Interlude II

"Your Highness, for safety's sake, let's leave separately and regroup outside."

Nordhausen, having changed clothes, found Hielaina in the master bedroom.

Though the suite was modest in size, it had two bedrooms—one was the master bedroom just beyond the entrance, and the other, a second bedroom separated from it by a single wall. Hielaina had just washed her face and changed when she arrived there.

"Alright."

Seeing Nordhausen ready to leave, Hielaina rose from the bed. But just as he bowed and turned to go, she stopped him again.

"Once we're outside, keep calling me Sennia, like before. I'm still a Night Knight of the 4th Squadron—and you're still my captain."

"...Understood."

Nordhausen dipped his head, pausing for a moment before agreeing to her request.

"By the way... what do you think of me?"

"What do I think of you?"

The sudden shift in topic caught Nordhausen off guard.

"Yes, I mean after spending this time together, what kind of person do you think I am? Don't worry about my status—just tell me honestly, from your heart."

Though her expression remained unreadable, Nordhausen could see a hint of expectation in her eyes.

"I think you're brave and decisive, but also wise enough to see the bigger picture. Back in Hekar, you approached the situation from a strategic perspective and made the right call. At the airport, too—it was your actions that turned the tide. Even during the earlier operations, honestly, I didn't expect a princess of the Empire to overcome her fear of death and killing so quickly in her first battle. I must admit—it was my own ignorance that led me to misjudge you."

"Hmm. Sounds like I've done alright, then."

It clearly pleased Hielaina to be recognized—especially by someone as seasoned as Nordhausen. It confirmed her methods weren't wrong.

"But I have one last question."

"Please go ahead."

"When Barini revealed my true identity, you and Edwin didn't seem surprised at all. Maybe your experience and personality explain your composure, but Edwin was the same—and that's not normal. And you both knelt and pledged loyalty to me without hesitation. Isn't that against the oath of the Night Knights? After all, I'm not the lawful Empress of Deziria."

"..."

Nordhausen didn't answer right away. Instead, he chuckled.

"Did I say something funny?"

"No, not at all. From your perspective, those questions are completely valid. I was just impressed by your insight—that's why I laughed."

"Alright then, let's hear your explanation."

"To be honest, we'd already suspected your true identity for quite some time."

"Huh?"

That opening line hit like a bombshell.

They'd already guessed? Was her disguise that poor?

"Back on the day you first met Charlie, we noticed your demeanor, your gestures, and your hair color. Based on that, we speculated you might be the long-missing Imperial Princess. But we couldn't be sure—until the Minister of Internal Affairs made the announcement just now."

Seeing her surprise and confusion, Nordhausen continued:

"Just based on my hair and behavior?"

Believe it or not, there it was. Clearly, experience still had its edge.

"And my instincts. From the moment I was transferred to the 11th Division, I felt something about this unit was... different from other Night Knight squads."

"What do you mean?"

Hielaina sensed something deeper in his words. Something odd was going on.

"First off, the 11th Division was reorganized just before the war. Four squad leaders—Otto, Rogm, Niemilich, and Trenchap—were pulled from different divisions to form this one. And they all shared a common trait."

"What trait?"

"They were all recruited under the late Emperor's expansion policy."

"The expansion policy..."

Thinking back, she vaguely recalled something about that.

It had been a time of rapid growth for Deziria. The Empire had yet to fully absorb the vast lands it had conquered in just over a century. How should it reconcile the old countries and peoples? How should it deal with the local power holders? What of those nations, militarily subdued but rich in culture and history, too deep-rooted to truly destroy? And most importantly—how to build a sense of belonging among the conquered peoples?

Amid all these challenges, Emperor Bryso issued an additional policy: the expansion of the Night Knights. It meant recruiting soldiers from different regions into the elite Imperial Guard, as a gesture of equality and unity under the Emperor.

Unlike the traditional Night Knights—raised by the Empire from youth—these recruits had to meet the same standards of excellence and undergo rigorous political vetting to ensure loyalty. But there was no erasing the fact that, compared to the others, they retained stronger individual wills. In some cases, they might act on personal judgment rather than blindly follow a ruler.

"I looked into their files myself. Their hometowns all benefited from Imperial policy in one way or another. The people there speak highly of the late Emperor. And those four squad leaders? They share that same view."

"I see now... No wonder Barini called you his own people. Looks like this was all part of his plan..."

So even the Internal Affairs Minister had his fingers in the Night Knights. And according to him, all of this came from the Grand Sage Bohard. The very man who built the Empire—and then handed it all back. What exactly was he trying to do?

