Memoirs 492 - Handoffs (Patreon)

The doors before Scarlett and Hilde were pushed open, revealing a brightly lit chamber decorated in deep blues and reds.

A broad chandelier hung from the ceiling, its many lights washing the room in a warm glow. Along one side of the chamber, a collection of armour occupied nearly a quarter of the space. Rows of armour stands had been arranged, each displaying a different suit.

Scarlett was hardly an expert on armour, but she was genuinely surprised by how many there were. She saw full sets of heavy plate, lighter half-plate, elaborate ceremonial pieces, and several styles she couldn’t have begun to name. Even a complete novice could tell this wasn’t a collection assembled on a whim. Several of the suits looked like the work of true masters.

Lady Withersworth had mentioned that word had once spread among high society that the crown prince had an interest in armour. It seemed as if that was indeed true, though Scarlett hadn’t realised the interest was this big.

“Baroness Hartford,” a man’s voice called from the other end of the room.

Scarlett turned.

The crown prince sat in a high-backed chair with two attendants working around him. A dark cloth had been draped over his shoulders and chest, while a tall standing mirror faced him from the front. One attendant held a comb and pair of scissors, making small corrections to his hair, while the other appeared to be attending to the finishing touches of his appearance.

“If you would give me a few minutes,” he said, motioning lightly towards them.

The attendants continued their work. Scarlett watched for a moment, but Hilde had already moved past her towards the armour collection.

After some consideration, Scarlett followed.

The girl wandered slowly between the displays, studying each suit with quiet attention. Her fingers brushed lightly over the edge of one pauldron, then along the engraved surface of another breastplate.

Scarlett got the distinct impression this wasn’t Hilde’s first time here.

“Hilde, don’t play with those,” the crown prince called from across the room.

Hilde looked over at him.

For some reason, the scene reminded Scarlett of when she had been younger and received her first Game Boy for Christmas. She had kept it and all its cartridges together in a box under her bed, and Skyler had developed a habit of sneaking in and rummaging through the collection whenever curiosity got the better of her.

It had annoyed Scarlett far more than it should have.

At the time, she always claimed it was because she was worried her sister would break something. Looking back, she wasn’t sure how much she had actually believed that herself. She had simply been embarrassingly possessive.

Scarlett shook her head faintly and watched as Hilde continued between the armour stands, now keeping her hands obediently to herself.

Eventually, the crown prince’s preparations came to an end, and he called them over.

One attendant was making a final adjustment near his collar while the other removed the cloth draped over him and crossed the room to retrieve a long mantle hanging from a nearby stand.

Scarlett approached and stopped at a respectful distance.

“May the brilliance of dawn greet the empire’s burgeoning sun. Baroness Scarlett Hartford extends her greetings to the Crown Prince.”

The prince inclined his head. “Thank you for coming, Baroness.”

The attendant stepped away. The other returned and settled the mantle across the prince’s shoulder as he rose from his chair.

Scarlett’s gaze lingered briefly on the mantle. The fabric was worked in the same blue and red colours as this chamber, with gold detailing running along its edges and across the clasp. It was long enough to trail across the floor behind him when he moved.

While the colours themselves clearly marked him as the crown prince, the cut reminded Scarlett more of the mantles the emperor had worn.

The prince dismissed both attendants with a gesture, fastening the clasp at his neck himself as he turned his attention towards Hilde.

“Hilde.” He studied her for several seconds. “How have you been?”

“Good,” Hilde replied.

Both of her hands were gathered around the end of the long braid hanging in front of her, holding it loosely against her stomach.

The crown prince’s gaze shifted past her towards the towering knight standing alone beside the now-closed doors.

“Is that true, Sir Holdger?”

Holdger lowered his head in a simple nod.

The prince continued looking at him. Several seconds passed.

“Sir Holdger,” he said. “Do you wish to renounce your Sword?”

“Brother.”

The crown prince turned back towards Hilde.

Scarlett was surprised to see an actual frown on the girl’s face. It might have been the first one she had ever seen from her.

