CHAPTER 77: ACHIEVEMENT

After talking to the emperor, I felt emotionally drained, like a lemon from which every drop of juice had been squeezed out. My whole body felt numb, and my heart was pounding, as if to remind me that it was still alive and beating, despite my exhaustion.

Yes, this happened every time I had to deal with him. No matter how prepared I was, no matter how hard I tried to control myself, there was always that subtle tremor inside that betrayed my tension.

Even for me, hardened by endless stressful situations and accustomed to tension, it was still difficult to remain completely calm when faced with the most powerful man in the empire. His presence was physically palpable — the tension in the air, his quiet but unrelenting gaze that seemed capable of reading thoughts and intentions as if they were an open book.

The emperor’s words always sounded like a sentence, even if he spoke them in a calm tone. Every sentence, every phrase carried the weight of authority, and incompetence or delay could cost a great deal.

You could say I was a little nervous. Okay, I admit it — I was very nervous. Especially considering that I had almost run out of excuses. Every new conversation with him became a test for me: how many more times would I be able to dodge the issue, and how many more excuses could I come up with?

In fact, I could hardly imagine how I would be able to keep going at this pace for another five years. Five years. No, I think I would really go crazy during that time.

Oh well. I took a deep breath when I left the restroom after talking to the emperor and was finally able to breathe freely.

Well, at least it’s over. I’ll have time to come up with another excuse before my next conversation with the emperor. In the meantime... I really wanted to rest.

Since I had visited the imperial palace often over the past three years and knew my way around quite well, I was able to find my way back without any help. So when the emperor’s chamberlain offered to escort me back, I declined, thanking him. He just nodded, and I continued on my way alone.

The silence of the corridors was much more pleasant to me than the noise and hum of the banquet hall. The gilded walls, decorated with tapestries, reflected the light of crystal lamps, and my footsteps echoed hollowly in them.

I walked slowly and couldn’t help wondering: was it even worth going back to the banquet hall? What was I supposed to do there? It seemed to me that I had already spent enough time at this banquet, and besides, my meeting with the emperor had already taken place. So I didn’t think I really had any reason to stay here.

And besides, I didn’t really want to run into Roger again in the banquet hall after what had happened, so that was another reason to leave.

Yes, it would be better to leave immediately.

I had just passed the corridor leading to the banquet hall and was about to turn toward the exit when fate decided to play a trick on me again.

It’s true what they say: just mention someone, and they’ll show up right away.

A short distance from the lounge, I unexpectedly ran into Roger. He was standing with his back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. His scarlet hair glowed crimson in the lamplight, and his dress uniform fit him perfectly. Seeing him here, in the empty corridor, seemed so unexpected that I almost stopped in my tracks.

"Sir Roger?" I blurted out involuntarily.

He flinched slightly at the sound of my voice and slowly turned his head. His blue eyes met mine, and I saw a flicker of relief in them.

"Lady Weinstein," he said quietly but confidently. "You’re back."

The guy pushed himself away from the wall and took a few steps toward me. His footsteps sounded quite loud in the silence of the hallway, and I felt myself tense up involuntarily.

"Sir Roger," I tried to speak as calmly as possible, "what are you doing here?"

"You were gone for quite a while," he replied, looking closely at my face. "So I decided to come and check... in case something had happened to you."

I cleared my throat slightly, hiding my embarrassment.

"Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"I’m glad to hear it," Roger said after a short pause. "But... what exactly did you talk about with the emperor? Why did he want to see you so suddenly?"

I lowered my gaze. The question was, in fact, quite expected, and yet...

"...I’m sorry, Sir Roger, but I can’t tell you that."

For a few seconds, the guy studied my face intently, as if hoping to catch some hint on it. But then he sighed quietly and shook his head.

"I understand," Roger said. "It’s your personal business. I shouldn’t interfere."

"Thank you for your understanding," I replied briefly, feeling a slight relief that he didn’t insist.

"In that case..." Roger paused, as if choosing his words, "if your conversation is over, are you going back to the banquet hall? I could walk you there..."

"No," I hastened to reply. "Actually, I was just about to go home."

"Home?" Roger repeated, a hint of genuine surprise in his voice.

I understood perfectly well why he reacted that way.

After all, this banquet was held in honor of the empire’s long-awaited victory in the war. It would not be surprising if all the guests here were to celebrate until morning. Therefore, of course, my early departure seemed unusual, to say the least.

"Yes." I smiled tensely. "I’m a little tired and want to rest."

Roger narrowed his eyes, as if trying to understand what I was really thinking. For a few moments, there was a pause between us, filled with something strange. And yet...

"I understand," Roger finally said quietly. "In that case, do you have anyone who could accompany you?"

"No," I admitted. "I only came with the coachman."

Roger’s face reflected concern. His lips tightened into a thin line, and his voice sounded agitated:

"Have you really not hired any security yet?"

"Um... no," I replied uncertainly.

I understood his confusion. In this society, security for noble persons was considered mandatory. Especially for women. Usually, no noble lady appeared in public without a bodyguard. It was a rule not only of propriety, but also of safety.

Nevertheless, I had no security. In the three years I had been in the capital, I had not encountered a single incident that truly threatened me. The city guard did more than enough to do its job, and the streets were carefully guarded. So I felt that I simply did not need an additional bodyguard.

Besides, to be honest, there were almost always people from the Order of Shadows in the shadows, watching over me and protecting me unnoticed by those around me. Even though they weren’t officially called my protectors, they essentially took on that role.

And in the places I frequented most, especially within the Shadow Order, the presence of an outsider would be highly undesirable. So my independence had a practical side to it.

Therefore, I saw no problem in getting home alone this time either. However...

Roger suddenly took a step toward me. His gaze became serious, and his voice firm:

"Lady Weinstein, in that case, allow me to escort you home."

I blinked, not immediately understanding what he had said.

"What...?"

"You know," he continued, "it’s quite late. The streets can be unsafe at this hour, especially for a noble lady. I am concerned for your safety. Please allow me to accompany you."

I felt my thoughts stumble.

"No..." I blurted out too quickly. "There’s really no need!"

Damn it, that’s all I needed right now! All the headaches I’d had tonight were more than enough, and now this? Roger’s persistence threatened to turn my peaceful escape home into a new problem.

The guy frowned, and his voice sounded determined:

"Lady Weinstein, I insist. Let me take care of your safety."

I clenched my fingers into a fist, not hiding my confusion and irritation.

"But why? Why would you do that?"

He opened his mouth as if to answer, but suddenly hesitated. For a moment, Roger’s voice faltered, and a feeling he was trying to hide flashed in his eyes.

"Because..." he finally said, a little more quietly. "Because you are my mentor."

His words hung in the air for a moment as I froze, not even knowing what to say.

However, before I could come up with anything, a window popped up in my field of vision.

System notification:

"Congratulations! You’ve taken a step closer to his heart!

Achievement unlocked: "Mentor, or... more?"

Relationship with character [Roger Dickens] increased!

Current intimacy level: "Tremulous Trust"

New effect: Roger Dickens will look for more opportunities to be around you."