After parting ways with Cindy, I mounted the horse she had provided and spurred it onward, resuming my urgent journey back to the imperial capital.
The mount was of exceptional quality. Beyond its obvious speed and endurance, its responsiveness to the reins—reacting precisely to my every command—made it a truly fine steed.
Just by riding it, I could tell it was a prime, handpicked beast that had undergone rigorous training from an expert hand.
Riding that horse, and despite having paused briefly during my exchange with Cindy, I managed to reach the imperial capital virtually on schedule, all while conserving a significant amount of stamina along the way.
☆
Nighttime, in the Empress's bedchamber.
Returning to the capital's detached palace—my former Thirteenth Imperial Prince Mansion—I made full use of my Misdirection technique to slip into Audrey's quarters.
Audrey was seated at her desk, quietly reading a book.
I released the presence-concealing technique, deliberately letting my footsteps sound as I stepped in front of her.
The nighttime lighting illuminated only my feet, leaving my upper body cloaked in shadow.
"...Who's there?"
Audrey flinched for a split second, bracing herself.
Yet with scarcely any outward sign of panic, she slowly raised her gaze while issuing the challenge.
"You remain composed, I see."
"Your Majesty."
Recognizing my voice, Audrey rose to her feet, a brilliant, youthful smile blooming across her face like a flower.
"When did you return?"
"Just a moment ago. Keep my return confidential for now."
I brought an index finger to my lips in the classic gesture.
With that single motion, Audrey's youthful smile vanished, replaced by the poised, dignified expression befitting an Empress.
"Did something happen?"
"That is what I came to ask you. Has anything unusual occurred in the capital?"
To avoid giving her any preconceptions, I kept the question intentionally broad.
Audrey assumed a thoughtful look.
"Nothing... out of the ordinary, though my brother did inquire as to who would be serving as this year's selection official for the Knight Selection."
"Hmm. Perhaps he has a retainer he wishes to push through."
"Yes."
As she answered, Audrey used her sleeve to lightly dust the seat of the chair she had just been occupying.
Doing so did not make it noticeably cleaner, but serving a married imperial prince remained the duty of the legal wife even after ascending to Emperor and Empress. Thus, Audrey ceremonially "cleaned" the chair before having me take a seat.
I sat down, then took Audrey's hand and gently urged her toward the other chair beside me.
Audrey wore a look that seemed to say, I really shouldn't, but I answered with a look of my own: It is just the two of us, so pay it no mind.
Audrey hesitated for merely a heartbeat before yielding and taking the seat.
With both of us seated at eye level, we continued our conversation.
"Did he mention how many candidates there are?"
"I did not ask directly, but there is one of my brother's own retainers, and another entrusted to him through connections."
"A common enough story."
"Yes."
Audrey offered only that brief agreement and said nothing more.
She was an intelligent woman; she understood that offering opinions beyond what I asked risked meddling in state affairs.
History was replete with instances where interference originating from the inner palace—particularly from the Empress—had steered the empire off course.
She knew this well, and she was careful never to overstep her bounds.
"Oscar is this year's examiner. You may pass that along to him."
"Is that wise, Your Majesty?"
"It is fine. But in return, I want you to track how he acts once he learns it is Oscar."
"So I should report the outcome to you?"
"No. If he resorts to something pedestrian like trying to bribe Oscar, there is no need to report it at all. Simply pretend you saw nothing."
"...Your Majesty is truly remarkable."
"Hm?"
I looked back at Audrey.
She was gazing at me in sheer admiration.
"And strict, as well. If he tries to resolve things with a bribe, he will never again catch Your Majesty's favor, will he?"
"A person of true ability will distinguish themselves eventually, one way or another."
"...Ah! That is why you told me not to report it."
I let out a quiet chuckle.
I was only human; if I learned the details—namely, their names—I could not guarantee I wouldn't view them through a biased lens later.
If they truly were talented individuals, and should they appear before me in some capacity in the future...
I believed it was better not to know now, so that I could evaluate and appoint them without prejudice.
"You are incredible, Your Majesty."
Audrey's admiration only deepened, her eyes brimming with reverence.
Once that wave of awe subsided, a look of sudden realization crossed her face.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. There was nothing of such gravity as to warrant your secret return..."
"I see. Think nothing of it; you have done well."
"I am truly sorry... for failing to be of help to you."
"You are the master of the inner palace, the mother of the nation. Things that 'you have no need to know' are best left unknown, and if you can continue 'feigning ignorance' of what you need not know, I shall praise you all the more."
"Ah..."
Audrey nodded, her expression turning solemn.
"I understand. Please continue to leave all internal matters in my hands."
"Yes, that is what I expect of you."
I reached out and gently touched Audrey's cheek.
Audrey leaned into my palm, resting her own hand over the back of mine and stroking it tenderly.
How ironic, I thought.
Fourteenth Imperial Princess Arlene and her husband, Angus Bull.
Not long ago, I had overturned longstanding tradition for their sake, freeing them from the stifling constraints of an "imperial princess and an adopted son-in-law" so they could live as an ordinary married couple.
Yet here I was, bound by tradition myself.
Considering our positions as Emperor and Empress—where even our nights in the bedchamber were officially recorded—this tender touch was the greatest expression of affection we could permit ourselves.
Even so, I was human.
Before becoming Noah, I had been an ordinary commoner.
Though the affections of a commoner—of an ordinary man—had long since faded into the past, I had not forgotten them entirely.
I felt an overwhelming fondness for Audrey in that moment.
"Audrey."
"Yes?"
Audrey answered in a soft, gentle murmur.
"I have made my decision. Father reigned for sixty years. I shall never exceed that."
"You intend to follow the Retired Emperor's example and abdicate, then?"
"Yes. I will pass the throne to a capable successor while I am still in my right mind."
"That is wonderful, Your Majesty. To care so little for absolute power..."
"Which is why, Audrey..."
I looked straight into her eyes.
Audrey blinked, caught off guard by the intensity of my gaze.
"You must live a long life as well."
"Pardon?"
"Stay healthy, so that you may spend our old age by my side."
"—! Yes, Your Majesty!"
Audrey nodded, a smile breaking across her face that was far brighter and happier than before.
☆
Leaving Audrey's bedchamber, I slipped out of the detached palace and walked along the grand thoroughfares of the imperial capital.
The capital never slept. The main avenue cut straight through the entertainment district, and even long after nightfall, crowds still bustled to and fro in pursuit of pleasure.
I made a direct path toward the First Prime Minister's residence—Don's estate.
Guards stood watch at the front gates beneath the glow of burning braziers.
Using my Misdirection technique once more, I slipped past them and stepped inside.
Ha...!
I was struck anew by just how potent this technique truly was.
Throughout history, people had wracked their brains trying to keep "top-secret visits" truly secret.
No matter how tight-lipped the individuals involved might be, anyone of high enough standing to make such clandestine visits was inevitably surrounded by an entourage.
Even the simple act of clearing a room left behind the undeniable record that "the room had been cleared."
Secrets were fragile things; the more people involved, the higher the chances of exposure climbed.
With this technique, however, a secret could remain strictly between the parties involved—in this case, between Don and me alone.
Can I truly... surpass Father?
The words I had once read in history books and etched deep into my heart drifted back to the surface of my mind.