Chapter 32

When it comes to the royal palace,

it is the center of our kingdom and the center of politics.

The north wing is where His Majesty the King lives.

The central wing is where ceremonies such as coronations are held.

The east wing has a large tower.

I have heard that these three buildings form the palace.

The building I am looking up at has a tower so high it hurts my neck, and it is integrated with the castle walls. If this is the royal palace, then this must be the east wing, where the headquarters of the royal army is located.

It is just as I had heard.

When my brother Albes was a knight, I, still a child, often begged him to tell me stories about the palace. He told me about the colorful capes of the knights fluttering in the corridors of the east wing, the orderly training of the infantry, and even the scenes of knights throwing knives while drinking in the mess hall. Of course, one of my favorite stories was about the balls held at the palace. My father told me about the time he met my mother, and my brother told me about the scenes he saw from a security perspective.

Until my father passed away, I thought I would attend the palace balls when I grew up.

After my father's death, it became a distant possibility, perhaps with Lord Gorman.

As the situation in the Laguren territory continued to worsen, and finally, my engagement to Lord Gorman was broken off, I completely forgot about the existence of the palace balls.

That's right.

During this period, when the tax revenues and other situations of the nobles from various regions are reported, a masquerade ball is held at the palace.

I had completely forgotten about it because it seemed so far-fetched.

"From the front, we can get close by carriage. But from this side, the carriage can only go this far."

"Then, should we prepare horses?"

"We can't make Lucia walk for too long in her dress."

"Well, that's true, but... aren't you using your privileges a bit too much?"

Albes grumbled as he mounted his horse and reached out his hand to me.

"Lucia, come here."

It seems I will ride with my brother.

I can ride a horse on my own, but in this outfit, it might be too much.

I thought I could manage on my own if I had a step, but then I felt myself being lifted by the waist.

"Huh?"

Before I could turn around, I was placed on the back of another horse.

A side-saddle for women was placed there.

But the horse itself was large and did not look like one designed for women to ride side-saddle. As I tilted my head and reflexively held the reins, someone mounted behind me.

"Hey, Phil!"

"My horse can handle two people, so it's fine."

"Then, get me a proper warhorse too!"

"Well, I couldn't find a knight willing to lend me a warhorse. ...Let's just leave it at that."

Phil averted his eyes when Albes glared at him.

But he took the reins from me and started walking the horse. My brother followed closely behind, but he seemed angry.

I tilted my head again and looked up at Phil.

"Is riding horses prohibited in the palace grounds?"

"Usually, yes. But the knights are exempt, and the palace guards are allowed to ride here."

So, it's actually not allowed to ride horses here?

Since my brother mentioned privileges, it must be thanks to Phil that we can ride horses.

I shifted my gaze to the surroundings.

It was almost sunset, and the sky surrounded by the castle walls was glowing red. The direction of the gate we entered is already approaching the night sky, so it will soon be completely dark.

I never imagined seeing the palace courtyard at dusk.

As I was looking at the buildings dyed red, Phil cleared his throat lightly.

"Lucia, you're not nervous at all, are you?"

"I am nervous. I thought it would be a much smaller ball!"

"That's not what I meant... This is the first time you've ridden with me, right?"

"Is it? I've been on horses with my father and my brother, so I didn't think much of it, but now that you mention it, it is the first time with you."

"Well, it's fine. Am I on the same level as Albes? ...I guess it's okay as long as you don't hate me."

Phil muttered something with a dark expression.

I wondered if I should ask what he meant, but then I heard the sound of lively music.

"It's started. That building in front is our destination. We plan to slip into the venue after a couple of songs, so be prepared. Now that we've come this far, let's enjoy it thoroughly. We can dance a lot in the corner, where we won't stand out!"

Phil said this with a smile.

It was the bright, childlike smile I knew so well.