The empress didnt co at dinner ti. I was relieved but at the sa ti felt slightly uncomfortable. Dinner suited my palate more. Perhaps it was because they switched chefs. I had the dining hall to myself at dinner. Nier stood sternly behind .
I wiped my mouth with a napkin, washed my hands in the jade bowl by the side, turned around to look at Nier who had her hand placed on her sword and called her: Nier.
Did the al not suit your palate?
Not at all It wasnt bad. I shook my head and gripped the bottle in my hand. I was going to give this to the empress tonight, but it looks like Ill have to make a trip to the inner court now. Ill need Nier to take there since the empress isnt here.
Nier looked at without any compassion and asked: What are your orders then?
I dont know why but I can always detect hatred towards and a desire to kill in her eyes Had she not received orders to protect , I bet I wouldve had my throat slit while taking a stroll out at night out of nowhere.
Umm Could you take to see her majesty? I have sothing I want to give her
What is it?
Niers eyes turned cold and the killing intent aura she had intensified. It seed that she gets angry if I ntioned her majesty in her presence. I handed her the small bottle in my hand and said: Just this I believe its the water from the elves holy spring. I dont know what purpose it serves either, its just what my mother asked to bring along.
Alright, please co with . Ill take you to the inner court. However, dont get scared when you set foot into the inner court.
Nier bowed. Her tone sounded like she was ridiculing . I stood up and followed Nier out. The inner court must be where her majesty resides. Judging by Niers tone, I guess its heavily guarded.
The inner court was situated in the innermost part of the palace. It didnt look eye-catching. It looked like a normal palace. Compared to all the other buildings, the residence of her majesty was much more Normal. I scanned the place. There were two young girls with swords by the door. They looked identical to Nier. They had the sa getup, the sa hair and even the exact sa gestures.
When they saw Nier, they bowed and greeted her: Instructor!
Nier nodded and responded: Uhm.
She then walked up to them and looked at following behind. She then gave a little smile, shuffled her feet on the steps and said: Your majesty, if youve prepared yourself, please co up.
I nodded and followed Nier up the steps
The inner court is the resting place of her majesty and males are forbidden from entering! Take one more step and you will be killed on the spot rcilessly!!
It didnt even occur to !!
I take back what I said about there being two guards. As soon as I set foot onto the step, swords were unsheathed in an instant from every direction. They were unsheathed so quickly I only heard the clanging of steel. I stood there in a daze in the sa posture as when I placed my foot down onto the step. About ten swords were aid at my neck like a necklace.
I felt the cold steel on my neck. My neck will get penetrated if I even do so much as budge, huh?
I was surrounded by the cold reflection of the blades. My brain was completely blank as I looked at a girl before whose eyes were filled with killing intent. Had I taken another step my body would be in pieces right now.
Your majesty, these are the Valkyries. The mont you stepped onto the steps, twelve swords were already aid at your neck. You probably never imagined you could have so many swords against your neck, right?
Nier stood in front of and smiled proudly with her arms folded. She clapped her hands and the swords were removed from my neck right away. A shadow moved and I was on my butt. I grabbed my neck and caught my breath as I scanned my surroundings out of shock. There was nothing around other than the two guards by the door. That mont was just like a dream.
Please wait a mont, I shall go report to her majesty.
I sat and looked at Nier completely shocked. She looked at with eyes filled with disdain. She turned around in a chic way. I felt like her black ponytail whipped my heart. The Valkyries are a scary group of won! They should be called crazy, not loyal! With a group of guards like that here, this place must practically be an impregnable castle.
I quivered as I got up. My two legs were like jelly and I struggled to stand on my own legs. How embarrassing I have nothing but the utmost respect for anyone who can maintain their calm when theyve got twelve swords pressed against their throat.
Nier quickly returned and said: Her majesty calls for you. Please enter.
She then led inside. The interior of the inner court was decorated much more extravagantly than its exterior. The floor we walked on reflected our reflection like a mirror. The swaying candles illuminated the magnificent walls of the inner court. It was as though everything was made of gold. There seed to be a faint fruit fragrance inside.
Nier led to a large white folding door and said: Her majesty awaits you inside.
Oh Alright
So before you try and do sothing to her majesty, please rember our existence. After all, were capable of cutting you up into twelve parts in the ti it takes for you to take a single step. I hope you and her majesty enjoy your conversation.
Niers expression was really scary. You might say it was a polite smile but in my eyes, it was like the fierce gaze of a demon from hell. Nier pulled the door open. I took in a deep breath and entered.
Her majestys room was basically structured the sa as mine, except more extravagant. The air was also filled with a richer fruit scent. I looked around and spotted the empress sitting at a table. Her long black hair was down while she was scribbling on docunts in front of her while still in her military get-up.
Thats fair ga. A ruler has a rulers work after all.
Without raising her head and while her hands continued to move on the docunts, she faintly asked: Youre here very late my son, is sothing the matter?
Its about what happened in the afternoon Your majesty, please forgive
What happened in the afternoon?
What I said was too childish and angered your majesty
Oh, that. I I I
I noticed that her hand holding her pen was shaking slightly.
Dont worry, Im not angry.
A second later, she took in a deep breath, raised her head and looked at . Her black eyes were filled with hope as she asked: Is there anything else youd like to ask of ?
My mother asked to give you sothing
I handed over the bottle with two hands. Her face turned pale for a mont. She took the bottle, looked at it and then said: Im grateful for the gesture. Is there anything else my son? Dont be nervous, have so fruit.
Her majesty ripped off a small string of grapes and handed them to . I quietly ate one by one. She placed her face in her hands and I think she was smiling as she watched . She rubbed her temples and asked: Did you manage to adapt to life with the elves over there, son?
I adapted just fine, thank you for your concern, your majesty.
Did the elf ruler treat you well?
Mom I an, my mother treated very well.
*Crack*
I fearfully raised my head and saw the quill pen in her hand snapped in two She looked around and then returned her gaze to . She threw away the now snapped pen, took in a deep breath and said: Theres Theres Theres nobody Else in my room So So Could you Umm Uhh Call Call
I quickly placed the grape skins and seeds on the table, stood up and apologised: Your majesty! I know! Your majesty! I wont misaddress you!*
No I Haa Forget it
The empress sat back into her chair like a balloon that had its air drained and rested her face on her hand. The atmosphere turned awkwardly silent once again. I looked at her majesty. To be honest, the most important thing I wanted to ask when I ca here was
Umm Your majesty
Her majesty shouldnt be an evil person She shouldnt be
She clutched her face and replied as though she was crying: Speak.
Umm Could I please ask you to bath with ?
Glossary
*Because theres a chance Ill be asked, Ill explain. He thought she ant to refer to her as her majesty as opposed to mom.
I ca across another translation for sothing else that used Inner Palace instead of Inner Chamber which is the literal translation. I skipped that because it made no sense and would be geographically tough to visualise when youve got a palace, and then an Inner Palace. Therefore, up to now Ive gone with Inner Chamber since it was more of a dwelling than an actual Palace, because we associate palace with a main building structure comprised of small units. They dont have a kitchen built into their dwelling for example. Anyway, I did so research and have found that the term used officially for it is Inner Court or Outer Court. As such, Ill be using Court from now on.
Translator Comnts: I havent composed any pieces for the recent chapters because the tone in the chapters arent as consistent as volu 1. Its possible to compose a lancholic tone and then switch to happy or jumpy in the sa piece, but since your reading speed differs, itd be extrely awkward to have a lancholic lody when the empress is going dere-dere if you know what I an.
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