When Victoria entered the imperial palace, there were many new faces among the attendants in the corridor.
She swept a glance impassively, already knowing the score.
The three great families were stretching their hands further and further now.
Victoria walked past them expressionlessly, but when those new faces saw her, their eyes all dodged away.
The doors of the Imperial Council Hall were wide open.
The young emperor, ‘Karl von Augustus IV’, sat upright on the throne, his feet dangling without touching the ground.
The heavy crown pressed down on his head, larger than his entire skull, looking like it could slip off at any moment.
The thick imperial robe wrapped around his whole body, leaving only a small face exposed, making him seem even more frail.
But in his eyes there was none of the innocence or naivete of a child his age, only a shrewdness and deliberation beyond his years.
As if he was observing everyone, remembering every word.
Duke Orland stood at the very front, speaking endlessly.
“Your Majesty… the Northern Iron Cavalry has maintained its organization at five thousand men for years, but as your subject understands, its actual combat strength has long since declined. I suggest reducing the Northern Iron Cavalry by half, and using the freed-up military funds to expand the Central Army. At the same time, I recommend ‘Karl von Orland’ of the Orland Family as the commander of the newly formed Central Army.
“Moreover, the Eastern Front’s military expenses have remained high for three consecutive years. Duke Valdemar and Duke Herbert also agree to the cuts. If we can use the saved funds for…”
“I understand!”
Karl interrupted him.
“Duke Orland.”
He reached up to steady the crown that was about to slip off.
“I hear the barbarians across the Eastern Front are gathering troops. Over in the North, the Federation has also sent word of instability. With the Empire in this state, you still want to collude with the other two dukes to cut military funds and install your own family members?”
Silence fell in the council hall.
“Where did Your Majesty hear that? I only…”
“Enough!”
Victoria spoke, stepping forward to the emperor’s side and turning to face the assembly.
“The matter of military funds will be discussed later. Personnel appointments will also be discussed later.”
Her voice was neither loud nor low, but every word carried an unquestionable weight.
“The Empire’s borders are unstable. Any unauthorized reorganization of military forces or installation of private factions will be regarded as a threat to national security.”
Her gaze swept over the people on both sides of the long table.
Every person who met her eyes instinctively lowered their head.
“I will personally verify this matter. Until I have confirmed information, no one is to act rashly. This meeting is adjourned.”
No one dared to say another word.
Duke Orland said nothing, but exchanged a subtle glance with the other two dukes.
With a hint of contempt for the young emperor, they left the council hall.
Karl carefully hopped down from the throne.
He took off the crown and handed it to the old servant beside him, then struggled to undo the buttons of his imperial robe.
“Prime Minister, is there something you wish to discuss?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Karl looked around and lowered his voice: “Then let’s go. There are too many eyes and ears here.”
When they reached the door of the emperor’s study, Karl stopped and turned to the Imperial Guard at the entrance.
“No one is to approach without my order.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
After pushing open the door and entering, Victoria followed.
When the door was fully closed, Karl seemed to have all his strength drained away.
“Aunt Victoria…”
He ran over and hugged her waist, burying his face in her clothes.
His small body trembled, but he didn’t cry.
Victoria said nothing.
She reached out and gently patted his back.
But soon, Karl let go on his own.
He stepped back, took a deep breath, and the expression on his face returned to that calm beyond his years.
“I’m fine. Aunt Victoria, you came to see me—is there something?”
Victoria looked at him and sighed inwardly.
‘This child is too precocious. Twelve years old—he should be riding horses, practicing swords, running wild in the gardens. But he’s already learning to be a figurehead emperor.’
“Your Majesty, there has been new progress regarding the ‘Dark Crown Alliance.’”
Karl walked over to the desk and sat down, pointing to the chair opposite him. “Sit.”
Victoria sat down and briefly explained the matter of the Dark Crown Alliance and Document 47.
After listening, Karl spoke with a restraint that showed he knew he was powerless to change things.
