Chapter 469 - Commendations

The ceremonial proceedings began with the royal herald’s announcements.

There were a fair number of them.

First came a lengthy declaration on the emperor’s god-given right to rule, his place as the chosen sun of the empire, and the loyal subjects gathered beneath his light. He spoke of duty, devotion, and His Majesty’s gratitude towards those who had spent the past year defending the empire from the many dangers that had risen against it.

That was followed by an account of those dangers.

Demonic infestations. Attacks from the Tribe of Sin. The return of the Undead Council. Rampant monster attacks. The sudden appearance of strange remnants of the Zuverian civilisation.

Overall, Scarlett let most of it go in one ear and out the other.

It wasn’t really anything she didn’t already know, nor did it hold any particular relevance to what would come next.

Instead, she kept her attention on the throne overlooking the chamber. On the people standing around it, and the man seated there.

It had been a while since she had last seen the emperor in person, but not long enough for his appearance to have changed much. Despite that, something about the man felt different.

He still had the same sharp features, neatly trimmed beard, and wavy blond hair greying at the edges, along with a practised air of authority that seemed almost made for the golden throne beneath him. Even the subtle look in his eyes was much the same.

But something about him felt more…worn.

Scarlett wasn’t sure if that was the right word. He didn’t look tired outwardly, yet there was something about him that gave her that impression.

As for the crown prince beside him, the young man appeared to be doing his best to look every bit the future emperor. Meanwhile, the second princess’ face was completely unreadable, revealing none of the girl’s thoughts.

Scarlett had half expected Mistress—in her role as Evelia Blackwood, imperial advisor—to meet her gaze at some point with some smug look or other, but she didn’t. The woman stayed focused on the proceedings, maintaining her persona with what was probably an impressive degree of discipline for her.

Another detail that caught Scarlett’s interest was Leon’s absence among the Solar Knights stationed around the chamber.

She wasn’t sure why that was. She would have expected him to be here, but instead, the man standing at the foot of the stairs leading to the throne was an older knight with broad shoulders, greying hair cut close to his head, and a stern face that looked more suited to a battlefield than a ceremonial chamber.

Scarlett thought she recalled his name being Grimbald Crowder, captain of the Solar Knights.

A respected warrior, from what she’d heard. He had served the empire for decades, his name carried considerable weight among the nobility, and he had even once served as one of the emperor’s Swords.

Scarlett supposed it made sense for him to oversee matters here rather than Leon, who was only the vice-captain. It was still strange that Leon wasn’t present at all, though.

Was there a particular reason for that? Perhaps part of the Solar Knights had been dispatched elsewhere in the empire.

In one way, she’d be thankful if that were the case. It would be one less hassle for her to deal with today. After all, her last encounter with Leon hadn’t exactly been friendly.

For some time after leaving Beld Thylelion, she had worried that he would report the full details of their meeting there to the emperor, forcing her to devote both time and resources to defending herself against the resulting accusations. She had prepared several possible responses, ranging from turning those accusations back on him to simply blaming an impostor, but it would have become a huge mess regardless.

Thankfully, she had since learned from Regina that the princess had specifically asked Leon not to share those details, and despite his reservations, the man had actually given his word.

That made things significantly easier for Scarlett.

If that hadn’t been the case, she probably wouldn’t be here today.

At least not in the same capacity as she was about to be.

The royal herald’s proclamations continued for a while longer before he finally concluded with a grand statement on the empire’s endurance and struck his staff against the floor once more.

Which meant they were finally moving on to the real meat of the proceedings.

This ceremonial section wasn’t the main purpose of the day. That would come later, with the establishment of the Empyreal Barrier. This was more of a formal intermission of sorts. While dignitaries like the Followers’ deacons were present, both this and the earlier reception had mainly been for the nobility’s sake.

As Lady Withersworth had put it, it was ‘grease for the wheels of the nobility’s collective vanity’. A semi-traditional pageant held at most major functions in Dawnlight Palace, at least when those functions weren’t strictly political.

The Elysian Proclamation had gone on for hours when Scarlett took part in it, but she would be surprised if this ceremony lasted more than one. It would mostly consist of the royal herald announcing certain names, those people stepping forward, the emperor offering a few words of thanks, and then moving on to the next.

