The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

17 – Dangerous Invitation (1)

The great ruler of the empire, a sovereign encompassing all nobles.

A unique being wielding unparalleled power.

The sacred descendant acknowledged by the goddess Gael and angels, endowed with legitimacy and righteousness.

Just as befitting the ruler of the vast empire spanning the continent, the Emperor of the Baltaria Empire is adorned with grand epithets. The ruler of the empire is the pinnacle of power and the guardian of the divine, and therefore, the nobles swear unwavering loyalty, embracing their role as subjects.

“To think that I would have the honor of meeting such a noble figure. Whether I should be pleased or saddened by this…”

If my father, the Earl, were to learn of the news of his second son, he would probably be utterly unfazed.

Well, of course he would.

Our father is of a delicate disposition.

Sighing while reminiscing about home and family, I exhaled a sigh of worry that seemed endless. Surely, to others, I must appear like a condemned prisoner facing execution.

“Wow! There are so many clothes here! This is a place fit for a lovely princess!”

“Hehe, feel free to look around.”

Flora Tailoring.

Among the numerous tailoring shops that cater exclusively to nobles, this one proudly boasts a first-tier status, with various exquisite fabrics abundantly displayed.

Rare fabrics frequently mentioned in legends, as well as colorful silks from the distant east, adorned the walls like decorations.

A girl with emerald-green hair twirled around, expressing joy as if she had arrived in a different world. The golden-haired princess, with her alluring smile, extended her hand.

“Have you come, Princess Ludmila?”

“The Red Dragon graces our tailoring shop… It is truly an honor.”

As Ludmila strode in with dignified steps, numerous employees of the tailoring shop gathered on either side.

A grand silence pervaded.

It seemed even the sound of swallowing saliva would not be allowed within this space.

No other guests were visible, except for us.

It felt as if we had rented the tailoring shop, just as when we borrowed an entire train from the Earldom. It could only be the tremendous Princess herself. Thankfully, it allowed us to explore the tailoring shop without worrying about being recognized by others.

“Your Highness, what kind of dress are you looking for?”

“Not for me, but for this gentleman. Show us the fashions in vogue in the empire. Give your utmost effort to showcase the attire suitable for His Majesty. It is a preparation to present him in all his glory.”

As Ludmila finished her request, the employees of the tailoring shop began to buzz with excitement.

The princess had brought her lover.

And she had ordered a men’s formal suit for the presentation of the Emperor.

It would not be strange if they mistakenly thought he was the prospective groom coming to be introduced to the family. Of course, it was a misunderstanding, but the situation was so ripe with possibilities that even refuting it seemed impossible.

The employees who had already accepted the speculation as fact stared with significant eyes. Their enthusiasm to treat the royal court’s delegate with the finest attire seemed to overflow with determination.

“Please come this way!”

“Well, I’d like to clarify that whatever you may be thinking, it’s a misunderstanding…!”

“It’s alright, you don’t have to be embarrassed! Everyone feels awkward at first.”

“The moment you all are misunderstanding is awkward!”

Experienced foundation monks ushered them inside, proudly displaying their seasoned expertise.

“Have you had your ears pierced?”

In response to continuous objections, the monks laughed heartily and guided them further inside.

“Even the young lady needs a dress.”

“Oh, she’s truly a cute young lady like a fairy. We happen to have fabrics that would suit her.”

Just like me, Rue was also invited to Alhyun.

Is this even allowed?

A sense of unease and tension began to creep in already.

Facing the majestic emperor was maddening enough, and now having this impudent fellow accompany us added another layer. Despite accumulating merits by subduing the villains who turned the capital into a sea of flames, returning seemed to bring about an even greater crisis.

Overcoming adversity is a fairy tale ending.

The relentlessly impending misfortune was telling that much.

“Are you the sage of the Hohenberg family?! The hero who defeated the ruthless villains…!”

“To achieve the success of the betrothal, I am willing to sacrifice my life! Please trust and entrust it to me!”

No.

It’s not about the betrothal.

It’s about rejecting the damn brother’s proposal.

When it became known that the man brought to the tailoring shop by Princess Ludmila was the protagonist of the rumor who had vanquished villains in a life-and-death struggle, the atmosphere, which had been on an upward trajectory, surpassed its limit. The monks showed determination, risking their lives to prepare the finest suit befitting a hero.

* * *

Emperor Barbarossa urgently summoned the intelligence agency upon hearing the news that Edanant von Hohenberg, the second son of the Hohenberg family, had eradicated the criminals who had turned the capital into a sea of flames.

Edanant von Hohenberg.

Wasn’t he the rascal brought in by the marquis’s daughter?

23 years old this year.

Nothing particularly noteworthy about him.

All his contributions so far were assisting his father in governing the marquisate.

Upon hearing the news that a virtually unknown youngster had wiped out a criminal organization that would attack the saintly party anywhere they went, Emperor Barbarossa felt a sense of unease. It was only natural for him to be suspicious of a nearly unknown young man who had ruthlessly defeated the villains.

“So, the entire army of the Marquisate, which had never even participated in the war and whose jurisdiction did not extend to the Massutobal, has supposedly eradicated the villains who turned the capital into a sea of flames… Do they expect us to believe such a report?”

