The knight commander furrowed his brow as if unable to understand.

“What are you asking to be removed, Your Majesty?”

“I’m talking about the fallen war flags and broken pieces of wood. What if someone gets hurt by touching them carelessly?”

“Ah? Yes….”

The knight commander answered hesitantly.

Just as Nikolai had said, the training ground was filled with hazards.

All were items that the Emperor had shattered or tossed aside just a while ago.

Feeling that a simple order wouldn’t suffice, Nikolai personally directed the servants.

“Hurry up. You all move so sluggishly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“How shameful that the training ground is so messy.”

“You told us not to dawdle and get in the way of the training…”

“Enough talk. Just get on with it.”

Nikolai urged them on with a clap of his hands.

The servants couldn’t even show signs of resentment as they bowed their heads.

“Where is the guest?”

“He is waiting outside.”

“Tell him to come in. No, I’ll meet him myself.”

As if the guest would disappear any moment, Nikolai approached the entrance of the training ground.

He felt absurdly excited, quickening his pace like a boy.

Wishing he had at least changed his sweaty clothes, he felt regret.

‘Why can’t I smell Elizabeth? Is it because of the smell of sweat and metal?’

His curiosity turned into unease just as he opened the door.

The one who had requested an audience revealed himself.

“It is an honor to be so warmly welcomed, Your Majesty!”

With a chuckle, Duke Brenden stroked his gray beard.

Behind him were the heads of noble families who had produced four queens, along with their children.

Not Elizabeth, but rather ten unwelcome guests.

Nikolai’s beautiful face crumpled in agony.

“What brings you here?”

“We came prepared to be turned away, Your Majesty.”

“Who gave you permission to come here without asking!”

An unrefined aura burst out in all directions.

The cornered nobles recoiled in surprise.

Ignorant of the real situation, they couldn’t understand why the Emperor, who had granted them an audience, was so furious.

“Did you all come to stage a protest?”

“Heh. As if we would dare to.”

Despite the tense and ferocious atmosphere, the lords let out a complacent laugh.

It was the attitude of noble family heads, unwilling to be pressed by the young Emperor.

Their sons glanced around nervously.

“Speak quickly. I was in the middle of training. Don’t bother me.”

Contrary to the nobles’ intent to lighten the mood, Nikolai’s expression became increasingly grim.

Duke Brenden began with a tense face.

“The reason we’ve come to see you so suddenly is to offer advice for the sake of the great Empire and the royal family.”

“Duke Brenden, skip the nonsense and get to the point.”

“Hmm.”

“If your point is useless, leave immediately.”

Nikolai swatted his hand as if chasing away a fly.

The humiliated nobles exchanged glances and bit their lips.

They knew Nikolai was an unyielding ruler, but they’d never seen him act so sharply.

‘To crowd into a training ground unannounced. It’s obvious what they want to talk about.’

Duke Brenden’s words were entirely in line with Nikolai’s expectations.

“All sorts of rumors are circulating about you, Your Majesty.”

“Such as?”

“It’s difficult to mention, but rumors claim a lowborn woman is riding on the coattails of your favor.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Expecting the Emperor to flare up, the nobles were instead taken aback by his calm response.

“The trusted fencing instructor to the Crown Prince was suddenly expelled, was he not? Those who have been loyal to the royal family are trembling in fear.”

“Such loyalty must be thin if it trembles at something like that.”

“Is there not a procedure for everything?”

“You’re not saying the expelled instructor is your son, are you?”

“Yo, Your Majesty. Certainly not.”

Duke Brenden forced a servile smile.

The other lords chimed in.

“Rumors even claim, Your Majesty, that you broke tradition to nurse that woman.”
“A commoner who might be ill is educating His Royal Highness the Crown Prince… It’s really an outrageous event.”

“Rumor has it that this woman’s beauty has divided the palace maids into two factions—those who favor her and those who are sane.”

Only Duke Limon stood a step behind, his posture erect.

Hearing the murmuring nobles, Nikolai twisted the corner of his mouth.

“So you mean a mere woman is unsettling the royal family?”

Stung by his words, the nobles swallowed dryly.

Only momentarily. Gathering courage from the Emperor’s stoic face, they began to disparage Elizabeth.

“I apologize, but even the royal consorts are concerned for His Majesty and the royal family.”

“It’s a great violation of law for an unmarried woman, who hasn’t even received a royal appointment, to roam freely in the palace.”

“She’s originally notorious for her bad conduct. She should be expelled immediately.”

Nikolai raised one hand.

It was a graceful gesture, befitting an emperor.

His tone was the exact opposite.

“Enough nonsense.”

“Yoyour Majesty!”

“Do you know what you’re all babbling about?”