“Hilde,” the crown prince said, “the Swords serve the emperor before all else. They are His Majesty’s Swords first—a direct extension of imperial authority. Their duty to protect members of the imperial family comes after that.”

Hilde’s lips pressed into a thin line.

“Sir Holdger has made it clear through his actions that, when those duties conflict, his loyalty lies with you. I do not say that as an accusation against him. But if that is the choice he has made, then the title and authority of a Sword can no longer remain his simply because they once did.”

The prince looked back at Holdger.

“A Sword must be willing to fulfil the purpose of the position.”

Hilde said nothing.

“Sir Holdger,” the crown prince continued, “would you rather renounce your Sword and remain solely as the Second Princess’ personal protector?”

The knight didn’t hesitate for even a second. He lowered his head in a firm nod.

“I see.”

The prince seemed to consider that. He ran a hand through his freshly trimmed, blond hair, then released a sigh and waved dismissively towards Holdger.

“I will keep that in mind. For the time being, however, you will remain the Fifth Sword.”

Hilde’s frown eased.

Scarlett observed the siblings. When the crown prince turned his attention back to her, she inclined her head slightly.

“I hope you do not take offence at my saying so, Your Highness, but you appear to have changed since we last met. You strike me as far more confident and assured.”

The man she had spoken with a few days ago had seemed far more anxious. Weighed down by everything suddenly resting on his shoulders. His inexperience had shown far too plainly then.

Now, there was something different about him.

Not that she thought he had somehow become an experienced ruler overnight, but he did carry himself with more certainty. There was a steadiness to him that hadn’t been there before, something that made the mantle on his shoulders look a little less borrowed.

It was impressive how quickly he seemed to be adapting.

The crown prince’s eyes widened slightly at her words. He stared at Scarlett for a few seconds before letting out a quiet chuckle.

“Thank you, Baroness.”

For a moment, his gaze drifted towards the armour collection.

“Over the last few days…” he said, his voice turning more thoughtful. “I have been going through what Father left behind. It has made me reconsider several things. Made me realise some of the ways I was lacking.” His expression shifted slightly. “Father never said so directly, but sometimes I wonder if he wouldn’t have preferred if Sister…”

His words trailed off.

The prince looked back at Scarlett, seeming to realise that he had started sharing far more than he intended.

“That aside,” he continued, “I must also extend my thanks to you for looking after Hilde these past few days while you were convalescing. I hope she did not place any undue burden on you.”

“She did not,” Scarlett replied. “It was my honour, and that of everyone at my estate, to host Her Highness during this time. I only wish I could have attended to her more personally, had I not spent most of it confined to bed and ordered to rest.”

“You did more than enough. After everything you did to protect this empire and its people, I was already asking too much by placing the care of our youngest in your hands when that should have been our responsibility.” His expression tightened just slightly. “I am sorry if it interfered with your recovery in any way. I have tried to keep your condition in mind and give you as much time as circumstances allowed, but unfortunately, things are what they are. I had little choice but to summon you today.”

His gaze moved over Scarlett, taking in her appearance.

“For what little it matters, I think you look beautiful today, Baroness. You have recovered considerably since we last spoke.”

“I do not fault you for summoning me here, Your Highness,” Scarlett said. “I understand that the current situation places you under substantial pressure. The consideration you have already shown me is more than enough.”

She regarded him for a moment.

“However, and I apologise if this is brazen of me, perhaps you should not speak of Her Highness as a burden placed upon me. It is not mere courtesy when I say that it was an honour to accommodate her.”

The prince blinked.

A frown briefly crossed his face before softening into something more contemplative. “That is not how I meant it…”

He looked towards Hilde, and after a few seconds, a quiet breath left him.

“Hilde, there are matters we need to discuss. Would you be willing to speak with me later?”

Hilde watched him without answering.

“I also need to show you what Father left behind for you and Regina,” he added.

The girl remained silent for a few moments longer before giving a slow nod.

“Thank you. After the gathering, then.” The crown prince turned back to Scarlett. “You may take your leave for now, Baroness. Before that, however…”

His attention moved to the black stone case hanging from a strap at Scarlett’s side. “Is that my father’s book?”

