The Empror's Trap

After the Moon Ceremony, Pluvia's workload wasn't over. That night, there was the Autumn Moon Banquet—a gathering designed for the monarch to get closer to the ministers. The entire palace glowed with lights as wine flowed freely.

Pluvia sat on her throne, lifted her wine cup, and began her opening remarks. But the moment she raised the cup, her hand trembled uncontrollably, like it had Parkinson's.

Everyone present noticed her shaking hand and exchanged puzzled glances.

"Your Majesty has been physically and mentally exhausted preparing for the ceremony. Tonight's toast will be made by me on behalf of Your Majesty," Kenji said hastily, seeing Pluvia struggling to even grip the cup.

Pluvia looked at him in surprise.

Kenji quickly gave her a meaningful glance. What was she waiting for? Did she plan to pretend all was fine while barely holding her wine cup? Was she really going to embarrass herself by dropping it in front of all the officials during the Autumn Viewing Banquet?

After hesitating for a moment, Pluvia reluctantly handed the wine cup to Kenji.

Kenji cupped the glass with both hands and downed the wine in one gulp.

The ministers and officers exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of emotions.

In the end, they all followed Kenji and toasted together.

The atmosphere of the banquet quickly returned to normal.

"Your Majesty, your wine cup..." Kenji returned the cup to Pluvia, only then realizing something was off.

Wait—that was Her Majesty's personal wine cup!

He'd been so focused on preventing Pluvia from making a scene that he forgot one crucial detail: By drinking from her cup and toasting on her behalf, he had already overstepped his bounds. And he had done so without even thinking.

From Kenji's perspective, he was just trying to help. But from the officials' viewpoint...

The Grand Marshal had openly taken the emperor's cup and drunk in her name while toasting the court.

No wonder everyone was giving him strange looks!

"Consider it a gift!" Pluvia said angrily.

She couldn't use the cup herself anymore—Kenji had just drunk from it. It'd be awkward to take it back now.

"Ah, thank you, Your Majesty," Kenji said, accepting the cup.

Her cup was indeed exquisite—made of crystal-clear diamonds, its smooth texture glowing gently in the light.

"How's that censer? Heavy, right?" Kenji asked.

Pluvia said nothing. Instead, she picked up her chopsticks and tried to grab some meat.

Her hand shook so badly, it was terrifying; she could barely hold the food.

Kenji stifled a laugh, grabbed a fresh pair of chopsticks, picked up some meat, and offered it to her. "Your Majesty, may I help you?"

"I can feed myself," Pluvia said coldly.

"Are you sure? You can't even hold the chopsticks properly."

"I... I have Sonya …"

"Sonya isn't here right now. She's keeping an eye on the kitchen. I suggest you don't call her over. She's here to protect you, not feed you."

"Then you're here for that?"

"No, but I'm the closest."

Kenji sighed as he watched the emperor reluctantly eat the meat he fed her.

"How much did the Moon Ceremony cost the treasury this time?" Kenji asked.

"Not much."

"Not much? Just the lighting at the altar was quite an expense."

"Kenji, the money spent isn't just for show. It has meaning. Camelot has stood strong because past emperors worked hard, but also because no matter how ignorant the people may be, they know they're 'Camelot' people. They know they're different from foreigners."

Pluvia lowered her trembling arm under the table and lifted her chin toward a salmon dish shaped like a blooming pinecone. Kenji understood immediately and picked up a piece to feed her.

"Honestly, the basic education you mentioned is tempting. Uncle Siguo brought that up too, but you can't expect farmers to drop their work in the fields and go study. People don't like studying; most labor is driven by the wish to earn money and support their families. But when it comes to entertainment, everyone's the same."

"If that's the case, using unforgettable memories from celebrations to educate them is a good method. That's why Camelot holds the Moon Ceremony every year.

Pluvia enjoyed the devoted care from her loyal subject, then raised her trembling hand again. "Kenji, our ancestors handed this empire to me. I have to show results. So everything must be done as well as possible."

"Yes, yes, I know. But maybe consider if your hands will work tomorrow?"

"No matter. I've seen the imperial doctors; they gave me some medicine. I'll put it on tonight."

"If you believe the imperial doctors' medicine will restore your arms by tomorrow, I suggest you think again," Kenji said.

"What, you're more knowledgeable than the doctors?"

"No, just that their medicine doesn't work that fast."

Kenji fed her some chicken and stopped when she motioned she'd had enough.

She was almost done eating—or rather, she didn't have the appetite to keep going.

Being fed bite by bite by a powerful court official was humiliating, especially for an emperor. Pluvia felt like a figurehead completely stripped of power, unable to do anything.

So she gave up eating and planned to let Sonya feed her later that night.

Seeing her stop, Kenji set down his chopsticks and stood. "Your Majesty, excuse me for stepping out a moment."

"Go ahead. Don't stay away too long; these people might call for you."

"Understood."

Kenji left his seat and stepped out of the main hall. With so many officials and delegates from counties, there were also banquets outside. Bright lights and lively chatter filled the air.

Under the glow, Kenji spotted a lone figure.

He smiled and approached, lightly patting her on the shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

Lina, leaning back in a chair, turned and smiled at him. "Nothing, just watching the moon."

"Why not come in and eat with us?" Kenji looked toward the officials chatting nearby.

"I don't like places like that. It's too noisy, and… I'm not used to the way they look at me."

Lina said calmly. Kenji knew she was telling the truth.

Some officials still looked down on Lina, seeing her as a leftover from the Evil Cult, who only gained her position in the Grey Scale Division because of her looks.

Plus, part of the Grey Scale Division's job was to investigate and even monitor high-ranking officials. Naturally, they resented Lina even more.

"Then come with me inside, sit next to me, okay? It's late. You should eat something. The palace's Moon Banquet isn't something you get to enjoy often. It'd be a pity to miss it."

Kenji said warmly.

"By your side, won't others mind?"

"I don't care."

"...Alright, then let's go, young master."