Published: January 4, 2026
“Hm?”
“Oh?”
Alice and I noticed it almost simultaneously.
Outside the tent, the sound of footsteps echoed sharply.
Mixed in with the footsteps was the clinking of armor, unmistakably hurried—anyone listening would know someone was in a rush.
“Has something happened?”
“Hmm.”
The footsteps approached us directly.
As we watched cautiously, the steps stopped right at the entrance of the tent.
“Henry reporting, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm.”
“Apologies for disturbing your rest, but I have urgent news to convey.”
Almost at the same time I heard Henry’s voice and saw a shadow kneeling outside through the tent fabric.
Alice looked at me with a confused expression.
It was clear from his voice that Henry was not just in a hurry, but genuinely anxious.
I nodded to Alice and said, “Let him in.”
She rose silently and stepped out as Henry came inside.
It was night in the emperor’s bedroom.
Although in my mind, the emperor has no personal time, I understand that most people don’t think that way.
For a man like Henry to rush here in the middle of the night during private hours and in a private place, it was almost certainly about state affairs or military matters.
Alice, understanding this, said nothing and quietly left as Henry came in.
After confirming Alice’s departure, Henry approached me with a stern expression and handed over an envelope.
It was plain, but well-made and sealed tightly.
A secret report.
That phrase flashed through my mind.
“This is an urgent report.”
“Hmm.”
I took it and pulled out the paper from the seal Henry must have broken.
I opened it and read the contents.
“...Your Majesty?”
I could feel my brows furrowing tightly.
The secret report had come from the Imperial Capital, informing that my father, the retired emperor, had collapsed.
I looked up at Henry.
His brows were deeply furrowed as well, matching my own concern.
I understood immediately.
This news arrived, and Henry could not keep still; he rushed to me in haste.
I knew all too well why Henry had come in such a panic.
It had happened quite some time ago too—the time when Father collapsed.
That was when I was still a boy and had been appointed Prince Minister of Legal Affairs.
Back then, when Father collapsed, it was quite a commotion.
Since then, many years had passed—meaning Father had aged considerably.
He was now very old, truly elderly.
It was natural to assume that this collapse was even more urgent than the last.
I fully understood why Henry was so flustered.
I paused to ask Henry.
“When did this arrive?”
“Just a moment ago. The content was not something I could hold back, so I hurried here to report it.”
“I see. Understood. Though it says he collapsed, the details are unclear. If the wording is this brief, then the situation is probably not ‘worst case’.”
“Yes, I believe that is correct.”
“In that case, prepare accordingly for now. At least get ready so that I alone can return.”
“Yes!”
Henry bowed deeply.
If this were in the Imperial Capital or closer, he would have immediately ridden an express messenger or used instant communication to notify me.
Unfortunately, neither option was available.
I could neither return immediately nor contact anyone.
All I could do was wait for further updates while preparing to move at any moment.
Henry seemed to understand this too and relaxed a little, opening his brows slightly now that he had made a proper report and received legitimate instructions.
I looked at Henry with a serious face and said,
“One small reprimand.”
“Huh?”
Henry raised his head, puzzled by the word “reprimand.”
“Henry, you said you came here straight after you received this, right?”
“Yes. I thought it was urgent enough to report immediately.”
Henry still looked quite blank.
I glanced briefly, but noticeably, toward the tent entrance where Alice had left.
Alice had noticed something—the way Henry hurried was likely witnessed by quite a few others along the way.
“Yes... Ah.”
Henry suddenly realized.
His face shifted to one of “I messed up.” Seeing him visibly pale was a rare and fresh reaction for the usually composed Henry.