Chapter 57

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 57

Chapter Title: An Invitation from His Majesty

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Unlike before, a servant from the Ministry of Rites entered and politely presented a scroll containing the imperial decree.

“Marquis Aratus. Madam Aratus. His Majesty invites you to join him for afternoon tea.”

It was the response to the petition she had submitted that morning.

“We’ll need to finish eating and prepare right away.”

Enoch nodded as he took the scroll.

“Tell them we will.”

“Yes, Marquis. Madam. I shall take my leave.”

The servant withdrew. Agatha, who had lightly rinsed her mouth with wine, rose from her seat.

Enoch caught her hand.

“Where are you going, Agatha?”

“To get ready. I need to pack the evidence you brought and the proof of the attack—”

“Just give the order to your aide, and that’ll be enough.”

“I need to prepare for entering the palace too.”

“It’s afternoon, so we have plenty of time.”

Really?

Convinced in an instant, Agatha sat back down. Enoch was ordering the steward, Allen, to summon the aides.

“There’s still plenty of food left. Eat more.”

Just as Agatha was continuing her meal at his urging,

two aides entered the breakfast room and bowed.

“You summoned us, my lord?”

“I have come at your summons, Marquis.”

They were Enoch’s aide, John Whitney, and Agatha’s first aide, Esel Maso.

As she watched him instruct them to organize the evidence and draft the reports, Agatha finished the last of her soup.

Is this really okay?

Of course, she had no doubts about her first aide’s capabilities, so it seemed fine to stay put.

“You’re dismissed.”

“Yes, sir.”

In the meantime, Enoch had given his orders and was sending the aides away.

Noticing Agatha’s now spotless plate, Enoch smiled ever so subtly.

“Dessert?”

“Hm, how about some fruit?”

“There’s more prepared. Steward, bring out the dessert.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

After enjoying a hearty dessert as well, Agatha finally rose leisurely to prepare for the palace.

With all the work piling up lately, plus the salon and banquets, it had been ages since she’d had a proper meal in the dining hall.

She was sitting leisurely in her private chambers, selecting the dress, jewelry, and shoes she’d wear today, when there came a knock. Knock knock.

“Madam. It’s steward Allen.”

“Come in.”

The head steward, Allen, entered and bowed respectfully.

“What is it?”

“The Marquis has sent a gift.”

The steward opened an ornate velvet box. Inside lay a pair of exquisitely set violet sapphire earrings, drawing gasps of admiration from the maids.

He had promised to buy her new jewels upon his return.

Unlike the purplish bracelet, these earrings gleamed with a shade almost identical to Agatha’s eyes.

“Tell him I’m delighted.”

“Yes, Madam.”

He’d only just returned—there couldn’t have been time to shop for jewels.

“Did you pick them up on the way?”

Agatha tried the earrings on herself. They sparkled beautifully, as if adding extra luster to her luminous eyes.

“They’re lovely.”

“Shall we go with these earrings today?”

“Yes. Pick a dress that’ll make them stand out.”

It was a white dress with multiple layers of thin fabric creating a voluminous, alluring skirt hem.

After applying subtle makeup, Agatha took up her folding fan and rose from her seat.

The shoes with their slight curve made her line of sight a touch higher than usual.

“Let’s go.”

By now, the hour had passed noon.

In the first-floor hall, she spotted the back of a man dressed in formal attire.

“Enoch.”

The man turned, and his eyes noticeably softened.

As he drew near, he pressed a kiss to the back of Agatha’s hand.

“The earrings suit you perfectly.”

“I was startled when the steward suddenly brought the gift. When did you even find these?”

“The castle of the last family we conquered was quite grand. During the infiltration, I spotted them at a jeweler and bought them. Do they please you?”

“Immensely.”

But did people really infiltrate enemy strongholds before a conquest? Wasn’t that dangerous?

It struck her as odd, but watching his gentle smile, she wondered if that was just how it was.

Today, with her hair braided to one side, Agatha tilted her head slightly. The coin-sized earrings came fully into Enoch’s view.

As did the white, slender line of her neck beside them.

“Don’t they match the bracelet too?”

