That way, Greta lied to Bonita, Bonita lied to Greta, and the woman lied to Bonita, and their grand plan was building a framework on layers of lies.

“I’ve decided to go to the Taren family. I have to repay the family’s debt. Also, this diary. I think I can find out more. The words exchanged between my parents when I was young seem to be a kind of code, and I think that code is hidden in this diary.”

Leaving behind such words, some time passed since Sugar left the princess’s palace.

And for someone, it was just an ordinary afternoon as usual.

For someone else, something completely different was happening.

“Are you the escort?”
“Sure. The diplomat for Nordenn has changed this time. It’s nothing special, just routine escort duties, so pay even more attention.”

“Yes. I will do my best.”

The issue wasn’t causing embarrassment between nations by revealing the scars left while the representative of another country stayed in the empire. The problem was damaging the empire’s prestige.

It was highly unlikely for a foreign official to be harmed within the imperial heartland, but there were instances where they intentionally caused harm to themselves for a purpose.

That’s why the imperial knights assigned to key foreign figures, under the pretext of “escort,” were more overtly described as “watchers.”

Ceslan, the Imperial Third Knight Commander issuing that fact, and the Third Knight Order receiving those instructions, all knew this, so the conversation ended there.

Not long after leaving the commander’s office, Ceslan was surrounded by his colleagues from the same order.

“They called for the commander?”

“Yeah. What’s going on? Did he secretly go ahead and come back from somewhere again?”

“This guy is both skilled and has a good personality; it’s unforgivable!”

“That’s right! Promotion to vice-commander is just a matter of time; step on him now before we can’t!”

Amidst jokes and teasing, Ceslan, with a good-natured smile, endured his colleagues’ words and shakes without saying anything more.

“That’s all just because of good luck.”

“If it’s all luck, then how miserable is my luck?”

“This guy seems humble even when he doesn’t need to be.”

Colleagues who dismissed Ceslan’s words as mere humility casually patted him, and Ceslan stopped speaking.

“Leaving that aside, what’s really going on?”

“Oh, I’ll be away for a while.”

“What? Where are you going?”

Since there was no need to hide it, Ceslan answered straightforwardly.

“To escort the new diplomat from Nordenn.”

“Ah, a dull position.”

“Yeah, it must be boring.”

After expressing their opinions, the colleagues returned to their respective tasks, and Ceslan, after preparing briefly, headed towards the part of the palace where diplomats from another country stayed.

Guided by a palace servant, Ceslan arrived at the door, knocked, and promptly grabbed the handle upon hearing the permission.

“Come in.”

As Ceslan, who silently entered through the opened door with a polite manner, took a step inside, he hesitated for a moment.

The damp air in the stagnant room, whether it was because of what happened in the past or for some other reason…

“Are you the escort sent by the royal palace?”

However, the faint sensation he felt disappeared, dissolved into the inner voice.

Ceslan responded with knightly courtesy, maintaining an appropriate expression and attitude fitting his position as an imperial knight, unlike when he socialized with his colleagues.

“…So, you’ll be the one responsible for my security during my stay in the empire. Please feel free to call me Ceslan.”

As the door closed silently behind him, Ceslan, with a polite bow, faced the new diplomat from Nordenn in a manner befitting his position as an imperial knight.

“…So, while you stay in the empire, I will be in charge of your escort. Please, call me Ceslan.”
As he closed his mouth, the female diplomat from Nordenn, with striking crimson hair, nodded lightly.

“Yes. Sir Ceslan.”

She offered a straightforward response, not making any particular fuss or attempting to show off, despite being a knight of the empire, and furthermore, a knight of the imperial family. Soon, she extended her hand.

“Sorry, but I’m a bit tired. I’d like to be alone, so would you mind leaving the room?”

“I’ll be right outside the door.”

Whether her words were a request or an order wasn’t clear, but Ceslan didn’t indulge in unnecessary words like insisting that he must stick closely to the person he’s supposed to guard or that he can’t leave the room under any circumstances. He promptly left the room.

In the imperial palace, there should be no embarrassing incidents involving foreign agents. Ceslan’s confidence, clearly expressed in his attitude, that he could adequately handle any situation even outside the door, did not escape the notice of Greta, the new diplomat from Nordenn.

In the next moment, the corners of her mouth twisted oddly.

Bolshevik Empire.

Nothing there that doesn’t irritate.

Of course, there’s no need to mention those below who are so irritating when even the empress at the top is so disagreeable.

In Greta’s blurred focus, a fiery red flame emerged gradually.

For the Empire, which was burning according to the will of the ancient gods, as well as according to her own desires, destined to become the greatest sacrifice and prey for purifying the continent.

The distorted smile on Greta’s lips, predicting the future not of the present but of the unwanted future, disappeared soon.

Greta, sighing deeply, swept her hair aside and looked down at the vacant spot where the knight had stood firmly.

Although called an escort, according to Bonita’s words, they were more like imperial watchers.

“Hmm.”

With a short snort, Greta’s eyes sparkled.

There’s so much to do in the Empire, and she can’t afford to have annoying eyes following her around.

So, should she turn that knight into a doll?