The afternoon at the imperial palace was tranquil. The setting sun cast a deep red light through the windows as it descended beyond the horizon.

Kailem walked down the corridor with a stiff expression. Rarely in his life had he been so embarrassed. He was scanning various parts of the palace with tiger-like eyes.

His fierce gaze was so intimidating that everyone he encountered startled and moved out of the way. Even though they had done nothing wrong, looking into Kailem’s eyes made them feel like confessing to nonexistent crimes.

‘…This is serious.’

He stopped walking and let out a deep sigh while rubbing his temples. After days of stress, a migraine was starting to set in.

Kailem Western’s attire was always the same. The precisely ironed uniform of the imperial guard. There was one more unchanging thing.

The golden locket pendant fixed inside his uniform.

It was made to commemorate the most precious and unforgettable person in his life. When opened, the pendant contained a small portrait and lock of hair of that person.

He was concerned about others handling it, but if someone were to open it…

Kailem set off again. He had clearly lost it on the day of the swordsmanship tournament, so he had thoroughly searched the training grounds but found no trace.

The imperial guard had no information either. It was frustrating that he couldn’t ask the mercenary group members who had participated together.

While looking around intently, Ilarid approached from the other side.

“I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Perfect timing. I had some matters to discuss with the Captain of the Guard.”

As always, Ilarid was utterly calm.

Despite her family being unilaterally massacred, and enduring insults and disregard from the Emperor and Empress Consort, she always remained upright as the Empress.

She closely resembled her mother, Keira Rowen Melpiram. The imposing Countess who always raised her voice and sharpened her words against the imperial family. Kailem clearly remembered that image as well.

“What is the matter?”

“I would like some advice regarding the inspection of the military academy.”

It was somewhat unexpected. The Empress inspecting the military academy?

Originally, inspecting the military academy was the Emperor’s responsibility. This time, it seemed it would be quietly passed over due to the war with Rosen, but who knew the Empress would bring it up. It was something that didn’t need to be done. Doubt crept into Kailem’s voice.

“You wish to do it yourself? Since His Majesty the Emperor did not give any specific instructions after the recent war with Rosen, I assumed there would be no inspection this year.”

“His Majesty is busy with various matters, so I should take care of it.”

Was that faint smile purely innocent, or was she planning something? Kailem looked closely at the Empress’s expression, but as usual, Ilarid showed little change.

“So I plan to conduct the inspection this time. The military academy is directly linked to the empire’s military power, so it needs to be seen and verified in person. Especially since I heard female students were newly admitted this time. I would like to meet them separately and offer some encouragement.”

Ilarid repeated the same words she had recited in front of Cledius. Her demeanor in the Emperor’s office embodied the image of a virtuous and wise Empress.

The same dignified but expressionless face as always. The mask-like appearance she willingly put on in front of Cledius.

After the swordsmanship tournament, Cledius looked at Ilarid differently every time he saw her.

It was like looking at a small speck that had escaped outside the lines. Something too troublesome to bend down and pick up with one’s own hands, yet bothersome to leave alone.

Ilarid, who had briefly stepped outside the line, chose to play along the border. Maintaining her usual calm and quiet demeanor, as if nothing had happened.

‘Do as you wish.’

The permission came more readily than expected. Ilarid said she would soon submit a schedule, but since it was her first time inspecting the military academy, she desperately needed someone’s advice.

The Ilarid that Kailem saw was the very image of a wise Empress. How could he doubt her? If this was an act and part of a well-crafted script…

‘She would truly be frightening.’

Ilarid was still waiting for Kailem’s answer with her neat demeanor. He opened his tightly closed lips and bowed his head.

“I understand.”

“And… have you lost something?”

She hit the nail on the head. Kailem tried hard to hide his embarrassed expression.

It was awkward to tell the truth in front of the Empress. Though her lips would surely be sealed, it was better not to mention what he had lost. He spoke with the most composed face he could manage.

“How did you know?”

“The maid girls told me. They said the Captain of the Guard was looking around the palace with fierce eyes, as if he had lost something.”

“I apologize. In fact, I lost an important item after the swordsmanship tournament.”

It had definitely been attached to his chest right up until the duel with Lebel. He remembered it clearly because he had placed his hand there and offered a prayer just before.

Oh my. Ilarid murmured quietly with a worried expression.

“If you tell me what it is, I’ll instruct the children to help search for it.”

“No, I cannot trouble Her Majesty the Empress’s precious personnel for such a thing.”

Kailem bowed and immediately brushed past Ilarid. As the sound of his footsteps faded away, the worry on her face was completely wiped away.

An important thing, he said. Ilarid’s mind began to race.

Kailem Western, the guardian by Cledius’s side and the biggest obstacle.

Rather than ten imperial guard officers, Kailem alone posed a greater threat. Although of common birth, his brilliant achievements and flawless skills could not be ignored.

Above all, his loyalty to the Emperor was the problem. Kailem had sworn eternal allegiance to the late Emperor, then the Empress Dowager, and now Cledius, making him one of the firm pillars supporting the imperial family.

Such a person was searching the palace with urgent eyes for something. Kailem Western, that flawless man’s most important possession. As Ilarid pondered deeply, the words of the Imperial Palace maids flashed through her mind.

