t send him away outright. Ilarid took deep breaths repeatedly, trying to drive away her tangled thoughts.

When it suddenly occurred to her that she might have exhaled in sync with someone else, the doors to the banquet hall opened. The dazzling light of the chandeliers and the glaring reflections from the crystals were enough to make one nervous.

Inside the banquet hall, there was no sign of the dark aura reminiscent of Lebel anywhere.