Route 1: The Empire Part 1

**Scarlet Aubrielle**

Hours have already passed and it is already daytime. I can already see from the outside the gates going in of the empire and of course, the guards as well that are guarding the entrance.

After we have all defeated the bandits that tried to attack us and steal our goods and Theo made sure that all of the bodies have been disposed properly, we immediately started moving again to continue with our journey going to the empire. Well, we cannot delay our travel any longer and not to mention the fact that Helios, the crown prince surely expects us to arrive on time.

“My lady, are you sure that you are not going to take a nap?” Theo suddenly ask which made me turn my head to his direction since I am busy admiring the scenery outside. His question is actually based from the fact that I haven’t really slept the whole time of our journey - all I did was to look outside of the carriage window, admire the stars and also listen to his stories about my brother’s time in the empire, specifically in that academy. How Calyx always excelled in every field and how his popularity grew.

Well, some of the things that Theo have told me are things that I already know since it was mentioned in the story but then again, it is kind of amazing to hear other things about my brother. In fact, right now it made me think that if only he didn’t loved his sister that much and that he isn’t that family oriented then maybe he could have also passed to be the male lead of the game - he is going to be a popular pick among the players.

But of course, it is also good that he does love his sister greatly and that he is family oriented because if not, the Scarlet Aubrielle in the game would have it even more hard and that it is possible that she wouldn’t have her humanity in her anymore since she wasn’t able to feel love all throughout the game. But then that didn’t happen because Calyx was there to make her feel that she was not alone.

“No, I am fine Theo” that is what I replied to him and then he looked at me worriedly. Well, I know exactly what he is worried about. And that is the fact that we are going to go inside the dungeon today to start exploring it and having no sleep is equivalent to not being able to function properly. But of course, even if I am perfectly used to in actually pulling up an all nighter - that I can still stay alive for about two days without even proper sleep there is another reason why I am comfortably didn’t really take a rest.

“You don’t have to worry, Theo. I feel like the Emperor and the Crown Prince will let us rest for a day” that is what I said and Theo just looked at me, curious about the reason why I said that. Well, I didn’t just say it out of gut feeling but also because of what happened yesterday when the emperor visited.

It is obvious that he cares much about the child of his friends and so of course, he would also watch over my health and welfare like how a parent would.

*

It’s already been more than ten minutes since we have entered the gates of the empire and now we have already stopped right in front of the entrance going in of the Imperial Palace. Although the Elvois are pretty much famous around the world due to the power that they possess especially the fact that the duchess, my mother is supposed to be the master of the magic tower but then due to the fact that we are just using an ordinary carriage with no sign that we came from the north, then we were just treated normally.

Well, the knights who guarded the gates of course paid their respects because they have realized who I was. They were skeptical at first but then again when they saw Theo, they immediately believed that I am from the Elvoi duchy and that I am the child of the duke and the duchess. I actually never thought that Theo would also be this famous around the area but I guess there are really things that I don’t know yet about him since there hasn’t been that much information about him either in the game.

All was said to him is the fact that he is actually one hella talented knight of the Elvoi duchy and that he is the only person that Calyx is close to other than his family and that he is the knight that had stayed as well by the side of Scarlet Aubrielle and died protecting her.

His loyalty is truly unrivaled.

“Who are you and what do you need?” I heard the knights who guards the gate of the Imperial palace asked to the knight that is actually maneuvering the carriage.

I then heard the knight said that we are from the north, specifically from the Elvoi duchy and that the person riding the carriage are the knights that would subjugate the dungeon that appeared on the west side of the empire with the young lady - the daughter of the duchess and the duke Elvoi.

However, it seems like both knights guarding the entrance didn’t believe what my knight had said and it is obvious from the expression they have on their faces.

“Do you have a proof to certify that you are indeed from the Elvoi duchy?” the other knight said which made me let out a sigh. Well, I guess this is already to be expected in the first place knowing the fact that we are just using a normal carriage and without any sign to prove that we really came from the Elvoi duchy.

I then fixed myself and I am about to open the carriage door when Theo suddenly stopped me froom doing so.

“What are you doing my lady?” he asked
“Well, the knight is asking for a proof right? So, I am going to give him a proof which is none other than myself” that is what I said and he is about to say something - I think he is going to stop me from just going out of the carriage when I already opened it and I immediately stepped out to reveal myself.

The moment that I got of the carriage, that is also the time that the two guards looked at me and at that moment both of them bowed down.

“Duchess Elvoi, welcome to the Imperial Palace” that is what the two guards synchronously said and I controlled myself not to let out a laugh. Seriously? They really thought me as my mother, the duchess? Well, I guess we really do look alike however they should have also noticed that I look way younger than my mother.

“I am not the duchess but I could say that I am her daughter.” I said and as if on cue, the two raise their heads and they have this shocked expression plastered on their faces. Well, I think I really need to get used to such expression whenever I introduce myself as the daughter of the duchess and the duke Elvoi. Well, I know that they have tried to keep my profile as low as possible but I didn’t expect that it would turn out this way - that no one knew about my existence.

“Anyways, I have an appointment with the Emperor and the Crown Prince, if you are suspicious then you can confirm it to them” that is what I said and the two looked at each other and then one of them grabbed a crystal from his pocket , turn his back around and it is obvious that he is contacting someone inside the palace to confirm what I have just said.

Well, I don’t really mind if they are really suspicious of me because they are just doing their job.

After a short while, the knight who turned his back around look at me and then he immediately bowed his head and he even forced his fellow knight to bow down.

“I am sorry for the delay, young lady. You may now enter the palace” that is what he said and I just let out a smile. Well, there is nothing that they should be sorry about because again, they are just doing their job and I am nothing against it.

I am just happy that it has already been resolved.