Scarlett rested a hand against its smooth surface. “It is.”

“I see.”

The prince studied the case briefly before returning his attention to her. “We will discuss that matter later. For now, I have already instructed the attendants to prepare a room for you. While you are more than presentable as you are, they can help with any finishing touches and make sure you look fully recovered by the time the gathering begins.”

A faint hint of amusement entered his expression. “It would be best if the empire’s newest hero could stand tall today.”

“Your Highness…?”

Scarlett gave him a questioning look.

“You will be given a place of honour beside me today, Baroness,” the prince said. “Consider it part of the recognition you have earned. My father named you the Revenant Flame, but he was never given the opportunity to formally conclude the honours that were meant to accompany that name. As his successor, it falls to me to see that his intentions are carried through.”

Scarlett’s brows rose slightly. “If you say so, Your Highness. This lowly servant thanks you.”

She lowered herself into a measured curtsy.

For some reason, that made the prince study her for another few seconds.

“Is there something wrong, Your Highness?” Scarlett asked.

“I am simply reminded of something my father once told me about the different sorts of people who call themselves lowly,” he replied. “I don’t think I ever truly understood what he meant until now.”

Scarlett wasn’t entirely sure what to make of that.

The prince only shook his head, offering no further explanation, and she took that as her cue to leave.

She glanced towards Hilde and met the girl’s blue eyes.

“We will meet again soon enough, Your Highness.”

Hilde dipped her head. “Mm.”

Scarlett turned towards the exit. Sir Holdger remained beside the doors, and she gave the towering knight a small nod as she passed him and stepped out into the corridor. Dame Iyana and Dame Leandra both looked her way from their positions outside. Scarlett acknowledged them in turn before joining the attendant waiting to escort her onward.

“My, my~” a smooth, amused voice sounded beside her. “How does it feel standing here after all this time? I imagine it must be like a dream, looking out over all those faces that used to look down on you. You’ve truly shown them, haven’t you?”

Scarlett glanced to her right as a dark-haired woman came to a stop beside her, watching her with an easy smirk.

Mistress’ lips had been painted a deep, almost black shade of red that stood out against the muted elegance of her dress. Combined with the knowing curve of her smile, it gave her the sort of expression that made Scarlett almost pity the emperor for however many years he had spent dealing with it.

Scarlett turned her attention forward again.

“Are you not concerned that others will hear you?” she asked.

“Hmm? Oh, hardly. To them, it’ll look like we’re standing here politely exchanging pleasantries.”

Mistress—in her guise as Lady Evalia Blackwood, imperial advisor—tapped the end of her long silver staff against the floor. The purple gem set into its crown gave a faint crystalline chime, and the air around them rippled for the briefest instant before settling.

“I see,” Scarlett said, narrowing her eyes slightly as she watched the steady stream of people entering the chamber below.

They stood within the Chamber of Elysia, the imperial throne hall. Nobles and officials were continuously filing in through the side entrances, gradually sorting themselves into the places reserved for their respective stations, while Solar Knights stood at regular intervals along the walls.

Scarlett was actually surprised by how many people had come.

A summons would have gone out to every noble still present in Elystead, but she had expected far more of them to have pressing issues with injury or similar. Any convenient reason they could find not to attend.

Instead, judging by the gathering below, perhaps half of those who had been present for the establishment of the Empyreal Barrier were here. Add the officials, retainers, and other invited figures, and the enormous chamber was already close to three-quarters full.

An uncomfortable number of those people were looking directly at her where she was standing beside Mistress atop the raised platform at the far end of the hall, with the imperial throne set slightly ahead and to their right. There was very little chance of blending into the background from here.

“Are you not going to answer my question?” Mistress asked.

A soft tapping accompanied the words as she drummed her long fingernails against the shaft of her staff.

“I am not.”

“Hmm. Dull as usual, then.” Mistress sounded almost disappointed. “You’re much more entertaining when you’re scheming somewhere you shouldn’t be.”

“Perhaps.”

Scarlett continued studying the faces gathering below until she eventually picked out Lady Withersworth among them.