Agatha smiled, curving her eyes prettily as she displayed her wrist. The man, silent for a long moment, nodded slowly.

“...They’re beautiful.”

“Just wait a bit for my return gift. Feel free to look forward to it.”

She offered her hand, and he quietly cupped it from below.

Brushing lightly under his eyes, Enoch set off. The emperor’s tea hour was drawing near.

The imperial palace was a familiar place to Agatha. Until she was sixteen, she had stayed there with every divorce, and she had often visited to see the emperor or crown prince—or been summoned frequently.

Given her status, every palace visit drew the eyes of society.

Even for Agatha, though, the gazes pouring over her today felt a little special.

“Marquis Aratus. Congratulations on your victory.”

“Thank you, Chief Chamberlain.”

Even the emperor’s chief servant, who oversaw the Ministry of Rites, offered congratulations.

From afar, noble whispers carried on the breeze: Agatha Noblesse has martial prowess too.

Bloodline, status, wealth, power—and now martial strength on top of it all.

Come to think of it, Agatha had quietly amassed everything at its peak.

Even her husband.

Is a peaceful life finally on the horizon?

Agatha smiled and leaned against Enoch’s arm. His body tensed ever so slightly.

“Where is His Majesty, Chief Chamberlain? Have we kept him waiting?”

“Not at all. His Majesty has just finished lunch, so take your time.”

It seemed there had been guests for lunch.

No wonder he sent a tea invitation.

“And the location?”

“The First Garden. Please follow me.”

Countless gazes trailed them—jealousy, admiration, envy, desire, calculating stares—until they entered the First Garden, a place forbidden without imperial permission.

Those eyes vanished soundlessly.

All that remained were the palace servants and knights.

“Please wait a moment. His Majesty will arrive shortly.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Chief Chamberlain.”

The tea gathering was set in a pavilion at the center of a garden gorgeously abloom with golden and white roses.

Not long after, Emperor Warmirai II appeared.

“We see the Sun of the Empire.”

“You’re here, Agatha. Congratulations on the victory, Marquis Aratus.”

With light greetings, the emperor—draped in a resplendent violet cloak—patted Enoch’s shoulder.

He had been so thrilled at the news of Enoch’s first victory.

The same delight shone clearly now.

“We are honored, Your Majesty.”

“Come, sit. I’ve prepared some truly fine tea today.”

As Agatha’s status had risen to an untouchable height, so too had Enoch’s prestige soared beyond measure.

The emperor himself poured tea for Enoch and Agatha—slightly sweet and chilled to her taste, with a crisp finish to suit his, accompanied by desserts.

“I have great expectations for my marquis.”

Enoch bowed his head in deference.

“I merely did my duty, Your Majesty.”

“And you’re the only one who’s done that duty thus far. You scaled things up a bit, but when a man draws his sword, isn’t that the bare minimum expected?”

Five collateral families had fallen—including the second in line to the Noblesse succession—but they were mere branches, after all.

“Yes. All members of the five families are in prison?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Agatha took a sip of her tea and smiled softly.

“They’ll need to stand trial.”

The emperor, who had already gleaned her desires from her letter, laughed heartily.

“Of course. With clear evidence of commissioning assassinations and launching attacks all this time, why toss away a chance to claim both justification and profit?”

His shrewd blue eyes glinted coldly.

“Especially since they defied my will without a second thought. I have no intention of shielding them.”

“We are honored, Your Majesty.”

“A private execution should suffice for you, yes?”

“Confiscate their assets—half to my husband, and the lands returned to me. That would delight me.”

“Half offered to me, you mean.”

Seeing Agatha smile wordlessly, the emperor burst into loud laughter.

“It shall be as you wish.”

“We are honored, Your Majesty.”

The emperor’s verdict was absolute.

No one would dare raise objections to the legitimacy of the territorial war or its aftermath.

What would have been offered anyway could now be presented as a voluntary tribute after securing the desired ruling—honoring the emperor while benefiting them.

The rumors should die down too.

Half of the wealth those five families had amassed over the years would be price enough.

Having secured the best possible outcome, Agatha and Enoch enjoyed their tea with calm expressions.