The Empror's Trap

Sorry for the delays, all the chapters has been updated.

If there was any mistakes or repetation pls comment on them.

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"Sigh, whatever. There are plenty of things 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."

...

Kenji left Pluvia's bedchamber and walked along the palace's stone paths toward the main gates.

He had walked these halls countless times. Yet, every time he approached the palace gates, he felt a strange mix of excitement and relief. This was the heart of power in Camelot Empire—brightly lit, elegant, and majestic on the surface, but hiding danger beneath. Compared to this place, he preferred being at his family home. Unfortunately, his house was still under renovation, so he couldn't return anytime soon. This trip outside the palace was mainly to meet with the remaining Anos family retainers and personal guards stationed on the outside. Since he wasn't allowed to bring private soldiers inside the palace, many affairs required him to leave to manage them.

But just as he was about to go through the palace gate, an elderly man standing nearby called out to him:

"Grand Marshal, please wait."

Kenji froze. In that instant, it felt like the blood in his veins turned to ice.

He was certain that when he'd walked past earlier, there was no one standing here besides the palace guards. Where did this old man come from?

His heartbeat sped up. Instinctively, he was ready to counterattack, but he forced himself to stay calm and kept his fists at his sides.

"Ah, sorry if I startled you," the old man hurried to explain with a sheepish smile. "I didn't mean any harm—please forgive me."

Kenji sized him up. The man was short, only coming up to Kenji's chest. His skin was dry and wrinkled, like the bark of an old tree. He was thin, with small, squinting eyes that invited the word shifty, though that didn't seem very polite.

But his robe was anything but ordinary. He wore a light blue long robe embroidered with delicate clouds and cranes, with golden thread patterns at the cuffs and collar that declared his status.

"What business brings the Celestial Master to see me today?" Kenji bowed solemnly.

This was no ordinary old man; he was a Celestial Master, an official member of the Celestial Court.

Kenji hadn't interacted much with Celestial Masters. In fact, few in the entire imperial court ever did.

"It's nothing serious. I'm simply here to invite you, on behalf of someone else," the Celestial Master replied with a gentle smile. He didn't seem hostile.

"There are quite a few Celestial Masters roaming the palace today. I'm pretty sure there's even one in her Majesty's chamber?" Kenji asked, puzzled.

The old Celestial Master stroked his graying beard. "As expected of the Grand Marshal. If I'm not mistaken, my colleague shouldn't be easy to spot, and yet you saw through her disguise. Remarkable."

"You flatter me. It's just experience," Kenji replied calmly.

He'd identified the supposed maid at Pluvia's side as a Celestial Master. Something about her aura and the subtle sense of danger she exuded made it clear she was no ordinary servant. Years in the military had taught Kenji to trust his instincts—they'd saved his life many times.

"So, what brings the Celestial Masters here all at once today? I ran into two just today alone. Isn't that a bit much?" Kenji tried to keep the question light.

"We have our own business to attend to, Grand Marshal. Please don't make things difficult for an old man like me." The Celestial Master just smiled and dodged the question.

"Fair enough. Matters of the Celestial Court aren't my concern. May I ask who wishes to see me? For a Celestial Master to act as messenger, it must be someone important."

As Kenji spoke, he watched the old master closely, trying to glean some clue from his expression. But the old man was a master of keeping his emotions in check; his smile never faltered. Kenji had no idea what he was walking into.

"It's Empress Dowager. She wishes to see you." The Celestial Master stroked his beard as he answered.

Empress Dowager?

Kenji was caught off guard.

Of course, Camelot Empire had an Empress: Pluvia's mother, who had lived in Spring Peace Palace. After Pluvia ascended the throne, she rarely had time to visit her mother, and after the incident with her brother's death, she had even more reason to stay away. Kenji himself had only ever seen the Empress Dowager a handful of times, always bowing respectfully and leaving as quickly as propriety allowed. Empress Dowager herself was something of a mystery. Even though he'd taken up residence in Spring Peace Palace, she had moved out long before Pluvia's coronation. He was sure Pluvia would have checked with her first before letting him occupy the place.

From a political perspective, Empress Dowager held little power and never involved herself in government affairs. She hadn't even spoken up when Pluvia placed Prince Yunis under house arrest.

Given all this, it was odd for Empress Dowager to ask for him.

"Did Her Highness say what this was about?" Kenji asked.

"She didn't. But you'll understand once you meet her. By the way, since you'll be meeting with Her Highness, I'd suggest you come unarmed," the Celestial Master advised kindly.

...

Despite the title Empress Dowager, Pluvia's mother wasn't actually all that old.

Pluvia herself was still young, and her mother was only in her early middle age. She kept herself in excellent health, and her beauty was obvious—judging by Pluvia's looks, good genes ran in the family. In Kenji's original world, she was no older than a well-preserved woman in her thirties.

In other words, Empress Dowager was far from frail.

…

"Kenji Anos, Grand Marshal of Camelot, pays his respects to her highness Empress Dowager." Kenji bowed formally.

"Ah, Duke, you're here." Dowager smiled and pointed to the vine chair next to her. "Come, have a seat. It's been ages since we've seen each other."

For the current Kenji, it was actually the first time, though he definitely wouldn't say so.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Kenji replied, taking a seat.

"Grand Marshal, I've asked you here today because there's something important I need to discuss with you. It concerns the internal affairs of Camelot Empire."

At the mention of internal matters, Kenji instantly snapped to attention.

Wait—could it be the she actually has her own cards to play?