“My lord, even my conviction wavers at that.”

Barbarosa’s voice was filled with anger.

The chief minister in charge of the intelligence department wiped beads of sweat from his forehead.

“This is a detailed report from the inspector who meticulously recorded the situation. He interviewed Eddanant Grandmaster and the knights who arrived at the scene several times, so it should be reliable.”

“Hmm.”

The intelligence department, which had failed to prevent the bombing in Hwado, was under criticism. Hence, the intelligence department exerted full effort to align with the emperor’s whims and focused on Eddanant’s investigation.

Useful, indeed.

Even though they were foolish, they were quick-witted.

Therefore, the extensive disciplinary action against the intelligence department’s blunder was temporarily suspended.

Barbarosa looked at the ministers and officials gathered in the conference room, chuckling.

“What? Eddanant wielding the Holy Sword… dealing with the Hwangseong Aldebaran?”

“Yes… that’s what it says.”

Using the power of the Holy Sword, Eddanant defeated Gale Dohel, the archmage’s main force, and his subordinates. This was reported by the inspector dispatched from the intelligence department.

Amazement spread across grim faces.

He thought he was just a mere aristocrat, but he turned out to be a Holy Sword user. Barbarosa became deeply curious about Eddanant’s sudden appearance.

“After Maximilian, is Eddanant also a Holy Sword user? It’s absurd. All the brothers being chosen by the Holy Sword… The Hohenberg family is a prestigious Eastern family representing the empire, but it seems to be gradually declining.”

Otto von Hohenberg, the head of the Hohenberg family, was unfortunately the lowest of the low. He was a bourgeois with a focus on modesty and contentment, satisfied with a simple life on the fringes.

Otto.

To think that the grace of the goddess would be bestowed upon such a feeble bourgeois. If it were revealed that even the youngest, Eddanant, was chosen by the Holy Sword, many nobles would surely be jealous.

“Do you not have a deep connection with Count Hohenberg?”

“What connection… We spent some time together in our youth.”

Tap.

He put down the report he had been reading carefully.

Then Barbarosa spoke.

“The protagonist who stirred up the capital is coming in. Withdraw, you useless pests.”

“Ah… Yes, my lord.”

The intelligence officials, who had received a fatal blow from their stern immediate superior, retreated with a pale expression. Confirming their departure, Barbarosa straightened his attire, awaiting the guest he had invited.

Though he had severed ties with the damned Hohenberg family due to a broken engagement, it was only natural to observe formalities after achieving the public service of punishing the ruthless villains. The emperor, who clumsily adjusted his attire, eventually grew irritated and called the attendants to take charge of his dressing.

How much time had passed,

The courtier who had been waiting outside approached with cautious steps.

“Your Majesty, Princess Ludmila and Duke Edanant request an audience.”

“Tell them to come in.”

The man and woman waiting outside, as if proving their punctuality, immediately requested an audience as soon as the appointed time arrived.

The audience was granted.

A graceful lady, dressed in an elegant suit, entered the audience chamber with a well-dressed man. Following them, a petite girl took nervous steps. The expression on Barbadosa’s face became significantly meaningful, as they appeared like a harmonious family.

“Is this the renowned Duke Edanant von Hohenberg?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Edanant bowed his head, exuding refined grace as if boasting of his mastery of courtly etiquette.

A truly splendid figure.

He must have been well-versed in courtly manners for quite some time.

Barbadosa, feeling uncomfortable with the idea of dealing with a member of the Hohenberg family, who were practically enemies, concealed her unease with a forced cough. If Edanant had shown any incompetence in etiquette, she might have used it as an excuse to express her resentment.

“You’ve dealt with the villains who set the city of Jim ablaze. You’ve achieved a remarkable feat.”

“It was my duty as a loyal subject of the Empire.”

Barbadosa’s shoulders involuntarily rose at Edanant’s humble response.

He knows his way around.

For a provincial duke, he had quite the eloquence.

He was different from the rogue who had forcefully broken off the engagement and fled. Barbadosa decided to overlook any issues related to the Hohenberg family, thanks to Edanant’s flawless demeanor that revealed no flaws.

Of course, the resentment lingered.

The bitterness contained in her clumsy heart was not likely to fade easily.

“Shouldn’t a hero who has shown loyalty to the imperial family and the empire be rewarded? I am a generous and broad-minded ruler. Edanant Hohenberg, speak your wishes. I will grant anything you desire.”

“Y-Your Majesty, that’s too kind…”

The ruler, who held boundless power, declared unlimited rewards.

I am magnanimous.

As if proving her vast generosity and discretion, Barbadosa extended both hands to Edanant.

Caught off guard by such sudden magnanimity, Edanant showed a tense posture, appearing rigid with tension. His lips, tightly sealed like a fortress, seemed to be contemplating deeply.

“…”

Ludmila’s gaze shifted to Edanant.

“Speak.”

Hurry, speak.

Because I told you to speak quickly.

For some reason, even though it was Edanant who received the reward, Rudmila, who had been watching from the side, reacted more enthusiastically. The piercing red eyes spoke of it.