‘Locket pendant’

The locket pendant he always carried and occasionally took out to look at. It was a fleeting thought at first, but soon turned into certainty.

As soon as Ilarid arrived at the Empress’s Palace, she called for Lynette.

“You called for me?”

“Do you remember the Captain’s pendant I mentioned before?”

“Ah, yes. I understand he always carried it with him.”

“We need to find it. It seems he lost it during the swordsmanship tournament match. If we find it first…”

Lynette immediately understood the unspoken words.

If it was important enough for the great Kailem Western to be looking for it with such a serious expression, it could surely shake him.

She knew it was like finding a needle in the vast imperial palace. The whereabouts of the Imperial Consort’s chief lady-in-waiting, which Ilarid had asked about before, were still unknown, and progress was slow on many fronts.

But if one fallen needle becomes two, overlapping events occur. One event can become a compass guiding to another event. Which needle would point the direction first?

Lynette slightly bowed her head and went outside. She knew she had to act quietly this time as well, without Ilarid having to remind her.

**

The newspaper office was empty on the holiday. Even the reporter on duty seemed to have gone out for a meal, leaving only the musty smell of old paper in the air.

In the small makeshift reception room tucked away in a corner of the small newspaper office sat Alice, disguised as Allen, and Cecilia with a tense expression.

Soon after, the sound of someone trudging along was heard. Jake soon appeared, his messy hair barely combed. It was clear to anyone that he had just rubbed the sleep from his eyes and come straight from home.

“What’s the deal on this beautiful weekend? The weather’s so nice for once, I was going to spend some time with my wife and daughter…”

Jake entered the reception room, dragging his feet.

Seeing his appearance, Allen frowned and threw a bundle of out-of-date newspapers at him.

“Didn’t I tell you a lady was coming? You should at least comb your hair and dress neatly. Look at your state…”

“Ow, why are you throwing innocent newspapers… Oh, I’m sorry.”

Jake noticed Cecilia’s presence and bowed deeply. Cecilia, who had been sitting on the sofa, jumped up and gave her habitual greeting.

“Hello. I am Cecilia Gwen Icastel, first year at the Imperial Military Academy.”

Jake couldn’t believe his ears. After “Military Academy,” what did she say?

“Um, if you say ‘Icastel,’ could it be…”

“That’s right. The ‘Icastel’ family you know, Jake.”

The Icastel ducal family was famous for generations of loyalty to the imperial family and producing excellent officers. There were several individuals who had made significant marks in the history of the Astrid Empire in each generation.

‘Live for the country.’

This phrase was engraved in the ears and bones of the Icastel descendants. Even just looking at Cecilia now, one could feel the soldier’s blood flowing through her very bones. Jake hurriedly wiped the sweat beading on his palms.

“To think such an esteemed person would come to this humble place…”

“Humble? Isn’t this a press office?”

Although it was a newspaper office, it was tiny compared to other major newspapers. Jake felt both embarrassment and a bit of pride.

“But what brings you here?”

“A scoop.”

Allen, who had been standing behind with arms crossed, cut in. At the word ‘scoop,’ Jake’s eyes instinctively lit up.

And exactly thirty minutes later, the lively light in Jake’s eyes had disappeared somewhere.

The small makeshift reception room was filled with silence. Jake looked at the documents Cecilia had brought, then buried his face in his hands for a long while without speaking.

“So it was true.”

He broke the silence, rubbing his face with his palms. He had been digging, thinking “surely not,” but with no progress, he was about to give up.

The courage of unnamed people had gathered and dropped right in front of Jake, but faced with it, he hesitated.

The evidence Cecilia brought was shocking. From the discrimination based on gender and background that Jake had only heard rumors about, to traces of grade manipulation.

“How did you gather all this?”

“It was possible with the cooperation of students at the academy and some professors.”

“There was a reason they tried so hard to block it. Those newspapers are in a position to cooperate with the imperial family and nobility, after all.”

Jake sighed deeply as he looked over the materials again. Was it too much after all? Cecilia began to grow anxious.

Even if the article was published, it could be buried quickly.

But she wanted to let as many people as possible know that this was happening. For the sake of the friends and professors who had gathered the materials at the risk of expulsion and disciplinary action, it had to be released to the press.

“Alright. Let’s do it.”

“Really?”

Allen, more than Cecilia, brightened up and stepped forward. Color returned to the faces of the two who had been stiff for a while.

“But it’s not enough to just put it on the front page. We need to discuss it with higher-ups… Let’s make it into a special feature article over several days and release it properly.”

“What about editing from above?”

“I’ll stake my neck on it. I’ll try to persuade the editor-in-chief somehow.”

There was strength in Jake’s voice. He also tightly gripped the documents in his hand. He absolutely did not want to let them go.

Setting aside getting recognition for catching a scoop, hadn’t they brought out something wrong from the inside? He couldn’t coldly ignore that urgent voice.

Cecilia fell silent again, lost in thought. Was she perhaps still not reassured?

“Don’t worry. Confidentiality is certain.”

“No. That’s not the issue.”

She, who had been quietly lost in thought, opened her mouth, looking at the two people in front of her.

“Allen, Jake. Could I… make one more request?”

She pointed at the documents Jake was holding.

“Those documents, I need one more set.”