For You, for Me

Two weeks later.

The imperial capital. The great audience hall of the palace.

“Your Majesty. In accordance with your decree, the newly appointed Minister of Cavalry, Taidin Kaihaden, has eliminated the demons dwelling within the Empire.”

Taidin knelt on one knee before the throne, surrounded by ministers and officials waiting on either side of the hall.

The mission had been completed more quickly than expected. Benelia, seated with one arm resting against her throne, nodded.

“You've worked hard. It is our nation's duty to shun evil and honor the God of Light. You have served the Empire well and carried out my decree. Expect a personal reward for your efforts.”

“Your Majesty is too generous!”

“Of course you should be pleased. Now, Captain of the Guard.”

Proban stepped out from among the assembled officials. He bowed deeply before the emperor.

“Yes, Your Majesty. How may I serve?”

“I heard the men who rose against my father's tyranny helped considerably in hunting down the demons. Is that true?”

“It is. Most were raised outside the capital, among working people in many parts of the Empire. They knew the countryside and the places where demons might hide, which made them invaluable to the search.”

“Then they have set an example of service despite their difficult history with the imperial family. Ask whether any of them wish to join the Imperial Guard.”

“I shall carry out your—”

“No, Your Majesty!”

A voice broke across the hall.

The newly appointed minister in charge of the treasury and finance stepped forward.

“There is an old saying: one who has betrayed once will betray again. These people rose against the imperial family. How can Your Majesty invite them into the Imperial Guard? They may only be biding their time, pretending loyalty while they seek another chance to turn on the throne. I beg you to reconsider.”

Uneasy murmurs passed among the court officials.

Benelia frowned. His objection might have sounded sensible at first, but to her it missed the point entirely.

“You speak of betrayal. Then answer me: did those rebels rise against me?”

“No, Your Majesty. But they did rebel against the imperial family.”

“The imperial family as it stands today—or the one that existed under my father?”

“…The former emperor's family.”

“Precisely. They never betrayed me. And when I began the revolution, they offered their strength to my cause. Do you dispute that?”

The finance minister lowered his head. He had nothing to say.

“How can you call people traitors for rising against tyranny? You may not understand the hunger and suffering they endured, but you should know better than to condemn them for it. What's more, casting aside those who helped us would violate the teachings of the God of Light.”

Benelia's golden eyes narrowed.

“Minister, would you have your emperor commit blasphemy?”

He bowed even more deeply.

“Your Majesty. My loyalty has led me into error. I acknowledge my mistake. If Your Majesty wishes to punish me, I will accept it.”

“Enough of that. No need to make a spectacle of yourself. Tell me instead what came of your meeting with the president of Carastane Bank.”

“Ah. Yes, Your Majesty.”

He cleared his throat.

“As instructed, we offered to dispatch the Holy Knights to Yebrinus in exchange for remission of nearly five years of interest owed by the Empire. The bank's president said the proposal would receive favorable consideration. He also asked me to convey his respects to the newly enthroned sovereign.”

“Favorable consideration, from that cunning serpent? Then our prospects must be good.” Benelia leaned forward. “If he accepts, can we clear the national debt?”

“Yes. Provided we accelerate development of the manastone mine Your Majesty secured, there should be sufficient means to do so. The witches have offered their knowledge and assistance with mining. We do not anticipate serious difficulties in that undertaking.”

“Excellent.”

Benelia smiled. Her father, Calvanes, had left the Empire burdened by his misrule; the thought of repairing that damage and finally settling its debts pleased her.

But she had not finished with her finance minister.

“Tell me—are the imperial coffers in such a miserable state?”

“Not at all, Your Majesty. Contributions and gifts have been arriving from across the country in celebration of your accession.”

“Wonderful news. Then why isn't the treasury carrying out my orders?”

The minister stiffened.

“…Your Majesty? Forgive me, but we've been obeying every decree.”

“Have you? Then tell me what day tomorrow is.”

Tomorrow?

He frowned, searching his memory, and at last remembered.

“Ah! Viscount Theorad's wedding.”

“So you do remember. I ordered you to prepare gifts worthy of the occasion. Surely you remember that as well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We arranged four wagons of goods, and made provisions for skilled servants and costly livestock to accompany the presents—”

“Add six more wagons.”

His shoulders trembled.