Given that Scarlett had been making a name for herself lately with the resources she had devoted to relief efforts and her cooperation with groups like the Followers and the Shields Guild, it was essentially guaranteed that her name would be brought up.

That said, it probably wouldn’t have been among the most notable-

There were people who had fought on the front lines against the monster attacks. People who had defended entire cities and towns. For all the help Scarlett had provided, martial contributions apparently still often weighed heavier in situations like this.

Which was precisely why Lady Withersworth had identified the ceremony as such a useful opportunity.

The royal herald began calling names.

First was Marchioness Sahra Thackeray of Wildscar, honoured in her absence. The woman was praised for defending Wildscar and its surrounding regions with unflinching resolve, even personally slaying two adult dragons. Her failure to attend or send a representative was excused in light of her continued service, and the herald declared that, while defence of the empire was the duty of all His Majesty’s servants and not something that demanded reward, His Majesty had nevertheless chosen to bestow a personal gift upon her once the present threats had passed and order had been restored.

After that, most of those called were prominent nobles, including Duke Valentino and several others Scarlett was at least passingly familiar with.

A few more were absent, such as Count Knottley, who, according to Livvi, was currently operating in the regions northwest of Freybrook in preparation to clear out as many monsters as possible in conjunction with the Empyreal Barrier’s establishment.

In general, the absent nobles were among the more militarily minded, but since attendance had never been mandatory, the emperor excused them all. Many had still sent family members or representatives in their place.

Scarlett listened as the names continued, watching the pattern of the ceremony and waiting for the right moment to arrive.

When her name was finally called, it came after Duke Santos Tyndall of Windgrove, who had been acknowledged for the support his house had provided in stabilising the regions surrounding Autumnwell after the worst of the unrest there.

“Baroness Scarlett Hartford of Stagmond,” the royal herald announced, his voice carrying through the chamber, “is called forth in recognition of her service to the empire and its people.”

Scarlett was the first person called who wasn’t a count or higher.

That drew some curious looks from the gathered nobles on the opposite side of the chamber. Most didn’t look surprised, though.

Scarlett left her position among the other titled nobles.

Duke Valentino, standing only a few places away, frowned slightly when their eyes met. Then, after a moment, he gave a small nod.

Scarlett almost smiled as she noticed the quiet shift among some of the nobles near him. He wasn’t the only one wearing something close to expectation on his face.

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Though anticipation might have been the better word.

She hadn’t thought she would care much when the moment finally came, but it seemed the part of her that enjoyed the attention would continue to rear its head at times like this.

As she crossed the hall and stepped onto the red carpet leading towards the foot of the stairs before the throne, she briefly met Raimond’s masked gaze where he stood with the rest of the Followers’ contingent.

She could tell there was curiosity there as well.

Interest in what she might be about to show.

Beside him, Deacon Solnate was watching closely too.

Scarlett looked away and continued forward until she reached the stairs, where the captain of the Solar Knights stood with both hands resting around the hilt of his sword, its point planted against the floor.

His eyes followed her as she lowered herself to her knees, carefully arranging the fall of her gown where its cut had been designed to allow the movement.

“Let this steadfast servant of the empire greet Your Majesty, on this day of honour and accomplishment.”

Her voice carried clearly through the chamber. She raised her head to look towards the throne.

The emperor observed her in silence, one elbow resting on the armrest and his cheek leaning against his hand.

A slight sense of reverence stirred somewhere in Scarlett, but she kept her cool.

The emperor watched her longer than he had watched any of those who had come before her. The difference was noticeable enough that it undoubtedly drew attention.

“Baroness Hartford,” he finally said. “I still recall your oath the last time you knelt before me.”

With those words, the atmosphere changed.

For every previous noble, he had moved directly to thanking them for their contributions and asking that they continue devoting themselves to the empire. Now that he’d broken from that pattern for Scarlett, even those who hadn’t been paying close attention would be able to tell something was happening.

If the emperor weren’t speaking, Scarlett could only imagine the whispers that would be spreading through the chamber.

She met the man’s eyes, straightening slightly.

The emperor’s lips curved into an almost rueful smile.

“There were those who thought you were reaching above your station, Baroness. For as many proclamations as I have presided over in my life, I do not think I had ever witnessed someone offer their pledge in quite that brusque a manner. In fact, I had the records of my predecessors examined, and there had never been a case of a servant of the empire doing so before this throne.”