"Why do you think the Grand Sage wants to help me?"

Hielaina knew Nordhausen could keep up with her train of thought, so she asked directly.

"I'm not sure either. I don't know much more about him than you do. But perhaps if you consider his interests based on what you do know, you might be able to work it out."

"Good point. I'll think on it."

She sat back on the bed, eager to keep following the thread.

"Your Highness, we'll head out first then."

Nordhausen and Arcia had changed clothes and were ready to leave.

Just like when they entered the hotel, it was still the three of them—except now Arcia's injured arm had to be concealed beneath a trench coat.

"What're you thinking about?"

Inaya stepped out of the bathroom in a bathrobe, freshly showered.

She was the cleanest of them all. But the moment she saw the showerhead, she couldn't help her curiosity and insisted on trying it out. Of course, being the cleanest, she went last. Still, weren't cats supposed to hate water? Why didn't Inaya seem to have that trait?

"Something political..."

Hielaina remained deep in thought, her answer perfunctory at best.

"Oh."

Inaya tossed her towel aside and flopped face-first onto the bed.

"This bed's amazing... I've never slept on anything this nice..."

Fresh from a hot shower, wrapped in softness and perfumed air—this was heaven.

"You're lying on my clothes."

A cold voice yanked Inaya right back to reality. She turned her head—it was Shatiel. She had changed into tight pants, but was still in her underwear up top.

"Huh? Why'd you leave your clothes here?"

Having her moment of bliss interrupted annoyed Inaya. Even if it was Shatiel, she had to push back a little. Otherwise, how was she going to survive in this startup crew?

"..."

Shatiel said nothing. But her pupils contracted, and her eyes shifted from blue to gold.

"Oh? Feeling frisky, little miss?"

Inaya finally stood her ground and struck a fighting pose.

"Heh..."

Shatiel gave a scornful smirk.

This fool must've forgotten how she once begged for mercy, kneeling at her feet.

"Bring it on, then."

Strangely, Inaya looked unusually confident this time, catching Shatiel off guard. The air between them tensed. Their eyes locked—sparks practically flew.

Shatiel didn't wait. In a flash, she lunged at Inaya, quick as if it were a real fight.

Inaya, however, didn't budge—still in her original pose. But as Shatiel closed in, she saw something strange: a faint smile appearing on Inaya's lips.

Something's wrong, she thought. But it was too late to react.

Inaya suddenly ducked low onto the bed, raising her right hand in a mysterious motion. Shatiel, unable to change her trajectory mid-air, flew right past her. Inaya's finger, just as planned, caught on something.

"Tsk tsk tsk… not a bad size..."

Inaya twirled the black bra she'd snagged, spinning it casually around her finger.

"Can you two keep it down… just a little?"

Hielaina, deep in matters of state, could take it no longer. She turned around to scold Inaya—only to catch sight of the bra in her hand… and a very topless Shatiel.

"W-wait, what the hell are you two doing?!"

Blushing furiously, Hielaina rushed to grab a bedsheet and drape it over Shatiel. But the latter didn't seem to care—her glare fixed on Inaya with lethal intent. Clearly, Inaya's shameless ambush had hit the mark.

"Your Highness, allow me to cleanse the palace for you."

"Calm down, Shatiel. Calm down."

Hielaina wrapped her arms around Shatiel to hold her back. Otherwise, Inaya really might not survive the night.

"Ha! You think you can take me on? You're still too—bleh—"

Suddenly, Inaya coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed backward onto the bed.

"...?"

The abrupt turn left Hielaina stunned. Even Shatiel froze in place.

"A-are you okay?!"

Hielaina rushed to her side but didn't know what to do.

Shatiel followed, gently rolled Inaya onto her side, and placed two fingers beneath her nose, watching her chest rise and fall.

"Still breathing."

Then she fetched a flashlight, opened Inaya's eyelid, and shone the light inside.

"Pupils respond normally. She's just unconscious."

Just to be sure, Shatiel placed her hand on Inaya's neck, checking the carotid pulse. Everything seemed fine.

"So... what happened to her?"

Hielaina looked to Shatiel in confusion.

"No idea. We'll have to wait for her to wake up and explain."

Shatiel shook her head. She could only confirm that Inaya wasn't in danger—nothing more.

"Alright..."

Hielaina wiped the blood from Inaya's mouth with a handkerchief. Then she and Shatiel gently laid her properly on the bed.

"I guess Nordhausen and the others will have to wait a bit."

She sighed and, without thinking, glanced toward Shatiel—only to immediately regret it. Her nose nearly bled.

"Your sheet's slipped off!"