Published: January 4, 2026
In the capital, while a grand departure parade centered around Empress Audrey was underway, I quietly set off with two maids.
They were Zoe, the head maid, and Kate, whom I had recently taken in.
Though well-prepared, we traveled in a modest carriage that didn’t attract attention, posing as merchants of some standing, while Zoe and Kate followed on foot.
After walking along the highway for about half a day, I sent Kate ahead to secure lodging for the night.
Watching Kate hurrying off to arrange the inn from atop the carriage, Zoe suddenly spoke from beside me.
Since we were traveling incognito, our speech and titles had reverted to those used during my time as a prince.
“Master, I have something I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Why did you bring Kate along?”
“Hm?”
I turned to face her directly.
Zoe looked up at me with a troubled, questioning expression.
“I understand why you took notice of her, Master. She’s earnest, devoted, and very perceptive. But she’s terribly inexperienced. In the mansion, there are other maids to cover for her, but when we’re outside…”
“Well, yes. She’s definitely a bit unsteady in many ways.”
I looked ahead to the tiny figure of Kate’s back disappearing down the road and smiled softly.
In anything, enthusiasm usually arises when one is about to do something beyond their abilities or near their limits.
Humans don’t think ‘I’m going to walk!’ when just walking—they only think ‘I’m going to run!’ when speeding up.
In that sense, Kate’s constant eagerness probably makes her seem unreliable in Zoe’s eyes.
“There’s no great reason. I simply recognized Kate’s potential and want to give her experience to help her grow.”
“To nurture her?”
“Yes. She will improve with use, don’t you think?”
“That’s true, but... in our current shortage of staff, that could cause inconvenience to you, Master.”
“Training people is a noble’s duty, and enduring hardship for it is a noble’s privilege.”
“But... you, Master, are currently...”
Zoe faltered mid-sentence.
I presumed the unspoken words were something like ‘You’re the emperor, after all.’
After a slight hesitation, she shook her head.
“As expected of you, Master.”
Having known me for a long time, she seemed to understand that regardless of whether I was emperor or not, when it comes to training people, they just have to be trained.
I hadn’t only brought Kate with the intention of nurturing her; Zoe was the same.
She had been working hard as the head maid, so I kept her close, but really, I wanted to have sent her out sooner, like Evelyn.
That Evelyn is now the governor of Almeria.
Zoe’s potential is on par with, if not exceeding, Evelyn’s.
So I brought Zoe along to give her more experience.
☆
After about a week of travel, we arrived at Duselle, the provincial capital of Gavel.
Duselle.
A city built on both banks of the Duselle River, almost as if it were perched on top of the water.
This bustling city, prospered by river transport, was lively enough to be noticeable even from afar at night.
“A lively city, isn’t it?”
“There are registered 200,000 residents in the city alone.”
“Two hundred thousand!?”
Kate was so surprised that she mispronounced the word for ‘hundred thousand’ slightly.
“More importantly, is the lodging properly secured?”
Unlike Kate, Zoe, having spent a long time in the royal capital, was not surprised by a city of 200,000 people.
She calmly asked Kate.
“Yes! I secured rooms at an inn by the riverside, even reserving the top floor. Just in case, I also booked an entire floor below.”
“You couldn’t rent the whole inn?”
“Sorry, when I arrived, there were already a few guests.”
“Why not negotiate?”
“No need. You did well, Kate.”
Stopping Zoe’s interrogation, I gave Kate words of praise.
Kate’s effort was probably not perfect but was certainly better.
When someone is better, it’s important to praise them more to build confidence.
Relieved by the praise, Kate relaxed.