The Empror's Trap

Lina, hurry and thank Her Majesty—it's a sign of Her Majesty's trust in you.

Kenji gave Lina a nudge. Although he understood the real reason behind this, there was no need to let it show on the surface.

Lina shot Kenji a puzzled look, then glanced at Pluvia. Suddenly, she straightened and bowed firmly to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your favor. However, I come from humble origins, and I was once disgraced. If I were to have a place of my own in the palace, it might draw gossip, which would not be in Your Majesty's best interest… Moreover, if the Grey Scale Office were stationed within the palace, our comings and goings would always be seen by palace guards and ministers—this could hinder the execution of Your Majesty's orders. So I beg Your Majesty's understanding, the Grey Scale Office really cannot be set inside the palace."

Her words astonished even Kenji.

What the…? Since when was she this quick-witted? She managed to come up with such a solid, irrefutable reason herself?

He'd known Lina would refuse Pluvia's suggestion, but he hadn't expected her to give such a clear and compelling argument.

"...Alright, very well," Pluvia mused as she gave Kenji a thoughtful glance before smiling. "Lina, as the head of the Grey Scale Office, you need to carry yourself with the authority of a leader—you can't remain by the Grand Marshal's side as his bodyguard forever. It wouldn't befit your station to always accompany someone else."

"How about this: I plan to turn the current Spring Peace Palace into the Grand Marshal's primary residence in the palace. The house next to it can be cleared out for the Grey Scale Office, and you can also have one built at Duke Anos estate."

"You and Kenji are close. I don't imagine you'd want to be separated from him for long. This way, you'll be right next door and can visit whenever you wish. When you're outside the palace, his estate is adjacent to the Grey Scale Office, so it'll be convenient for both of you. You'll still be serving as his guard when needed. What do you think?"

Lina glanced over at Kenji.

But Kenji didn't give her any signal. After thinking it through for a moment, Lina chose to accept.

After all, she knew she couldn't ask for more.

Seeing that Lina's matter was temporarily settled, Kenji shot her a look. Lina picked up on it, thanked Pluvia, and quickly withdrew to make preparations for the transition.

"Your guard is really something." Pluvia let out a long breath; it was unclear if it was a sigh or an effort to ease her discomfort. "It's rare to find someone so loyal. If only my subordinates were like her—it would make things much easier for me."

"Your Majesty is too kind. You have a keen eye for talent, and loyal retainers are hardly few in your service. Perhaps some simply haven't had the chance to show it yet,"

"Enough, you don't need to flatter me."

Still lying in bed, Pluvia lazily waved her hand.

"The trust between you two is really enviable. You stood up for her in front of everyone—that's a sign of true loyalty and care."

"I simply believe Lina is the most capable person to lead the Grey Scale Office."

"Oh, please. Don't think I can't see through you. Sure, you're busy, and there might be other competent officers, but none as good as Lina. Besides, she's followed you for so long; it's only right you treat her well—it's clear she's entrusted everything to you."

With that, Pluvia closed her eyes, trying to calm her mind and relax in the steam.

"Your Majesty is perceptive. I won't deny it, but..."

"You don't recommend people for personal reasons—I know that." She smiled, pausing to think. "Kenji, do you know? I'm so very tired."

"Your Majesty works tirelessly, and now, being ill, you're naturally exhausted. You should rest," Kenji said.

"It's not that kind of tiredness." She sighed. "I'm tired inside, Kenji. I'm carrying the weight of the entire country on my shoulders. But the truth is, I'm just an ordinary person."

"The late emperor once told me that choosing to become emperor meant taking responsibility for everything that happens in Camelot during my reign. But how can one person bear a nation's burdens alone?"

"That's why Your Majesty needs the ministers to share your burdens."

"Kenji, the truth is, I don't dare to trust any of them. 'Don't use those you distrust, don't distrust those you use'—wise words, but I can't risk the entire Camelot on that principle. And you know this."

"I understand, Your Majesty."

He understood her reasoning and her caution.

But understanding didn't mean surrendering or opening himself up completely. At best, this was just a moment of honest conversation—it couldn't be called trust.

"I..." Pluvia seemed to want to say more but stopped herself. "Never mind. I'm far too tired today, and I can barely keep my eyes open… You should go."

Kenji obeyed, bowing and taking his leave.

She was telling the truth—he had noticed how she kept fighting off sleep during their conversation.

Inside the bedchamber, Pluvia watched Kenji leave. She clicked her tongue.

Tch, tell you to go and you actually just leave?

"Your Majesty, you still didn't tell him."

The maid who had been tending to the herbal vapor finally spoke, her tone tinged with reproach.

"I couldn't say it." Pluvia's eyes suddenly cleared. "This really is too difficult."

"It's just a simple request. He wouldn't refuse you. Honestly, this would benefit him too." The maid sighed. "Besides, Your Majesty went out of your way to set the scene today. If there's ever a time when he'd let his guard down, it's now. In this state, he almost certainly wouldn't turn you down."

Pluvia didn't answer. She just massaged her temples.

After a long pause, she asked,

"Is this plan of yours really reliable?"

"It was the result of our joint calculations and divinations. If you follow the plan, Camelot will gain more than just the North. But… if Your Majesty isn't ready, there's nothing to be done."

The maid smiled.

Pluvia truly was ill, but not so gravely as she appeared. Though she felt unwell, her mind was perfectly clear. She'd only acted muddled to test the other party's attitude.

But, judging from the results…

Damn it, no matter how I tried, I couldn't get a reaction!

"By the way, Celestial Master Liora," Pluvia sat up, ending her steam bath, "do you think Lina is trustworthy?"

"She wears her loyalty on her sleeve—but unfortunately, that loyalty isn't yours. At least, from what I've seen, she's Kenji's. If Your Majesty wants to control her, you'll have to do it through Kenji."

"In short, wherever Lina goes, she's a wildcard on your chessboard. Right now, Kenji's the only one who can truly command her. That too is something Your Majesty can take advantage of in the future."

"Sigh, whatever. There are plenty of things at home that I should worry about first. Are you staying for lunch?"

"No need, Your Majesty. I still have research to do, and I shouldn't stay in Your Majesty's quarters for too long. I'll take my leave."