Something flashed behind that smile.

“Not without later proving a traitor.”

The air seemed to cool.

The emperor studied her. “Do you know why I allowed it at the time?”

Scarlett shook her head. “I do not, Your Majesty. Please, enlighten me.”

“Because I thought I saw something in you.”

The emperor lifted one hand in Mistress’ direction.

The woman, in turn, managed to look as if Scarlett’s existence only barely warranted her attention, sparing her a single brief glance.

“My advisor shared that impression at the time,” the emperor continued. “Though she also advised that I teach you manners and restraint. Had I done so, perhaps we would not have been here today.”

Scarlett’s gaze shifted to Mistress.

So that was what the woman had whispered to him back then?

They hadn’t formally met at the time, so it wasn’t as though Scarlett could exactly fault her for it.

But she could remember it.

Her attention returned to the emperor as he continued.

“Baroness Hartford has done much in these past months to aid her subjects, her peers, and the empire at large. I have read reports bearing your name from the Followers of Ittar, from the Shields Guild, and from my own offices. All seem to agree that you, as a simple baroness, have poured more of yourself into aiding those around you than could reasonably be expected. If judged in proportion to station, there may be none other in the empire who has given as much.”

His gaze remained fixed on her.

“Regardless of circumstance, that is praiseworthy. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, who draw breath, eat warm meals, and sleep beneath shelter today thanks to the efforts you have undertaken.”

Scarlett lowered her head slightly. “Fate has seen fit to grant me the means to be the servant my father before me aspired to be. I am merely carrying on his will. And I would be remiss if I failed to mention that my sister is the one who devised many of the relief initiatives my barony has enacted. There are also many who have aided us in our work. I cannot claim all credit myself.”

“It is respectable nonetheless,” the emperor said.

Then his voice lowered.

“However, it is not enough to justify placing yourself on the same level as a duke. If this were all you had to show for yourself, Baroness, then I would be sorely disappointed in having overlooked your ambition last time.”

A brief silence followed.

Then his smile returned.

“It is fortunate, then, that it was not all.”

He clapped his hands.

A heavy sound echoed through the chamber as the great bronze-red doors at the far end opened.

Scarlett turned her head.

Several Solar Knights entered in formation, carrying something between them. Even with their strength, it took more than a few to bear the object forward.

It was long, curved, and pale as bone, with a jagged base that looked as if it’d been torn free from something larger. Streaks of white scored its surface between faint ridges.

A sense of puzzlement moved through the chamber.

“What we have here,” the emperor’s voice echoed, “is the tooth of the Dragon of Devastation.”

Shocked gasps rose from the sides of the hall.

“I have had scholars, clerical certificants, the Shields Guild, arch wizards, and my own advisor examine this tooth and verify that it does indeed hail from that ancient dragon,” the emperor said. “It is also their conclusion, from both the state of the tooth itself and divination magic, that the Dragon of Devastation is dead.”

Scarlett only half-listened as her eyes followed the man leading the knights carrying the tooth across the chamber.

When they reached her, they stopped and lowered it to the floor with a heavy thud.

Leon met her gaze with a complicated expression. Then he looked away.

Scarlett studied him for a few moments longer before returning her attention to the emperor.

“Baroness Scarlett Hartford,” the man said, his tone changing, taking on a weight that seemed to settle over the chamber. “Tell me, is it true that you were the one responsible for this dragon’s fall?”

The room returned to complete silence.

Scarlett inclined her head.

“This is true.”

“Do you swear it upon your honour, the honour of your house, and beneath the witness of Ittar’s light?”

“I do.”

There was a pause before the emperor nodded in turn.

“Then it appears our empire has seen the birth of another hero whose name will be spoken of for generations to come.”

He gestured towards Leon and the other knights, who moved past Scarlett to stand on either side of the stairs leading to the throne.

“The Dragon of Devastation is not what brought about our current ills, but it remains one of the greatest single calamities to befall our lands in living memory. Countless people lost their lives to its rage. As their emperor, I, Gartelnas Articius Verddun Teronia, recognise and honour your feat. You and all those who aided you in this endeavour will be recorded as the first in imperial history to slay an ancient dragon, a deed that not even Galrath and his generation of heroes can boast. I have been told the dragon was already wounded when you dealt the final blow, but that does not lessen the glory of your achievement.”

