My earlier trip to Angelica’s estate had taken a decent while, but the capital was even farther away. I hadn’t gotten much sleep over the past several days, and I figured I’d nod off at least once during the long, boring carriage ride. To my surprise, though, I was uncomfortably alert the entire way there. After a day and a half sleeplessly rocked by the carriage, I finally arrived at the capital.
The guards at the gate let me through pretty much on sight, and I gazed aimlessly out the window as we rode through the streets toward the palace. This city was under the direct rule of the Tyrant of the Century, but the people here were surprisingly lively, all in all. Obviously, anyone who went against Eberhart’s will was ruthlessly executed, but the capital was primarily home to wealthy nobles and merchants. The privileged classes got to live in relative peace—it was a twisted prosperity built on the backs of countless victims, but I could even see smiling faces here and there.
As I stared out, not really sure how to feel about it all, I caught a glimpse of a blue robe peeking out of an alleyway. It immediately retreated into the shadows and disappeared, but that must have been...
While I pondered, the scenery gradually shifted. We left the bustling streets, proceeded along a wide uphill road, and passed through the palace gates at the top. Royal guards were there to meet us, and my carriage pulled to a halt. I only brought Craig in with me, leaving the coachman and my other guards on standby outside. Guided along by a functionary, we walked through the palace in silence, but when we hit a particular fork in the path, I came to a stop.
To the right was the throne room...but to the left were the provisional quarters for nobles who worked within the palace. If I remembered right, Craig’s family lived there as well. On paper, they were here because they had court positions. But in reality, they were implicitly hostages used to keep Craig in line. Craig was powerless to disobey me because his family was held here, and they couldn’t move freely because Craig was effectively being held hostage against them as well. Nobody was physically bound in place, but their actions were constrained all the same.
He hasn’t seen them in a long while, has he?
As I thought more about it, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Craig. Finally, I addressed him—though I was careful to keep any hint of kindness out of my voice.
“Your poor family, languishing here at my liege’s mercy... How terribly weak and weary they must be. Why not go pay them a visit?”
If I’d been able to smile, it would’ve been perfect. But I still couldn’t manage that, no matter how hard I tried. Regardless, the words themselves were still blatantly callous coming from me, so it was probably fine.
However, Craig flatly declined my invitation. “No... I have no right to show my face before them.”
He must be feeling guilty about serving Heinreid. You really don’t have to feel bad about it, though. All of this is my fault—every last bit.
I was considering giving him another push, but our guide cleared his throat pointedly, and our conversation was over. I turned sharply and proceeded to the right.
Finally, we reached the innermost door before the throne room. The palace chancellor was waiting for us outside.
“You shall remain here, Craig Bauer.”
The chancellor commanded him to halt, but Craig wasn’t having it.
“I am His Grace the Duke’s personal guard. I cannot obey that request even from you, Your Excellency.”
“You ought rather to consider my words as equivalent to those of His Majesty. Or do you mean to say that you shall obey His Grace’s orders above even those? What an admirable display of loyalty. You’ve done quite well to tame this rebellious whelp so thoroughly, haven’t you, Duke Rodvelia?” the chancellor asked, stroking his long beard.
It was a backhanded compliment—his real meaning was that I ought to have disciplined Craig better so he wouldn’t speak out of turn. Even if the chancellor had genuinely meant it, though, I still wouldn’t have appreciated the praise. Unruly and disobedient was exactly how Craig ought to be toward us.
That said, I couldn’t defend him here, so I gave him orders of my own as his master.
“Enough of your self-centered tantrums, Craig.”
“But—”
“Wait here.”
He’d probably been hoping to listen in on my conversation with the king and pick up some useful information, but just as the chancellor had said, the command for me to enter alone must have come straight from Eberhart. Nobody could go against it.
Don’t worry, I’ll let all the details slip once this is over—assuming I make it out alive, that is.
Craig looked reluctant, but he understood that there was nothing he could do. He placed his right hand on his chest and gave a knightly bow. “Please call for me should you require me—shout if you must, Your Grace.”
Now there’s some incredible acting. See? You can do it if you try.
A pair of guards stationed at the sides of the doorway opened the huge double doors, and I stepped inside. The wide-open space was unexpectedly dead silent, empty except for the palace’s master. I stared ahead as I heard the doors swing shut behind me, and the man on the throne narrowed his gold and blue eyes with a sinister smile.
“It’s been a while, Heinreid. What’s wrong? Why do you stand so far away? Approach.”
I did as I was told, walking closer to the throne. I wondered if I ought to kneel again, but Eberhart didn’t say anything this time, so I just stood at the bottom of the steps looking up at him.
“You understand why I’ve called you here, don’t you?” he asked.
“I’m afraid not. As always, far too many possibilities spring to mind.”
My words were impudent, but Eberhart didn’t seem particularly annoyed.
“I suppose that’s true,” he said with a chuckle. “But I have always been merciful and lenient with you, haven’t I? Hmm?”
My memories solidly shook their heads no. I felt a twinge from the remnants of old pains carved into my body, and my fingers clenched anxiously into fists. He hadn’t let me get away with absolutely everything unconditionally.
“Have you now, Your Majesty? I seem to recall losing a few fingernails on past occasions...”
“Oh, do let bygones be bygones. In any case, compared to the disrespect you showed me then, that punishment was a mere trifle.”
Well, sure. It would’ve been the least I deserved—under a government that wasn’t twisted all to hell.
I must have let my frustration show on my face. Eberhart gazed at me with amusement as he provoked my inner villain.
“Remind me—was that the punishment I gave you when you tried to kill me as well as my father and mother?”
“No, my offense at that time was far lesser. It was when I set fire to fields on the verge of harvest and despoiled an entire fiefdom.”
“Ah, yes, so you did. Oh, what a mess that was—entertaining, certainly, but it took a great deal of work to clean up, and I was rather irritated at the time. Do forgive me.”
“There were other incidents as well...”