“Other than you, who else knows about this?”
“Duke Wilhelm, and Vice Commander of the Paladin Order, Alisiya.”
“Does Orland know?”
“Not yet.”
Karl nodded.
“It’s best they don’t know. If this Walailiwusi is really still alive and really doing these things… if Orland and the others find out, they’ll either ignore it or use it to their advantage. Neither is good for me.”
Karl’s voice grew much lighter.
“Aunt Victoria, do you know how many people I can trust?”
Victoria shook her head.
“You. Old servant Hans, but he’s only a servant with no real power. The captain of the Imperial Guard’s first squad, Ryan. I… I think he’s trustworthy, but I’m not sure yet.”
“And then… no one.”
He put his hands down on his knees.
“In the entire Empire… now, the people I can fully trust can’t even fill one hand.”
Victoria said nothing. She knew it was true.
“But I haven’t been idle either.”
Karl suddenly stood up and walked to the bookshelf.
He pulled out a thick book from the third row.
Its spine looked no different from any other book.
But when he opened it, the pages were blank.
Yet between the pages were sheets of paper, densely covered in handwriting.
“This is what I’ve recorded since becoming emperor.”
Karl spread the papers on the desk.
“Account discrepancies from the Orland family, private dealings between the Valdemar family and foreign envoys, the Herbert family’s list of planted officers in the military… and all their various underhanded operations.”
Victoria looked down at the papers, her brow slightly furrowed.
“This… how did Your Majesty obtain it?”
“I am the emperor.”
Karl looked up at her, a sharpness in his eyes that was unusual for his age.
“If the emperor wants to know something, there’s always a way to find out. But knowing is useless. I have no military power now, and no real authority. Taking these out would only get me killed.”
He gathered the papers and put them back on the shelf.
“So I can only wait. Wait for the right opportunity.”
“Your Majesty, I will investigate this matter. But I need Your Majesty’s authorization. And for now, what Your Majesty must do is protect yourself.”
“I know.”
Karl nodded.
“Your Majesty, there is one more thing.”
“What?”
“The Klein Family will also always stand on Your Majesty’s side.”
“The Klein Family?”
He frowned thoughtfully.
“The Klein Family has made indelible contributions to the Empire. Three generations of Dragon Knights, conquering nearly half the Empire’s territory.”
His voice dropped.
“But… now the Klein Family has ended up like this… my father, and I myself, bear great responsibility.”
He looked up at Victoria.
“I heard that Marshal Wilhelm exiled his child to the North. What does that mean?”
“Your Majesty, he won’t stay in the North for long.”
Karl stared into Victoria’s eyes for a long moment, as if judging the weight of her words.
Trusting Victoria, he slowly nodded and didn’t press for more details.
“Aunt Victoria.”
“Yes.”
“I will give you a writ.”
Karl walked back to the desk, spread out a blank sheet of parchment, and picked up a quill.
His handwriting was still childish, but every stroke was written carefully.
“By this writ, Prime Minister Victoria von Astoria may enter the Imperial Restricted Archive and consult all sealed documents. No one is to obstruct her.”
He finished writing the last word, took the imperial seal from the drawer, held it with both hands, and pressed it down firmly.
The red wax imprint left a complete imperial eagle emblem on the parchment.
“In the Restricted Archive… there may be the answers you seek.”
Victoria took the writ and looked at the childish yet neat handwriting.
“Your Majesty…”
“I have not been a child since the day I sat on the throne three years ago. I know what I am doing.”
Victoria put the writ away.
“Then I will take my leave. Your Majesty, please rest well.”
“Aunt Victoria.”
“Yes.”
“That person from the Klein Family you mentioned…
Can he really…
Help me?”
“Your Majesty will know in time.”
She turned and left the study.
Karl sat alone at his desk, then took out the book with the papers again.
He flipped to the latest page and wrote a line:
“Klein Family. North. To be investigated.”