Six wagons were not beyond the Empire's resources. The trouble was finding suitable gifts and the money to pay for them by tomorrow. Treasury staff would have to work late, move budgets around and bring forward expenditure from other events.

“Your Majesty…”

The finance minister looked at her almost pleadingly.

Benelia showed no sympathy.

“What are you waiting for? Six more wagons. Leave now if you mean to have everything ready by tomorrow.”

“…As Your Majesty commands.”

He bowed with the expression of a man swallowing something bitter and went to attend to the impossible schedule.

Benelia watched him leave, faintly amused, and waved to the court.

“That concludes today's audience. You may all go.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Officials bowed and began filing out.

Only one remained.

Once the others had left, Roylen edged forward, catching Benelia's attention just as she was about to rise from the throne.

“…What is it? I believe I dismissed everyone.”

“I know, Your Majesty. Forgive me, but there's something I wanted to ask out of personal curiosity.”

“You detain the emperor of an entire nation over personal curiosity? Such disloyalty could be punished by death.”

Roylen stiffened.

Benelia held the cold expression for another moment—then burst into a laugh.

“Pfft. Look at your face. You really thought I meant it?”

“Your Majesty… You sounded sincere.”

“Don't be ridiculous. Why would I execute a loyal subject?”

The word loyal brought an unmistakable emotion to Roylen's face. Benelia found the look embarrassing enough to shift her posture.

“Well? What did you want? Do you need my influence for your review for the senior professorship?”

“No, Your Majesty. I'll earn that position on my own. What I wanted to know was…”

“Was?”

“Are you truly not going to attend Viscount Theorad's wedding?”

Benelia ran a hand along the throne's armrest and leaned back. Her face became thoughtful.

“…I'd like to be there to congratulate him,” she said at last. “But there's too much work. I doubt I can spare the time. You'll attend in my place and make sure the occasion is properly celebrated.”

“Is that really all right?”

“What other choice is there? For now, I have to put my feelings for Theorad aside.”

Roylen was about to accept the instruction when a phrase caught his attention.

“Your Majesty? What do you mean, for now?”

“The heart is fickle,” Benelia murmured. “Even when you decide to give something up, it doesn't always listen. Perhaps someday, when circumstances permit, I might ask Lady Ashley something in private…”

She stopped herself.

What am I saying?

This was hardly the sort of subject an emperor should discuss with a minister. A faint smile still lingered on her lips as she stood.

“That's enough. Go now. I have work to do.”

“Ah… Yes, Your Majesty.”

Roylen could not imagine what an emperor would privately ask of one noble lady, but he did not pursue the question. Benelia looked happier than she had in some time. That was enough.

---

Meanwhile, at Pelgaroin Castle.

Leonberg's study.

“So tomorrow is finally the day.”

The count said it with the weight of a momentous announcement.

Ashley, sitting across from him, nodded. There was shyness in her smile, but more happiness than anxiety.

“Try not to be too nervous,” Leonberg said gravely. “Don't stay awake fretting tonight. A proper night's sleep will do you good, and you want to look your best.”

Ashley could scarcely take the advice seriously.

Her father looked much more nervous than she did.

One fist was clenched on the desk. His leg had been shaking for some time. The blue eyes that faced her tried to remain steady, but everything else about him betrayed his unease.

Why is he more worried than the bride?

She did not mind. His concern was affectionate, and she answered with a gentle smile.

“I'll remember, Father.”

Leonberg nodded as though this were important business. He reached for his cup, took a drink, and set it down again.

“By the way, my daughter. May I ask why you chose the chapel at the Deharem estate for the ceremony?”

“Do you dislike it?”

“Of course not. I'm merely curious. The parish cathedral is several times larger. I thought you might prefer somewhere grander for your wedding.”

The cathedral certainly offered more space and splendor than the small chapel on House Deharem's grounds.

Yet Ashley had chosen that chapel without hesitation.

The reason…

It was where Theorad's father and mother had been married.

Theorad had not said so outright, but she could tell he wanted to exchange vows in the same place his parents had stood. She knew how deeply he admired his father, and she wanted to honor that wish.

There was no need to explain every detail.

All the reasons could be expressed in a single sentence.

“Ashley?”

Leonberg was still waiting.

She looked at him, smiling softly.

“Because I love Theorad.”