The emperor’s gaze moved towards the tooth.

“This relic will stand as testament to your bravery. Along with it, your name shall be entered into the Hall of Providers, the Imperial Annals, and the Rolls of Eternal Service.”

Scarlett knelt slightly deeper. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Beyond this, are there any immediate rewards you wish to request?”

She straightened again and looked up at him.

“I would ask that I be granted sole claim to its heart as the vanquisher’s prize, Your Majesty.”

Several more gasps sounded through the chamber.

Those probably came from the people who knew exactly how valuable an ancient dragon’s heart was. After all, it might be one of the most priceless objects in the entire empire. It was entirely unreasonable for a mere baroness to ask for it, even if she had been the one to slay the dragon.

The emperor’s eyes stayed on her for several long moments.

Finally, he moved one hand.

“Very well.”

His agreement would likely come as a shock to most of those gathered.

Scarlett had already known he would agree, though.

She had offered up essentially everything else from Olgolzkreh’s body, and Lady Withersworth and her husband had used all of their connections on Scarlett’s behalf to reach a compromise. It might also have helped that Scarlett had claimed the dragon had left a curse on the heart before perishing, making it effectively unmanageable by anyone but her.

Which was essentially the truth.

“Is there anything else you want?” the emperor asked.

This time, Scarlett hesitated.

She was only supposed to ask for this one thing, but…

Her gaze shifted towards the second princess, who was watching her curiously.

“Your Majesty, I would also like to request a private audience with you.”

The emperor’s eyebrows rose.

Then he dipped his head.

“I have no reason to deny this. I will make time for you between these proceedings and the establishment of the Barrier.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“There is nothing else?”

“Nothing, Your Majesty. I have—”

Scarlett paused as a quiet sound reached her.

A stifled sob.

She looked to her right.

A middle-aged woman stood hunched among the gathered guests, supported by the young man and woman on either side of her. Tears ran freely down her face as she stared at Scarlett with an expression of pure, unguarded gratitude.

Scarlett couldn’t help staring back.

For a moment, she was reminded of how much damage Olgolzkreh’s rampage had actually caused.

He had laid waste to a region several times the size of Freybrook. Entire villages had been erased. Towns had been reduced to less than rubble. There were almost certainly people in this room who had lost someone dear to them back then.

When Scarlett had spoken with Olgolzkreh, she had sympathised with his plight.

At least in part.

She’d known what he had done, but like so many other things, that knowledge had existed mostly as a fact in her mind.

Seeing this woman look at her like that made it easier for her to feel that, to others, it had been the cruel reality.

Meanwhile, to Olgolzkreh, the worst part of what had happened hadn’t been the lives he had taken. It had been the injury to his pride. The indignity of being brought so low and then used.

In the end, a being like him inhabited an entirely different world from regular people.

And to the woman standing there now, Scarlett was the person who had ended something that must once have felt impossible to end.

There was a slight guilt in realising that her decision to reveal Olgolzkreh’s death had never truly taken people like this into consideration.

Scarlett turned back to the emperor.

For a second, she was silent.

“I have already asked for more than enough, Your Majesty,” she said. “Knowing that I have helped rid the empire of one of its calamities, what you have allowed me is sufficient.”

The emperor regarded her.

“You are not afraid to show your ambitions, Baroness, but neither do you seem unaware of when restraint is called for. That is commendable.” His gaze moved across the chamber. “If that is all, then we will set this matter aside for now. Unless there is anyone here who has any objections.”

“I do,” a voice sounded.

Scarlett looked to her left.

Duke Valentino stepped forward from among the titled nobles, leaning on his cane. His eyes settled on Scarlett briefly before turning towards the emperor.

“I am afraid I do not believe this matter has been settled, Your Majesty. I do not wish to dispute your judgement, but neither do I believe the arrangement you have agreed to is appropriate, given what has been shown.”

Behind him, Scarlett saw several nobles she knew weren’t especially fond of her shift in faint surprise, only to compose themselves a moment later. Some even began nodding along, apparently prepared to support whatever complaint they believed the duke was about to make.

Which was why Scarlett had to keep herself from showing her dark amusement at his next words.

“A servant of the empire who has accomplished what no duke, marchioness, or hero of the first emperor’s age ever did should not be honoured only as a baroness.”