The Emperor and the Knightess

The vessels were impressed with the emperor’s thoroughness in managing his lands, not knowing that the official was actually here to spy on Poliana, not the city.

The “auditor” from Yapa asked, “Where is the marquess?” He asked to see Poliana and the vessels sweated nervously. If they refused to let him see their mistress, this could become a problem later.

Poliana had been staying at the country house and refusing to meet with anyone other than the people working in the Sitrin castle. For the auditor to request a meeting from her was not unreasonable. It actually made sense for him to meet with the landlord of Sitrin. If this meeting did not take place, the auditor may think that Poliana was being disloyal to the kingdom and the emperor.

The vessels made various excuses to keep the auditor busy while Poliana contemplated. She could not refuse to see him, but if the auditor saw her, he would notice her giant stomach. There was no hiding the fact that she was very pregnant. Unless the auditor suddenly became blind, he would know immediately.

Thankfully, the auditor was already acquainted with Poliana. As soon as she heard his name, her face brightened a little. She decided to see him. When the auditor heard that he was granted an audience, he sighed in relief.

Poliana greeted him, “Long time no see, First Level Scribe. When did you become an auditor?”

When Poliana was responsible for the emperor’s personal protection, she became acquainted with all of the high-ranking scribes. Poliana especially became close to a few scribes and the one closest to her was the auditor standing right in front of her now.

Scribe Momo.

Their friendship became a little shaky after Momo purchased a home in Nanaba by using all the money he earned during the 10-year-long war. When Lucius the First suddenly changed the capital city to Yapa, Momo ended up losing a lot of money and Momo became upset at the fact that Poliana did not tell him the emperor’s plan. Fortunately, Poliana felt guilty and loaned him a significant amount of money at zero interest, and this was enough to mend their friendship.

Momo used to be an excellent scribe who was very tight-lipped. Poliana knew that he was someone who could be trusted.

“Long time no see, Marquess. I had a very devastating reason for giving up my position as a royal scribe.”

The auditor Momo, who used to be the scribe Momo, looked thin and tired. Momo complained about what happened to him. There were four levels of scribes in the government: the third level, the second level, the first level, and special level. There was a great need for the second and third-level scribes but only a limited demand for the first and the special levels.

Most first and second level scribes planned on changing their department as a long-term plan because they had a better chance of promotion, but for Momo, becoming the special level scribe was the dream of his life. Momo wanted to remain in his current department and become the special level scribe that served the very first emperor of the entire kingdom. However, Lucius the First thought very highly of Momo, who was an efficient worker with unwavering loyalty and tight lips and sent him to the audit department. The emperor promised to return Momo to being a scribe if he did well as an auditor, but so far, this hasn’t happened.

Momo said to Poliana in frustration, “Don’t you think the emperor is being unfair! I mean, what did I do to deserve this?!”

“But this was a promotion. He sent you to the audit department because you are good.”

“But I like being a scribe! I really liked my old job!”

Momo filled Poliana in what was happening in Yapa as well, and during their entire chat, Momo’s hand and eyes never stopped working. The vessels of Sitrin already complained to Poliana that Momo was an incredibly detailed auditor. He may not have agreed, but Momo, with his experience in the war and his detail-oriented mind, as perfect for this job.

The Sitrin administration and accounting were transparent. Momo smiled in satisfaction and asked Poliana, “By the way, you look very well, Marquess. When are you returning to Yapa? His highness misses you terribly.”

“Well, I made a mistake.

“Mistake?”

“Yes, a huge one.”

Poliana, who has been sitting behind a large desk and covering herself with a thick shawl, stood up. When she removed the shawl, her pregnant belly was revealed. There was no denying that she was with a child.

Poliana could lie if she wanted. She could say she was suffering from a tumor or a parasite in her stomach. Although Momo was an excellent government official, he could be rather slow in things of this nature. There was a chance he might buy her ridiculous lie. But instead, Poliana told him the truth. She could trust him. Just as Lucius the First knew, Momo knew how to keep a secret.

“Huh!”

Momo gasped and began to cough in shock. Poliana walked to him and patted his back to help him breathe. She said to him, “If people in Yapa find out, my reputation is going to be ruined.”

“Definitely.”

Momo, clearly worried for Poliana, promised her, “I will keep your promise with my life, Marquess!”

“I knew you would, Momo. Thank you.”

Only

“There is no need to thank me! After what we have been through! We are friends after all.”

It was wonderful to have a friend you could trust. Momo said again, “I swear! I will keep your promise to my grave!”

“Thank you. Oh, and please just make up something for the emperor. I would be too embarrassed if he finds out.”

“Of course! Don’t worry about a thing, Marquess!”

Poliana smiled as she caressed her stomach slowly. It was a coincidence that she befriended the scribe, but now, it seemed that her friendship was paying off. At the time, the other knights often told her it was useless to befriend the scribes because they were small-minded government officials. But Poliana did not listen to them. She used to discuss and debate with the scribes often about the emperor’s beauty and how to spread the truth about his highness’s greatness to the world.

The vessels stood at the castle entrance as they waved goodbye to Momo. Momo arrived at Sitrin with a lightly packed bag, but now, he left with many gifts. As an auditor, accepting such gifts could be seen as accepting a bribe, but he and Poliana were good friends. Most people knew their relationship. He may have visited Sitrin on official business, but his friend ended up giving him a few presents. What was so wrong with that?

The only one who could fault him was the emperor, but Momo knew Lucius the First wouldn’t dare. After all, it was the emperor who abused his power and sent him to Poliana in pretense.