Even at this distance, Scarlett recognised the older noblewoman’s smile and the small nod she sent her way.

From what Scarlett had been told, Lady Withersworth had suffered a serious injury to her leg during the attack, but Raimond had apparently managed to heal most of the damage. A few days of rest had been enough to mostly get her back on her feet.

Scarlett had still suggested that the woman remain at the mansion today, but Lady Withersworth had ignored the suggestion. She was now standing beside her daughter among another small group of nobles.

Evelyne would have been there as well if Scarlett hadn’t managed to convince at least her to stay behind. It was enough that Scarlett was interrupting her own recovery to attend this gathering. There was no reason both of them had to wear themselves out proving they could stand upright.

Scarlett was already beginning to feel the consequences of that decision.

She had spent nearly two hours being fussed over by palace attendants, most of that time devoted to her hair, makeup, and changing into the elaborate gown they had apparently selected and adjusted for her. After that had come another twenty minutes of simply standing here while the hall filled.

Holding herself straight and keeping any discomfort off her face wasn’t that difficult. Her feet, however, were beginning to ache, and there was an unpleasant heaviness in her legs that was starting to wear on her patience.

It honestly wasn’t the best condition to be in with Mistress standing next to her.

“How has your work with Senior Wizard Ward been progressing?” she asked, mostly to give herself something else to focus on.

Mistress gave a quiet chuckle.

“Are we pretending you don’t already know?”

“I am not omniscient.”

“No, but you have been in regular contact with her.”

“This is true.”

“Of course it is.”

Mistress was quiet for a beat before continuing. “It’s progressing well enough. Frankly, I’m impressed that woman managed to avoid my attention for as long as she did. Here I thought the Isle was populated entirely by addle-minded academics coasting on discoveries made by people cleverer than themselves, but apparently even they can manage to produce a gem once or twice a century.”

“Ward is indeed a very talented individual.”

“That she is. In any case, there are very few preparations left. So if you ever tire of playing the budding stateswoman, you should come join us.”

Scarlett looked towards Mistress with an arched eyebrow. “This coming from you, ‘Lady Blackwood’?”

The woman had spent well over a decade playing the part of one of the empire’s most influential political figures.

Mistress lifted one finger to her lips, smiling.

“Take it from your senior. Herding these people becomes oh-so-tiresome very quickly.” Her gaze swept lazily across the hall below. “Personally, I’m rather looking forward to finally slipping out of this particular collar.”

Scarlett shook her head and faced forward again.

“I have no intention of assuming a role similar to yours.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” Mistress sounded unconvinced. “That must be why you’re standing up here.”

Scarlett stayed quiet.

A soft laugh came from beside her.

On the other side of the throne stood Hilde, now dressed in an elegant ivory dress, her long hair freed from its usual braid and falling loose down her back. The girl glanced towards them.

Scarlett met her gaze, though she wasn’t sure Hilde could tell through Mistress’ spell.

Mistress noticed, her attention shifting to the princess.

“There are those who have been whispering that you housed that one at your estate these last few days,” she said casually.

“What about it?”

“Nothing.” Mistress looked away. “A curious little thing, that one. That’s all.”

Scarlett considered Hilde for a while longer before turning away as well.

Below them, the flow of arrivals was finally starting to thin.

The last few groups entered and found their places, attendants withdrew towards the edges of the chamber, and conversations gradually softened into scattered murmurs. Then those too began to disappear.

Eventually, a heavy quiet settled over the Chamber of Elysia.

Mistress glanced around once before tapping her staff against the floor again. The purple gem gave another faint chime, and Scarlett felt a subtle pressure around them vanish as the spell dropped.

Mistress’ expression changed with it. The amused looseness disappeared almost instantly, replaced by the indifferent face of Lady Evalia Blackwood.

A few moments later, the royal herald stepped forward below the platform.

The base of his ceremonial staff struck the stone floor with a sharp crack that carried through the entire chamber.

“By summons of the Crown,” the herald called, his voice ringing clearly, “let all assembled bear witness. The proceedings will now begin.”